I woke up as the Villainous Empress

Xiaowei and the other court ladies helped Yang Ning with her first bath at the royal palace as the Crown Princess.

Yang Ning was surprised by the scale of the bathhouse at the royal palace. The bathhouse at the palace was not only double the size of the Yang Household’s ceremonial bathhouse but also had a larger bathtub as well.

She not only got to soak her body in the warm water but also received a refreshing massage from Xiaowei as well.

Her whole body was aching from exhaustion and the massage relieved all the tension from her body. She wanted to sleep but Xiaowei dragged her out of the bathhouse to get her changed into a complicated but beautiful dress.

After the bath, Yang Ning changed into the dress that Yu Ling had prepared for her to wear for the parade, on the second day of the wedding.

Just like the wedding day, the dress on the second day of the wedding was also elegant and ravishing. It’s a royal wedding after all, how can they go low on budget?

The blouse was pink in color with a purple ribbon to keep it tight and secured in place. On top of the blouse, she was wearing a regal purple and magenta-colored vest with golden delicate embroidery on it.

Similarly, the skirt was of the same combination, magenta and royal purple with delicate golden thread handwork. Like yesterday, the silk material skirt was large and flowy which was making it difficult for her to carry it properly.

.....

The skirts that she used to wear before the marriage at Yang Household were on the lighter and simpler side compared to the skirts that she had to wear after the wedding. They are heavy, colorful, and extravagant.

Not only that, but Xiaowei also tied her hair in a tight hair bun and secured her black and silky long hair with an emerald green jade hairpin that has a golden phoenix cap on top of it.

Everything was the same as yesterday, the only difference was she was not wearing the veil today and had fewer ornaments compared to the wedding day.

After getting ready, she was now going to His Majesty’s Chamber to offer him tea and complete her first task of the day and leave for the parade with Zheng Liang.

After the wedding, it was her first day at the palace and before starting the parade around the capital, she was supposed to greet the Emperor and Empress and offer them tea as their daughter-in-law.

She still cannot believe that she married the Crown Prince and has become the daughter-in-law of an Emperor and the Empress. So fascinating yet scary!

Because the royal family might appear to be extravagant and elegant from the outside but internally, they’re hiding so much dirt in the palace. That is for sure.

“Ah, this heavy skirt! I can bet that one day I will fall on my face if I have to wear this thing daily.” Yang Ning groaned while clutching onto her heavy and flowy silk skirt as she followed Xiaowei outside the chamber.

Despite Yu Ling’s harsh training, she still cannot get used to the clothes of this world. Why are they so long and heavy?

Her whole outfit is heavier than her weight. How can they expect her to walk in it as if it’s nothing?

Xiaowei was walking ahead and leading the way out of the Dragon Pavilion when she heard Yang Ning’s words. She gasped at Yang Ning’s ominous statement and said, “Your Highness, how can you say something like that on such a joyful occasion?”

“You will not fall in front of anyone. Lady Yu Ling has taught you well. I am sure you will not make any mistakes. Everything will be fine.” Xiaowei added.

She might not believe in Yang Ning’s abilities, but she trusts Yu Ling’s teachings. She must have taught her lady to do well in the royal palace so that she doesn’t fall in front of the guests and make a fool of herself.

Before getting a high fever and getting sick, she never needed to worry about such things when it comes to her lady. Her lady was not only beautiful but since childhood, she has learned the etiquettes of a noble lady by heart and has followed them without fail.

Even the posture in which she used to sleep at night was straight and upright. However, after that scary night, she changed completely.

Everything she does is so different and unladylike that sometimes, she wonders if another soul has possessed her lady’s body which caused her personality to change to this extent.

She doesn’t know what it is and how a person can change so much because of a fever, however, this new change in her is for the better.

At least Yang Ning doesn’t keep quiet anymore when people try to torture her or suppress her. Unlike in past times, Yang Ning doesn’t stay silent against Chang Ah and Xing Bao’s torture and stood against them.

She was glad that her lady had started to smile more frequently and is living her life to the fullest. It’s difficult to control her sometimes but she looks better and healthier this way.

She looks happier now!

___

Yang Ning, who doesn’t know what is going on in Xiaowei’s head scoffed at her teasing words and said, ” Ah! So more than me, you trust in Lady Yu Ling. I see.”

” Then why don’t you take Lady Yu Ling as your Master since you trust her more? I can see that you follow her words more than mine, these days.” She said in a teasing voice to irritate Xiaowei.

She doesn’t mean such words but it makes her feel better to see Xiaowei’s irritated reaction.

Xiaowei chuckled and didn’t say anything in return but was smiling while walking ahead. She was in a good mood because the maids in the palace were treating her with respect and were trying to make good connections with her.

Since she serves Yang Ning and has a close relationship with her, all the other maids and court ladies of the palace are jealous of her for having such a harmonious relationship with her master.

Otherwise, who would save a servant by putting their life at stake? No one. However, her lady did and not only she saved her, but many other people from the wild bear’s attack.

Although many people don’t know about it since His Majesty blocked the news about that incident, she can never forget what Yang Ning did to save her.

Yang Ning raised her brows at Xiaowei who was smiling and happily walking ahead. To irritate her more, she added, “If I fall on my face, I am going to punish you all. Just wait and see.” She said and frowned when she didn’t get any reaction from her.

How boring!

She can see why she was so happy. Here she was struggling to walk in this heavy dress whereas Xiaowei was happily walking ahead in a light dress.

She never felt envious of others because of their clothes. Now she does. How comfortable and breathable her simple clothes must be?

Yang Ning sighed heavily in regret while holding onto her long skirt and was about to step down the stairs of the Dragon Pavilion and go to His Majesty’s residence when she heard someone say, “Don’t worry. You will not fall.”

She was startled when she heard a familiar deep and manly voice from behind. “Eh?” She turned around in surprise and wondered if she was guessing the same person.

When she turned around, Zheng Liang was standing right behind her and she almost bumped her nose into his chest.

She already made a huge mistake last night, how can she make another mistake?

Due to the fear of bumping into him, she tried to avoid him and accidentally slipped on her long dress.

“Ahh!” She screamed in fear of falling and almost fell backward. Since she was near the staircase, the steps were right behind her.

However, before she could lose her balance, Zheng Liang grasped her wrist and pulled her in at the right time, and prevented her from toppling over the staircase.

‘It was a close call. Thank you, lord!!’ Yang Ning sighed in relief and placed a hand on her chest to catch her breath and calm down her fast-pounding heart.

She almost died in the most embarrassing way. Even if she hadn’t died from falling a few stairs, she would have killed herself due to public embarrassment.

While she was busy thanking the lords for saving her, she didn’t realize that she was hugging Zheng Liang’s waist tightly and was holding onto him for her dear life’s sake.

“Milady, Are you alright?” Xiaowei screamed when she saw Yang Ning tripping over her dress and ran to her side. Thankfully, His Highness saved her from falling, otherwise, she could have gotten hurt badly.

Yang Ning realized what position they were in and everyone’s eyes were watching them.

She immediately pushed Zheng Liang away when she heard Xiaowei’s concerned scream. She didn’t look at him but could hear him clear his throat in embarrassment.

Well, that was embarrassing!