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

The Prime Minister nodded, his smile sharp and calculating. "Very much so. It is quite evident to anyone who observes."

She shifted her weight slightly, wishing desperately to end the conversation. Her instincts told her this man was dangerous.

The way he carried himself, the way he spoke—everything about him screamed trouble.

And the nagging feeling in her gut whispered that he might have been behind the attack they had narrowly survived.

If the men she had left behind at the ambush site had somehow survived, they might have reported back to him.

That would explain his pointed interest in her now. Her heart thumped uncomfortably in her chest, but she kept her expression calm and composed.

Prime Minister Gu seemed content to let the conversation end there.

He gestured behind him, where a luxurious carriage rolled forward, its golden embellishments gleaming in the sunlight.

The horses pulling it were immaculate, their coats shining and their manes braided with ribbons that bore the imperial emblem.

"The carriage is ready," he announced smoothly. "Please, Your Highness and Seventh Consort, allow it to take you to the palace in comfort."

Hua Jing’s eyes flicked toward the ornate vehicle, its opulence standing in stark contrast to the simple surroundings of their makeshift shelter.

It was the kind of carriage that drew attention, something she wanted to avoid at all costs.

Zhao Yan stepped forward, his sharp eyes studying the Prime Minister before glancing at the carriage.

His lips twitched in what could have been a smirk or a grimace. "Your efforts are appreciated, Prime Minister. I trust the journey will be uneventful."

The Prime Minister’s smile widened, though there was no warmth in it. "Of course, Your Highness. I have taken every precaution to ensure your safety."

"Good," Zhao Yan replied curtly.

Hua Jing stood silently, her instincts screaming at her to remain wary. She could feel the Prime Minister’s gaze lingering on her, even as he bowed once more to Zhao Yan.

"I wish you both a safe journey," he said smoothly. "And rest assured, I will leave no stone unturned in my investigation of this matter."

Zhao Yan’s smile returned, sharp and chilling. "I’m counting on you, Prime Minister."

Prime Minister Gu bowed again before stepping aside, his fan flicking open with a snap.

He watched as Zhao Yan offered his hand to Hua Jing, helping her into the carriage.

She hesitated for a fraction of a second before taking it, climbing into the plush interior that smelled faintly of jasmine and sandalwood.

As the carriage doors closed behind them, Hua Jing glanced out the window, her eyes locking with the Prime Minister’s for a brief moment.

His expression was unreadable, but the weight of his gaze lingered even as the carriage began to roll forward. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Her unease remained, a persistent warning that something wasn’t right.

This man wasn’t just dangerous—he was a threat. And she had a sinking feeling that their troubles were far from over!

...

The gentle rhythm of the carriage rolling along the path was almost hypnotic, but Hua Jing was far from relaxed. Her mind spun in circles, replaying the Prime Minister’s expressions, his words, and that unsettling presence she couldn’t shake. She was brought back to the present when Zhao Yan’s voice broke the silence.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked, his tone calm but tinged with curiosity.

Hua Jing turned toward him, her brow slightly furrowed. She hesitated, then spoke. "That man..." she trailed off, her lips pressing together for a moment before continuing. "He seems very dangerous."

Zhao Yan chuckled softly, a sound that was both amused and approving. "Your perception never fails to amaze me," he said, leaning back in his seat with a faint smirk.

"So he is dangerous," Hua Jing pressed, her eyes narrowing slightly.

The prince’s expression sobered, though the smirk didn’t entirely fade. "He’s a man you don’t want to cross," Zhao Yan said, his voice low and firm. "Ensure that in the future, you have little or no interaction with him."

Hua Jing nodded, his warning imprinting itself firmly in her mind. But even as she agreed, she couldn’t shake the nagging feeling in her chest.

There was something about Prime Minister Gu that felt oddly familiar, though she was certain she had never seen him before—not in this world, nor in her original one.

As the carriage procession moved steadily along the path, Prime Minister Gu stood at the entrance of the encampment, watching it disappear into the distance.

His posture remained languid, almost nonchalant, but his eyes were sharp and calculating.

One of his most trusted men approached, his movements brisk but discreet. Bowing his head slightly, the man asked in a hushed tone, "My lord, what are your orders?"

The Prime Minister’s expression changed instantly. The polite, almost charming façade he had worn earlier vanished, replaced by a chilling coldness that made the air seem heavier.

"Start investigating," he commanded, his voice devoid of warmth.

The soldier hesitated, as though he wanted to say more, but the Prime Minister’s sharp gaze darted to the other men still lingering nearby.

Without a word, the soldier nodded and stepped back, understanding the unspoken command to remain silent in public.

As the soldier retreated, Prime Minister Gu’s thoughts churned.

His fingers tapped idly against the hilt of the ornate fan in his hand, his mind returning to the Seventh Consort.

He had dismissed her initially as another pretty face in the prince’s orbit, but something about her demeanor had caught his attention.

"Seventh Consort,"

he murmured to himself, his lips curling into a faint, humorless smile.

He recalled the reports from the surviving men who had ambushed the prince. They had spoken of a woman—quick, resourceful, and unexpectedly skilled—who had aided Zhao Yan in escaping unscathed. Could it be her?

The idea both intrigued and infuriated him. If the Seventh Consort truly was the woman from the ambush, it meant she was far more dangerous than she appeared.

And if she wasn’t, then her presence at Zhao Yan’s side was still a factor he couldn’t ignore.

His eyes narrowed as he stared at the quickly disappearing carriage. A thought quickly formed in his head,

"Just...who are you?"