MY PRINCE HUSBAND HAS SEVEN WIVES AND I AM HIS FAVOURITE!
Chapter 161: Let the classes begin

Chapter 161: Let the classes begin

Hua Jing’s gaze swept over each consort, her expression unreadable, her lips barely curving into a smile.

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

The First Consort’s face twisted instantly, her carefully maintained poise cracking for just a moment before she composed herself.

"How dare you accuse Her Majesty of such a thing?" she snapped, her voice sharp, laced with indignation. "This is compulsory for all consorts. You are not the special one here."

Hua Jing simply tilted her head slightly, watching her with amusement.

"You’re making it look like I am very special," she said lightly. "With everything you’re trying to do, I can’t help but wonder... why go through so much trouble?"

Her tone was calm, almost teasing, but the weight of her words landed like a blade.

The other consorts stiffened, their jealousy now fully visible in their narrowed eyes and clenched fists.

The First Consort’s lips pressed together tightly, but before she could retaliate, one of the older women—one of the so-called etiquette instructors—stepped forward.

"There is no need to question this," the woman said coolly. "It was the Empress herself who ordered us to come."

Hua Jing’s eyes flicked toward her.

For a long moment, she simply studied the older woman, taking in her stiff posture, the slight haughtiness in her gaze, the way she spoke with the air of someone who thought themselves above everyone else.

Then, finally, Hua Jing smiled.

"If the Empress was the one who sent you," she said smoothly, "then why didn’t you come to my courtyard first? Instead, you went to look for these other women."

The older maid’s expression twisted, betraying her just slightly, before she forced it back into indifference.

"It does not matter how we came here," she said curtly. "It is already decided, and you should follow all the palace rules that have been set before you."

Hua Jing sighed softly, as if mildly entertained by their efforts.

She could see through their petty games so easily.

It didn’t matter what excuse they gave her—these people had only one purpose.

To humiliate her. To make her life difficult.

But if they thought she would simply bow her head and endure it...

They were in for a surprise.

Hua Jing let the silence stretch for a moment, watching as the First Consort smirked triumphantly, clearly thinking she had won.

Then, finally, Hua Jing spoke again.

"It’s fine," she said lightly, her voice carrying an unmistakable warning beneath its sweetness.

"If you want to enter my courtyard, I won’t stop you."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the instructors, over the First Consort, over the gathered consorts who were all watching like jackals waiting for the kill.

"But," she continued, her smile widening ever so slightly, "whatever happens to you while you are here... is completely out of my hands."

A flicker of hesitation passed through the older instructor’s face.

The First Consort’s smirk faltered.

It was subtle—but Hua Jing saw it.

She had spent years perfecting the art of reading expressions, of understanding hidden motives.

And right now, she knew—she had unsettled them.

For the briefest moment, the First Consort’s eyes darted to her instructors, as if assessing whether they still held confidence in their mission.

But then—

She recovered.

She took a step closer, her smirk returning, though it no longer held the same certainty as before.

"I see," she mused, her tone light but tinged with something sinister.

"It’s good that you’re being so cooperative," she continued smoothly. "Since etiquette training is necessary for all consorts, you should do your best to keep up."

Hua Jing merely smiled in return, her gaze unwavering.

"Oh, I fully intend to," she said sweetly.

The First Consort’s expression froze just slightly, as if sensing something she couldn’t quite place.

A silent war passed between them—one of measured words and unspoken threats.

But before anything more could be said, the First Consort lifted her chin, flicking her sleeve dismissively.

"Come," she said to the other consorts.

And just like that, they turned and left—walking away with the same arrogance they had arrived with.

Hua Jing did not bother seeing them out.

She simply watched them go, her expression calm, unreadable, prepared.

Because this wasn’t over.

And she knew it.

Once the consorts were gone, Hua Jing turned her attention back to the two older women standing before her.

She had seen this type before.

People who thought themselves powerful because they carried the Empress’s favor.

People who looked down on others as if they were mere insects.

They did not even try to conceal their disdain as they swept their gazes over her courtyard, as if assessing a place unworthy of their presence.

Their eyes finally landed back on Hua Jing, their expressions filled with disapproval.

Xia Lin, who had been silent all this time, took a cautious step closer, leaning slightly toward Hua Jing.

"My lady," she whispered carefully.

"Are you really going to take these etiquette classes?"

Hua Jing didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, she watched the two instructors for a moment, noting how one of them already looked impatient, as if expecting her to protest.

Then—

She smiled.

A slow, dangerous smile.

She turned to Xia Lin, her voice smooth, teasing, unreadable.

"Why not?" she said lightly.

Xia Lin blinked, clearly not expecting that answer.

Before she could ask anything else, one of the older women clapped her hands together sharply.

"Now," she said, her voice firm and commanding.

"Let our etiquette lessons begin."

Hua Jing simply tilted her head, her expression blank—as if she had just heard the strangest thing in the world.

A slow, confused blink.

Then—

"What etiquette classes?"

Her voice was calm, genuinely curious, as though the words had no meaning to her.

The two older women stiffened, exchanging a quick look between themselves.

"The etiquette classes we spoke about earlier," one of them said carefully, trying to maintain her composure. "The ones the Empress ordered."

Hua Jing’s brows furrowed, and she let out a small, thoughtful hum.

"Ah..." she mused, then shook her head slowly. "I don’t recall."