MY PRINCE HUSBAND HAS SEVEN WIVES AND I AM HIS FAVOURITE!
Chapter 125: Hit an innocent bystander

Chapter 125: Hit an innocent bystander

Silence.

Complete and utter silence.

For a moment, even the wind seemed to hold its breath.

Hua Ling stood frozen, her head still turned to the side, her cheek burning red where the slap had landed.

Her lips trembled, her eyes wide with disbelief, and then—

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

A shriek so loud it could probably be heard in the next province tore through the room!

Her face, once carefully painted with layers of delicate makeup, now bore the imprint of her mother’s palm. The stark contrast of red against pale skin was unmistakable. A perfect handprint, glowing like a mark of disgrace.

The smudged foundation left uneven streaks, making her look less like a noble bride and more like a poorly painted opera performer who had just lost a fight with a chicken.

"My face!" Hua Ling screeched, her hands flying up to touch the swelling. Her fingers trembled as she traced the hot, burning mark.

Chen Li jolted in horror, her hands flying to her mouth as if she had just realized what she had done.

"My daughter!" she gasped, reaching for Hua Ling. "I—I didn’t—!"

But Hua Ling smacked her hand away, her face contorting with rage.

"YOU SLAPPED ME!"

Chen Li, the ever-composed, ever-elegant madam of the Hua family, was now floundering like a fish out of water. "I—It was a mistake! I was aiming for—"

A slow, mocking clap interrupted them.

Both mother and daughter whipped their heads toward Hua Jing, who was casually leaning against a table, amusement dancing in her eyes.

"Beautiful," Hua Jing said with a grin. "Simply stunning. A masterpiece of motherly affection."

Hua Ling let out a strangled sound, her fists shaking.

"You!" she screeched, her eyes blazing. "You did this on purpose!"

Hua Jing gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her heart. "Me? Oh, dear sister, how could you say such a thing?" She leaned in slightly. "It was your mother’s hand, not mine."

Chen Li, recovering from the initial shock, turned on Hua Jing with a venomous glare. "You tricked me!"

Hua Jing raised a brow. "Tricked you?" She let out a laugh. "Oh, you mean when you tried to slap me out of nowhere like some madwoman? And I, being the poor, innocent seventh consort, merely moved out of the way?"

Hua Ling let out a growl, stepping forward. "You did that on purpose! You knew she would—"

"Now, now," Hua Jing interrupted, waving a finger. "Let’s not start pointing fingers. Oh wait—" She pointed at Hua Ling’s rapidly swelling cheek. "That’s already been done."

Hua Ling practically vibrated with fury. "You—!"

Hua Jing sighed, shaking her head. "Honestly, if I had known coming here would be this entertaining, I would have arrived earlier. Watching you two implode is better than any palace drama I’ve ever seen!"

Chen Li opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

She had aimed for Hua Jing. That little wench! If she hadn’t moved, none of this would have—

Chen Li’s sharp gaze snapped to Hua Jing, who was standing to the side with a hand over her mouth, still shaking with laughter.

"Oh dear," Hua Jing mused, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Who knew a mother’s love could be so... forceful?"

Chen Li’s nostrils flared. Her fury surged like an unrestrained flood.

"You!" she hissed, taking a menacing step forward.

Hua Jing barely had time to react before she saw the hand flying towards her again.

Ah, there it was.

The classic ’I-made-a-mistake-so-now-I-must-cover-it-up-by-making-an-even-bigger-one’ technique.

But Hua Jing had learned to read Chen Li’s moves by now.

The moment that hand swung towards her, Hua Jing tilted her head ever so slightly—

And the slap cut through the air, hitting nothing but emptiness.

Chen Li stumbled forward, caught off guard by the miss.

Hua Jing tsked. "Madam Hua, you should be careful. You wouldn’t want to end up slapping another innocent bystander, would you?"

Hua Ling let out another shriek, half from frustration, half from the pain still stinging her cheek.

Chen Li clenched her fists, her entire body shaking. She had never been humiliated like this in her life.

And the worst part?

That wretched girl was still smiling.

Like she was enjoying every second of this!

Hua Jing tilted her head, studying Chen Li with lazy amusement. "Hmm. You look like you’re about to pop a blood vessel, dear stepmother. Might I suggest a cup of tea? I hear it’s good for one’s temper."

Chen Li’s hands twitched. She looked seconds away from lunging at Hua Jing and strangling her.

But just before she could act on that impulse—

A voice called from outside.

"The ceremony is about to begin!"

The words sliced through the tension in the air like a blade.

Hua Ling’s breath hitched.

The wedding.

Her wedding!

With a last furious glare at Hua Jing, she spun on her heel and rushed toward her bridal mirror, desperately trying to salvage her makeup.

Chen Li, however, lingered for a moment longer, her eyes dark and calculating as she stared Hua Jing down.

Chen Li, however, lingered for a moment longer, her eyes dark and calculating as she stared Hua Jing down.

But Hua Jing did not flinch.

She met Chen Li’s gaze head-on, her own eyes sharper, colder—far too knowing.

For the first time in her life, Chen Li shuddered.

This wasn’t right.

The Hua Jing she knew would have never evaded that slap.

The Hua Jing she knew would have stood there, trembling, meek and obedient, waiting for punishment like a scared little rabbit.

But this Hua Jing?

This Hua Jing had moved like she had seen it coming.

As if she had anticipated it before it even happened.

As if she had been playing along with some game that only she knew the rules to.

Chen Li’s fingers twitched at her sides.

A chilling thought crossed her mind.

Is this even the same Hua Jing?

Her jaw tightened. No. That was impossible.

And yet—

Why did it feel like she was staring at a completely different person?

Before she could dwell on it further, Hua Jing smirked, her voice smooth as silk.

"Step-mother, you should go. You wouldn’t want to keep the guests waiting!""