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

In another part of the palace, Zhao Yan had been awake for a long time.

He sat in his study, dressed and ready for the day, a book resting in his hand.

But he wasn’t reading.

His mind was elsewhere.

Try as he might, he couldn’t focus on the words in front of him. His thoughts kept drifting back to her.

To Hua Jing.

She was furious with him. That much was obvious.

After last night, he knew things wouldn’t be the same. The moment she had seen his face, she had looked at him with such disbelief... such rage.

It had been exactly as he feared.

And yet, some part of him still clung to hope.

If fate had brought them together again, then surely...

Surely, there was a reason for it.

He exhaled and closed the book with a soft thud.

As he did, Wei Ling entered the room.

Zhao Yan glanced up at him. "When is the Hua girl having her wedding banquet?"

Wei Ling blinked, momentarily thrown off by the sudden question.

"You mean Hua Ling, Your Highness?"

Zhao Yan gave a small nod.

Wei Ling composed himself and quickly answered, "It is today, Your Highness. The banquet will begin in the afternoon."

Zhao Yan hummed in response, his fingers tapping lightly against the wooden surface of his desk.

It was strange.

He hadn’t thought about Hua Ling’s wedding until now.

But for some reason, the thought of it had just come to him.

He was certain Hua Jing would be attending.

And that meant he had to go as well

Zhao Yan’s fingers tapped lightly against the wooden surface of his desk, his mind already set.

He had to go.

This wasn’t just about attending a banquet. It wasn’t just about watching Hua Ling’s marriage play out like some grand, ironic joke.

No, this was his opportunity.

A chance to have Hua Jing all to himself.

Away from the palace.

Away from prying eyes.

For the first time since she had discovered his secret, since she had seen the face he had kept hidden, they would be alone together.

And he would make sure of it.

Zhao Yan’s jaw clenched.

He had been prepared for her anger.

Prepared for her hatred.

But last night had confirmed his worst fears—she wanted nothing to do with him.

She was running.

And she had always been good at running from him.

Even in their past life.

He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as he recalled it.

Back then, their rivalry had been legendary. Two of the top actors of their generation, constantly at odds. Their feud was the kind that fueled headlines, but no one had ever known the truth behind it.

No one had known that everything had been a misunderstanding.

One mistake.

One moment where everything had gone wrong.

And she had never forgiven him.

He had spent years trying to explain. Trying to reach her. Trying to fix what had been broken.

But Hua Jing had shut him out.

And now...

Now, fate had given them another chance.

Another life.

Another beginning.

He wouldn’t let her slip away again.

He would tell her the truth.

No matter how much she resisted.

Even if she hated him.

Even if she never wanted to see him again.

He couldn’t let this opportunity pass.

Because if he didn’t tell her now...

When would he ever get the chance?

Zhao Yan exhaled sharply and turned to Wei Ling. His decision was final.

"Prepare the gifts," he commanded. "We will depart in the evening."

Wei Ling hesitated for a fraction of a second before bowing. "Yes, Your Highness."

Zhao Yan nodded, dismissing him with a wave of his hand.

As Wei Ling turned to leave, Zhao Yan’s gaze drifted toward the window, where the morning sun had begun its slow ascent into the sky.

Hua Jing would be furious when she saw him there.

She would glare.

She would scowl.

She would likely try to push him away again.

But none of that mattered.

Because no matter how much she fought against it—

They had unfinished business.

And he wasn’t going to let her run away from it.

Not this time!

Back in Hua Jing’s courtyard, something magnificent had just happened...

Hua Jing stood frozen for a moment, her gaze sweeping over the extravagant collection of treasures stacked neatly in her courtyard. Gold bars gleamed under the soft daylight, intricately crafted jade ornaments sat in polished boxes, and silk fabrics of the highest quality were draped elegantly over wooden stands.

Her lips parted slightly in awe.

"When did we—?" She turned to Xia Lin, eyes narrowing slightly. "Where did all of this come from?"

Xia Lin, who had been watching her lady’s reaction closely, cleared her throat before responding. "Since the Hua family is hosting a wedding that has caught the attention of the royal court, these gifts were sent in advance for you to bring as part of your contribution."

Hua Jing arched a brow, still processing the sheer volume of wealth displayed before her. "Sent in advance?"

Xia Lin nodded. "By the emperor himself."

At those words, Hua Jing’s entire demeanor shifted.

Her eyes lit up like the flickering flames of a lantern, and a slow, mischievous grin stretched across her face.

"The emperor, you say?" she mused, stepping forward to run her fingers lightly over the cool surface of a solid gold bar.

Xia Lin watched as her lady’s fingers trembled slightly—whether from excitement or greed, she wasn’t entirely sure.

"His Majesty is quite generous," Hua Jing hummed, picking up a beautifully carved jade pendant and holding it up against the light. "Wouldn’t you agree, Xia Lin?"

Xia Lin swallowed, already regretting giving her this information. "My lady, we should prepare for departure..."

But Hua Jing was no longer listening.

Her mind was already spinning with possibilities.

She could sell some of this and no one would notice, right?

Or perhaps keep the most valuable ones hidden away for future use?

After all, as someone who had struggled so much in her previous life, it was only natural to secure a safety net in this one.

This was too good of an opportunity to waste!

But... she had to act fast before anyone thought to count these gifts.

"Hurry, Xia Lin!" she suddenly clapped her hands together, startling her maid. "We must leave before someone reconsiders this generosity!"

Xia Lin sighed deeply, already feeling the upcoming headache.

Her lady was impossible!