I woke up as the Villainous Empress

5 Chapters today.

To commence the game, all the ladies settled into chairs arranged on the backyard porch for comfortable viewing. Tea and snacks were prepared for their enjoyment during the competition.

Lady Guo and Madam Liu settled into their seats, assuming positions to oversee the game and ensure strict adherence to the rules, preventing any possibility of cheating. A dedicated servant was assigned not only to keep track of everyone's scores but also to manage the task of removing arrows from the board and collecting them efficiently.

The first team of ladies took their positions, each picking up their bows and arrows. With careful precision, they held the bows, observing them closely to understand how to wield them effectively in the upcoming competition.

When Lady Shiyi assumed her stance and shot the arrow with concentration, it didn't even touch the target board but brushed by it, landing in the bushes behind. A collective moan of disappointment echoed through the onlookers. While some expressed sympathy, clapping to encourage Shiyi, others smirked and giggled at the outcome.

"I feel bad for these ladies. They were so excited to play the game, but unfortunately, all of them were going to lose to me badly. Who asked them to be so weak and bad at playing?" Zhu Yating scoffed, reveling in the perceived weakness of the competitors.

Observing the disappointment on Lady Shiyi's face, who happened to be her friend, Jiang Yi shouted, "Lady Shiyi, you can do it! It was just the first shot. You can hit the next target. Let's go." Jiang Yi, excited to participate in the game, couldn't help but shout aloud to cheer on the first team as they continued their attempts.

The other ladies joined in the applause, but a sense of embarrassment lingered as Jiang Yi's loud cheering seemed inappropriate in public. Yang Ning, noticing the frowning expressions of the other ladies, smiled at her enthusiastic partner, appreciating the genuine enjoyment amidst the formal gathering. 'At least someone here knows how to enjoy the game.'

Zhu Yating, observing the game peacefully, frowned upon hearing Jiang Yi's loud voice. When she saw Yang Ning smiling as if undisturbed by her partner's behavior, Zhu Yating commented under her breath, "What was I even expecting from her? Crown Princess, my foot. She doesn't even deserve to become a court lady at the royal palace."

Zhu Yating observed Yang Ning enjoying the game and couldn't help but feel annoyed. After Zheng Liang married Yang Ning, Zhu Yating's father suggested she marry the Crown Prince and become his consort as his second wife. It was customary for princes to have more than one wife.

Though Zhu Yating hadn't wanted to marry at that time, she had seen the Crown Prince at his wedding banquet and who wouldn't want to have such a good-looking man as her husband? Not only was he handsome, but he was the Crown Prince. Even being his second consort was a significant status for her family, both politically and in terms of social standing. She saw it as a reasonable proposal.

However, Zheng Liang outrightly rejected the idea, firmly stating that he would not take any more consorts and that Yang Ning would be his first and last wife. This matter didn't reach the royal court, as Zheng Liang rejected the proposal privately. To avoid embarrassment for the Zhu family and Zhu Yating, no one spoke of it in court.

Upon learning of this rejection, Zhu Yating was shocked and further annoyed by Yang Ning, the daughter of a mere minister, seemingly having the Crown Prince wrapped around her fingers. Zheng Liang's decision not to have a second consort was significant, and Zhu Yating detested seeing his intense love for his wife.

After Zheng Liang rejected the idea of marrying her, her father married her off to a man who was almost double her age, the Head of the Royal Bureau of Investigation, and she became his second wife. It was just recently he got another wife.

Even her husband, the head of the royal bureau investigation, had three wives, among whom she, as the second wife, was his most beloved and favored. Maintaining his favor was crucial for her reputation in society. She couldn't help but wonder, if others could take consorts, why was royalty like Zheng Liang reluctant to marry another consort?

She has also heard how His Majesty favored her and treated her like his daughter. She couldn't help but question how this woman garnered everyone's love and attention, wondering if she used some form of black magic.

Other than being the eldest daughter of the Yang Household, Zhu Yating saw nothing particularly special about Yang Ning. Her dislike for Yang Ning intensified, especially after witnessing the mistreatment of Chang Ah, her good friend and the second wife of Yang Luoyang.

"Annoying! As the Crown Princess, she is a disgrace to the royalty," Zhu Yating murmured, glancing repeatedly at Yang Ning. She wasn't even interested in the game anymore; her goal was to defeat this woman and show everyone that she was better than the so-called praiseworthy Crown Princess.

Lady Shen, glancing at Zhu Yating and then at Yang Ning, whispered, "Erm. She isn't the one shouting. Is that even necessary to say that? If anyone heard it, wouldn't it create trouble for us? She is the Crown Princess, after all." She questioned, worried that Zhu Yating's extreme comments might land them in trouble.

Zhu Yating glared at her, saying, "Are you lecturing me about how to talk or not? How dare you teach me? Did you forget that it was me who convinced my husband to help your husband hide the evidence of your family's corruption in taxes? Are you taking Yang Ning's side in front of me? You're truly shameless!" Read exclusive adventures at m_v-l'e|m,p-y r

Lady Shen frowned, not expecting Zhu Yating to bring up such a matter in public. If Zhu Yating's husband had indeed helped her, her husband had reciprocated generously, providing him with a handsome amount of gold and silver coins, 30 sacks of rice and wheat, and 5 fine-quality horses, which held considerable value.

Lady Shen wondered how Zhu Yating could mention such a thing so casually, especially with many people around. Thankfully, everyone was busy watching the game and loudly cheering; otherwise, it could have created huge trouble for her if anyone had heard it, especially Yang Ning, since she represented the royal family.

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After three teams played one by one, each team's scores were below 15. Since each team was getting 10 shots, meaning 5 shots per person, and almost all the ladies were inexperienced with archery, those who did play slightly decently had their scores ruined by their partners. Most of the time, the arrows failed to touch the board or land within the colorful rings.

When they did hit the target, they only managed to score 2-3 points by targeting the outer rings of the scoreboard.

After three teams, it was now the turn of the most anticipated team: Zhu Yating and Lady Shen's team to play. Since Zhu Yating's family had a military background, and she claimed to have learned archery when she was younger, everyone eagerly awaited her performance in the game. Meanwhile, Lady Shen had a basic knowledge of playing archery, adding to the anticipation surrounding their team.

When taking their positions, Zhu Yating picked up the bow and held the arrow in her hand with practiced ease. She examined the bow and checked the sharpness of the arrow, displaying a level of familiarity as if she had practiced archery for years and participated in numerous battles.

Observing her actions, the other ladies, who had no experience with archery, groaned in amazement, assuming that Zhu Yating possessed extensive knowledge about the game and its equipment.

She glanced at Yang Ning haughtily and turned to Lady Guo, saying, "Lady Guo, thank you for arranging this exciting activity. Thanks to this, I will get the honor to wear the dress designed by you." She confidently claimed that she would win the game and take the prize.

All eyes turned to Yang Ning, whose team was the last remaining one, and about whom no one had any idea. Zhu Yating's premature declaration of victory was a humiliating remark towards Yang Ning, making it clear that Zhu Yating had no regard for her. However, seeing how strong Zhu Yating's team appeared, many began to assume that she would indeed emerge as the winner.

Guo Yurong raised her brows at Zhu Yating's attitude and confidence, stating, "We will decide that after the game, Lady Zhu. You can take your stance now. It's not good to delay everyone's time." Her polite words hinted at Zhu Yating to refrain from wasting time with comments and begin the game.

Zhu Yating frowned upon hearing Guo Yurong's sarcastic tone, shooting a sharp look at Yang Ning, who was casually munching on honey-glazed candied walnuts with an indifferent smirk. This nonchalant attitude only fueled Zhu Yating's annoyance.

"Doesn't she feel a bit of shame? She knows that she will be humiliated later after being defeated by me, yet she keeps smiling. Chang Ah was correct; this girl is truly shameless and thick-skinned."

With a scoff, Zhu Yating took her stance and positioned her arrow on the bowstring. Closing one eye, she concentrated on the target.

~Shoong~