I woke up as the Villainous Empress

His attire was a harmonious blend of tradition and opulence, a true representation of his royal stature.

Yang Ning approached Zheng Liang with a warm smile, her eyes widening in pleasant surprise as she took in his royal blue attire adorned with intricate golden thread embroidery. "How coincidental," she exclaimed in her gentle, melodious voice, her tone carrying a touch of amazement and joy. She leaned in closer, her voice lowered playfully as she added, "It seems we\'re quite the matching pair today."

The outfit was regal and elegant, befitting his status as the Crown Prince. It concealed his physique beneath its layers, but Yang Ning couldn\'t help but notice the subtle contours of his muscular abs, a sight that left her cheeks flushed.

She couldn\'t deny that such clothing concealed his natural beauty, yet it added an air of mystery and allure to his presence.

Zheng Liang couldn\'t help but chuckle at her words, his tone taking on a flirty and teasing edge. He responded with a smirk, "Oh, didn\'t you mention the other night that dark blue happens to be your favorite color? I thought I\'d give you something to fantasize about throughout the festival. Every time you look at me, you\'ll remember that night," he added, punctuating his words with a playful wink.

Yang Ning\'s delightful blush deepened at Zheng Liang\'s flirtatious remark. Her initial surprise had quickly transformed into a flustered state.

She shot a quick, embarrassed glance at Gu Lan and Xiaowei, who were pretending to be engrossed in their surroundings and acting as a rock who had not seen or heard anything but had undoubtedly heard the exchange and she could notice their awkward expressions.

Inwardly, she scolded Zheng Liang for his audacious comment. It seemed he had a knack for speaking his mind without considering his surroundings. She couldn\'t help but think, \'This man! Doesn\'t he ever look around before saying such things?\' She sighed.

Yang Ning, her embarrassment reaching its peak, couldn\'t help but cover her face with one hand as she shook her head in helpless amusement. Zheng Liang\'s teasing had a way of pushing her limits, and she couldn\'t deny that he had a talent for catching her off guard and making her blush. It was moments like these that made her feel both exasperated and utterly charmed by him.

Yang Ning, still blushing from Zheng Liang\'s flirtatious remark, cleared her throat in embarrassment and decided to steer the conversation in a different direction. She wanted to distract herself from the lingering embarrassment.

"Since you mentioned we\'re going to the festival as nobles and didn\'t need to wear commoners outfits, I picked out this outfit and left my hair open to give me a more youthful appearance, like that of a beautiful maiden. That way, no one will suspect that I\'m the Crown Princess or a married woman," she explained as she twirled slightly to show off her look.

Zheng Liang couldn\'t help but be charmed by Yang Ning\'s radiant beauty and graceful demeanor. Her pastel blue gown and the delicate overrobe had transformed her into a vision of ethereal loveliness. However, as she talked about appearing as a beautiful maiden to avoid suspicion, he couldn\'t help but feel a twinge of jealousy.

His charming smile began to wane as he leaned in closer to her, his warm breath brushing against her ear as he whispered, "Want to look like a maiden, my love? Well, your efforts might go in vain tonight. With me by your side, I doubt anyone will dare to think of you as a maiden woman, because you\'re my woman, my wife." He smirked playfully, his voice dripping with possessiveness.

"I will see who dares to think of you as a maiden woman when you\'re with me." He stated with a smirk.

Yang Ning couldn\'t help but glare at him, her embarrassment giving way to a mixture of annoyance and amusement.

This man always knew how to keep her on her toes.

To hide her flustered state, Yang Ning scoffed in response to Zheng Liang\'s possessive words. "If that\'s the case," she began, her tone feigning seriousness, "you shouldn\'t have worn this enticing blue outfit. Do you know how irresistible you look in it? Are you trying to seduce other women at the carnival tonight?"

Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she continued, "I better not catch any women ogling at you, or else... or else, I will have to punish you later for it." Her playful threat mirrored his earlier jealousy, and she couldn\'t help but enjoy the banter between them.

Zheng Liang couldn\'t help but be amused by her jealous banter. He let out a chuckle and replied with a teasing glint in his eyes, "Oh, I will be absolutely delighted to be punished by you. I can\'t wait for the punishment," he added, his words carrying a hint of a different kind of anticipation.

As Yang Ning realized the suggestive direction their conversation was taking, her emotions swirled into a mixture of anger, frustration, and embarrassment. She had initially playfully mentioned "punishment" as a way to tease him about sleeping in the guest chamber, but his response had taken her words in a different, more intimate direction.

It seemed he was deliberately interpreting her words this way, and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment at the implication. \'This darn Crown Prince\'.

She took a deep breath, willing herself to regain her composure. "Aren\'t we getting late for the carnival?" she said, attempting to change the subject and divert their attention. "What are we waiting here for? Let\'s go," she urged, eager to leave the awkward moment behind and immerse themselves in the festivities of the Spring Festival Carnival.

Zheng Liang didn\'t tease her further and nodded, gesturing towards the carriage. "We\'re all ready. Let\'s go then," he said, extending his hand to take hers. However, Yang Ning\'s hand paused in mid-air as she was taken by surprise upon seeing the carriage he had prepared for them.

"This... are you sure we\'re taking this carriage?" Yang Ning asked, her confusion evident in her voice and expression.

Their luxurious silk clothes didn\'t bother her, as it was customary for nobles to dress extravagantly for such events. However, she couldn\'t help but frown upon seeing the carriage waiting for them.

Yang Ning raised her brows in surprise as the carriage appeared far from simple. It was an extravagant carriage covered in shining gold color with intricate artistic carvings adorning its exterior. Even the horses harnessed to the carriage were distinctive white steeds known for their speed, unique and reserved for exclusive use by the Crown Prince.

The presence of these white horses was a clear indicator that the carriage belonged to the Crown Prince. The only thing lacking was the overt emblem of the Crown Prince, but everything about the carriage exuded an unmistakable air of royalty.

Unlike the simpler carriage they had used for their trip to Xinling City, this carriage was far more extravagant and luxurious. Yang Ning couldn\'t help but feel a sense of unease. Weren\'t they supposed to be disguising themselves as nobles?

Even if they were going to the market as nobles and not commoners, the least they could do was avoid using a carriage that was so conspicuous and would undoubtedly reveal their true identities as the Crown Prince and Princess.