I woke up as the Villainous Empress

57 Secret Meeting (V)

“About us?” Zheng Liang raised his brows in surprise when he heard her say that.

He grew curious about what she has to say about their relationship.

After he saw her at the Banquet, he was quite surprised to see her thoughtfulness about the people who were suffering from hunger and the famine.

Rather than wearing an extravagant, precious gem embedded dress to the Banquet, she chose to wear a simple yellow dress just because she was being thoughtful of the people who were suffering in the western region.

That was not something a materialistic and vicious Yang Ning would do.

Not only that, he has also heard from people that the eldest daughter of Yang Household is one of those rich and pampered princess, who finds her joy in torturing other people and is the epitome to rudeness and shamelessness when talking to others.

However, after meeting her and seeing the way she was treated at her home, he was not sure about the authenticity of the rumors that were going around the capital.

If she was the pampered princess of Yang Household, then why would her father let her daughter die rather than calling a physician from the Imperial Medicine Department.

That’s why he was even more curious and wanted to know the real side of Yang Ning by meeting her, than believing in the rumors which he does not even know if they’re true or not.

.....

” What is it that you want to talk about us? Lady Yang Ning?” Zheng Liang asked again.

Yang Ning pursed her lips hesitantly before taking a deep breath to calm down her racing heart and gathering the courage that she needed to bring up this topic.

She cleared her throat and said, ” First of all, I would like to thank your-” She bit her lower lip when she realized that she almost called him His Highness in public once again.

Even though there is no one on the first floor other than them, she needed to be cautious when addressing him by his title in the public area.

She needs to be careful.

“I mean.... First of all, I would like to thank you for saving me the other day. If it was not for you, I would not be sitting here in front of you and enjoying this aromatic tea.” She laughed awkwardly and scratched her neck to distract herself from this uncomfortable conversation.

Zheng Liang nodded in understanding and said, ” There is no need for you to thank me. It was something that I needed to do.”

” I would have saved you, even if it weren’t for you. How can I let anyone drown in front of me and not do anything to save them? I am not that kind of person.” He said seriously.

Gu Lan, who was sitting at the same table as Xiaowei, couldn’t help but scoff in disgust to see him acting as if it was so natural of him to save her.

Hah! As if.

He had so many well-trained guards with him, yet he jumped into the lake before them and tried to save her from drowning.

As the Crown Prince, there was no need for him to risk his life just to save a woman, who isn’t even a member of the royal family yet.

After doing all of that, how dare he pretend to be cool and nonchalant about it?

Xiaowei, who was sitting opposite Gu Lan, frowned to see him scoffing at the conversation between Yang Ning and Zheng Liang.

She was speechless to see how he is just a Guard of His Highness and yet acts so cocky. How can a servant not know how to stay in his limits?

She was dumbfounded and couldn’t control her expressions and glared at him with disgust on her face.

‘So shameless!’ She shook her head in disappointment and was worried that she will have to see him frequently when Yang Ning will marry into the Royal Palace.

Gu Lan noticed Xiaowei glaring at her and looked away from her. However, he couldn’t help but wonder why this woman was staring at him as if he had committed some kind of crime?

He shook his head and decided to focus on the conversation that was going on at the table behind him.

He needs to find out what that woman has to say, so that he could help His Highness to not fall into her trap and be used by her scheming tricks.

__

While Gu Lan was trying to eavesdrop on their conversation, Yang Ning was wondering how to bring out the real topic on the table.

‘Damn it! Why am my hands trembling so much?’ She pursed her lips and gulped down a glass of cold water in one go to calm down her nerves.

Zheng Liang, who was watching her drinking the water, was taken aback to see her drinking water so deliciously.

“Lady Yang Ning, are you hungry? Should we order something to eat?” He asked her.

“No. No. No. No! There is no need. I am fine.” She said firmly while showing her beautiful smile to him.

‘She is dying with hunger but it’s not the time to worry about her starving monster. She has other important things to do.’

Zheng Liang nodded and asked, “Then, what was the other important thing that you wanted to talk about? Apart from thanking me.”

“Ah, Yes. Right. I have something to talk to you about.” Yang Ning goes on nervously, while licking up her dry lips.

” I was thinking about it for a long time. Now I have finally reached a conclusion.” She continued.

” I think I am still very lacking in many ways. As people say, I am stubborn, mean, vicious. I think what they’re saying is right.”

” In that regard, I believe we should call off this marriage alliance between the two families.”

Xiaowei, who was drinking her tea, choked on it when she heard Yang Ning’s sudden decision.

She wants to call this marriage alliance? WHYY?

More than that, how can she directly talk to the Crown Prince before discussing this important matter with the Lord.

If he finds out about it, she also does not know what he will do to her lady then.

“I believe I am still very young and will not be able to manage such a big responsibility.” Despite the shocked and exaggerated reaction of Xiaowei, Yang Ning continued to speak her mind.

It’s finally her chance. How can she let it go just like this?

” More than that, will the people of this Empire accept me as your wife? I don’t think so. You are a great man and deserve a great life partner, who would not only take care of you but also be refined and elegant enough to stand next to you.” Yang Ning said her part without any hesitation or break this time.

“I believe that person is not me. I hope you can understand why I am making this crucial decision and I hope you could discuss about this matter with His Ma- with your father.” Yang Ning almost said to His Majesty but thankfully she stopped at a crucial point.

FINALLY.

Yang Ning, who was waiting for him to say something, did not utter a single word and continued to stare at her as if she was some artifact, displayed in a museum.

She grew anxious and was wondering if she had dug her own grave by her hands. He won’t kill me for requesting him to break this alliance, did she?

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