I woke up as the Villainous Empress

Strolling through the palace grounds, the ladies couldn\'t help but marvel at the scenery and whisper among themselves. "Do you see? I have been here many times, but the gardens seem transformed—more orderly and lovely than ever."

"Yes, indeed. I have heard from my husband that His Majesty has entrusted the management of the palace to the Crown Princess. It\'s quite remarkable for her to shoulder such a significant responsibility. His Majesty must hold her in high regard."

"In the past, I used to think that Prince Zheng Xiang had a better chance of becoming the future Emperor than the Crown Prince. After all, his mother was the Empress, so it was natural for him to become the future successor. However, after the fall of the former Empress and by giving the Crown Princess this responsibility, His Majesty has dispelled all doubts."

The ladies\' murmurs reflected the sense of awe and intrigue surrounding Yang Ning\'s newfound responsibilities and the apparent favor she had garnered from the Emperor.

Madam Liu remained quiet, her ears tuned to the whispers of the ladies ahead as they were led to the Dragon Pavilion. Her eyes briefly met Madam Guo\'s, prompting her to voice a thought, "What are your thoughts on the Crown Princess? Do you believe the rumors about her rudeness?"

Guo Yurong, with her usual stoic face, replied, "Rumors are just that—rumors. I judge by what I see. My impression of her is yet to be formed, but her personal touch on the invitations is certainly noteworthy. It\'s not every day you see a Crown Princess taking the time to do that."

Madam Liu\'s eyebrow arched in mild astonishment. It was rare to hear the usually reserved Guo Yurong give praise. "Indeed," she responded, "The invitations were a thoughtful gesture. The guest list seems very selectively curated, doesn\'t it?" Her smile carried a hint of intrigue.

Guo Yurong met her gaze and reciprocated the smile with a hint of meaning behind it. The gathering was indeed intriguing.

Surveying the guests invited to Yang Ning\'s tea party, it was evident that they comprised the wives of court ministers and the wealthiest noblemen. Moreover, many of these ladies had been close associates of the former Empress. With the Empress\'s fading influence, was the Crown Princess aiming to seize the connections she had cultivated over the years?

As the ladies reached the Dragon Pavilion, they were pleasantly surprised to find Yang Ning waiting at the entrance, a warm and polite smile gracing her features. "I am delighted that you all accepted my invitation. Please, come inside," she gestured with grace, extending a welcoming hand to usher them in.

The ladies had expected to be received by a maid, not the Crown Princess herself, standing there with such a cordial demeanor. Any concerns about Yang Ning\'s attitude immediately dissipated, and they responded to her hospitality with polite greetings. "Greetings to the Crown Princess. It is our honor to be invited by you," one of the ladies said.

Yang Ning shook her head humbly, a genuine smile on her lips. "I should have arranged this party long ago. Please accept my apologies for any delay." She expressed regret for not having hosted the tea party earlier.

Although it wasn\'t entirely her fault, as the former Empress used to handle such matters, Yang Ning humbly apologized to the guests for not inviting them sooner. Her apology left a good impression on them, showing her kindness and consideration. This made them think better of her and helped dispel any negative rumors they might have heard about her.

The other ladies appreciated her sincerity and returned her smiles. Seeing her warm and genuine demeanor, they couldn\'t help but wonder how such a kind person could be accused of mistreating her stepmother. The rumors didn\'t seem to match the woman they were witnessing now.

As Yang Ning led the guests to the arbor where the tea party had been meticulously arranged, they couldn\'t contain their gasps of surprise. "Oh my! Everything about this place is so beautiful and magical."

"I have attended numerous tea parties in the past, but this is the first time I have seen such a dedicated effort put into decorations, and the result is truly elegant and beautiful. It\'s a unique approach, and in a positive way," one of the ladies remarked.

"You\'re right. The arrangement is even more splendid than the tea parties hosted by Empress Yan—" one lady began before hastily silencing herself, realizing the potential rudeness of her comment.

A subtle smile graced Yang Ning\'s lips as she observed their reactions. This was precisely the outcome she had hoped for. She had prepared diligently, and at least some of the ladies were taking notice. While she enjoyed the ladies\' reactions, her attention was drawn to two women standing silently and examining the surroundings carefully.

Furrowing her brow, Yang Ning recognized them as Madam Guo and Madam Liu, the very individuals Yu Ling had spoken about. From what she had heard, Madam Liu and Madam Guo were considered the wealthiest individuals in the capital.

Madam Liu held a prominent position as the leader of various women\'s gatherings and possessed an exclusive boutique reserved exclusively for noblewomen. Similarly, Madam Guo also owned several thriving boutiques and jewelry stores that had established a strong presence, not only in the capital but throughout the entire Empire.

Only a few women in the Empire wielded such influence and were considered equals to men and Madam Liu and Madam Guo were among those exceptions.

With their extraordinary noble backgrounds and strong, clever personalities, they commanded the respect and attention of many ladies who sought their favor. Judging from the reactions of the other guests, it wouldn\'t be challenging to win their favor. However, her ultimate goal for this party was to make a favorable impression on these two influential women, no matter what it took.