I woke up as the Villainous Empress

“You’re back already? Didn’t you say that you have a meeting with His Majesty in the evening?” Chang Ah asked curiously to see Yang Luoyang coming back so soon.

Yesterday Yang Luoyang told her that he was going to come late today from the royal court because he had a meeting with His Majesty after the royal court session.

It wasn’t a meeting related to the palace work but about the wedding of Yang Ning and the Crown Prince which is in less than three months now.

Time has flown so soon and in nearly two months, she will become the Crown Princess.

Although at first, she despised Yang Ning for becoming the Crown Princess and gaining immense control over her.

She even tried to sabotage her reputation by spreading rumors about her in the capital that Yang Ning doesn’t respect her mother, Chang Ah, and treats the servants poorly.

The rumors got worse over time and stories like Yang Ning beating her maid and being a cunning lady who has beautiful looks but a black heart were the most famous among ladies.

Not only that, but the rumors like Yang Ning looking down on other noble ladies just because she has been chosen as the bride of the Crown Prince were all over the capital.

.....

It wasn’t difficult to manipulate her reputation since Yang Ning seldom steps outside the Household and whenever she does, her indifferent expressions make her look less friendly and pleasant which proves the rumors right.

Despite all the rumors, His Majesty didn’t break the marriage alliance between the two families.

She was scared that Yang Luoyang would change his attitude toward his daughter and give her more prominence and would neglect his wife and their only son.

However, after observing his attitude towards Yang Ning in the last few days, she realized that it doesn’t matter if Yang Ning marries into the royal family or not, for her father she will always be a tool that can help him to become the most powerful man in the capital.

That’s why she was trying to suppress her hatred towards Yang Ning as much as she could and help her become the Crown Princess.

Even though she despises Yang Ning, they still need to prepare gifts for her wedding, since the family she is getting married into was none other than the Royal family.

They need to match their status so that people would not look down on them and it will only benefit them in the future.

It will help her to elevate her status in the noble-class society and she could proudly flaunt her status as the Mother-in-law of the Crown Prince at the gatherings. It will also help Yang Luoyang to gain favor from His Majesty and the other ministers at the court.

At least that useless girl will come to any use to them. Otherwise, feeding her for years, all the expenses would go to waste.

They need to get the worth that they had spent on her.

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Yang Luoyang was removing his upper robe, stopped in his actions, and glared at Chang Ah upon hearing her question.

His expressions blackened upon remembering the humiliation that he had experienced at the royal palace and his raging emotions were showing in his eyes.

Chang Ah froze to see the cold look in his eyes and shuddered at it. His one glare was enough to shut her up immediately.

She didn’t utter a single word as she helped him to remove his robe and assisted him during a bath.

She sent all the maids outside the bathroom and assisted him in having a bath which will help him to cool down.

Since she doesn’t like the maids roaming around Yang Luoyang and doesn’t want him to get swayed by any other woman, she assists him in the bath herself and that’s how she had protected her position for such a long time in this household.

After helping him to have a bath and change into a fresh pair of night clothes, Chang Ah went to his side and started to massage his tense shoulders and asked in a sweet voice. ” Did something happen at the court today? You look exhausted.”

She was expecting him to come back late but was surprised when he came earlier than expected.

Moreover, why is he throwing tantrums at her? What did she do wrong?

Since she needed to know the reason behind him giving her a cold shoulder, she waited until he calmed down and was stress-free.

Yang Luoyang who had his eyes closed and was relaxing, gritted his teeth when Chang Ah asked this question and it reminded him of what happened at the court earlier.

He will never forget the way the Crown Prince and that bastard servant kicked him out of the dragon pavilion.

” Did you allow Yang Ning to leave the house?” He asked her coldly without opening his eyes to look at her.

Chang Ah was surprised by his sudden mention of Yang Ning. “Yes. She told me that Master Jiang Tai has asked her to go on walks frequently to recuperate soon so I let her go.”

“However, I am getting concerned about her now. She went out in the afternoon but hasn’t come back yet. The sky has turned dark and soon it’s going to be dinner time.”

“Should we send someone to look for her? I am worried that something might have happened to her. Otherwise, she isn’t the child to stay out for so long.” She said worriedly, showing her fake concern toward Yang Ning.

In truth, she doesn’t care if Yang Ning is alive or not. But she needed to tell him the things that his daughter is doing behind his back these days so that he could control her.

That bitch is going too far and has been thinking that just because she is going to marry the Crown Prince, she is free and can do whatever she wants.

She is not only ignoring her orders but also talking back to her which is not a good sign. She even framed her maid, Xing Bai.

Yang Ning needs to be taught a strict lesson to discipline her.

‘Hah. She hasn’t married the Crown Prince yet and is still in the Yang Household. She has no idea how she can make her life hell before she gets to enjoy her freedom away from her?’ Chang Ah scoffed to see Yang Luoyang’s expression turning gloomy.

“She is going to be the Crown Princess. It’s not good for her to stay outside till evening. What will His Majesty say if he gets to hear about this incident?”

“She is a girl after all. People will talk about it. Today when she comes back, you should talk to her. It’s not good for a girl to stay out until the sky turns dark.” She added while massaging his shoulders and the back of his neck.

Yang Luoyang nodded in agreement at her words and added. ” You’re right. She is getting out of hand these days.”

“Let her come home today. I will teach her a lesson myself that she will never forget it”

After leaving the Dragon Pavilion, he found out about the whole story from the maids and the guards.

He got to know that Yang Ning went to the brothel with His Highness and the wild bear appeared at the scene apparently, which she killed with one shot.

He was surprised that she could use the bow and an arrow but it wasn’t something to be proud of.

She is a woman and should act like one. She should excel at artwork, embroidery, flower arrangement, and tea making.

Knowing to use the bow and an arrow is not something a woman should know. It’s a man’s duty to protect women and children, why is she doing all this?

Is she trying to become a man now? What will people say when they find out about it?

Does she want people to say that the eldest daughter of the Yang Household is now competing with men and has become so shameless?

Moreover, from where did she learn to use the bow and an arrow? Has she been going outside the household without her permission and has been learning all these manly skills?

While so many questions were running through his head, Chang Ah’s maid, Xing Bai came running to their chamber and informed them. ” My Lord, Lady Yang Ning has come back.” She said while panting heavily.

After seeing Yang Ning returning, she came running to inform Chang Ah and Yang Luoyang about her arrival.

Yang Luoyang’s expression turned dark as he said coldly, ” Bring her to the backyard of the household. I will talk to her there.”

“Backyard of the Household?” Chang Ah asked curiously.

He didn’t answer her and ordered Xing Bai, ” Also, bring a wooden stick from the storage as well.”

Chang Ah’s face lit up when she heard his words and knew what was going to happen. From a young age, to reprimand Yang Ning, he would make her stand in the backyard and flog her 100 times to punish her.

Not only that, he will order her to stay out of the house for an entire night in the cold weather or even in the rain without having food or water to learn her lesson the hard way.

It was because of this reason, Yang Ning never acted rashly or rebelled against them. Chang Ah used this fear of Yang Ning to control her behind Yang Luoyang’s back and treated her poorly as she liked.

Xing Bai looked at Yang Luoyang hesitantly and said, ” My Lord, but Lady Yang Ning....She...She....I think Lord should meet her himself first.” She said hesitantly.