I woke up as the Villainous Empress
Chapter 281: Tea Party (VIII)

Hou Wei's expression darkened as Chang Ah addressed Yang Ning as a pest and made humiliating remarks. Even though she was the mother of the Crown Princess, how could she use such derogatory terms? Hou Wei was utterly speechless.

"Madam, mind your words. You're speaking about the Crown Princess of the Empire. Even if you're her mother, you have no right to speak in such a manner about her," Hou Wei said in a cold voice.

Chang Ah's face reddened with anger as the seemingly insignificant girl, who came from no noble background, dared to scold her and teach her manners. Since Chang Ah also came from a non-noble background and had been looked down upon by others for her lack of noble manners and etiquette after marrying Yang Luoyang, Hou Wei's words stung her like a sharp sword to the heart.

The fact that Hou Wei was nothing but a mere nurse fueled her anger even more. "You bitch! You dare to teach me about manners now? How dare you?" She shouted, calling her names, and raised her hand to slap her on the face. However, before Chang Ah could carry out the action and teach Hou Wei a strict lesson, a slender but strong grip stopped her, right before her hand could land on Hou Wei's face.

Hou Wei, who had already anticipated the slap, closed her eyes and was bracing for the impact. She couldn't dare to raise her hand to block Chang Ah, as it could turn her into a lawbreaker by harming a noble. Since she is just a commoner, standing up against a noble could turn her into a criminal.

That is why she had no choice but to wait for the impending assault and then seek help from His Highness.

However, the anticipated pain didn't come. When she opened her eyes, she saw Yang Ning holding onto Chang Ah's hand, preventing her from the violence once again.

"You…", Chang Ah was startled as Yang Ning unexpectedly seized her hand. A wave of surprise washed over her upon seeing Yang Ning, but before she could respond, Yang Ning forcefully yanked her hand away and fixed her with a cold stare. "Mrs. Yang, your audacity knows no bounds.

First, attempting to crash my party wasn't enough, and now you resort to violence against my people?" Yang Ning's gaze remained icy as she confronted Chang Ah.

"Yang Ning! Don't forget that I am your mother. How can you..." Chang Ah's fists tightened in response to Yang Ning's humiliating words, and she began to shout, but Yang Ning swiftly interrupted her.

Before Chang Ah could finish her sentence, Yang Ning cast a mocking gaze and declared, "Mrs. Yang, you keep making mistakes. You're not my mother but Mr. Yang's wife. Have you forgotten again? My mother passed away long ago, and you never treated me like a mother even once.

So kindly refrain from glorifying yourself by calling yourself my mother. You lost that right long ago."

"I hosted a tea party and invited the guests I wanted. If you didn't receive an invitation, it's likely because I had no intention of inviting you. How can you be so shameless as to not only barge into the palace but also trespass into the Dragon Pavilion?"

"Do you realize this is the residence of the Crown Prince, not the dirty and gloomy chamber in the backyard of the Yang Household where I used to reside? You can't just barge in here anytime you want without anyone's permission. Forcibly entering such a place can lead to severe punishments. Do you not realize that?" Yang Ning asked, her cold glare fixed on Chang Ah.

Chang Ah found herself speechless in the face of Yang Ning's strong demeanor, momentarily forgetting about her plans. Yang Ning's eyes exuded such dominance that Chang Ah, caught in disbelief, almost lost sight of the scheme she had crafted against her.

The once timid girl, reminiscent of a deer trembling in fear before her, had transformed into a tigress, confidently confronting and even threatening her. Chang Ah couldn't help but wonder, what had brought about such a drastic change.

Yang Ning brushed off Chang Ah's complicated gaze and directed her attention to Hou Wei. Concern filled her eyes as she inquired, "Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?" Hou Wei, petite and delicate, naturally invoked a protective instinct in others. Yang Ning couldn't help but reflect on the situation, musing on whether all female leads had to possess such kindness and a caring nature.

Hou Wei, still in a daze and staring at Yang Ning with admiration, snapped back to reality upon hearing the question. She shook her head and replied, "No. Thanks to Your Highness, I am not hurt anywhere."

A warm smile spread across Yang Ning's face as she patted Hou Wei's arm and rubbed it caringly. "I am glad. However, next time, don't stand there like a puppet if someone tries to harm you. If you believe you're in the right, don't hesitate to retaliate to protect yourself. And for any consequences that follow, remember, you have me."

"As you work in the palace, you're one of my people. No one has the right to humiliate or mistreat my people. Understand? As long as you're not in the wrong, no one in the palace can harm you," she assured Hou Wei, emphasizing that she had the support and protection of Yang Ning as long as she acted justly.

Hou Wei's eyes welled with tears of happiness. After her father's passing, she had roamed this lonely world alone, extending help wherever she could. As the daughter of a man who chose to use his medicinal skills to aid others rather than amass wealth, she believed in contributing to the Empire and fulfilling the work her father had left.

Over the years, she had protected others by speaking out against injustice. However, it was the second time someone had stood up for her and shielded her. The first instance was when Yang Ning stepped up to help her in a moment of danger. Similarly, today, Yang Ning protected her from Chang Ah's aggression and encouraged her to stand up for herself, urging her not to succumb to fate.

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Protect herself? Hou Wei had fought many times for others, but it was the first time someone emphasized the importance of her defending herself. It felt strange to have someone else worry about her and instill the confidence that she had support.

"Your Highness, thank you for saving me. I will keep your words in my mind and never submit to injustice," Hou Wei expressed her gratitude with a bright smile on her face.

Chang Ah, observing the exchange between the two women, felt her face flush with anger. Not only had Yang Ning humiliated her, but she had also protected the lowly nurse, openly disgracing Chang Ah in front of everyone.

How could Yang Ning do this? Was she not afraid of Chang Ah anymore? Did she forget that she was her mother, the one who had provided for her all these years, clothing and feeding her? Chang Ah seethed with frustration, considering Yang Ning an ungrateful wretch.

"Yang Ning! You're siding with this lowly woman instead of reprimanding her for preventing me from entering the Dragon Pavilion? I came here to preserve your reputation as the Crown Princess, to give you some face. Yet, you're humiliating me by shielding this shameless seductress?" Chang Ah scoffed in disbelief.

She glanced around and noticed that maids and court ladies had started to gather. A sinister smirk played on her lips as Madam Guo and Madam Liu, along with other ladies, approached them.

Chang Ah sneered at Yang Ning before breaking into loud wails, striking her chest dramatically. "Yang Ning, how could you do this to your mother? I wanted to protect your reputation, yet you're trying to cast me out of this palace? How ruthless can you be?"

"I didn't complain when you didn't invite me to the party, wanting to save you some face. But what are you doing? Looking down on me and allowing your servants to humiliate me?"

"Even though I haven't given birth to you, I have raised you and loved you more than my son, my flesh. How can you forget your father and mother after getting married and treat us like outsiders? This nurse humiliated me, said that I could not enter the tea party you hosted, and even pushed me.

Instead of punishing her, you're kicking me out of the party?" She sniffled and attempted to wipe her nonexistent tears.

Seeing everyone looking towards them, especially the ladies who came to attend the tea party, Chang Ah felt a surge of anticipation and thrill in her heart. 'Hah! She thinks she can win against me. In her dreams.'

If the ladies witnessed this scene and spread the word among the other noble ladies that the Crown Princess treats her stepmother badly, the rumors about Yang Ning being a vicious and characterless woman would only be fueled, and her remaining reputation would go down the drain.

Without the support of the noble ladies, Chang Ah wants to see how long Yang Ning can enjoy the status and power of being the Crown Princess. Because to hold such a significant position, one needs to have a proper standing in society. Otherwise, the powers will mean nothing.