I woke up as the Villainous Empress

As the crowd respectfully bowed, parting to make way for the royal carriage, Yang Ning and Zheng Liang were lost in their own world inside. With his thumb, Zheng Liang gently massaged the back of Yang Ning\'s hand as he inquired, "Did you have a good time today? Since it was your first ladies\' party, did anyone say anything to you?" He asked with concern, wary of any potential disrespect towards her.

Yang Ning shook her head with a smile and reassured Zheng Liang, "Who would dare say anything to me? I am the Crown Princess, after all." Still riding the high of her victorious day, she continued with enthusiasm, "I had so much fun. Though it started a bit dull, it got exciting later, and I even made a new friend."

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" I had so many delicious treats and succeeded in the archery game. Can you believe it? I aced it with a perfect score! As a reward, Lady Guo promised to tailor a dress just for me. And that\'s not all—I get a lifetime discount at her boutiques and special treatment whenever I visit. Isn\'t that thrilling?" Her face lit up with a bright smile.

Zheng Liang smiled, pleased to see Yang Ning so happy. Unbeknownst to her, the special treatment was something she was destined to receive as the Crown Princess and future Empress of the Empire. They couldn\'t treat her like an ordinary person, and the discounts were hardly necessary for them.

Despite knowing this, Zheng Liang had no intention of bursting Yang Ning\'s bubble of happiness. He wanted her to relish in the victory and the well-deserved rewards she earned through her efforts.

"My wife is truly amazing. I have witnessed your exceptional skill with the bow and arrows. No one can match your prowess in archery; winning was only natural for you," he complimented, gently patting her head. His words made her blush with a mix of happiness and embarrassment.

Yang Ning smiled, but a curious expression crossed her face. She looked at him and asked, "I was wondering... why did you suddenly come to the Guo Residence? You didn\'t mention anything this morning about picking me up. Besides, I arrived in my carriage, so there was no need for you to come." She questioned him, seeking an explanation.

"Oh?" Zheng Liang was caught off guard by her sudden question. He looked up at her, noticing her suspicious gaze. Blinking hesitantly, he cleared his throat and said, "Didn\'t I tell you already? I was passing by and thought I should stop by to pick up my wife. Why? Didn\'t you like my sudden appearance?

I thought you would appreciate it." He frowned and pouted his lips, feigning a sense of being wronged.

Yang Ning stared at him, a sense of unease settling in. His explanation didn\'t quite add up, and something felt off. Her curiosity had led her to ask the question, but his reaction only deepened her frown, making it clear that he was hiding something from her.

While it wasn\'t unusual for him to pick her up from the Guo residence, the way he was displaying their affection in front of everyone felt like a deliberate message. It seemed as though he was subtly warning others not to underestimate Yang Ning\'s position as the Crown Princess and to treat her with the respect she deserved.

She squinted her eyes at him, retracting her hand from his grasp and giving him a stern glare. "Spill the truth. Tell me the real reason why you came to the Guo Residence."

Zheng Liang, panicking, attempted to take her hand again. "W...what could be the other reason? Are you suspecting me?"

Yang Ning nodded firmly. "So tell me the truth. If not, you\'re not allowed in the chamber tonight. Sleep in the guest room."

Frowning, Zheng Liang gritted his teeth and muttered under his breath, "Looks like I need to turn that guest room into a storage room. It\'s practically my second home."

Yang Ning raised her eyebrows at his frown and added sarcastically, "If not, I can go to the guest chamber. After all, how can a mere Crown Princess like me dare to threaten the great Crown Prince, right?" Her words caused him to look up at her with a wronged expression.

"When did I say that? Why would you go to the guest room?" he whined. Taking a deep breath, he admitted, "Fine. I\'ll explain everything."

He explained to her how he learned the names of the ladies who would be attending the tea party at the Guo residence and discovered that Zhu Yating was among the esteemed guests. Zheng Liang disclosed the connection between him and Zhu Yating and how her father had proposed that she become his second consort, a proposal he had firmly rejected.

His worry stemmed from the fear that Zhu Yating might harbor resentment for being turned down as a potential second wife. He was concerned that she might attempt to create trouble for Yang Ning. To counter this, he decided to halt all his activities and went to the Guo Residence to pick up Yang Ning in a grand manner.

He intended to remind everyone that Yang Ning was his one and only wife, cherished to the core. He wanted to make it clear that he would never allow anyone to disrespect her.

After confessing the truth to Yang Ning, Zheng Liang hesitated, observing her deep in thought. Her stoic expressions left him unable to decipher her emotions—was she angry, or perhaps jealous?

Clearing his throat, he spoke in a soft, gentle tone, "My love, you don\'t need to worry about anything. In this lifetime, I will not take any other wife than you."

Yang Ning looked at him, her laughter surprising him. She wore a bright smile as she said, "Well, that\'s a given. If you dared to take another wife, I would also leave the palace and find a handsome man for myself. I believe in equality, you see! You get a second wife, and I will get a second husband." She smirked provocatively, darkening his expression at the mention of another man.

Before he could respond, she continued, "But don\'t worry. That day won\'t come because, in this world, you\'re the most handsome man in my eyes."

"Of course, you\'re the most handsome man in this world. You\'re the male lead after all,\' Yang Ning thought, acknowledging that finding a man as handsome as Zheng Liang might be quite a challenge.

Zheng Liang chuckled, appreciating how his wife knew how to compliment and make him jealous simultaneously. Though relieved that she didn\'t take things seriously, he heard her say, "Now I understand. I thought Zhu Yating didn\'t like me because of my so-called stepmother, but the real reason behind her animosity was you."

She chuckled and added, "If I had known about this, I would have teased her some more. Ah, I missed that opportunity. But no worries, I can do that later."

Confused, Zheng Liang asked, "Later? Do you plan to meet her again?"

She smiled and replied, "Why not? She almost became my husband\'s second wife. I should treat her well." Her words left Zheng Liang sighing in helplessness, sensing that something was brewing in her mind, yet unable to discern her plans.