I woke up as the Villainous Empress

The royal court was in chaos. Ministers shouted over each other, defending Yang Luoyang and questioning the Crown Prince's judgment. Zheng Liang and Zheng Xiang exchanged worried glances. Their carefully laid plans were falling apart.

Suddenly, a guard's voice boomed over the noise. "Her Highness, Crown Princess Yang Ning!"

The grand doors swung open with a resounding bang. Everyone turned, falling into a stunned silence as Yang Ning made her entrance.

She stood there, a vision of regal power. Her outer robe, a deep teal blue adorned with pink birds and silver flowers, flowed gracefully as she moved. Underneath, a pale blue and cream dress peeked out, its hem decorated with intricate golden designs. An ornate golden belt cinched her waist, and over it all, she wore a sheer layer that sparkled like the night sky.

Yang Ning's cold gaze swept across the hall. Without a word, the crowd parted, creating a path for her. She glided through, exuding confidence and elegance, with her maidservant Xiaowei following closely behind.

Confusion and worry etched the faces of the ministers. Women were forbidden from presiding over royal court proceedings. The last time Yang Ning had attended the royal court, she had broken all protocols to prove the former Empress's attempted treason, providing damning evidence against her. That event had ended with the Empress's guilt being established and her subsequent exile.

Now, Yang Ning's sudden appearance stirred memories of that dramatic day. What could be so crucial that she'd once again risk breaking protocol, this time potentially speaking against her own father? Your journey continues at empire

Zheng Liang rushed to her side, his face creased with concern. "Ning'er," he whispered, "you shouldn't be here in your condi—" He caught himself, remembering their secret. "In this situation," he finished awkwardly.

Yang Ning squeezed his hand reassuringly. "Don't worry. I'm fine, and I'm here for a reason. You'll understand soon." Comprehending her intent, Zheng Liang held her hand carefully as if holding a precious treasure in his hands, and guided her to the elevated platform.

Seeing Yang Ning's arrival, Emperor Zheng Huang signaled for an additional throne to be placed beside Zheng Liang's. After all, his daughter-in-law is carrying the future heir of the Empire; he couldn't allow her to stand throughout the proceedings.

After greeting His Majesty with a deep bow, Yang Ning spoke, her voice clear and resolute. "Your Majesty, I humbly apologize for my sudden appearance and disruption of the court proceedings."

Emperor Zheng Huang studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable. "Crown Princess, your presence is unexpected. What matter is so urgent that it brings you before us today?"

Yang Ning straightened, her gaze sweeping across the assembled ministers before returning to the Emperor. "Your Majesty, I have information crucial to the matter at hand. Information that I believe the court must hear immediately."

A murmur rippled through the crowd. Minister Lao stepped forward, his voice quavering with indignation. "Your Majesty, surely we cannot allow this breach of protocol. The Crown Princess has no place in these proceedings!"

The Emperor raised his hand, silencing the whispers. His eyes narrowed as he addressed Minister Lao. "I know what I am doing. If the Crown Princess has something to say, then she can surely attend this court proceeding. If I don't have any issues, then I wonder what you have?"

He then turned to address the entire court, his voice firm. "The last time, thanks to her, the real culprit who was attempting to kill me was revealed and that person was punished for the attempted Treason. Do you think that the Princess doesn't have any credibility to her words?"

With a nod of approval that surprised the ministers, unused to such leniency, Emperor Zheng Huang gestured for Yang Ning to continue. "Speak, Crown Princess. We are listening."

Yang Ning bowed her head in gratitude before turning to face the court, her eyes hardening as they found Yang Luoyang among the crowd. "Ministers," she said loudly, "I heard what happened at the royal court. Well, I am not surprised that you all are easy to judge and could be swayed easily by a few sweet words.

I sometimes wondered if you all are fit to be working at your position considering your low ability to make judgments about people and their character."

Her cold, harsh words enraged everyone.

"How dare you!" Minister Lao sputtered, his face red with anger. "We've served this empire faithfully for decades!"

"Faithfully?" Yang Ning's laugh was sharp and cold. "Is that what you call turning a blind eye to corruption?"

Minister Wei stepped forward, barely containing his fury. "Your Highness, you overstep your bounds! A woman has no place in these proceedings, let alone insulting the court!"

Yang Ning's eyes flashed dangerously. "And you, Minister Wei, have no place deciding my bounds! I am the Crown Princess, managing the royal palace with a competence that surpasses even those with official titles. When I perform the Empress's duties flawlessly without complaint, do you truly believe you have the right to question my presence here?"

Yang Luoyang tried to intervene, his voice a mixture of reproach and false concern. "Ning'er, this behavior is unbecoming of a Crown Princess. Think of your position, your duty to—"

"Duty?" Yang Ning cut him off, her voice dripping with venom. "You dare speak to me of duty, 'Father'? When you've betrayed every oath you've ever taken, every shred of honor you claimed to possess?"

"YANG NING! Have you forgotten your place? Think before you speak! What proof do you have to accuse me like this?" Yang Luoyang bellowed, his face darkening with fury.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Minister Yang, watch your words. You're addressing the Crown Princess of the Empire, not your daughter. Mind your tone and respect the crown," Zheng Huang interjected, his voice cold and authoritative.

Yang Ning nodded gratefully to her father-in-law, then turned her icy gaze back to Yang Luoyang. "Proof, you say? Shall we start with the villa in the south, Father? Or perhaps the offshore accounts, bulging with money while our people starve? Or maybe..." she paused, her words slicing through the air, "the ledger of your treasonous transactions, so carefully hidden in Head Officer Wang's study?"

Hearing this, Yang Luoyang's face drained of all color, his composure shattering like glass. His eyes flashed with a mixture of rage and fear as he shouted angrily, "Yang Ning! What nonsense are you spewing?" His voice was cold and sharp, but there was an unmistakable tremor beneath the fury. His mind raced frantically. How could she know about Wang Rong? What ledger?

What damning evidence had she uncovered?

"What have I done?" Yang Ning's voice rose, glancing at all the ministers, filling the hall with righteous fury. "I've done what none of you spineless ministers had the courage to do. Did you truly believe a princess's duty was to be nothing more than a pretty ornament beside the Crown Prince?"

Her eyes blazed with determination as she continued, "You've sorely underestimated me. I am the Crown Princess, and I take my duty to this empire and its people with utmost seriousness. I will not stand idly by while corrupt officials like you bleed our nation dry, all while pretending to be pillars of virtue!"

The tension in the room was electric, thick enough to cut with a knife. Ministers shifted uneasily, exchanging worried glances as the full weight of Yang Ning's accusations sank in.

"And now, Ministers, the choice is yours. Continue to bury your heads in the sand, or open your eyes to the rot that has been festering in this court for far too long."

The tension in the room was palpable. Ministers shifted uncomfortably, exchanging worried glances. Zheng Liang stood proudly beside his wife, his hand on the hilt of his sword, ready for whatever came next.

As Yang Ning prepared to reveal her evidence, everyone held their breath. They knew this moment would change everything. The fate of the empire hung in the balance, and the Princess had just made her boldest move yet.