MY PRINCE HUSBAND HAS SEVEN WIVES AND I AM HIS FAVOURITE!
Chapter 139: If you are sincere, slap yourself!

Chapter 139: If you are sincere, slap yourself!

Hua Jing blinked, slowly shifting her gaze from Zhao Yan’s smirking face to the nobleman who was now visibly trembling before her.

His mouth opened and closed, his throat bobbing as if he wanted to say something—anything—but the words wouldn’t come.

The once arrogant and self-assured man, who had earlier mocked and berated her without a second thought, was now reduced to a shaking mess.

Hua Jing’s lips curled ever so slightly.

Zhao Yan remained silent beside her, his expression unreadable, yet the weight of his presence was suffocating. Even without speaking, he dominated the space around them, his dark gaze locking onto the nobleman with the same cold amusement as before.

And that only made the man sweat even more.

"Seventh... Seventh Consort," the nobleman stammered again, his voice weak, pitiful.

Hua Jing tilted her head, her expression serene, but her eyes held something dangerous—something that made the nobleman’s stomach churn in fear.

"Ah," she hummed, tapping a delicate finger against her chin, "just moments ago, weren’t you calling me shameless? What happened? Your confidence seems to have vanished."

Her voice was light, almost playful, yet there was a sharpness beneath it that sent shivers down his spine.

The nobleman immediately dropped to his knees, his forehead nearly touching the ground.

"Seventh Consort! It was my mistake! I—I spoke out of ignorance! I did not know! I did not realize—"

Hua Jing raised an eyebrow, exchanging a glance with Zhao Yan, who chuckled softly under his breath.

"You didn’t know?" she repeated, her tone dripping with amusement.

"I swear, I swear on my family’s name!" the nobleman cried out desperately. "I had no intention of offending you or the Crown Prince! It was a misunderstanding, a terrible misunderstanding—!"

The crowd remained silent, their heads bowed, not daring to speak.

Chen Li and Hua Ling were among them, Hua Ling clutching Jiang Lei’s arm tightly, her face pale.

Jiang Lei, too, looked uneasy, his jaw clenched as he watched the scene unfold.

The nobleman was still trembling, his forehead nearly pressed against the ground.

"Seventh Consort, I—I swear, it was a misunderstanding!" he stammered, desperation laced in his voice.

Hua Jing folded her arms, her eyes glinting with amusement. "A misunderstanding, you say?"

The nobleman nodded frantically.

"But I told you," she continued, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Not once, not twice—but many, many times. I told you that this man was my husband. And yet, you refused to listen."

Her words were light, almost teasing, but the weight behind them made the nobleman’s spine stiffen.

Hua Jing took a slow step forward, tilting her head.

"You were quite bold earlier," she mused. "Calling me shameless. An adulteress. A woman without virtue." She smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "Why is it that now, suddenly, you believe me?"

The nobleman swallowed hard.

"I—I was ignorant, I—"

"Ah," Hua Jing interrupted, nodding as if she understood. "So, your ignorance gave you the right to insult me in public?"

The nobleman flinched.

"You even threatened to drag me out and humiliate me," she went on, her voice still deceptively light. "Yet now, you cower before me like a beaten dog."

Laughter rippled through the crowd, low and mocking.

The nobleman’s face burned with shame.

"Seventh Consort, please—"

Hua Jing sighed dramatically. "This is quite the dilemma," she said, turning to Zhao Yan. "My husband, what should I do?"

Zhao Yan, who had been silent all this while, finally spoke.

"You are too kind," he murmured, his voice like silk. "If it were me, I would make him pay for every single word he spoke against you."

The nobleman paled even further.

"My lord! Have mercy!" he cried, his hands shaking as he slammed his forehead onto the ground.

Hua Jing pretended to think for a moment. Then, her lips curled into a smirk.

"Well, if you are truly sorry..." she mused, tapping her fingers against her arm. "Then prove it."

The nobleman’s breath hitched.

"H-How...?"

Hua Jing leaned in slightly.

"Slap yourself."

Gasps erupted around them.

The nobleman’s face twisted in disbelief.

"Your Highness, I—"

Hua Jing arched an eyebrow. "Oh? Are you not sincere in your apology?"

The nobleman’s hands clenched at his sides. He was a noble! Slapping himself in public would ruin his reputation!

But then, his gaze flickered to Zhao Yan. The prince had yet to say anything directly to him, but the mere thought of what he could do was terrifying enough.

Sweat dripped down the nobleman’s forehead.

Hua Jing smiled. "If it’s too difficult, I can help."

The nobleman’s breath caught.

He knew what she meant.

If he didn’t do it himself, she would have someone do it for him.

He had no choice.

His hand trembled as he raised it.

Then—

PAH!

A sharp sound echoed through the air as he struck his own cheek.

The crowd gasped again.

Hua Jing’s eyes gleamed. "Harder."

The nobleman’s hands shook violently.

He hesitated.

Zhao Yan’s gaze darkened.

The nobleman bit his lip and—

PAH!

Another slap.

Hua Jing sighed in satisfaction. "Good," she murmured. "Now, let’s make it ten more times, shall we?"

The nobleman nearly fainted.

The crowd watched, stunned into silence.

This... this was the Seventh Consort?

This wasn’t a weak woman.

This wasn’t a mere illegitimate daughter.

This was a demon who no one knew where she came from!

Chen Li’s fingers dug in her palms. She was seething

She stepped forward, her finely embroidered robes swaying with every careful step. Her expression was composed, but the tightness in her jaw betrayed her unease.

Stopping just a few feet away from Hua Jing, she lowered her gaze and bent into a graceful bow, her voice as sweet as honey.

"Seventh Consort, today is a joyous occasion," she said, a practiced smile gracing her lips. "There is no need to create unnecessary tension within the family. No matter what misunderstandings may have arisen, we are still blood. You wouldn’t want to humiliate the Hua family on such an important day, would you?"