I woke up as the Villainous Empress
Fang Li, the top-ranking archery athlete, faces a devastating betrayal from her closest friend, leading to her fall from the pinnacle of success and transforming her into the most hated athlete. To her misery, she awakens in a setting that proves to be even more bizarre and dire than the initial betrayal, adding another layer of complexity to her already miserable fate. It was none other than the world of the fictional novel. She wasn't the female lead or a supporting character playing the role of a friend who would act as a cupid between the male and female lead. Instead, she becomes the fiancée of the Crown Prince, who will become the most hated and misunderstood villainess in the story, ultimately earning the infamous title of the Villainous Empress. What will happen to her? Will she meet her demise at the hands of the male lead, labeled as the villain and paving the way for the female lead? Or will she manage to alter her miserable fate and find happiness with the male lead, leading to a happily ever after? ___ The man's voice turned cold as he struggled to control his emotions. "So, you're telling me that you don't want to be my wife? Why? Didn't you want this to happen?" As the Crown Prince and future Emperor, Zheng Liang was used to being pursued by nobles and aristocrats who were eager to marry their daughters to him. So why did this woman, who was already engaged to him, want to break it off? He wanted to dissolve this arranged political marriage as well, but he hated it when she brought up this matter. Was she insane, or was she mocking him? Perhaps she had a new scheme to gain his attention. Because there is no way she will want to break off this marriage. She was a power-hungry and scheming woman who would do anything to gain more influence. There was no way she would willingly give up her position as a member of the Royal Family. Yang Ning noticed the man's suspicious and disdainful expression, but she remained polite and answered with a smile, "Your Highness, the reason is simple. I don't want to be a sacrificial lamb." She scowled inwardly, wishing she could just break off the engagement and be done with it. ‘What is his problem? Just break the marriage alliance and be done with it. Didn’t you hate me? Now I am giving you a chance; Just call it off!’ The Crown Prince was confused by her cryptic words. Was she trying to manipulate him by her confusing words? She gave a fake smile, but inside, she was crying. She knew that marrying this man would mean putting her life on the line. Who in their right mind would willingly offer their neck on a silver platter? Not her! She refused to be a villain in someone else's story. Instead, she was determined to take control of her own fate. ## *NO RAPE OR MAJOR MISUNDERSTANDING* [Note: All the rights of the cover belong to the author. It is a commissioned art. Anyone copying the art could be held accountable and be reported immediately.] Follow on Instagram: @kamlyn_love Discord Server: https://discord.gg/NTPCE7YZm7
Banquet (VI)
" Erm…..Happy Birthday…It is a new way to congratulate someone on their birthday." Yang Ning clasped her sweaty hands together as she explained what it means to Zheng Liang in the most simple way possible.
Who would have thought that one day she would be explaining the meaning of 'Happy Birthday' to someone?
'Just don't ask any more questions after this.' Yang Ning pleaded in her head while forcing out a polite smile.
She never smiled this much for the cameras in her world that she is smiling so much in front of the Crown Prince.
Yeah, that's right!
At that time, her life wasn't at stake, whereas here, things can go in an instant and they will not hesitate to sacrifice her life for their benefit.
Zheng Liang stared at Yang Ning with a frown as he was still skeptical about her explanation.
As the Crown Prince of the country, he has read all kinds of books and has accumulated the highest level of education that exists to rule the country.
How come he is unaware of the new way of greeting to congratulate someone on their birthday? Even if it belongs to a different kingdom, shouldn't he know about it better than the girl who has never stepped out of the capital city?
Strange!
Yang Ning pursed her lips to see the Crown Prince staring at her with a frown and could see the puzzlement written on his forehead in UPPERCASE letters.
'Why is he so suspicious? It's not like I have killed someone. Why is he thinking so hard about it?' She was at a loss for words to see his seriousness to know more about the new way of congratulating someone on their birthday.
" Lady Yang Ning, How do you-" Zheng Liang wanted to ask Yang Ning how did she find out about this new way of greeting or from where did she learn about it.
However, before he could complete his question, his personal guard interrupted him.
" Your Highness! The Banquet is going to start soon. We should go inside now." The guard who was standing behind the Crown Prince briefly glanced at Yang Ning before speaking his mind.
It was his first time seeing Lady Yang Ning from Yang Household, however, just like Zheng Liang, he has heard similar stories about the pampered, pretentious lady of the Yang Household.
That's why he did not want Zheng Liang to waste his precious time because of a vicious woman like her who treats their servants badly.
Even though he does not know what happened earlier, he had seen from afar how Yang Ning was trying to pull on her poor maid's hand, as if beating her.
How can she act so shamelessly in front of the royal palace? Does she have no fear of people watching her actions?
While the man said those words to save Zheng Liang's energy being spent on her, Yang Ning was thinking otherwise.
Her eyes lit up to hear the 'wise -words' of his guard and looked at the man with her clear-sparkling eyes and smiled at him.
Internally, she was jumping with joy and was thanking him for cutting off Zheng Liang's words at the right time.
The guard was perplexed to see Yang Ning smiling at him and wondered what was going on in her head. Shouldn't she be upset at him for interrupting her conversation with His Highness?
" That's right. It's an important day for His Highness. You shouldn't be late for such an event." Yang Ning supported the words of the guard and hurried Zheng Liang to go inside, who was hesitant to leave their 'informative' conversation in the middle.
He still does not know the origin and the history behind the new word that he failed to learn about during his classes. Seems like he still has a long way to learn more about their culture and language.
**
Once inside the Royal Palace, Yang Ning's mouth was parted in admiration and amazement. She has always been interested in history, more like interested in watching historical dramas or visiting the historical monuments and palaces but she never imagined in her wild dream that one day she would be visiting the real 'Royal Palace' where the royal family resides.
It was so much different than the 'Royal Palaces' that she had visited that was now used as the Historical Museums or Tourist attractions.
First of all, the royal palace was so vast and magnificent that it would take days if anyone wanted to tour the whole palace.
Today, she didn't go anywhere and directly went to the Main Hall of the Royal Palace where the Banquet was being held.
Just as she had expected, the Main Hall was vast and magnificent and was decorated with large, beautiful chandeliers that were brightening the Main Hall with its light.
Meanwhile, the pillars in the main hall were wrapped with soft, silk golden clothes, showing off the prosperity and regalness of the royal family.
The main hall of the palace was crowded with the people who were dressed extravagantly and was wearing dresses and outfits that were adorned with the sparkling and precious gems, meanwhile, clad in the heavy yet extravagant ornaments from head to toe.
Compared to those people, her dress and ornaments looked too ordinary and simple.
She wanted to go simple and light, without attracting any attention at the Banquet but it seems like her 'smart' move failed like a dud firecracker.
Earlier, while performing the tea ceremony with the Crown Prince, everyone's eyes were on her and she could feel that all the girls in the hall wanted to stab her with a knife in her back and take her place, next to the Crown Prince.
She somehow performed her duties with the Crown Prince and offered the tea to His Majesty which is necessary to commence the Celebration Banquet.
She has no idea how she acted earlier and her hands were trembling while pouring the tea into the cup and offering it to His Majesty.
It's not like she was making the tea herself and just had to pour it into the cup and give it to the Emperor as a formal ceremony but she was dying inside while standing in front of the Emperor and offering him the tea.
He is the 'real' Emperor after all. Even though he is just a character in the novel, however, in this world, he is the real deal.
'Thank God, everything ended well.' Yang Ning sighed heavily as she walked around the Main Hall to look at the beautiful paintings on the wall.
While walking around, a frown appeared on her forehead when she heard the people talking about her.
She wanted to look around the Main Hall of the Palace in peace but the noisy whispers of the people and their curious gazes were not allowing her to look around this beautiful palace without any disturbance.
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Yang Ning, don't do this to our Crown Prince. He only wants to know more about the topic.