I woke up as the Villainous Empress

Yang Ning, engrossed in releasing perfect shots one after another and savoring the thrilling sensation of archery, started to feel fatigued. Her hands became sore and uncomfortable after over an hour of play. In the past, she maintained a rigorous schedule, dedicating hours to physical training and relentless archery practice to perfect her form and shots.

However, her current physique wasn't accustomed to extended archery sessions. Despite her slim and slender appearance, she lacked the same level of energy and muscle strength as her past self. Consequently, her shoulders and hands began to feel sore and uncomfortable after an hour of archery.

Experiencing a cramp in her shoulders, she promptly set down the bow and arrow, bringing an end to her passionate activity.

When she turned around, she saw Gu Lan and Xiaowei silently standing at some distance, watching her in amazement. She smiled awkwardly, realizing that she had become carried away with her excitement and forgotten that Gu Lan had planned a self-defense session for Xiaowei.

"Guard Gu Lan, I hope I didn't waste too much of your time. I am feeling tired now, so you can continue with Xiaowei's self-defense training. I will return to the chamber," Yang Ning said, allowing Gu Lan and Xiaowei to proceed with their practice.

"Your Highness, I will also come with you. You must be feeling uncomfortable after the practice. I should massage your shoulders and give you some-" Xiaowei expressed concern about letting Yang Ning return to the chambers alone.

She was the only one who accompanied Yang Ning to the training grounds; there were no other maidservants who accompanied Yang Ning to the training grounds. If Xiaowei continued her training with Gu Lan, it would mean that Yang Ning had to return alone.

As the personal maidservant of the Crown Princess, Xiaowei couldn't allow that to happen.

However, Yang Ning shook her head and said, "There is no need for you to come. Are you trying to run away from the self-defense training that His Highness has ordered you to do?"

Xiaowei panicked, shaking her head in denial. "I wouldn't dare. I was just worried that Your Highness would feel uncomfortable after the training and wanted to accompany you back to the chambers to give you a massage."

Yang Ning sighed and reassured her, "I can return to the chamber alone. If needed, I can ask any guard to accompany me, and as for the massage, any other maidservant can do so. You don't need to worry. Just focus on your training. Guard Gu Lan, I am leaving my precious maidservant in your care.

Take care of her; I hope you won't disappoint me." After addressing Xiaowei, she turned her attention to Gu Lan with a meaningful smirk on her face.

Gu Lan and Xiaowei might be unaware of their growing feelings for each other, but Yang Ning has noticed the way they tense up and look at each other differently. In the novel, Gu Lan and Xiaowei were like enemies because of the cold relationship between Zheng Liang and Yang Ning.

As the personal guard of the Crown Prince and the maidservant of the Crown Princess, their relationship was not good either.

However, seeing their relationship changing as well, Yang Ning couldn't help but cheer for them and ship them as a couple. It wouldn't be bad to have them as a side couple.

Gu Lan, not understanding the meaning behind Yang Ning's smile, politely assured her. "Your Highness, please do not worry about anything else. I will make sure to take care of Lady Xiaowei and escort her to the Dragon Pavilion myself later."

Yang Ning smiled at his response and turned around. After leaving Xiaowei with Gu Lan, she headed towards the entrance to return to the chambers. However, as soon as she took a step, she noticed a group of guards gathered near the entrance iron gate.

What shocked her was not the herd of guards standing in two rows with their hands politely at their sides, but the man standing in the center, causing everyone to lower their heads in respect and fear.

It was none other than her husband, Zheng Liang. When did he come here? She wondered.

___

"Your…Highness! Please forgive me for my impudence. It was careless of me to say that. I shouldn't have-" The guard lowered his head and apologized to Zheng Liang, worried that he might be punished harshly for his careless comments. He was praying inwardly to be spared, but before he could complete his words, a soft, mellow voice interrupted him, causing everyone to look in the direction of the voice.

"Oh? How did you come here?"

"Her Royal Highness!" The guards, holding their breath and scared due to the coldness emanating from the Crown Prince, immediately bowed and greeted the Crown Princess as if she were their savior.

Now, only she could save them from the wrath of His Highness. In the whole palace, only she had the charm to make the Crown Prince smile and make him submissive to her.

The guard who was caught commenting on the Crown Princess, on the verge of tears, turned around, bowed deeply to Yang Ning, and greeted her before standing to the side, joining the other guards in the attention position.

Yang Ning was confused to see the strange behavior of the guards, who were looking at her as if she was their benefactor. She looked at Zheng Liang, who was standing in the center, and asked, "When did you come here? Did you wait for long?" She asked hesitantly, worried that he might have been waiting for her for a long time. She felt awkward to see him waiting for her while she played archery.

'Did he see me shooting bullseyes now? How am I going to explain this to him? I cannot call this a coincidence as well, can I?' She wondered, feeling worried about how she was going to explain things to him now.

Zheng Liang, whose expressions were initially cold after witnessing the guards swooning over his beautiful and talented wife, softened as he saw her approaching. Upon hearing her question, he sensed hesitation in her eyes. Instead of inquiring about her archery session, he said, "I just came here. I went to the Dragon Pavilion and found out that you went to the training grounds.

So, I came over to see you." He explained like an obedient husband.

The guards who were still standing there, uncertain of what to do, pursed their lips tightly, restraining themselves from smiling at the sight of the Crown Prince reporting everything to the Crown Princess like an obedient husband. It was only in front of the Crown Princess that his voice changed from cold and intimidating to soft and gentler.

What a huge difference in his aura. Even his eyes seemed to be smiling!

Yang Ning felt a pang of guilt as Zheng Liang came over just to find her. She scratched her neck awkwardly and began to explain, "Erm…I was feeling a bit bored, so I came with Xiaowei to do some self-defense training as well. I thought it would be good to practice in case of an emergency. I wasn't planning-" She started to explain, her words sounding a bit like a child caught red-handed.

She was confident earlier, but seeing Zheng Liang here, she suddenly felt guilty for breaking a rule. After all, women weren't allowed to enter this arena, and she used her influence to not only enter the area but also engage in archery.

While she attempted to explain her actions, Zheng Liang interjected, "You did the right thing. As the Crown Princess, you should know how to protect yourself in times of attack."

"I didn't realize it before, but you made the right decision. From now on, I will train you myself and teach you self-defense so that you can protect yourself in times of sudden attacks. Though I will never let any danger come near you, my wife should be able to defend herself in any circumstance," he said, dispelling all her worries.

Yang Ning smiled shyly and nodded, "It would be my honor to be trained personally by the Crown Prince."

"And it will be my honor to train the Crown Princess," Zheng Liang replied with a smirk, a flirty smile lingering on his lips.

The guards who were still standing there felt their breaths caught in their throats. They were afraid that even the slightest sound of gulping their saliva would ruin the beautiful moment between the Crown Princess and the Crown Prince.

They wished to disappear from the place, but it seemed like the Crown Princess and the Crown Prince had forgotten about their presence, neglecting to disperse them. With the Crown Prince not dispersing them, the guards remained frozen in place, unable to move an inch, and forced to endure what felt like being fed a hearty meal of dog food.

The guards exchanged glances, and shocked expressions were evident on each other's faces. After all, witnessing their Crown Prince smile so sweetly at the Crown Princess was something that only a fortunate few could experience in their lifetime.

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