I woke up as the Villainous Empress
Chapter 197: Retribution II

"Look! The woman whose mere presence once compelled all to bow with reverence is now being forcibly dragged by the royal guards. How utterly disgraceful," whispered one of the ministers as he observed the pitiful condition of Yang Lingxin.

Nonetheless, the prevailing belief among everyone was that she had brought this fate upon herself.

She let her ambition consume her and shattered her once blissful married life in her audacious attempt to poison His Majesty. Had she exercised restraint over her insatiable greed, she could have basked in a life of luxury and earned the respect of all as the revered Empress of the Empire.

Amidst the somber gathering bidding farewell to Yang Lingxin, hushed whispers permeated the air, as if the spectators were not so much bidding farewell as they were eagerly observing her expulsion from the palace, destined to be exiled to the desolate cold palace where she would meet her solitary and desolate end.

"Clear the path! His Majesty approaches!" As the ministers continued to mock Yang Lingxin and engage in gossip, huddling together on the side, the royal guard who faithfully served His Majesty stepped forward, breaking the commotion with a resolute announcement.

In an instant, the ministers swiftly dispersed and stood in respectful anticipation, ready to welcome His Majesty. They assumed their designated positions as the Emperor, Zheng Huang proceeded towards his throne, which had been meticulously prepared for him while leading the assembly. With deep reverence, the ministers bowed and offered their greetings to the ruler of the land.

Yu Ling, the esteemed Head Court Lady, who had assumed the responsibility of serving His Majesty, delicately held onto Zheng Huang's arm. With unwavering attentiveness, she guided him towards his throne chair, ensuring each step was taken with the utmost care, facilitating his gentle seating.

Recognizing the fragility of his ongoing recovery, his weakened state rendered him unable to walk independently.

Yang Ning observed with a touch of concern as she noted the old Emperor's pallid complexion, chapped lips, and overall sickly appearance. Yet, in comparison to the last time she had seen him, his condition had noticeably improved. He was now able to rise with assistance and no longer required constant bed rest.

On that slightly chilly morning, he donned thick garments, appearing weary and fatigued as he attended the solemn assembly. However, beyond his physical weakness, it was evident that the news of Yang Lingxin's betrayal had deeply affected him, leaving a visible impact on his countenance.

Despite being treated by Master Jiang, the Emperor's health should have shown significant improvement. However, upon discovering Yang Lingxin's act of betrayal and her attempt to assassinate him, his condition took a turn for the worse. The rate of his recovery slowed, contrary to expectations.

According to Master Jiang, the deterioration in the Emperor's health was attributed to the profound shock he experienced upon learning of Yang Lingxin's treachery. The Emperor needed time to process and come to terms with the shocking news, impeding his overall progress.

As Zheng Huang settled into his seat, a weak cough escaped his lips, and a profound ache gripped his heart as he beheld Yang Lingxin's current state. Clad in tattered, filthy garments, she appeared unrecognizable, a stark contrast to the woman he had once showered with affection and lavished with care.

The realization weighed heavily on him: this woman had not merely betrayed him but harbored a sinister desire for his agonizing, drawn-out demise. The thought of such cruelty inflicted by someone he once cherished left him dubious and deeply wounded.

How could she, he wondered, commit such a heinous act against him, her own husband?

Before unveiling Yang Lingxin's dark secrets to the public, Zheng Liang sought a private meeting with him to disclose the truth.

When Zheng Liang presented him with the undeniable truth and compelling evidence, he initially struggled to accept it. The weight of the evidence was too substantial to be dismissed or casually brushed aside, unlike the mistakes Yang Lingxin had made in the past, which he had often overlooked and allowed her to go unpunished.

However, this time was different. Yang Lingxin had not merely made a mistake; she had committed a grave crime that demanded justice and accountability. The evidence painted a damning picture, leaving Zheng Huang with no choice but to confront the painful reality of his wife's betrayal.

Overwhelmed by the agony of the situation, Zheng Huang found himself unable to personally decide Yang Lingxin's punishment. The weight of condemning the life of the woman he had loved for so many years proved to be an unbearable burden for him to bear.

Hence, with a heavy heart, he entrusted the responsibility of making the final judgment to Zheng Liang. Recognizing his emotional limitations, Zheng Huang relied on his son who is also the Crown Prince of the Empire to determine the appropriate consequences for Yang Lingxin's treacherous actions.

It was a decision born out of both necessity and an immense struggle to reconcile his lingering affection with the harsh reality of her crimes.

Upon seeing the weak and sickly Zheng Huang after so many days, Yang Lingxin could no longer contain her emotions. The floodgates of her restrained feelings burst open, and she fell to her knees, weeping uncontrollably. Through her tears, she called out to him, her voice filled with anguish and despair.

"Your Majesty!" she wailed, her cries resonating with vulnerability as she struck her chest in anguish. "I have committed a grave sin. Please replace it in your heart to forgive me."

"How could I ever dare to harm my beloved husband, whom I have loved throughout my entire life?" she pleaded, her voice trembling with sorrow. "Please grant me your forgiveness, for without it, I shall never replace peace even in death."

Regret and remorse poured forth from her as she continued to speak through her sobs. "I was consumed by greed. Despite having everything, I still yearned for your undivided attention and love. I was afraid that once Zheng Liang ascended the throne, I would lose my status in the palace and your affection."

Her cries grew louder and more agonized as she lowered her head to the ground. "Please, I beg you, forgive me," she beseeched, her plea reverberating with sorrow and desperation.

Zheng Huang's anguish became palpable, his heart shattering into fragments. Suppressing his pain, he composed himself and spoke in a cold, indifferent tone, his voice devoid of any trace of forgiveness.

"Deserve my forgiveness? Do you truly believe you are worthy of it?" he questioned sharply.

"You sacrificed everything for the illusory allure of power and wealth within the palace," he continued with a bitter edge in his voice. "You willingly traded away a life of happiness and luxury, surrendering it all to the sinister forces of evil. Yang Lingxin, I shall never grant you my forgiveness."

"This is your punishment," he declared, his words laced with disdain. "You shall wither away in the desolate confines of the cold palace, isolated and alone. There, you will reflect upon the happiness and opulence that I once bestowed upon you, as you mourn the ruin you brought upon yourself. I want this day to haunt your every breath, becoming a regret that accompanies you until your final moments."

With a gesture filled with animosity, he waved his hand, issuing a commanding order to the guards. "Take her away, remove her from my sight. Cast her into the cold palace and imprison her there for eternity."

The finality of his decree hung heavily in the air, sealing Yang Lingxin's fate within the confines of the desolate prison that awaited her.

As Yang Lingxin's heart plummeted, her entire life crumbled before her eyes. The man who had once loved her and adorned her with compliments now regarded her with a gaze filled with hatred and disdain.

She continued to sob, but her tears held no sway over him. Before she could utter a word, female guards forcefully seized her, yanking her up and dragging her towards the wooden carriage that served as a moving prison.

As she was being dragged away, her eyes locked with the shameless and scheming gaze of Yang Luoyang. Disgust washed over her as she realized the extent of his spinelessness and deceit. He had proven himself to be far more conniving than she had ever imagined. Gritting her teeth, she stared defiantly into his calculating eyes and silently mouthed, "You will meet the same fate. Just wait and see!"

With those final words, the guards forcibly stuffed her into the wooden carriage, cutting her off from the palace, and whisking her away under the cover of darkness, ensuring that she was far removed from the palace grounds before the sun graced the sky.

With a heavy sigh, Yang Ning observed Yang Lingxin's departure from the palace, realizing how one's own actions could lead to the ruin of a once splendid existence.

Witnessing the well-deserved fate that befell Yang Lingxin, Yang Ning resolved within herself to do everything in her power to ensure that Yang Luoyang, the true villain of the novel, met a similar ending. She was determined to bring justice to his treacherous deeds and ensure that he faced the consequences he so rightly deserved.

Only then, the soul of Yang Ning could replace peace and hopefully, she will return to her the world she belongs to.