MY PRINCE HUSBAND HAS SEVEN WIVES AND I AM HIS FAVOURITE!
Chapter 96: I came to offer you something

Chapter 96: I came to offer you something

The other consorts were just as anxious.

Their private chambers were filled with whispers and worry.

Some regretted getting involved.

Others cursed the first consort for dragging them into this mess.

But none of them dared to leave their halls.

They could only wait.

And pray that Zhao Yan’s wrath would not consume them all.

---

Then, a knock sounded.

A loud, crisp knock.

The first consort’s head snapped toward the door.

The sound sent a shiver down her spine.

The servants froze.

None of them moved to open it.

Their hands shook.

They knew—whoever was outside was not someone they wanted to face.

The first consort’s chest tightened.

Her instincts screamed at her to ignore it.

To pretend she wasn’t here.

But she couldn’t.

Because the knocking did not stop.

It became louder.

More urgent.

The servants, still paralyzed with fear, made no move to open the door.

She gritted her teeth.

"Useless," she hissed, swiping her sleeve angrily as she stormed toward the entrance.

Her heart pounded violently as she reached for the handle.

She hesitated.

Took a slow, steadying breath.

Then—

She pulled it open.

The moment she saw who was standing there, her entire body froze.

Her eyes widened in horror.

A sharp gasp escaped her lips.

"You..."

The First Consort’s shock did not fade quickly.

Her fingers trembled against the doorframe, her breath caught in her throat.

The figure in front of her remained still, his silhouette barely visible in the dimly lit chamber.

The only source of light came from the corridor, casting eerie shadows across his face, obscuring his expression.

A cold chill ran down her spine.

"Are you not going to let me in?" the man asked casually, his voice smooth, composed—dangerous.

Then, without waiting for an answer, he stepped inside on his own.

The First Consort swallowed hard. Her hands curled into fists as she hissed, "What are you doing here?"

The man tilted his head slightly.

The dim light highlighted the sharp angles of his face—he was undeniably handsome, but there was something unsettling about his presence.

"What do I want?" he repeated lazily. Then, with an air of nonchalance, he said, "I simply came to witness the aftermath of today’s spectacle."

At his words, the First Consort stiffened.

"Spectacle?" she echoed coldly.

The man took another step forward, slowly closing the distance between them.

"I heard," he mused, "that the prince carried his seventh consort out of the lower prison in his arms, his face filled with love and anguish, his eyes burning with devotion."

He chuckled softly, almost mockingly.

"If you ask me," he continued, his voice a purr, "it was quite the romantic sight."

Snap.

The First Consort’s nails dug so deep into her palms that she nearly drew blood.

That moment—**that humiliating moment—**replayed in her mind over and over again.

Zhao Yan had lifted Hua Jing so gently, as if she were the most precious thing in his world.

He hadn’t spared a glance at anyone else.

Not at his father.

Not at his officials.

And certainly, not at her.

Just that woman.

That lowly, wretched woman.

The First Consort’s lips curled into a snarl.

"Did you come here just to laugh at me?" she demanded, her voice sharp as a blade.

The man’s lips quirked into a slow, knowing smile.

"On the contrary," he said smoothly. "I came to offer you something."

The First Consort’s eyes narrowed.

"Offer me something?" she scoffed. "What, don’t tell me you want to hand me the whole empire?"

The man smirked.

"Ah... so you can read minds," he mused.

Her body froze.

For a moment, she thought he was jesting.

But then she saw the cold certainty in his eyes.

And her heart lurched.

"You’re insane," she whispered, taking a step back.

The man simply watched her.

"You should be angry," he continued, tilting his head. "After all, wasn’t this everything you worked for? The prince you longed for, obsessed over—"

The First Consort stiffened.

"You threatened your father, didn’t you?" the man went on smoothly. "You said you would kill yourself if he didn’t propose the marriage. You were so desperate to have Zhao Yan that you were willing to die for it."

Her breath hitched.

How did he know that?

No one was supposed to know—

No one should have known.

The man smiled slightly, enjoying her discomfort.

"And yet," he murmured, "the man you fought for, the man you claimed as yours..."

He let the words hang in the air before finishing, "does not want you."

Silence.

A cold, suffocating silence.

The First Consort felt something inside her crack.

Her fingers trembled.

Her mind screamed at her to lash out, to deny it—

But she couldn’t.

Because it was the truth.

Everything she had poured her soul into had been for nothing.

At first, she had convinced herself that she was Zhao Yan’s future empress.

After all, she was the First Consort.

It was her right.

But then, Zhao Yan had kept taking more wives.

The second, third, fourth, fifth...

All of them had come after her.

And yet, not once had he ever touched her.

Not once had he looked at her the way he looked at Hua Jing today.

It was like she never existed to him.

And now—

Now, she was losing everything.

"You have power now," the man continued, his voice like poison.

"But once Zhao Yan ascends the throne, what will happen?"

Her heart pounded.

"You think he will name you his empress?"

He laughed softly.

"Look at him, First Consort," he said mockingly. "He has already chosen."

Her nails bit into her palms again.

Damn him.

Damn him for speaking the truth.

"Why are you telling me this?" she asked bitterly.

The man stepped closer, lowering his voice.

"Because," he whispered, "if you can’t have him—"

He leaned in, his breath fanning against her ear.

"Why not take everything else instead?"

Her breath hitched.

He grinned.

"I will give you the empire," he said softly.

"But only if you join hands with me."

The words sank into her like a slow poison.

Tempting.

Too tempting.

And worst of all—

It made sense.

She still had power in the harem.

She was still the First Consort.

If she played her cards right, she could have it all.

She would not lose.

She refused to.

But...

She met his dark gaze.

There was something dangerous about this man.

Something that warned her not to trust him.

She slowly lifted her chin.

"This power that I have," she said icily, "will make me the empress."

She smirked.

"I’m flattered that you thought of me," she continued, her voice laced with sarcasm, "but I do not need your proposition."

The man chuckled.

Then, with one last glance, he turned to leave.

"Very well," he said, stepping back into the darkness.

As he reached the doorway, he paused.

Then, with a knowing smile, he murmured,

"If you change your mind... you know where to find me."

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