I woke up as the Villainous Empress

Yang Luoyang didn't allow Chang Ah to utter another word. He ruthlessly seized her hair and delivered a series of harsh slaps, rendering her semi-conscious and sprawled lifelessly on the ground. Her face bore the evidence of the brutal assault – a canvas of red imprints and blood.

Her meticulously chosen blue dress, once elegant, now bore the stains of dirt, symbolizing the wreckage of her carefully crafted facade.

He then turned to face Zheng Liang, bowing apologetically, and said, "Your Highness, please forgive me for my impertinence. I had to teach this woman a lesson. I cannot believe that she was treating my precious daughter in such a horrid way. Please forgive me."

Observing him feigning the role of a concerned father, Yang Ning couldn't help but regard him with disgust. After subjecting his daughter to years of mistreatment, torture, and gaslighting, he now portrayed himself as blameless, shifting the responsibility entirely onto Chang Ah.

What a great father he pretended to be.

"I feel ashamed for letting everyone see all this. However, since today is Yang Ning's first tea party, which has already been ruined, I will not take everyone's time any further and will take my leave. Please do not worry; I will teach a deserving lesson to this vicious woman at home and will never let her be near Yang Ning again.

Once again, please forgive me for not handling these personal matters properly and letting them become a spectacle for others," Yang Luoyang apologized, repeatedly emphasizing his unawareness of the situation at home and blaming it all on Chang Ah.

Zheng Liang had a meaningful smirk as he observed Yang Luoyang putting on a show for everyone. Despite being aware of Yang Luoyang's true colors, the man had done an excellent job of hiding the evidence of his actions. He never acted out in front, preferring to let Chang Ah do all the dirty work. That's why he could confidently play this act. What a cunning man he was.

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Zheng Liang glanced around and saw understanding expressions on the ladies' faces. If he didn't dismiss this matter here, people might start concocting stories about Yang Ning, painting her as an unforgiving and grudge-holding woman.

To avoid prolonging the matter, he nodded and said coldly, "Minister Yang, I hope you will handle your family's matters properly. Since you have come forward to rectify your mistakes, I won't take this matter to the royal court and will handle it with formalities."

"However, you better deal with this matter seriously. This woman has not only ruined the Crown Princess's tea party but has also tortured her for so long. I would not like the royal family to have any connection with a person like her," he said, firmly cutting all ties with Chang Ah.

Yang Luoyang bit his lower lip, nodding with clenched fists in humiliation and embarrassment. He couldn't fathom that, due to his foolish wife, he had become a spectacle in front of everyone, forced to apologize to Zheng Liang. He regretted placing trust in Chang Ah, expecting her to handle the matter efficiently and teach Yang Ning a lesson without making a clown of herself.

Taking a deep breath, he spoke with seriousness, "You need not worry, Your Highness. I will ensure everything is handled efficiently. From this moment forward, I disown this woman as my wife. A person who cannot treat my children kindly has no place in my heart." With this announcement, sympathy welled among the onlookers for Chang Ah.

Already beaten and publicly disowned, her reputation hit rock bottom.

Chang Ah, who was half-conscious, was shocked to hear Yang Luoyang's words. Too hurt and weak to intervene, she could only sob miserably, unable to hold onto him and reconsider his decision.

Zheng Liang refrained from commenting on Yang Luoyang's statement. Instead, he turned to Yang Ning, gently rubbing her arms as he embraced her. "Dear, we should go inside now. Your guests have been waiting here for quite a while."

Yang Ning understood his meaning to leave from here while giving space to Yang Luoyang to deal with Chang Ah.

Although she hated Chang Ah and could never forgive her for the way she treated Yang Ning all her childhood, she couldn't help but feel a little bad for her. Because she knows that she wasn't alone in all this and was encouraged by Yang Luoyang, yet he sacrificed her in front of everyone without any shame.

Knowing that it isn't easy to prove Yang Luoyang's abuse and torture because he always acted from behind and let Chang Ah do everything, Yang Ning decided to follow Zheng Liang's lead and said, "Yes. We should go inside now."

Upon their return to the Dragon Pavilion garden, with the other ladies following behind, Yang Ning apologized, "I apologize for letting you witness all of this. Please do not take this matter to heart. Let's go take a seat. I will make sure to serve you all well." She wore an apologetic smile, attempting to ease the tension and ushering them to their seats.

Her warm smile and behavior melted everyone's heart. More than that, seeing Zheng Liang standing next to Yang Ning and protecting her, they all felt jealous of the couple's loving relationship. Their husbands never smiled at them in public, forgot about holding them in their embrace.

Guo Yurong shook her head and smiled, "Your Highness, you do not need to apologize for anything. You did no wrong. It is getting late now. We should take leave now." She bowed politely, asking for permission to take leave.

Observing Guo Yurong's excuse, the other ladies followed suit, understanding that it was better to leave than to linger in this uncomfortable atmosphere.

Yang Ning looked at them helplessly and insisted, "Please take your seats first. At least let me bid you goodbye properly. Come inside with me." She persuaded them to return to the table while she prepared the gifts she had intended for them.

She doesn't want everyone to leave like this. The tea party she had arranged with much effort had been ruined already. However, she cannot let it end badly; the ending should be in style at least.