MY PRINCE HUSBAND HAS SEVEN WIVES AND I AM HIS FAVOURITE!
Chapter 57: Don’t wander around looking like that!

Chapter 57: Don’t wander around looking like that!

Zhao Yan, Wei Ling, and Deng Mi jumped as though caught committing a crime. They turned sharply, their expressions mirroring a mix of shock and guilt. Hua Jing stood behind them, her gaze curious and slightly perplexed.

Her robes were pristine, a soft shade of blue that accentuated her freshly scrubbed complexion. Her hair, still damp, hung in loose waves down her back, droplets of water trailing lazily onto the fabric. The simplicity of her look only served to amplify her natural beauty, leaving the three men momentarily speechless.

Hua Jing tilted her head, her brows furrowing slightly. "Did I startle you?"

The three exchanged awkward glances. Zhao Yan cleared his throat, regaining his composure. "We didn’t hear you come in," he said stiffly.

"Your steps are lighter than a cat’s," Wei Ling muttered under his breath.

Deng Mi nodded in agreement, his face still slightly flushed. "Truly. It’s as if you weren’t walking at all."

Hua Jing’s confusion deepened as she crossed her arms. "Well, maybe you three should be paying more attention."

Zhao Yan let out a sigh and shot a look at Wei Ling and Deng Mi. "You’re dismissed. Go ensure the preparations are complete."

Wei Ling hesitated for a moment, his eyes lingering on Hua Jing’s radiant appearance. He quickly averted his gaze, bowing deeply. "Yes, Your Highness."

Deng Mi followed suit, but as he turned, he cast a sidelong glance at Hua Jing, his mind whirling. It was no wonder Zhao Yan’s behavior had shifted recently. The seventh consort was a force to be reckoned with, both in personality and appearance.

As the two men left, Hua Jing stepped closer to Zhao Yan, her curiosity getting the better of her. "What were you talking about with them?"

"Nothing important," Zhao Yan replied tersely, grabbing her wrist and pulling her toward the bedroom.

Hua Jing resisted, her voice rising indignantly. "What? Where are you taking me? I want to know! What were you talking about? Tell me!"

Her protests fell on deaf ears as Zhao Yan continued walking, his grip firm but not painful.

"We were talking about the Emperor sending reinforcements," he said, his tone clipped.

Hua Jing blinked, the information catching her off guard. "An army?"

"Yes," Zhao Yan confirmed. "We’ll be leaving here soon."

Hua Jing’s mind raced. Her primary objective—confronting Hua Ling—was finally within reach. The thought of returning to the palace filled her with determination.

Zhao Yan, however, noticed the flicker of triumph in her eyes and quickly interrupted her thoughts. "Don’t."

Her brows knitted together in confusion. "Don’t what?"

Zhao Yan’s gaze bore into hers, his expression serious. "Don’t wander around like that again."

"Like what?" Hua Jing asked, genuinely perplexed.

"Looking like that," Zhao Yan muttered, his voice almost inaudible.

Hua Jing’s confusion morphed into indignation. "What’s wrong with how I look?"

Zhao Yan remained silent, his eyes locked onto Hua Jing as though she were the only person in existence. Her words echoed in his mind, but he couldn’t respond. He was too lost, too entranced. The water glistening on her hair caught the dim light of the room, giving her an almost ethereal glow. The strands clung together in a way that accentuated her delicate features.

Hua Jing frowned, confusion etched across her face. "What is wrong with how I look?" she repeated, her tone uncertain now.

Zhao Yan didn’t answer. Instead, he moved to pick up a small cloth from the nearby table. His movements were slow, deliberate, as though each step required his utmost focus.

Hua Jing’s heart skipped a beat when she realized he was coming toward her. There was something about his demeanor—quiet, composed, yet intense—that sent her pulse into a frenzy. She straightened instinctively, unsure of what to expect.

Zhao Yan stopped in front of her, still wordless, and raised the cloth. Hua Jing froze, her breath hitching as his hand reached up to her hair. Slowly, carefully, he began drying the damp strands.

The sensation was so gentle it left Hua Jing stunned. She wasn’t used to being cared for like this, not with such tenderness. Zhao Yan’s fingers worked the cloth through her hair, occasionally brushing against her scalp. Each touch sent an unfamiliar warmth spreading through her.

Her throat felt impossibly dry, and for once, her sharp tongue failed her. She couldn’t muster a single witty remark or teasing comment.

Zhao Yan’s expression remained neutral, though his actions betrayed a softness that Hua Jing hadn’t seen before. His hands moved with precision, as if he were handling something fragile.

The room grew quiet, save for the faint rustle of the cloth and their steady breaths. The air between them thickened with an unspoken tension, one that neither seemed willing to break.

Hua Jing’s mind was a whirlwind of emotions. Why wasn’t she pulling away? Why did her heart feel like it was trying to escape her chest? And most importantly, why did she feel so... safe?

When Zhao Yan finally finished, he set the cloth aside with the same care he’d shown her. His hands lingered for a moment before falling to his sides.

Then he lowered his head, his dark eyes meeting hers. Time seemed to stop.

Hua Jing’s breath caught as she gazed into his intense, unreadable expression. His gaze held her captive, searching her face as though trying to unravel a mystery.

Neither of them spoke. The world outside the room ceased to exist, leaving only the two of them in this fragile, fleeting moment.

Hua Jing’s lips parted slightly, but no words came out. Her pulse was deafening in her ears, yet she didn’t move. Couldn’t move.

Zhao Yan’s voice was barely above a whisper when he finally spoke, his breath brushing against her face. "You... look fine."

It wasn’t the answer Hua Jing had been expecting, but it shattered the spell nonetheless. She blinked, breaking eye contact, and took a small step back, her cheeks flushing.

"Fine?" she repeated, trying to regain her composure. "That’s all you’ve got to say after all that?"

Zhao Yan straightened, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. "What else is there to say?"

Hua Jing huffed, crossing her arms. "You’re unbelievable."

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