I woke up as the Villainous Empress

As it was Madam Guo, who hosted the tea party, the guest list far exceeded that of Yang Ning\'s more intimate gathering, where she specifically invited only a selected few individuals she sought to acquaint herself with.

Attendees at Guo Yurong\'s tea party consisted exclusively of high-profile elite noble ladies, including minister\'s wives and the wives of the elite businessmen and merchants whose stature and wealth make them no less than royalty in their circle.

The majority of the tea-party guests had already assembled, engaged in lively chatter while eagerly anticipating the arrival of the most-awaited guest of the event.

The Crown Princess, Yang Ning.

"I have heard that Madam Guo has extended an invitation to the Crown Princess as well. I can\'t help but anticipate some drama later; after all, she\'s like sweet honey that attracts trouble wherever she goes."

"I heard about the events at the Crown Princess\'s Tea Party. It\'s surprising that, despite everything that occurred, she still accepted Lady Guo\'s invitation," remarked one of the ladies, igniting a lively debate among the eager attendees itching to delve into the discussion.

Rumors about the incident at Yang Ning\'s tea party had already spread like wildfire within the social circle. Even those who hadn\'t attended the event couldn\'t resist contributing their opinions and judgments on the matter.

"Exactly. Despite her claims of abuse by her stepmother and enduring suffering, it\'s astonishing to witness her audacity and lack of shame. It was such a big incident after all, how can she think of attending tea parties at such a time."

"I haven\'t attended her tea party and am not familiar with the history between her and Lady Chang Ah, but the fact that Lord Yang abandoned his wife for the Crown Princess is unsettling. Isn\'t it too extreme? It\'s uncomfortable to see her at the party. She\'s truly intimidating."

"That\'s why I say being a stepmother is a double-edged sword. You never receive the acceptance and respect of a real mother, always living in the shadow of the firstborn children. I feel pity for Lady Chang Ah. I am sure it must be the scheme of that vicious woman who ruined Lady Chang Ah\'s life"

"I wonder if it was all a scheme by the Crown Princess to humiliate Lady Chang Ah and make her the target of Lord Yang\'s scolding in front of everyone. Otherwise, why wouldn\'t she invite Lady Chang Ah to the party? None of this would have happened if she hadn\'t provoked her."

"I agree. She hasn\'t even become the Empress yet, and I\'m concerned that her cunning mind might jeopardize our Empire."

The ladies engrossed in their gossip found their chatter abruptly halted by an elegant yet authoritative voice. "That\'s precisely why one should refrain from speaking when uninformed," remarked Madam Guo Yurong. She entered the hall accompanied by Madam Liu, settling into the central chair at the head of the table as the host and focal point of the party.

Beside her, Madam Liu took her seat, signaling their unwavering support and the strength of their unbreakable friendship.

The chattering ladies snapped to attention at the sharpness of Guo Yurong\'s words, cowed by the icy edge in her voice. "Lady Guo, we were just—"

Guo Yurong cut off Lady Shen, the prime gossip offender, with a firm interruption. "Lady Shen, I couldn\'t care less about your opinions on others, but I won\'t tolerate baseless rumors and inappropriate claims about my guests at my party. If you\'re in the mood for gossip, feel free to indulge once you\'ve left. I won\'t stop you," she stated coldly, leaving no room for excuses. Continue your journey on m|v-l\'e -NovelBin.net

"I... I apologize for my rudeness, Madam Guo," Lady Shen humbly offered, wisely choosing silence afterward. Guo Yurong, known for her strength and sharp tongue, commanded respect and a touch of fear. Even the men, while secretly admiring her, treaded carefully around her outspoken personality, not daring to cross her path.

The ladies who had attended Yang Ning\'s tea party found their voices under the influence of Guo Yurong, rallying in support of Yang Ning even in her absence. "The Crown Princess isn\'t anything like those rumors suggest. She\'s genuinely kind-hearted, treating everyone with respect and kindness. Don\'t speak about her without meeting her first," one brave soul spoke up.

"Exactly! She\'s not just a beautiful woman; she\'s also sharp and intelligent. Lady Chang Ah was the one at fault, causing a scene with her crude language. The Princess handled it with grace and elegance. It\'s unbelievable that you\'re all siding with Lady Chang Ah when, in general, you detest her for her boastful attitude.

Hmph!" Another chimed in, echoing the sentiments of the gathering, as the atmosphere shifted, and the winds of gossip blew in a different direction.

Madam Liu couldn\'t help but release a low chuckle as she observed the party taking an unexpectedly serious turn. "Alright, let\'s not turn this into a boardroom meeting. Guo Yurong has prepared snacks and tea for everyone, so please, let\'s enjoy the party," she suggested, attempting to inject a bit of levity back into the atmosphere.

Even as she spoke, the lingering tension persisted. A maid entered the hall, breaking the heaviness in the air with news of Yang Ning\'s arrival in the royal carriage. Guo Yurong acknowledged the significant presence of royalty, nodding as she stood up to make her way to the entrance of the residence.

While other guests were being gracefully escorted inside by maids, the royal protocols demanded a different approach for Yang Ning, the Crown Princess.

Accompanied by Madam Liu, she headed outside to welcome the Princess. The other ladies rose in anticipation, eager to catch a glimpse of the rumored cold and vicious Crown Princess. Those who hadn\'t met Yang Ning yet were curious about her appearance and intrigued by the praise lavished upon her beauty.

Meanwhile, those who had encountered her before were excited at the prospect of a reunion. The air buzzed with a mix of curiosity and excitement as everyone prepared for the grand entrance.

___

Outside the Guo residence, Yang Ning gracefully stepped down from the carriage with the assistance of a stool, accompanied by Xiaowei, who held her hand, ensuring a safe descent. After adjusting her clothes and hair, and taking a deep breath, she observed Guo Yurong and Madam Liu approaching to greet her.

When Guo Yurong saw Yang Ning in front of her carriage, she was momentarily captivated. Yang Ning wore a dress that not only complemented her complexion but also accentuated her figure, befitting her royal status. Clad in a peach dress adorned with a sky-blue outer robe, the golden belt cinched around her waist emphasized her curves, rendering her stunning.

The ethereal golden and white threads on her dress lent an almost heavenly quality, creating an image of fragility, innocence, and simplicity. Yet, the phoenix patterns on her dress simultaneously showcased her strong mentality and personality. In totality, she appeared beautiful and absolutely stunning.

At the party, the other ladies adorned themselves in lavish outfits, bedecked with heavy accessories and covered in gems from head to toe. In stark contrast, Yang Ning, who opted for simple accessories and jewelry, appeared ethereal. As someone with a keen interest in clothing and accessories, Guo Yurong found herself entranced by Yang Ning\'s understated yet captivating look.

"Greetings to the Crown Princess. It was my honor to have you at my humble residence," Guo Yurong said, with Madam Liu\'s slight nudge helping her to snap out of her momentary daze. Guo Yurong then formally greeted Yang Ning with a subtle, polite bow.

Yang Ning acknowledged their greetings with a pleasant nod and responded, "Lady Guo, I should be thankful to you. Thank you for inviting me and allowing me to make friends with you."

Guo Yurong and Madam Liu smiled, appreciating Yang Ning\'s maintained politeness. "Please, let\'s go inside. You must be exhausted from the journey," Guo Yurong suggested, guiding Yang Ning into the residence. Meanwhile, the servants and the carriage coachman headed to join others in the back of the residence to partake in refreshments prepared for them.