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 (XI)
Yang Ning's words caught everyone off guard as no one was expecting her to react in this way. They were either expecting her to create a scene in front of everyone or show off her crocodile tears to gain the sympathy of His Highness and His Majesty.
Isn't that what she is good at? Manipulating the situation and turning it to her benefit?
" What kind of new scheme is she playing now?" Gu Lan, the personal bodyguard of Zheng Liang muttered in a low voice.
" Shut your mouth!" He was startled when he heard a cold voice from behind him.
When he turned around, he found Yang Ning's maid, Xiaowei glaring at him as if she would kill him if he muttered another single word. He scoffed in disbelief to see how Yang Ning has trained her servants to be as insolent as hers.
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Zheng Liang was surprised to see Yang Ning unaffected by Princess Liu's unpleasant behavior and was speaking affably as if she was talking to her friend.
" Lady Yang Ning, there is no need for you to explain the reason why you chose this dress to wear to the Banquet. No one has a right to question the choices you make, as long as it doesn't harm anyone." Zheng Liang supported her, despite receiving the questionable gazes of everyone.
He will not deny that he has some presumptions about Yang Ning, however, it does not mean that he would let anyone humiliate her in front of everyone. She is going to be the Future Crown Princess and embarrassing her in front of everyone means looking down on the Royal Family.
Moreover, she has not committed any sin that she has to be questioned like this in front of everyone. It was he who arranged the food table for her in the Main Hall and about what happened in the morning outside the Royal Palace, he does not believe that it was Yang Ning who was beating her maid and was manhandling her.
Yesterday, the way her maid was begging for her lady in front of Yang Luoyang, it does not look like she tortures her maid daily. Because no servant would show their loyalty like this towards their Master if they were to treat them badly.
Then how come the rumors about Yang Ning treating the servants badly be spread across the capital?
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Yang Ning was surprised at the way Zheng Liang supported her in front of everyone. Even though she was thankful for what he did, she could feel everyone in the Main Hall looking at her with hostility in their eyes.
' Why do I feel that these people will slash my neck with a sword as soon as I step outside the Royal Palace?'
'Wait a minute….what if I can go back after dying into this world? Just like how a game restarts after the main character dies in the game?' She wondered.
However, just as she was considering this possibility in her head, Princess Liu interrupted her imaginary dilemma, " Lady Yang Ning, seeing the way you are silent, I believe you have nothing to say. Hah! Because whatever excuses you will make will be futile."
" Everyone knows that there are no excuses that can explain why you choose to wear this kind of dress on a special and auspicious day like today." Princess Liu said smugly while looking down on Yang Ning who has nothing to say in front of everyone.
Even though the Crown Prince has been taking her side and protecting her from everyone's scrutinizing gazes, if Yang Ning does not say anything now, she will never be respected as the Crown Princess by the people in the future either.
Hearing the venomous words of Princess Liu, Yang Luoyang, who was watching the whole drama from far away, could feel his face burning up in anger and humiliation.
'This girl is going to be my death one day!' He clenched his fists and was regretting the moment he could not say anything in front of the Crown Prince.
If he had said something at that time and sent her back with Xiaowei to get changed into the dress that Chang Ah had prepared for her, then nothing like this would have happened. At least they could not accuse her of not respecting the Royal family and cursing the Crown Prince on this auspicious day by not dressing up according to the occasion.
He gritted his teeth and was about to walk down the platform to go and take charge of the situation when he heard a low and cold voice that made him freeze on the spot, " Minister Yang, where are you going?"
Yang Luoyang froze on the spot as he slowly turned around to face the Emperor who was looking at him with his emotionless yet indifferent expression, " Your…Your Majesty! I thought it would be better if I go and resolve the misunderstanding."
" Princess Liu seems to have misunderstood the intentions of Yang Ning. I thought it would be better if I go and explain to her about the reason why Yang Ning chose that dress and she had no intention to disrespect the etiquettes of the Royal Palace." He tried to explain it to His Majesty so that he would not accuse Yang Ning of this matter and consider the engagement between the two families again.
" Minister Yang, if your daughter is innocent, then why do you look so worried? Yang Ning is soon going to be the Crown Princess and part of the Royal family. If she is innocent, then she should be capable enough to protect her honor and reputation without you interfering in the matter." The Empress, who was sitting next to the Emperor on her designated royal throne said in a cold voice, causing Yang Luoyang to lower his head in front of her.
What can he do if the Empress does not want him to interfere in this matter? " Yes, Your Majesty!" He said and stood next to His and Her Majesty, without going down to protect his family's reputation which Yang Ning is going to ruin because of her stubbornness and foolishness.
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" Lady Yang Ning, do you know that you are wasting everyone's precious time here? Do you think we have a whole day to listen to your futile excuses?" Princess Liu was getting irritated to see Yang Ning standing in front of her quietly, without uttering a single word.
In reality, she does not want to allow her to explain her side of the story. However, it would be interesting to see what kind of stupid excuses she has to reason about her unthoughtful actions.
She would only make a joke of herself in front of everyone.
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Princess Liu, we will see who will make a joke of herself in front of everyone. Hehehe!!
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