MY PRINCE HUSBAND HAS SEVEN WIVES AND I AM HIS FAVOURITE!

Zhao Yan froze.

Hua Jing's voice, soft and tinged with childish displeasure, hung in the air. His sharp gaze locked onto her as if she had cast a spell, rooting him to the spot.

Her head peeked out from behind the crimson curtains, the red silk framing her delicate features. Her lower lip jutted out in an exaggerated pout, her eyes wide and glistening like a cat's, reflecting the flickering glow of the lanterns. The playful mischief in her expression made her look both innocent and utterly captivating.

Zhao Yan's world came to a standstill.

It was as though he was seeing her for the first time. The woman who had annoyed him endlessly at breakfast, frustrated him with her antics, and wrecked their bridal chamber now seemed almost unreal.

She was beautiful.

No, more than beautiful. Zhao Yan couldn't find the words to describe what he was feeling. Her beauty wasn't just in her features—it was in the way her pout tugged at something inside him, the way her wide eyes seemed to peer directly into his soul, and the way her playful spirit seemed to breathe warmth into the cold space around him.

For the first time in years, he felt something crack in the icy wall surrounding his heart.

"Come here," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Hua Jing blinked, her pout fading slightly as confusion flickered across her face. She tilted her head, studying him like a curious kitten.

"What?" she asked, her tone laced with suspicion.

"Come here," Zhao Yan repeated, extending a hand toward her.

Hua Jing hesitated. Her mind, still clouded by the alcohol, struggled to process the sudden shift in his demeanor. But before she could think too much, her feet were already moving. Her body seemed to respond instinctively, her legs carrying her toward him without her brain's consent.

As she stepped closer, her gaze locked onto his outstretched hand.

"Are we not playing anymore?" she asked, her voice soft and slightly petulant.

Zhao Yan's lips twitched. Against all logic, he found himself answering. "We will."

The words escaped before he could stop them, and the moment they did, Hua Jing's face lit up.

Her smile was radiant, brighter than the golden embroidery on her robes, and it hit Zhao Yan like a punch to the chest. It wasn't just the curve of her lips; it was the way her whole face seemed to glow, her joy so genuine and unrestrained that it felt infectious.

"You promise?" Hua Jing asked, her tone filled with childlike wonder.

"I promise," Zhao Yan replied, surprising even himself.

This was dangerous, he thought.

She was dangerous

The response seemed to delight her. She clapped her hands together and twirled on the spot, her loose hair swaying with her movements.

"You're not as bad as I thought!" she declared, beaming at him.

The alcohol was working wonders!

She had wanted to throw him out before but now, he looked rather interesting!

Zhao Yan felt a laugh threaten to escape, but he swallowed it down, his expression softening despite himself.

"Is that so?" He asked softly.

Hua Jing nodded while still staring at him with those wicked cat eyes!

His gaze traveled over her as she twirled, taking in her simple attire.

The red wedding robes she wore were plain compared to the usual extravagance of royal bridal wear, but on her, they looked extraordinary. The fabric clung to her slender frame, and the gold embroidery seemed to shimmer more vibrantly with every move she made.

"How can someone look so…" He stopped himself before finishing the thought aloud.

Hua Jing finally stopped twirling and stumbled slightly, catching herself by grabbing the edge of a nearby table. She glanced back at Zhao Yan, her cheeks flushed—not from embarrassment, but from the warmth of the alcohol still coursing through her veins.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" she asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

Zhao Yan shook his head slightly, his composure returning. "No reason," he replied, though his voice lacked its usual edge.

Hua Jing squinted at him, clearly unconvinced. "You're acting weird," she said bluntly.

"I'm not the one who destroyed the room," Zhao Yan countered, arching an eyebrow.

Hua Jing grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of her head. "Well… you weren't here, and I got bored."

"Bored," Zhao Yan repeated flatly.

"Yeah, I was busy thinking of weapons to use on you when you got here but...I kind of made A mess! Why did you not come earlier?"

Zhao Yan blinked, "Is that so?"

She nodded enthusiastically. "You can't expect me to just sit and wait for you, can you? That's unreasonable. So I had to come up with something."

Zhao Yan let out a soft sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You're impossible."

"Thank you," Hua Jing said brightly, as if he'd paid her the highest compliment.

For a moment, silence fell between them. Zhao Yan found himself studying her again, his thoughts inexplicably drawn to the way her smile lingered.

Hua Jing, oblivious to the effect she was having on him, began pacing around the room again, her hands clasped behind her back.

"So," she said suddenly, glancing at him over her shoulder. "Are we really going to play?"

Zhao Yan blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "What?"

"You said we'd keep playing," Hua Jing reminded him, her eyes narrowing playfully. "Are you going back on your word?"

Zhao Yan stared at her, unsure whether to laugh or sigh. "Hua Jing, it's our wedding night."

"And?" she prompted, raising an eyebrow.

"And you're acting like a child," he said, though his tone lacked the sharpness it usually carried.

Hua Jing gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. "How dare you! I am a mature, sophisticated woman."

"You've been drinking," Zhao Yan pointed out, holding up the discarded liquor bottle as evidence.

"Which only enhances my charm," Hua Jing countered, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

Zhao Yan shook his head, unable to suppress the small smile tugging at his lips. "You're unbelievable."

Hua Jing took a step closer, her mischievous grin returning. "You're not the first to tell me that, Your Highness. But don't worry, you'll get used to me."

Before Zhao Yan could respond, Hua Jing reached up and poked the edge of his mask.

"What are you doing?" he asked, his tone wary.

"Just checking if it's real," she replied, her grin widening. "Do you ever take this thing off?"

Zhao Yan's hand shot up to cover the mask, his eyes narrowing. "Don't push your luck."

Hua Jing giggled, stepping back just out of his reach. "Relax, Your Highness. I'll let you keep your secrets... for now."

She turned away, her laughter echoing softly as she wandered toward the far side of the room. Zhao Yan watched her, the warmth in his chest returning as the corners of his mouth twitched upward.

For the first time in years, he felt a flicker of something unfamiliar.

Something dangerously close to happiness.

"Now hurry up your highness, I haven't got the whole day!"