I woke up as the Villainous Empress

The imperial banquet hall was nothing short of majestic. Towering columns wrapped in red and gold silk stretched toward the high ceilings, while grand chandeliers bathed the marble floors in a warm, golden glow. The scent of peonies mixed with the subtle fragrance of incense from golden burners filled the air with a rich, fragrant warmth.

Tapestries depicting royal victories adorned the walls, each one a testament to the empire's long and proud history.

As Crown Prince Zheng Liang and Yang Ning entered, the room fell into a hush. Ministers and guests immediately bowed deeply, their heads lowering in deference to the royal couple. While royal guests from neighboring kingdoms offered formal greetings with respectful nods and subtle bows, their eyes filled with curiosity and admiration.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

The royal couple moved gracefully through the crowd, making their way to the elevated throne area that overlooked the banquet. Their every step was watched with quiet awe as they ascended the steps to the raised platform, the perfect vantage point to observe the entire hall.

Standing before their thrones, Yang Ning could see everything from this height. She noticed the way the women below-cast glances at her—some with admiration, others with a touch of envy. It was subtle, but their gazes lingered a little too long. Her lips curled into a playful smile, and she leaned closer to Zheng Liang.

"See?" she whispered, her voice teasing. "They can't take their eyes off me. I told you, didn't I? I'm the most beautiful one here tonight."

Zheng Liang's gaze wasn't on the women. His eyes moved across the hall, locking onto the men who couldn't seem to tear their eyes away from Yang Ning. Their looks were filled with awe and admiration, and something protective flared in his chest. His voice lowered, possessive but measured.

"Let them look," he said softly, his tone laced with authority. "But they all know who you belong to. No man here would dare come closer. You are mine, Ning'er."

Yang Ning's heart fluttered at the firmness in his voice, but she wasn't one to let him get away with being so sure of himself. She raised an eyebrow, the corner of her mouth lifting into a playful smirk. "So sure of yourself, Your Highness? Maybe I enjoy reminding everyone of my charms."

Zheng Liang's eyes darkened slightly as he stepped closer, his hand resting firmly on her waist, pulling her in just enough to make his point clear. "Let them admire from a distance. That's all they will ever have. You are mine, and no one else has any claim on you."

His words were possessive, yet there was a tenderness to them. It wasn't control—it was a certainty, a declaration of love and protection. Yang Ning couldn't suppress the warmth rising in her chest, but she wasn't finished teasing him.

"So protective," she mused lightly, her eyes dancing with mischief. "What if I like stirring things up? Seeing them admire me?"

Zheng Liang's lips curved slightly, though his voice remained firm, a touch of amusement in his tone. "You can stir all you like, but they know their limits. If anyone dared to approach you or look at you with inappropriate eyes, I'm not sure they'd have eyes to look with anymore."

Yang Ning raised an eyebrow, her lips pulling into a teasing smile. "You monster," she whispered, her tone filled with mock reproach, though the playful glint in her eyes betrayed her amusement.

Zheng Liang's lips twitched into a smile, his hand resting firmly on her waist as he drew her slightly closer. "I simply make sure everyone understands that what's mine stays mine."

Before she could respond, Emperor Zheng Huang's voice boomed across the hall, commanding attention.

"Tonight," the Emperor began, his voice rich with pride and authority, "we celebrate not only the union of Crown Prince Zheng Liang and Crown Princess Yang Ning but also the blessings that the heavens have bestowed upon us."

The guests listened intently as the Emperor's words reverberated throughout the hall. "In recent times, justice has prevailed, revealing the corruption and greed that once festered within our empire. Those responsible have been brought to light and will be held accountable under the law."

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd, the weight of the Emperor's words settling over the gathering.

"But amidst this, the heavens have granted us a new light," Emperor Zheng Huang continued, his voice warming. "A blessing that will strengthen our empire, bringing hope and prosperity. This union, forged in love and strength, now carries with it the promise of new life."

He turned toward Zheng Liang with a proud nod, signaling for his son to continue.

Zheng Liang stepped forward, his voice filled with emotion and pride as he addressed the guests. "The heavens have indeed smiled upon us, and my wife and I are overjoyed to announce that we are expecting our first child."

The room erupted into applause, the joyous news washing over the crowd like a wave. Nobles hurried forward to offer their congratulations, while the royals from neighboring kingdoms nodded approvingly. The atmosphere was alive with hope, and Yang Ning felt the weight of the moment in her chest.

"But this blessing is more than just the promise of new life," Zheng Liang continued, his voice firm and resolute. "It marks a new era, where greed and corruption will no longer have a place in our empire. Those who sought to harm the people and undermine justice will face their punishment. The law will be upheld, and this blessing will guide us into a future of peace."

The crowd, now silent and attentive, absorbed his words with reverence.

"We stand here tonight, united, knowing that with this new life, the empire will rise stronger, purified by justice and driven by truth," Zheng Liang declared, his eyes locking with Yang Ning's for a brief, tender moment before he turned back to the crowd. "This child is the future, and with them comes a new dawn for us all."

The applause that followed was thunderous, a celebration not only of the royal couple but of the future they promised. For a moment, everything felt perfect. Discover hidden content at empire

But the peace didn't last.

Just as the applause reached its peak, Gu Lan rushed to the platform, his face pale and urgent. Without waiting for formalities, he whispered something into Zheng Liang's ear, his voice strained.

Zheng Liang's expression shifted immediately, the warmth from moments earlier replaced by cold tension. His hand instinctively sought Yang Ning's, gripping it tightly as he absorbed the news.

"What's wrong?" Yang Ning asked quietly, her heart already tightening with unease.

"Yang Luoyang," Zheng Liang murmured, his voice hardening. "He has escaped."

Before Yang Ning could fully comprehend Gu Lan's words, the atmosphere in the hall shifted dramatically. The once cheerful air was pierced by the sudden crash of a chair, followed by a sharp gasp. A figure at the side of the banquet tables—a server, unnoticed until now—threw off his cloak, revealing the twisted, furious face of Yang Luoyang.

A collective gasp swept through the room as he seized a nearby female noble, pressing a knife to her throat. His eyes blazed with hatred as his venomous voice filled the hall. "Did you truly think you could celebrate without me?"