I woke up as the Villainous Empress

Zheng Liang\'s expression darkened upon hearing this revelation. He had taken great care to keep his journey a secret, sharing the information only with a select few individuals he trusted - his loyal staff of servants and guards. The fact that someone could orchestrate such a malicious plan in advance left him bewildered.

Considering that not many people were aware of his purpose in coming to Xinling City for inspection, he couldn\'t fathom how someone had managed to premeditate and execute this sinister act.

Gritting his teeth in frustration, Zheng Liang cast a worried glance towards the carriage, deeply concerned for Yang Ning\'s safety. Despite his anger and determination to uncover the truth behind the incident, he recognized that his topmost priority was ensuring Yang Ning\'s well-being. Therefore, he decided to postpone his investigation until after they had safely returned to the palace.

Turning to Gu Lan, Zheng Liang issued a clear directive, "From now on, the other guards will lead in front. You, on the other hand, will stay close to the carriage and ensure the Princess\'s safety at all costs. Regardless of the circumstances we encounter, your topmost priority should always be the Crown Princess. Do you understand?" he ordered firmly.

Unlike the last time when Gu Lan had disregarded his orders, putting Yang Ning\'s life in danger, this time he didn\'t argue and nodded resolutely, saying, "I understand. I will protect the Crown Princess."

Zheng Liang felt reassured by Gu Lan\'s response and signaled everyone to resume the journey after ensuring the horses\' well-being. They were in the middle of the jungle, and lingering for too long would only invite more danger.

As he prepared to enter the carriage once more, a sudden and unexpected sharp arrow whizzed through the air, narrowly missing him.  Catching a glimpse of movement behind him, his instincts kicked in, and he swiftly bent down, narrowly avoiding the deadly projectile. The arrow found its mark instead, piercing into the side of the carriage, serving as a stark reminder of the danger they were facing.

"Your Highness!" Gu Lan, who was just about to mount his horse, shouted in alarm at the sudden attack, alerting Zheng Liang and the others.

"Zheng Liang!" Yang Ning, having witnessed the arrow narrowly miss him, was both shocked and frightened. She let out a fearful gasp at the close call.

Despite her experience with shooting arrows, it was her first time witnessing someone almost being struck by one. The gravity of the situation left her shaken and surprised.

It scared the hell out of her.

Before anyone could react, a menacing group of thugs emerged from the trees, dressed in black clothes and concealing their faces behind ominous black masks. With swift and calculated movements, the mysterious assailants closed in, encircling the group and focusing their attention on the royal carriage and Zheng Liang.

Each of them brandished deadly weapons, including swords and bows with arrows drawn, heightening the tension and creating a highly precarious and perilous standoff.

Zheng Liang\'s expression darkened upon seeing the attackers surround them, and he swiftly closed the door of the carriage. Shouting to Yang Ning, he urgently warned, "Stay inside. Don\'t come out." His priority was to ensure her safety and keep her protected from the imminent threat.

With his sword drawn from its sheath, Zheng Liang focused entirely on the sudden danger before him. Ready to confront the assailants, he stood firm and prepared to defend himself, his people, and the Crown Princess from the menacing threat that loomed in their midst.

The leader of the gang sneered at Zheng Liang, mocking his attempt to defend himself. "Don\'t even think of getting out of here today. Today, no one is going away from here alive," he declared menacingly.

"Time will tell who leaves here alive and who does not," Zheng Liang retorted with determination. Reacting swiftly to an assailant trying to attack him from behind, Zheng Liang expertly thrust his sword, thwarting the attempt.

With Zheng Liang leading the charge, Gu Lan and the royal guards grasped the situation and engaged in a fierce battle with the black-clothed thugs.

Inside the carriage, Yang Ning trembled in fear, blocking out the horrifying sounds of the brutal conflict outside. The cries of pain and the clash of swords created an atmosphere of dread and terror. She huddled on the floor, her hands covering her ears, trying to shield herself from the gruesome reality unfolding just outside her sanctuary.

As the battle outside the carriage raged on, Yang Ning couldn\'t help but wonder how Zheng Liang had managed to fight in countless battles to earn the title of Knight of the Empire.

Even though Yang Ning was aware that Zheng Liang was the male lead in the novel, and traditionally, the male lead was expected to emerge unscathed from such dangerous situations, the fear of him getting hurt or facing harm still haunted her.

The detachment she experienced while reading about fictional battles became all too real as she witnessed the intense and perilous events unfolding before her eyes. Imagining those scenes occurring in real life sent shivers down her spine, making the fear and danger all too palpable.

The stark contrast between the fiction and the harsh reality of the present moment filled her with a deep sense of dread. In the realm of novels, happy endings were almost guaranteed, but in this dangerous encounter, there were no certainties.

The unpredictability of the situation made the gravity of their circumstances all too real, and the emotional impact was overwhelming.

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