I woke up as the Villainous Empress

“Be...best? What does it mean?” Zheng Huang asked when he couldn’t understand the strange words that she was using.

“Your Majesty, best means that you’re the greatest above all. It is a compliment.” She explained gladly.

Zheng Liang burst into a chuckle when he heard her explanation. He doesn’t know from where she learned those strange words but she looks adorable when she speaks in a strange language and then tries to explain its meaning to others.

Who would have thought that she would compliment His Majesty? Other people fear saying anything inappropriate in front of His Majesty, however, she doesn’t care about anything and never misses an opportunity to flatter his Father with praises.

He seems to be enjoying this flattery as well. How can their energy match so well? He wondered.

*Ahem* Zheng Liang covered his mouth and cleared his throat before anyone could see him smiling at Yang Ning’s charming behavior.

___

“Is that so? I never heard about this word.” The Emperor nodded seriously at her words. He had never heard this word before but it does sound nice.

.....

‘Best. That’s right. He is the Best Emperor, greatest above all.’ He smiled gleefully, pleased by her humorous nature.

“Hoho! Are you trying to flatter me now with compliments? I will not give you any more jewelry now. Don’t be greedy, young lady.” Zheng Huang let out a throaty laugh and said in a deep voice.

However, his eyes were smiling all the time as if he was looking at his daughter.

Other than Zheng Liang, he has other children as well from his other wives. They don’t live at the palace to avoid the tussle for the Crown and reduce the trouble for the Crown Prince.

Along with his sons, he has two precious daughters as well, whom he sees on special occasions only. They all respect him because he is the Emperor, however, no one dares to speak their mind freely in front of him.

However, compared to them, Yang Ning is the only one who is honest with her words and doesn’t sugar-coat her words.

She does exaggerate many things and tries to impress him by flattering him.

However, by looking at her eyes he could tell that she means no harm and has a good-natured personality.

It was his first time seeing a woman speaking so eloquently in front of him without hesitating and she speaks everything that she has in her mind.

She deserves praise for her brazen personality. It is not common in the entire capital to find a noblewoman who could speak in front of him in such a way.

After returning to her seat which was next to Zheng Liang, Yang Ning was smiling ear to ear upon getting the Emperor’s necklace as a present.

She looked at the necklace in admiration and caressed it lovingly. ‘Woah! Only if I could take it back with me. I am sure it will be worth alot.’

Since Zheng Huang is a character in a novel and not a real historical personality, this necklace might not be acknowledged as a historical artifact.

However, the pearls look precious and the golden chain was used to make the pearl necklace. If she sells it, it will be worth alot.

‘Hah. Here you cannot go back to your world, how can you think of taking back this precious necklace with you?’ She sighed tiredly upon realizing the bitter truth behind her existence.

While she was admiring the beautiful necklace and showing it off to Zheng Liang, Yang Lingxin’s expression darkened to see the newly-married couple chatting happily.

She pursed her lips in a thin line and glanced at her husband. She clenched her fist when she saw him looking at Yang Ning and Zheng Liang with a smile that she had never seen on his face.

It’s been only a day since she married into this family. How can they treat Yang Ning so differently?

What charm did this girl do on Zheng Huang and Zheng Liang that they are behaving differently than usual? She wondered.

One is the Emperor of the Zheng Empire and the other one is the Crown Prince who is next in the line of succession. Both have strong and difficult personalities.

Yet how can they soften in front of a girl who speaks in a strange manner and doesn’t know how to keep her actions in check?

What is wrong with everyone?

How can Zheng Huang humiliate her in front of everyone? By giving Yang Ning his necklace, he has not only embarrassed Yang Lingxin in front of everyone but also put her in a tough spot by complimenting Yang Ning’s tea brewing skills.

How can he compliment Yang Ning’s tea brewing skills after she nitpicked about the bitter and strong taste of the tea?

Not only that, she rewarded Yang Ning with a pouch of gold coins a while ago. How will everyone perceive her after the Emperor gifted Yang Ning with a precious gift?

Zheng Huang not only gave the necklace to Yang Ning but also called her to his side and handed it to her himself.

He was even smiling while talking to her. What did he see in this girl that he was favoring her this much? That’s so ridiculous.

___

Before Zheng Liang and Yang Ning could take their leave for the parade, Yang Lingxin stopped them and said, ” Yang Ning, before going to the parade, I wish you could mind your actions in front of the public.”

“You have now become the Crown Princess of the Empire. Please refrain from doing inappropriate things like holding hands with Zheng Liang in front of the public. You are now part of the royal family, you should act like a lady in front of the people.” She nagged her.

After Yang Ning made her look small in front of everyone, how can she let go of this moment to humiliate her and teach her a small lesson?

After drinking the tea, when Yang Ning was speaking to Zheng Huang, her maid came running to her side and whispered in her ears. She told her about how the other maids witnessed Zheng Liang and Yang Ning holding hands and walking side by side with each other when they were coming to the Main Hall of the Palace for the tea ceremony.

Yang Lingxin would have been pleased by Yang Ning’s tactics and her progress to getting close to Zheng Liang if she hadn’t supported Zheng Liang the other day.

She heard about the secret meeting between Zheng Huang and Yang Ning regarding the wild bear killing incident. Yang Ning not only stood up to the Emperor to support Zheng Liang but also asked him to tell everyone that it was Zheng Liang who killed the wild bear and not her.

This action of Yang Ning elevated the reputation of Zheng Liang in the capital. Now everyone treats him as their hero and savior. They’re complimenting him for his bravery and calling him the appropriate future ruler of the Empire.

She has joined hands with Yang Luoyang to make things difficult for Zheng Liang. However, rather than giving them information about Zheng Liang and what he is planning against them, she is helping him to improve his reputation in front of the public.

Not only that, but later she found out that Yang Ning visited the Dragon Pavilion when Zheng Liang was punished and detained inside his chamber. With what intention did she visit Zheng Liang at the Dragon Pavilion?

She was greatly displeased by this action of hers and felt betrayed by Yang Luoyang. He had told her that Yang Ning is a naive girl who will do whatever he asks her to do. However, she was doing everything differently which irked her.

That’s why yesterday, she didn’t come to greet Yang Ning and the Yang Family at the entrance gate. She was not sure if this secret alliance between her and Yang Luoyang is going to benefit her anymore or not.

When Yang Ning is not supporting her in any way, then why would she help her maintain a good reputation in front of everyone?

____

While Yang Lingxin was feeling proud by mentioning this matter in front of everyone, Zheng Liang’s expression darkened at the way she was nagging Yang Ning.

It was he who acted inappropriately and asked her to hold his hand, why was she lecturing Yang Ning about it?

However, before he could reply to her rude remarks, Yang Ning who was standing next to him smiled at Yang Lingxin and bowed to her before saying, “Yes, Your Majesty. I will keep your precious advice in mind and will act mindfully in front of the public.”

Zheng Liang frowned at Yang Ning’s calm response, meanwhile, Yang Lingxin was surprised by Yang Ning’s submissive response.

She was expecting her to say something to defend herself so that she could get a chance to explain everything to Zheng Huang.

Her mouth was itching to explain the whole story to him in detail, however, she needed an opportunity to do that.

By responding unexpectedly to her words, Yang Ning flipped the tables. Against Yang Ning’s calm response, she had no choice but to smile and let them go after giving them her blessings.

After they left, Zheng Huang’s lips curled up in a pleased smile to see the way Yang Ning dealt with Yang Lingxin’s provocative words. He doesn’t know what was going on, however, because of Yang Ning’s response, the matter has been suppressed before it could go out of hand.

‘This girl is quite smart and knows when to speak up and when not. Hmm! I chose the right bride for Zheng Liang, she deserves to become the Crown Princess.’ He acknowledged her smartness.