I woke up as the Villainous Empress
Chapter 285: Tea Party (XII)

"I remember it. There was a huge commotion at His Highness' birthday banquet, and everyone was embarrassed by the Crown Princess's actions of not following the royal palace etiquette and eating before His Majesty.

I always thought that she was rude and shameless, but who would have thought that it was because she was starving for more than 2 days?" One of the ladies blurted out, initiating the discussion.

"Now, thinking about it, the Princess looked quite weak and pale that day. It was because she was sick and hadn't eaten anything for such a long period."

"At that time, I thought Lady Chang Ah was commendable for admitting her daughter's faults and scolding her in public. But now, thinking about it, she said all of that despite knowing in which condition the Princess attended the Banquet. How can she be so heartless?"

"Right? If it had been my daughter, I wouldn't have the heart to force her to attend a banquet despite being so sick. Even His Highness had told them not to let the Princess attend the banquet, yet they forced her to do so. It's so shameless."

"I remember how His Highness supported the Princess that day and stood by her side. Turned out, since the start, it was only him supporting her. I can't believe we were suspicious of their relationship. They were such a heavenly match even before they got married."

"I had always thought that the Princess was quite rude and had no sense of fashion when attending public gatherings. Turns out, it was because she did not have decent clothes and accessories. I feel bad for her."

"Right. Now, seeing it in this way, it was always Lady Chang Ah who rejected her invitations, saying that Yang Ning didn't want to go anywhere and responded on her behalf, rather than letting her answer them herself. Looks like the Yang Household is not free from family drama."

The ladies watching the drama unfold couldn't help but whisper about the atrocities of Chang Ah. One by one, they couldn't help but point out her biased nature towards Yang Ning.

Chang Ah was horrified by Zheng Liang's accusations. Her confidence shattered as the ladies looked at her with disgust in their eyes and whispered about her to each other. Their loud whispers didn't attempt to hide the contempt they felt for her.

"Please believe me. It's all a misunderstanding. I didn't do anything," she pleaded with others, but they yanked her hand away, avoiding her touch and looking away. Zheng Liang's confrontation had made them wary of being associated with her, fearing damage to their reputations.

"Are you guys for real? You all know me, we only met yesterday. I even gave those expensive teacup sets imported from the other kingdom to you all as gifts. How can you all turn your backs on me and humiliate me like this? I said I didn't do anything, why aren't you all believing in me?" Chang Ah was speechless, blurting out in rage and embarrassment as everyone avoided her gaze.

While Chang Ah was busy convincing others of her innocence, Zheng Liang looked at Yang Ning and saw her standing there silently. Her eyes were on Chang Ah, but there was no warmth; instead, they held a complicated look, filled with anger and disgust.

As someone who had received immense love, care, and support from her stepmother, Fang Li couldn't comprehend what Yang Ning must have gone through during her childhood in her house. Not only was Yang Ning's stepmother against her, but her father did not support her either. The girl lived a pitiful life, yet Chang Ah had the audacity to deny her actions.

She was truly shameless.

Zheng Liang understood her complicated feelings and, rather than saying anything, placed a hand over her shoulders, pulling her into his embrace and rubbing her shoulders lovingly. Yang Ning looked at him, and seeing the worried expression on his face, she smiled and mouthed to him, "I am fine. Thank you!"

Zheng Liang smiled at her and shook his head. They didn't need words; their eyes said everything. Yang Ning was tired of fighting for herself, and it was heartwarming to see someone else standing up for her and taking her side.

It was more satisfying than fighting for herself. Despite being alone in this world, she had a husband who could stand up for her, without caring about public gazes. This was the kind of man she had married and fallen deeply in love with.

___

When no one listened to Chang Ah's pleading and everyone turned away their gazes, she returned to Yang Ning and said, "Yang Ning, why are you standing here silently? Say something. Tell everyone that I didn't do anything. I am being accused wrongly." She was crying, desperation written all over her face.

Not only was her plan to humiliate Yang Ning ruined to ashes, but it backfired, and Zheng Liang revealed everything in front of everyone. If it had been Yang Ning, she could have tried to change their minds, but since it was Zheng Liang, the Crown Prince, who said all of this, it was even more difficult to go against his words.

After all, his words held more credibility than hers. Who would believe her explanations now?

Yang Ning coldly looked at Chang Ah, who was holding onto her arm and begging her to clear her name. She pulled her hand from her grip and said coldly, "Accused wrongly? Are you saying that His Highness is lying? Even Lady Yu Ling saw everything when she was at the Yang Household. Would you say the same if she attests to His Highness's statement? Huh?"

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"Mrs. Yang, you should admit it now. It's no use hiding your true mask anymore. Everything has been revealed to people now," Yang Ning said coldly, not giving face to Chang Ah.

Chang Ah clenched her fists, humiliated by Yang Ning's arrogant words. She looked around and could feel the disgust in everyone's eyes. Everything had been ruined; her reputation, which she built with much effort, had crumbled because of this wench.

"You wench! It was all because of you. You bloody bastard, you deserve to die. I will kill you-" Chang Ah's eyes were filled with bloodshot rage, and all she could see was Yang Ning, the girl who used to tremble under her gaze, looking at her arrogantly and laughing at her.

Her blood was boiling, and her eyes were blurry. All she had was hatred for Yang Ning. Chang Ah raised her hand to slap her.

~SLAP~