I woke up as the Villainous Empress

Zheng Liang's body tensed instantly, his hand clutching Yang Ning's protectively as his other hand hovered near his sword. His voice, cold and firm, cut through the air. "How did you escape?"

Yang Luoyang sneered, tightening his grip on the terrified noblewoman. "Did you really think your prison could hold me? I still have loyal friends—people who know my true worth. I'm far from finished."

The guards, already on alert, surged forward, forming a protective barrier around the royal family. Their movements were swift and calculated, trying to corner Yang Luoyang without endangering the hostage. Each guard took measured steps, their hands resting on their weapons, eyes locked on him.

But Yang Luoyang, sensing their approach, pressed the knife closer to the woman's throat. "One step closer, and her blood will stain this floor!" he bellowed, the madness in his eyes flaring.

The guards halted, their faces taut with tension, unsure how to proceed without risking the hostage's life. Their eyes flickered to Zheng Liang, awaiting his command, but even the Crown Prince couldn't act without risking more bloodshed.

Zheng Liang's face was like stone, his voice unwavering. "It's over, Yang Luoyang. You've already lost."

But Yang Luoyang's wild eyes shifted, his sneer turning darker as his gaze landed on Yang Ning. "And you," he spat, his voice filled with bitterness. "My own daughter—betraying me for him! After everything I gave you!"

Yang Ning's heart raced, but her voice was calm, unyielding. "You killed my real parents. You used me for your own schemes. I am not your daughter, and I owe you nothing."

Yang Luoyang's expression twisted in rage. "Ungrateful wretch!" he roared, his voice cracking. "I made you who you are!"

"No," Yang Ning replied firmly, her eyes blazing with anger. "All you ever gave me were lies and manipulation. You cared about no one but yourself."

The tension was suffocating. The guards attempted another step forward, trying to angle themselves between Yang Luoyang and the royal family, but Yang Luoyang's gaze snapped back to them, his knife pressing harder against the noblewoman's skin. "One more step, and she dies!" he snarled, causing the guards to freeze once again.

For a moment, the entire room seemed to hold its breath.

And then, in a sudden burst of violence, Yang Luoyang shoved the noblewoman to the ground.

Before anyone could react, chaos erupted. Yang Ning, having stepped forward during the exchange, was suddenly pushed by a fleeing guest, her body hitting the cold marble floor hard. A gasp swept through the hall. Every eye turned to her.

"Ahhh!" she screamed in shock, her hand flying instinctively to her abdomen, and the hall seemed to freeze for a heartbeat.

Zheng Liang's heart dropped. His entire world narrowed to her crumpled form on the floor. "Ning'er!" he shouted, rushing to her side, his voice filled with fear.

But that moment of distraction was all Yang Luoyang needed.

With everyone's attention on Yang Ning, he darted forward. The guards, distracted by the chaos and Yang Ning's fall, failed to block him in time. His hand shot toward the ceremonial sword hanging at Zheng Liang's waist. In a heartbeat, he had wrenched it free, the blade gleaming ominously in his hand.

Without hesitation, he raised the sword and swung it, aiming directly at Zheng Liang's back.

But Yang Ning, sitting on the cold marble floor, watched in silent horror. Her heart raced, but her voice wouldn't come. The world seemed to slow around her—she could see Yang Luoyang's sword raised high, gleaming in the light, ready to strike.

Every instinct screamed at her to shout, to warn Zheng Liang, to move—but she couldn't. Her body felt like it was weighed down, her limbs heavy, her throat closed.

Zheng Liang knelt in front of her, his eyes filled with fear, but only for her. He didn't see it coming.

Terror flooded her veins, freezing her in place. Time seemed to stretch, the sound of her heartbeat pounding in her ears. She couldn't scream. She couldn't react. It felt as though the whole world had collapsed into this moment, into the sight of the sword arcing toward the man she loved.

And then, just as her mind was consumed with dread, her body acted on its own. Before she even realized it, her hands shot out, pushing against Zheng Liang's chest. With everything she had left, she shoved him aside, her body moving purely on instinct.

The sharp pain came before she even saw the blade hit her.

Pain erupted through her shoulder, spreading like wildfire. The force of the blow knocked her to the ground, her gown quickly soaking with blood. Her hand flew instinctively to her abdomen, desperate to protect the life growing inside her.

Gasps of horror filled the hall. Nobles and royals recoiled in shock, their faces turning pale as they watched the scene unfold. Some women screamed, their hands covering their mouths, while others stood frozen, unable to process the horror.

Zheng Liang's scream of anguish filled the air. "Ning'er!" His voice cracked as he caught her, cradling her as they sank to the ground together. His hands frantically pressed against her wound, but the blood kept pouring, staining her gown a deep red.

"I... I couldn't let him hurt you," Yang Ning whispered, her voice faint and trembling, each word a battle as her strength drained away.

"You shouldn't have," Zheng Liang choked, his eyes wide with panic, his voice shaking. "Stay with me, Ning'er. Please... stay with me."

At that moment, the guards seized their opportunity. With swift precision, they surrounded Yang Luoyang and brought him down, pinning him to the floor. But even as they restrained him, he continued to thrash and curse. His eyes, wild with hatred, fixed on Yang Ning.

"You deserve this!" he spat, his voice filled with venom. "I hope you die—both you and that cursed child inside you!"

Zheng Liang's entire body froze at Yang Luoyang's words. The room seemed to darken as fury overtook him. His eyes turned bloodshot, the raw emotion of the moment twisting his features into something terrifying.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

A bitter smirk tugged at Yang Ning's lips, her thoughts slipping away. 'So this is how it ends... In the end, the plot didn't change. I was supposed to die by Zheng Liang's sword... and it happened. But at least Zheng Liang is safe.'

Her vision blurred as she looked up at him, her trembling hand rising to touch his cheek. Tears welled in her eyes as she managed a faint smile. "I love you," she whispered, her voice growing weaker with each passing breath. "I'm happy I could save you... Maybe not in this world, but we will meet again. We will-"

Her words were cut off as darkness overtook her.

As Yang Ning lost consciousness, Zheng Liang's voice, filled with desperation, echoed around her. "Ning'er! Ning'er, stay with me!"

Yang Luoyang, pinned to the ground by the guards, continued to scream vile curses. "You'll both die! You're nothing! You and your child will perish!" Continue your adventure at empire

But Zheng Liang had heard enough.

His eyes blazed red with fury, his body trembling with rage. Without hesitation, he rose to his feet, his entire being consumed by wrath. The guards held Yang Luoyang down, but Zheng Liang's focus was solely on the man who had caused so much pain.

In a swift motion, he took his sword back from one of the guards.

And with one brutal, unrelenting thrust, he plunged the sword deep into Yang Luoyang's chest.

The room fell into a haunting silence as Yang Luoyang's body went limp. The sword remained lodged in his chest, blood pooling around him as his life drained away. His eyes, filled with venom moments ago, glazed over in death. The man who had caused so much suffering was gone.

Zheng Liang stood over him, his chest heaving, his hands still gripping the bloodied sword. His gaze lingered on Yang Luoyang's lifeless body before he turned back to Yang Ning, collapsing at her side once again, his heart shattering with every second that passed.