MY PRINCE HUSBAND HAS SEVEN WIVES AND I AM HIS FAVOURITE!
Chapter 160: All about power

Chapter 160: All about power

Hua Jing had just reached the door when she heard the sharp, commanding voice of the First Consort.

"We have a word to share with her."

She stilled for a moment, then her expression changed—her amusement fading into something calm, controlled, unreadable.

Without hesitation, she stepped forward, her movements unhurried, like a queen descending her throne to greet unworthy visitors.

The morning sun cast a soft glow on her face, highlighting the delicate sharpness of her features, the cold brilliance of her gaze.

As she emerged from her chambers, she met their stares head-on—without fear, without hesitation.

"I am here," she said, her tone even but powerful. "You can share your word."

A heavy silence settled between them.

The First Consort, standing in the center, took slow, deliberate steps toward Hua Jing, her gaze sweeping over her from head to toe.

The change in Hua Jing was unmistakable.

She had always been beautiful, but today—today, she was breathtaking.

Her long, dark hair was loose, cascading down her back in soft waves, reaching past her waist, unadorned by golden pins or decorative combs.

Her dress was simple yet elegant, a flowing lavender robe that hugged her form perfectly without the heavy embellishments that the other consorts favored.

Her skin glowed, untouched by the layers of makeup the others had carefully applied before coming here.

And yet—

With just a bare face, Hua Jing had already won the battle they hadn’t even started.

There was no need for powder or rouge—her natural beauty alone was enough to shake the heavens.

Compared to her, the First Consort and the others—who had arrived in full makeup and lavish silks, hoping to intimidate her with their presence—now looked almost... ordinary.

Hua Jing knew it.

And the First Consort knew it too.

Hua Jing tilted her head slightly, her lips curving into a faint smile.

"Is there anything you wish to say to me?" she asked, voice smooth.

"If not, I’ll return to my chambers."

The First Consort’s eyes darkened.

She had been so caught up in studying Hua Jing’s transformation that she had momentarily forgotten her purpose.

But her pride wouldn’t allow her to lose face.

She took a step closer, her voice laced with condescension.

"Now that you have the Prince’s favor," she said slowly, "you think you can speak to me however you wish?"

Hua Jing simply raised an eyebrow.

Behind the First Consort, the other women murmured in agreement.

"Such arrogance," the Sixth Consort scoffed.

"A woman with no proper upbringing will never understand etiquette," the Fourth Consort added.

"The child of an illegitimate maid," the Fifth Consort sneered, "naturally has no manners."

Their words were meant to hurt her.

But Hua Jing only smiled, unbothered.

The old Hua Jing might have flinched.

She might have bowed her head, feeling the weight of their judgment.

But that woman no longer existed.

This Hua Jing had faced death, betrayal, and cruelty far worse than their petty words.

And these women—these consorts who thought they could push her around simply because they had been in the palace longer—

They had no idea what kind of fire they were playing with.

Hua Jing exhaled softly, shaking her head in mock amusement.

"I see," she mused.

"You don’t like the way I speak," she continued, her eyes gleaming with something dangerously sharp.

"Tell me, is it because I lack etiquette?"

The First Consort’s lips curled.

"You said it yourself," she replied smoothly.

"You’ve only been married into the imperial family for a few weeks," she continued.

"And since you lack proper noble training, we have come to inform you that your etiquette lessons will begin today."

A beat of silence.

Then—

Hua Jing laughed.

Not a soft chuckle.

Not a restrained smile.

A full, amused laugh, like she had just been told the most ridiculous joke in the world.

The consorts stiffened at the sound, their expressions darkening.

Hua Jing finally looked back at the First Consort, her gaze steady, piercing, dangerously amused.

"Etiquette lessons?" she repeated.

She swept her gaze over them once more.

"Interesting," she said.

"Yet you’ve come here like this—with your full squadron of consorts, standing at my door like guards surrounding a prisoner?"

She tilted her head.

"That doesn’t look like etiquette lessons to me," she said lightly.

"It looks like you came here looking for trouble."

The Fourth Consort’s expression twisted.

"How dare you speak to us like that?"

"She truly has no manners," the Fifth Consort muttered.

The First Consort, however, did not take the bait.

Instead, she smiled coolly, as if she had been expecting this reaction all along.

"You misunderstand," she said.

"This is a lesson that comes directly from the Empress."

At her signal, two maids stepped forward.

They were older women, their uniforms distinctly different from the ones worn by Xia Lin and the other palace servants.

Their expressions were stern, their posture perfectly disciplined.

The First Consort gestured toward them gracefully.

"These are the two maids sent by the Empress," she announced.

"They will be in charge of your etiquette training from now on."

A hush settled over the courtyard.

Even Hua Jing, for the briefest of moments, fell silent.

Then—

She smiled.

Not out of amusement.

Not out of defiance.

But because she had just realized something.

This wasn’t about etiquette.

This was about control.

The Empress had finally made her move.

If she was right, the Empress was not Zhao Yan’s real mother which medic very easy for this women to manipulate her further.

Zhao Yan was the crown prince despite the Empress having sons of her own who will never be able to sit on the throne.

This was the only thorn on the Empress’ side and if this women used that to their advantage to push her to release this stupid etiquette class then Hua Jing felt like she understood something.

Hua Jing’s fingers curled slightly at her sides, but her expression remained unreadable.

Slowly, deliberately, she turned her gaze back to the First Consort.

And when she spoke—

Her voice was as calm as ever.

"How considerate of Her Majesty," she murmured.

"But tell me—"

Her eyes gleamed.

"Are they here to teach me etiquette?"

She smiled slightly.

"Or are they here to watch my every move?"