I woke up as the Villainous Empress
Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Banquet (XII) Conclusion

Yang Ning’s lips curled up in a mocking smile that went unnoticed by everyone but Princess Liu, whose expressions turned gloomy to see Yang Ning smirking like that, mocg at her.

” Princess Liu, I am surprised how you assumed that I was trying to curse His Highness on his special day just because I decided to wear a simple dress to his Celebration Banquet. It shows how much the values of Kingdom Liu are different from the Zheng Empire.” Yang Ning said while looking at Princess Liu in disappointment and shook her head as if she had been wronged by her all along.

” LADY YANG NING! How dare you bring the Liu Kingdom into this matter! Do you even understand the meaning of your words? Huh?” Princess Liu was enraged by the way this woman was trying to bring the political relationship between the two nations into this conversation.

Yang Ning turned to face Princess Liu and said seriously, ” I understand the meaning of my claims very well Princess Liu. However, it seems like you do not understand the meaning of ‘Accusing’ the future Crown Princess for cursing her ‘To be Husband’ on his special day.” She said coldly, causing everyone to stare atr in agape.

Even Zheng Liang was also surprised to see the coldness in Yang Ning’s eyes that could send a cold shiver to the other person’s spine.

Her eyes were throwing daggers at Princess Liu, whose expressions were now turning pale.

She was attending the Banquet as the representativthe e of Liu Kingdom and came here to act as a bridge between the two nation’s political relationship. However, if something goes wrong today, all blame will fall upon her and her father will not let her go for ruining the Liu Kingdom’s friendly relations with the Zheng E.ire..

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While Princess Liu’s face was turning pale in nervousness, Yang Ning did not back out from her stance and stared into her eyes, until Princess Liu lowered her eyes by her intimidation.

She would not have spoken to her in such a way if she hadn’t treated her like dirt in front of everyone. Even if she is in Yang Ning’s body, she will not take anyone’s shit for no reason.

If she is not guilty, then there is no way she would lower her head in front of others. She never did this when she was Fang Li, and she will never do the same even if she has to live as Yang Ning.

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” Even so....It does not mean that you did nothing wrong. It does not explain your inappropriate actions in any way.” Princess Liu stuttered and stood strong by her claims. Even if she is going to be the Crown Princess, it doesn’t mean she can do anything.

At the moment, she is Princess of Liu Kingdom and she is just the daughter of the mere Minister in the royal court. Her position is still above hers and there is no way Yang Ning can get away with disrespectfully speaking to her in front of everyone.

Yang Ning raised her brows to see the overflowing confidence of Princess Liu and smiled meaningfully. ” Do you think it is inappropriate for me to wear a simple dress to the Banquet that was arranged to celebrate the 25th birthday of His Highness?”

Princess Liu nodded firmly.

” Hmm! That’s strange. Because I thought it would be only right for me to wear this kind of dress to the Celebration Banquet.” Yang Ning said while looking to be in deep thought.

” Why do you think so?” Zheng Liang who was silent finally spoke up, giving Yang Ning a chance to explain her reasoning behind choosing to wear this kind of plain and simple dress to the Celebration Banquet.

Yang Ning glanced at Zheng Liang who was looking at her with his curious eyes and could feel herself becoming a fangirl of his sexy looks.

‘Damn it! Don’t look at me like this. I will faint from happiness.’ She screamed like a fangirl in her head and gulped nervously to calm down her nerves.

‘Looking at his handsome face is dangerous for her health.’ She took a deep breath and turned away from him and fixated her eyes on Princess Liu who was also curious about the same thing.

” It is because I thought it would be inappropriate for me to wear an extravagant dress that was filled with precious gems to the Celebration Banquet when the people are suffering because of famine in the western region of the Empire.”

” As the Future Crown Princess of the Zheng Empire, it would not be appropriate for me to wear a colorful and extravagant dress to the Celebration Banquet when people are suffering due to scarcity of food.”

“That’s why I chose to wear this plain and simple yellow dress because yellow color means wealth and prosperity. As the future Crown Princess, I wish that our Empire will flourish greatly and no one has to suffer due to the lack of food and clean water that are the necessities of human life. ”

As soon as Yang Ning completed her words, the Main Hall fell into an uncomfortable silence. No one was expecting Yang Ning to be so thoughtful about the common people of the Zheng Empire.

Everyone shut their mouths tightly and was feeling embarrassed about the things that they said about her earlier.

Earlier they said that she was cursing the Crown Prince and was looking down on the royal family but her reason to wear a simple dress to the Banquet, caused everyone to lower their heads in shame and embarrassment.

Who would have thought that she would wear a simple dress to the Banquet because of the famine that was going on in the western region of the Empire?

Wasn’t she famous for being vicious and treating people badly? Since when did she become so thoughtful about other people?

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Just like everyone, even Zheng Liang was surprised to hear such a thoughtful answer from Yang Ning. He was not expecting at all that this would be the reason for her to wear such a simple dress to the Banquet.

She was aware that people will throw judgemental comments at her for not wearing a beautiful dress to the Banquet just like others. However, she still went against the norms and chose to dress up moderately to be thoughtful towards the people who are suffering from the famine.

Not only that, she would not have stated this reason if Princess Liu had not pressurized her by accusing her in front of everyone.

” You did the right thing. I am glad that as the chosen bride of Zheng Liang, you did not disappoint me.” A gruff yet charismatic voice came from behind, causing everyone to bow in courtesy.

” Your Majesty!” Yang Ning was startled when the Emperor who was watching the whole drama unfolding from his throne stood up and walked toward them. Just like Xiaowei had taught her, she bowed in front of him like others and greeted him nervously.

” Be at ease. Haha! I am so happy today. You have proved me right by showing your thoughtful actions towards the people of the Empire. I am so glad that you did not disappoint me.” He said and praised Yang Ning in front of everyone.

” Zheng Liang, you did the right thing as well. Despite being sick for the past two days, Yang Ning has fulfilled the duties of the Crown Princess by attending the Banquet. As her future husband, it’s your duty to take care of her in sickness.” The Emperor said to the Crown Prince, approving his earlier actions.

Zheng Liang had informed him in the morning that Yang Ning would not be able to attend the Banquet as she has been sick for the past two days and needed rest to get better.

The Emperor did not say anything but, he was surprised to see Yang Ning at the Banquet and was pleased by her dedication to fulfilling her duties as the Future Crown Princess. That’s why he did not say anything when Zheng Liang arranged a table of fruits and tea for Yang Ning in the Main Hall as he could understand the intentions behind his actions.

However, it seems like people misunderstood his silence as his disapproval of Zheng Liang’s actions and Yang Ning’s inappropriate behavior.

Everyone pursed their lips in embarrassment when they heard the words of His Majesty. So that was the reason why Zheng Liang arranged a food table for her before the official banquet feast.

And here they were all blaming Yang Ning for eating before His Majesty shamelessly.

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While His Majesty was praising Yang Ning in front of everyone, Princess Liu could feel her face getting crimson and burning in embarrassment.

A while ago, everyone in the Main Hall was looking up to her as if she was the Goddess of Justice who was trying to reveal the true colors of the vicious woman, Yang Ning. However, all of a sudden, the look in their eyes changed and she became the vicious woman who was trying to look down on the Crown Princess of their Empire.

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