MY PRINCE HUSBAND HAS SEVEN WIVES AND I AM HIS FAVOURITE!
Chapter 75: The Emperor’s Banquet Part 4: Goddesses

Chapter 75: The Emperor’s Banquet Part 4: Goddesses

The First Consort quickly realized the stares she was receiving. The noble ladies and esteemed guests—who had once been enraptured by her dance—were now eyeing her with subtle confusion. Perhaps they had noticed her momentary lapse, the flicker of raw emotion she had failed to conceal.

Taking a deep breath, she smoothed her expression, forcing herself back into the grace and rhythm of the dance. The music was reaching its final notes, and she twirled one last time, her purple dress billowing elegantly around her.

As the final note played, applause erupted across the hall. The First Consort bowed deeply, her posture poised and regal, as if she had not just been consumed by envy moments before.

The Emperor, ever the gracious host, nodded in approval. "A wonderful performance, First Consort. You have pleased us greatly."

She bowed again, her voice dripping with forced humility. "It was my greatest honor to perform for Your Majesty."

Then, with a perfectly timed smile, she added, "If I may be excused, I would like to change into more appropriate attire for the banquet."

The Emperor gave a small wave of his hand, granting permission.

Hua Jing watched the entire exchange keenly.

Not because she was invested in the First Consort’s performance. No.

Because, at that very moment, she was still trying to pry her hand from Zhao Yan’s iron grip.

Why in the world was he still holding on to her?

She yanked again. No luck.

She turned to glare at him. "Let. Me. Go."

Zhao Yan, completely unbothered, turned his attention back to the banquet as if he hadn’t just imprisoned her hand under his own. "Why?"

Hua Jing’s lips parted, then closed.

Why?

WHY?

Because it was embarrassing, that’s why!

Because they were in front of the whole court, surrounded by ministers, noblewomen, and military officials, and this was not the place for a public display of affection!

And yet...

He wasn’t letting go.

A warmth settled over her, and she didn’t like the way her heart suddenly felt like it was flipping in her chest.

She was flustered.

And even worse, Zhao Yan knew it.

She threw a quick glance at him. He was smirking, damn him.

Before she could retaliate, movement at the entrance of the hall caught her attention.

The doors swung open once more, and the royal announcer’s voice rang out.

"The Prince’s Consorts have arrived."

Instantly, the atmosphere shifted.

Hua Jing sat up straighter, her curiosity piqued.

One by one, the Prince’s other wives began to enter.

Hua Jing blinked rapidly.

They were... stunning.

She wasn’t talking about the regular kind of pretty either.

No.

These women were elegant, poised, and breathtakingly beautiful.

And there were five of them.

She turned to Zhao Yan and narrowed her eyes.

"You lucky bastard," she muttered under her breath.

His ear twitched slightly as if he had heard, but he made no indication that he would respond.

Hua Jing, on the other hand, could not remain as composed.

Her head was swiveling back and forth between Zhao Yan and the consorts.

These were his wives?

They were goddesses.

Each of them moved with such grace that it made Hua Jing feel like an unrefined potato by comparison.

And yet... Zhao Yan didn’t even look at them.

Not once.

Not a single glance.

She raised an eyebrow.

Here he was, surrounded by celestial beings, yet he was more interested in bickering with her?

She decided she had to test something.

Leaning slightly towards him, she whispered, "You have such beautiful wives, Your Highness."

Zhao Yan, still holding her hand, simply hummed in response.

Undeterred, she continued. "Which one is your favorite?"

His grip tightened slightly.

"I don’t have one," he said, his voice as even as ever.

Hua Jing turned back to look at the consorts again.

They were all bowing in perfect unison, their voices soft and melodic as they greeted the Emperor.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Then, they turned to Zhao Yan, their husband.

"Greetings, Royal Husband."

Hua Jing almost choked.

’Royal Husband’ this, ’Royal Husband’ that—oh, her eardrums were suffering!

And Zhao Yan?

Still unbothered.

Still indifferent.

She couldn’t understand this man at all.

Did he even care that these divine creatures were his wives?

Or was he just the type who had so much beauty around him that he had become numb to it?

Before she could think any further, the royal announcer’s voice rang out again.

And this time, it nearly made her heart stop.

"Lord Hua has arrived."

Her father.

She barely even knew this man, and yet, the mere mention of his name sent unease coursing through her veins.

Slowly, she turned towards the entrance.

The grand doors were pushed open once more, and a man stepped inside.

Tall, dignified, and dressed in robes that screamed nobility, Lord Hua entered with an air of importance.

The court fell into a respectful hush.

But Hua Jing?

Her fingers clenched into the fabric of her dress.

This was the man who had ignored the original Hua Jing for years.

This was the man who had cast her aside like an unwanted burden.

And now, he was here.

Why?

To pretend to care?

To uphold appearances?

To act as if she had ever been his daughter?

Lots of thoughts swirled inside Hua Jing’s mind at this very moment.

This man—Lord Hua—looked almost exactly as he had in her original world.

The same proud posture.

The same cold, unreadable gaze.

The same presence that demanded respect without offering warmth in return.

Even now, despite the grandeur of the banquet, despite the countless eyes watching his every move, Hua Jing could feel nothing but disdain for him.

What made it worse—what made her stomach churn with frustration—was that, in some ways, she resembled him.

She had inherited some of his sharp features, the very same ones that people had often praised in her past life.

But instead of feeling pride, she felt disgusted.

To share even a fraction of her blood with this man made her feel tainted.

And yet, he was approaching.

Closer.

Closer still.

Hua Jing’s fingers curled into fists beneath the table as she fought to keep her expression composed.

Then—

Another announcement rang through the hall.

"Lady Chen and the young mistress Hua have arrived."

Hua Jing’s entire body went rigid.

The blood in her veins turned to ice.

Her breath caught in her throat.

No...

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.