《Wolf King And His Fox Consort》 Chapter 1 - The Fox Gets Terrible News Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com A long time ago, before anyone alive today could remember, it was said that the kingdoms of Zui, Su, and Xin were only one: the mighty kingdom of Zhu. The causes of the split varied according to who was asked. Those from Zui said it was all the fault of those cunning Xin foxes, always greedy for more. The people of Xin blamed the rapacious Zui wolves, who plundered what they could and licked their maws clean afterwards. The mortal men of Su blamed both Zui and Xin and insisted they had nothing to do with any wars, past or present. They were always quick to point out their weak human constitutions, which were no match for the divine beasts that inhabited the lands of Zui and Xin. One thing everyone was certain of: no matter how united they used to be in the past, there was no chance of the three kingdoms ever uniting under one same banner again. The border skirmishes and incursions were a constant, each feudal lord constantly trying to annex enemy territory and gain favour with their king. The Chu clan was the current ruling family of Xin. They were one of the oldest nine-tailed fox families in Xin, and since the country existed, had always been attached to the throne. The current King was Chu Yun''s paternal uncle, King Chu Song. So, when Chu Yun received a summons from his uncle to go to the Royal palace at once, he didn''t dally. "This humble subject greets His Majesty," Chu Yun said, kowtowing to his uncle under the steps of the dais leading up to the nine-tailed throne. The Xin King''s throne room was lavishly decorated with sumptuous carved wood panels, wall-hangings, and watercolour paintings depicting the kingdom''s most noteworthy and breathtaking landscape. The centrepiece was of course the throne itself, made of exquisite mutton fat white jade, and carved in the shape of nine fox tails, curving delicately over each other in an harmonious arc. Nine-tailed foxes were well-known for indulging in beauty, and being great appreciators of art and music. The Chu palace alone was home to several priceless treasures. The King, dressed in his royal brocade robes, stood in front of his throne with his hands clasped behind his back, his keen gaze fixed on his nephew. "We have called you here due to a matter of grave importance." Chu Yun stood up, but his head remained lowered in deference. Eyes glued attentively to the floor. Chu Yun was tall and slender, with a scholar''s refined bearing. His features were elegant and harmonious, his smiles always generous with a touch of decadent hedonism. It was only the flinty steel of his beguiling fox eyes that betrayed his sharp wit and cunning nature. He painted a convincing picture of a disciplined and respectful member of the royal family''s younger generation -- the King knew better than to believe his act. "As you know, those Zui dogs have been causing trouble for our great Xin. Our trade routes have been compromised by their recent incursions, and access to the Yellow River is limited at the moment." Chu Yun was well aware of all that, on account of his father not shutting up about it. Along with his mother''s admonishments that he should take the opportunity and get more involved in court matters. She must have been delighted to hear that Chu Yun had been personally summoned by the King. "His Majesty''s great wisdom will see our great Xin through this trial," Chu Yun said, diplomatically. With his head lowered, Chu Yu didn''t see the smirk that stole across his uncle''s thin lips. "Indeed, we have," he said, his tone weighted by gravitas. "There have been extensive talks with Zui, in order to achieve a compromise." He paused for dramatic effect. "A marriage alliance has been proposed." Chu Yun''s expression froze. His mind immediately went to his youngest omega brother, Chu Hean. Why else would the King call him here, if not to inform him he would be accompanying his brother''s wedding procession into the odious kingdom of Zui? Chu Hean was considered a peerlessly beautiful omega, one of the most beautiful in all of Xin. Ever since he was introduced to society, there had been no shortage of infatuated alphas declaring their undying love for him in the form of terrible poetry, and even more terrible music for the zither and flute. Some unscrupulous shops in the capital, Lanzhou, even claimed to sell perfumes that perfectly mimicked Chu Hean''s scent. So that other omegas could at least smell like him since they would never resemble him. It was only a matter of time before reports of Chu Hean''s outstanding beauty reached those perverted Zui dogs. And now someone in the royal house of Zui wanted him. "This lowly subject begs that his Majesty please reconsider, Hean is merely-" The King cut him off briskly. "Cease your complaining. Your brother isn''t being considered for the marriage alliance." With slow, measured steps, the king climbed down the dais and came to a stop in front of Chu Yun, who finally raised his eyes. The King''s dark eyes shone with a cold, calculating glint. "The Zui King wants to find a spouse for his second alpha son, Xiao Zai." Chu Yun nodded in understanding, but his sword-sharp brows knitted in confusion. If this wasn''t related to his younger brother, why had the King summoned him? "We have decided that you are the ideal candidate." The king''s words fell on the throne room like the strike of a hammer on an anvil. Chu Yun couldn''t hide his shock.. "But, I''m an alpha too." Read novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 2 - The Foxs Fate Is Sealed Best novel online free at novelhall.com The king wasn''t impressed by Chu Yun''s powers of deduction. "That hasn''t escaped our notice," he said, his tone thick with derision. "The Zui king is also aware. That won''t be a problem for the upcoming marriage alliance. As you know, your feelings on the matter are irrelevant." Chu Yun fell to his knees once again, prostrating himself in an even deeper kowtow. "This lowly subject is father''s only alpha heir, begging uncle to please reconsider." In a last bid to swerve off the cruel road that stretched out in front of him, Chu Yun ignored propriety and tried to appeal to his uncle''s feelings by reminding him that it was his own nephew he was condemning to such a fate. The king was unmoved. "Stop your nagging. If your alpha pride is hurt at the idea of marrying into another household, then why are you behaving like a squirming omega?" Chu Yun bit his tongue. What did the king expect him to say? Most alphas grew up knowing they would one day be the head of their household, and take one, or several, spouses across their thresholds. The most romantically inclined dreamed of meeting an omega who would be their soulmate for life, the less so, at least dreamed of bedding several of them! Chu Yun wasn''t entirely sure on which side he fell, but it wasn''t on the side that wanted another alpha! All his life, he actively avoided other alphas, having always found their company grating and presence oppressive. He had a thousand other grievances on the tip of his tongue, but the severe line of the king''s knitted eyebrows silenced them all. "Whatever complaints you have are best kept to yourself. The matter has been settled, a royal decree has already been issued to the Prince of Jing''s household, we suggest you hurry back home and be there by the time it arrives." --- The carriage ride back home to his father''s, the Prince of Jing, estate passed by in a blur. Chu Yun''s mother, prince Jing''s official omega wife, was already waiting for him at the door. As soon as Chu Yun stepped out of the carriage she scooped him him up into a hug, bypassing the servants and wrapping her thin arms around his neck. "Oh my son, my poor son! Who could have done this to us?" Madam Jing was a beautiful woman, with a long crane''s neck, and fine, jade-like skin. But there was iron under her softness. The same iron that gave Chu Yun his sharp fox eyes, that could be as seductive as they were cunning. To see his usually regal and composed mother reduced to sobs of humiliation twisted the dagger already lodged in his ribs. Chu Yun returned his mother''s embrace listlessly, his gaze empty. He didn''t have an answer for her, only an echo of her question. Weddings between two alphas, or two omegas, weren''t entirely unheard of. They happened among the common people, and among the nobility too. Except that among the nobles they served only one purpose -- to completely sever a family branch or line. Chu Yun was his father''s heir, as the only alpha child of his first wife. The Prince of Jing only had one alpha son, one omega son, and one beta daughter who was merely a baby. With Chu Yun married into another family, the Prince of Jing had no heir to pass on his title. The king must have decided that Chu Yun represented a threat to his sons'' legitimate claim to the throne. Which wasn''t surprising considering the sheer incompetence of his three alpha sons. Maybe he feared that Chu Yun would grow too popular among the common people, or that his skills as a military strategist would earn him the support and respect of the army, even though he wasn''t a soldier himself? Chu Yun had no desire to seize the throne from the grasp of his incompetent cousins. His only ambition was to live a long, carefree life. Now, his uncle was sending him into a literal wolf den. His mother took him into the inner courtyard, where his father was already pacing back and forth, looking white as a sheet. Chu Yun only had the time to exchange a brief look of despair with his father before one of the servants rushed in to announce the arrival of a royal envoy. Everyone in the courtyard fell to their knees in deep prostration as the envoy from the royal palace read the King''s edict and sealed Chu Yun''s fate. --- After the envoy left, the Prince of Jing retreated to his rooms, complaining of a headache. Chu Yun''s mother, Madam Yin, went after him, followed by his father''s other concubines. Chu Yun retreated to his own rooms to lick his wounds. He was going to be the Consort of the Second Prince of Zui -- whether he wanted to or not. He wouldn''t humiliate his father and their entire family by going against the king''s orders. His personal servant, Hua Nanyi, a human beta from Su -- as all humans were --, gave him a look of commiseration as soon as he entered the room. Chu Yun dismissed all other servants except for her and fell face-first into his bed. "Nanyi, I''m fucked." Behind him, Hua Nanyi sighed. "That seems to be the case, your Grace." There was a beat of silence, and then Nanyi cleared her throat, extremely uncomfortable. "I understand that your Grace probably doesn''t want to think about this, but, there is also the matter of your dowry." From the bed, Chu Yun let out a muffled groan. Read novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 3 - The Wolf Broods Best novel online free at novelhall.com His Highness, Second Prince, Xiao Zai was having a terrible day. His usually clear phoenix eyes held a thousand grievances in their dark depths, and his fluent lips had been pressed into a thin line the entire day. His usual aura of overflowing competence and authority was dimmer, like a fire banked by heavy snowfall. In truth, he was having a terrible week -- ever since he caught wind of his royal father''s plans he hadn''t known peace. And today the edict announcing his upcoming marriage to that Xin fox had been read, sealing his fate. Xiao Zai was currently in his private inner courtyard, doing what he knew what to do best -- brooding. The small porcelain wine cup between his fingers had withstood two outbursts, but it probably wouldn''t survive a third. Xiao Zai closed his keen phoenix eyes in concentration, and inhaled the calming scent of pine and morning dew wafting around the courtyard. He exhaled slowly, remembering the breathing exercises his dam-father had taught him. Above all, Xiao Zai worried about what would happen to his dam-father(1) once he moved out of the royal palace, and into his own household. Half of his motivation to covet the Zui throne was the desire to see his dam-father elevated from his current position. To finally put an end to all the humiliations he suffered his entire life at the hands of Xiao Zai''s royal father. The Crowning Moon royal palace was the jewel of the kingdom of Zui, but for Xiao Zai it would always the place where he spent his childhood and youth fighting for his life, his dam''s life, his younger sister''s life. These grand walls, these verdant courtyards, they were like grasping fingers, reaching for him hungrily, trying to tear him apart. Xiao Zai heard the sound of his bedroom door open, and then the sound of footsteps approaching the courtyard. He didn''t need to look to know it was his dam-father. Moments later, Gu Wei took a seat in front of him, pouring himself a cup of wine and downing it in a single swallow. "That fucking bastard," Gu Wei said, his fine features pinched with contempt. Xiao Zai raised his own cup in honour of the bastard that sired him, and drank with the dam that birthed him. Gu Wei smiled at his son''s gesture and some of the light returned to his beautiful face. He was young when he married the king, and even now, several years and two children later, many still considered him the most beautiful omega in all of Zui. Xiao Zai had spent most of his life in awe of his dam, so where others saw the cold beauty the Zui wolves valued so much in omegas, Xiao Zai saw only an indomitable spirit and outstanding resilience. Even now that he towered over him, Gu Wei had always seemed to him larger than life. It seemed impossible that anyone had ever dared to raise a hand towards him in violence. Yet someone did, and Xiao Zai was there to bear witness more times than he cared to remember. "We should have seen something like this coming," Gu Wei said, pouring another cup for Xiao Zai. "He would try everything in his power to remove you from succession." Gu Wei''s usually limpid eyes were overcast. Xiao Zai tried to reassure him. "I can always take a concubine after the wedding." Gu Wei shook his head. "He''s not marrying you to any random Zui noble. It''s not a coincidence that this is a marriage between Xin and Zui. He''ll remind you at every turn of how important this alliance is to the kingdom''s future stability, how you can''t risk offending your future consort''s family." Xiao Zai could hear Gu Wei''s words in the king''s own curt tone. Could even imagine the swoop of disapproval of his thick eyebrows. His dam was right, it would be a long time before the king allowed him to take any concubines. Even if he brought the matter up with the courts all the judges and ministers would undoubtedly side with the king. That of course, didn''t solve the matter of legitimacy. Even if he did have children with concubines, they would never be the child of his first spouse, and therefore would have no legitimate claim to inherit his title. Xiao Zai''s birth alone made his claim to the throne a dubious one, since he wasn''t the son of the late Queen Consort. If he was also unable to produce a legitimate heir of his own, who would support him? He couldn''t be king without at least a few ministers on his side. Gu Wei rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Of course we''re ignoring the most important detail. How can you be King, with an alpha fox from Xin as your Consort?" His slender hands shook on the porcelain cup, bellying how much this matter was affecting him. "The people would never allow something like that. All kinds of accusations about Xin trying to worm their way into our kingdom would be thrown at you." Xiao Zai reached across the stone table under the courtyard''s gazebo, and held onto Gu Wei''s wrist. "We''ll think of something." His dam had suffered enough. Xiao Zai would be king, no matter how, and Gu Wei would finally be treated with the dignity and respect he deserved. --- (1) - Dam is the opposite of a sire. A sire impregnates, a dam gets pregnant.. It''s usually used for animals, and dam does have female connotations, but I figure the animal related background makes sense considering the setting. And dam is an unusual enough word that it won''t be too jarring to see it applied to a male character (let me know what you think tho!) Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 4 - The Fox Needs Lessons You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com If Chu Yun was asked anything else about his dowry he was going to start throwing things. "Madam Jing insists that his Grace must decide on whether or not the jade cabbages are to be part of the dowry." "My mother is free to include whatever she sees fit on the dowry chests," Chu Yun said, fanning himself aggressively. He was sitting on a moon window''s ample sill, overlooking a perfectly manicured courtyard and trying to use the calming sights and scents of nature to distract himself from his impending doom. It wasn''t working because stewards and servants kept barging in to ask him for his opinion on this and that. "The betrothal gifts from Zui have arrived, if his Grace is pleased to see them," the steward tried again, his voice thin. Chu Yun closed his fan with a flick of his wrist and smacked it down on the wooden sill beside him. "No, I''m not pleased. I''m not pleased about any of this!" The steward lowered his head in consternation. "This servant spoke out of turn." Chu Yun realised that the poor steward was not at fault for his abysmal fate, and apologised to him. "Just add all the betrothal gifts to the dowry. Everything directly gifted to my parents should stay." "It will be done as his Grace says." Just as the steward was about to leave, Chu Yun asked, "Any news on my brother''s arrival?" "His Grace should be arriving tomorrow." Chu Yun nodded in acknowledgement and dismissed the steward. Chu Hean was away visiting his ailing former guqin teacher when the imperial edict arrived, and while a letter was sent right away informing him, the journey to the Prince of Jiang''s estate was long. Omegas were valued and appreciated in Xin, no expense was spared in their education and refinement. Since he was a child, Chu Hean had the best music and painting teachers in all the country. So much so, that he went to the royal palace, from time to time, to have classes with his fellow omega cousins. If there was any silver lining in Chu Yun''s current predicament was that at least his brother was safe. It was common knowledge in Xin that the Zui dogs liked to brutalise their omegas and treated them no better than breeding sows. It was a popular joke around Xin that only the dead spent more time on their backs than a Zui omega. Imagining his elegant, articulate and talented brother reduced to such a fate was enough to make Chu Yun sick. In Xin it was very unusual for an omega to have more than three children. On the other hand, it was said that in Zui omegas were forced to breed until their bodies gave out. And to think Chu Yun was about to be forced into a lifelong union with such a barbarian people... These days his poor mother could barely look at his face without bursting into tears, to say nothing of his father that had already lost a visible amount of weight in the span of less than a week. --- Chu Hean''s arrival brought a downpour with it. The sound of hooves splashing on the wet ground alerted Chu Yun of his brother''s arrival before any servant announced it. When the carriage stopped in front of the wooden steps leading up to the reception hall, Chu Yun was already there to welcome his brother. Chu Hean jumped down the carriage without waiting for a servant''s help and rushed to his brother''s side, uncaring of the rain. "What dreadful news," he said, as Chu Yun clapped him on the back and led him inside the palace. "I still can''t believe royal uncle has decreed something like this." Chu Hean''s expressive peach blossom eyes were filled with consternation on his brother''s behalf. His lips looked redder than usual, as if he had been biting them in worry. Now that Chu Yun found himself in the role of having to assuage his brother''s worries, he actually felt a little less alarmed about the situation. Chu Hean''s presence was like a calming bath after a hard day of sword practice. His sweet scent of pomegranates and plums always put Chu Yun at ease. "Don''t worry, your Dage won''t be easily bullied by those Zui dogs," Chu Yun said, squaring his shoulders. The wedding seemed inevitable, and he didn''t want his brother to worry while he was away. They were about to walk into the main hall so Chu Hean could greet their father and Chu Yun''s mother, when a harried servant ran in. "Your Grace, there''s an envoy from the Zui ministry of rites at the gate!" The servant looked as if he''d seen a ghost. As everyone else, he''d heard many rumours about the wolves of Zui; about how they were a barbaric and ferocious people, but had never seen one of them before. The envoy outside, and his delegation were the first Zui people the poor servant had ever laid eyes on, and the fright almost sent his soul straight to the underworld. Chu Yun''s betrothal gifts were all first sent to the royal palace for inspection, and only afterwards delivered to the estate of the Prince of Jing by a retinue of Xin soldiers. The sight of the Zui banner flying from the carriage outside the palace''s doors was beyond unexpected. "Have they stated their business?" Chu Yun asked. The servant lowered his eyes, looking at his feet in embarrassment.. "Answering his Grace: the envoy is here to teach his Grace all the appropriate Zui wedding rituals and customs one must follow when marrying into the royal Zui family." You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 5 - The Fox Is Getting Married Sooner Than Anticipated Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com It was Chu Yun''s father, the Prince of Jing, who ordered the gates opened and the Zui retinue welcomed into the palace. Chu Yun watched the carriage and dark horses make their way into his family''s estate with trepidation. At his side, Chu Hean observed the Zui delegates in their bulky fur cloaks with wide eyes. "The weather is still mild in Xin at this time of the year," Chu Hean said, his voice low, meant only for his elder brother''s ears. "Aren''t they overheating under all that?" If they were, their dour faces didn''t betray any discomfort, even as all their furs got soaked with warm, early autumn rain. Chu Yun snorted. "They can die of heatstroke for all I care, as long as it happens outside our estate''s walls." Chu Hean elbowed him discreetly on the side. "Don''t let anyone hear you speak treason against your future husband''s people." Despite his words, there was humour in his melodic voice. The reminder that these people weren''t just here to be mocked and ogled by him and his brother snuffed out all of Chu Yun''s amusement, however. All the Zui envoys had the look of someone forced to withstand a foul smell for hours. Their eyes squinted in displeasure as they shifted around the Jing estate, taking in the architecture and comparing it against their own kingdom''s. Chu Yun watched the proceedings while hiding half his face behind his folding fan. Chu Hean exchanged a look with him and took out his own folding fan from his waist sash. The two brothers stood shoulder-to-shoulder under the awning, discreetly hiding their contempt. Omegas usually preferred more delicate stiff, hand-held fans, or handkerchiefs, but Chu Hean had always liked copying his older brother''s behaviour. Something that never stopped endearing Chu Yun, even now that Chu Hean was almost an adult too. The envoys greeted the Prince of Jing and exchanged mindless pleasantries. After some time Chu Yun saw his father frown and discuss something with the man in the lead, clearly the envoy from the Ministry of Rites. After a brief, but clearly unpleasant conversation, the Prince made his way towards his sons. "He says he can only discuss the sacred Zui wedding rites with you." He was clearly displeased by this, but if his tense exchange with the envoy was anything to go by, there was nothing he or Chu Yun could do about it. His father gave Chu Yun a meaningful look. "I''ll have guards stationed outside the doors to your rooms." Chu Yun understood. Every precaution was too little with these Zui dogs. --- Chu Yun went first, and awaited the arrival of the Zui envoy, who was escorted inside by servants. "This one named Gong greets his Grace." The man made the most perfunctory of bows before jumping straight into Zui courtly etiquette and wedding customs. Chu Yun was surprised at how similar Zui traditions were to Xin''s. He expected the wolves to drag unconscious omegas by the hair in front of the ancestral tablets and marry them against their will. Several storytellers in teahouses across Xin told bawdy tales of how the wolves liked to consummate marriages in public. Like everyone else, Chu Yun heard these tales and jeered at their debauchery but now that he was in the unfortunate position of being married to a Zui wolf, he was glad they might have been exaggerated. Of course, not everything was similar. "As the ''bridal'' party, your Grace will be escorted in a sedan from his ancestral home to our great Zui. His Highness will come in person to be part of the wedding party, and will personally lead the escort." In Xin, the ceremony took place at the groom''s residence, there was no escort necessary. "It''s a very long journey, from here to the Zui capital," Chu Yun said, stating the obvious. "Yes," was envoy Gong''s only reply. Chu Yun grit his teeth. "Am I expected to spend the whole journey inside a bridal sedan?" "Yes." A bridal sedan was not a carriage. It was narrow, meant for short journeys, and carried in arms. The idea of travelling for days in such conditions made Chu Yun want to throw something at the envoy''s head. A feeling he had been experiencing with some regularity since learning of his impending wedding. "Moreover, your Grace will have to wear a traditional wedding veil at all times, during the wedding procession, and up until the wedding rites are finalised." Chu Yun bristled immediately. "Alphas don''t wear veils." In Xin, a veil was optional, and even then, only worn by omegas or very traditional-minded females. The idea of an alpha wearing a veil on their wedding day was preposterous. The envoy just shrugged in the face of Chu Yun''s displeasure. "Everyone marrying into the royal family must wear the traditional veil." It went without saying that no alpha had ever married into the royal family before. Any omegas would marry out, and become part of their future spouse''s family, instead. Although that didn''t mean the loss of their royal title, their spouses wouldn''t be able to claim royal peerage. "Anything else I need to know?" Chu Yun asked, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "An auspicious date has already been selected for the ceremony." "So soon?" The betrothal gifts had just arrived. Why such hurry? The envoy nodded again. "His Grace can expect the Second Prince''s arrival next week." Chu Yun paled. He thought he would have more time. In one week''s time he would be leaving behind the life he''d always known, his family, the country he loved, and travelling to unfamiliar lands to marry someone he had been taught to distrust his entire life. Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 6 - The Wolf Comes Get His Fox You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Xiao Zai was convinced that everything about this wedding was meant to punish him. He had to undertake a long and arduous journey into Xin, only to escort his future husband back to Zui, which meant he would spent several days on the road. His dam-father encouraged him to be courteous in the household of the Prince of Jing, and look out for any opportunities for alliances. After all, they were bound to be unfavored with their king too, since their alpha heir was also being embroiled in this messy treaty. They could be useful in the future, and it was best not to alienate them so early on by being rude. Xiao Zai tried to keep his dam''s sensible words in mind as he travelled through narrow roads, sheer mountain faces, and withstood two thunderstorms, just to reach the cursed land of Xin. Where, to add insult to injury, the weather was unseasonably warm. Finally, his honour guard informed him that they would be arriving at the Prince of Jing''s estate in a few hours. That meant Xiao Zai should find an inn, or someplace similar, to stop and change into his wedding robes, as per tradition. He pulled back the reins of his horse, slowing it down from a fast gallop to a slow, measured trot. Xiao Zai knew he was only delaying the inevitable, but he wanted to appreciate his last few moments of singledom. "Your Highness, at this pace it will take us several more hours to reach the Prince''s residence," a flustered guard informed him, looking behind his shoulder at the faltering rhythm of the convoy. Xiao Zai tried to think of an excuse. "Do you want these Xin foxes to think we rushed here all the way from Zui, just to marry one of them?" He frowned, his sharp eyebrows angled towards his temples. "Have you considered how that will make our Great Zui look? Why should we give them that much face while making ourselves look desperate?" The guard lowered his head. "Apologising to His Highness, this one didn''t think things trough." Now that the words were out of his mouth Xiao Zai didn''t think his excuse was all that flimsy. It actually made plenty of sense. He steeled his jaw and raised his chin. "Let them wait. We''ll get there when we get there." --- As a consequence, the wedding escort arrived at Prince of Jing''s estate under the cover of darkness. No apologies were offered for the late arrival, which greatly upset Madam Jing. The entire household had spent the entire day on pins and needles. She had cried so much throughout the day that her makeup had to be reapplied thrice, and now these wolves just marched through the gates of her house without as much as a by your leave! She heard all about how the wolves treated omegas, but they were in Xin, and in Xin omegas could freely speak their mind. That''s why she walked up to Xiao Zai as soon as he dismounted from his horse, intending to give him a piece of her mind. The young alpha wolf was taller than most other alphas she had met in Xin, including her husband who towered above even his royal brother. But if she let herself be intimidated, naturally this brute would think he could do the same to her son! "Welcome, your Highness, to our Great Xin, and our humble Jing estate," she said, smiling through her displeasure. Behind her, the Prince of Jing raised his hand as if to stop her but let it fall to his side. Thinking twice about upsetting his wife when she was already in such a foul mood. Xiao Zai looked down at the Madam''s powdered face. It was obvious she was a very beautiful omega, even though she had almost ruined her natural beauty by hiding it under makeup. In Zui it was considered vulgar for omegas to wear makeup. Of course, Xiao Zai knew better than to bring that up. A faint, tart, pomelo scent wafted up from her, calming instead of arousing -- dulled for everyone but her mate. Xiao Zai could tell by the fragrance that she had been bonded to her husband for years, whether it was a soulbond, or a conventional bond he had no way of knowing by smell alone. A quick glance behind the Prince revealed a row of three low-rank concubines, their heads lowered demurely. If the Prince and his first wife were soulbonded the mere thought of lying with someone else would cause him immense pain. Soulbonds were exceedingly rare in Zui, Xiao Zai had no reason to believe it was any different in Xin. He was more interested in the fact that an omega had walked so brazenly up to him, not even bothering to hide the fire burning in her lovely eyes. Here was an omega who had never suffered abuse under her husband''s hand. Here was an omega who had never been forced to lower her face to the dirt so others could step all over her. Xiao Zai returned her frosty smile with a genuine one of his own. "It''s an honour to meet Madam Jing, I apologise for keeping Madam up so late." He bowed respectfully to her, keeping his distance, since he didn''t know what was the proper way to address a mated omega in Xin. Madam Jing was clearly taken aback by his charming disposition and faltered for something to say. Her husband jumped in to rescue the situation and finish making the introductions for his family. Just then, an overwhelmingly sweet scent of pomegranates and plums wafted up to Xiao Zai''s nose, making his heart lurch painfully inside his chest. He turned his head towards the scent.. Under the awning of the Jing''s palace''s main building, he saw the most breathtaking creature he had ever seen in his life. Read novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 7 - The Wolf Finds Something Unexpected You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Xiao Zai could not tear his eyes away from the beautiful omega standing under the awning. The lanterns hanging from the awning cast dancing shadows on his smooth face, making him look even more alluring. It was clear that the omega was one of Prince Jing''s sons, judging by his fine robes and exquisite hair crown and hairpin. The young omega came down the stone stairs, making his way towards them. It was only then that Xiao Zai noticed that he was holding a small child by the hand. A little girl no older than five. The girl clung shyly to her brother''s hand while chewing on the fingers of her right hand, her large eyes focused on Xiao Zai. It made Xiao Zai''s heart itch to see such a tender sight. It also made him ball his hands into fists at his side. Obviously, the Prince of Jing had an omega son. If Xiao Zai''s royal father had any good will towards him, or any genuine interest in a prosperous alliance with Xin, he would have arranged the wedding between him and the Prince''s youngest son. All of these conflicting thoughts probably showed on his face, because the beautiful omega gave him an uneasy look before introducing himself. "Pleased to meet his Highness, this one is called Chu Hean, and this is the young miss of the Jing estate, Chu Mi." He pushed his sister forward gently and the little girl curtsied clumsily, still sucking on the fingers of her right hand. Xiao Zai couldn''t help but smile at the little girl. Smiling softened his face and made him look less domineering, bringing out his sculpted features and regal profile. When his gaze returned to Chu Hean, Xiao Zai was surprised to find him with his eyes lowered, and a faint dusting of red over his small earlobes. He was hit once again with a potent wave of his heady scent. For everyone''s sake, he put some distance between them, retreating towards the Prince of Jing and his Madam. To his dismay Chu Hean followed his retreat. "I was wondering if I could make a request of his Highness?" Xiao Zai could feel the apprehension coming off the Prince of Jing in waves behind him, but just like with his wife, he did nothing to stop his son from talking. If nothing else, Xiao Zai expected to get along well with his future-in-laws. His eyes drifted to Chu Hean''s red lips -- perhaps too well. "I''ll be pleased to help in whichever way I can." "Then, I would like to visit my brother whenever our duties allow it." That wasn''t what Xiao Zai expected to hear, and he was stunned silent for a moment. The flinty determination behind Chu Hean''s sweet peach blossom eyes grew for each moment Xiao Zai said nothing, until Xiao Zai finally nodded, and the tension melted off Chu Hean''s slim shoulders. "I''ll be happy to welcome his Grace whenever he cares to visit," Xiao Zai said, diplomatically. In truth he thought it was a good sign that his omega brother thought so highly of Xiao Zai''s future husband. He didn''t know many alphas in Zui who were so close to their omega siblings. While it was unlikely that his marriage would be a happy or fulfilling one, Xiao Zai was beginning to hold out hope that it would at least be harmonious. --- Prince Jing invited Xiao Zai into the palace where various Xin delicacies and refreshments were served. Xiao Zai was too tired to properly taste any of them. The late hour made conversation subdued, and while Xiao Zai was surprised at how pleasant he found the company of the Prince''s family, he was eager to get back on the road and return to Zui. Finally, a servant announced Chu Yun''s arrival. Xiao Zai stood on the middle of the room, with his hands clasped behind his back, ready to welcome his future spouse. His heart was beating wildly inside his chest, a mixture of nerves, apprehension, and Chu Hean''s sweet scent. The doors to the main hall opened and Chu Yun entered, accompanied by the servants who were part of his dowry and would be joining him in Zui. He was clad in red brocade robes, similar to Xiao Zai''s except for the prancing fox pattern around the hem of the skirt and sleeves. His face was hidden behind a thin red muslin veil, affixed to the hair crown holding up the upper half of his sleek black hair, and the intricate gold hairpins keeping it in place. Chu Yun was slightly shorter than Xiao Zai, with a slimmer build too, but the way he carried himself and held his chin high almost erased that small difference. He came to a stop in front of Xiao Zai and bowed perfunctorily. "Chu Yun, courtesy name(1) Miaoyan, greets his Highness." Xiao Zai returned his bow. "Xiao Zai, courtesy name, Zilang, greets his Grace." Now that he was closer, Xiao Zai could smell Chu Yun''s scent, a refreshing bouquet of orchids and pine trees. An alpha''s scent was always less intense to another alpha, and usually not arousing. In some cases, it could even be offensive. He was relieved to find that wasn''t the case. Chu Yun''s scent was perfectly non-threatening, elegant and refined, bringing to mind a life of indulgence and hedonism despite its freshness. In Zui, alphas never smelled like flowers or trees, although omegas often did. Chu Yun''s scent didn''t resemble an omega''s, not really, but it was still pleasantly agreeable. He took Chu Yun''s, long-fingered dry hand in his, as per tradition, and led him outside towards the waiting sedan. He wondered what he smelled like to Chu Yun. --- (1) Courtesy name is something people (usually men, but women too in this vaguely warring states inspired setting) received when they came of age, around 20 for men, younger for women. It means the name that people would call each other by in public life, as the given name was considered intimate. It''s always composed of two characters, so it can be called on its own "Miaoyan" instead of Chu Miaoyan, although family name + courtesy name is more polite. I won''t come up with a courtesy name for every character, and they won''t be used all that much, however in case it isn''t obvious: Chu Hean doesn''t have a courtesy name yet because he hasn''t come off age. You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 8 - The Fox Makes A First Impression You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chu Yun never expected that Zui alphas could smell so sweet. Xiao Zai smelled of wolfberry(1) wine. It was an intoxicating scent, strong and powerful like strong spirits, yet clean, not at all like the stale smell of a drunkard. But there was an undeniable sweet undercurrent to it. The sweet wolfberry was the first thing Chu Yun''s nose picked up. In Xin, omegas usually smelled like fruits, while alphas smelled like plants or trees, and usually a combination of both, like him. It was all he could think about as Xiao Zai helped him to the sedan, so much so that he forgot to be offended about being helped into the chair. The sedan was as uncomfortable as he expected, and the idea of spending days travelling inside it made Chu Yun want to scream, but at the moment he was too disoriented to think about any of that. Xiao Zai didn''t look the way he expected either. For one he had been smiling when Chu Yun first saw him which was unexpected -- he looked almost relieved in a way. About what Chu Yun had no idea. Maybe he thought Chu Yun would be taller than him. He had the haughty look Chu Yun associated with the wolves, but his presence wasn''t overbearing. His smile softened his sharp features, dispelling some his threatening aura. His gaze was deep and penetrating. The upturned corners of his eyes made him look less stoic, somewhat mischievous. Chu Yun was glad his own face had been covered with the veil when they first saw each other. As soon as the sedan started moving Chu Yun wanted to look out of the red curtains and take a last look at his family, but he knew it wouldn''t be proper. They would be back three days after the wedding to pay their respects. He could wait until then -- unreasonable travel times included. Knowing he wouldn''t be seeing him for some time, Chu Yun regretted the conversation he had with Chu Hean back when he was being dressed in his wedding robe. He had been complaining about how humiliating all the fussing, and preening was, while looking into the full-length gold mirror in his quarters and sneering at his own reflection when he caught the annoyed look that stole across Chu Hean''s face in the mirror. "What is it?" he asked, dropping his arms and dismissing the servants with a curt nod. Chu Hean remained silent for some time before admitting, "It won''t be much different for me when I get married, you know? Actually, you''re getting off easy." It was his careless laugh and pithy remark that Chu Yun now regretted. "Yes, but you''re an omega. It''s fine for you." Even now, he could remember the disappointed downward''s swoop of his younger brother''s eyebrows. "Why would something be humiliating for you, and fine for me? What sense does that make?" Chu Hean left before Chu Yun could explain himself, and afterwards they didn''t have much time to talk. Now, Chu Yun was left alone with his regrets, being jostled inside a narrow sedan with a long and lonely trip ahead of him. --- They travelled through the night and into the next day and evening before coming to stop at a roadside inn to rest for the night. Chu Yun was so grateful he could have cried. They had made some short stops during the day to eat something and answer the call of nature, but mostly so the horses could drink water, from what Chu Yun gathered. He hadn''t been allowed to take off his veil in front of anyone, and was forced to eat inside the cursed sedan. The little strolls he took to stretch out his legs had all been heavily guarded. The wedding party was so large that he hadn''t seen Hua Nanyi or any of the other servants who were accompanying him as part of his dowry. He hoped the Zui dogs were treating them well, and not taking liberties. He was dying for a proper bath and to get out from under the heavy scrutiny of the Zui wedding escort. Which was mostly a honour guard dressed in red, to make them look more festive. Chu Yun couldn''t help rolling his eyes as a steward arranged their accommodations, emphasising that his and Xiao Zai''s rooms should be on opposite sides of the inn. Obviously, both he and Xiao Zai would have separate rooms. Because there was such a large risk of either of them being overwhelmed by the other''s pheromones that they consummated their union then and there. The poor innkeeper was so aggrieved by the presence of the Zui wolves that she just said yes to all their demands. Chu Yun was the only one who heard a no. "Apologising to his Grace but our humble establishment doesn''t provide individual baths for our guests. However his Grace is welcome to bathe in our hot springs." Chu Yun announced loudly that he would be using the hot springs first, and made a beeline for the courtyard, stopping only to grab the washing basket the innkeeper offered him. --- Soaking in the springs was just what he needed to get rid of the grime and exhaustion of the journey. He pinned all of his silky hair on top of his head, adjusting the golden hairpins into a more comfortable configuration, and loosening the hair crown that had been giving him a headache the entire day. The warm waters relaxed his tired muscles. He was almost dozing against the stone edge of the pool when the loud clank of a bamboo wash basin falling to the ground startled him. When Chu Yun opened his eyes, Xiao Zai was standing across from him, in just his small clothes, with a towel draped carelessly over his shoulder. Chu Yun was naked in the water, but the constant bubbling of the hot spring water hid his body from view. He wasn''t going to pretend he cared about either his or Xiao Zai''s modesty, so he scooted to the side and spread out both his arms across the ledge of the pool. "Stop staring and get in, before one of your nursemaids starts complaining about tradition and protocol." Xiao Zai''s frown wiped the shock off his sculpted features. "It isn''t proper. I shouldn''t have seen your face before the wedding, it''s bad luck." Chu Yun shrugged. "Because this wedding is already so blessed?" It was clear from the glint in his dark eyes that Xiao Zai didn''t approve of Chu Yun''s glibness. Whether on purpose or accidentally, he sent out a strong wave of pheromones. Chu Yun let the sweet alcoholic scent wash over him with a smile. He was beginning to think that if nothing else, he would derive great amusement out of pestering his future husband. He kicked one bare leg out of the water, splashing Xiao Zai''s feet. "Stop giving me that look and just get into the pool." --- (1) another name for wolfberry is goji berry, but goji is the japanese name, its chinese name is gouqi, and considering the setting I thought the english name was a lot more appropriate. You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 9 - The Fox And The Wolf Take A Bath ''Shameless, vain, wanton'', were the thoughts running through Xiao Zai''s mind as he looked on at Chu Yun in the pool. If any Zui omega dared to act in such an openly libidinous way they would have been publicly shamed. Of course, Chu Yun was an alpha, and alphas did as they pleased. Despite his reproach, Xiao Zai''s eyes were glued to Chu Yun''s pale, slender calf, still teasingly sticking out of the water, splashing it carelessly. No alpha Xiao Zai had ever met would behave in such a way. Chu Yun kept staring at him, his keen fox eyes narrowed in a self-satisfied smirk. He reminded Xiao Zai of his brother, but in the opposite direction. Chu Hean exuded a graceful charm that drew the eye and tingled the senses, Chu Yun was no less eye-catching but there was a marked arrogance about his attractiveness. He looked as if expected everyone to congratulate him on how attractive he was. If his brother seemed unaware of his beauty, then Chu Yun lorded his over everyone as if he was swinging a large sword above his head. ''Look at me,'' the curve of his lips teased. ''Keep looking'', said the smug fan of his thick lashes. His fragrant orchid and pine scent seemed stronger in the water. It made Xiao Zai''s nose tickle. Xiao Zai had half a mind to turn on his heel and go back to the inn without another word, but something told him Chu Yun would consider that a victory So instead, Xiao Zai stepped into the pool but sat down opposite Chu Yun, staring him in the eye the whole time. --- Chu Yun was struggling not to laugh at Xiao Zai''s constipated look. His handsome brows were pinched with reproach, and the corners of his lips were turned downwards in a grimace. It wouldn''t surprise Chu Yun if the Zui wolves were so repressed that this was Xiao Zai''s first time seeing another person''s bare skin. Considering they travelled into Xin on the ninth month wearing heavy furs, Chu Yun could easily imagine it. For some time, the two of them remained on their respective ends of the pool, sizing each other up like two tigers trying to determine the best opportunity to pounce. Chu Yun was the first to take action. He swam lazily in Xiao Zai''s direction, testing the waters, curious to see what he would do. Xiao Zai remained in place but his gaze followed all of Chu Yun''s movements, ready to counter if needed. Chu Yun came to a stop against the ledge only a few paces away from him. If he stretched out his arms over the ledge the tips of his finger would touch Xiao Zai''s. He smiled when Xiao Zai sent him a threatening glare. "What is his Grace trying to do?" Xiao Zai had already seen Chu Yun''s face before the wedding, which was a big taboo, he wasn''t going to break another one by touching his bare skin before the wedding night, too. The corners of Chu Yun''s lips dropped dramatically. "We''re about to be married, his Highness shouldn''t be so formal, please call me Miaoyan." His smirk grew in proportion to Xiao Zai''s look of discomfort. "Or Chu Yun. Whatever Zilang thinks is best." He reached across the ledge as if to touch Xiao Zai''s wrist, who immediately pulled back his hand. A muscle twitched in his jaw. Chu Yun was really having too much fun with this. It was good for Xiao Zai to know that he wouldn''t be fucked with. If he expected Chu Yun to act demure and subservient towards him he had another thing coming. Chu Yun wouldn''t embarrass his family, his king, or his country, but between closed doors, or whenever it was just him and Xiao Zai all bets were off. He was an alpha and he wouldn''t show his neck without a fight. The charged atmosphere between them was broken with the sound of rushing footsteps. Chu Yun swam back to his side of the pool, putting some distance between them as if nothing had happened. Hua Nanyi ran towards the hot springs carrying a thick outer robe in her arms. She faltered when she saw Xiao Zai in the pool too. "Informing his Grace that his meal has been served in his quarters," Hua Nanyi said, her hands demurely folded in front of her waist. If they were alone, she wouldn''t be speaking so formally but she had to keep up appearances in front of Xiao Zai. Chu Yun nodded and stepped out of the pool, as Hua Nanyi held the open robe in her arms for him to slip into. Xiao Zai lowered his eyes as soon as Chu Yun sat up in the pool, but he still caught a glimpse of his slender back, thin waist, and firm backside, as he stepped over the ledge. He couldn''t believe Chu Yun had been so shameless as to bathe fully naked in a public place. Wrapped in his robes, Chu Yun followed Hua Nanyi out of the courtyard and back towards the inn. He felt Xiao Zai''s eyes lingering on him and turned around to throw him a wink over the shoulder. --- After that, Xiao Zai took care not to bump into Chu Yun again when they stayed overnight at an inn. Two days later, they reached Zui. The drop in temperature was immediately noticeable since Zui''s landscape included several mountain ranges and valleys. Chu Yun understood why the fur cloaks now, and wished he had one of his own as they travelled deeper into the country and towards the capital, Haolin(1). He was shivering inside his sedan, when they came to a sudden unannounced stop. Someone knocked on the wood frame of the sedan, and when Chu Yun told them to proceed, a servant lifted up the curtains and offered him a folded up red cloak. Chu Yun picked it up, feeling the soft brocade outer layer with one hand, and the thick warm rabbit fur inner layer with the other. "His Highness bids his Grace to wear this in concession to Zui''s colder climate." Chu Yun threw the robe around his shoulders, thinking to himself that his future husband could have his uses after all. You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 10 - The Fox Arrives In The Wolf Den Incredibly, the last leg of the journey into the capital, seemed to Chu Yun like the longest, even though it took less than a day. It was probably a result of his nerves, but Chu Yun thought they would never get there. Once they did, he wished he hadn''t been in such a hurry, because now there was nothing else he could do to delay the inevitable. Haolin(1) was a large city built in the valley between two towering mountains. There were still signs of the dense, lush, woods that gave the city its name. Great efforts had been made to preserve the old forest, even inside the city walls. The white stone buildings with their dark sweeping roofs cut an idyllic picture among all the dark green, and pale blue of the sky -- looking just like another part of the landscape. The mountains cast their vast shade over the city, making it even colder than the surrounding areas. A series of streams came down from the mountains to form little canals in the city, wide enough for a single boat only, yet seeing as much traffic as Haolin''s dark, cobbled streets. Even hidden from view by the sedan''s red curtains, Chu Yun was aware of how much attention the wedding procession was drawing. He could hear conversations stopping as the horses and the sedan crossed through the streets, a curious hush falling over the usual din of stall owners trying to sell their wares. Chu Yun wondered how much the citizens of Haolin, and even Zui at large, knew about the upcoming wedding. Maybe they hadn''t even heard about it. He couldn''t imagine anyone in Xin being happy about a wolf marrying a member of their royal family. At least Chu Yun was just a nephew to the king, someone the common people seldom thought about. He tried to cheer himself up with the thought that maybe Xin was getting the better end of this alliance, as his sedan made its way to the royal palace in funeral silence. --- Chu Yun couldn''t resist his curiosity, and lifted up a corner of the curtain to take a peek outside as they crossed the gates into the royal palace''s complex. The Crowning Moon palace was a series of tall, single level buildings, disposed in the shape of a hexagon, linked by lush courtyards, and surrounding a central pavilion comprised of the king''s quarters, the throne room, and some of the harem''s quarters. Obviously, favoured concubines and consorts had their own private wings in other pavilions, with private access to certain courtyards. Chu Yun cast a long glance at the central pavilion and scrunched up his nose in derision, letting the curtain fall shut again. Like everything else in Zui, its walls were whitewashed, accented with black wooden details, and the roof tiles were made of dark clay. Nothing like Lanzhou''s beautiful, extravagant royal palace. Everything about Haolin had an air of melancholy about it, including the royal palace. The sound of running water was inescapable, as was the hissing of the wind rustling through pine needles. Chu Yun pulled the ends of his rabbit fur cloak closer together, and got ready to face the rest of his life. --- He was led directly to one of the smaller buildings surrounding the central pavilion. A group of palace servants was already there to escort him into a private room. Luckily Hua Nanyi and some other of his family''s servants were allowed inside with him. The Zui servants instructed him that he should bathe, and then change into the Zui wedding robe that had been prepared for the ceremony. Chu Yun cast a longing look at the bath tub, and then dismissed everyone except Hua Nanyi, telling them he would call for them when he was done bathing. As soon as the two of them were alone, he took off his travel-worn wedding robe behind the privacy screen, and jumped into the tub unceremoniously. Hua Nanyi sat on the edge of the tub, as she was used to doing ever since she became Chu Yun''s private servant. "What a trip, uh?" she sighed, shaking her head. Chu Yun grunted inelegantly and gestured for her to pass him the washcloth. "Well, I couldn''t see much since I was inside a curtained sedan the entire time. My impression of everything was just red as far as the eye could see, which wasn''t very far at all." Hua Nanyi let out an amused snort and passed Chu Yun the washcloth along with the wash basin, for him to lather up the soap. "You got to see more than me, what was your impression?" She thought it over for a moment, before admitting. "No one really talked much with us during the journey. There are human Su servants in Zui as well, but even they wouldn''t give me the time of the day." It wasn''t unusual to see people from Su working in Xin, and apparently Zui was no different. Humans from Su were always betas, and were unable to produce any children that weren''t betas as well. This meant they were highly valuable as workers where there might be an otherwise high concentration of alphas or omegas. Of course there were betas among the people of Xin as well who fulfilled the same role, but Su immigrants always had an easy time finding work. Chu Yun had never asked Hua Nanyi why her family left Su, afraid it could be a source of unpleasant memories. "They didn''t say much, but I did hear some interesting gossip in the last inn we stayed at." Hua Nanyi said, an amused grin making her already pretty face even brighter. Chu Yun could never resist gossip and leaned over the edge of the tub, resting his chin on his crossed arms. His long hair trailed behind his back, floating in the water in inky rivulets. "Tell me." "It concerns the Second Prince, so you should definitely want to hear about it." One of Chu Yun''s eyebrows rose up into his hairline. "Is this good or bad?" Hua Nanyi smiled enigmatically, before telling him what she''d heard. --- (1) - Haolin means howling woods. Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 11 - The Fox And The Wolf Get Married Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com After what Hua Nanyi told him, Chu Yun was in a daze all through being dressed in the Zui wedding robes. He didn''t even flinch as the servants combed his hair into place. He had been very shortsighted to think the wedding itself would be the beginning and the end of all his troubles. There were certain expectations that came with being married to a member of the royal family, even if Xiao Zai wasn''t the crown prince. Chu Yun had been a fool to think that just because he and Xiao Zai would have their own residence outside the palace that meant that the palace schemes wouldn''t get to them. As a strategist, he should know better than to underestimate the scope of a battle. A group of stony faced servants led him into the main hall, where the ceremony would be held. The red veil bathed everything in red and made it so Chu Yun could not distinguish where he was going. He did notice when a pair of tall doors carved in high reliefs of several wolves in battle, opened in front of him. The main hall had been decorated in a riot of red, as if this wedding truly was an auspicious event worth celebrating. Chu Yun couldn''t make the faces of anyone in attendance, but he did notice the man wearing gold and black robes, seated at a place of honor -- a king always stood out. He also noticed the beaded curtain behind him, hiding an upholstered sofa where a woman with a heavy golden crown sat. She could be none other than the Queen Dowager, the king''s mother. Somewhere among the guests was Xiao Zai''s dam-father. According to Hua Nanyi he was the one Chu Yun really had to look out for. His mind was in such turmoil that he didn''t even notice when two identical doors opened on the opposite side of the hall in front of him, and Xiao Zai stepped in. Only the loud screech of a steward announcing, "His Highness, the Second Prince, Xiao Zilang is here," brought him out of his reverie. All the guests stood up when Xiao Zai was announced, with the exception of the King and the Queen Dowager. Chu Yun remained where he was, until he was announced as well. "His Grace, Chu Miaoyan son of the Prince of Jing, from the royal house of Xin." He walked towards the central altar, and stopped in front of Xiao Zai. It was impossible to know what his expression looked like through the haze of the veil, but Chu Yun could tell his posture was impeccable. The steward bellowed once again. "The grooms will now perform the traditional bows." A chill went down Chu Yun''s spine. This was it. The final step. After this there was no turning back, unless he wanted to cause his family and nation a great deal of embarrassment by filing a divorce motion. As the steward said, "First, to Heaven and Earth," Chu Yun swallowed his fears and knelt on the floor, his field of vision taken up by the red of his wedding robes, and the paleness of his trembling hands. --- The ceremony itself was blissfully short, and in no time Chu Yun was being escorted to the wedding chamber. He was to wait for Xiao Zai, who stayed behind to participate in the banquet with the rest of the guests. That was one of the differences between Zui and Xin marriage ceremonies that Chu Yun couldn''t wrap his head around. In Xin both people stayed for the banquet, to celebrate and talk with their guests. What was the point of the person marrying into the family waiting alone in the wedding chamber? Even surrounded by red drapes, red bows, with red silk hanging from every wall, Chu Yun didn''t feel very festive. Still, he was glad for the alone time, considering he had no idea what to say to Xiao Zai now that he was his husband. His husband, it felt weird just to think about. A few minutes after he entered the wedding chamber a knock sounded at his door. Thinking it was a servant delivering his meal, Chu Yun bid them to enter. He was surprised then, when instead of a servant wearing simple workmanlike robes, an elegant man wearing silver brocade robes entered the room, carrying a tray with steaming food in his slender hands. A hit of fragrant plum blossom scent hit Chu Yun''s nostrils, making his head swim. The man was an omega, that was obvious from his alluring scent, but he didn''t smell anything like an omega did in Xin. There was only the barest hint of sweetness to his scent, mostly it brought to mind the deep winter in which plum blossoms bloomed. The scent was mellowed by a bond, but not by much -- meaning the man''s mate didn''t bother renewing the bond mark often, or that they rarely mated. "Sorry to disturb his Grace, but I thought you might be lonely all by yourself in a different environment." The man brought the tray down onto the low table in front of the bed where Chu Yun was sitting and took an unceremonious seat at the table. Chu Yun had no idea that in Zui an omega could just stroll into an alpha''s quarters, on his wedding day to someone else, no less. Maybe noticing his discomfort, the man smiled at him. The corners of his eyes wrinkled, and the lines around his mouth deepened, betraying his age, otherwise Chu Yun would have thought him only a few years older than himself. "Since we''re family now, his Grace can call me Gu Wei, I''m not fond of my courtesy name." The man said, taking the clay lid of of several pots and setting up the table for Chu Yun. "Please sit." Chu Yun eyed him warily. This was exactly the person Hua Nanyi had told him all those rumours about. Gu Wei, courtesy name Bailiu. Xiao Zai''s dam-father. Supposedly the most vicious and calculating concubine in the royal harem. He wanted his alpha son to be king at all costs. Some of the more vicious rumours even claimed he was responsible for the late Queen Consort''s death. Smiling his most charming smile, Chu Yun pulled back the sleeves of his robes and poured Gu Wei a cup of fragrant rice wine. "Father-in-law is very kind to visit this son." Whatever Gu Wei was planning Chu Yun was more than capable of going head to head with him. You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 12 - The Fox Receives A Gift From His Father-in-law Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chu Yun had a very tense meal in the company of his father-in-law. He rolled up the veil over his head to eat, thinking that since Gu Wei took the initiative to visit him he must not have expected him to eat with it on. He could feel Gu Wei''s keen gaze on him for the entire time they ate and made small talk. His words were amicable enough, but his eyes never stopped roving, taking in all of Chu Yun. Surely making up his mind about him. For his part Chu Yun couldn''t say he wasn''t doing the same thing. Gu Wei wasn''t like any of the omegas he had met in Xin. There was an iciness to him, a guarded distance that kept everyone at arms-length. It made Chu Yun curious about his relationship with Xiao Zai. Where they close, or did Gu Wei''s coldness permeate even his relationship with the son he birthed? Did he have more? He looked the part of a spoiled concubine, his fingers were long and slender and his skin was soft. It was obvious he had never spent a day out in the sun, or held anything heavier than his own children. Yet, seemingly, he begrudged his place in royal harem. "Miaoyan is a very contemplative person," he said, pouring another cup of wine for Chu Yun. "You''ve been quiet for some time." Chu Yun downed the entire cup to save himself from answering. Whenever there were many people around, it became difficult to differentiate between the mix of all the scents -- unless an omega was in season or an alpha in rut. Now that it was just the two of them, Chu Yun found himself overwhelmed by Gu Wei''s presence. There was something about Gu Wei''s scent that was as beguiling as it was repulsive. It reminded Chu Yun of fruits too bitter to eat. All sour, no sweet. "I apologise for boring father-in-law, I''m nervous," he smiled, hoping it looked genuine. "I''m sure father-in-law can understand." Gu Wei hummed, his breathe disturbing the surface of his wine cup. "I can imagine, but Miaoyan needn''t worry. Zaizai is the son I raised personally, he''d never behave in an ungentlemanly way." Chu Yun smiled tightly. "Father-in-law should call me Chu Yun." "Very well, Yun-er." Chu Yun grimaced inwardly. That was a very different thing from calling him by his birth name. Not even Chu Yun''s mother called him Yun-er these days, unless she was feeling particularly sentimental. Gu Wei finished his wine and stood up from the table. He rummaged for something inside the inner pockets of the long, billowy sleeves of his robes, and took out a small, glazed clay pot with a wax paper seal which he handed to Chu Yun. "In case he behaves like anything less than the gentleman I raised, this should help." The little pot burned Chu Yun''s palm almost as hotly as embarrassment burned his cheeks. He looked from it to Gu Wei in stunned silence. Almost at the door, Gu Wei turned around and said, "I''m told male betas use it, and it comes highly recommended by a Su physician in the palace''s employ." Chu Yun choked some more on his own spit, but by then Gu Wei was already out of the room. --- Chu Yun was in the process of finding a suitable place to hide the little pot when the doors to the wedding chamber opened again, this time admitting Xiao Zai. He found Chu Yun on his tiptoes trying to reach the top of a cabinet so that he could roll the pot there, where it would remain out of sight, hopefully forever. "What are you doing?" he asked, his gaze was fixed on the red veil that had fluttered to the floor at Chu Yun''s feet. The veil Xiao Zai was supposed to remove as soon as he entered the room. Chu Yun tried to come up with a suitable answer, but words failed him. He came to the realisation that he was much drunker than he thought. Gu Wei had plied him with wine during the whole time he was in the room, and now Chu Yun was almost seeing double. "Your father...," Chu Yun slurred, pointing an accusing finger towards Xiao Zai. Xiao Zai''s frown deepened. He crossed the room in three long strides and took the pot from Chu Yun''s hand. His face underwent a remarkable change as soon as he read the lable. "This..." Chu Yun was the kind of person who would stop being embarrassed the moment someone else became more embarrassed than him. With his inhibitions lowered, he didn''t hold back from laughing at Xiao Zai''s red face, falling into the bed and clutching his stomach in amusement. "Someone is really invested in us consummating this marriage." Xiao Zai rolled the little pot in his hands and then sat it on top of the table, which still hadn''t been cleared. "We''ll have to, eventually," he grumbled under his breath. Chu Yun didn''t appreciate the reminder, so he raised one finger in front of his lips and hushed Xiao Zai. Even drunk, he hadn''t forgotten he was at a disadvantage, he was the one who married into Xiao Zai''s family, after all. Xiao Zai looked at Chu Yun rolling around in their marital bed, drunk off his head, and felt several emotions he couldn''t put a name to. Inebriation had made Xiao Zai''s grasp on his own pheromones slacker, and his scent was stronger than ever. The whole room smelled of orchids and pine tree, completely drowning out everything else. Such a strong scent would bring out any alpha''s need to dominate and stake his claim. Chu Yun''s scent was all over the room, but this was Xiao Zai''s space too. Before he even knew what he was doing, Xiao Zai was climbing on top of Chu Yun on the bed, and pinning his wrists down on the mattress. "Stop that, the whole room smells like you." Chu Yun bared his teeth. "I suppose you think it should smell like you." Yes, and also no. Xiao Zai just didn''t want it to smell so overwhelmingly of Chu Yun. Chu Yun struggled in his grip, making a sound of warning as if he was seconds away from biting Xiao Zai''s throat open. After Xiao Zai didn''t budge, Chu Yun went still. "Oh, I just remembered, there''s something else we''re supposed to do on our wedding night. That annoying little ministry of rites envoy told me all about it." Before Xiao Zai could ask the drunkard in his arms what he meant, Chu Yun closed his eyes. When he opened them again, his pupils where bright yellow, and two, large, fluffy white ears stood up from his messy, black hair. Something soft touched Xiao Zai''s wrist and he scrambled off Chu Yun with a yelp. Chu Yun laughed at him as his nine tails coiled around his body, almost as tall as he was, fanning behind him like a fluffy peacock''s tail. "What do you say, husband? I''ll show you mine if you show me yours," Chu Yun said, his yellow eyes flashing in the red haze of the room. Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 13 - The Wolf And The Fox Get In Bed One of the things the envoy from the Zui ministry of rites told Chu Yun was that on their wedding night, he and Xiao Zai should reveal to each other their beast selves -- as per Zui custom. He went on about how sacred the beast self was in Zui, and how only one''s family and spouse were allowed to see it. In Xin things were a lot more relaxed. It was still the norm for only family members to see one another''s beast forms. And while no one was walking the busy streets of Lanzhou one moment and shifting into full form the next to cut through the crowds as a fox, a slithering snake, or flying overhead as a crane, there wouldn''t be any outrage if a small child did it by mistake, or an uncouth youth on purpose to get a rise out of his friends. The Chu nine-tailed fox clan had been ruling Xin for centuries, and their rule had always been marked by temperance and tolerance. There were many more smaller clans living inside Xin''s borders, such as the Fei snakes, and Yin cranes. Each clan had their own traditions and customs regarding the beast form. A smart ruler knew better than to thread on other''s traditions -- that was a fast way to end up violently deposed. So no king ever did. The consensus in Xin was that the beast form was a private matter, treated in the same way as one''s inner robes -- it was best if they weren''t shown in public, but if it were to happen, no harm would come of it. Of course, Zui would take it one step further by treating them like underwear. In Chu Yun''s inebriated state, there was nothing more hilarious than Xiao Zai''s reddened face as he stared down at all nine of Chu Yun''s white tails. Chu Yun ran a finger over the tip of the tail closest to him. "You can count them. Take as long as you need," he said, before dissolving into a fit of giggles while imagining Xiao Zai being unable to count up to nine. "Shameless," Xiao Zai said, through gritted teeth. He wanted to storm out of the room and go sleep somewhere else, but he knew how that would look. The king would surely find a way to blame his dam for it. Accuse him of putting ideas into Xiao Zai''s head, like he always did. Chu Yun sat up on his elbows and shot Xiao Zai an incredulous look. "How am I shameless? Aren''t we married? This is your tradition I''m following. In Xin there''s no ritual associated with the beast form." His teeth still gritted, Xiao Zai spit out. "It''s supposed to be special." ''And you''re making a mockery out of it'', went unsaid. The worst part was that Chu Yun''s fox features were extremely eye-catching. For the Zui wolves, the most desirable trait in an omega were oversized wolf ears and tails, with the alphas having shorter ears and more slender, less fluffy tails. Spread out on the bed, surrounded by a blanket of his own enormous tails, Chu Yun looked like something out of the pornographic books that were sometimes peddled in the streets of Haolin. Coincidentally, nine-tailed foxes figured extensively in them. All of them wanton and licentious, willing to do the most degrading acts with a rapturous smile. Not that Xiao Zai had ever read one of those books. Unaware of the thoughts going through Xiao Zai''s mind, Chu Yun thought his new husband would be a lot prettier if he just smiled. "We''re obviously not consummating this marriage," Chu Yun said, falling back onto the mattress with a thump. "So we should at least do this much." He raised one leg off the bed and tried to get his red silk boots off. He tried to get his tails to help him out, but he was too drunk and uncoordinated to handle two arms and two legs, let alone nine tails. It took Xiao Zai a moment to parse out Chu Yun''s words. For a moment, it wasn''t obvious why they weren''t going to consummate the marriage. A sudden image of himself biting down hard on Chu Yun''s neck to keep him pinned in place under him, so that Xiao Zai could rub himself off on his smooth, pampered skin swam up to the surface of his mind. Xiao Zai drowned it before it could fully form. "I should mark you," Xiao Zai said, clearing his throat which had gone painfully tight. Chu Yun shot up in the bed, one of his boots finally falling to the floor with a dull thud. "Why is that? Maybe I should mark you." "You''re the one marrying into my family," Xiao Zai reasoned. "It makes sense." Chu Yun let out a bitter laugh. "None of this makes sense. What is the point of you marking me? It won''t bond us the same way it would if one of us were an omega." His smile grew derisive. "I hope his Highness didn''t grow up dreaming of a soulbond." Xiao Zai had, actually. "Soulbonds are fairytales." "We agree, then," said Chu Yun before kicking his remaining boot off, and falling back on the bed, his back turned to Xiao Zai. "No one is marking anyone. If you don''t want to show me your wolf form, then don''t." Xiao Zai stayed where he was, eyeing Chu Yun''s stiff back wearily. They hadn''t been married for a full day yet and already Xiao Zai''s dreams of an harmonious cohabitation seemed unlikely. He took off his own boots, his red wedding robe, and climbed onto the bed in his white inner robes, settling down under the mattress. He faced the opposite direction as Chu Yun, who remained above the covers. "I''ll have to mark you eventually," Xiao Zai said, his voice breaking the silence in the room. "I was specifically instructed to do so, even if our union is... unorthodox." Behind him, he could feel the line of Chu Yun''s back growing even more rigid. "Give it your best shot.. If you think I''ll just roll over and let you, you have another thing coming." Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 14 - The Fox Meets The Inlaws Best novel online free at novelhall.com After Chu Yun laid out his challenge the room fell once again into an uneasy silence. Xiao Zai wasn''t going to try and force a mark on him when he was so openly hostile to the idea. If anything, that would only result in his body rejecting the bond and making him sick, something that was already likely to happen since they were both alphas. Any bond could be rejected if the omega was too disgusted by the idea of being marked by a specific alpha, and while they would still fall sick as their body got rid of the invading pheromones, it wouldn''t be anything major. The risk of spontaneous rejection was very low between most alphas and omegas, but it increased exponentially if the one being marked was a beta, for instance. Xiao Zai had never heard of an alpha successfully marking another, and forming a bond without rejection, but he supposed it was possible. His marriage was hardly the first political union between two alphas. Although he supposed two alphas could stay married without a bond, living no differently than two betas, suppressing their instincts indefinitely. It seemed like an unfulfilling life to Xiao Zai. Something he''d only consider as a last resort, even without the express orders he received from the Ministry of Rites to mark Chu Yun. He fell into a restless, uneasy sleep, plagued by a fox''s sharp grin and a pair of mocking yellow eyes. --- In the morning, Chu Yun woke up alone in the marital bed. His wedding robes had fallen to the floor in a heap, and his hair was a messy tangle, the golden hairpins had somehow slid off his haircrown during the night and were twisting his hair in knots. Despite his poor night of sleep, he was still glad that Xiao Zai wasn''t there. It would be a short-lived relief, since they would have to go together when Chu Yun greeted the king for the first time as his son-in-law. If the Queen Consort had still been alive, he would be greeting her as well. Since she wasn''t, he''d have to try his best to make a good impression on the Queen Dowager, instead. He got up from the bed and walked outside the room to call the servants in. Hua Nanyi was the first to walk inside, a smirk playing at her lips. "I trust his Grace had a good night?" Chu Yun would never be as stupid as to talk about Xiao Zai in front of the palace servants, who owed him no loyalty, and said only. "It was refreshing," which was about as vague as he could get away with. Hua Nanyi and the rest of the servants brought in a tub for him and combed his hair while he soaked. They dressed him in soft turquoise robes, the silk double-layered unlike what they would have worn in Xin, on account of Zui''s colder climate. "These robes match the Second Prince''s, the two will make a stunning pair when greeting his Majesty," one of the servants said, sounding genuine even. Chu Yun looked himself in the full-length golden mirror the servants had brought in with the tub and hoped being good-looking was good enough to earn him some goodwill in the Zui court. --- Xiao Zai was already waiting for Chu Yun outside the throne room when he arrived. His robes were a deeper shade of green, with more blue in them, but as the servant had said, they were a good match for Chu Yun''s own. However, Xiao Zai didn''t look particularly comfortable in them. Privately, Chu Yun thought darker, deeper colours suited him better. His brooding good looks didn''t suit such light colours. If it was up to Chu Yun he would have dressed Xiao Zai in dark blue robes, so blue they almost looked black, like a raven''s wing. For his part, Xiao Zai thought of how unfortunate it was that Chu Yun looked so energised and well-rested when he himself felt like three-day-old prey left out in the sun to rot. It was almost insulting how good he looked after the terrible night they had. A steward opened the doors for him and announced their presence loudly to everyone in the throne room. Xiao Zai was only expecting to see his father and grandmother. The sight of his older brother in his apricot robes, the shade only a few tones lighter than the king''s royal gold, signalling his status as the crown prince, made him falter in his steps. Chu Yun noticed, but his only reaction was to match his pace to Xiao Zai''s. His polite smile remained in place. Together, the two of them approached the dais where the king was seated, with his firstborn standing to his right, and the Queen Dowager behind them hidden from view by the beaded curtain. "Miaoyan greets father-in-law, brother-in-law and grandmother," Chu Yun said, kowtowing deeply, Xiao Zai following his lead. The king bid them to rise with a curt word and a nod. It was Chu Yun''s first time seeing him so closely. He was surprised by how little he resembled Xiao Zai. While there was a frosty haughtiness to Xiao Zai''s good looks, it was tempered by an inner warmth that shined through his keen phoenix eyes. The king, on the other hand, was all arrogance, his dark eyes seemed flinty and mistrustful, devoid of any inner light. He cut an impressive figure in his golden robes, still handsome despite the white dusting his temples and the frown lines around his mouth and eyes. "This King welcomes Miaoyan, and wishes that his marriage to Zilang is a happy and prosperous one." Chu Yun lowered his head in obsequiousness all the while thinking that was a very unlikely wish. At the same time, he felt Xiao Zai tense at his side. When he raised his eyes, Chu Yun saw the First Prince coming down the dais, a smirk pulling at his thin lips.. His dark eyes, so much like his father''s, were glued on his brother. Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 15 - The Fox And The Wolf Go Home It was obvious to Chu Yun that there was a lot of bad blood between Xiao Zai and the First Prince, who, unlike Xiao Zai, resembled his father in everything. Including the arrogant cast of his eyes, and the haughty tilt of his chin. It was clear from his demeanour that the First Prince never once questioned his claim to the throne. He was brought up with the clear certainty that he would be his father''s heir -- which was curious considering he wasn''t the child of the late Queen Consort. From what Hua Nanyi had told him, the Queen had only one child, an alpha girl, all her other pregnancies resulted in miscarriage. Except her last one, which she managed to carry to term. Only for both her and the child to die during delivery. In Xin, the first alpha child of the official spouse inherited the title. Regardless of primary gender. Apparently, that wasn''t the case in Zui. Chu Yun glanced at the king up on the dais. His eyes were narrowed in poorly disguised contempt, as he observed the First Prince''s movements. Despite all his arrogance, perhaps the First Prince''s position wasn''t as solid as he thought. Chu Yun''s eyes returned to the prince as he came to a stop in front of him and Xiao Zai. He cupped his hands in front of his chest, and bowed to Chu Yun. "Wuyuan greets brother-in-law, and wishes him a thousand years of happiness, however he may find it." For the first time, Chu Yun was needled on his new husband''s behalf. Did the First Prince think he was stupid, and wouldn''t notice the obvious slight to Xiao Zai? Didn''t the First Prince''s words imply he''d have to search for happiness away from Xiao Zai if he hoped to find it? Now that they were married, any offence to one of them was an offence to both. Chu Yun hadn''t come to a strange land to suffer fools lightly. "Miaoyan is grateful for his First Highness'' well wishes." Chu Yun reached to the side to take Xiao Zai''s cool hand in his in a deliberate gesture. "Miaoyan hopes to spend a thousand years of happiness beside his husband." It was obvious from all the shocked faces around him that no one expected him to say that. Xiao Zai could not lift his eyes from their joined hands. He didn''t expect Chu Yun would be willing to take his side in front of his family. Right then, a wizened voice called from behind the beaded curtain. "Come up here, child." Chu Yun exchanged a look with Xiao Zai, who just nodded at him, his lips pressed into a tense line. With his head lowered and his hands clasped behind his back, Chu Yun ascended the stairs up the dais. He bowed his head respectfully to the king and then walked past him towards the the Queen Dowager. She was sitting up on her sofa, her posture ramrod straight. "Closer, child." Her tone was slightly raspy, and her features hard to discern from behind the curtain. "Let me get a close look at you." Chu Yun did as she commanded, but nothing could have prepared him for the surprisingly strong arm that shot out and grabbed his jaw, pulling his face across the curtain. His eyes were wide open with shock the first time he looked into the Queen Dowager''s wrinkled face. "It''s true what they say about the foxes from Xin," the old woman said, her thin lips, which she had given her son quirked in amusement. She let go of Chu Yun''s jaw, who pulled back away from her. "And what do they say about the foxes from Xin, your royal Highness?" The Queen Dowager let out a rattling laugh, as if she couldn''t believe Chu Yun had dared to ask. He was well aware it was probably something offensive, but he wanted to hear it from her mouth. She wouldn''t give him the satisfaction. "Nothing that bears repeating." Chu Yun smiled through his gritted teeth. She smiled at him, revealing a row of yellowed teeth. The Queen Dowager must have been beautiful one day, but the years hadn''t been kind to her. Her crabapple blossom scent had grown stale, something Chu Yun had never encountered before but had heard plenty about. It was the consequence that any omega who tried to suppress their pheromones for a long period of time faced. Prolonged exposure to suppressing draughts damaged the scent glands. But why would the Queen Dowager, first wife of the late king, and mother to the current one, ever do that to herself? And for a long time, no less. "You and Xiao Zai still haven''t been to your new estate. You should go at once and handle your affairs, I''m sure there''s plenty for the two of you to do." Apparently satisfied with the close look she got at Chu Yun''s face, the queen waved him off with an elegant flick of her wrist. Chu Yun bowed one last time to her, to the dour faced king, and went down the stairs. Promising himself he would have a serious talk with Xiao Zai about his fucked up family. --- Xiao Zai called for a carriage to take them to their new estate as soon as they left the throne room. He was eager to leave the royal palace at once, and he could see from Chu Yun''s barely suppressed rage that he felt the same way. At least his grandmother''s interjection meant that Xiao Yuan couldn''t antagonise them as much as he probably would have liked. He was still incredulous that Chu Yun had bothered to stand by him during Xiao Yuan''s pointless needling. He rubbed his fingers together, trying to get rid of the phantom sensation of Chu Yun''s warm palm against his. Of course, going to their new residence brought with it its own set of problems. "I need to warn you about the estate," Xiao Zai said, once they were halfway there. The carriage was lavish and well appointed, but it was probably the most extravagant thing they would see for a while. Chu Yun groaned, and slumped on his side of the coach. "Do I want to know?" Xiao Zai''s mouth clicked shut. No, he probably didn''t, and what''s more, Xiao Zai didn''t want to handle his outburst in such close quarters. They were almost there. Chu Yun would see for himself soon enough. --- The First Prince''s courtesy name is Wuyuan, and his birth name is Xiao Yuan. You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 16 - The Fox Doesnt Like His New Home The carriage made it across the entire city of Haolin, out of the bustling market districts and the sprawling residences of court officials and nobles alike, and came to a stop in front of a dilapidated wall. Chu Yun thought someone was playing a cruel prank on him. He wished he had a fan with him so that he could snap it in half at the sight of the place. A chipped, rotting, wooden signboard above the gate read: "Manor of the Prince of Bei." Chu Yun looked out the carriage window at the sign. "A relative of yours?" he asked Xiao Zai, his teeth gritted in barely suppressed anger. Xiao Zai wasn''t intimidated by Chu Yun''s offended airs. "Yes, my uncle. He was executed for treason when I was a child. The estate stayed empty until now." Chu Yun took in a big sobering breath. "That," he said, pointing out at the derelict sign and gate, "is a warning." Xiao Zai crossed his arms in front of his chest and nodded. "I don''t need a strategist''s mind to arrive at the same conclusion." He smiled at Chu Yun. "That warning is also our newest home. What would my husband have me do about it?" "I would have you return it! You must have a stipend as a prince, I have a huge," he lowered his voice before hissing out the word in humiliation, "dowry. We can buy an entire street of mansions. We absolutely do not need to live in squalor." Everything Chu Yun was the truth, and Xiao Zai would have loved for things to have been that easy. "The estate was given to me by my father as a wedding gift." He grimaced, just remembering that conversation. "Don''t you think he was smart enough to know that if we had nowhere to go we would just buy or build something? Whereas as if he gave us a dump, we would have no choice but to live in it!" Chu Yun understood the principle of not offending one''s monarch, especially when he was also one''s father -- but he had never met one so determined to fuck over his own son. Once again, Chu Yun thanked the merciful stars that he was not the worst off one in this tragic marriage. He threw open the carriage door. "Fine, we''ll live in this fucking dump," he said, jumping down into the dusty street, and ignoring a servant''s proffered hand. "Of course the street is not even fucking cobbled!" Xiao Zai jumped out of the carriage too and amused himself with watching Chu Yun''s efforts to stomp out the dust around his robe''s hem, which naturally only kicked up more dust. "Don''t worry, it will snow soon, the dust won''t bother you then." Chu Yun shot him a glare full of evil intent and stomped through the gates and into the estate proper. Xiao Zai followed after him, but almost collided with his back when Chu Yun stopped to gawk at the weeds that had taken over the main courtyard. "I don''t care how much it costs, I want scores of workers here in the span of an hour, and I want this courtyard cleaned out by the end of the day." He turned around to face Xiao Zai, their noses an hairsbreadth apart. "If not, I''m going to pull them out myself, and I hope people can see the spectacle I make from the street, which they probably can because there are holes in our wall! I hope word reaches all the way to Xin." Chu Yun''s beautiful fox eyes grew even more brilliant as he spoke, lit from within by his indignation. He looked lovely when he was furious. Xiao Zai couldn''t help admiring the ruddy hue of his cheeks, the scornful twist of his mouth. It was some kind of twisted joke that if Chu Yun wasn''t an alpha Xiao Zai would be attracted to him. Even if he was a beta, Xiao Zai would still try to court him, try his best to cultivate genuine feelings between the two of them and make the best out of a bad situation. Unfortunately, they were both alphas, and their pride guaranteed that fighting was all the future had in store for them. "It will be done as his grace commands," Xiao Zai said, bowing mockingly to Chu Yun, who turned even redder. Xiao Zai might only be able to make his new husband blush from anger, but it was a pretty sight nonetheless. --- Chu Yun got his workers, who got started on the cleaning of not only the courtyard but the entire palace as well. He got some masons to appraise the damage to the wall, which he knew very well would take several days to fix. A selection of servants from the palace also arrived, which Chu Yun dismissed right away. The wolves must have clearly taken him for an idiot, to think he would willingly let spies inside his home. Instead, Chu Yun instructed Hua Nanyi and a few of the other personal servants he had brought from Xin to go to the market and send over anyone offering their services as a servant for him to interview. He strongly advised Xiao Zai to keep only the servants he trusted most, to which he got an extremely reassuring answer: "I don''t trust any of them." So Chu Yun interviewed servants for him as well. By the end of the day, their newly established estate had twelve new servants personally vetted by Chu Yun, a clean main courtyard (all others were still a work-in-progress), and rooms that were no longer in danger of sending someone into an asthma attack. Xiao Zai had to admit that Chu Yun knew how to run a household. He told him so over dinner in their bedroom. Chu Yun scoffed at the praise. "That''s the least of what I can do," he said, picking at his food carefully. He was impressed with the talent of the cooks, if not with Zui cuisine. He was sure they would be able to make something more to his liking as soon as he taught them some Xin recipes. Right now, he had more important issues at hand. "Now that I''ve turned the dump your family has forced us to live in, into...less of a dump," he grimaced at all the work that was still left to do, before continuing, "I think I''m owed some answers." Xiao Zai nodded. "Ask some questions." Chu Yun considered the benefits of kicking Xiao Zai under the table for being glib, but decided that was a battle better sacrificed in the name of a bigger war. "I know why I''m here. My uncle thinks I''m a threat to his three, incredibly stupid alpha sons, but my presence here is a tragedy to my parents, make no mistake." He paused. "Let me be blunt, the king seems to hate you so much, that I must ask: are you a bastard?" Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 17 - The Fox Schemes Best novel online free at novelhall.com Xiao Zai stared in dumbstruck silence at Chu Yun, who looked at him in subdued anticipation, as if he wouldn''t be fazed either way no matter what Xiao Zai said. Finally, Xiao Zai chuckled bitterly and shook his head. "Unfortunately no, I''m his son." That surprised Chu Yun, who raised a sharp eyebrow. "That''s a first. I don''t think I''ve heard anyone regret not being a bastard. Zui sure is different." How could Xiao Zai even begin to explain all those nights he spent as a small child, hidden in a cupboard in his dam''s room, watching from behind the half-open doors in horror as his father beat and humiliated Gu Wei. How to explain his fevered wishes that he had a better, kinder father somewhere, who would one day come and rescue him and his dam from their torment. He''d imagined that man so much that he could almost see his face, handsome, regal and dignified, kind, nurturing and attentive. Xiao Zai had imagined a life for the three of them away from the palace and its treachery, somewhere remote and surrounded by greenery where his dam and sire would play with him outside, and hold each other tenderly while looking out in pride at his childish adventures. That reality never came to pass, his dam-father always reminded him, sometimes sadly, sometimes bitterly, just who was the man who had sired him. "Never forget who your father is," Gu Wei had said, one day when Xiao Zai was helping him apply medicine to his split lip. "He owes you a throne." Xiao Zai had always kept those words at the forefront of his mind. The king owed him a throne, and he owed his dam the life that was stolen from him, he owed him for every beating he had taken in Xiao Zai''s place, for all the ugly words he had heard. Now, he looked into Chu Yun''s keen fox eyes and echoed those same words. "My father owes me a throne." Chu Yun drummed his fingers against the tabletop. "So that''s why he married you to me." "Maybe," Xiao Zai said. It was the logical explanation but he couldn''t help feeling there was a bigger plan to all of it, that he couldn''t quite see. And why would he? Unlike Chu Yun he wasn''t a strategist, his father didn''t even allow him to be a soldier. All his training had to be done in secret with a retired martial arts master. Chu Yun on the other hand was considering all his options. He kept picking at his food while observing Xiao Zai in silence. His new husband puzzled him. He had the bearings of a prince, from his straight back to the haughty tilt of his chin, but there was something gritty about him, as if he had to trudge through the mud to lift himself up -- an existence in every way opposite to Chu Yun''s who had known nothing but unconditional love from his parents. Xiao Zai''s position in the court was so unsteady that it wouldn''t be hard for Chu Yun to find a reason to return to Xin -- maybe the king was even counting on that, as a last definite blow to Xiao Zai''s credibility. So, if he was willing to wait, maybe Chu Yun could return to Xin in a couple of years and try to forget that this terrible marriage had ever happened. Or...he could stay and be a kingmaker. He could make sure that the next king of Zui acted in accordance with Xin interests. He had no ambition of being king himself, but that didn''t mean he didn''t have his people''s best interests at heart. If the next king of Zui was indebted to him, what kind of trade deals he would be able to negotiate? Xiao Zai gave him a weary look. "Why are you smiling to yourself like that?" Chu Yun schooled his features back into neutrality and cleared his throat. "Naturally, as your husband, I''ll support you in all your endeavours." "My endeavours?" Xiao Zai asked, his brows creased in disbelief. "Even if say...those endeavours include violent seizure of the throne?" Chu Yun shrugged. "You can''t expect me to care about whose ass sat sits on the Zui throne. Might as well be the ass I''m married to." Xiao Zai was still suspicious of Chu Yun''s sudden good nature. He hadn''t forgotten that they started this conversation with Chu Yun calling him a bastard. "And what do you gain from that?" He shrugged again. "A better palace, for starters," Chu Yun said, and left it to Xiao Ziao to make of that what he willed. Their food had long gone cold and Chu Yun rose up to call a servant to clear the table. "You can sleep in here, I''ll find some other room for tonight," Chu Yun said, already at the door. Xiao Zai tensed. "We can sleep together. I won''t do...anything." Chu Yun had to smirk at Xiao Zai''s stilted words. He was talking as if Chu Yun was an unmarried virgin whose chastity was under threat by his mere presence and needed immediate reassurance. "Maybe you should worry about yourself," he said, stopping at the doorway to smile at Xiao Zai from above his shoulder. "I can look after myself." He flashed his canine teeth and unfurled his ears and tails, letting them fan behind him like a warning. "I have nine little helpers to keep any grabby hands away. What do you have?" He left before Xiao Zai had the time to think of an answer. --- In the morning Chu Yun woke up alone in a divan bed in an airy room overlooking the back courtyard. He lazed around in bed, appreciating the chirping of the birds outside his oiled paper window, when a familiar fast knock sounded outside the door. He told Hua Nanyi to enter. She stepped inside the room gingerly, her pretty face unsure of what expression it wanted to settle into. "Uh, just to let you know, your father-in-law is here, and, uh, he brought a kitten with him?" You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 18 - The Foxs Father-in-law Gives Him A Housewarming Gift Best novel online free at novelhall.com What a fucking start to his morning. Chu Yun got dressed with Hua Nanyi''s help, grumbling all the while about how rude all these wolves were, just barging into people''s homes in the morning. He decided to wear some Xin robes to greet Gu Wei. He felt more comfortable wearing the clothing of his homeland, as improper as it was for Zui''s colder climate. Hua Nanyi picked a pomegranate robe with a gauzy outer layer for him to wear, along with matching haircrown and hairpin in dark, reddened wood. Chu Yun was well-aware that some omega inlaws could be difficult to handle. There was no shortage of horror stories in Xin about a new couple being constantly hounded by an omega parent who thought they ought to be the most important person in their child''s life. There was no marital bliss for Gu Wei to intrude on, but Chu Yun still didn''t want him to feel like he could drop in whenever he wanted. Most likely Gu Wei had his own ambitions for Xiao Zai, and even if their goals were the same his methods were likely to diverge from Chu Yun''s. --- Xiao Zai was already in the palace''s main hall entertaining his dam-father. Both of them looked up as soon as Chu Yun walked in. He could feel their eyes sweep over the unfamiliar cut of his robes. He bowed politely to Gu Wei and took a seat next to Xiao Zai. Gu Wei looked the same as when Chu Yun had last seen him. Beautiful and cold, like a lone willow dipping its branches in a shadowed pond. "What do we owe the pleasure of father-in-law''s visit so early in the morning?" Chu Yun asked, smiling while pouring Gu Wei a cup of tea. Gu Wei likely noticed the not-so-subtle barb, but didn''t let it show. "I was just telling A-Zai how impressed I am with how much you''ve done with the estate in such a short time. He tells me the credit is all yours." Chu Yun took Xiao Zai''s hand in his, almost startling him into dropping the teacup he was holding in the other. "Well, it''s important to turn a house into a home, isn''t that right?" He looked at Xiao Zai who was staring at him as if he had grown a second head. Meanwhile, Gu Wei''s true feelings were inscrutable. He was smiling pleasantly, but what he really felt was anyone''s guess. "Speaking of which," Gu Wei put down his teacup and lifted a weaved basked from the floor, which he handed to Chu Yun. "A little housewarming gift, which will hopefully help giving it an even more homely feeling." Chu Yun removed the basket''s lid and immediately a small ball of white fluff jumped out, meowing in deep outrage. "A cat," he said, returning the basket to Gu Wei. "How generous." "It was common in my village to give newlywed couples a pet to look after, it was said it would help them bond." His lips turned up at the corners. "I hope there is some wisdom to these old traditions." "Thanks for the gift, father," Xiao Zai said, sounding genuine even, about the fact that his dam had just foisted a small animal onto them. As if they didn''t have anything better to do with their time. Gu Wei rose to his feet. "I know the two of you have a lot to do, with the journey to Xin tomorrow, so I''ll be on my way." The next day would mark the third day of their marriage, which meant they should visit Chu Yun''s family and pay their respects. While Chu Yun was excited to see his family, he was not looking forward to the tortuous journey. "I''ve prepared some gifts for Yun-er''s family that I''ve left with the servants," he said, almost out of the door. "A-Zai, see me out." His words were a command, a clear indication that Chu Yun wasn''t to follow. He stayed behind and bowed to Gu Wei. "Safe travels, and thank you for the gifts." Gu Wei returned his bow with a nod and an enigmatic smile. --- Out in the main courtyard, Xiao Zai slowed his steps so he could talk with his dam out of Chu Yun''s earshot. "He doesn''t like me," Gu Wei said, exchanging and amused look with Xiao Zai. Xiao Zai chuckled. "I suspect there aren''t many people he does. Not in Zui." Gu Wei hummed quietly to himself, and lifted his face towards the wan morning sun, closing his eyes as he let the rays soak up through his pale skin. "He was sending out powerful waves of pheromones the whole time were were in the hall. I suspect he was doing it subconsciously." Xiao Zai had noticed it too, and didn''t much understand what Chu Yun was trying to accomplish. "He was marking his territory," Gu Wei said, that same enigmatic smile playing at his lips. "For some reason he felt I was intruding on his space." Xiao Zai frowned. He didn''t understand why Chu Yun would feel that way. He hardly seemed to care either way. His dam-father patted him on the shoulder. "Whatever his feelings, your new husband feels some kind of ownership over you, and he can''t stand any threats to it." Xiao Zai was immediately outraged at the idea of being anyone''s propriety. Gu Wei saw it written all over his face, and let out a laugh. "I suppose that kind of tension is to be expected between two alphas." He patted his son on the back again. "I advise you to stay alert, unless you want to be marching to the beat of his war drum." Xiao Zai nodded, his lips pressed into a thin line. "This son will keep father''s teachings in mind." Gu Wei smiled indulgently at him, and cupped his jaw. Sometimes he had a hard time believing the small boy who hid behind the skirts of his robes was a man now. "Silly child, be polite when you see his family again. Try to talk with him, find out what he wants." --- Xiao Zai walked back into the main hall still turning around his dam''s words in his mind. Chu Yun was an enigma to him most of the time, his intentions were something Xiao Zai had no hope of understanding. The doors slammed open just as he was about to walk in. Chu Yun stormed out in a huff, his fox eyes flashed as soon as he saw Xiao Zai. "That thing is your responsibility," he said pointing back towards the main hall. From inside Xiao Zai heard the sound of a cat hissing and of a priceless decorative vase shattering on the floor. So much for talking. You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 19 - The Wolf Wants To Get The Fox Naked You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com They managed to get through the rest of the day relatively unscathed, although Chu Yun sequestered himself in a suit of rooms he called his "offices" citing some book he had been meaning to read. In truth, Xiao Zai was well aware that his only intention was hiding from the white kitten, now terrorising the entire estate. Xiao Zai was happy to give Chu Yun his space, and spent a pleasant enough day in his own company. There was a small, sad-looking plot of tilled land near the back of the estate that used to serve as the servant''s vegetable garden. He amused himself by asking for some seeds and fertiliser and trying to make it grow again. He was now a member of the unemployed nobility, whose ranks swelled every day under his father''s rule. Without an official post either in a civil or military capacity, there was nothing much for Xiao Zai to keep himself busy with. He entertained the idea of tending to the courtyards, overlooking the planting of new flowers and decorative bushes. Maybe even designing the landscape. There was no easy way for him to reach the throne, he might as well keep himself busy in the meantime. His good mood lasted him all through the day and until the next morning, when Chu Yun''s sour face greeted him in front of the main gates. Waiting for him to get inside the carriage that would take them on the journey to Xin. "Let''s go, or are you trying to add even more days to our journey?" he snapped, before climbing inside the carriage. One of the servants approached Xiao Zai, as he was climbing inside after him. "Informing his Highness: his Grace stepped on cat droppings this morning. His mood has been most foul." The serious way the man delivered his message, as if he was a currier rushing into a General''s tent with important news from the frontline made Xiao Zai smile. The servant had neat hair and widely spaced eyes, that made it seem as if he could see in more directions than a regular person. Xiao Zai clapped him on the back. "What''s your name?" "This one is surnamed Pan," the servant said, standing up straighter. "Then, Little Pan, from now on, please keep me informed of his Grace''s moods. I expect a daily report in a scale of ''most foul'' to ''most agreeable''." Little Pan bowed, his expression set. "This servant will endeavour to do so." When Xiao Zai sat down opposite Chu Yun he was still smiling to himself at the servant''s diligence despite being given such a silly task. "What are you smiling at?" Chu Yun asked, stewing in his own bad temper. Xiao Zai shook his head and looked out the window. At the same time the carriage started moving. The horse''s hooves kicked up dust in their wake as the carriage made its way towards Haolin''s gates. Xiao Zai thought to himself that Chu Yun wasn''t much different from that little ball of fluff and claws his dam had gifted them. --- By the time they stopped at a roadside inn to rest for the night, Chu Yun was no longer in such a bad mood. He had even been making conversation with Xiao Zai. All of that changed when they entered the inn, and the innkeeper informed them with a chagrined smile, "there''s only one room left." All the servants and the small private guard Xiao Zai hired for the journey had all been settled in communal rooms already. Xiao Zai considered the merits of calling everyone back and looking for another inn at such a late hour, and decided that Chu Yun could suck it up. "We''ll take it," he said, depositing a small pouch of silver taels on the counter. Chu Yun glared at him from the corner of his fox eyes, but said nothing. Xiao Zai could tell he was bottling it in for when they were both alone. The innkeeper escorted them up to the room. "Bring us dinner and a bath tub," Xiao Zai said, before she could leave. Chu Yun glared at him as soon as the door closed behind the innkeeper. "Are we supposed to bathe together? Shall one of us look at the wall while the other bathes?" Xiao shrugged. "I don''t see why we shouldn''t bathe together. You invited me to join you in the hot springs before our wedding." Chu Yun turned his back with a haughty roll of his shoulder. He faced the small copper mirror over the vanity and took off his hairpin and haircrown, making his hair cascade down his back in a sleek curtain. "If I remember correctly, you were extremely disconcerted about that, called me shameless once or twice." Xiao Zai nods. "But we''re married now." There were no arguments Chu Yun could make against that, so he fell silent, which brought Xiao Zai great pleasure. These little verbal spars of theirs could be amusing sometimes, especially when he came out on top. Dinner was served, Chu Yun picked at his food listlessly while Xiao Zai ate his fill, knowing that as soon as they crossed the border he would have to go without the taste of home for a while. The bath was brought in and filled with buckets of scalding water. Xiao Zai let it cool for a moment before standing up from the table and letting his outer robes drop to the floor. Chu Yun gave him an unimpressed look from below his curling lashes. "I see you''ll stop at nothing to see me naked." It was more accurate to say that Xiao Zai would stop at nothing to rile him up. Chu Yun had been nothing but insufferable since they met, he deserved all the payback Xiao Zai dished out. He rose to his feet and met Xiao Zai''s eyes. "Very well," Chu Yun said, his hands drifting down to his waist sash.. "Let''s measure swords." You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 20 - The Fox And The Wolf Have A Swordfight Contest Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com tw: sexual content --- Chu Yun gave Xiao Zai a narrow-eyed look before making good on his threat, and removing his robes. For his part Xiao Zai mirrored his movements and got his inner robes the rest of the way off. Both of them where standing by the tub, just a few paces away, looking each other in the eye as they turned disrobing into a competitive sport. Chu Yun was the first to get all his clothing completely off, even though he started after Xiao Zai, which filled him with a great sense of accomplishment. He could feel Xiao Zai''s eyes raking over his naked body, taking in the eyeful he hadn''t at the hot springs. His gaze never left Chu Yun as he dropped his underwear to the floor, leaving it to pile on top of his discarded robes. Now was Chu Yun''s turn to stare. Xiao Zai''s skin was smooth all over, his muscles lean and defined, showing the diligence of an exhaustive training regimen. Chu Yun''s eyes drifted lower, to the neat thatch of pubic hair leading to a surprisingly big...sword. Chu Yun''s eyes widened. This sword measuring context wasn''t going in his favour. Then again, a sword''s size didn''t mean anything until it was fully hard, he thought, fully loosing track of the metaphor. Xiao Zai smirked. "Big enough for you?" Chu Yun rolled his eyes. "For all I know that''s as big as it gets." He sat on the edge of the wooden tub and looked up at Xiao Zai. "I bet I''m still bigger." Xiao Zai''s smug smirk remained in place. "Fine, there''s only one way to find out." He sidestepped Chu Yun and got into the tub, siting down in the warm water and stretching out his arms over the edge. Chu Yun followed him inside and sat down at the opposite end, mirroring his pose. Xiao Zai glanced down at his own crotch, concealed by the soapy water, and then lifted his eyes to look back up at Chu Yun, making his intentions clear. For a moment, Chu Yun considered throwing the wash basin at his head. "I''m not touching you." Xiao Zai shrugged. "I guess we''ll never know who has the biggest sword then." "I guess," Chu Yun echoed, lifting his chin in the air and looking at the side. "Which means that in this one category, I win," Xiao Zai said, grinning wolfishly. Chu Yun dropped his hands from the edge of the tub at once, letting them fall to the water with a splash. If this was how Xiao Zai wanted to play, then Chu Yun had no problem indulging him -- he was still not touching him, though. Glaring, he wrapped one hand around himself under the water, and keeping his grip tight, stroked his fist up and down. --- At first, Xiao Zai thought his eyes were tricking him, and that the rhythmic shift of muscles on Chu Yun''s arm meant something else, but then he bit his lower lip, and a powerful wave of pheromones hit Xiao Zai''s senses, unmistakable for anything else but an alpha''s lust. Chu Yun''s fresh orchid scent left him feeling dizzy, and slightly overwhelmed, just as it ought to. An alpha sent out mating pheromones with the purpose of lowering an omega''s guard and heightening their desire, or to debilitate any alpha who might be competition. Right now Xiao Zai was experiencing the full force of Chu Yun''s pheromones, and while it made him disoriented, the feeling wasn''t nearly as unpleasant as he remembered. He took a deep breath, inhaling some more of Chu Yun''s scent, but instead of fighting it, he let it wash over him. In a few moments, his head cleared, just in time to hear Chu Yun''s choked off gasp. His eyes were open, narrowed in spite and fixed on Xiao Zai, his lower lip caught between his teeth. When Xiao Zai wrapped his own fist around himself he found that he was already hard. "I thought the point was seeing who had the biggest sword," he asked, panting through his arousal, made headier by his desire to beat Chu Yun at whatever game they were playing. "Are we trying to see who''ll come first, or who''ll last longer?" Chu Yun scowled. Something told Xiao Zai he had lost sight of what they were even supposed to do. --- Xiao Zai''s intoxicating scent was making it harder for Chu Yun to focus. Just smelling it made him feel drunk. His rhythm grew faster, his grip tighter. He wanted to look away from Xiao Zai but couldn''t, the sight of his gleaming skin captivated him, as did the jumping muscle along his jaw, proof that he was just as affected as Chu Yun. That was when Chu Yun realised what was the point of all this. He wanted to see Xiao Zai lose control. He wanted to show him who was the fucking alpha in this marriage. He slowed down his movements, but tightened his fist. "I bet this is the hottest thing that has ever happened to you." Chu Yun could hear Xiao Zai''s sharp intake of breath, and it only made him bolder. "In Xin we say that all wolves are repressed, is it true? I bet you''ve barely fucked your fist, let alone an omega." "Shut up," Xiao Zai growled, his teeth gritted. Chu Yun sped up his hand, his smirk delighted. "Why, are you close? I bet you want to come really bad," he teased. Xiao Zai cursed under his breath, the muscles of his upper arms bunching up with the speed of his strokes. "Yeah, all over your fucking face." He closed his eyes, and came with a rumbling moan. The sight of Xiao Zai''s face slack with pleasure and the sweet thrill of victory brought Chu Yun over the edge.. He came smiling around his moan. Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 21 - The Wolf Is At The End Of His Rope You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com After the high of orgasm passed, an extremely uncomfortable mood settled over them. Chu Yun was no longer sure what was it that he had set out to prove. He was not willing to show just how uncomfortable he was now that the flames of arousal had been banked, so he leaned over the edge of the tub, lifted up a washbasin and washcloth and started bathing himself, as if Xiao Zai wasn''t sitting across from him, red-faced and hazy-eyed. "I won," Xiao Zai said, dragging his own washcloth from the back of his neck towards the front of his chest. Chu Yun wrenched his eyes away from the sight of the rough cloth drawing red angry lines across Xiao Zai''s hard chest in the shape of his fingers. "I won, you came first," Chu Yun said, trying to finish his bath as soon as possible and put some distance between the two of them, "That wasn''t the deal. The point was to see who had the biggest sword." Chu Yun opened his mouth to retort but then remembered he was the one to blame for everything that followed, and closed it with a loud click. He still wasn''t going to admit defeat. He finished his bath and silence, and climbed out of the tub, all the while feeling Xiao Zai''s gaze on his naked back. Chu Yun dried himself roughly and got dressed back into clean inner robes. With a muttered "goodnight," he slipped into the far corner of the bed, turning his back to Xiao Zai, his shoulders drawn up against his ears. --- Xiao Zai had a terrible night. Filled with restless tossing and turning, along with the usual discomfort of sleeping in an unfamiliar bed. Which was compounded by the fact that his bed back at the estate still counted as unfamiliar. Chu Yun was incredibly subdued since the previous night, something Xiao Zai would feel glad for, if it didn''t leave him so disconcerted himself. He had not idea what possessed him to go along with Chu Yun''s stupid challenge -- the first one, let alone the second. He could only write it off as the ill-advised exploits that young alphas sometimes got themselves into -- daring each other to see who''d take the biggest risks, and possibly get injured the most. Except he and Chu Yun were grown men, and the humiliation Xiao Zai was feeling was a testament to just how juvenile the whole thing had been. They barely spoke to each other for the rest of the journey, each keeping to their side of the carriage and saying very little outside of comments about the weather and vague comments when Xiao Zai asked him if they should stop to eat. All other inns they stayed at on their way to Xin had rooms to spare which was a relief for Xiao Zai. At night his dreams were plagued by visions of Chu Yun''s flushed face and angry fox eyes that Xiao Zai couldn''t make sense of in the morning. Their arrival in Lanzhou couldn''t come fast enough. --- Chu Yun''s spirits lifted the moment they crossed the border, but as they drew nearer to Lanzhou he began making a nuisance of himself again. He was well aware that his constant comments were grating on Xiao Zai but he had no intention of stopping. "The weather is so much nicer now that we''re in Xin." "Even the air smells better in Xin." "I think the journey has become a lot smoother since we''ve crossed the border." "Have you spent any time in Lanzhou at all? It''s a beautiful city, and all our streets are cobbled, even the ones outside the estates of disgraced nobles." Eventually, Xiao Zai couldn''t take it anymore. "It''s a shame about the terrible infrastructure in the south." Chu Yun shot him a warning look, but Xiao Zai was determined to shut him up. "Another drought in the south and Xin will have something much worse than uncobbled streets on its hands." The worst part was the he was right, and Chu Yun''s incompetent uncle was likely to keep throwing money at all the local princes and dukes who came up with ''solutions'' but actually just appropriated the royal purse''s funds and carried on as usual. "Well, there''s nothing I can do about it now, is there?" Chu Yun said, sliding the carriage''s window open and looking out at the greenery moving past them. Xiao Zai snorted. "Don''t pretend you were going to do anything about it before marrying me." "What about you?" Chu Yun snapped. "The tales of Zui''s prohibitive grain taxes on its beta population are legendary. Don''t you think it''s a bad idea to single out an alienate such a large percentage of your own people?" He smirked. "Kings have been killed over less." "And I would be throwing the gates wide open and welcoming them in" Xiao Zai said. Finally, Chu Yun fell silent, retreating to his side of the carriage in sulky contemplation. --- Xiao Zai was exhausted by the time they arrived at the Prince of Jing''s estate. Everything had been prepared for their arrival. The main gates were cheerfully decorated with flower garlands and silk banners. Despite his sour mood, Xiao Zai plastered on a smile to greet his father and mother-in-law, despite both being partly to blame for raising such a contrarian and difficult son. Madam Jing broke out in tears the moment Chu Yun stepped out of the carriage and rushed to wrap him in a tight hug. "My child, you''ve lost weight!" she exclaimed, lowering her arms from Chu Yun''s shoulders to wrap them around his waist and take his measure. Chu Yun sighed dramatically, returning his mother''s embrace. "I''m afraid the food in Zui isn''t to my liking." Xiao Zai balled his hands into fists to prevent himself from rolling his eyes.. It was going to be a long couple of days. Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 22 - The Wolf Smells Something Delicious You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com While Chu Yun was happy to be back among his family, and in the home he had grown up in, it felt a little disconcerting to realise how nothing had changed while his own life would never be the same again. The servants smiled and called him "young master", as if he''d never left, and his father roped him into a boring conversation about the court as if Chu Yun would still be around to see minister Sui''s foolish gamble pan out. But none of that made him feel like he was still part of their lives, not really. His mother organised a lavish feast, in which Chu Yun, and by consequence Xiao Zai had the seat of honour. Xiao Zai for his part was doing his best to fulfil his filial duties. He kept topping off Chu Yun''s father''s wine cup, and complimenting the food to his mother''s face, even though she had never cooked anything in her life. There was only someone missing. "Where''s Hean?" His mother covered her mouth daintily with her handkerchief and leaned to the side. "He''s in season, dear. But you should pay him a visit later." It was unfortunate that his brother was in season, since Chu Yun would be staying for such a short time. In his mind he envisioned lengthy conversations into the night about what he''d seen and done in Zui. Now Chu Hean would be too uncomfortable for more than a few words, spoken hastily through a doorway. His mother saw his disappointment and patted the back of his wrist. "It should be clearing up soon. Maybe it will have broken by tomorrow." As an unmated omega Chu Hean was expected to manage his rain seasons on his own. Xiao Zai knew there was special medicine to make things easier for omegas, but it wasn''t the kind of thing that was usually discussed with alphas, not even between brothers. --- Xiao Zai held his own all through dinner. Chu Yun was much more agreeable now that they were in Xin. Which meant that he was too distracted by other people to be annoyed by Xiao Zai. Eventually they had to retire for the night, and as a married couple they were of course expected to share quarters. For a moment, Xiao Zai thought Chu Yun was going to tell his family to prepare another suit of rooms for him, but he held his tongue at the last moment. He must not have wanted his parents to pity him. Madam Jing at least would certainly have started crying. So they were once again forced to share the same room, and the same bed. The estate of the Prince of Jing at least had its own private hot springs, so the scene of the bath tub was unlikely to repeat itself. Chu Yun was ecstatic to be making use of them again. "You''ll see how nothing compares to the water from Flying Fish Mount," he was saying as he combed through his long hair in front of the full-body gold mirror with his fingertips. Xiao Zai couldn''t help noticing how Chu Yun''s silky hair slid easily through his fingers, barely getting tangled. Being back made him seem lighter, he was even smiling at his own reflection, just from the simple joy of being able to bathe in his family''s hot springs. Maybe Xiao Zai was being too harsh in his judgement of Chu Yun. He wasn''t the one who had been uprooted from the only life he had ever known, plucked like a flower from his own land to be planted somewhere foreign and at times hostile. Just because Xiao Zai had spent his entire life hoping to be freed from his own circumstances, it didn''t mean everyone else felt the same way. "Maybe we can have springs built at the palace in Haolin," Xiao Zai said, clearing his throat. "They wouldn''t be hot springs of course, but...uh, it gets warm in Zui too, in the summer months." He expected to be mocked for his suggestion, especially when Chu Yun''s fingers still on his hair, but instead Chu Yun''s eyes meet his own through the mirror and the corner of his lips tugs up. "I''d like that." "It took us almost a week of marriage to finally agree on something," Xiao Zai said. "Maybe in a month I''ll call you ''dear''," Chu Yun said, his tone teasing but not mocking. Xiao Zai was once again reminded of the ill-fated competition in the bath tub. He knew what Chu Yun looked like when he came but not what his lips felt like. He chanced a look at his reflection, now that he was once again combing his hair. Chu Yun''s lips looked soft and inviting, so unlike the words they shaped. "I suppose you can go first," Chu Yun said, still inspecting himself in the mirror. "You''re the guest after all." It was obvious from his tone of voice how much Chu Yun didn''t want that and was actually anticipating going to the springs himself. Xiao Zai shook his head with a chuckle. "No, you go first." "If you insist." Chu Yun took a washbasin and cloth with him, but came to a sudden stop on the doorway. He turned towards Xiao Zai and opened his mouth, but closed it right away, shaking his head and leaving the room without another word. --- Xiao Zai kept himself busy by rifling through a collection of books on the shelves in the room. Something told him this might have been Chu Yun''s room when he lived here, judging by how all of the books were about statecraft, military tactics, agriculture and animal husbandry. Those last two were a surprise to Xiao Zai, but before he could really dig into any volume, Chu Yun returned in a fragrant cloud of orchid and pine. His scent heightened by the moisture of the springs. The stretch of bare skin around his collarbones was faintly pink from the heat. "All yours," Chu Yun said, still drying a few stray droplets from around his neck. His scent was permeating the whole room, tickling Xiao Zai''s nose and tightening like a vice around his chest. He quickly picked up his own washbasin and left without another word. Outside, a servant showed him the way to the hot springs, which he found without issue. Xiao Zai sank into the warm waters with a relieved sigh, glad to wash away Chu Yun''s intoxicating, overwhelming scent. There were a few bamboo torches scattered around the perimeter of the hot springs, but the night was so dark that it seemed to suck the light out of the air. Which could explain why someone would have stumbled out there without noticing that the hot springs were already in use. By the time the sweet scent of pomegranates and plums invaded Xiao Zai''s senses, it was already too late. Read novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 23 - The Fox Is Furious You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com The heady scent of an omega in season was unmistakable, and its effects were immediately devastating for Xiao Zai. In a matter of seconds he was bowled over in the springs, clinging to the rocky edge of the pool like it was the last threads of his sanity. What was Chu Hean doing here? Xiao Zai''s animal instincts told him to follow the scent, and lay claim to its owner. His wolf was hollowing for him to take action, but Xiao Zai dug his fingers into the stone and stayed where he was. "Go away! There''s someone here," Xiao Zai muttered, through gritted teeth, fighting against every instinct in his body. With his senses heightened as they were, it was impossible for him not to hear Chu Hean''s breathless moan, "Alpha, it hurts." Xiao Zai could smell his scent coming closer. He closed his eyes, shutting them tightly against the incoming onslaught. He heard the sound of water splashing, and then felt a heated touch on his knee. "Alpha, why won''t you look at me?" This close Chu Hean''s scent was overwhelming, Xiao Zai wanted nothing more than to dig his tightly coiled fingers into his sweet smelling skin and follow that delicious scent to its source. "Go away, please," he begged, biting hard enough on his lower lip to draw blood. Chu Hean whined, low and pitiful in the back of his throat. "You smell so good, alpha, how can I? Don''t you think I smell good, too?" Xiao Zai thought he smelled good enough to eat, but that was entirely beside the point. "I''m married to your brother, please leave." "He doesn''t want to be married to you, he doesn''t even like you. You''re both alphas, he''ll understand." Understand was the last thing Chu Yun would do, if Xiao Zai even survived that long. Xiao Zai wouldn''t want to be on the receiving end of Chu Yun''s wounded pride in the best circumstances, let alone in the worst. But he didn''t have much longer before he lost complete control of his higher brain functions and just gave into what his body wanted. Chu Hean was clearly beyond listening to reason, or he wouldn''t be here debasing himself like this. Xiao Zai needed to act fast, before the omega pheromones completely overwhelmed him. He sucked in a breath through his mouth and said, "You''re right," before opening his eyes and looking at Chu Hean. Chu Hean had fallen into the spring in his white inner robes, which had turned transparent in the water, leaving very little to the imagination, including the peaks of his pink nipples. He fell forward into Xiao Zai''s chest, breathing heavily. Xiao Zai took advantage of his position to secure him by the shoulders and push him underwater. Chu Hean gasped in shock when he realised what was happening, but Xiao Zai ignored the protective instincts telling him to pay attention to the omega in distress. He dragged himself off the pool, scraping his knees and palms on the rough stone. He threw his discarded robes roughly over his shoulders, and ran back to his rooms. --- Chu Yun was reading peacefully in the room when Xiao Zai burst through the doors, dripping wet and with his robes only halfway on. "Why are you walking around like that? Are you trying to give the servants an eyeful? I thought you Zui wolves were all prudes." There was something wild in Xiao Zai''s eyes, but before Chu Yun could ask him what was going on he crossed the distance between them and threw himself into Chu Yun''s arms on the bed. He buried his head into the crook of Chu Yun''s neck and took in big lungfuls of his smell, holding on to Chu Yun''s waist to keep him in place. Chu Yun had no idea why he was being scented so aggressively, but Xiao Zai''s proximity was making him tense up all over. His humid breath was raising goosebumps all over Chu Yun''s neck, making his head swim uncomfortably. "What are you doing?" Chu Yun hissed. He tried to push Xiao Zai off of himself, but his grip was relentless. "Wait, let me...clear my head," he said, his breathing laboured. He kept scenting Chu Yun, and making sounds of distress, little howls of pain. Reluctantly, Chu Yun patted him on the back. "There, there, are you all better now?" Xiao Zai didn''t answer him. Chu Yun had no idea why scenting another alpha would calm him down, but the wolves never ceased to surprise him with their weirdness. As far as Chu Yun knew, the only thing it did was replace whatever pheromones Xiao Zai had last been in contact with, with Chu Yun''s own. Chu Yun went very still. At the same time he became aware of a faint scent, clinging to Xiao Zai like spiderweb silk. "Why do you smell like Hean?" Chu Yun asked, pushing Xiao Zai off him with a roar, almost sending him toppling to the floor. "He showed up in the hot springs, I...I got away," Xiao Zai said, rubbing at his eyes. He looked a lot more composed than when he burst into the room, but Chu Yun was seeing red. He grabbed the front of Xiao Zai''s robes and pulled him up until their eyes met. "If you touched my brother, I''m going to make you regret ever being born." Xiao Zai closed his hand around Chu Yun''s wrist, trying to dislodge his grip. "I didn''t fucking touch your brother!" he snarled, his eyes shining with barely contained indignation. Chu Yun let go of him with a growl. Xiao Zai''s robes were clinging to his wet skin, making Chu Yun think about what might have happened in the springs. He wrenched his eyes away in disgust. "If you touched him, I don''t care if it starts a war, I won''t remain married to you. You won''t humiliate me like this." He stepped away from Xiao Zai, his upper lip curled up in disdain. "I''ll have to check on Hean." He was nearly at the door when Xiao Zai said, from behind him.. "While you''re at it ask your brother what he was doing outside at night during his season." Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 24 - The Fox Offends The Wolf Xiao Zai scrambled up into the bed, and lied face-first into the mussed sheets, smelling strongly of Chu Yun. He gathered the sheets in his fists and inhaled deeply, hoping the crisp orchid and pine scent would cleanse his mind from Chu Hean''s cloying pheromones. In time, the fog clouding his thoughts lifted, and his senses returned to normal, even though he was still feeling like a pot left too long on the fire. There was no doubt in Xiao Zai''s mind that Chu Hean stumbling out into the springs wasn''t an accident. Whether it was Chu Hean who did it on purpose, or the result of someone else''s intervention, Xiao Zai wouldn''t know. But most likely the people in the Prince of Jing''s estate wouldn''t see it that way. He didn''t know how much time passed before Chu Yun''s return, but the sound of the door slamming shut announced his presence in dramatic fashion. "Hean is sleeping," Chu Yun said, walking up to Xiao Zai sitting up in bed and glaring at him. "My parents have been informed, but tomorrow a royal physician will have to come to the palace to check if Hean is still..," he swallowed, and said, "ignorant of an alpha''s touch," through gritted teeth. "I didn''t lay a finger on him," Xiao Zai said, returning Chu Yun''s glare. "That doesn''t matter, my brother is a member of the royal family, so he''ll still have to go through an extremely invasive exam in order to make sure his virtue isn''t questioned in any future marriage arrangements." Chu Yun sat down at the other end of the bed with a sigh, and hid his face between his palms. "Hean is such a reserved person, he''ll be mortified once he returns to his senses tomorrow." Xiao Zai held his tongue. The Chu Hean who accosted him on the hot springs yesterday wasn''t what he''d call "reserved". But Xiao Zai had never been in the presence of an omega in heat, so maybe that was what all of them were like. "I''m sorry that he''ll have to go through that." Xiao Zai meant his words, he was well aware of the many indignities omegas suffered, on account of seeing his dam experience them through the years. "I really am, but I did nothing, I was in the springs, bathing." Chu Yun turned sideways on the bed and gave him a pointed look. "Are you sure? Because like you said, Hean had no reason to be out during his heat. However, if an alpha sent out a powerful enough wave of pheromones, it would attract an omega in heat, even if they were several rooms away and behind locked doors." "Is that what he told you?"Xiao Zai asked, trying to keep his tone even. "He was delirious and crying in pain! He wasn''t in any condition to say anything," Chu Yun said, as if Xiao Zai was the one responsible for Chu Hean''s suffering. "So you just assumed that was something I would do?" Before Chu Yun had the chance to answer, Xiao Zai got up from the bed, gathering his wrinkled robes around himself. "I''m going to find somewhere else to sleep." Chu Yun shot up to his feet, and stepped in front of Xiao Zai''s path. "Where do you think you''re going? You''re staying right here where I can see you." Xiao Zai pushed him away none too gently. He was used to suffering humiliations in the royal palace, but that didn''t mean he wanted to stay here and listen to Chu Yun dish out abuse. All he wanted to do was leave for Zui immediately, preferably leaving Chu Yun behind. "I won''t come close to your brother, I just can''t look at your face right now." Chu Yun''s mouth fell open in shock. Xiao Zai took the opportunity to walk past him, and left the room. --- Chu Yun slept terribly, his sleep plagued by vague nightmares that made him wake up in the middle of the night with his heart racing. In the morning he got dressed alone, without asking for any servants'' assistance. He wasn''t in the mood to see anyone, but before he could leave the room and go see how his brother was doing, a gentle knock sounded outside his door. "Enter," Chu Yun said, sliding the hairpin in place to secure his hair while he looked at his reflection in front of the vanity mirror. His mother slipped inside the room quietly, closing the door behind her with a soft thud. She walked towards Chu Yun, and took a seat on the floor behind him, meeting his eyes through the vanity''s gold mirror. "Oh, child, you look terrible." Chu Yun let out an amused snort. "Mother is being polite." She placed her small hands on his shoulders and squeezed. "Your brother is fine, the physician will be here to confirm it, but an omega knows these things. Nothing happened to him." A muscle jumped in Chu Yun''s jaw. "It was an unnecessarily close call." His mother smiled kindly. She pulled the hairpin out of Chu Yun''s haircrown and started redoing his high pony tail. "I know how close the two of you are, and you know I love Hean as if he were my own..." Chu Yun sensed a but, and sure enough it came, "but I think he''s been spending far too much time with that old man up in the mountains." That was not what Chu Yun expected to hear. "He''s just focused on his studies." His mother gave him a pointed look through the mirror. "He can practice the guqin at home, he doesn''t need to be up there constantly." Chu Yun didn''t think Chu Hean showed an unusual interest in music lessons. He spent at most a week every month up there. Some of his master''s students lived at the academy. "It''s a good environment for him. His master is an elderly beta man, and all the students are omegas like him," Chu Yun said, unsure of where his mother was trying to get with this. "Is it a good environment? That old man is blind as a bat, and I bet his hearing isn''t all there either. What kind of mischief can he get up there with all those other young people, without any kind of decent supervision." Chu Yun sighed. "I''ll have a talk with him before leaving, tell him to spend more time at home." In truth, he wanted to do no such thing, and would probably just warn Chu Hean that his mother was becoming annoyed by his absences. She tightening his pony tail with a sharp tug, making him wince. "What I''m trying to tell you is that your brother hasn''t been the cute little boy who trailed after you like a puppy in a long time. Soon enough he''ll come of age and be a man like you." Her keen eyes met Chu Yun''s through the mirror. "Chu Hean is no longer a child, don''t expect him to act like one." Read novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 25 - The Fox Has Second Thoughts Best novel online free at novelhall.com His mother''s words stayed with Chu Yun long after she had left. He always thought he and Chu Hean were close, as close as any siblings could be. But now that he thought about it, it had been a long time since they had a conversation about something that wasn''t the mundanes comings and goings of the palace, or gossip from the capital. Compared with the day before, the mood in the estate was very subdued, with many of the servants stopping all conversations when they saw Chu Yun approach. He wanted to go see Chu Hean, but he knew he would be meeting with the physician soon, and didn''t want to disturb him. Chu Yun was sitting on the sill of one of the moon windows in the main courtyard, lost in his own thoughts, when his father approached him. At first he had thought that being surrounded by nature would calm his troubled mind, when that didn''t happen, he just stayed where he was for lack of a better place to go. Xiao Zai might be anywhere in the palace, and Chu Yun didn''t want to bump into him. "What are you doing here?" his father asked, taking a seat next to Chu Yun. "I''ve been looking everywhere for you. Your brother is fine, his season is over, and he wants to talk with you." Chu Yun nodded. "I''ll go see him." Before he could stand up his father held him back by the crook of his arm. "How are things in Zui? Have you been treated well?" He considered mentioning that the Zui king was making him and Xiao Zai live in the dilapidated estate of a traitor, and that Xiao Zai''s dam-father was possible responsible for the late Queen Consort''s death. In the end he didn''t want to worry his father. "I can''t complain, Xiao Zai isn''t favoured but he treats me well." His father sighed, letting out a huge, relieved breath. "You know, this business with your brother, it got me worried...I''m glad he isn''t being cruel to you, but you need to remember you''re at a disadvantage." He patted the back of Chu Yun''s hand. "I know you''re proud, but you need to keep your head down next to those wolves. We still don''t know what merited this marriage, and your uncle well..," he shook his head, "beside the gifts for your dowry we haven''t heard from him." That wasn''t surprising to Chu Yun, his uncle was merely glad to have removed him. There was nothing else to be said between them. "We''re very proud of you, you know?" his father said suddenly, his voice oddly heavy. "I''ve often wondered if I and your mother have spoiled you too much, but you accepted your duty with dignity and honoured our family." "Papa...,"Chu Yun''s voice trembled. He wished he wasn''t a married man so he could hug his father and let him pet his head, as he had done so often when Chu Yun was younger. His father rubbed the bridge of his noise to wipe away the water lining his eyes discreetly. "This isn''t what we wanted for you, and I suspect it wasn''t what you wanted either, but I hope you can find a modicum of happiness in the life fate laid out for you." Chu Yun nodded. "I will, papa, I''ll find a way." His father patted the back of his hand again. "Good, that''s good," he cleared his throat, schooling his features back into neutrality. "Well, go check on your brother, he''ll be happy to see you." --- Chu Yun found his brother resting in bed, covered in his duvet up to the nose, and surrounded by all kinds of food. "Dage, I''m so embarrassed," he said as soon as he saw Chu Yun, and pulled the duvet further up his nose. "I need to apologise to you and brother-in-law for my behaviour yesterday." Chu Yun took a seat next to him on the bed, making him scoot a little to the side to give him space. "Does that mean that he didn''t do anything...I mean, he didn''t try to uh..." His brother shook his head, grimacing. "No, ah, I''m afraid I was the one who approached him, I have no idea why. I remember he was very adamant I leave." To Chu Yun''s surprise, hearing those words out of Chu Hean''s mouth lifted a great weight off his shoulders. He slumped bonelessly against the headboard with a loud sigh. "Good, that means I won''t have to kill him." Actually, it meant that he owed Xiao Zai an apology, but he was so relieved that even the prospect of grovelling wasn''t that terrible. "I''m really sorry to have caused trouble, and you''re almost leaving too," Chu Hean''s face fell. "Maybe I should have stayed at the academy instead of coming here during my season." The mention of the academy immediately perked Chu Yun''s interest. "Mother tells me you''re really interested in your classes lately." Chu Hean hummed noncommittally. "I think it''s not a good for me to be near alphas, maybe I should spend more time at the academy like the other disciples." That came out of nowhere. Chu Yun looked searchingly into Chu Hean''s sweet peach blossom eyes. "Be honest with me. Did you go out and find Xiao Zai on purpose yesterday?" Chu Hean looked up at him, his eyes wide and guileless. "Of course not, but maybe I lose control of my pheromones around alphas? Who knows, I''ve heard some other omegas complain about it." He sighed. "All the more reason to stay up at the academy, right?" "Right," Chu Yun agreed, standing up from the bed. "Well, I''ll let you rest. We''ll see each other later." Chu Yun left his brother''s room in a complicated mood. In all their years together, Chu Yun had no memory of Chu Hean ever lying to him, yet he was sure he''d just done it now. He just didn''t understand why. He owed Xiao Zai more than an apology, but he needed to find him first. You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 26 - The Wolf Disappears You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Finding Xiao Zai proved more difficult than Chu Yun initially thought. He took several laps of the estate without finding nor hide nor hair of him. It was possible that Xiao Zai was also in motion, and this was why Chu Yun couldn''t find him. But after burning several incense sticks of time searching for him, even Chu Yun had to admit defeat. Hua Nanyi was equally as elusive at first, but eventually he found her in the kitchens catching up with the other servants she was friends with. "Nanyi have you seen uh, His Highness?" He changed his term of address for Xiao Zai at the last minute. While everyone around the palace was used to his casual relationship with Hua Nanyi, maybe it was a good idea for them to see Chu Yun showing his husband the proper deference in public -- considering the latest developments. "I apologize, but I haven''t seen him," Hua Nanyi said, turning back to her conversation. Chu Yun was about the leave the kitchen when a young boy in the back, with neat hair and bright eyes said, "I saw him leave the estate, he was riding the black mare that young master usually favours." Xiao Zai had left the palace? And riding Little Butterfly, no less? If Chu Yun wasn''t feeling so magnanimous, on account of his unfair judgement of him, he would be inclined to curse him. "Do you have any idea where he might have gone?" he asked, smiling pleasantly through his annoyance. The young boy looked a little panicked. "Ah, apologies, to uh, young master, master, Master Chu...uh Second Master, but this servant didn''t see." Several of the servants around him were trying to hold back their smiles watching him try to come up with a proper term of address for Chu Yun now that he was 1) a married man, 2) no longer part of the household of the Prince of Jing, 3) still an alpha. Chu Yun had bigger problems right now. He thanked the servants for their time and left, headed for the stables. The palace of the Prince of Jing was located in a sprawling estate just outside of Lanzhou, in a village that boasted some of the most fertile farmland in all the kingdom. Several noble families had estates in Jinglin. For all its bucolic countryside landscape, there was almost nothing to do in Jinglin. And with Lanzhou a scant hour away, there was little incentive to create such entertainment. Chu Yun doubted that Xiao Zai would have stayed around Jinglin and its walled estates. With great resignation, he saddled a much inferior horse than Little Butterfly, and set off to Lanzhou, where he hoped to find Xiao Zai. --- Red Beauty was sure he had never met someone quite like him. The man was currently sitting by the window, drinking his wine in silence, declining all offers for company, while very much taking up a private room in a brothel. "He must have lost his lover," Purple Beauty, told him, whispering the words into his hear from behind her handkerchief. "That''s why he''s so reluctant to ask for our company, his body yearns, but his heart aches." Her words painted a vivid picture in Red Beauty''s mind. He could imagine the handsome stranger running his long fingers reverently over the robes of his long departed love. His only reminder of someone who was gone forever. The handsome alpha''s heart urged him to remain loyal until the grave, but his body had urges he couldn''t control. And so, he had wandered here, into the Fragrant Spring Field, after much reluctance. Red Beauty couldn''t help admiring his royal profile as he sat in front of the open window, his sleek hair shining under the bright noon sunlight. The handsome alpha paid for his room and them immediately went down into the first floor, to sit among the other costumers and entertainers. Red Beauty had tried to approach him, as had Purple Beauty, and a number of other courtesans, but without much success. The alpha with the cold eyes turned them all away. The Fragrant Spring Field brothel boasted some of the most beautiful omega and beta courtesans in all of Lanzhou, so the man''s long lost love must have been an incredible beauty for him to be able to resist them so stoically. Naturally, that only made Red Beauty want him more. Something he rarely felt towards the brothel''s patrons. Who, more often than not, would crawl on their hands and knees for one of his rare smiles, and if pushed to it, cry pathetically while begging him to let them knot him. No, Red Beauty wasn''t going to give up without a fight. He was the famed Red Peony of Lanzhou, the omega who, when faced with an arranged marriage to an elderly, perverted alpha, said, "I''d rather be the whore of every man for a day, than be the whore of a single man for a lifetime," and walked straight into the Fragrant Spring Field, looking for employment. He walked up to the stranger''s table and sat at his side, making sure to showcase his bare shoulders, and the tantalising view of his exposed collarbones. "Is young master sure there''s no extra service our humble establishment can provide for him? This lowly one would be delighted to-" The stranger cut him off, "More wine." Red Beauty''s smile almost slipped. He wasn''t a fucking waiter. Just as he was leaning over the table in what he knew was an extremely seductive manner, someone irrupted through the brothel''s doors. The newcomer was almost as tall as Red Beauty''s silent stranger, but while the stranger''s eyes were tantalisingly cool, like a lake frozen in the winter, the newcomer''s eyes blazed with the heat of a wildfire. He was an alpha too, as were most of the brothel''s clientele, but instead of inviting, his crisp orchid and pine scent was sending out a single clear sign: "Back off." As if that wasn''t unusual enough, he made a beeline for the stranger''s table, completely ignoring Red Beauty, and grabbed the other alpha by the collar of his iron grey robes. "I search for you everywhere, and this is where I find you?" The man''s lips curled up, revealing the sharp points of his canines. "Barely a week after our wedding and you''re already visiting brothels?" Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 27 - The Wolf Gets In Trouble You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Xiao Zai was so startled by Chu Yun''s sudden, and loud, presence at his side, that it took him some time to make sense of his angry accusation. "A brothel?" he echoed. It was only then that he took in his surroundings. The tearoom was filled with the scent of perfumed flowers, a crisp counterpoint to the sweet, fruity scent of the omega waiters -- which, Xiao Zai was now realising, weren''t waiters at all, -- this combined with the sumptuous decoration in deep red tones, and the three beautiful omegas on a little stage in the centre of the room, playing instruments in ways that couldn''t be comfortable, but were definitely suggestive, made Xiao Zai realise that what Chu Yun was accusing him of was probably true. "There are no brothels in Zui," was his only defence. Chu Yun''s refined features went from pinched with indignation to lax with shock in a span of seconds. Slowly, he let go of Xiao Zai''s robes. "What do you mean there are no brothels in Zui? There are brothels everywhere." "Not in Zui," Xiao Zai inssisted. The pretty waiter in red -- not a waiter -- he had completely forgotten about, spoke up. "Does that mean there are no prostitutes in Zui?" "No, there are prostitutes, just no brothels." He could tell that his words were confusing both of them, but more than that, they had reignited Chu Yun''s anger. "Then how did you fail to notice that you were in one?" He asked, tilting his head pointedly at the man in red, still sitting by Xiao Zai''s table. Xiao Zai spared him only a cursory glance. "You Xin people all dress in very flimsy clothes." Chu Yun''s expression went from shocked to absolutely livid. "Are you suggesting that me and him dress alike?" The beautiful omega shifted in place under the combined attention of both Xiao Zai and Chu Yun. Xiao Zai frowned when he realised the omega was trying to make himself more attractive. Now that he was paying attention, he noticed how unusual the open and wide neckline of his thin robes was. Even if the people in Xin usually wore thinner robes than the standard in Zui they didn''t usually show so much skin either. He decided not to comment. Although, his mind couldn''t help offering him up an image of Chu Yun''s switching robes with the omega looking expectantly between the two of them. Xiao Zai cleared his throat. "Regardless, I can''t see how this would affect your already low opinion of me." He met Chu Yun''s fiery eyes as he filled his cup and downed it all again. "I came to apologise to you," Chu Yun said, through gritted teeth. "Hean....might not have been candid." Xiao Zai raised his eyebrows and made a noncommittal sound. "And now you''ve found me in a brothel." "And now I''ve found you in a brothel," Chu Yun said, like it pained him to admit. "What are you going to do about it?" Xiao Zai asked, meeting Chu Yun''s eyes above the rim of the wine cup. The courtesan playing witness to their domestic spat cleared his throat. "If any of the gentlemen cares for it, our humble establishment also offers services to couples." He took out a perfumed handkerchief from the inside of his billowy sleeve and hid a coy smile behind it. "This one would be honoured--" Xiao Zai watched, with great interest, as Chu Yun''s face went through several expressions, before finally settling on complete puzzlement. "Why are you still here?" he asked the courtesan, completely immune to his charms. "Go peddle your services somewhere else." And then he waited for the omega to get up from his seat and do just that. Before turning the full force of his glare back on Xiao Zai. "Let''s go," Chu Yun said, tilting his head towards the brothel''s entrance. "I booked rooms here," Xiao Zai said, nonplussed. Chu Yun let out an exasperated sigh. "Why would you do that?" "It''s why I came here in the first place," he explained, "I thought this place was an inn." Granted, he thought it was a little on the ostentatious side, but considering his own station, and Chu Yun''s family, he thought it wouldn''t be proper for him to be seen finding lodgings somewhere cheap. Chu Yun kept looking at him, but something changed in his expression. "We have plenty of rooms back at the palace." Xiao Zai filled his cup again. "I didn''t want to stay somewhere my presence wasn''t welcomed." "That-" Chu Yun started but then stopped himself, pinching the bridge of his nose. He said something under his breath that sounded like ''fucking dramatic'', but Xiao Zai couldn''t be sure. He sighed deeply. "I''m sorry. I''m sorry for not believing you, I''m sorry for losing my temper with you." Chu Yun averted his eyes as he spoke, becoming fixated on a stain in the wooden table. "Are you sorry of accusing me of hiring prostitutes a week into our marriage?" Xiao Zai asked, hiding a smirk behind the wine cup as he downed its contents. Chu Yun''s fox eyes flashed in annoyance. "What was I supposed to think?" "The situation with your brother should that taught you that appearances can be deceiving." Chu Yun narrowed his eyes at him. "You''re a very aggravating man." There was something about seeing Chu Yun angry, and in this case, mostly at himself, that was incredibly appealing to Xiao Zai. His expression was so vividly indignant, his features so arrogantly superior, it made Xiao Zai want to, want to--- He never finished that thought but he came to a disturbing conclusion. "I think I might be drunk." To illustrate this, he put down his wine cup and tried to get up from the low table, succeeding only in getting up too fast and listing into Chu Yun like a boat about to capsize. Chu Yun held him up under the arm with a hiss. "Look at the sate you''re in? How am I supposed to take you back to my father''s palace if you can''t even sit up, let alone ride a horse." Xiao Zai had the perfect solution for that. "I have rooms here, let''s just stay the night." He patted Chu Yun''s pale cheek.. "You''re pretty enough to be a courtesan, no one will suspect us." You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 28 - The Fox Plays Babysitter When Chu Yun woke up that morning, he never expected that he would end his day carrying a drunk Xiao Zai to a private room in Lanzhou''s most notorious brothel -- after spending most of the day searching for him all over the city. He was aware of the looks the two of them were getting from the other patrons and courtesans as Chu Yun held Xiao Zai under the arms and helped him up the stairs. One alpha taking another up into the private rooms wasn''t the kind of thing they saw everyday. At the moment, Chu Yun''s biggest concern was getting Xiao Zai in bed as soon as possible, and avoid thinking about what he had said to him downstairs within earshot of at least five other patrons. The key to his private room was easy enough to locate in the inner pockets of his trim, dark robes, and it was usefully numbered. The problem for Chu Yun then, was manoeuvring Xiao Zai inside through the doorway. "Come on, just walk past the door," he grumbled, when Xiao held onto the lintel refusing to budge. "Where are you taking me?" he asked, narrowing his hazy eyes in an attempt to focus them on Chu Yun. "To the room you decided to book in Lanzhou''s most famous brothel, remember?" Xiao Zai gave him a look from below his long lashes, even though he had a height advantage on Chu Yun. "You just want to get me in bed." He smiled victoriously. "But I''m already married so you should give up." "I know...I''m the idiot who married you," Chu Yun said, finally pushing Xiao Zai into the room. He closed the door between them with a relived sigh, but now he was faced with a staggering Xiao Zai who was looking at the lavish room in utter confusion. "This doesn''t look like my room," he said, pointing at the damasque wood and silk curtains hanging from the canopy. "My house is a dump." Chu Yun groaned and sat down at the low table, serving himself a cup of wine. He needed to be a lot drunker to handle a drunk Xiao Zai. As soon as Xiao Zai heard the sound of wine trickling into the cup he turned towards Chu Yun. "I want some too." Chu Yun pulled the wine jar away from him. "Oh no you don''t, don''t even think about it. You''ve had enough." Xiao Zai let himself drop to the floor awkwardly, in a way that elicited a wince of sympathy from Chu Yun''s own knees. "You''re not the boss of me, you''re not Chu Yun." Chu Yun was about to complain about Xiao Zai''s nonsensical talk when he noticed what he''d said. His red lips split into a smug grin, he held the clay wine jar above Xiao Zai''s head, just out of reach. "So does that mean that Chu Yun is your boss?" Xiao Zai scoffed. "Of course not, but he thinks so." Chu Yun''s grin dimmed. "Maybe he is and you just haven''t noticed." Xiao Zai tried to reach for the wine but Chu Yun pulled it away from him with a laugh. Xiao Zai glared at his antics. His glare might have been threatening if he weren''t drunk off his ass. "Chu Yun married into my family, so if anything I''m the boss of him." Chu Yun lowered the wine jar back on the table with a dull thunk, making the wine slosh inside it. "Ok, that''s enough, stop this." "Or what? Are you going to tattle to Chu Yun." "That''s exactly what I''m going to do." Xiao Zai shrugged. "Do it, he looks pretty when he''s mad." He pointed at whatever Chu Yun''s face was doing. "Hey, kind of like that." Chu Yun got up to his feet with a groan. Xiao Zai could drink the entire jar for all he cared. "You''re impossible." He tried to walk away but Xiao Zai grasped the hem of his robe, keeping him in place. Chu Yun tried to wrench it free from his fingers but Xiao Zai''s grin only grew. "You really look a lot like Chu Yun, maybe you''re him and are just trying to trick me." Chu Yun rolled his eyes, still struggling to get his skirts free from Xiao Zai''s fingers. "I am him! You''re the one who convinced yourself I wasn''t in the first place." Xiao Zai narrowed his phoenix eyes at him, and then wound the skirts of Xiao Zai''s robe around his forearm, reeling a startled Chu Yun closer to him by making him hobble unsteadily. "I don''t believe you, but there''s an easy way to find out." He tugged violently on the bottom of Chu Yun''s robes making him topple into his lap with a startled yelp. Xiao Zai caught Chu Yun in his arms settling him across his lap and keeping him in place with a steady grip on his waist. "What are you doing?" Xiao Zai hissed, trying to pry Chu Yun''s fingers away from his waist one-by-one. "I''m making sure you''re not Chu Yun," Xiao Zai said, and then buried his nose into Chu Yun''s neck, breathing in deeply. Chu Yun went still in his arms, all the fight draining out of him by the shock of Xiao Zai''s actions. Xiao Zai kept scenting him, taking big lungfuls of his pheromones. The humidity of his breath tickled Chu Yun''s skin. Xiao Zai''s grip grew tighter and he started making low, keening sounds from the back of his throat. "Stop, what-..." Chu Yun tried to free himself again, but there was an unbearable heat climbing up his throat. He had never been in this position before, and it was doing things to his head. "You are Chu Yun," Xiao Zai said, his voice deep and rumbling.. "I''d recognise your scent anywhere, it''s the only thing I like about you." Read novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 29 - The Wolf Has A Rude Awakening You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Xiao Zai woke up with a crushing headache and feeling as if something had crawled down his throat and died there. With great effort, he managed to peel his eyes open and take in his surroundings. He recognised the room he''d booked in the brothel, although it was distinctively more dishevelled than he remembered. With a groan, he managed to free himself of the sheets coiling around his middle and sat up in bed. The room looked like a herd of stampeding horses had gone through it, toppling everything, and even breaking a wine jar. Its spilled contents hadn''t yet dried on the wooden floor. Xiao Zai rubbed his eyes with a yawn. "Stop hogging the covers," said a mumbled, sleep-thick voice, beside him. Chu Yun was laying in bed next to Xiao Zai, apparently naked under the silk comforter. One of his fluffy fox ears was bent in an uncomfortable position beneath his head, while the other stuck out straight from between his loose hair. His nine tails were wrapped all over his back like a thick fur blanket. "Uh," was all Xiao Zai was capable of saying. He looked down at himself and realised he was naked too. Completely naked. "Wake up," he said, shaking Chu Yun by the shoulder. With a groan Chu Yun opened his yellow eyes, looking up at Xiao Zai blearily. "G''morning." "What happened last night?" Xiao Zai asked, through gritted teeth. "You were drunk." That much Xiao Zai remembered, and he had the hangover to prove it. He had a vivid recollection of Chu Yun storming into the brothel, but after that things got hazy. "And after that?" He insisted, annoyed at Chu Yun''s carefree demeanour. Chu Yun grumbled among the pillows, turning his back on Xiao Zai. His tails had slipped down his torso and now Xiao Zai had an unimpeded view of the lean, shifting muscles of his back -- and the collection of purpling kiss marks littering it. Xiao Zai felt the colour drain from his face. He did that? He must have, because the alternative was that someone else did that to the man he was married to, and despite their feelings of animosity, Xiao Zai wasn''t sure his pride could take the slight. "Tell me what happened," he asked again, this time more urgently. Chu Yun grumbled something and turned around again, glaring at Xiao Zai, his yellow fox eyes flashing in annoyance. "Nothing happened, stop bothering me." Xiao Zai found that very hard to believe. He pointed at Chu Yun''s back. "Uh...your, uh, your back..." "Oh, that," he waved away Xiao Zai''s complaining. "You were crazy, scenting me, trying to get my clothes off, your clothes off...for a while there I thought you were going into rut." That was a shocking revelation to wake up to. Xiao Zai could only look on in stunned silence as Chu Yun recounted an embarrassing series of events. Chu Yun was either oblivious to Xiao Zai''s discomfort, or uncaring. "Anyway, you didn''t smell like you were in rut, so it wasn''t that." "Uh..." "The damage on my back is your fault, you kept kissing, and biting me while trying to get my robes off." "I apologise," Xiao Zai said, lowering his eyes in embarrassment. It seemed as if he couldn''t stop putting himself in terrible situations in front of Chu Yun. One of Chu Yun''s fluffy ears twitched and he smirked up at Xiao Zai, his head resting on his crossed arms. "Better me than my brother." Xiao Zai glared at him, which only made Chu Yun laugh. All in all, Xiao Zai thought he was taking his ungentlemanly actions of the day before surprisingly well. "You''re uh...you''re not upset?" Chu Yun''s grin grew wider, which was very concerning. "Oh no, not at all." "Why?" Did Xiao Zai even want to know? "Because now I have this to hold over your head." Of course. He should have expected something like this. He got out of the bed with a grunt, no longer all that embarrassed about his nudity. Chu Yun shifted around on the bed while Xiao Zai gathered his clothes. He supported his head on his open palm, and looked on as Xiao Zai picked up his discarded clothes from the floor. "Are you mad at me?" Xiao Zai didn''t answer him. "That''s rich, you''re the one who almost mauled me," he chuckled, "do you know what that tells me?" Again, Xiao Zai didn''t say anything, all of his clothes were almost on. "It tells me that you''re probably as repressed as you look." Finally Xiao Zai turned around and shot him a glare, fastening his waist sash around himself with sharp, urgent tugs. "Don''t look like that, it means there''s hope for you. Maybe we''ll even get along when you unwind." That sounded ominous. "And how do you expect to do that?" Chu Yun''s other fox ear twitched, signalling his excitement. "With lots of positive encouragement." Xiao Zai didn''t know what that meant, but one thing he was sure of: He was never drinking in Chu Yun''s company again. He picked up Chu Yun''s inner robes from the floor and threw them at the bed. "Get dressed, we need to go back to your parent''s house." --- Red Beauty was watching from his private balcony as the two alpha young masters left together. He had meanwhile learned of their identities, and he could barely contain his excitement. The first son of the Prince of Jing, and the King of Zui''s second son! Who would have thought that Red Beauty would be lucky enough to lay eyes on both of them. And the sounds coming from their room last night.... He took a deep breath and fanned himself as he watched the two alphas mount their horses -- one black and one white. They seemed to have a disagreement about which of them should ride which horse. There was no doubt in Red Beauty''s mind that both alphas had incredible stamina, just imagining the kind of things the two of them must have gotten up to last night made his blood run hotter. Some alphas liked seeing two omegas together, they thought there was no sight more erotic. They were wrong. On that crisp early autumn day, Red Beauty came to the conclusion that there was nothing more erotic than two alphas fighting for dominance until one of them caved, and bared his neck to the victor. He shivered, and went back inside with that delicious image burned into his mind. Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 30 - The Fox Schemes, The Wolf Frets You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Xiao Zai was oddly subdued during their ride back to the Prince of Jing''s estate, something that filled Chu Yun with silent glee. No doubt he was trying to turn the events of the previous night around in his mind -- a fruitless endeavour, someone that drunk would have trouble recalling their own name, let alone what they did. Chu Yun was once again riding his beloved Little Butterfly, and his mood had improved considerably compared to the day before. Sometimes he sneaked sideways glances at Xiao Zai, and could see his expression drawn in pensive frustration. He couldn''t make sense of his actions the night before, and the fact that Chu Yun was withholding the details from him was driving him insane. But Chu Yun hadn''t become a renowned strategist at such a young age out of the blue. He was going to keep that information close to his chest and dole it out only when it could be useful for him. It was already being useful. When they met yesterday, Xiao Zai had been very belligerent and upset over Chu Yun''s behaviour -- which was admittedly, warranted -- but now he was too busy trying to piece together the missing pieces in his memory to be upset at him. The whole thing had been forgotten because he thought he had done something worse, and couldn''t believe how comprehensive Chu Yun was being about the whole thing. Besides, Xiao Zai had revealed some important information last night that Chu Yun wanted to keep to himself. He smirked just remembered those whispered, frantic, declarations. "What are you smirking at?" Xiao Zai asked, looking at Chu Yun in extreme suspicion. "Me? Nothing, I''m just enjoying the view." He took advantage of his newfound information by releasing a subtle wave of pheromones. Immediately Xiao Zai started sniffing the air. He glanced at Chu Yun, but when Chu Yun''s expression didn''t change he lowered his eyes and stayed quiet. And just like that, Chu Yun had an effective way of shutting him up forever and winning every argument from then on. To say nothing of everything else Xiao Zai had feverishly revealed. The days ahead didn''t feel so strained anymore, Chu Yun might just have stumbled into the perfect way of ensuring this marriage worked in his favour. He would be kingmaker, and he would have the future king of Zui eating out of his palm. After all, the man had told him as much himself. --- Xiao Zai felt no small amount of embarrassment when he arrived at the Prince of Jing''s estate. Madam Jing was already waiting for them by the gates, and rushed to Chu Yun''s side as soon as he dismounted. "Where have you been? You left without saying a word...staying out all day like that...I was so worried something might have happened!" Chu Yun shot a glance at Xiao Zai, and for a terrible moment Xiao Zai was worried that he''d tell his mother that he''d found Xiao Zai in a brothel and that they stayed the night there -- he surely wouldn''t be able to live that down. "Lanzhou is a very big city, his Highness wanted to see the sights and got lost," he smiled charmingly at his mother and shrugged, "it took me some time to find him, and by then it was too late for the two of us to return so we just stayed at an inn." The Madam sighed in obvious relief, but after some time smacked Chu Yun on the shoulder with the billowy end of her wide sleeve. "That''s for worrying your mother! You insolent brat." Chu Yun followed her into the house, cajoling her with sweet words. Xiao Zai was relieved to have been spared the humiliation, and to be alone once again. He took both horses by their leads to the stables, where he found Little Pan and a few other of his and Chu Yun''s servants milling about. The conversation died down the minute he approached, which left Xiao Zai immediately on high alert. He cleared his throat and approached the servants. "Has...something happened?" They all lowered their eyes or looked somewhere else, except Little Pan who squared his shoulders and lifted his chin. "Your Highness, a delivery of produce arrived to the estate late last night from Lanzhou." Oh no. At this point two other servants were tugging on Little Pan''s sleeves to get him to stop talking, but he went on, undaunted, "they brought news from the capital. According to them the Prince of Jing''s first son, and the second son of the king of Zui were seen going up together into a room in one of the capital''s most famous brothels." Oh no. Xiao Zai''s face was probably doing something terrifying, judging by the looks on the faces of the other servants. Only brave Little Pan didn''t seem to fear for his life. "Your Highness will be pleased to hear," -- Xiao Zai wasn''t pleased to be hearing any of this --, "that those simple labourers from the capital had no idea they were talking to his Highness'' private servants, and we managed to disencourage them from discussing that kind of baseless gossip with anyone else." At that, all the other servants started nodding enthusiastically. "Swear on my ancestor''s graves we haven''t told a soul," one of them said, a bald man who must have been in his early fifties. Xiao Zai finally breathed out a sigh of relief. "Yes, good, it wouldn''t do for those baseless rumours to spread further." He cleared his throat. "You''ll all be rewarded for your excellent work once we return to Zui." With that, Xiao Zai squared his shoulders and left, walking in the direction of his and Chu Yun''s guest quarters in the Prince''s estate. The group of lively servants watched their master depart in silence, until the youngest of them all, a boy of no more than sixteen asked: "Do you think we should have told him that those men also said that the ''rumours'' had spread all over the capital in less than a few hours?" The bald man smacked the young boy upside the head. "Foolish boy, next you''ll want to tell him they''re drawing up pornographic paintings of the two of them as we speak!" Read novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 31 - The Fox Has Unwanted Visitors You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chu Yun spent a very pleasant day in the company of his family, after he and Xiao Zai returned from Lanzhou. Even Chu Hean made an appearance for the afternoon meal, and entertained everyone by playing a few melodies on the guqin. Whatever else he was doing up there in the academy in the mountains, he had clearly been working hard on his music skills. It had been a while since he played for them, but his improvement was noticeable. Xiao Zai was subdued and quiet through the whole thing, albeit polite when talking with Chu Yun''s parents, and his father''s concubines on the rare occasions they engaged him in conversation. This was an ideal scenario for Chu Yun -- if he could keep Xiao Zai this docile at all times, his life would be much quieter when they returned to Zui. That night Xiao Zai even slept in the same bedroom as Chu Yun without voicing any complaints, although he stayed as physically distant from Chu Yun as he possibly could, which was easy to do in a bed that could easily fit four people. --- They left for Zui the next day. Predictably, Madam Jing cried through their entire farewell. Chu Yun hugged her tight and whispered in her, just before letting go, "Keep an eye on Hean." She sobered immediately and nodded at him once, in silent acknowledgement of their previous conversation. Whatever was keeping Chu Hean so interested in staying up at the academy certainly couldn''t be good news. This time, Chu Yun was taking Little Butterfly with him on the journey back to Zui. If he ever got tired of sitting in the carriage he could always ride her instead and enjoy the breeze. The journey went by a lot slower this time around, because at least when they were going to Xin, Chu Yun had the excitement of seeing his family again to buoy him. Now they were returning to the cold foreign land where he was expected to live out the rest of his days, with only infrequent visits to his homeland. Chu Hean had promised to visit whenever he could, but Chu Yun wasn''t putting much stock in that. No, he was on his from now on, and he had to get used to it. He chanced a surreptitious glance at Xiao Zai, sitting across from him, his eyes closed and arms crossed in front of his chest. He had Xiao Zai too, he supposed -- whatever that meant. "This journey shouldn''t be this long," Chu Yun said, just to have something to say. Xiao Zai cracked his eyes open just a sliver and nodded. "It shouldn''t, but it was hard enough to build these roads as it is. Both Zui and Xin were adamant that the roads between the two countries could only pass through certain territories. The result is this," he waved towards the window. "The most winding, impractical, path possible." Chu Yun kept quiet, glancing at Xiao Zai from beneath his lashes. Now, here was something that could mark the beginning of Xiao Zai''s rule as king. Improving the roads between Xin and Zui was something that was sure to earn him some popularity among the gentry and commoners alike. The military nobility would be harder to sway -- but they were also the smaller group, albeit the most vocal. Chu Yun would have to consider his options carefully. He couldn''t hide the frisson of excitement at the challenge ahead. He might have been perfectly content lazing around in his father''s estate, safe in the knowledge that he was the smartest person in the entire country. But there was something to be said for the opportunity to prove it -- in two countries no less. "You know, sometimes you''ll start smiling to yourself and it just sends chills down my spine," Xiao Zai said, shaking his head. Despite himself, Chu Yun laughed. It made his already charming eyes look all the more enchanting. --- Despite how long and tortuous the journey was, it went by without incident. It was night when they arrived at the estate of "the traitor family relative" which reminded Chu Yun that they should really come up with a new name for the estate, to get rid of all the bad luck associated with the place. There was a carriage parked just inside the gates when they crossed them, which immediately sent Chu Yun into high alert. Light shone from inside the estate''s main building, further worrying Chu Yun. He was dismounting from the carriage when the doors to main hall opened and Gu Wei came out to greet them. "Father? What are you doing here?" He had stolen the words right out of Chu Yun''s mouth, although Xiao Zai''s tone was much more welcoming than Chu Yun''s would have been. Wasn''t it punishment enough that he had to live here? Did he also have to entertain his father-in-law after a multiple day journey? He tried to mask his grimace with a grin. "Father-in-law honours us with his presence." Gu Wei smiled beatifically. "Before you left, I told one of the servants to send word ahead when you made your last stop, so I had the time to prepare a warm meal to welcome the two of you home." He inspected his son''s appearance discreetly. "It was a long journey, and I didn''t want you to worry yourselves with food when you arrived." He waved towards the main hall. "The food has been kept warm, but we should eat soon." Chu Yun kept smiling through the offence of being welcomed into his own home. Inside, was a lavish spread laid out over two tables, which was a little worrisome. It was far too much food for the three of them. "I hope I haven''t been too presumptions, but I invited someone else to join us." He absolutely had been too presumptuous. Chu Yun sat down next to Xiao Zai on the floor and pinched his own thigh to keep his expression from shifting. "Not at all, who else will be joining us?" he asked, his gazed fixed on Gu Wei. Right on cue, two servants opened the double doors leading to the reception hall and an elderly woman wrapped in furs, and supporting herself on a exquisitely carved walking stick came in. A stone-faced servant walked at her side, not daring to touch her, but there in case she lost her footing. It took Chu Yun a moment to recognise the Queen Dowager without her heavy golden crown, and its twinkling hairpins. She smiled at the panicked look on Chu Yun''s face, revealing a row of yellowed teeth.. "It warms this old widow''s heart to see the younger generation looking so alert after such a strenuous journey." You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 32 - The Wolf Gets Bad News You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Xiao Zai sat up straighter. What his grandmother meant was that it pleased her to see them both so flustered. He chanced a sideways look at his dam, who was sitting across from him and Chu Yun, drinking a cup of tea leisurely. The Queen Dowager was sitting at the head of the table, inspecting all of them like a weiqi(1) player, considering where to put down her stones next. His dam had said he invited the Queen Dowager, but it was more likely that she had invited herself. She was never as antagonistic towards Gu Wei and Xiao Zai as the king, but it was hard to tell what she was thinking. She gave the impression of someone who amused herself with everyone else''s bad decisions. There was also the mystery of her past -- how she came to marry the late king, and of course, her odd scent, that belied years of trying to live as something other than an omega. Xiao Zai couldn''t say he was happy to see the Queen Dowager, but he was curious about what her presence meant. She also made Chu Yun deeply uncomfortable, which was a nice plus. "Let''s eat, Bailiu went to all the trouble to prepare this meal, it would be a terrible waste for us to let the food get colder," she said, holding back one of the sleeves of her intricate travel robe, as she reached for a cut of meat. His dam tensed, as he always did when someone used his courtesy name. He had never told Xiao Zai the reason behind his distaste, beyond that the king had given it to him. Gu Wei was so young when he became the king''s concubine that Xiao Zai was already born by the time he came of age and got his courtesy name. Chu Yun started filling up his bowl slowly, with the same apprehension of always when it came to Zui food. Xiao Zai ate with gusto, hungry for the taste of home after such a long time on the road. The food in Xin was much lighter and milder than what they preferred in Zui -- where every meal was hearty, especially when the weather started turning colder. "Child, aren''t you cold wearing so little?" the Queen Dowager asked, looking straight at Chu Yun, as if she had picked the thoughts right out of Xiao Zai''s mind. Chu Yun insisted on wearing his thin Xin robes, and beyond the concession of a travel robe, which he had taken off when seating down to eat, was wearing nothing but it. "The room is sufficiently warm, please don''t worry, your royal highness." He was lying. Xiao Zai could see his fingers trembling around the chopsticks. Xiao Zai signalled one of the servants stationed by the door. "Go add more kindling to the braziers." The servant nodded and left to do as Xiao Zai commanded. The Queen Dowager let out a throaty laugh. "My, what a dedicated husband, that''s very good to see, very good." She grinned, Xiao Zai felt a shiver run down his spine. "I suppose that would explain the interesting tales that have reached us all the way here in Zui." Oh no. Chu Yun''s sharp eyebrows knitted in confusion at the Queen Dowager''s cryptic words. "What tales?" The old dowager''s eyes glinted. "It''s to be expected when a young couple is especially well matched that they won''t be able to contain their passion..." Oh no. Xiao Zai could feel the colour draining from his face. Chu Yun still looked oblivious. Gu Wei looked resigned to this turn of events. "Although, I have to say it is surprising that the fires of passion would lead the two of you to seek out a brothel room, when I''m sure the Prince of Jing''s estate had more than enough rooms." Finally, realisation dawned on Chu Yun. He kept smiling at the Queen and then turned towards Xiao Zai, moving his neck really slowly, as if it was being kept in place by some rusty mechanism. "Is that so? Where would her royal highness have gotten that notion?" Gu Wei put down his teacup with a subdued clink, but that still saved Xiao Zai from Chu Yun''s intense scrutiny. "I''m afraid gossip travels faster than horses," Gu Wei said. Ignoring his teacup to pour himself a cup of wine instead. The old Queen laughed, loud and unbecoming for someone of her station -- but who was going to tell her that? "It''s because of the carrier pigeons dear," she told the still livid Chu Yun. "Don''t look so shocked. We must keep ourselves informed about what goes on in Xin, I would be surprised if Xin didn''t do the same." Chu Yun tilted his head in acquiescence, his lips still pressed into a bloodless line -- the rictus of a polite smile. She raised her own wine cup towards Xiao Zai and Chu Yun. "But this is cause for celebration, no? Certainly it''s better than any unsavoury rumours that the two of you haven''t consummated your union." Both Chu Yun and Xiao Zai went very still. "Of course," Xiao Zai said, diplomatically. The Queen Dowager hummed. "Otherwise the legitimacy of your marriage would be put into question, and we wouldn''t want that, would we?" "No, we wouldn''t," Chu Yun agreed. It was obvious to Xiao Zai now why these sordid news brought his grandmother so much pleasure. She had a vested interest in his and Chu Yun''s marriage working, but why? Was she moved by the same desire as her son, to see Xiao Zai as far away from the throne as possible? Or did she have some plan that he couldn''t quite make sense of? Gu Wei cleared his throat. "It''s not only in Lanzhou that interesting events take place, we have some news from Haolin, as well." His clear eyes met Xiao Zai''s. He was about to tell them the reason behind this hastily organised reception. "The First Prince will take a Principal wife." His tone was casual and agreeable for the Queen Dowager''s benefit, if she wasn''t present his words would have been far harsher. The words, "dog" and "bitch" would probably have been involved. The Queen Dowager nodded. "The engagement will be announced tomorrow, the entire royal family is expected to attend." --- (1) weiqi, is sometimes translated as "go", but that''s a japanese word, or simply as "chess", because it was the inspiration for the western chess game.. The rules are simpler than western chess, but weiqi itself is more complex. Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 33 - The Fox Is Given A Mission You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chu Yun couldn''t believe he had just arrived back in Zui and already there was gossip about him. These people couldn''t go a single day without riding his ass. The rest of the meal with Gu Wei and the Queen Dowager was unbearable. Chu Yun couldn''t relax under the old Dowager''s shrewd gaze, and he could just tell there was some silent conversation happening between Xiao Zai and his dam. That worried him most of all. It was obvious that Xiao Zai held his dam-father in high regard; whatever he said went. If Gu Wei decided to make Chu Yun''s life a living hell, all the ground he had gained with Xiao Zai would have been for nothing. He needed to be vigilant. It was obvious there was more to Gu Wei than met the eye. The meal finally came to an end. The Queen Dowager and Gu Wei came in the same carriage, and were going to leave the same way. "I trust I''ll see the two of you tomorrow," the Queen Dowager said, smiling at her grandson and Chu Yun while one of her servants helped her into her outer cloak. "We wouldn''t miss such an important event, your royal highness." "Good, because with such short notice, maybe some people weren''t counting on you making an appearance." She threw them one last meaningful glance and left. Chu Yun understood what she meant. If she and Gu Wei hadn''t come to visit them, it was likely that they wouldn''t have learned about the engagement ceremony tomorrow. It wasn''t the kind of thing that palace servants were allowed to discuss, so the news would only have reached them after the fact. The implications would be that Xiao Zai somehow resented his brother''s engagement. Gu Wei had said that the First Prince would take a Principal wife, not spouse...that meant that even if his future wife was a beta, she could give him an alpha heir. For some reason Chu Yun, had an inkling she was going to be a beta female. He couldn''t get the king''s distasteful look out of his mind. He just knew that he wouldn''t want his first son to think he was too favoured. A King with a beta for a Queen Consort wasn''t unheard of, but it wasn''t exactly a strong position. It would allow the current King to keep a stronger hold over the court once he abdicated in favour of his son. It was the smart thing to do, if the King didn''t place much trust in his heir. The Queen Dowager was already inside the carriage when Gu Wei said: "Yun-er, a word." It took Chu Yun a moment to realise he was talking with him. Xiao Zai looked between the two of them in confusion but said nothing. Dark clouds were covering the moon, and the night seemed blacker than usual. A howling wind rustled the pine trees around their estate. Chu Yun nodded, and stepped off to the side of the pavilion, putting some distance between them and Xiao Zai. "About tomorrow," Gu Wei started, "the two of you need to present an united front. I could tell you were embarrassed about the rumours, but it''s a good thing, the Queen Dowager is right about that." Chu Yun nodded. He didn''t know why Gu Wei was telling him this and not Xiao Zai, but he understood the point he was trying to make. "All eyes will be on you tomorrow, much more than on Xiao Yuan and his unfortunate future bride." Gu Wei''s had his arms crossed loosely at the elbows, anyone who was looking at them from a distance would think they were having a casual conversation. Someone like the Queen Dowager, for instance, peeking in at them from between the gap in the carriage''s drapes. "I understand," Chu Yun said. He did. He would spend the entire day glued to Xiao Zai''s side. Playing the part of a besotted fool for everyone to see. "Good, but it isn''t just that." He smiled. "The two of you shouldn''t just keep to yourselves. Mingle. Xiao Zai has a bit of a reputation as a, pardon the pun, lone wolf." Something glinted in his eyes. "It would be good for everyone to see how you bring out the best in him...including a more sociable disposition." Chu Yun nodded. Gu Wei didn''t need to say anymore. He understood the implications. The First Prince was a peacock, and the Second Prince was a loner. If tomorrow Xiao Zai came out of his shell and interacted with the other guests...say, the ministers who could one day throw in their support on his bid to be king, then that would be a credit to Chu Yun -- and their unusual marriage by extension. "I''m glad we agree," Gu Wei said. He was still breathtakingly beautiful, despite being almost two decades older than Chu Yun. It was bizarre to think the king didn''t favour him, because none of the concubines in the royal harem Chu Yun had seen could hold a candle to him. That only made Chu Yun more worried -- he couldn''t get a clean read on Gu Wei. It was always hard to tell what he was thinking, especially about Chu Yun. But one thing he knew for sure -- Gu Wei wanted his son to be king. The information Hua Nanyi found said as much, and all of Gu Wei''s actions since their first meeting confirmed it. Unfortunately for him, there was only room for one kingmaker, and Chu Yun was going to be it. "We''ll see father-in-law tomorrow," Chu Yun said, gesturing Gu Wei towards the carriage. It was getting late, and he wanted to be fully rested for tomorrow. Gu Wei simply nodded. When he was about to step inside the carriage, he turned around and asked Chu Yun: "Have you come up with a name for the kitten?" Chu Yun had almost forgotten about the damn thing. "Not yet," he said, smiling tightly. "We haven''t had the time." "You should see to it. It''s back luck for a pet to remain nameless for too long." Chu Yun kept smiling. "Safe travels." Xiao Zai had come to see his dam and grandmother off at the gates, and stood at Chu Yun''s side as the carriage rode off. "What did my father want?" he asked, barely hiding his curiosity. Chu Yun grinned and patted his cheek.. "He wanted me to make sure you''re a good boy tomorrow." Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 34 - The Wolf Gets Bossed Around Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Xiao Zai was woken up bright and early the next day by Chu Yun walking into his room with dark, midnight-blue robes in his arms. "You''re wearing this today," he said, throwing the robes onto the bed, almost hitting Xiao Zai in the face. "Good morning to you too," he grumbled, sitting up on the bed and rubbing his eyes. Chu Yun waved him off. "Yes, yes, have a bath first, but don''t wash your hair. We don''t have time for that right now." Xiao Zai scowled. What was this? Why was Chu Yun micromanaging his morning routine. "I''m aware of how hygiene works, and I''ve been dressing myself for a number of years." He got up from the bed and wrapped his inner robe tighter around himself. "So, I don''t understand why you felt the need-" Chu Yun turned around from the vanity, holding two jade hairpins in one hand and a jade crown in the other. He smiled cheerfully up at Xiao Zai. "I just want to make sure you look your best for the engagement ceremony, uh, dear." That word sounded awkward and stiff coming out of Chu Yun''s lips. There was definitely something going on, but Xiao Zai couldn''t put his finger on it. Chu Yun''s smile didn''t falter in the face of Xiao Zai''s suspicion. "Don''t wear those light-coloured robes they made you wear at the palace. You don''t look good in bright colours, makes you look childish." He shoved the crown and one the hairpins into Xiao Zai''s hands. "Wear that hairpin and crown. No extra accessories, you''re handsome, anything more would just detract from your good looks." The shock of receiving a compliment from Chu Yun left Xiao Zai speechless. Chu Yun patted his cheek. "I''m glad we agree, uhm, dear." He left after that. That servant that followed him everywhere following in his wake, looking as if she could barely hold in her laughter. --- Despite his many, many, mental complaints. Xiao Zai ended up doing as Chu Yun said -- down to the haircrown and hairpin combination. He had to admit, when he looked himself in the gold mirror, that he looked good. The man looking back at him didn''t smile, and the lines of his young face were sharp, almost cold, but there was an aura of authority about him that made him look as if that sharpness was a blade, instead of a jagged edge. Credit where credit was due and all that. Growing up as a spoiled young master had its benefits, he supposed. Chu Yun knew a thing or two about dressing for the occasion. Xiao Zai waited for him outside, near their carriage. He paced back and forth in front of it for some time until the doors to the pavilion where the private quarters were located opened and Chu Yun walked out. Xiao Zai didn''t know what he was expecting, but it wasn''t this. Unlike him, Chu Yun was wearing pale robes, almost white, just silver enough not to look like a mourning gown, something which would be tremendously inappropriate for the occasion. While his robes were eye-catching, they weren''t ostentatious. Chu Yun matched his robes with a silver haircrown and two silver hairpins on each side of his head, from which a long white silk ribbon hanged, almost to the floor. It was the only fashionable concession in his outfit. Other than that, he looked surprisingly understated. Even his white rabbit fur cloak didn''t have any embroidery or brocade. "Shall we?" he asked, nodding towards the open carriage door, not sparing Xiao Zai a single glance before stepping inside. --- There was already a line of carriages in front of the steps to the palace''s main hall when they arrived. Chu Yun''s servant looked out the window and whistled. "We''re the last ones to arrive, it seems like." Chu Yun shrugged. "Good, let''s make a memorable entrance." Xiao Zai had noticed that this servant was oddly informal with Chu Yun, but the most surprising thing was that Chu Yun responded in kind. How was such a pampered, arrogant, young master, on such good terms with one of his servants? Chu Yun was an exercise in contradictions. It drove Xiao Zai mad that he never acted how he expected him to. As if to drive that point home, Chu Yun took his arm as soon as they stepped out of the carriage. He couldn''t recall the last time Chu Yun had voluntarily touched him. "Did my dam put you up to this?" Chu Yun smiled. "I have no idea what you mean," he said, and pulled Xiao Zai up the stairs towards the palace. If any of the palace''s servants were surprised to see them they didn''t let it show. But when he and Chu Yun were announced some of the din inside the main hall quieted down significantly. They both bowed towards the King, who was sitting on a table across from the doors overlooking all guests. He had no visible reaction. Xiao Zai was uncomfortable by the amount of eyes turned on them, but before he could let any of that show, Chu Yun pulled him along, in the direction of the table where Gu Wei was sitting by himself. "Ah, the guests of honour," Gu Wei said, raising a glass to them. As always, it pained Xiao Zai to see his dam-father so obviously singled out. If they hadn''t come, he would have spent the entirety of the engagement ceremony sitting by himself. "Are we, though?" Chu Yun took a seat at the end of the table, leaving room for Xiao Zai to sit beside his dam. "What have we missed?" Xiao Zai asked. "Not much, just your father thanking his allies and friends for being present at this most joyous of occasions." He rolled his eyes, and nodded towards the table on the right of the king, where the First Prince and a pretty girl wearing far too much jewellery sat. "Your brother is pleased as a pig in shit to be the centre of attention." Chu Yun let out a chuckle, covering his mouth with the back of his wrist right away. Unlike Xiao Zai, he wasn''t used to how colourful Gu Wei''s vocabulary could be when he wasn''t trying to look like a dignified courtly gentleman. Xiao Zai was about to point out that the King didn''t look like this was a very joyous occasion for him, judging by the bored look on his face, when the hall''s doors swung open. A servant announced the newcomer, Her Highness, Princess Xiao Ziyi a tall woman with a long braid of hair pulled to the side of her neck, wearing military robes, as befitting her station as commander-general of the royal army. Chu Yun observed the scene in silence for a moment, and then interjected. "Now, there''s the actual guest of honour." Xiao Zai followed his line of sight to where the king had stood up from his seat with his arms open to welcome his daughter. Once again, Xiao Zai had to admire Chu Yun''s powers of deduction. The only thing both Xiao Zai and Xiao Yuan had in common was how much neither of them could measure up to their oldest sister. You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 35 - The Fox Meets Someone New Chu Yun watched the interactions between daughter and father with interest. He couldn''t hear the hushed conversation they were having, but it was obvious from the king''s smile how happy he was to see the First Princess. There was an empty table on his left reserved for her. Chu Yun would bet his left arm, he would have sat her on his right if it hadn''t been Xiao Yuan''s engagement ceremony. The Princess''s face didn''t reveal any emotions. She took her seat with barely a nod of acknowledgement towards the First Prince and his bride-to-be. She was clearly an alpha -- it was impossible to make out her scent among so many people, but it was obvious from the way she carried herself -- moreover, Chu Yun very much doubted that an omega would have any kind of military rank. "Is she the daughter of the late Queen Consort?" Chu Yun asked Xiao Zai, trying to confirm the family tree Hua Nanyi had shared with him. Xiao Zai simply hummed. This was a touchy subject for him, apparently. But it meant that the First Princess, Xiao Ziyi, was the only child of the late Queen Consort, and an alpha to boot. In Xin, that would have made her the undisputed heir to the throne. It was hilarious that in Zui an alpha female couldn''t inherit the throne, because the King clearly favoured his daughter above all his other children. Chu Yun smiled a little to himself. Fate knew what it did -- on occasion. If it wasn''t for Zui bigotry he would have nothing to look forward to beyond restoring his cursed estate at the edge of the city gates, and growing fat. Possibly commissioning Haolin''s first brothel too -- out of sheer boredom. "Do the two of you get along?" Chu Yun asked, already anticipating the answer. Xiao Zai''s shoulders tensed, and he poured himself a glass of wine. "We used to." That was a surprise. Chu Yun expected to hear an undisputed "no". It was clear from the look on his face that Xiao Zai didn''t want to discuss the matter any further, so Xiao Zai didn''t press him. He cast the princess a look over the sleeve of his robe as he brought a wine cup to his lips; of course, that didn''t mean Chu Yun wouldn''t make his own enquiries. --- The meal was already underway when they arrived, and further delayed by the First Princess''s dramatic entrance. Chu Yun ate his food, quietly, folding back his sleeves and covering his mouth when drinking, as was polite to do -- but mostly he watched. Several pairs of eyes drifted towards him and Xiao Zai, curious people certainly, but maybe there would be allies among them as well. A couple drew his attention. An older woman, with a hint of grey at her temples, finely, but austerely dressed, and the slightly younger woman sitting at her side -- most likely her wife. They were talking among themselves, but would on occasion look towards him and Xiao Zai, obviously discussing them afterwards. It was hard to tell the nature of their conversation from the look on their faces. The older of the two gave nothing away, and the younger hid half her face behind a stiff, exquisitely painted, paper fan. After an uninspired performance of sword dancing, and an even more abysmal fan dance, the guests were finally free to mingle among themselves. Chu Yun took Xiao Zai''s arm and made a beeline for the two women. "Hello, I don''t believe we''ve been introduced," he said, plastering on his most charming smile. "Of course, I can''t say I have been introduced to many people around Haolin," he laughed, and patted Xiao Zai''s arm. "I''m afraid we''ve been too busy to be social." Xiao Zai was too dazed from being dragged all the way there, and by the torrent of words leaving Chu Yun, to say anything. The younger woman finally lowered her fan, revealing a dimpled cheek. "So nice of you to come say hi." This close, Chu Yun was able to scent both of them, and was shocked to realise the shorter, younger woman was the alpha of the two, and more surprising -- that her wife was a beta. The lack of any distinctive scent, beyond what they flavoured their bathwater and soap with, was the defining characteristic of any beta. And Chu Yun was sure no scent was coming off from the tall, stoic woman. By then Xiao Zai had composed himself enough to greet them. "Minister Song, Madam..." he stopped himself, perking Chu Yun''s interest. It seemed there was some confusion regarding how to address the alpha woman. She smiled and waved at them with her fan. "Just Ruomi is fine." This was delightful, Chu Yun should have known his senses wouldn''t have led him astray. So, a beta court Minister, with an alpha wife who didn''t mind acting like arm-candy? They must have been the talk of Haolin before Chu Yun''s and Xiao Zai''s marriage. The potential for an alliance was obvious. If nothing else, they had their unconventional unions in common. The woman with the fan must have reached the same conclusion. Her dark eyes curved in mischief. "Darling, please entertain his Highness with boring statecraft, I''m going to show his husband around." Chu Yun returned her smile. "I would be delighted." But first...He placed a hand on Xiao Zai''s shoulder and rose up on his tiptoes, to plant a soft kiss on his sharp cheekbone. "I''ll see you later, dear." He barely had the time to admire Xiao Zai''s stunned look before Ruomi whisked him away. She dove right into the crowd, walking shoulder-to-shoulder with Xiao Zai, and using her fan to hide her mouth as she gossiped freely. "My name is Tan Ruo, but as I said, Ruomi is fine, please don''t stand on ceremony on my account." Chu Yun nodded, this Tan Ruo was clearly an interesting character. "I don''t know much about the court yet, so I appreciate sister Ruomi''s guidance." "Well, it''s a den of wolves," she chuckled at her own joke. "Ah, forgive my glibness, I''m sure must of them are delightful people if one takes the time to play their games." She shrugged. "I come from a merchant family with a beta father, an omega mother, and three omega siblings. I was the only alpha in my family." Talking about her family brought her pleasure, her candid smile grew even wider. "None of my parents knew anything about raising a ''proper'' alpha, and frankly, I''m all the better for it." Her cheeks dimpled further. She was unusually pretty for an alpha, or perhaps that was just something Chu Yun grew up hearing. Tan Ruo''s unusual family dynamics got him thinking. "Not that many people around here would see it that way," she added, reminding Chu Yun that people thought a certain way for a reason, too. She nodded to a corner of the room. "That''s the kind of alpha that makes the two of us look bad." Chu Yun followed her line of sight across to where the First Princess was standing all by herself.. Before he even had time to be offended -- Chu Yun was everything an alpha should be -- the Princess noticed their stares, and made her way towards them. You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 36 - The Fox Makes A Discovery You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chu Yun held his ground as Xiao Ziyi approached them. At his side, Tan Ruo went a little straighter, her fan held protectively in front of her face. Xiao Ziyi came to a stop in front of the two of them, she was almost as tall as Xiao Zai, and just as imposing. She reminded Chu Yun of the first snow of winter, beautiful at first, but if you touched her you''d only feel cold. A lot of the Zui wolves were like that, he wondered it if had anything to do with the colder climate, or if it was exclusive to them. Tan Ruo was far more agreeable, and her disposition was more cheerful -- but then again, Chu Yun couldn''t be sure she was a wolf at all. Like in Xin, there were other species living in Zui, despite the wolves being in power for centuries, similarly to the Xin foxes. Only a matter of numbers decided who held power, no king would be foolish enough to alienate an entire group of citizens and risk having a revolt on their hands. Chu Yun had long wondered if "public order" was the real reason behind the longstanding taboo on showing animal traits in public. Walking down a busy street, filled with the smells of dozens of people, it would be almost impossible to identify someone''s species by scent alone -- and even then, other than noticing the "difference" in their scent, no other information could be gleamed from it. Everything was much more peaceful if everyone believed they were surrounded by equals. Chu Yun now knew that wolf alphas had an unusual alcoholic scent, faintly sweet at times, but none sweeter than Xiao Zai''s wolfberry wine fragrance. Which was a disconcerting thought to have, but that Chu Yun was growing steadily accustomed with. He was also aware that omegas in Zui usually smelled like flowers, something they had in common with some alphas from Xin -- an endless source of vexation for Chu Yun, but that he tried to see past. He could tell that the First Princess was scenting the air around them, trying to take their measure. It was a futile effort, the hall was too crowded for her to get any useful information. "I''m here to formally introduce myself to his Grace," she said, bowing her head minutely. "Congratulations on your wedding to my brother, I wish the two of you a thousand years of happiness." She was using all the right words, but it was obvious she wasn''t being sincere. Chu Yun kept his smile in place, all the same. "It''s a pleasure to finally meet her Highness, your presence would have made the joyous occasion of our wedding even more so." He grinned. "But it''s great that Her Highness can be here for his First Highness'' engagement ceremony." Tan Ruo cleared her throat, from the corner of his eyes Chu Yun could see her eyes widen in shock. It almost sounded as if he was admonishing the Princess for not showing up for his and Xiao Zai''s wedding -- almost, but not quite. Xiao Ziyi was looking at him as if she couldn''t decide whether he was really stupid or really bold. "Well, military matters often take precedent over court functions." Her gaze sharpened. "Actually, at that time me and my people were tied up in a skirmish with Xin bandits." If she expected to leave Chu Yun unsettled with that, she would have to try harder. "Oh, how dreadful," he shook his head. "Her Highness should pay me and her brother a visit, and we can discuss how to best address this matter with my uncle." Her lips flattened into a line. "It''s hard to know when I''ll have the time." That might as well be true, but it wasn''t the reason why she didn''t want to go. Chu Yun would find a way to get to the bottom of her animosity with Xiao Zai -- whether he had their cooperation or not. Before either of them could utter another word, there was a loud commotion from the other side of the room. The First Prince was apparently drunk, clinging to a beautiful man, who looked to be around his age, wearing fine servant''s robes. "It should have been you," Xiao Yun was saying, cupping the man''s jaw fiercely. The man stood absolutely still, with his head lowered, his curling lashes hiding his dark eyes. "Your Highness..." From the Prince''s other side, his bride-to-be took offence at the display, and tried to pull him away from the servant, "Dear..." Xiao Yuan swatted her away like a fly. "Who''s your dear? Just be glad that you''re marrying me and shut up." The young woman fell immediately silent, retracting her hand as if scalded. The First Prince became aware of all the gazes on him, and got up with some effort. The servant rose with him, supporting his weight. Xiao Yuan took it as his opportunity to drag the man away. "Oh, my," Tan Ruo said, fanning herself. Xiao Ziyi''s hands tightened into fists. "If you''ll excuse me, your Grace, Lady Tan..." She didn''t wait to actually be excused to leave them. Chu Yun watched silently as she walked up to the king. "What was all that about?" Chu Yun asked Tan Ruo, masking his excitement at having witnessed such a scene with a concerned frown. Tan Ruo raised her fan, exchanging a look with Chu Yun. "Oh, it''s a very poorly kept secret among the court," she cleared her throat pointedly. "Did brother Chu notice anything about that manservant?" Chu Yun frowned. "He looked to be around the First Prince''s age?" He really couldn''t recall if there was anything special about the servant. His skin was fair, his hair and eyes dark from what Chu Yun had seen, but that described nearly half the people in the hall. Tan Ruo giggled. "Oh that''s the least relevant thing about him." Chu Yun''s frown deepened, he didn''t enjoy these guessing games. "The First Prince seemed unusually attached to him?" he tried, some of his impatience showing on his tone. Tan Ruo took him by the shoulder and spun him around, making him face a particular table. Chu Yun started, and then kept staring, and then let out a whispered, "Fuck," once the resemblance finally hit him. Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 37 - The Fox Worries This Could Ruin His Plans Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Sitting alone at his table, in the exact same way Chu Yun and Xiao Zai had left him, was Gu Wei, oblivious to both the previous commotion, and now Tan Ruo and Chu Yun''s stares fixed on him. Now that Chu Yun was looking at him, he could see how the First Prince''s manservant bore a passing resemblance to Gu Wei''s cold beauty, although his was a mere drizzle to Gu Wei''s roaring blizzard. "Fuck," Chu Yun said again, this time with feeling. This wasn''t the kind of information he thought he would find out today, but boy was he glad to have stumbled up on it all the same. His mind was coming up with possibilities at a dizzying pace. The First Prince was older than Xiao Zai, anywhere from five to ten years, it was hard to tell exactly -- he was most definitely already born when Gu Wei married the king. His mother or dam, whoever they were, were conspicuously absent from the ceremony -- another mystery for Chu Yun to dig at. But could the little First Prince have looked to his father''s beautiful young concubine for comfort, and could that childish affection have turned into something more? Something that now made him look for lovers who resembled him, since he couldn''t have the real thing? He narrowed his eyes at Gu Wei''s straight back, eyeing his perfect posture. Someone that beautiful, that refined...it made no sense for him not to be favoured. Could this be the reason why? An amused giggle brought him out of his reverie. "Brother seems lost in indecorous thoughts." That''s because he had been. "And...is he, ''aware'' of the First Prince''s affections?" Chu Yun asked, trying to get more information out of Tan Ruo. She hid a smirk behind her fan. "That''s just it. No one knows. By now you must have realised that Bailiu only reveals as much as he wants to." Yes, but he let some information slip on occasion. "I''ve noticed he doesn''t like being addressed by his courtesy name,"-- in fact, Gu Wei had told him as much--, "why is that?" Tan Ruo shrugged. "I don''t know, but his Majesty gave him that courtesy name when he came of age...maybe it''s tied to that?" White Willow wasn''t the worst thing a person could be called, in fact, the name fit Gu Wei surprisingly well. Another thought flashed through Chu Yun''s mind, obliterating anything related to Gu Wei''s name. "I know my husband has a younger sister borne from his dam," Chu Yun said, keeping his voice low. "However, I haven''t had the opportunity to meet her." Tan Ruo took his elbow and steered him towards an emptier side of the hall. This clearly merited more careful discussion that the First Prince''s unsightly infatuation. "Nor has anyone else," she lowered her voice, "as far as I know, the little princess was taken out of the palace shortly after her birth. Bailiu visits her from time to time, I assume your husband does as well. No one else has ever laid eyes on her." That was shocking for a number of reasons, but together with what Chu Yun had just learned, it painted a vivid, sordid picture. Chu Yun''s eyes drifted towards his father-in-law again. He couldn''t see much of him now, beyond his regal profile, and the sleek curtain of his hair, half of it pinned up in a neat topknot. Could the First Prince be the father of his younger daughter? Chu Yun shuddered just to think, but it would certainly explain the King''s dismissive treatment of both of them Lusting after one''s father''s spouse was an immense taboo, a violation of filial pity of the highest degree, and reason enough for the First Prince to merit the King''s scorn... To actually sire a child of his father''s concubine...absolutely unthinkable. "Oh, no I''ve said too much," Tan Ruo said, looking up at Chu Yun''s stormy expression. "Lan Lan always tells me I should quit talking about things that don''t concern me." She folded up her fan and hit herself on the forehead. "I always get carried away when it comes to gossip." She took Chu Yun''s elbow again, and smiled, chagrined. "We should probably return to our spouses, they must be wondering where we went." Chu Yun nodded, still distracted by his own thoughts. He had no idea how to broach these subjects with Xiao Zai, and it was unlikely that Gu Wei would volunteer the information himself. However, Chu Yun had to get to the bottom of it if he had any hope of seeing Xiao Zai take the Zui throne. The idea of his younger sister being the child of his elder brother and his dam would kill any support Chu Yun managed to whip up for him. Especially considering that without the king naming another Consort, it meant that upon his death, Gu Wei would be the Dowager Consort, by virtue of being the dam of the reigning monarch. Chu Yun stopped Tan Ruo. "I would really appreciate it if Ruomi could keep this conversation between ourselves," he smiled. His tone was friendly but with a warning note tacked on the end of the sentence. "I don''t know if it''s a good idea for unfounded rumours of this nature to be spread around...some people might take them seriously." He arranged his features into a mask of consternation. "And then where would we be?" Tan Ruo''s eyes widened, and she shook her head. "Of course, I usually don''t talk about this, but," she sucked in a breath, "I thought brother Chu deserved to hear about it...unfounded or not..." Chu Yun patted the back of her hand. "Oh, I''m really glad Ruomi told me this, really glad." Now he knew he had to prepare for the eventuality of it all blowing in his face. Hopefully it would never come to that. --- They found Xiao Zai and Minister Song exactly where they left them. Except that now the two of them were chatting animatedly. About...botany, it seemed. "I find that at times less intervention is best, nature knows what its doing," Minister Song said. "I couldn''t agree more," Xiao Zai said. "The more you try to fight a shrub into the shape you want the more it resents you for it." Chu Yun was glad that Xiao Zai had been enjoying himself, but he couldn''t seem too permissive just yet. People were watching them. He slid right up to Xiao Zai and draped himself along his side, stretching one arm across his back, and lifting his chin just enough to reach his earlobe and bit down on it, gently, teasingly. "I missed you, husband," Chu Yun said, whispering the words in a puff of warm breath against Xiao Zai''s skin. --- A.N: I think some of you might have gotten confused by what''s going on... the rumour isn''t that the servant is Gu Wei''s son! He just kinda looks like him! Which leads people to suspect that the First Prince is obsessed with Gu Wei, and some even more scandalous things.... Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 38 - The Wolf Drags The Fox Somewhere Private Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chu Yun could feel Xiao Zai stiffen under his touch, go taut with confusion and worry, like an animal afraid of being lured into a trap. If Chu Yun was honest with himself, he had to admit he liked it. He liked that Xiao Zai considered him a threat, enough to be on his guard around him. It made this act he had to put up more bearable. He might have to pretend to be eating out of Xiao Zai''s hand for the benefit of everyone watching them like hawks. He might have to show everyone what a big bad alpha his husband was that he effortlessly subjugated a "foreign" alpha to his will in about a week of marriage. ''Hey, wouldn''t it be great if he put some of that effortless dominance to good use and ruled the country?'' People were easy to manipulate -- but incredibly stupid. If this was what it took to get Xiao Zai on the throne, Chu Yun behind him, effortlessly pulling the strings, then so be it -- Chu Yun would endure the humiliation. But it gratified him, that while he might be fooling everyone else, Xiao Zai knew better. He knew just how sharp Chu Yun''s claws were, and that he had the fangs to match. Just as a reminder, he scraped one canine against the tender skin of Xiao Zai''s neck, just to feel him squirm. "Did you have fun, dear?" he asked, pulling away from Xiao Zai''s neck with a glint in his eyes. Xiao Zai said nothing, his dark eyes were inscrutable, his jaw tight with tension. If they were alone he might have said something, but he was playing it safe. "We had a very agreeable conversation," Minister Song cut in, relieving the tension building between them like a low pressure storm. Chu Yun grinned at her. "Wonderful, I also had a great time with Lady Tan." Tan Ruo matched his grin with an eager nod of her own. "Maybe Minister Song and Lady Tan can pay us a visit someday." He elbowed Xiao Zai on the side, the action hidden by the large sleeves of his robes. This was the kind of thing where his participation was also required. "Yes, that would be great," he said, rather stiffly. Minister Song either didn''t notice or didn''t care, and promised to accept any invitations forwarded to their residence, and likewise welcomed Chu Yun and Xiao Zai to visit whenever they wanted. Their estate was in no condition of welcoming anyone just yet, but Chu Yun would fix it up in no time. They said their goodbyes and made their way through the hall. Chu Yun kept his arm looped through Xiao Zai''s. "What has gotten into you?" Xiao Zai hissed, once they had put enough distance between themselves and Minister Song and Tan Ruo. Chu Yun rolled his eyes. "Don''t you want to be king?" he hissed back. Xiao Zai shot him a look of utter confusion. "What does that have to do with anything?" Chu Yun didn''t want to explain himself in the middle of the busy hall. "I''m the strategist, leave the strategics to me." He could tell Xiao Zai didn''t like that answer, but he also didn''t protest having Chu Yun glue to his side through the rest of the evening. They made small talk with a few more ministers. Chu Yun was polite and courteous, ignoring every jab at Xin, at foxes in general, the surprise of everyone they addressed that he was managing to fit in so well. It was vexing to be treated with so much condescension by a people that thought that visible collarbones were too much skin to be displayed in polite company. He tried to steer Xiao Zai towards certain topics of conversation, anything that made him sound bold and determined. Frankly, it wasn''t hard to do, considering the First Prince had made a spectacle of himself by ignoring his future consort and leaving his own engagement ceremony to have a tryst with his manservant. Chu Yun had to wonder why he didn''t just make the man his concubine, it would be less scandalous that way. As someone from a commoner background, he would never rise above a certain rank in the First Prince''s household, but being a concubine was still better than being a servant, especially when your master was just going to do as he pleased with you, anyway. Chu Yun doubted it was the servant himself rejecting the idea. Most likely the king had expressly forbidden it. If it was an already poorly kept secret in the court, Chu Yun could only imagine how much worse it would get if everyone started noticing the resemblance between the First Prince''s new concubine, and Gu Wei. Speaking of which... He and Xiao Zai were alone again, maybe he could test the waters. "What was that all about with Xiao Yuan?" Xiao Zai tensed almost imperceptibly. "I have no idea." Chu Yun narrowed his eyes at him. Xiao Zai had to stop thinking he could lie to him. "Really? That servant he was pawing at reminded me of someone," he sucked in a breath. "I just can''t put my finger on it...." A hand closed around his wrist, and then Chu Yun was being dragged out of the reception hall, and pulled into a nearby room. Xiao Zai slammed the door closed with a loud thud. The room was more of a storage closet, and had no windows, the moment Xiao Zai pulled the door closed plunged them into darkness. "What are you trying to imply?" Xiao Zai asked, his nostrils flaring. "Don''t play dumb with me, I know you''re anything but. So, if you have something to say just come out and say it." Chu Yun would do no such thing -- it wasn''t how he operated. But right then he was too distracted by Xiao Zai''s eyes to come up with a diversion. There was something different about them, they were glinting in the darkness, reflecting the little light available in the cramped closet. "What''s going on with your eyes?" Chu Yun asked, mesmerised by the silvery sheen over Xiao Zai''s dark irises. Xiao Zai went very still. He and Chu Yun were pressed almost chest to chest against the wall. He hadn''t noticed. Chu Yun became aware of their closeness at the same time a powerful wave of Xiao Zai''s wolfberry wine scent hit him. "It''s going to be the full moon in three days," Xiao Zai said, putting some distance between him and Chu Yun. He tried to leave but Chu Yun held him back, closing his fingers around the jutting bone of his wrist. "And what does that mean?" Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 39 - The Wolf Loses Control Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Xiao Zai held his breath. He didn''t know if Chu Yun was asking because he genuinely didn''t know or because he was trying to get under Xiao Zai''s skin. He had an uncanny ability to do it, so Xiao Zai didn''t put it past him. He knew Chu Yun well enough by now to know he wouldn''t let Xiao Zai leave without getting his answer. He sucked on a fortifying breath and grit his teeth. "I go into rut on the full moon." Chu Yun blinked up at him, those long curling lashes fanning down over his keen fox eyes, and then blinked again, his confusion mounting. "Do all wolves go into rut on the full moon or just you?" His frown deepened. "Because that would be extremely unproductive, from an evolutionary standpoint." Xiao Zai sighed. Of course that was what Chu Yun would focus on. "No, but all wolf ruts are triggered by stages of the moon. Full moon, new moon, first day of the waxing moon, first day of the waning moon." It wasn''t something Xiao Zai had ever stopped to consider, and it certainly had never caused any sort of problems for Zui, in all the centuries that the wolf clans had ruled it. Chu Yun still looked amused by it somehow, as if this was a weakness he could exploit. It raised Xiao Zai''s hackles to see that look on his face. The full moon was drawing nearer, and his senses were heightened. Chu Yun''s scent was inescapable in the cramped room. The floral orchid notes made Xiao Zai''s breath itch on each inhale. Being so near another alpha so close to his rut usually made Xiao Zai aggressive, short tempered, but Chu Yun''s scent made him want to get in closer, burrow into his neck and scent him to his heart''s content. This close to his rut, that impulse was harder to resist. Which was why he needed to leave. He turned towards the door again, but Chu Yun''s fingers where still wrapped tightly around his wrist. Chu Yun looked up into Xiao Zai''s eyes, and ran the pad of his thumb over Xiao Zai''s pulse point, on the inside of his wrist. This time, Xiao Zai''s intake of breath was audible. Chu Yun''s smirk grew. "Why are you in such a hurry, don''t you want to stay here with me just a while longer?" Chu Yun''s tone was leading, he was teasing Xiao Zai. Xiao Zai didn''t appreciate being made fun of. He knew the signs of his attraction to Chu Yun were amusing to him. Xiao Zai couldn''t fully make sense of it either. Chu Yun had a terrible personality, his smugness was unbearable, the only likely explanation was pure physical attraction -- but that shouldn''t have been possible because they were both alphas. By all counts, Xiao Zai seemed to be the only one affected. And fuck everything if that didn''t make him hotter for Chu Yun. Intractable fucking bastard, stone cold motherfucker, irresistible fucking fiend. On the best days Xiao Zai could ignore the arousal simmering under his skin, on the worst he wanted to shut him up with his cock. If he was choking on his cock Chu Yun wouldn''t be able to say any of the words he turned on Xiao Zai like blades. Chu Yun''s smirk grew as if he could read every single one of Xiao Zai''s thoughts. "Stop looking at me like that," Xiao Zai warned, trying to pull his wrist free. "Why?" Chu Yun asked, reeling him in, closing the distance between them. "What are you going to do about it?" Xiao Zai''s nostrils flared. If Chu Yun kept provoking him he wasn''t going to hold back. "You''ll find out very soon if you don''t let go." Chu Yun hooked an arm around Xiao Zai''s neck and pulled him down, until their eyes were almost level. "Do your worst," Chu Yun whispered, his lips brushing against the shell of Xiao Zai''s ear. Xiao Zai held his breath and closed his eyes, but Chu Yun wasn''t done torturing him. He chuckled, and then ran the flat of his tongue over Xiao Zai''s neck, digging in with his canines dangerously close to his scent glands -- an open provocation. Xiao Zai let out a growl and spun them around, slamming Chu Yun against the wall behind him. "You only have yourself to blame." He stopped trying to hold himself back and took Chu Yun''s mouth in a rough kiss, like he''d been wanting to since they walked into the closet, and he''d gotten that first waft of his scent. He bullied Chu Yun''s lips open with his tongue, fought for entry inside his mouth and kissed him roughly. He could feel the bite of Chu Yun''s sharp teeth against his lips, could feel the vibrations of his angry snarl where their skin touched. Xiao Zai had warned Chu Yun, now he was going to do what he wanted. He held the back of Chu Yun''s head to keep him in place, and drunk his fill from his lips. Chu Yun matched his aggression, clawing the front of Xiao Zai''s robes, etching red marks on the skin of his chest. The sweet pinpricks of pain only made Xiao Zai more heated. He grabbed Chu Yun''s wrist and pinned it above his head. Xiao Zai felt the shape of Chu Yun''s smirk against his lips, and then the vicious bite of his teeth, drawing blood. It ran in rivulets from Xiao Zai''s lower lip, down his chin, and into Chu Yun''s mouth, who lapped it up like a kitten cleaning up milk. The sharp sting of pain was enough to return Xiao Zai to his senses. When he pulled away from Chu Yun''s mouth he found him smiling bloody at him, his lips so red and shiny it was as if he had painted them. Chu Yun''s chest was heaving with effort, but he was grinning triumphantly. He met Xiao Zai''s eyes and then spit all the blood in his mouth at Xiao Zai''s feet. "Is that all?" he asked, his teeth stained with red. He didn''t wait for an answer before leaving the cramped room. Xiao Zai slumped against the wall, as soon as the door banged closed behind him. He could still feel Chu Yun''s scent as if he was there with him, taunting him even in his absence. Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 40 - The Fox Is In Denial, The Wolf Reaches Acceptance Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chu Yun''s footsteps sped up the further away he got from that cramped closet and the man inside it. It was imperative that he reached the door to the courtyard as soon as possible. His hands were shaking as he pushed open the doors leading outside. He sucked in a greedy breath the moment the crisp night air hit him. All of him was on fire. The lower half of his face was covered in Xiao Zai''s blood, so was the back of his hand from trying to rub at it. He knew people were looking at him, that was part of his plan. He wanted them to think Xiao Zai had dragged him into a closet and had his way with him. It would have made Xiao Zai look good. But somewhere in there Chu Yun had lost the plot, he had come really close to actually letting Xiao Zai have his way with him. What was that all about? He noticed Xiao Zai was attractive in a sort of distant, matter-of-fact way, it didn''t mean he was actually attracted to him, right? Right. It was all because of his confusing sweet scent. Even with the alcoholic tang, it reminded Chu Yun too much of omegas'' back home. How long had it been since he''d gotten laid? Too long by half. And there were no brothels in Haolin, fuck. The cold air was doing its job, slowly but surely Chu Yun''s composure was returning. It was fine, nothing had happened. He was acommitted by a brief bout of madness that had made him entertain the thought of marking Xiao Zai, but he had regained full control of his mental faculties now. He heard someone call his name, when he turned around he saw Hua Nanyi coming for him with his white rabbit fur cloak in her arms. She wrapped the cloak over Chu Yun''s shoulder with a hiss. "It''s cold outside, what if you get sick?" Her eyes climbed up the red stains on Chu Yun''s white collar all the way up to his stained mouth and chin. Her gasp was audible. "What the fuck happened to you?" Chu Yun would rather die than admit what happened in the closet. "That''s not important, did you find what I asked you to?" Still shocked by the state he was in, she nodded. "Yes, it wasn''t easy, for some odd reason the King is discreet with his affections." Chu Yun didn''t find it odd at all. The late Queen Consort died in childbirth, a tragedy, to be sure, but suspicious considering her high number of prior miscarriages. Gu Wei might or might be involved with his oldest son....The King of Zui would have to be an idiot to broadcast who his favourites were. "We''ll talk more about this at home," Chu Yun said, eyeing the guards patrolling the courtyard and the few people milling about. "Good job." The night was getting colder and Chu Yun had gotten all he wanted out of it. It was impossible for him to go back inside in the state he was in. "I''ll go back first, come with me," he said, looking out in the direction where he thought he carriage was. "We''ll send the carriage back for Xiao Zai." Chu Yun knew it could damage the illusion he had worked so hard to craft that night, but he needed to wash Xiao Zai''s blood off himself and get his thoughts in order. He felt as if his brain was being cooked in a low simmer. That was when a sudden idea struck him. He placed a hand on Hua Nanyi''s shoulder and said, "on second thought...." --- Xiao Zai had no idea where Chu Yun had disappeared to. He wanted to leave as soon as possible. He tried to clean the blood off his mouth as best he could but it only ended up leaving a smeared mess behind. Chu Yun was crazy, absolutely insane, and if Xiao Zai closed his eyes he could still see his blood-red smile. Apparently Xiao Zai''s cock was into crazy, because he could feel it twitch at the memory alone. What an unfortunate thing to learn about oneself. After walking circles around the hall, he finally saw Chu Yun''s servant, who ran towards him as soon as their eyes met. For some reason she stopped a few paces away from Xiao Zai and sucked in a sharp breath, as if she was gathering strength. "His Grace asked this humble servant to inform his Highness that he has returned to the estate first to prepare himself to his Highness'' liking," the woman said, projecting her voice so that everyone in their immediate vicinity could hear every word. The flush high on her cheeks told him it was Chu Yun who had put her up to this. She cleared her throat. "His Grace looks forward to serving his Highness tonight as well." Xiao Zai closed his eyes and counted to ten. He was going to have a very serious conversation with Chu Yun when he got home. --- Predictably, Chu Yun was in no way ''ready to serve'' him when Xiao Zai got home. He was instead freshly showered, eating a meal in his bedroom, with his hair loose all the way down to his waist. "Back so soon?" Chu Yun asked, biting daintily on a sticky rice finger-cake. Xiao Zai glared at him. "What was that all about?" he asked, pointing at the door where Chu Yun''s servant was standing. Chu Yun gave him a look from beneath his long lashes. "I want to make sure you''re king, if this is the way I have to do it so be it." "Why? Why are you so convinced that this is the only way for me to earn support?" It rankled, somehow, that Chu Yun thought he had to be the one to get Xiao Zai on the throne, because he was too incompetent to do it on his own. He also hated the idea of anyone throwing in their support with him because they thought he had subjugated his husband to his whims. Xiao Zai wasn''t that kind of alpha. Chu Yun popped the rest of the cake into his mouth and licked his fingertips clean. Xiao Zai followed the path of his red tongue despite himself. "Idiot," Chu Yun said, his sticky lips shaped the word almost lovingly. "Your father wanted to humiliate you by marrying you to another alpha, and a Xin alpha at that." His eyes narrowed in exasperation.. "You have to show the court you''re not so easily humiliated." Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 41 - The Fox Manipulates A Concubine You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com That night, Chu Yun and Xiao Zai went to bed in their separate rooms after parting on bad terms. Chu Yun had more important things on his mind than mollifying Xiao Zai''s hurt pride. They were in this situation now, and would be idiots not to take advantage of it. Besides, Xiao Zai couldn''t understand everything Chu Yun stood to gain from the position he wanted to carve out for himself. He might have to endure the scorn of the court for letting himself be subjugated to another alpha, but what Xiao Zai didn''t get was that it would happen either way. He was already the outsider. The fox in the wolves'' den. They wouldn''t have tolerated him if he walked around with his head held high, bossing Xiao Zai in public in the same way he did in private. He would have been scorned for staying quietly in the sidelines and never speaking a word; he would have been scorned for staying in the estate and never showing his face in public. So, if the scorn was inevitable, Chu Yun could at least do something practical with it. After Xiao Zai was king, no one would dare say anything to his face, anyway. But first, he still had some groundwork to lay out. --- Unlike the previous day, the roads leading up to the royal palace complex were empty, and Chu Yun''s carriage arrived without delays at the main gates. He had brought Hua Nanyi with him, along with an assortment of gifts. He walked past the guards with his back straight, and no one tried to stop him. After all, both of his inlaws resided in the palace, and while Chu Yun wouldn''t be able to meet with the king without scheduling an audience first, he could pay Gu Wei a visit whenever he wanted. That was precisely his excuse. "Pearl Courtyard, you said?" Chu Yun asked Hua Nanyi, who nodded in assent. The Pearl Courtyard was a courtyard reserved for concubines and their visits, but it was accessible once someone was into the residential complex proper. The person he was looking for was easy enough to locate. He found her sitting at a stone table under a garden pavilion beside a scholar tree. She was practising her calligraphy today, but according to Hua Nanyi''s information, she could be doing anything, from drinking tea by herself, to playing weiqi alone. No matter what, according to Hua Nanyi''s informants, one could always expect to find Concubine Min by herself in the Pearl Courtyard, first thing in the morning. Chu Yun made a beeline for her, Hua Nanyi carried the boxes of sweets in her arms behind him. He took a seat in front of Concubine Min, courtesy name Sezhui, startling the woman into dropping her brush on top of her practice sheet. Chu Yun cut his eyes to the paper briefly, noticing it wasn''t too great a loss. Concubine Min had terrible calligraphy. As bad as a child''s. Interesting. "Oh, no, I apologise," he said, returning the brush to Min Sezhui''s slack fingers and wincing theatrically at the stained paper. Min Sezhui smiled sweetly and crumpled the paper. "Oh, please don''t apologise it''s this concubine''s fault for being distracted," she looked up into Chu Yun''s face for the first time and went pale right away. "Young master is an alpha?" she asked, leaning away from Chu Yun. Only politeness prevented her from getting up and disappearing back into the palace. She was a very beautiful omega, with a sweet round face, and big lychee eyes, framed by thick curling lashes. She smelled faintly of lotus flowers, the scent banked by the frequent attentions of an alpha mate. Chu Yun had no reason to doubt Hua Nanyi''s information in the first place, but even if she hadn''t said anything, he would have been able to tell this woman was highly favoured from how faint her natural scent was. "Please don''t worry, I''m married to his Highness, the Second Prince," Chu Yun smiled at her, keeping his tone even and nonthreatening. "I assure you I mean no offence. I was actually looking for Concubine Gu, I wanted to pay my respects, I''m afraid I didn''t behave as a filial son-in-law should the last time we saw each other." He could see some of Min Sezhui''s tension draining off her shoulders. "I''m afraid I can''t be of assistance, me and brother Gu don''t usually...talk." Chu Yun nodded and smiled without comment. Yeah, he bet they didn''t. "I''m sorry to intrude on your private time, I''ll be off now," Chu Yun said, getting up to his feet with an exaggerated groan. Min Sezhui observed him with a worried look and then waved at him to sit back down. "Please stay, you look tired, I wouldn''t want you to strain yourself." Chu Yun shot her a relieved smile, and called for Hua Nanyi to bring the boxes of sweets to the table. "I bought these for my father-in-law but if they aren''t eaten soon they''ll spoil." He sighed. Hua Nanyi had told him that Min Sezhui was well-known for being a stickler to her routine and having an extreme sweet tooth. Chu Yun could see her pretty eyes shinning as she eyed the dainty wooden boxes wrapped in silk. Chu Yun unwrapped one of the boxes and pushed it towards her. "Maybe we could share? It would be such a shame to let them go to waste." --- Min Sezhui really opened up the moment they started eating. She talked with Chu Yun openly about her days in the palace, gossiping about the other concubines, and just overall sharing the kind of information that should never leave the royal harem. Chu Yun listened to it avidly, but the most important information he gleamed from Min Sezhui herself. She was the King''s current favourite, and was as harmless, and simpleminded, as a newborn puppy. She was so innocent that Chu Yun almost felt bad about how easy it was to trick her into trusting him. It was obvious she was desperately lonely. The other concubines singled her out, not only because she was the King''s favourite, but because she was slow. That was the entire reason she spent each morning on her own, practising her calligraphy, trying to learn how to play weiqi -- she wanted to stop being the butt of every joke. "What does Sezhui think about me visiting from time to time? I feel very lonely too, being a newcomer in the city," he smiled at her and nodded at Hua Nanyi. "My servant would come too of course, and be our chaperone." He could tell she really wanted to say yes, all she needed was a little push. "I''m a really good Weiqi player, I bet I could teach Sezhui some impressive moves." Chu Yun knew he had her the moment her huge eyes widened comically. "I''d really like that!" And just like that, Chu Yun had gotten himself a standing invitation to the palace, and the ear of the person who shared the King''s bed almost every night. Read novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 42 - The Wolf Asks For Advice You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Xiao Zai was disgruntled to learn that Chu Yun had left without telling him, but not surprised. Unlike the image he was so interested in conveying in public, Chu Yun was anything but obedient in private. Not that Xiao Zai expected obedience, but...he entertained at least ideas of camaraderie, a friendship, perhaps. That seemed more unlikely every day. He didn''t want to spend his day wondering where Chu Yun could have gone to, so he kept himself occupied by working on that little plot of land at the edge of the estate. There were workers milling about, hired by Chu Yun, but they were busy with the renovation work. No one bothered Xiao Zai, and he got a few hours to himself and his thoughts. He didn''t know how much time had passed when a cough brought him out of his own head. When he turned around he found his dam standing over him, smiling softly. "I came to see if you wanted to have lunch with me." Xiao Zai got up and wiped his hands on the front of his dark, dirt-stained robes. "Chu Yun isn''t home." Gu Wei tipped his head to side. "I know, he''s at the palace, the last someone saw him, he was talking with Concubine Min." What business could Chu Yun have with one of his father''s concubines. He frowned, and looked down at his dam in confusion, the question dancing on the tip of his tongue. Gu Wei smiled enigmatically and patted him on the back. "Let''s go inside." --- Xiao Zai asked the servants to serve lunch in his quarters, and while the food was delicious as always, his mind was elsewhere. "Chu Yun hired very talented cooks," Gu Wei said, inspecting the food on his bowl. "And I can see the renovations on the estate are progressing along very speedily." Xiao Zai sighed, leaning his elbow against the wooden table and waving with his chopsticks in the air. "He doesn''t want to live in a dump." Gu Wei hummed and took a sip of fragrant rice wine. "He seems to be moving very quickly, his meeting with Concubine Min is interesting." "What could he want with her?" From what Xiao Zai remembered she was pleasant enough, although slow. One the the newest additions to the royal harem. "She''s your father''s favourite," Gu Wei said, matter-of-fact. There was no jealousy or resentment in his tone. Xiao Zai knew his dam had no interest in the king''s attention, if anything he was glad to be ignored. Xiao Zai was suddenly reminded of the odd comment Chu Yun made about Xiao Yuan''s bed warmer. He knew he had to bring up the subject carefully. He cut his eyes to his dam, who looked as composed as always. "Chu Yun...he...mentioned that Xiao Yuan''s...pet...reminded him of someone." This was always a difficult subject, and Xiao Zai wished Chu Yun wouldn''t try to turn over this particular stone. But he had to warn his dam-father anyway. "Oh," Gu Wei said, one eyebrow climbing up to his hairline. "That doesn''t surprise me, he''s very diligent, and he won''t rest until he has a clear picture of all the dynamics in your father''s court." "Yes, but..." Did they want him to? Gu Wei smiled. "He''s your husband. Have you spoken with him about what he wants?" Xiao Zai sighed again. "He said he wants me to be king, but I don''t know if I should trust him." "Whyever not? Everything he''s doing points in that direction." He filled his wine cup again, drinking it all in one go. "There''s no reason to suspect his sincerity." Xiao Zai ran one hand through his hair. "But he does all these things...I, like he wants people to believe I have some kind of control over him." He looked into his dam''s eyes, hoping he would understand all of Xiao Zai''s reticence without him having to explain. Gu Wei smiled and reached across the table to touch the back of his hand. "He married you on the orders of his own king...he won''t put his entire family in danger by trying to dissolve the union." That much Xiao Zai understood, but he was still a little unclear on everything else. Gu Wei smiled, indulgent and fond. His icy exterior only melted in front of the people he loved, and there was no one he loved more than his two children. "It''s like this: if he is trapped here, at least he''s going to make sure his position is stable. It doesn''t get much more stable than being married to the king," one corner of Gu Wei''s lips quirked up, he knew different, "at least in theory, but then again, I supposes his plans don''t involve you having an harem when you ascend." Xiao Zai frowned. "What is he planning, then? It''s hard enough for me to have support, with or without his schemes, how am I going to achieve that without an heir?" For his part, Xiao Zai couldn''t say he had any interest in having an harem. He''d seen how cruel it could be, how much suffering it caused. Not only to his dam but to other people as well. Some became such bitter and spiteful version of themselves their own family wouldn''t recognise them -- and often didn''t. The visits trailing off into nothing, until the concubines were left to waste away inside the palace. Other royal children had teachers and lessons, things that kept them away from the worst of the harem, but Xiao Zai saw all of it first-hand. Gu Wei saw the conflicting thoughts on Xiao Zai''s face and shrugged. "I don''t know what Chu Yun is planning, but maybe he''ll be more transparent with you if you extend him a token of your trust." Slowly, Xiao Zai nodded. --- Chu Yun returned from the palace in good spirits. Perhaps too good, because he was surprised to find Xiao Zai waiting for him near the gates, holding two horses by their leads, one of them was Little Butterfly. He thrust her lead at Chu Yun as soon as he came down the carriage. "Let''s go for a ride," he said, climbing up his own horse. Read novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 43 - The Fox Meets A Little Girl Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Xiao Zai''s suggestion surprised Chu Yun, but he had to admit his curiosity was piqued. He nodded at Hua Nanyi, meaning that she should get a horse for herself as well, but Xiao Zai stopped her. "No, just you and me," Xiao Zai said, steering his horse out of the gates. Now Chu Yun was really curious. Could this be related to his agreeable morning and lunch with Min Sezhui? If that was the case, news travelled fast in Haolin, indeed. But it also meant that Chu Yun had to play closer attention to his surroundings. It could be just a matter of a servant seeing him and mentioning it to another, and so on...or someone was keeping an eye on him. He inspected Xiao Zai''s posture as he rode, trying to guess what he was thinking from the straight line of his back. He didn''t look angry, but there was tension in his shoulders, apprehension. They rode for some time, well outside of Haolin and the farmland surrounding it, until they reached a sleepy village, maybe one hour away from the Zui capital by Chu Yun''s estimates. By the look of it, it was somewhere Xiao Zai was used to visiting, because he knew just when to leave the road and follow a dirt path deep into the woods. The village itself was located in an ample clearing, short wooden buildings peppered on both sides of a gurgling river. Xiao Zai made his way towards one of the houses. He dismounted just outside the low gate and tied his horses reins'' to a nearby stall. Chu Yun followed his example, his curiosity nearly killing him at that point. Xiao Zai had spent the entire ride in silence, keeping just a few paces ahead of Chu Yun, but now they had arrived and he still wasn''t saying anything. He walked up to the door and knocked, a few moments later an elderly woman opened the door. She smiled as soon as she saw Xiao Zai, and bowed her neck to him. "Your Highness, we didn''t expect another visit so soon." "There''s someone I want A-Xiang to meet." --- Chu Yun was led inside the house, which was modest but well appointed. In fact, it could almost be called charming, there was a pastoral air about it, about the whole village. He understood why when a little girl in a wooden chair with wheels was rolled into the living room by the old woman, who was clearly her nurse maid. The little girl brightened as soon as she saw Xiao Zai. "Gege, what are you doing here?" Xiao Zai knelt by her chair and allowed her to pat his head. "Gege has something to tell A-Xiang, something really important." Chu Yun approached the little girl with and knelt beside Xiao Zai. "Hello, A-Xiang, it''s very nice to meet you, my name is Chu Miaoyan, but you can call me Chu Yun" Seeing as she was her sister, Chu Yun waited for Xiao Zai''s cue. He took a long breath, and finally said: "Chu Yun is my husband, A-Xiang, he''s here to meet you." The little girl''s eyes went comically wide. "Really? When did you get married? Why couldn''t I go?" That was clearly the part of the conversation Xiao Zai was trying to avoid. Chu Yun decided to save him. "Your gege really wanted you to be there, A-Xiang, but I''m from a country very far away so you see..." She narrowed her eyes at him, sniffing the air softly. "You''re like my gege, but you''re not a wolf like us." Her small lips flattened into a thin line. "Are you from Xin?" Chu Yun nodded, amused at the little girl''s perception. A-Xiang snorted. "Xin isn''t even that far, Su is more distant." He smiled. "That''s right, A-Xiang is very smart." She returned his smile with a serious nod. "Papa says so all the time, he says A-Xiang is the smartest girl in the world." Xiao Zai chuckled and kissed her forehead on his way up. "That''s because you are." He made his way behind her and put his hands on the back of her chair. "What do you say we show Chu Yun around?" --- Both A-Xiang and Xiao Zai walked him around the little village. Despite her fierce temper A-Xiang insisted on holding Chu Yun''s hand and personally pointing out every little thing she deemed interesting. Two things became quickly apparent to Chu Yun: First, Xiao Zai loved his sister deeply, he smiled more in the brief time they had spent with A-Xiang than in the entire time Chu Yun had known him. Second, there was something odd about the village. It seemed impossible that anyone could make a living there. The houses were all very nice, despite not being ostentatious, and they all had a neat courtyard in the front. It was still early, but no one was out working, not even fishing in the river. Everyone Chu Yun had seen, mostly peeking behind windows, seemed to be an elderly woman, sometimes a small head would pop up before being shoo-ed back into the house. That led Chu Yun to a single conclusion: this was a village where bastards were kept away from polite society. Chu Yun had heard rumours of something similar in Xin, a little village close to Lanzhou. A place where rich families could ''hide'' their ''embarrassments''. A-Xiang, with her quick wit and sparkling eyes was clearly one of them. Chu Yun was unsure if the little girl knew this -- if any of the children were aware of the circumstances of their birth, which meant they would have to grow up here, away from their families. Chu Yun was silent, lost in his own thoughts, when a sudden, wheezing sound drew his attention. A-Xiang clutched her throat, eyes wide with fright. From between her pale lips came a terrible, rattling sound. --- A.N.: Just a reminder: the A- prefix and the -er suffix are terms of endearment. Usually adults will address children in this way, children will address each other in this way too, but it can also be used towards adults, by parents, very very close friends, or romantic partners to denote tenderness.. Servants are sometimes called by these suffixes too, regardless of age. You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 44 - The Fox Is Shaken Up Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chu Yun was stunned still by A-Xiang''s distress, but Xiao Zai immediately kicked himself into action. He picked up A-Xiang into his arms and rushed back into the little house. The elderly woman went pale the moment she saw Xiao Zai walk in into the house. In a surprising show of strength she cleared everything off the table with a sweep or her arm, so that Xiao Zai could deposit A-Xiang there. Chu Yun watched as he propped her on her side and massaged her back, all the while speaking softly, "It''s okay, A-Xiang is fine, breathe slowly in and out, look Granny Han is here too." His tone was mellow and even, his hands steady on A-Xiang''s back. Chu Yun was paralysed by fear, standing in the doorway uselessly. He desperately wanted to help, but had no idea how. Slowly, under the stream of Xiao Zai''s reassuring words, A-Xiang''s breathing slowed down, and that terrible, rattling sound stopped. Her small chest still heaved up and down frantically, but some colour had returned to her face. "Gege," she asked, her voice thin and raspy, "I''m okay now, don''t worry." She reached towards Xiao Zai''s face with her small hand, and something in Chu Yun''s chest seized. Xiao Zai grabbed her hand and kissed her palm loudly, making silly smacking sounds until she giggled. Granny Han let out a relieved laugh and clapped her hands together. "I''m going to make something for us to eat. Young miss must be tired after all the excitement." --- They ate steamed rabbit meat buns, washed down with some herbal tea Granny Han picked from the little garden in front of the house. A-Xiang was bubbly and chatty through the entire meal, talking with her brother about everything new she had learned in his absence, every once in a while she would try to rope in Chu Yun into the conversation. He always answered but he was still reeling from the earlier shock. He couldn''t get the image of A-Xiang struggling to breathe out of his mind. Eventually, Xiao Zai announced they had to go, but would be back soon to pay A-Xiang a visit. "Will papa come, too?" she asked, looping her thin arms around Xiao Zai''s neck. "He will, I''ll tell him you miss him." A-Xiang beamed. "Granny Han said my calligraphy is improving, and I want to show papa!" Chu Yun said his goodbyes as well, still shaken up from what he''d seen. A-Xiang was very lively, and well-spoken, but she couldn''t be older than six years. The unfairness of such a small child dealing with such serious health issues, on top of the injustice of her birth, struck him. On the trip back, Xiao Zai kept pace with Chu Yun, keeping to a steady trot. Chu Yun was lost in his thoughts, but eventually he couldn''t hold in his curiosity any longer. "A-Xiang...is her condition serious?" He knew before Xiao Zai nodded, that it was. There was no way for someone to choke like that on their own breath if it wasn''t serious. "She''s been very frail since birth," Xiao Zai said, his grip steady on the reins, and his gaze focused on the horizon. "The physicians don''t know what''s wrong with her, and despite several attempts no one has found a cure." He sighed. "Some medicine helps keep her breathing issues in check, but she still gets these ''spells''...as our dam calls them." Chu Yun imagined that A-Xiang was unable to walk for reasons related to her breathing condition as well, but he didn''t probe. It was obvious that despite the brave face he put in front of her, Xiao Zai was shaken up as well. "Do they happen often?" "Only when she''s very anxious, or very excited," he smiled sadly. "She was happy you came, she loves meeting new people." Chu Yun felt terrible that his presence had set off another of A-Xiang''s crisis. "I''m sorry, I-" He was clutching the reins tightly between his stiff fingers when a warm hand settled over his. Chu Yun was surprised to see Xiao Zai reach towards him from his seat on the saddle. He smiled at the confused look on Chu Yun''s face. "It''s not your fault, it wouldn''t be fair to deprive her of the things that make her happy just because of her illness," he shook his head. "That wouldn''t be a life at all. She''s already...." he cut himself short but Chu Yun could guess at the rest of his sentence. "Is that village a place to keep bastard children out of sight?" Chu Yun winced at the way the words sounded, but there really wasn''t a way to make them any kinder. A muscle jumped in Xiao Zai''s jaw, but he nodded. He turned to look at Chu Yun, the elegant lines of his neck exposed. "I took you to meet A-Xiang so that you know I trust you. Gu Wei knows about it, and accepted it. Please know that A-Xiang is very special to us both." Chu Yun hummed. It was obvious from the way he handled her. "Who is her sire?" Xiao Zai''s hands tightened on the reins until his knuckles turned white. "That''s not important, and please don''t ask my dam about it." Chu Yun doubted Gu Wei would tell him anything even if he did, but he had his own ideas. All signs pointed to A-Xiang being the First Prince''s daughter. If the First Prince knew about her existence or not, was a different story. --- Xiao Zai was putting both their horses away when Chu Yun surprised him by bringing up his rut. "It''s tomorrow, right?" Xiao Zai nodded, and amended, "Tomorrow night." Something passed over Chu Yun''s face, as if he was having a silent conversation with himself, and then he lifted his eyes and met Xiao Zai''s. "What do you usually...do?" Xiao Zai grit his teeth. "Nothing, I handle it." Chu Yun sucked his lower lip between his teeth, as if in commiseration. "I''ll go to your room, I''ll help you." Xiao Zai looked away from his fox eyes and his red lips, shaking his head to clear his muddied thoughts.. "I''m not sure that''s a good idea." Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 45 - The Fox Doesnt Like Being Rejected You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chu Yun didn''t expect Xiao Zai to flat out refuse him, not after what had happened between them at the palace. "Why not?" Xiao Zai averted his eyes. "I''m just not interested. I''ll handle it on my own." He walked away from the stables, leaving Chu Yun behind. Chu Yun remained rooted to the spot, incredulous about what had just transpired. He couldn''t believe Xiao Zai was rejecting his offer. What''s more...he was sure that Xiao Zai was attracted to him. He didn''t completely understand it, considering they were both alphas, but Xiao Zai had said as much when he was drunk, back at the brothel in Lanzhou, and his actions in the palace the day before all but confirmed it. So why? It wasn''t like Chu Yun was suggesting Xiao Zai mark him or anything. In his mind he imagined he''d give Xiao Zai a friendly handjob, and maybe a little kiss. Both as a token of appreciation, and as a way to bind Xiao Zai to him even more. He watched Xiao Zai''s silhouette disappear in the distance, all the while thinking to himself that he would still find a way to change his mind. --- The next day it became obvious early on that Xiao Zai was trying to avoid Chu Yun. Every time Chu Yun tried to approach him he found a sudden reason to be somewhere else. Chu Yun felt as if he had spent most of the day chasing Xiao Zai, with nothing to show for it. He hoped that Xiao Zai would at least condescend to have lunch with him, but he had no such luck. Instead he ate with Hua Nanyi in his bedroom. She didn''t understand his frustrations. "This lowly servant thinks his Grace is being dramatic as fuck," she gestured with her chopstick, and then added, "respectfully." Chu Yun just rolled his eyes at her. "Don''t bother," he sighed, "I just don''t know why he''s being so stubborn." Hua Nanyi narrowed her eyes at him. "Are you sure you don''t know why?" Chu Yun gestured vaguely. "I have some ideas..." but he didn''t like entertaining either of them. The truth of the matter was that Chu Yun hated being told ''no''. In many ways it was much worse than being given orders. Still, it only increased his determination to get Xiao Zai to agree. He still hadn''t shown Chu Yun his wolf form, and Chu Yun hated being at a disadvantage. "Maybe you could just wait for night to fall and sneak into his room?" Hua Nanyi suggested, slightly concerned about the look in Chu Yun''s eyes. "I know you''re a beta, and therefore don''t understand how all of this works," Chu Yun said, with some exasperation. "But that would be...," he winced and shook his head, "awful, let''s leave it at that." He had been furious when he thought Xiao Zai had tried to take advantage of Chu Hean during his heat, he would never turn around and try to do the same to him during his rut. No, he needed to have permission, and he knew there was a way to get it. Suddenly, Hua Nanyi''s expression shifted. "Are you hearing that?" Chu Yun wasn''t, not at first, but then he heard the faint sound of claws on wood. "That fucking cat," he said, getting up to his feet and walking to the door. Sure enough, there was a little ball of fluff on the other side, one of its paws still raised in the air. It meowed at Chu Yun, its little eyes disappearing into slits and its mouth filled with needle-sharp teeth glinting. Sighing, Chu Yun picked it up by the ruff and brought it into the room. "And then there''s this," he said, depositing the little kitten on the table in front of Hua Nanyi. "What am I going to do with him? He doesn''t say anywhere we put him, and doesn''t like the outside." Hua Nanyi reached towards him, and almost got swatted for her efforts. "Aggressive little thing." "I''m almost convinced that Gu Wei instructed it to try and kill me in my sleep." Hua Nanyi snorted. "That sounds reasonable." Chu Yun ignored her and focused on the kitten again. "I still don''t know what I should call it." He tried to reach towards the white kitten, who tried to swat his hand just as it had done to Hua Nanyi. "Stop, stop you little monster." "Hey, that''s a good name, Xiao Yao!" Hua Nanyi said, smiling openly. Chu Yun picked up the cat by the ruff again, watching it squirm in the air. "It does suit him," he narrowed his eyes and pulled the cat''s tail out of the way, "he is a him, he doesn''t just look like one." Without warning Hua Nanyi brought her palm down on the tabletop, rattling the teacups and making Chu Yun drop the kitten, who landed on the floor with a hiss. "I know, why don''t you go talk with your husband about finding a name for the cat." Chu Yun was about to dismiss her idea as preposterous, but then thought better of it. The cat was a gift from Xiao Zai''s dam, it would be rude if Chu Yun came up with a name for him all on his own. As far as excuses to get Xiao Zai to stop running away from him went, it wasn''t the worst one -- or the most stupid. Except the kitten had disappeared the moment Chu Yun dropped it, skittering away somewhere, probably crouching under some piece of furniture. Chu Yun pointed a finger at Hua Nanyi. "Great idea, and since you came up with it, you should go and find the cat." --- Hua Nanyi did eventually find the cat, which she delivered into Chu Yun''s hands with a large dose of recrimination. "I think you should consider naming him Big Monster instead." The back of her hands were covered in scratches, and while Chu Yun empathised, he had more important considerations: "it doesn''t sound as good." In any case, he wrapped the kitten in about two lengths of silk, neutralising his claws if not his powerful meow. Armed with his hostage, he went in search of Xiao Zai. As expected, he wasn''t easy to find, and it seemed he had earned a measure of loyalty from the servants while Chu Yun was distracted. For some reason they were all very tight-lipped when Chu Yun asked them if they had seen him. It was frustrating, but at the same time, something about searching all over the estate for Xiao Zai excited Chu Yun. It was like a treasure hunt, one Chu Yun intended to win. He eventually found Xiao Zai in the library, cleaning off the dust of several bamboo strip scrolls, and organising them in shelves. He tried to hide it but his shoulders stiffened the moment he heard Chu Yun''s voice. "You''ve been avoiding me," Chu Yun said, smiling to himself. Xiao Zai didn''t turn around, keeping his back to Chu Yun. "Whatever gave you that idea?" His dispassionate tone was amusing, Chu Yun liked it when he played hard to get. For once, Chu Yun was actually being kind, trying to do him a favour, and Xiao Zai kept refusing him. This close to his rut, Xiao Zai''s scent was stronger than ever, and it permeated the whole room. Normally, Chu Yun would be extremely uncomfortable in the presence of an alpha sending out such strong pheromones, but Xiao Zai''s wolfberry wine scent merely tingled his senses. "We have to talk about this," Chu Yun said, extending the cat towards Xiao Zai. "We have to come up with a name for him." Xiao Zai gave him a look from the corner of his eyes. "And we have to do this now?" "The cat is a gift from your dam, it would be impolite for us to keep ignoring it," Chu Yun said, the lie smooth on his tongue. One corner of Xiao Zai''s lips ticked up. It wasn''t a very convincing lie, but Chu Yun was determined to stick with it. "I heard you were asking around for me." What was going on that the servants Chu Yun hired himself were more loyal to Xiao Zai than to him? He had to keep a closer eye on things. "I was thinking about calling him Little Monster," Chu Yun said, ignoring Xiao Zai''s remark. Slowly, Xiao Zai slotted the scroll in his hands into the shelf, and turned around to face Chu Yun. There was something in his eyes, similar to that silver gleam Chu Yun had seen in the gloom of the closet in the palace. It made his mouth turn dry. Xiao Zai took the kitten from Chu Yun''s hands and placed it on the floor, letting it free himself from his prison of silk. Chu Yun was looking up into Xiao Zai''s eyes, and so was unprepared when he wrapped his hand around one of his wrists and slammed him against the shelf. "Why are you so determined to test me?" Xiao Zai brought his face close to Chu Yun''s, his warm breath ghosting across his lips.. "Be careful that you don''t bite more than you can chew." Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 46 - The Wolf Is Hot Under The Collar You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Xiao Zai had been aware of Chu Yun''s presence the entire day, it was as if he had a sixth sense that told him where Chu Yun was. But now, he had Chu Yun pressed against a shelf and that awareness had tripled. He could feel Chu Yun''s intakes of breath as if they were passing through him, he could see each of his individual lashes, and almost hear the soft drag of his red tongue wetting his lower lip. It wasn''t that he didn''t want what Chu Yun was offering, it was that he wanted it too much. "I''m just trying to help you," Chu Yun said, his long lashes shuttering down his eyes. His ''help'' probably had all kinds of strings attached. Xiao Zai wasn''t stupid, Chu Yun had something in mind, but Xiao Zai couldn''t see what he stood to gain from this. As always, he could tell there was a bigger picture behind Chu Yun''s actions, but his motives were inscrutable. It was maddening. It made Xiao Zai''s skin itch with the urge to peel Chu Yun apart like some soft fruit and have a look inside him. Sometimes, like now, the desire was so strong that it made his teeth ache. Something told Xiao Zai that if he were ever to sink his teeth into Chu Yun he would never let go. "Do you even know what that means?" Xiao Zai asked, nosing in along Chu Yun''s neck, breathing in the crisp smell of him. His fresh orchid and pine scent usually cleared Xiao Zai''s head, but not right now. At the moment it just made it harder for Xiao Zai to focus, but he couldn''t stop himself from inhaling deeply. Chu Yun didn''t make any move to push Xiao Zai away. He remained oddly quiet even with his wrist pinned and Xiao Zai''s face pushed close to his neck. Xiao Zai heard the sound of him swallowing around nothing. "I thought of...offering an helping hand." The careful way he worded that sentence told Xiao Zai that was probably all that was on offer. A helping ''hand'', nothing more. Xiao Zai smirked against Chu Yun''s skin, letting him feel the shape of his canines. "What if I''m not satisfied with that?" Another loud gulp, Chu Yun squirming against Xiao Zai''s hold for the first time. "What did you have in mind?" Xiao Zai slid his free hand up Chu Yun''s thigh, and then under, wrapping his fingers under his knee and hoisting Chu Yun''s leg around his waist. Chu Yun let out a startled gasp, but tightened his leg around Xiao Zai''s middle to keep himself upright. Xiao Zai''s fingers tightened around his wrist. "Maybe I want to fuck you," Xiao Zai said, looking into Chu Yun''s eyes as he spoke. "What will you do then?" Chu Yun''s throat worked as he tried to come up with an answer. It felt like a victory to Xiao Zai to finally leave him speechless. The hand Xiao Zai had on Chu Yun''s knee drifted towards the seam of his robe, sliding inside, and touching the thin fabric of an inner robe -- Chu Yun still refused to wear pants under his robes, unlike everyone else in Zui. It allowed Xiao Zai to reach his warm skin, feel it go even warmer under his fingers. "We''re both alphas...how would it...how would it even work?" "That''s your only concern?" Xiao Zai teased, laughing when Chu Yun scowled in indignation. He made a genuine bid to free himself of Xiao Zai''s hands this time, but Xiao Zai kept him in place "Beta men do it all the time," Xiao Zai said, his tone leading, he could feel himself getting hard just thinking about it. Chu Yun''s eyes narrowed, he hissed through gritted teeth, "beta men don''t have knots." Xiao Zai''s fingers dug into the muscle of Chu Yun''s thigh. "I''ll be gentle with you." That finally pushed Chu Yun over the edge. He broke free of Xiao Zai''s hold with a growl, using his free hand to push against Xiao Zai''s chest -- something he could have done from the beginning. Xiao Zai let go of him. He had proven his point. "So you see, it''s better if you stay away tonight," he said, raising both of his hands in surrender. Chu Yun gave him a look from under the sweep of his curling lashes, he had fully composed himself, and looked barely unruffled. His keen fox eyes roamed over Xiao Zai''s body, some secret calculations going on behind them that Xiao Zai would never be able to guess. He squared his shoulders and tightened his robe around himself, from where the waist sash had come loose. He raised his chin and gave Xiao Zai a defiant smirk before leaving the room. Xiao Zai let himself sag against the bookshelves the moment he left. Chu Yun had a way to get under his skin that was as enticing as it was aggravating. Xiao Zai never knew if he wanted to strangle him or kiss him -- most of the time it felt like a combination of both. Either way, he could feel his control slipping. He looked down at his hands and found them shaking. It was still early, but maybe he should lock himself in his quarters now, just as a precaution. --- The sun had barely set and already Xiao Zai could feel the pull of the moon moving under his skin, setting his blood on fire with its song. He had stripped down to his inner robes, to cope with the heat ravaging him from within. This was only the start, things would get much worse before the rut broke and Xiao Zai got any relief. By now he was used to it. It was an unfortunate reality of being an unmated alpha, and something Xiao Zai had been dealing with since his teen years -- but it never got any easier. His senses were heightened by the rut, which was why he smelled Chu Yun approaching long before he knocked on his bedroom door. Read novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 47 - The Wolf Is Ravenous Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Xiao Zai had left himself relax into his mixed form, all the better to handle his rut, but now he could feel all the fur on his tail and ears stand on end at Chu Yun''s proximity. What was he doing here? Hadn''t Xiao Zai scared him off? "Leave!" he growled, sending out a wave of pheromones with his words. His black wolf ears stood up from his hair, the black fur blending in with the sleek hair strands around them. They twitched in the air, attuned to the most minimal sound from behind the closed door. There was rustling from the other side, Xiao Zai could hear Chu Yun pressing his open palm against the door''s panel. "Stop being stubborn, I can help." He stopped for a moment. "I won''t let you go too far." There was something in his tone that told Xiao Zai he was mostly trying to convince himself. "How are you going to stop me?" he asked, his voice gravelly. A pause, and then Chu Yun answered. "I have nine little helpers, remember?" The image of Chu Yun''s tails fanning behind him like a peacock''s tail and his large, tapered fox ears, flopping sideways on top of his head came to his mind. Suddenly, it was all he could think about, and something inside him ached to see it again. He was opening the door before he could even make sense of his own actions. Chu Yun slipped inside, as if afraid Xiao Zai would change his mind. His eyes widened when he saw Xiao Zai''s ears and tail. "Oh, I didn''t think..." Whatever else he was going to say got lost between them in a groan as Xiao Zai wrapped his arms around him and threw him to the floor. He nosed along the divot between shoulder and neck, trying to get at where Chu Yun''s scent was stronger and warmer. Chu Yun indulged him, for some time, but then his fingers sunk into Xiao Zai''s hair, and he pulled -- hard. "Bad dog," Chu Yun said, his fingers still tangled into Xiao Zai''s hair. When Xiao Zai could focus enough to look into Chu Yun''s eyes he found them yellow, shining like gold. His large white ears stood up from his head, and his tails supported his neck like a pillow. One of them pushed back against Xiao Zai''s shoulder. The sight of his beast form made Xiao Zai''s mouth water. There was a natural seductiveness about Chu Yun that was as much artifice as it was genuine, but it increased tenfold when he was like this. When he smirked the sharpened points of his teeth glinted like pearls, his yellow eyes burned with an inner fire, and all his movements became languid -- as if he was relaxing into a warm bath after a tiring day. It was mesmerising. Xiao Zai hated how vulnerable it made him feel, but he was powerless to stop himself. Chu Yun''s smirk widened, he ran his thumb along the corner of Xiao Zai''s mouth. "You''re drooling," his tone was infuriatingly smug. Xiao Zai took his thumb into his mouth and bit into the soft pad until Chu Yun hissed in pain and pulled it away. His scowl was no less breathtaking than his smirk, and even better, it looked like a victory to Xiao Zai. "You really are a dog," Chu Yun chided. Xiao Zai got hold of the collar of Chu Yun''s robes and wrenched each half to the side, exposing his chest to his hungry gaze and a tantalising triangle of bare skin all the way to his waist, where the sash still held the two halves of his outer and inner robes together. "I am," Xiao Zai said, giving in to his desire and dragging the flat of his tongue across Chu Yun''s heaving chest, one of his thumbs teasing Chu Yun''s small, beige nipple into a hard peak. Below him, Chu Yun gasped. Xiao Zai pinched him, enjoying how his red lips fell open to let out involuntary gasps. He squirmed, but Xiao Zai held him in place. "Do you want to know what I think?" Xiao Zai asked, whispering the words against the shell of Chu Yun''s ear. "No," Chu Yun said, redoubling his efforts, although his ''little helpers'' remained oddly still. Xiao Zai grinned. "I think you like this." Chu Yun bared his teeth in a snarl. "Don''t get ideas, I''m just here to help you because we''re married." Xiao Zai hummed, his face still pressed against Chu Yun''s neck. He let the hand on Chu Yun''s chest slide inside his robe, and under his waist sash, loosening it, making Chu Yun''s robes fall open around him like unfurling butterfly wings. Xiao Zai lifted his head and looked down the expanse of Chu Yun''s body, drinking in the sight of his pebbled nipples, rising from his chest enticingly, the trim angles of his slender waist, and his bare legs still tangled in the fabric of his loose robes. He ran a hand down the expanse of Chu Yun''s chest, and then slid it around his waist and under his thigh, making him gasp. He gripped the firm flesh in his hand and spread Chu Yun''s legs open. A faint red blush dusted Chu Yun''s cheeks. His nine tails were squirming behind him, but did nothing to stop Xiao Zai''s ministrations. Something screamed inside Xiao Zai to roll Chu Yun on his front and put his mouth on his nape and his cock inside him, until he submitted to Xiao Zai and went pliant in his arms. An even louder voice reminded him that if he did that he would never be forgiven, and perhaps worse, he would have to live with himself afterwards. His hands stilled on Chu Yun''s skin, at the same time a tremble went through him. What was he doing? His ruts were always painful, maddening affairs but he had never felt this out of control. His fingers had gone slack on Chu Yun''s thigh, letting it drop back to the floor. Chu Yun closed his fingers around Xiao Zai''s wrist, so hard it hurt. Xiao Zai looked into his golden eyes and found them half-lidded, his mouth open on a gasp. "Why are you stopping?" Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 48 - The Wolf Doesnt Need Directions (NSFW) You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Xiao Zai went completely still. "What did you say?" Chu Yun let out a put-upon sigh, as if Xiao Zai was being difficult on purpose. He dragged Xiao Zai''s hand towards his underclothes, but undid the fastenings himself. "Do you need directions?" He whispered the words against Xiao Zai''s cheek, his tone mocking. Xiao Zai''s eyes were glued to his hard cock, jutting proudly from between that neat thatch of pubic hair. He had seen it before during that ill-advised "sword" measuring contest, but the circumstances where different now. Now he felt as if Chu Yun''s sinuous movements were inviting him to touch his fill. He heard a sigh, and then Chu Yun dragged Xiao Zai''s hand towards his hard cock, closing his own fingers over Xiao Zai''s so that he would finally grip him inside his fist. "I know you''ve never fucked anyone," he grumbled, adjusting Xiao Zai''s grip on himself with a little sigh, "but you must have touched a cock, even if it was your own." Xiao Zai tightened his fist around Chu Yun in reply to his provocation, eliciting a strangled moan. There had been some adolescent exploration, but nothing beyond that with other people. This was Xiao Zai''s first time touching another person so intimately, it made his mouth dry, and his cock hard enough to make him dizzy. He pulled up Chu Yun into his lap with his free arm, settling behind him with his legs bracketing the outside of Chu Yun''s thighs. Chu Yun''s tails fell to the side, keeping out of the way, and allowing Xiao Zai to look down Chu Yun''s chest, at the straining muscles of his abdomen, and the purple cockhead disappearing in the circle of his fist. Chu Yun melted against him, letting his head loll back into Xiao Zai''s shoulder, his soft ears twitching. One of his hands flew up to clutch Xiao Zai''s shoulder, his fingers struggling for purchase, while the fingers of the other hand dug into the meat of Xiao Zai''s thigh. His blunt nails cut crescents into Xiao Zai''s skin, but he welcomed the pain. Having Chu Yun squirm against him like this was doing awful things for Xiao Zai''s composure. It felt as if his brain was being cooked under a slow fire. His own cock was so hard it hurt, rubbing up against Chu Yun, trailing wetness against the plump cheeks of his ass. "I want to fuck you so bad," Xiao Zai keened, running his free hand down Chu Yun''s chest, tweaking a hard nipple on his way down his abs. Chu Yun let out a breathless chuckle, his hips canting up into Xiao Zai''s fist. "Well, you''re not going to." The nonchalant way he spoke rankled. Xiao Zai slowed down the movements of his hand, moving his palm slowly over the velvety skin, made wet by the copious amounts of slick dribbling down the tiny slit . "What makes you so sure?" Just moments before, Xiao Zai had to fight down the urge to fuck Chu Yun into submission, so he wasn''t sure if Chu Yun''s confidence was all that warranted. The fingers Chu Yun had buried on Xiao Zai''s thigh let go and moved towards his forearm, trying to get Xiao Zai to speed up his pace. Xiao Zai kept things slow and steady, just to show Chu Yun he could. His own need was driving him insane, but there was something about having Chu Yun at his mercy like this that calmed the howling wolf inside him. The desire to mate was just as urgent as before, but some part of him was reassured by Chu Yun''s presence. Even if he was being difficult and a smug asshole about it. Chu Yun let out a frustrated groan. "Because you aren''t a bad dog at all," he turned his head to the side and licked a hot strip across Xiao Zai''s straining neck. "You''re an eager little puppy." His words were made syrupy and mellow by his arousal, and went straight to Xiao Zai''s cock. He started rubbing himself harder against Chu Yun, leaving trails of sticky precum across the smooth skin of his ass. Xiao Zai nuzzled into Chu Yun''s neck, incensed by his words, his scent, the feeling of his wet cock in his fist. "And you''re a fucking vixen, like all those bawdy tales say." Chu Yun let out a laugh, his fingers digging into Xiao Zai''s skin. "If you weren''t so fucking repressed maybe you''d be able to control yourself better." He was talking a big game, but he was just as eager as Xiao Zai. His chest was flushed red, and there was a telltale tightness at the base of his dick that signalled his knot was about to pop. Xiao Zai bit softly into the skin of Chu Yun''s nape, stopping himself short of breaking the skin, delighting to hear Xiao Zai''s startled gasp. "Says the man about to cum from having my hand around his cock." Chu Yun cursed something under his breath, but Xiao Zai didn''t listen, he was too focused on bringing him over the edge. He focused his strokes on the base of Chu Yun''s cock, stopping at times to squeeze with his fingers and increase the pressure around his knot, growing thicker with each pass. He pinched one of Chu Yun''s nipples with his free hand, and licked his neck where his teeth had bitten into moments before. "What''s the matter? Don''t have anything smart to say? Does my hand feel better than all the omega holes you''re so proud of having fucked?" Chu Yun let out a startled moan, his fingers spasming on Xiao Zai''s skin as if he was afraid of losing his grip and himself in the process. Xiao Zai almost couldn''t close his fist around the girth of his knot. Just a little more and he''d come. Xiao Zai bit his earlobe and whispered into his ear. "Maybe what you''ve always wanted was a big alpha to put you in your place." Chu Yun came all over Xiao Zai''s fist and himself with a series of hopeless, struggling gasps, that were almost enough to send Xiao Zai over the edge too. You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 49 - The Fox Loses Sight Of His Goals (NSFW) You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com It took Chu Yun some time to return to himself after such an intense orgasm. He couldn''t remember the last time he''d felt as if he was on the verge of losing conscience from coming so hard. Xiao Zai''s whispered, filthy words, were still echoing around in his mind. As much as Chu Yun wanted to deny it, his abdomen and most of his chest were covered in the sticky white evidence of how much he''d liked hearing those things. So he was sexually adventurous, it wasn''t a big deal. It came with the territory when one wasn''t from a repressed nation like Zui. What was even the point of having prostitutes but not brothels? It only served to make everything feel seedier and more illicit. Slowly, Chu Yun''s breathing returned to normal, all the while Xiao Zai kept his hands on him, and his nose pressed into the crook of his neck. Chu Yun could feel the soft fur of his wolf ears brush against his human ears, and the hard imprint of a hard cock poking insistently against his ass cheek. Now that he was no longer desperately horny, Chu Yun knew he needed to act fast before Xiao Zai became determined to put his cock somewhere Chu Yun absolutely didn''t want him to. With a sigh, he turned around in Xiao Zai''s lap, and arranged himself so they were facing each other. Xiao Zai''s hands came around him and wrapped around his waist, keeping him in place. Chu Yun studied Xiao Zai''s flushed face. His wolf eyes were ice chip clear, a pale blue that was almost grey. It made it easier to read his usually stoic face. Right now, he was biting his lower lip to prevent himself from outright panting. Chu Yun wrapped a hand around his straining cock, and cupped his cheek with the other. "You''re really pent up aren''t you?" he cooed, smirking when Xiao Zai glared at him, wrenching his head to the side to dislodge Chu Yun''s hand. Now that Chu Yun had come, his head felt clearer. I was good to be back in control, not only of himself but of the situation. He had come to Xiao Zai''s room with the purpose of helping him through his rut, and maybe getting under his skin. He had lost sight of that goal temporarily, but now he had everything back under control. Xiao Zai was painfully hard, and kept fucking his hips up into Chu Yun''s fist, letting out little choked off gasps. Chu Yun twisted his wrist on each downstroke just so, increasing the pressure just to watch the tight muscles of Xiao Zai''s abdomen bunch up in overwhelmed pleasure. "Are you close?" he smirked and leaned over to lick teasingly at Xiao Zai''s neck. Xiao Zai''s hand flew up and held the back of Chu Yun''s neck, bunching up his hair, and pulling up his face towards his mouth. He kissed him angrily. Almost aggressive in the way he shoved his tongue inside Chu Yun''s mouth, using his grip on the back of his head to keep him in place. Chu Yun let himself be swept up in the kiss, keeping his hand steady on Xiao Zai''s cock. By the time he noticed, the fingers of Xiao Zai''s free hand were already kneading the soft flesh of his ass, digging into one of the cheeks, inching dangerously close to the valley between them. In retaliation Chu Yun twisted one of his nipples, while squeezing the fingers around his cock bruisingly tight. "Bad dog, down boy." Xiao Zai smirked against Chu Yun''s lips, and smacked his ass, making Chu Yun''s tails flutter and then come down to bat his hand away from its target. "I thought I was supposed to be a puppy," Xiao Zai teased. He let go of Chu Yun''s nape to wrap both hands around his waist. Chu Yun ignored him. This was going on for longer than he had planned for. How much longer could Xiao Zai hold on anyway? Chu Yun sped up the movements of his fist, keeping the circle of his fingers tight for Xiao Zai to fuck into. He was dripping copious amounts of precum, which Chu Yun used to make the slide wetter. Milky white drops gathered at the tip of his cock, and for a brief moment of insanity Chu Yun wondered what it would taste like if he put his tongue against the glistening head. Xiao Zai''s finger dug into his sides just in time to save him from his own mind. "I''m close," he said, his hips canting upwards, trying to impose a faster rhythm than what Chu Yun was giving him. The base of his cock was growing with his knot, and Chu Yun was struggling to keep up. He changed positions, and wrapped both his hands around Xiao Zai''s cock, to try and bring him to orgasm faster. Xiao Zai sucked in a harsh breath, Chu Yun lifted his head at the sound. "Fuck, that''s a sight," Xiao Zai said, screwing his eyes closed in pleasure. There was something about the look on his face that made heat pool low in Chu Yun''s middle. Xiao Zai''s neck and chest were flushed, his lips wet with the combination of both their saliva, and Chu Yun found that he couldn''t look away. He was so distracted that he almost yelped when Xiao Zai used the grip he had on his waist to keep him steady as he fucked into his fists one last time and came with a shout. Ropes of cum shot up from his cock. A lot of it landed on Chu Yun''s chin and mouth, due to their positions. Disgruntled, Chu Yun tried to wipe it off himself with the back of his forearm, but Xiao Zai stopped him. Instead, he brought his thumb to the corner of Chu Yun''s lips and smeared what was left there. "I always knew you''d look beautiful with my cum all over your face." You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 50 - The Wolf And The Fox Are A Source Of Speculation You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com The morning after the full moon found all the servants in the estate of his Highness the Second Prince of Zui, gathered in the kitchen, avidly discussing the night''s events. Little Pan, who took his assignment of taking note of his Grace''s moods very seriously, was the first to speak up. He read aloud from his ledger as he addressed his fellow servants: "The three previous days his Grace woke up mildly to extremely annoyed, often starting his day wishing curses and plagues on all his enemies." A-Yang the youngest of all the servants, a curious boy with too much to say and little sense interrupted him: "Who are his Grace''s enemies?" The elderly woman standing next to him pulled on his earlobe. "Don''t be nosy," she chided, and then waved Little Pan on, "keep reading." Little Pan cleared his throat and flipped his ledger to the next page. "Moreover, his Grace and his Highness have been sleeping in separate quarters," he paused dramatically to look around at all the expectant faces around him. "That changed last night." A tall man with a broad forehead and an even broader nose slammed his hand down hard on the table. "I knew it! Pay up, Liao Sui." Liao Sui, a slender man with a pointy chin and an even pointier nose, sighed and fished inside his pocket for some bronze taels. He deposited them on the tall man''s open palm with a frown. The elderly woman slapped Little Pan''s arm as if she was trying to swat a fly. "Did anyone hear anything? Last night was the full moon right? Did his Second Highness go into rut?" Hua Nanyi who was sitting by herself in the corner, finally said something, "Honestly, this kind of speculation is too much." She had no strong feelings for Xiao Zai either way, but Chu Yun she knew since the two of them were in their teens. She would always be thankful that he showed her kindness and friendship when she was assigned as his personal servant. Many other masters would have rejoiced at the opportunity to humiliate a new servant. Chu Yun never held that kindness over her head, and she very much doubted it he saw it as one in the first place. He simply didn''t have it in himself to be cruel to someone just because they were his subordinate. Hua Nanyi still felt she held him a modicum of loyalty. The least she could do was prevent people from speculating about his private affairs in his own home. The other servants were all giving her judgemental looks, as if they couldn''t believe she was ruining their fun. She stared the group of them down. "They''re married, they can do whatever they want. What is it to any of you?" One of the men in the back wrinkled his nose. "But they''re both alphas...it''s odd." Hua Nanyi got up from her seat and threw a dirty dish rag in his direction. "And we''re all betas here! Omega, alpha...what does it matter to us, either way?" Her words were met with silence. Little Pan caught the dish rag, and looked at her in apparent fright. "We have work to do, so let''s get to it," Hua Nanyi said, already on her way out the kitchen. The other servants filed out not long after her, but it was obvious the flames of gossip wouldn''t be so easily banked. --- Xiao Zai woke up with a groan. There was a crick in his neck, and his back was killing him. He blinked his eyes open and realised he fell asleep on the floor last night. More than that, Chu Yun was draped halfway across him like a particularly clingy octopus. His face was hidden in Xiao Zai''s abdomen, but his large, fluffy ears were twitching slightly as if he was dreaming. All of his nine tails were curled across his back and legs like a blanket, keeping him warm despite his nakedness. Before he could stop himself, Xiao Zai was already running his fingers through Chu Yun''s messy hair, and then it felt too good to stop. It was rare to see him in so unguarded, perhaps part of Xiao Zai wanted to enjoy the moment. Chu Yun shifted around with a sigh, adjusting his position on Xiao Zai as if he was an unyielding pillow. He mumbled something in his sleep, his red lips dragging across Xiao Zai''s skin and making his abdominal muscles jump. His rut was over, that much he knew. He no longer felt that persistent heat under his skin that left him feeling as if he had gone weeks without a drink of water. He usually had to bring himself to orgasm several times for the rut to break, but last night with Chu Yun, he only needed to see the sight of his cum staining his face to feel something inside him settle down, his wolf keening in approval. He didn''t want to examine any of that too closely, but he would be lying if he said that having someone else''s hand on him didn''t feel much better than his own. It made him wonder how much more intense it could feel inside Chu Yun. It was possible that Chu Yun could read the filthy contents of Xiao Zai''s mind, because the next moment he let out a sleepy groan and his eyes fluttered open. He spared Xiao Zai a dispassionate look and tried to push himself off of him, only to hiss in pain when the dried cum flaked unpleasantly between their stomachs. "I need a bath," he said with a sigh, then meeting Xiao Zai''s eyes added with a smirk, "So do you, but I don''t think it''s a good idea for us to share." Xiao Zai ignored the unpleasant swoop of his stomach and got up from the floor, picking up his discarded robes. "I''ll ask for a bath to be delivered to your rooms." Chu Yun gave him a look from under the curling sweep of his lashes. He was considering something, trying to come up to a decision. "What do you say we go pester your sister?" When Xiao Zai shot him a confused look, he elaborated. "The First Princess.. She''s always so busy with her military duties, maybe we should take the chance to pay her a visit in the army barracks." You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 51 - The Fox Drags The Wolf Along For His Plans You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chu Yun went back to his quarters to have his bath alone, all the while his head was swimming with the memories of what happened the night before. He couldn''t be sure if he had entirely succeeded in accomplishing his task. On the one hand, it was obvious that he had gotten under Xiao Zai''s skin -- if his actions last night were anything to go by. But on the other hand, Chu Yun ended up letting himself get carried away too. He didn''t want to dwell on any of that at the moment, and the best way to avoid thinking about unpleasant things was keeping busy. Something had happened between the First Princess and Xiao Zai to cause their estrangement, and whether it was related to Gu Wei or not, if Chu Yun could find a way of making them reconcile it would greatly benefit him. It was obvious the king doted on his eldest daughter, having her support was fundamental. Chu Yun didn''t expect her to change her father''s mind regarding Xiao Zai, but maybe she could sway a few ministers towards their cause. And of course, as the army''s Commander-General, her internal influence couldn''t be ignored. He was considering how to approach the First Princess while he soaked on the wooden tub. Hua Nanyi was supposed to help him wash but as usual just sat with her back against the tub and stared vacantly into the middle distance. "I''m sorry, am I boring you?" Chu Yun asked, after waving the wash cloth in front of Hua Nanyi''s face for ages without getting any reaction from her. She pulled the cloth from his fingers and hoisted herself up onto the tub. "Sorry, I was distracted." "With what?" She thought for a while, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth. "The other servants...they''re speculation about you and Xiao Zai." Chu Yun''s eyes widened and he braced his arms across the rim of the tub. "What were they saying?" Hua Nanyi gave him an odd look. "Just speculation, gossip...taking bets on whether or not you and Xiao Zai had sex." She winced as she admitted that, but to her surprise Chu Yun let out a loud laugh. "Do you think they''ll spread those rumours around Haolin, to other servants, I mean?" Hua Nanyi nodded. "Some of them might, I can discourage them if you want, make some threats." Chu Yun shook his head, his eyes glinting with mischief. "No, no, actually, if you can find a way to encourage them, without making it obvious that that''s what you''re doing, I would really appreciate it." "I really don''t understand you," Hua Nanyi said, giving Chu Yun an appraising look. Here she was, worried that Chu Yun was being disrespected in his own home, while strangers treated him as an oddity just because he was a foreigner, and he wanted to encourage that kind of thing? He chuckled at the look on her face, patting her arm. "Don''t look like that, they''re playing right into my hands." "But how?" Hua Nanyi asked, genuinely confused. Chu Yun had always been eccentric, but back in Xin no one would ever dare to spread lurid gossip behind his back, nor would he suffer fools gladly. Hua Nanyi had ran several oddball errands for him, and she never questioned him. Most times she even understood his goals. His desire to learn more about the Zui King''s favourite concubine was obviously pragmatic, but his intention to run his own name into the mud, and ruin his reputation as an alpha confused her. She looked so distraught that Chu Yun patted her on the head, as if consoling a panicked child. "Remember the last piece of calligraphy I painted for father''s study?" Confused, she nodded. "What did it say?" That had been months ago, Hua Nanyi didn''t recall the words. Chu Yun smirked, one of his eyebrows arching smugly up towards his hairline. "''Never underestimate your enemies, but whenever opportune, encourage them to underestimate you.''" He shrugged, lowering his cheek onto his bare shoulder. "I''m just seizing the opportunity." --- As the carriage came to a stop in front of the army barracks, Xiao Zai began questioning why he''d agreed with Chu Yun''s plan. Maybe he could blame it on post-orgasm haze. Calling them ''barracks'' wasn''t exactly accurate. The army occupied a large estate near the palace, with living quarters for the soldiers, as well as more permanent accommodations for the high ranking officers. The complex of stone buildings was hidden behind tall gates, out of view from the passersby on the street. Their carriage couldn''t go inside the garrison, but no one tried to stop him or Chu Yun. Chu Yun held onto his elbow demurely, which never failed to make Xiao Zai anxious. Whenever Chu Yun stayed quiet and let Xiao Zai call the shots it always meant he was planning something nefarious. He had no idea what he wanted with his sister, but now they were here, with Xin delicacies wrapped in small parcels, and it was too late to turn back. A guard led them towards Xiao Ziyi''s private offices. She looked as uncomfortable to see them as Xiao Zai was to be there. "Brother, brother-in-law," she greeted them both with stiff nods of her head, her lips pinched into a tight line. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" Chu Yun took the carefully wrapped parcels from Hua Nanyi''s hands and carried them all the way to Xiao Ziyi''s desk, placing them in front of her with a smile. "Since sister-in-law wasn''t able to attend our wedding ceremony, I thought it would be a good idea if we invited her over to a meal at our estate." Xiao Zai''s back went ramrod straight. This was the first time he was hearing of it, although he wasn''t surprised Chu Yun hadn''t told him. He had correctly guessed that Xiao Zai would have tried to stop him. Xiao Ziyi''s face mimicked Xiao Zai''s uncomfortable expression, highlighting the family resemblance between the two of them. "Brother-in-law shouldn''t have bothered to come all this way, a written invitation would have sufficed." Of course it would, but it would also have made it much easier for her to reject. From the corner of his eyes Xiao Zai saw Chu Yun''s smile turn into a grin. "I wanted to make sure sister-in-law knew how important her presence was for us." You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 52 - The Wolf Gets Dragged Along As The Fox Plans A Party You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chu Yun wasn''t done after leaving Xiao Zai''s sister with that coercive invitation. He walked out of the army garrison and instead of walking towards the their carriage pulled Xiao Zai along by their linked arms and onto the main street. "Where are we going?" Xiao Zai asked, looking behind him at Chu Yun''s servant who kept pace with them, her face revealing nothing. "It''s good for us to be seen out and about," Chu Yun said, holding on tighter to Xiao Zai''s arm, as if he was afraid Xiao Zai was going to make a run for it. Xiao Zai sighed and let himself be pulled along, as Chu Yun looked into storefronts and inspected the wares on street stalls. It became apparent right away that the two of them were attracting a lot of attention, Chu Yun in particular. Xiao Zai couldn''t help noticing all the faces turning in his direction as they walked by, and the surreptitious glances from behind handkerchiefs and folding fans. Xiao Zai wasn''t comfortable under this much scrutiny. It was never a good sign to be the centre of attention in the palace, and this reminded him too much of all the times where intense scrutiny was a precursor to a vicious attack. Chu Yun on the other hand was completely in his element, his back straight and his chin held high as if wasn''t even aware of all the eyes on him. It was obvious how comfortable he was in social situations just from looking at his posture. Xiao Zai wondered if Chu Yun had ever been intimidated. If he had ever feared for anything that wasn''t going out in last year''s fashions. "Why are you looking at me so intently?" Chu Yun asked, looking up at Xiao Zai from under his lashes. There was amusement playing at his red lips. It made something tighten inside Xiao Zai''s chest. He averted his eyes. "What are we doing here? Do you want to buy something?" Xiao Zai didn''t like being on the receiving end of Chu Yun''s knowing looks. It never meant anything good. "Gentlemen! Can I interest you in beautiful painted fans? Something with plum blossoms for the season, or perhaps with peach blossoms to match your mate''s eyes?" The vendor raised his voice above the din of the busy street, waving excitedly towards Xiao Zai and Chu Yun. Chu Yun snapped his mouth shut and pulled Xiao Zai along with him towards the stall, the glint in his eye growing tenfold. The vendor grinned at Chu Yun. "Feel free to browse, I''m sure young master will find something that matches his beauty." Chu Yun cut his eyes to the vendor, clearly amused at what was happening. The man was a beta, probably a human from Su, and had no idea Chu Yun was an alpha too. He''d just assumed, looking at the way he was hanging from Xiao Zai''s arm that he must have been an omega. Chu Yun didn''t seem in any hurry to correct him. "What do you think, dear?" Chu Yun asked, running his fingers over the carved handles of the folding fans. Was this a test? What was Xiao Zai supposed to answer? He hated having to guess what Chu Yun wanted from him. "Uh, just pick whatever you like best," Xiao Zai said, desperate to leave. Chu Yun''s servant girl, who usually looked at Xiao Zai as if he was really stupid, leaned over to inspect the fans together with Chu Yun. "The craftsmanship on these is really high." "Young miss has good eye," the vendor said, looking expectantly at Xiao Zai. "I need help choosing," Chu Yun said, sounding almost sweet. "Help me pick the one that best matches my beauty, dear." Xiao Zai grit his teeth. Chu Yun was a constant trial. Surely this was punishment for coming on his face. Xiao Zai cast a dispassionate eye towards the fans and picked the first one he saw, holding it out to Chu Yun. "What about this one?" Chu Yun inspected it critically, opening it with a flick of his wrist and turning it around in front of his servant who hemmed and awed crytically. "Wolves prancing through the snow," she said, hissing. Xiao Zai''s face fell. Fuck, he hadn''t noticed. The vendor, unable to shut up joined in, "Yes! It''s a very popular motif, bringing to mind hunts in family. A good gift for an expecting partner." He winked at Xiao Zai as if they were in on some joke, and not Xiao Zai''s funeral. Panicking, Xiao Zai took the fan and slammed it closed on the table. "Do you have something with foxes?" The man gave him a curious look, and then knelt behind his stall, emerging moments later with a beautiful lacquered box. "These are very special items, made out of priceless peach wood," he said, his tone grave. "I don''t show them to just any costumer, you understand..." Xiao Zai had a bad feeling, but the man was already opening the box''s thin lid. He extricated a very fine folding fan, and flicked it open with a flourish. Xiao Zai immediately went pale. The front of the fan, the side that would generally face others, depicted a wolf above a white nine-tailed fox. Its fangs sinking into the fox''s neck as it pinned it under its body on the snowy ground. "As you can see this is more of...an erotic piece," the vendor explained, and then turned the fan around, showing them the inside of it. If the frontal scene was bad, the inside was hair-raising. It depicted two men, one with wolf ears and the other with nine fox tails, recreating the positions on the front of the fan, except both of them were naked. "Oh, my," the servant girl said, averting her eyes. The vendor shot her a sheepish smile. "Well, yes, as I said, this is more of a collector''s item, not something most people would wear out in polite society." He put the fan back into its fine peach wood lacquered box. "But it would make a fine gift for a significant other, something a little racy to make your intentions obvious perhaps." Xiao Zai shot Chu Yun a panicked look. His face was unusually unreadable, looking as still as lake waters. It was obvious, from previous conversations, that he was aware that some Zui erotic art depicted nine-tailed foxes as objects of both desire and conquest, but he had probably never seen an example before. Slowly, a grin spread across his features, lighting them up with a cold glee that set all of Xiao Zai''s fine hairs on end. "We''ll take both fans, please package them for us, shopkeep." He turned around to Xiao Zai with an agreeable little smile, which meant Xiao Zai was going to pay for this in ways he couldn''t even fathom. --- Chu Yun was more or less aware that he was employing psychological warfare on Xiao Zai each time he smiled at him or held his arm -- it was obvious from his pinched face that he was waiting for the other shoe to drop. But what kind of strategist would Xiao Zai be if he didn''t keep his opponents guessing? Speaking of which, he should really get on with the rest of his day. After rummaging through the sleeves of his robes he came up with a folded piece of paper which he handed to Hua Nanyi. "Be sure to get everything on the list, and then meet us by the carriage." She left with a nod, and disappeared among the crowd. Xiao Zai went tense. "Where are we going? Aren''t we going home?" Chu Yun smirked up at him. "What''s the matter? Aren''t you enjoying showing me off?" Xiao Zai''s mouth fell open and shut several times before he wisely decided to remain silent. Chu Yun steered them out of the busy market district and towards more residential roads. They came to a stop in front of a mossy wall with a tall, tiled gate. Xiao Zai read the tablet inscription above the gate''s doors and then turned to Chu Yun. "What are we doing at Minister Song''s estate?" Chu Yun just grinned and called for a servant. Xiao Zai would find out soon enough. A servant let the two of them inside the house, and into a cosy reception room where Tan Ruo was waiting for them with freshly brewed tea. "Ah, it''s a pleasure to welcome his Highness and his Grace in our humble home," Tan Ruo said, sounding all the while like she meant it. "Unfortunately I''m afraid my wife is still at court." Chu Yun returned her smile. "We''re only here for a short visit, actually we wanted to invite Lady Tan and Minister Song to a little gathering at our estate." A little gathering that would happen on the same day as the ''celebratory feast'' they had just invited Xiao Ziyi to -- as luck would have it. Xiao Zai was shooting him warning looks, but Chu Yun ignored him. Tan Ruo beamed in excitement, "Oh, we would love to!" Chu Yun smiled again, taking a demure sip of his tea. "Just one more thing...Sister Tan knows that I''m recently arrived in Haolin, and don''t know many people yet," he sighed. "Could I bother Sister Tan to extend some invitations to her friends and acquaintances on our behalf?" If Tan Ruo was excited before, now she was positively vibrating. "Of course, I''ll be happy to help." Chu Yun''s grin grew. "Just one more thing, since her Highness the First Princess will be attending maybe it would be a good idea to keep the guest list small, just a few close relations." Tan Ruo nodded seriously. "Of course, of course." And just like that, Chu Yun had ensured himself the biggest feast in Haolin. You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 53 - The Wolf And The Fox Engage In Swordplay You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Over the next few days Xiao Zai doesn''t know a moment of peace. There were people constantly walking in and out of the estate, getting everything ready for Chu Yun''s impromptu feast. The estate needed extensive work, more than could reasonably be accomplished in a week, but Chu Yun didn''t need to fix up the whole estate in that time. He just needed to have the common areas, and the outside of the estate''s buildings fixed up. Guests weren''t supposed to make it into their private quarters, so the narrative would still be that Xiao Zai and Chu Yun had managed to restore their derelict estate in record time. At the moment Chu Yun''s priority was fixing up the courtyards. He wanted the little lake cleaned and the viewing bridge fixed and restored. Xiao Zai watched with some consternation as the master builder informed him it was all very short notice. "Your Grace, uh, I don''t know how to put it, but that bridge is rotted through, we can give it a new coat of paint, sure," the man rubbed the coarse sleeves of his robe across his forehead, "but the moment even the daintiest omega lady steps on it, it''s all coming down." Chu Yun hummed and looked out at the bridge, the gears of his mind turning with hidden machinations. "Give it that coat of paint," he finally said, patting the foreman on the shoulder. The man gave him an odd look. "How is his Grace going to prevent his guests from stepping on it?" Chu Yun grinned. "Make me a two signs that say ''fresh paint drying'' and we''ll put them on both ends of the bridge." The foreman was momentarily stunned, and then chuckled ruefully, with a shake of his head. "Sure, we can do that." Chu Yun winked at him and then moved on to check on the rest of the repair work. From his vantage point Xiao Zai could see the way the foreman watched him go, his eyes following Chu Yun''s movements through the courtyard avidly. Ever since this new batch of workers had come to the estate, Xiao Zai had been noticing their eyes lingering on Chu Yun. Chu Yun was casual and friendly with them, not standing on much ceremony, in the same way he usually didn''t with his personal maidservant. He behaved as any alpha would, confidently walking through his property and checking in on the workers he had hired -- except these workers were all betas. Betas occupied a certain murky grey area when it came to Zui society. They were of course aware of the alpha and omega dynamics, but as they weren''t part of those dynamics they either didn''t care, or were confused by them. Right now, what they were all seeing was the Second Prince''s husband being nice and friendly with them, making jokes and winking, all the while being very attractive. They couldn''t smell Chu Yun''s pheromones, they couldn''t tell how obviously uninterested he was in any of them, nor could they be repelled by a dominant alpha scent they couldn''t feel. It was a murky grey area, and Xiao Zai didn''t know how to feel about it. Most betas knew how to behave around Zui alphas, if only because someone told them they were alphas, or those alphas shot down any funny business themselves. But Chu Yun wasn''t from Zui -- and either he didn''t notice, or didn''t care, that he was giving all these betas ideas. --- Everything came to a head two days before the feast when Xiao Zai woke up to the sound of metal on metal outside his bedroom window. He got dressed hastily and went outside to check the source of the odd sound. Only to find Chu Yun, stripped down to his waist, holding a sword in front of his face, apparently sparring with an equally bare-chested construction worker. There was a group of servants and workers surrounding them, cheering them on. Chu Yun had a smug slash of a smile on his face, and was red all down his chest. "Is that all? I thought I was going to get a workout." His opponent grinned and held his own sword above his head. "I''ll give his Grace a workout whenever he wants." Before he even knew what he was doing, Xiao Zai had made his way into the circle. He pulled the worker''s forearm back and told him, "Give me that." With clear disappointment written on his face, the man relinquished his sword. Xiao Zai inspected the hilt and the blade for a moment, he had no idea where Chu Yun had found them, but they bore the royal clan''s seal. Probably part of his disgraced uncle''s armoury. He closed his fist around the pommel and turned to face Chu Yun, adopting an offensive stance. Chu Yun''s grin had grown even wider, his sharp canines showing. "It''s been a while since we crossed swords." Xiao Zai ignored the taunt, and narrowed his eyes in anticipation. The weak winter sun was glinting off the drops of perspiration on Chu Yun''s bare chest, highlighting the slender definition of his muscles. The background of the crisp blue sky behind him, made him stand out starkly, as if his colours were more vivid, making him look more real than everyone else around him. With a sharp intake of breath, Xiao Zai flew towards him, letting his muscles relax into the pull of battle. Chu Yun parried him easily, his arm coming up to block Xiao Zai''s attack. Their eyes met above the crossed steel of their blades, Chu Yun''s gleamed more than his sword''s. With a groan of effort he planted his feet and pushed Xiao Zai off him, sending him skidding a few paces across the dirt ground. There was real strength behind his movements, and technique in his form. Unlike Xiao Zai he had been formally trained. A strategist, but not a slouch. Chu Yun was supposed to be his father''s heir, of course he would have been trained in the art of war, regardless of his natural inclination for strategy. He was going to make Xiao Zai pay for such a sloppy starting move. Either way, Xiao Zai welcomed it. He had gone too long without practising, it was hard to sneak around at the palace. His dam had struggle to send him to the elderly master when he was younger, the suspicions only grew as he got older. "If you want to practice come to me," Xiao Zai said, steeling his shoulders and preparing himself for Chu Yun''s counter attack. Chu Yun grinned, swinging his sword deftly in his fingers. "Yeah, you''ll tire me out?" Before Xiao Zai could even parse out the innuendo from his real meaning, Chu Yun was already on him. Xiao Zai struggled to parry the flurry of his blows, and ended up skidding backwards with the momentum of Chu Yun''s attack, until he eventually lost his footing and fell to the ground. Chu Yun landed on top of him with a breathy "ooph" and chuckle. He stuck the tip of his sword on the dirt beside Xiao Zai''s head and supported himself on the hilt to get back up to his feet. His shadow fell over Xiao Zai''s face as he bent down to extend him a hand to help him up. "Rematch?" Xiao Zai took his fingers and let himself be pulled up. --- They stayed at it for hours, only the most bored of servants having stayed to the end. Xiao Zai''s muscles where burning by the end of it, and he could barely feel his fingers. Chu Yun on the other hand looked fresh as a bamboo shoot. "Ah, nothing like some swordplay to start the day," he said, stretching out the muscles of his back languorously. "You were never in the army?" Xiao Zai asked, still stunned that someone as talented as Chu Yun stayed behind drafting attack plans. Chu Yun shrugged. "No," he grinned at Xiao Zai''s confusion. "Why, are you thinking if I had, I might have been killed in combat and you would have had to marry me?" His words startled Xiao Zai like an arrow through the spine, his neck snapped up with a jolt, he fixed his eyes on Chu Yun''s. "No, I wasn''t thinking that, but...I''m glad you didn''t join." He was right, they probably would never have gotten married if Chu Yun had. If his uncle really wanted to get rid of him, he would have found a way to do so when he was in the army. Either the intensity of his answer, or the look on is face startled Chu Yun. He closed his mouth and opened several times, before finally letting it close with a click. "We should go have a bath," he said, already turning away from Xiao Zai. Xiao Zai watched him go, thinking to himself that maybe he should go have a word with the contractor. Chu Yun loved baths, he had gone on about how wonderful the springs at his family''s estate were when they were there. Maybe it would be nice, if both of them could one day bathe together after spending the morning sparring. Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 54 - The Fox Greets His Guests You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Against all odds, the day of the feast arrived and Chu Yun managed to have everything ready on time. He had scheduled everything for a later supper, which gave him the time to spend the morning and early afternoon overseeing the finishing details. He hadn''t spoken with Tan Ruo since they went to her house, but from what Hua Nanyi had gleamed from her incursions into Haolin''s busiest teahouses and restaurants, the Second Prince''s ''housewarming'' feast was the talk of the capital, and everyone who was anyone would be in attendance. Chu Yun''s goal wasn''t to rub elbows with Haolin''s finest, he had an inkling the Zui nobility was bound to be just as insufferable as the one in Xin, but he needed to establish Xiao Zai''s presence in society. He had left the palace, established his own household -- he was his own person now, no longer living under the King''s shadow. Chu Yun wanted people to look at him and see everything the King wasn''t. He wanted them to see an alternative. But first, he needed to find out what exactly were their grievances with the King. The were always some. Even if the nobles were the hardest to sway. The people''s grievances were always the same: taxes too high, which meant the feudal lord they worked under was stealing from them, and the king didn''t care because they were on friendly terms; natural disasters threatening crops, which meant the king wasn''t investing on infrastructure or not providing disaster relief. Chu Yun knew just how to handle each of those scenarios, so the support of the people didn''t worry him. It was the court and the ministers who could make or break a king. To say nothing of the harem. Tonight, Chu Yun would learn which were the King''s weaknesses, and how he could exploit them. He still had his ongoing project with Min Sezhui, and even though he could only visit her once the past week, it was obvious from her actions how much she appreciated not being alone. In no time at all, he''d be her closest confidant. She was completely guileless, and probably had the King''s ear. It was especially because she was too slow to realise that the things being told to her held any relevance, that Chu Yun was sure the King trusted her. Even an incompetent, cruel monarch, needed to unwind from time-to-time, and they all preferred doing it in the arms of their favourites. Min Sezhui must have played the silent witness to countless of the King''s rants, letting the words flow through her like water across a stream. Chu Yun knew he couldn''t move fast when it came to her. He was no doubt being watched, by the King''s people, or someone else. In any case, he had to make himself seem harmless. Someone as lonely as Min Sezhui, herself. The last time he saw her he told her she reminded him of his sister, and that was why he enjoyed her company. She seemed to like that. If whoever she shared that information with was aware that Chu Yun''s sister was still a toddling child, they would still see the resemblance between her and the wide-eyed Concubine Min. Keeping all of that in mind, Chu Yun got dressed in elegant robes in the Xin style, but paired with a Zui rabbit fur cloak that he would wear outside in the courtyard and to to greet guests at the gate. He wanted to be just exotic enough to attract these people''s attention, but not too much as to scream ''foreign''. He finished off his outfit with the fan Xiao Zai bought for him, the one depicting the pack of wolves on the prowl. He had a little surprise stashed up his sleeve for when he really wanted to fuck with people. Xiao Zai''s eyes widened as soon as they met outside his quarters. "Why that fan?" he groaned. Chu Yun fanned himself with a smirk. "What? Don''t I look like someone who enjoys hunting with my large wolf pack?" Xiao Zai just glared at him, Chu Yun chuckled at his pinched expression and adjusted the lapels on his dark purple, brocade robes. "You look very handsome," Chu Yun said, inspecting Xiao Zai at the same time he changed the subject, "You should always wear dark robes." Something flashed in Xiao Zai''s dark eyes, almost hungry. It reminded Chu Yun of the look in his eyes during the full moon. Xiao Zai cleared his throat, in a blink the intensity was gone from his eyes. "Shall we? Best not to keep your guests waiting." Chu Yun took his elbow with a nod, his thoughts momentarily scattered. --- Tan Ruo and Minister Song were the first to arrive, as expected. Minister Song approached them with her hands clasped behind her back, still wearing her court official robes, with her hair neatly pinned on top of her head in a neat queue. She greeted them both with a nod and short expression of thanks for the invitation. Her wife on the other hand had come wearing the latest fashions. Her outer robes were made of the thick, heavy fabrics people in Zui favoured, but her overall look was softened by the wrap-around rabbit fur collar she was wearing. "I''m so happy to be here," she said, touching Chu Yun briefly on the elbow. Sheepishly she added, "I might have gotten a little too enthusiastic with the invitations." Chu Yun patted her shoulder. "It''s no problem, I''m sure there will be food enough for everyone." The servants showed Tan Ruo and Minister Song inside the heated reception hall, so they could take off their cloaks and try some of the refreshments. Chu Yun remained resolutely outside. He wasn''t going to miss the guest of honour. More people came, many of which had to introduce themselves to Xiao Zai and Chu Yun for the first time -- not that they felt any embarrassment about it. Chu Yun''s guess had been right -- Zui nobles were just as insufferable as those in Xin. Finally, the First Princess and her private honour guard crossed the gates. She cast an uneasy glance at the main courtyard and the open doors leading to the reception hall, where several guests were chatting animatedly. "I was under the impression this was going to be a small gathering," she said, doing a poor job of hiding her recrimination. Chu Yun fanned himself with a laugh. "Believe it or not, your Highness, I only delivered two invitations." He could feel Xiao Zai''s gaze on him, half admiration, half recrimination. Technically, Chu Yun wasn''t lying. A brash lough sounded from behind Xiao Ziyi and her guard.. "That would explain why I never got mine." Read novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 55 - The Fox Is A Gracious Host Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com The First Prince smiled as all eyes turned towards him. He was holding on to the arm of a beautiful woman, elegantly dressed, with several golden hairpins hanging from her hair. She looked like a Queen Consort already. This wasn''t the woman from the engagement ceremony. Chu Yun hadn''t gotten close enough, but he knew without a doubt, that that woman had been a beta. This one was clearly an omega. Possibly one of the first concubines the First Prince took when he established his household. For some reason, the King was determined that the First Prince''s principal wife should be someone else -- even though this woman clearly acted as if the position was hers by right. Chu Yun hid a private smile behind his fan. There would be trouble in the First Prince''s household soon. The King had ensured his heir would never know a moment''s peace inside his own house. It was obvious by the haughty jut of this woman''s chin that she would make the life of the Prince''s new bride a living hell. To say nothing of the beautiful young man trailing behind the two of them, his head demurely lowered. He was finely dressed too, but in a way that signalled a high-ranking servant, not a concubine. In the dark of night, his resemblance to Gu Wei was even more striking. "We''re very glad his First Highness found his way to us, nonetheless," Chu Yun said, fanning himself. The First Prince shot him a curious look, his eyes lingered in a way Chu Yun didn''t appreciate. Was this man confusing him with one of his whores? Was he under the impression that because Chu Yun was married to his brother his affections somehow extend to any alpha? Or was it just an extension of his obsession with Gu Wei? Xiao Zai moved in front of Chu Yun, hiding him from his brother''s view. "Perhaps we should go inside?" he said, although he was addressing Xiao Ziyi and not the First Prince. She was clearly uncomfortable with Xiao Yuan''s presence, and left towards the reception room without as much as a backwards glance. Xiao Zai took the initiative of holding on to Chu Yun''s arm himself, and steered him towards the pavilion. "I should have known he would worm his way in too." Chu Yun made a noncommittal sound of agreement. He had known there was a possibility the First Prince would show up, and had planned accordingly. --- Inside the reception hall the guests were mingling, while the musicians Chu Yun hired played the guqin and pipa in the corner. Zui music was far too sombre and funeral for his tastes but at least it wasn''t grating. Besides, most of the guests couldn''t care less about the entertainment. Everyone shot the First Princess and her modest retinue curious glances, although no one dared approach her. The First Prince''s entry was met with much more open gawking, after all, unlike his sister, he liked the attention. Xiao Zai stood by Chu Yun''s corner, fuming silently. If Chu Yun didn''t do anything, he would be upstaged by his older brother''s mere presence, at his own feast. Chu Yun nodded towards Hua Nanyi who approached him quietly. "Go serve the First Prince the plum wine," he said, and then, holding her back by the forearm added, "the really strong one." Hua Nanyi nodded once, and went to do as Chu Yun told her. "What are you trying to do?" Xiao Zai asked, one of his sharp brows arching up into his hairline. Chu Yun gave him a look from above the arch of his fan. "Do you want to address our guests with a speech?" "No," Xiao Zai said, through gritted teeth. "Then we have to make everyone realise that your brother''s tendency to draw attention to himself isn''t actually a good thing." In short, Chu Yun wanted a repeat of Xiao Yuan''s performance at his own engagement ceremony. Xiao Zai might be quiet and antisocial, with the kind of closed-off demeanour that reminded one of a long winter night, but at least he didn''t make a public spectacle of himself. A King carried on their shoulders their nation''s dignity. Chu Yun wanted the fine flower of Zui to take a good hard look at what their future entailed. While Hua Nanyi kept plying the First Prince and his guests with strong spirits, Chu Yun took Xiao Zai around to at least exchange a few words with their guests. The Minister of revenue, a portly man with a stick-thin wife would not stop gushing about what they had done with the place. "It seems impossible that just last month our carriage drove through these streets, and I told my dear A-Ying that this estate was a pockmark on our beautiful city''s face," he said, shaking his head. "To think I said I wished the King would order it demolished," he chuckled to himself. "Clearly, someone as low as me can''t fathom his Majesty''s clarity of vision." Chu Yun grit his teeth and made his way to the next pair. So, his tireless efforts to turn the dump he was gifted into an actually liveable place was a credit to the King of Zui? These wolves had some nerve. He felt fingers wrapping around his own, closing over the tight grip he had on his fan. "You didn''t think they would start singing our praises this soon, did you?" Xiao Zai asked, smiling ruefully. Chu Yun hadn''t, and he had been prepared to invest some time into his plans from the beginning, but it still rankled. He hated not being appreciated, as petulant as it was. They made the rounds through a few more couples who shared similar appreciation for what they had managed to do with the place in such a short time. Chu Yun smiled and accepted the compliments graciously but didn''t say much, throwing Xiao Zai into the deep and forcing him to come up with something to tell these people. Hua Nanyi approached him, after a few minutes of this. "He''s beyond drunk," she whispered, tilting her head towards the First Prince. Chu Yun believed her assessment, and cast only a cursory glance in his direction. "Good, now take the Princess outside," Chu Yun said, keeping his voice low. "Tell her I want her to see the courtyard, and keep her there." Hua Nanyi left as silently as she appeared. Chu Yun took Xiao Zai by the sleeve and said, "Let''s go keep your brother company." You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 56 - The Wolf Doesnt Want Any Part In This Best novel online free at novelhall.com Xiao Zai could think of several things he wanted to do more than entertain his brother, especially if he was drunk. Chu Yun ignored his stiffness and kept dragging him towards the table Xiao Yuan had taken over with his concubine, and...that man. He grinned as soon as he saw Xiao Zai, raising his cup to him in a mockery of a toast. "Brother! To what do we how the honour?" Xiao Zai sat down, following Chu Yun''s lead, but said nothing. Chu Yun took the pitcher and filled Xiao Yuan''s cup, holding up his fan with his other hand. "I''m so sorry that I didn''t get to deliver brother-in-law''s invitation in person. I truly never expected that so many people would come" He put down the pitcher and sighed. "To tell the truth I was hoping that we could invite brother-in-law for a more intimate family gathering." Xiao Zai straightened his back. For some reason, the way Chu Yun said those words sounded almost suggestive, as if he was implying something lurid. Judging by his smirk, Xiao Yuan had picked up on it too. He leaned across the table, supporting his chin on his open palm. "Are all alphas in Xin like brother-in-law, or is he special?" It was hard to tell from his tone and his posture, if he was addressing Chu Yun directly or asking Xiao Zai. In any case, it was Chu Yun who answered him. "I''m unique in every way," he said, one corner of his lips ticking up. Xiao Yuan said nothing, but the way he kept smiling at Chu Yun raised Xiao Zai''s hackles. He didn''t know why Chu Yun was allowing this to go on. He really couldn''t be this clueless. He was about to get up and get some fresh air, when Chu Yun turned towards the manservant sitting behind Xiao Yuan. "I''m sorry, I couldn''t help thinking about it during the engagement ceremony, but have we met?" he smiled innocently. "You remind me of someone, but I can''t put my finger on it." Xiao Zai went very still, his eyes briefly meeting Xiao Yuan''s above Chu Yun''s head. There was a veiled threat in his gaze. For once, Xiao Yuan didn''t start any trouble. "Jiang-er gets that a lot, he must have one of those faces," he said, smiling at Chu Yun and then taking another sip of his wine. Chu Yun hummed. Xiao Zai couldn''t guess at what was going on in his mind. He doubted he had come here just to ask Xiao Yuan about his manservant. If he truly wanted answers, he knew it would be easier to get them without Xiao Zai present. "Well, if he needs employment we have some space, and the estate is so large...we could always do with more servants," Chu Yun said, so smoothly that it took Xiao Zai some time to make sense of his words. His eldest brother too, was stunned for a moment, before regaining his bearings. His languid posture stiffened immediately. The indulgent, predatory looks he had been shooting Chu Yun were gone, replaced by a cold assessment. "He''s already employed," Xiao Yuan said. His most senior concubine let out a sigh, and dabbed at her face with a silk handkerchief she pulled from the inside of her sleeve. It was clear from her body language, that if she had her way, he wouldn''t be. Chu Yun''s eyes widened comically, and he lowered his fan. "Oh, maybe brother-in-law hasn''t heard?" He leaned across the table conspiratorially, as if he really was looking forward to sharing a secret with Xiao Yuan. "I''ve been spending some time at the palace, and I was told that the king would be gifting his First Highness with a new estate ahead of his upcoming marriage, outfitted with highly trained new servants as well." He was speaking loud enough to attract the attention of some of the nearby guests, but not so loud that it seemed like he was doing it on purpose. Xiao Yuan''s face went through a series of expressions before settling on a grim smile. "Is that so?" Chu Yun shrugged nonchalantly. "It''s what his Majesty did for us," he paused and tilted his head towards Xiao Zai, as if the two of them were sharing a joke. "Of course, we didn''t keep all of them, his First Highness won''t need to, either, but it meant that we both had to let go of some of our personal servants." He looked at Xiao Zai expectantly. Xiao Zai wanted no part in this but he still grunted in acknowledgement. Xiao Yuan rapped his knuckles against the tabletop and hummed in silence, and then got up with a loud exhalation of breath. "Darling?" his Concubine asked, getting up after him when it became apparent he was leaving to go outside. The manservant who Xiao Zai couldn''t stand to look at for too long, got up soon after with a muttered ''by your leave''. Chu Yun watched him go and then turned to Xiao Zai with a smug smirk, half-hidden behind his fan. "And now we wait." --- They didn''t have to wait long. Chu Yun was dragging Xiao Zai through another round of elbow rubbing with the guests when the First Princess stormed through the reception room, looking outraged. Some of her steam dissipated when she came face-to-face with Chu Yun and Xiao Zai innocuously making small-talk with a pair of guests. She came to a stop in front of Xiao Zai and cleared her throat. "Thank you for the invitation, but I''m afraid I must be on my way." Chu Yun plastered on a concerned look. He could imagine how unpleasant it must have been for her to run into a drunk, raging, Xiao Yuan. He was sure her estranged second brother wasn''t looking half as bad now -- especially in the company of his attentive, gracious, husband. "Did something happen?" he asked, snapping his fan closed and squaring his shoulders. "Please let us know if we can be of assistance." He knew the First Princess wasn''t going to complain publicly about Xiao Yuan, but everyone gathered in the reception hall could put one and two together. Another clean victory for Chu Yun. You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 57 - The Fox Miscalculates You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com The First Princess and her honour guard left in a cloud of awkwardness. The rest of the guests pretended not to be on tenterhooks over this, but groups of them had none too subtly, started drifting towards the open doors leading to the courtyard. If anyone expended more than ten minutes thinking, they would realise that it was a huge waste for the reception room to be heated, no doubt burning through a lot of coal and costing the Second Prince''s estate several gold taels, only for the doors to be open, letting all the heat escape. It was almost as if Chu Yun wanted them to watch the show. He was glad the First Prince had showed up. His alternative plans in case he hadn''t weren''t nearly as entertaining. Chu Yun and Xiao Zai were speaking with the elderly Minister of Agriculture and his daughter, both of whom were valiantly trying to listen as Chu Yun explained Xin agricultural practices, while outside the First Prince was screaming something about: "He has already taken everything from me, what more does that old man want?" "He can''t take you from me, Jiang-er! I won''t let him." "Let go of me you shrill harpy, this doesn''t concern you." Chu Yun allowed things to progress in that vein for a little while longer, before excusing himself and going outside, making a point to close the room''s doors behind him. --- Xiao Zai watched Chu Yun go outside, and immediately followed him out, closing the door behind him a lot less discreetly. He found Chu Yun patting and inconsolable Xiao Yuan on the back, while walking him towards his carriage. "This can all still be a big misunderstanding," he said, sounding contrite, "perhaps the person who told me this just wanted to feel like they had some big gossip to share." He shared a look with Xiao Yuan''s dolled up concubine who nodded eagerly. "Yes, darling, let''s not rush to conclusions so early on," she said, taking Xiao Yuan''s other arm and helping him climb the carriage''s steps. Xiao Zai watched all this from a distance, his arms crossed in front of his chest while he admired how skilfully Chu Yun handled the matter. At this point all Xiao Yuan could do was blabber some more, drunk out of his mind, although he was no longer behaving aggressively. Chu Yun kept plying him with platitudes. "I''m really so sorry that my careless words ruined the evening, I should have offered his First Highness some more food, it''s not good to drink on an empty stomach." He fretted over Xiao Yuan some more until he was seated inside the carriage and then addressed him from the ground: "I''ll invite his First Highness for a private family gathering whenever possible," he said, nodding towards both the concubine and the manservant. After a last quick exchange of words, the carriage finally departed. Chu Yun watched its retreat for some time before turning around. He stopped when he saw Xiao Zai watching him. "You really are something," Xiao Zai said, stopping Chu Yun with a hand around his waist. "I hope you know what you''re doing." Chu Yun looked up at him from beneath his lashes, his fan lowered at his side, now that he had no more use for it. "I always do," he smirked at whatever he saw reflected in Xiao Zai''s eyes. "Let''s go back inside, our guests are waiting for us." Xiao Zai had half a mind to wipe that smug smile off of Chu Yun''s lips with his own, but he knew it wasn''t the time or the place. He followed him back inside. Against his dam''s advice, he was willing to continue marching to the pace of Chu Yun''s war drum -- for now. --- Chu Yun went to bed in his quarters that night with the knowledge that his feast would be the talk of Haolin for weeks to come. He had no idea what the First Prince would remember come morning, but his concubine at least would be quick to assure him that Chu Yun had been most gracious and attentive. The First Princess was successfully reminded of how unfit to rule her eldest brother was, and would surely bring that up with people in her confidence. The guests had seen Xiao Zai interacting politely, if coldly, but that too perhaps suited his image, when compared with the brash Xiao Yuan. All in all, Chu Yun spent the next day basking in his success. Xiao Zai kept himself scarce but that wasn''t surprising. He had a standing lunch appointment with his dam twice a week. An appointment to which Chu Yun wasn''t invited. He didn''t like that. Who knew what Gu Wei was telling him. With that in mind, and determined to find out more about not only Gu Wei, but the inner workings of the harem as a whole, Chu Yun departed the next morning for the palace. Hua Nanyi accompanied him, and together they found Min Sezhui sitting at her usual place at the stone table in the Pearl courtyard. Her slender back was turned towards them, clad in bright peach robes, hunched as always over the weiqi board. Chu Yun took a seat in front of her, but his smile slipped the moment he saw her face. "What happened to Sister Min''s eye?" There was a bright purple, shiny, ring around Min Sezhui''s right eye. It reminded Chu Yun of fruit that had gone ripe and rotten in the sun. She lifted her fingers to her eye self-consciously. "The King didn''t like that I went around spreading rumours." A cold dread slid down Chu Yun''s back, freezing him in place. He couldn''t take his eyes off Min Sezhui''s bruised skin. She sighted. "I asked what he meant but he never explains himself," she shrugged, as if this was a common occurrence. Moments later a guard approached Chu Yun. "Your Grace, the King summons you for an audience." Chu Yun stood up without a word. As he turned to follow the guard, Min Sezhui seized him by the trailing hem of his wide sleeve. "Don''t talk back to him, be nice," she swallowed drily, "He''s always meaner to the boys, so....," her guileless humid eyes looked up at Chu Yun with genuine concern, "Be careful." Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 58 - The Fox Is Backed Into A Corner Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chu Yun followed the guard into the palace, keeping a safe distance behind him. "Go warn Xiao Zai," he mouthed towards Hua Nanyi. Her eyebrows scrunched up in worry above her clear eyes, but Chu Yun tightened his lips into a grim line and nodded at her with a swift tilt of his head. She bit back her recriminations and left silently. The palace guard didn''t lead him to the throne room as Chu Yun had hoped, instead he directed him to a small room, away from the busiest wings of the palace. The guard rapped his knuckles against the door, and a gruff voice said from inside: "Let him in." When Chu Yun walked inside, the King was facing away from the door, his hands clasped behind his back as he looked out the window at one of the palace''s courtyards. "Miaoyan, come closer," he said, not turning away from the open window. Both sides of the paper-pane windows had been thrown open, letting all the cold air in. Winter was fast approaching in Zui. Autumn had barely gilded the foliage, and already the frigid winds from the glaciers had come down into Haolin. The King seemed unbothered by the cold, not even flinching in the face of the chilling breeze. The guard closed the door behind Chu Yun with a loud bang, startling him into action. He did as the King asked and stood by his side facing the open window, and the courtyard below. "What do you see?" Chu Yun could see the Pearl Courtyard. Min Sezhui was still sitting down at the stone table, partially obscured by the large shade of the scholar tree. "This one sees the Pearl Courtyard, your Majesty," Chu Yun said, keeping his tone even. The King hummed, his serious profile gave nothing away. He was a handsome man but beyond that, there was a stately authority about him that commanded attention, and invited a second look -- mostly out of self-preservation. "I can see the Pearl Courtyard too whenever I''m working in this room, which is most days." His gaze was still turned outside, as if Chu Yun wasn''t there. "I told Sezhui to amuse herself in the Pearl Courtyard exactly because it allows me to keep a close eye on her. Miaoyan must have noticed by now that she is a little...slow. It wouldn''t do for her to get hurt." Chu Yun kept things diplomatic. "Sister Min is very agreeable company." One corner of the King''s lips ticked up, on the side facing Chu Yun. "''Sister Min''...such closeness. Miaoyan would lower himself to calling a lowly omega concubine ''sister''?" "It doesn''t seem right to stand on ceremony with someone like Sister Min," Chu Yun said, and it was even true. He felt an enormous pity for the girl, from the moment he first met her, knowing that he was going to use her. Now, having seen the consequences of his actions on her innocent face, he felt all the worse. Chu Yun would call her ''older sister'' if that were enough to erase the debt between them. The King finally turned to face him, his grim expression showing only contempt. "I allowed you to keep meeting with her because I wanted to see how far you would go." Chu Yun said nothing, even as the overpowering scent of the King''s pheromones permeated the whole room. His scent was a mixture of rice wine with an astringent, acidic tang that Chu Yun couldn''t quite place but which made his nose burn. He struggled to keep his face neutral, not wanting to reveal how much the smell was disconcerting him. In any other circumstance, Chu Yun would return a wave of domineering alpha pheromones with one of his own, but the King of Zui would never tolerate that, and Chu Yun was in enough trouble as it stood. "Imagine my surprise when apparently you just wanted some silly girl to keep you company. My son is a bore, so I didn''t find that hard to believe." The King took a step in Chu Yun''s direction, who took a step backwards, towards the wall behind him. "Until the day before yesterday, that is." The King grinned at Chu Yun''s silent discomfort and kept advancing towards him, until Chu Yun''s back hit the wall and he had nowhere else to go. "I can''t lay hands on you, out of respect for the royal family of Xin." The King''s smile was sinister, very much an indication of how much he wished that weren''t the case. "So, Sezhui must suffer in your place." Chu Yun swallowed drily. The King''s pheromones were pressing down on him like a physical weight, the thick, cloying scent made him want to retch. He was sure the King could see the disgust written on his face. "Miaoyan apologises for offending his Majesty," he said, keeping his words brief. They both knew he wasn''t being honest. The King snarled and seized Chu Yun by the front of his robes. "You really are a piece of work, I can see why your uncle wanted to get rid of you," he frowned, "I suppose he''s congratulating himself on having unloaded you on my doorstep." "Miaoyan has no intention of being--" The King''s grip on Chu Yun''s robes grew tighter. "I don''t care if you have my idiot son wrapped around your finger, but don''t presume for a moment that I will let you do as you wish." "I don''t presume anything," Chu Yun said, meeting the King''s eyes. In the same way the King couldn''t hit him, so was Chu Yun unable of truly speaking his mind. All he could do was glare. Something about it made the King break out into laughter. "You have some nerve to look offended. Spoiled, churlish, undisciplined, as all Xin alphas I''ve met." He sneered. "In Zui, even animals as stupid as omegas know their place." Chu Yun''s hands were clenched into fists at his side. He was about to say something really unwise. "Maybe it''s because there are no stupid animals in Xin that we don''t know our place." You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 59 - The Fox Is Locked In A Standoff The King smiled at Chu Yun, as one did at a very small animal who foolishly tried to take on a much larger opponent. "You think yourself very clever, don''t you, Miaoyan?" His eyes narrowed as he inspected Chu Yun. "I''ve met my share of people who thought they were smarter than me." He clicked his tongue. "Things didn''t end up well for them, and were very tiring for me. Which is why I now prefer the company of idiots." That explained why Min Sezhui was his favourite concubine. A girl so simpleminded she just accepted that sometimes the King was going to hit her for no apparent reason. "I wouldn''t dare offend his Majesty," Chu Yun said, his tone flat. He was going to keep repeating empty platitudes until the the King let him go. The King leaned closer to him, bringing his lips a hairsbreadth away from Chu Yun''s ear. "And yet you had no problem humiliating Xiao Yuan in public by feeding him some bullshit about palace rumours." "With all due respect," which was none, "His First Highness humiliated himself." The King drew back with a hiss, Chu Yun could see the desire to hit him written all over the King''s face. Chu Yun really wished he would. "Insolent brat, how dare you?" Chu Yun quirked one eyebrow and leaned back against the wall the King had backed him into. He hadn''t planned for a confrontation this early on, but a good strategist knew how to adapt, and Chu Yun was the best. The King had no love for the First Prince, but it was obvious he considered him an useful pawn. Chu Yun''s machinations at the party two days before did nothing but reinforce the public image the Prince had already established -- the same image the King exploited to keep a tight leash on the First Prince. What the King took issue with wasn''t that all of Haolin''s nobles had once again seen the First Prince for the pathetic drunk he was -- but that Chu Yun was trying to use it to make Xiao Zai look good in comparison. "I think his Majesty should ask himself why the First Prince threw such a tantrum at the prospect of losing a servant." Obviously the King knew why, but the point of this conversation was to insinuate Chu Yun did as well. He frowned in fake consternation. "Especially considering that servant bears such a striking resemblance to one of his Majesty''s concu-" Chu Yun couldn''t finish before the King wrapped his large hand around his neck and slammed him against the wall. "Did that snake Bailiu set you up to this?" He snarled, showing his sharp canines. "No, he''s a slippery one, he wouldn''t trust you so easily." Chu Yun sighed, even through the grip on his airway. "Your Majesty, every single one of your subjects speculates about it." It was obvious the King didn''t appreciate Chu Yun''s condescension, but he was as much trapped in this impasse as Chu Yun was. He let go of Chu Yun''s neck. He couldn''t do anything to Chu Yun because there was a political alliance riding on his marriage to Xiao Zai -- even if Chu Yun didn''t fully understand what had prompted it. "I advise Miaoyan to not stick his nose in matters that don''t concern him," the King said, wording the ''advice'' like a threat. Chu Yun clasped his hands in front of his chest and bowed deeply to the King of Zui. "Miaoyan will follow his Majesty''s guidance." They both knew he wouldn''t. The King was somewhat frustrated with this turn of events, he had all the power when he called Chu Yun into his office, but that had shifted over the course of their confrontation. His morose silence revealed the depth of his frustration. Which meant he was much more dangerous now than when he had been spitting accusations in Chu Yun''s face and slamming him into walls. The King turned to the window once again, his forehead creased in thought. "Miaoyan should keep visiting Concubine Min," a slow smile spread from the corner of his lips and took over his entire face. The King thought he had found the way to keep Chu Yun in check. "She appreciates the company, and her face should serve as a good reminder of what could happen if Miaoyan doesn''t follow the advice this King shared with only his best interests in mind." So the King''s strategy was to try and intimidate Chu Yun into compliance by using his ''perceived'' empathy against him. He couldn''t hurt Chu Yun because of who he was, but Min Sezhui was his concubine, and he could beat her black and blue for all anyone cared. This wasn''t the first time someone had thought Chu Yun was too well-mannered and kind to be ruthless. Chu Yun was happy to disabuse the King of that notion as he had all those who came before him. "Miaoyan is happy to keep Sister Min company, but what his Majesty does with her is none of his concern," he said, his words as dispassionate as possible. The King turned to him with a smirk, eager to call his bluff. "Really? So Miaoyan wouldn''t care if she were to appear with all the bones in her face broken? Or one of her limbs missing?" Chu Yun shrugged. "Miaoyan doesn''t have an opinion on how his Majesty disciplines his own harem." The King''s expression darkened. He didn''t like the idea of having the wrong read on Chu Yun. "Really? I got the impression from what Miaoyan said earlier that he was one of those bleeding hearts who suffered with the cruel treatment of omegas." Chu Yun smirked and crossed his arms. "His Majesty is mistaken, it''s true that I care deeply: about the omegas of Xin." He shrugged. "I feel great pity for Sister Min, as I feel for all omegas born in Zui, but they are none of my concern." The King''s expression shifted, he was needled at Chu Yun''s insults, but couldn''t really disagree with him without recanting his previous assessment on the inferiority of omegas. "All I can do for Sister Min is pray that she is born an alpha in the next life, or perhaps outside of Zui borders." The King kept his flinty gaze fixed in Chu Yun, looking for the chink in his armour. If Chu Yun allowed him, he would use Min Sezhui like a punching bag to bring him to heel -- for slights real or imagined. This was how Chu Yun saved her. They were still locked in a staring contest when a servant''s voice sounded from outside the office. "His Highness the Second Prince requests an audience with his Majesty." Something must have shown in Chu Yun''s face, because the King broke out in a huge grin, finally breaking their standoff. "Let him in." Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 60 - The Wolf Tries To Save The Day You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Xiao Zai was so tense that he could feel his molars grind inside his mouth from how tightly he was clenching his jaw. All kinds of nightmare scenarios had been running through his mind ever since Chu Yun''s servant had come to warn him that his father had summoned Chu Yun for a private audience. A slew of memories of his dam -- beaten and broken after being on the receiving end of his father''s attention -- flickered through his mind like a grim shadow puppet show. Rationally, he knew he wouldn''t find Chu Yun in that condition, but he could only let go of the breath trapped inside his ribcage when he walked into the King''s private offices and saw Chu Yun, whole and ale in front of him. The room smelled overwhelmingly of his father''s pheromones, which indicated their conversation hadn''t been a pleasant one. So did the tense line of Chu Yun''s shoulders, although the most concerning thing was his father''s smile, as if Xiao Zai''s presence represented a victory for him. "Miaoyan, let''s go," Xiao Zai said, gesturing to Chu Yun while keeping his faze fixed on his father. Chu Yun didn''t look like he was in a hurry to leave. "You can go ahead," he said, his tone cold. The King chuckled, always an ominous sound. "No, I''ve kept Miaoyan long enough," he waved towards the door, dismissing both of them blithely. Xiao Zai had to fight down the urge to grab Chu Yun by the arm and pull him out of the office. He had almost reached his side when the King said, "Oh, by the way, I think Miaoyan had the right idea when he said that perhaps the First Prince could do with a change in staff." Xiao Zai could see Chu Yun''s right hand clench into a fist away from the King''s line of sight. "Your Majesty is very wise," he muttered. They both knew his father wouldn''t leave it that. The King hummed, enjoying the choking atmosphere. "In fact, I think it would be a good idea if that little manservant of his joined your household." Xiao Zai whipped his face around with a shocked, "What?" His father couldn''t be serious, he couldn''t expect Xiao Zai to accept that man under his roof. The King''s smirk grew as he nodded towards Chu Yun. "It would be a clean solution, no? Miaoyan suggested it to the First Prince himself." Xiao Zai took a deep breath, reminding himself that the more he argued with his father, the more determined it would make him to go ahead with his plans. Chu Yun remained quiet, but the knuckles of his fist had turned white. "I''ll make the arrangements with the First Prince, you can expect the new servant tomorrow," the King said, turning away from them and facing the windows again. "You''re dismissed." He meant it this time. Or so Xiao Zai thought, until they were almost out of the door, and he turned around with a beatific smile. "Oh, and congratulations on the house, I heard one can barely tell a traitor used to live there." Xiao Zai closed the door on his father''s smug face. Of course he wouldn''t let them leave without one last jab. Chu Yun stormed down the hallway as soon as they left the office. Xiao Zai had to jog to keep up with him. "What''s gotten into you?" he asked, pulling him back by the elbow. Chu Yun brushed his hand off with a glare. "Why did you come?" Xiao Zai was taken aback. "You''re the one who told your maidservant to warn me..." "Yes, but ''warn'' does not mean ''come in person''," Chu Yun said, his red lips tight with tension. Xiao Zai really didn''t understand why they were having this discussion. "Why does it matter?" Chu Yun looked away from him, his bottom lip caught between his teeth. "He has his opening now..." --- Chu Yun didn''t feel like talking. Not on the carriage ride home, nor when they got there. He blamed himself for telling Hua Nanyi to warn Xiao Zai. What was he expecting to accomplish, anyway? So what if his absence worried Xiao Zai? He would live. Chu Yun should have known that Xiao Zai would want to come in person. He loved playing the brave, handsome hero -- Chu Yun should probably blame Gu Wei for filling his head with crap growing up. He sulked for the rest of the day, blaming himself for not considering the possibility that the King of Zui would be a plain, sadistic bastard. Hua Nanyi tried to make him feel better. "In your defence, it''s not the kind of thing most people can just ''guess''." He should have seen the signs, though. The King had such a dysfunctional relationship with his children, with his own concubines...nothing about that pointed towards mental or emotional stability. On the other hand, there were all the signs that pointed to him being shrewd and calculating -- the kind of person who wouldn''t act as rashly as he just had. There was the fact that he had allowed Gu Wei to carry the pregnancy of a bastard to term, and how he used Xiao Yuan''s reputation as a drunkard to his advantage. Maybe he had some condition that affected his mental state and caused him to act impulsively? Maybe he was a cruel person, and being cruel won over behaving rationally. Either way, it posed a problem for Chu Yun. The worst enemy was an unpredictable one. And now he was setting a literal wolf loose in Chu Yun''s coop. "What are you thinking?" Hua Nanyi asked, noticing his grim expression. "That tomorrow I''ll to have to open my home''s door to the spy the King is personally sending me." Just thinking about it made his teeth ache. The last thing he needed in his house was Gu Wei, the second to last thing he needed was a man who looked like a cheap copy of him. Especially one who the King had, surely, instructed to try and drive a wedge between him and Xiao Zai. You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 61 - The Fox And The Wolf Dont Trust Their New Hire Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chu Yun was in a fine fucking mood all of the previous day and throughout the morning ''Jiang-er'' was due to arrive in the estate. Xiao Zai knew to avoid the danger zone, and kept well away from him. Little Pan was quick to give him his assessment early on: "His Grace is in a mood most foul this morning," he said, grimacing slightly. "He has threatened to scalp the kitten, ''Little Monster'' twice." Xiao Zai chuckled. "Just twice? That means his mood is improving." Little Pan gave him a look that conveyed just how deeply he worried for his mental health, and how glad he was to be a servant that wasn''t at liberty to voice those concerns in front of his master. The time of the man''s arrival eventually came, and as expected, Chu Yun was nowhere to be seen. It fell to Xiao Zai to welcome the First Prince''s carriage. Who was delivering his favourite to Xiao Zai''s doorstep himself. It left Xiao Zai to stand awkwardly in the courtyard, in front of the carriage as his brother fussed with the quiet servant''s robes. It was obvious that ''Jiang-er'' had never performed a servant''s duties in Xiao Yuan''s estate. His status as manservant served only to try and sidestep the more vocal rumours about the nature of Xiao Yuan''s attachment to him, which Xiao Zai couldn''t think about without wanting to pummel his face into a bloody pulp. Finally, Xiao Yuan turned to address Xiao Zai, having the good grace to look contrite. "I''m not sure what father intends with this," he said, clearing his throat awkwardly. "But, I am entrusting Jiang-er into your care." Their father wanted to punish Xiao Zai for being Gu Wei''s son, and Xiao Yuan for ever having looked in his direction. It wasn''t a difficult conclusion to draw. Xiao Yuan would see it too, if he hadn''t spent the past half decade pickling his brain in wine. The servant was just another of the King''s tools in his newest punishment scheme. The man in question bowed deeply to Xiao Zai. "This one is called Fan Jiang and will endeavour serve his Second Highness to the best of his abilities." Xiao Zai was glad that he could finally stop calling the man ''Jiang-er'' in his head, and for little else. Fan Jiang and Xiao Yuan said their goodbyes, while Xiao Zai stood awkwardly off to the side. He turned to face Xiao Zai as soon as his brother had left. "I understand that his Highness never intended to have this one as a servant, but Fan Jiang will do his best to serve his Highness and his Grace to the best of his ability." He bowed deeply once again. A small chest with his possessions lay at his feet, resting on the unpaved road that gave Chu Yun fits and hadn''t yet been covered with the blanket of white Xiao Zai had promised him. Looking at Fan Jiang''s face gave Xiao Zai the impression of looking at a painting of his dam created by an artist of subpar skill. He averted his eyes and pointed to a building on the far right. "The servant quarters are that way. You''ll find all the senior servants in the kitchen, they''ll put you to work." Xiao Zai watched him go, dragging his chest by one of the handles, with little remorse. He didn''t know what Chu Yun thought of the whole thing, but in Xiao Zai''s opinion, only one person could have told his father about Chu Yun''s comment to Xiao Yuan, and he was staring him right in the back. --- Chu Yun was fuming. He''d spent the entire day locked inside his quarters, only allowing Hua Nanyi''s company. "He''s here already, the head servant got him settled and then told him his job would be to muck the stables," she said, after returning from a brief incursion outside the room. "His name is Fan Jiang." Chu Yun was perfectly content with that. At least he could expect the servants he had personally hired to run the little weasel ragged. He hoped Fan Jiang was happy with himself. He hoped that running to tell the King what Chu Yun had told the First Prince was worth his demotion from bed warmer to stablehand. There was no doubt in Chu Yun''s mind that it was him who had reported the contents of his conversation with Xiao Yuan to the King. Xiao Yuan wouldn''t have done it himself, as attracting attention to his own dependency on a lowly servant wouldn''t be good for him. His ambitious concubine would have been thrilled at the prospect of getting rid of his favourite. Absolutely riveted. Obviously the only thing she would have done was burn some incense at the nearest temple hoping it would come to pass soon. Xiao Zai would never. Chu Yun obviously hadn''t. So that left Fan Jiang, who, for all Chu Yun knew, had been planted at Xiao Yuan''s side by the King himself in a vain attempt to get him to let go of his unhealthy obsession for Gu Wei. Or, if that wasn''t the case, had at the very lest been threatened by him into obeying his orders. Before their little conversation, Chu Yun wouldn''t think the King of Zui was the kind to have someone killed because their existence was inconvenient. Now he wasn''t so sure. Whether Fan Jiang had acted of his own volition or under the King''s orders, now he was a threat to Chu Yun. Hua Nanyi had just sat down and was pouring herself a cup of tea when Chu Yun said, "Go out into the city, see what you can dig up about Fan Jiang, his past, family, anything." She put down her cup with a groan. "Really? I just got back." Chu Yun grumbled under his breath. "Fine, have your tea first, I don''t even know what I''m paying you for." Her lips split into a huge, delighted, grin. "Technically, it''s your husband who pays me." Chu Yun threw a chestnut at her head for the impertinence but it only made her laugh harder. You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 62 - The Fox And The Wolf Have Fun Deceiving Everyone Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com The following day, and armed with the information Hua Nanyi had managed to dig up, Chu Yun felt a lot calmer. He got himself dressed in front of the full-length gold mirror without asking for any servants'' assistance. He needed to get his thoughts in order. The situation wasn''t ideal, but since Fan Jiang was already there, and likely going to report everything to the King anyway, Chu Yun just had to take advantage of that, and use it to his own benefit. This was just a minor setback in his overall plans, it changed nothing. How he reacted to it would dictate whether he sunk or swam. The King thought he had glimpsed Chu Yun''s weakness in that brief moment where he allowed his worry for Xiao Zai to shine through. Chu Yun wasn''t yet sure what that was all about, but in any case, the King was probably imagining the two of them were in love, or something along that vein. Fan Jiang''s presence could help set the record straight. He would tell the King the two of them were sleeping in separate rooms, and that there was no ''relationship'', to drive a wedge between. It made Chu Yun giddy just to imagine the King''s frustration when he realised that his big trap basically amounted to nothing, except further estranging him from his own heir. Maybe Fan Jiang would find out they spent Xiao Zai''s rut together, and report it to the King, but that in itself didn''t prove anything. It was just scratching an itch. If the King thought he had found the opening he needed to put an end to Chu Yun''s machinations he was sorely mistaken. Chu Yun looked at his own reflection in the mirror, inspecting the fall of the pale cream robes around his shoulders. He was only getting started. --- It couldn''t be said that Chu Yun didn''t learn from his mistakes. Only children and lunatics did the same thing over and over again expecting different results. He had identified a pattern that more often than not led to trouble, so, this time he was going to avoid going down the same road and would actually share his plans with the other person he needed to make them work. His first order of business was to talk with Xiao Zai, who he found practising his swordforms in the courtyard outside his quarters. Xiao Zai had stripped down to the waist, the sleeves of his robes roughly wrapped around his hips. Chu Yun''s gazed snagged momentarily on the path a few adventurous drops of sweat trailed down his abdomen. "What is it?" Xiao Zai asked, drying the back of his neck with the bandages wrapped around his wrists. Chu Yun''s eyes snapped up to his face. "We need to get into a fight." "Now?" He asked, his brows furrowed in confusion. "Are you asking for my permission to get into a fight with me? You generally just do it." He was being difficult on purpose and Chu Yun had no patience for it, plus the sunlight was shining in his eyes and distracting him, that the sun was positioned behind Xiao Zai was mere coincidence. He tilted his head towards the pavilion beside them. "Not here, let''s talk inside." --- Xiao Zai listened in silence as Chu Yun explained the entirety of his plan, but by the end of it, he had to say something: "So you want us to pretend to be on bad terms, so Fan Jiang can tell my father that, so my father will stop trying to sabotage our relationship," he had been drawing a straight line in the air, listing all these steps, but at this point we drew an arc returning to the beginning, "which doesn''t actually exist, as per your own admission." Chu Yun nodded stiffly, a faint red hue dusted his cheeks. "Exactly." Xiao Zai crossed his legs and leaned his elbow on his knee, supporting his face sideways on his closed fist. He didn''t know in what way he was looking at Chu Yun, but it must have made him uncomfortable because he looked away. "Seems like a lot of trouble to protect a relationship that isn''t even real," he shrugged, "why not let things go on as they normally do, and let Fan Jiang report to my father that there''s nothing to see." Chu Yun shot him one of his cold, narrow-eyed looks. Maybe he thought he looked intimidating when he did that, and perhaps he did, to other people. Xiao Zai just found him incredibly attractive. "Will you help me or not?" He asked, getting up from the floor and making his way to the door. He was in a hurry to leave. That was something Xiao Zai had noticed about Chu Yun -- he hated not being taken seriously. It made him bristly. Ready to flash his claws and teeth at the slightest provocation. The fact that he was holding himself back from being as vicious as he wanted on Xiao Zai''s account was a little touching. "I will," Xiao Zai said, watching with pleasure as the tight line of Chu Yun''s jaw relaxed. "What do you want us to do?" Chu Yun turned to him with a delighted smile, very much the fox basking in his own mischief. "Here''s how we''ll do it..." --- Xiao Zai had to admit he was excited for supper that day. It was very uncommon for him and Chu Yun to share meals, but in order to put his plan into action Chu Yun wanted to make a public spectacle out of it. So, they were having supper in the dining hall, with most of the servants attending to them, which was also a rarity. Chu Yun had instructed the kitchens to prepare a lavish meal because Lady Tan would be joining them for supper -- the very excuse behind why they were suddenly dining together. Unfortunately, she wouldn''t be able to attend on account of not having been invited. Xiao Zai was feeling almost giddy by the time he sat down at the table opposite Chu Yun, who barely met his eyes. The food was brought in, and the two of them stared at it in silence as the incense sticks around the room burned down, ticking down the time. When most of them had burnt nearly to the quick, Chu Yun let out a growl and slammed his closed fan against the tabletop. "This is all your fault," he said, glaring at Xiao Zai. Xiao Zai ignored him and filled his own cup with wine. "Please tell me how this is my fault." "You were standoffish when I invited Lady Tan to join us, the other day." Xiao Zai nodded, taking a sip of his wine. "I was standoffish," he agreed mildly. "What does that have to do with anything?" Chu Yun glared at him, his beautiful features arranging themselves in a mask of petulance. He looked unbearably spoiled, like he expected the rain to stop falling at his command, and the rivers to stop running so he could cross them. It was a good look on him. "She must have thought I was only extending her an invitation out of politeness and not out of a genuine desire to spend some time in her company," his voice rose, "You did it on purpose because you hate the idea of me fitting in better than you!" Xiao Zai returned his glare for the first time, and slammed down his wine cup, making its contents spill over. "What I hate is having my peace and quiet disturbed by countless social obligations! I''ve seen more ministers and nobles since I married you than in my entire life in the royal palace!" A great number of servants, including Fan Jiang, were kneeling by the far wall. Ostensibly so they were ready to serve their masters at any time, but in this particular case, to play captive audience to their domestic spat. Xiao Zai had to restrain himself from looking in their direction. He wanted to see the effect their performance was having on them, but he ran the serious risk of losing his cool and start laughing if he did. Chu Yun was still going on, his eyes blazing with indignity, "What do you want me to do? Do you expect me to waste away in this ruin with you until I die! I used to be invited to all the social gatherings in Lanzhou, I refuse to be a pariah just because I had the bad luck of marrying you." At this point he got up from the table as well, and told the nearest servant. "Take all this food to the kitchens and share it with the rest of the servants, I''m no longer in any mood to eat." He left the dining hall in a flurry of light, swaying robes. Xiao Zai chased after him, spitting recriminations until they reached his own quarters and walked inside, closing the door behind them with a loud bang. Chu Yun waited only for a moment before crumpling to the floor in a fit of laughter, holding his hand over his mouth to prevent the sound from escaping him. He looked up at Xiao Zai in smirking triumph.. The bright amusement in his mesmerising fox eyes made something inside Xiao Zai''s chest constrict painfully. Read novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 63 - The Fox And The Wolf Have A Heated Clash You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chu Yun got up to his feet, his back against the door. Something in Xiao Zai''s dark eyes pinned him in place, made him swallow dry. "Maybe we should make some noise? Make them think we''re fighting," Chu Yun whispered, looking at the room around him, at anything really, in order not to face the intensity of Xiao Zai''s gaze. "Good idea," Xiao Zai said. In the next moment, Chu Yun was held by the shoulders and slammed against the door as Xiao Zai''s lips descend on his in a kiss that pulled him under like the tide. Chu Yun had no strength to fight the current, and let himself be overwhelmed by the warm invasion of Xiao Zai''s tongue. But giving in didn''t mean giving up. Chu Yun took advantage of Xiao Zai''s single-minded focus on his lips, and wrapped his arms around his shoulders, using his distraction to switch their positions. Xiao Zai gasped into the kiss when it was him being slammed against the wall, the breath leaving him in a huff, before Chu Yun could seal his lips again with his own. They traded kisses like blows, until Chu Yun''s foot got tangled on the hem of Xiao Zai''s robe and the two of them toppled to the floor in a heap of limbs and expensive fabric. Xiao Zai surged up against Chu Yun, intent on kissing him again, but Chu Yun stopped him with a hand on his chest. "I think we''ve made enough noise to sell this fight," he said, leaning back on Xiao Zai''s hips. He made to get off of him, but Xiao Zai''s hands flew to his waist, keeping him in place. "Maybe we could make it even more convincing,"he trailed off, smirking up at Chu Yun. His grip on Chu Yun''s narrow waist grew more adventurous, his deft fingers found their way under the cream sash holding the two halves of Chu Yun''s robes closed. Chu Yun grabbed Xiao Zai''s wrists in his fists and pried his hands away. "Don''t get ideas." He climbed off Xiao Zai inelegantly, but he needed to put some distance between them fast. His voice was cool, and his face revealed nothing, but inside his blood was boiling. The feeling was unbearable. Xiao Zai got to his feet as well, and drew Chu Yun back against him by the arm before he could leave the room. "Let go of-" Chu Yun''s protests died in the wake of another breathless kiss. Xiao Zai held him fast against his chest, his roving hands hooking under his hipbones above the layers of his robes. Chu Yun''s head was swimming, the undertow threatened to pull him under again. In a desperate bid to return to his senses he bit down hard on Xiao Zai''s bottom lip. A hot gush of blood flowed into his mouth. It reminded him of the night of Xiao Yuan''s engagement, and how he had almost lost himself then too. But Xiao Zai gasped in pain, and that was enough for Chu Yun to put some distance between them. "Fuck," Xiao Zai hissed, his teeth stained with red. Despite the pain he still smiled at Chu Yun, more amused than anything. Chu Yun squared his shoulders and nodded at him. "Good, now everyone will think I punched your mouth." He left while he still had the high ground. --- Chu Yun avoided Xiao Zai for the rest of the night, and most of the following day. Whether to make their ''performance'' more convincing or because he was trying to deal with his own actions, Xiao Zai didn''t know. He accepted that he was irresistibly attracted to Chu Yun. At this point denial seemed pointless. For the first time in his life, Xiao Zai was actually looking forward to his ruts, and the promise of Chu Yun''s company -- if he would even extend it. Thinking about Chu Yun''s own rut left him more at a loss, he didn''t know what Chu Yun''s plans entailed. From the way he talked, Xiao Zai got the impression he made use of the services of the brothels in Lanzhou. There were no brothels in Haolin, but there were high-end escorts who could be called directly to one''s residence. Xiao Zai still didn''t know how he would react if Chu Yun wanted to employ their services. ''Not well'' was his best guess. He was currently sitting across from his dam, in one of Gu Wei''s favourite restaurants, overlooking a busy road, and rows of trees stripped bare, now that autumn had had its way with them. "Something is preying on your mind," Gu Wei said, dipping thin slices of lamb in sauce. "Does it have anything to do with that cut on your lip?" Xiao Zai''s fingers instinctively flew to his lip, the slight sting brought with it the heated memories of kissing Chu Yun. Xiao Zai told Gu Wei about Chu Yun''s new plan, and how he planned to use Fan Jiang''s presence to his advantage. Gu Wei listened attentively, only humming here or there. Xiao Zai had already told him that he''d taken Chu Yun to meet A-Xiang, as well as the events that transpired afterwards...although haltingly, and with much embarrassment. Not to mention, only superficial detail. "I think...Chu Yun is warming up to you," Gu Wei said, after Xiao Zai was done explaining everything. Xiao Zai lowered his eyes. He didn''t want his dam to see how much he hoped that was true. Gu Wei smiled ruefully over the rim of his wine cup. "You are my beloved son, anyone would be lucky to be on the receiving end of your affections. I''m glad your husband is beginning to realise that." Xiao Zai clutched his chopsticks a little tighter in embarrassment. "Papa, stop," he whispered. Whenever Gu Wei laughed everyone around them looked in his direction, attracted by the crystalline sound. "I''m sorry, to a parent there is nothing more adorable than their child, no matter how big and strong they grow," his smile softened his sharp eyes into crescents. "To me, you''ll always be my cute Zaizai." Despite his protests, Xiao Zai was glad for his dam''s affection. It settled over him like a warm blanket. For years it had been the only thing keeping him safe in face of his father''s cruelty. It was especially moving because Gu Wei had always been generous with his warmth when he had so little himself. "Don''t look so embarrassed," Gu Wei said, still amused. "You''ll understand when you have your own children." It was such a careless comment, the kind of thing Gu Wei told him all the time growing up, but this time it made Xiao Zai''s stomach twist painfully. He would never have any children. He was sure of that. Even if it ever came a time where he could have other spouses beyond Chu Yun...would he want to? Would Chu Yun ever allow something like that? The worst part was that it felt like a betrayal. Not to himself. The idea of having children was always a distant concept, personally, but in his mind, he''d promised his dam that he would be a better father than the King. He would never mistreat his children, or abuse his spouse. In that way, he would honour Gu Wei and the education and love he''d been given throughout the years. Now, he was ready to give that all up. For what? To keep the peace in his own household? For Chu Yun''s approval? He cleared his throat. "I''m afraid that won''t be possible, for me," he said, his gaze drifting towards the open window and the busy road. Gu Wei hummed. "Perhaps," was the only thing he said. --- In another part of Haolin, Chu Yun was meeting with Tan Ruo in her estate. Partially to get the story straight, in case any enterprising servants made enquiries, or Fan Jiang was more resourceful than he thought. "Oh, so even Brother Chu is afraid of his father-in-law," she said with a giggle, after hearing Chu Yun''s excuse for the whole thing. He told her that in order to avoid having a meal with Gu Wei he had fabricated a dinner with her. "Well, he can be very intimidating," Chu Yun said, his smile tight. Intimidating wasn''t quite the word for it. Gu Wei was disconcerting. Chu Yun had a hard time getting a read on him, and he hated that. Tan Ruo made a noise of commiseration, but then brightened up. "Well, I''m lucky that my inlaws are very kind with me. Honestly, my poor dear gets the rougher end of the deal, I''m afraid that my parents can be a little overwhelming." That was the other reason Chu Yun had come to see her. There was something else on his mind, scuttling around like a scared mouse. "Actually, I''ve been meaning to ask Sister Tan about that," he cleared his dry throat. "How did you, as an alpha, develop, ah...feelings for a beta?" Tan Ruo shot him an amused look, her peach blossom eyes sparkling. "Why is Brother Chu only asking now? Did something happen in the Second Prince''s household?" Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 64 - The Fox Has A Heart-to-heart You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chu Yun didn''t like Tan Ruo''s knowing smirk. He felt as if she was able to pry under his skin. "Nothing happened," he lied, "I''m merely curious about, Sister Tan''s marriage." Realising how that sounded, he hastened to add, "from the perspective of a person in an atypical union to another, of course." She grinned, leaning across the table. Her large sleeve covered her hands in a girlish fashion. She seemed to delight in looking nothing like an alpha woman should. "Has brother Chu ever walked by a stall selling fresh food, and thought the scents were delicious, mouthwatering even?" Of course he had. He was sure that was an universal experience. "Yes," he said, unsure where Tan Ruo was going with this. "Have you then, ever devoured all the food in the stall, even though you had just eaten? Or had family waiting for you at home so you could have lunch?" Utterly befuddled now, Chu Yun shook his head. Tan Ruo hummed thoughtfully. "That''s how I feel about omegas. They smell delicious and inviting but I have food at home." Chu Yun''s brain came to a grinding halt. "But omegas...are not food." Tan Ruo laughed. "And yet in many that''s what they sound like, when alphas talk about them." She reached across the table and patted Chu Yun''s wrist. "I just don''t feel like things work in the imperative way we were taught they do. It''s a cruel imposition to say that biology must dictate the course of one''s life." Chu Yun remained silent, he couldn''t say he had ever questioned the nature of the alpha and omega roles in society. Maybe it was because Tan Ruo was a good person, who had spent all her life in Zui where omegas were treated so badly, that she felt that way. Chu Yun doubted she would have such a radical viewpoint if she had been raised in Xin. She laughed again. "I can see this conversation is scaring you." Chu Yun took a sip of tea, buying himself some time. "I''m just surprised, I assumed your motives might have more to do with practical reasons." She tilted her head to the side. "It didn''t cross your mind that I might love my wife?" Chu Yun sputtered. He was already regretting this conversation. Why didn''t he just talk about the weather? It even looked like it was about to snow. "I do," Tan Ruo said smiling sweetly, "I love her, and if I''d married an omega, I would never have met her." "But...don''t you think about everything you''re missing out on?" Chu Yun asked haltingly, voicing his biggest anxiety. He hated the idea of being prevented from having something that would otherwise be his due. He didn''t hold any romantic notions about marriages, but there were certain expectations one couldn''t help developing. Having an omega mate meant that the onsets of his ruts would be less violent, his omega mate''s scent would calm him whenever he got angry or anxious, he would have children -- with a high probability of being omegas or alphas themselves. Being married to Xiao Zai meant he would never have any of that. He had more-or-less made his peace with it, and as long as Xiao Zai became king, Chu Yun would feel vindicated regarding the cruel hand fate had dealt him. He still hated the idea of missing out. Maybe Xiao Zai hated it too. Tan Ruo sighed deeply, and refilled Chu Yun''s teacup. "No, because I don''t think I''m missing out on anything. I think I''m escaping a cycle that traps both omegas and alphas in unhappy relationships." "I can see how it can be like that for some omegas, but for alphas...," Chu Yun gestured vaguely and trailed off. Tan Ruo snorted. "Because all alphas want to be domineering, strong, leaders..." Obviously that was a very stereotypical view. Tan Ruo was using the kind of adjectives betas usually employed to describe alphas whenever they felt like airing their grievances. A thought crossed Chu Yun''s mind. "Does your wife call you those things?" Tan Ruo huffed. "No! My point is that people, regardless of whether they''re omegas, alphas, or betas, don''t fall into perfect roles. I''m obviously not a typical alpha, and frankly neither are you." Chu Yun opened his mouth to disagree with her, but then closed it with a click. He supposed he had given Tan Ruo reason to think that. She crossed her arms in front of her chest. "If you have feelings for your husband just enjoy them...don''t overthink something so simple and joyful." Chu Yun recoiled. Where had Tan Ruo gotten that preposterous impression from. "Of course not, we''re both alphas, I would never---" He froze, the words dying on his tongue. He had forgotten himself. When he met Tan Ruo he''d been working really hard to convince her of just how besotted he was with Xiao Zai. He cleared his throat. "I would never think of betraying him, but I get anxious sometimes, wondering if perhaps he won''t come to regret our marriage." He relaxed his shoulders and took a sip of his tea. There. Crisis averted. Tan Ruo gave him a knowing smirk from a cross the low, lacquered table. Her soft pink sleeves trailed across the wood as she sat back on the pillow more comfortably. "I wouldn''t worry about that." "Why not?" Chu Yun asked, although he had some idea what she was going to say. He knew that Xiao Zai was attracted to him. Xiao Zai had said so himself, as early on as that fateful night in the brothel. His actions were a constant reminder. If Chu Yun were to suggest it, he would be thrilled to fully consummate their wedding. But lust was a fickle thing, especially considering both of them were alphas. Tan Ruo''s smirk widened. "Let''s just call it a woman''s intuition." What kind of answer was that? Chu Yun rolled his eyes so hard he risked spraining them.. Tan Ruo just laughed at him. You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 65 - The Fox Positions His Stones On The Board You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com In the following days it became apparent that Chu Yun''s plan had come to fruition. All the servants gave the two of them a wide berth, as if afraid a confrontation would explode at any moment. With the exception of Hua Nanyi, who continued to be Chu Yun''s loyal shadow, and do all the information gathering he couldn''t. Chu Yun was reviewing some correspondence in his study, when she slipped in, just returned from another incursion into the city. She slid her hood down her head and sat down across from Chu Yun at the table. "So, I found his mother and brother." Chu Yun put down his letters. "Tell me everything." --- Fan Jiang had kept to himself since coming to the Second Prince''s estate. Chu Yun couldn''t say he had done anything insidious, but that didn''t mean he wouldn''t, if given a chance. From what Hua Nanyi had found, he was from a poor family, all betas, who migrated from the countryside to Haolin in the hope of finding a better life. That all went to shit when his father died in a work accident, and his mother had to shoulder the burnt of the family''s expenses on whatever she could make as a seamstress. The result was that the entire family ended up selling themselves into indentured servitude so they wouldn''t end up begging on the streets with no roof over their heads. Fan Jiang''s mother, Hui Li, got the better end of the lot, according to Hua Nanyi. She was currently working as a servant in the house of a wealthy young couple, where she was treated decently. The omega husband to the master of the house was pregnant, and apparently relied on her previous experience with childbearing, and even deferred to her when it came to which foods he should or shouldn''t eat. His elder brother on the other hand, had been sold to a rich coal miner, and did backbreaking labour in the mines just outside Haolin. The average life expectancy for miners wasn''t many springs past 30, and Fan Qin was already 27. It was in those same circumstances that Fan Jiang ended up stumbling into the First Prince''s path. Since he was attractive he was sold to a ''dancing'' troupe, which provided entertainment at the estates of high officials, nobles, and the royal palace itself. It was during one of those performances that Xiao Yuan first laid eyes on him. So, technically, Fan Jiang wasn''t working as Xiao Yuan''s ''servant'' of his own volition -- and instead fulfilling the terms of an indentureship contract. "I doesn''t take a genius to guess who holds the deed to his contract," Chu Yun said, after Hua Nanyi explained the latest information she had gathered. She nodded. "I couldn''t confirm it, but it''s most likely in the King''s possession." It would explain Fan Jiang''s ''loyalty''. It would also explain why the King indulged Xiao Yuan by letting him enjoy Fan Jiang''s presence to begin with. He was just another thing the King held over the First Prince''s head -- all the better to control him with. Chu Yun was now certain the First Prince had no idea about A-Xiang''s existence. Maybe that was even how Gu Wei had managed to negotiate her continued survival, and his own. That cast Fan Jiang''s presence in the estate in a whole new light, and it was the reason for Chu Yun''s reduced blood pressure on the day he and Xiao Zai orchestrated their ''fight''. Chu Yun got up from his seat behind the desk and walked up to the intricate cabinet behind him. He opened one of the many tiny compartments and took out a silk pouch. He deposited the pouch in front of Hua Nanyi with a metallic clink. "Buy Fan Jiang''s relatives'' contracts," he said, sitting back down at his desk. Hua Nanyi raised an eyebrow. "I didn''t know you were on the market for indentured servants." She didn''t bother to hide the note of displeasure in her voice. Chu Yun gave her an unimpressed look. "I''m not. After buying their contracts give them back to them. They''ll be able to negotiate an actual paying job with their masters if they want, or..." he laced his fingers together under his chin, "you can tell them there''s gainful employment waiting for them at the Second Prince''s estate." Hua Nanyi relaxed back on her seat with a smirk, shaking her head in astonishment. "His Grace is really something else." Chu Yun returned her smirk with one of his own. The King might own Fan Jiang''s contract, but Chu Yun would like to see how Fan Jiang would react when he found out that Chu Yun not only bought back his family''s freedom but also got them gainful employment. --- With the matter of the contracts sorted, it was only a question of time before Fan Jiang learned about this lucky new development in his family life and came seek Chu Yun. In the meantime, Chu Yun had spent the morning sorting through his correspondence. Much of which were calling cards, and thank you notes, from guests who had attended the feast. Chu Yun took the trouble to reply to everyone, but one piece of correspondence in particular drew his attention. It came bearing the seal of the Minister of Works, who hadn''t been in attendance. The Minister was inviting Xiao Zai and Chu Yun for supper at his private residence. That was curious, as one of the three highest officials in the Zui court, the Minister of Works was someone very close to the King. It could either be one of the King''s schemes, or proof that Chu Yun''s careful manoeuvring was paying off. He went to see Xiao Zai at once. It was the perfect opportunity to create another domestic spat, strengthening the image inside their own household of a couple who "smiled in public and fought bitterly in private." Either way, Xiao Zai was attending dinner at the Minister''s home with him, whether he wanted to or not. You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 66 - The Wolf Accompanies The Fox On A Social Call You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Xiao Zai knew, the moment Chu Yun''s shadow fell over the plot of land he had been working on that his peace and quiet was over. "The Minister of Works has invited us for supper at his residence," Chu Yun announced, smugness radiating from him in waves. "Come with me to the main hall so we can make a scene about how much you don''t want to go." Xiao Zai wouldn''t even have to try to act convincing -- he really didn''t want to have a meal at the Minister of Work''s estate. "Must we?" he asked, through gritted teeth. "No, I''m just fucking with you," Chu Yun said with wide grin. The next moment his face fell and he grit out, "of course we must! What do you think I''ve gone to all this trouble for? Now let''s have a screaming match about it!" With great consternation, Xiao Zai let the spade he was holding fall to the ground and stood up. "You know, I''m being very accommodating, but one day you''re going to have to start making all this worth my while." Chu Yun arched an eyebrow. "Isn''t becoming King worth your while?" Xiao Zai bridged the distance between them, whispering the words into Chu Yun''s ear, "there are many roads to the same destination. Who says your way is the best?" Chu Yun pushed him away with a jab to the ribs. "Don''t expect a repeat of the other day," he warned, although there was a pink flush on his smooth earlobes. As always, Xiao Zai couldn''t help noticing how good he looked with his features pinched in annoyance like that. He wished only that Chu Yun''s fluffy fox ears were out so that he might see them flatten in exasperation against his silky hair. Xiao Zai kept his thoughts to himself, and Chu Yun departed with one last, mistrustful glare. Xiao Zai followed after him at a distance. Feeling a little like he was stalking his prey in a hunt. The thought sent a little thrill down his spine. --- They had their public screaming row in front of the poor servants, who looked like they wanted to be anywhere but there. Hopefully, Fan Jiang would relay all of this to the King soon enough and he and Chu Yun could stop putting their servants through emotional turmoil. As much fun as it was, he knew no one wanted to work for people who hated each other. After spending the afternoon in their own quarters, they left together for the Minister of Works'' residence. Xiao Zai didn''t like the man. And hated the idea of rubbing elbows with him. "He''s an incompetent Minister, you know?" he told Chu Yun while the two of them were seated in the carriage. "If he''s displeased with my father in any way, that''s actually a credit to my father, unfortunately." Chu Yun sucked in an annoyed breath. "Well, the King can''t be all that competent either, or he would have gotten rid of him." "His family is very powerful, his father controls almost an entire province to the north." Xiao Zai would usually agree with any negative assessment of his father, but the current Minister of Works, was...a piece of work. Chu Yun still wasn''t impressed. "So? He''s the King, he can always strip his family''s land, recall his private army''s commission, have them all assassinated," he shrugged, "I can keep coming up with ideas." Xiao Zai couldn''t help the little rueful smile that stole across his face. "You''re ruthless, uh? Is that what you''d do? Just kill your enemies?" Chu Yun shot him another of his unimpressed looks. "Of course not. It isn''t the best strategic option, more often than not, and if you''re going to do it you need to be committed to it." He looked out the moving carriage''s window, watching the street go by. "You can''t just kill the person you want to. You need to eliminate their entire clan, or you''re opening yourself up to having someone come after you years down the line to claim the blood debt." He spoke of it very dispassionately, but it was that distance that told Xiao Zai there was a story there. Something Chu Yun didn''t like remembering. After a prolonged moment of silence Chu Yun cleared his throat. "Anyway, but if my Minister of Works, responsible for all public works in the nation, was using money from the royal purse, meant to improve the infrastructure in disaster prone areas, but instead pocketed half of it, commissioning only subpar dams, which led to flooding and the death of thousands of peasants each year...." He grinned without humour. "Maybe I could be persuaded to drown his entire family in front of him and tell him that he was now experiencing what the families who lost their relatives in the floods he was tasked with preventing must have gone through!" Xiao Zai shouldn''t have been surprised that Chu Yun was so well informed about the situation in Zui. But he was surprised that he felt so intensely about it. The truth was that under his spiky exterior hid a surprisingly soft middle. --- They arrived in the Minister''s house and Chu Yun took Xiao Zai''s arm as soon as he came down the carriage. Xiao Zai shot him a questioning look. "Are we in good terms again?" Chu Yun sighed. "Of course, in public I''m a well behaved spouse, a meek little fox who defers to his wolf husband''s authority," he sighed rolling his eyes. Xiao Zai was in no hurry to tell him that he preferred it when he was a little bit of an asshole. In any case, it still felt good to have Chu Yun''s fingers wrapped around his upper arm, and feel the heat of his body through the many layers of their robes. The Minister''s estate was grand, and luxurious -- a testament to all the money he had embezzled. "I can''t believe this motherfucker has a better house than us," Chu Yun said, hiding his whispered complaints behind his fan. Xiao Zai chuckled but then did a double-take when he realised the fan in Chu Yun''s hand, was the one depicting a wolf pinning a fox to the snowy ground by the neck. Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 67 - The Fox And The Wolf Play Their Parts Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com A pair of finely dressed servants led them through the courtyard and into the reception hall. Xiao Zai couldn''t stop noticing how impressive the entire estate was. The walls were filled with priceless tapestries and calligraphy scrolls of very high quality. In every direction hung a virtuous painting depicting bucolic nature scenes. It only served to increase Xiao Zai''s dissatisfaction. How could a Minister have an estate that could rival in luxury with the royal palace? They found the Minister waiting for them in a room adjacent to the reception hall, surrounded by countless beauties. Xiao Zai couldn''t hide his displeasure at the sight. The Minister of Works was a middle-aged man, rail-thin, with a long, reedy moustache clinging to his upper lip by sheer willpower, and yet he was surrounded by young omega concubines half his age -- at the bare minimum, many looked younger. The combined flowery scent wafting off from them was making Xiao Zai''s eyes itch. Individually, perhaps their muted, mated omega, fragrance was pleasant to the senses, but with so many of them in a single space it became quickly overpowering. Xiao Zai could only guess at how much worse it would have been if they weren''t mated. He turned to give Chu Yun a sideways glance, who had his eyebrows drawn, and his fan raised in front of his face. Xiao Zai knew that look -- his sharp mind was making very fast calculations. The Minister opened his arms wide and extricated himself from the circle of his concubines. "Your Second Highness, your Grace, this lowly one is humbled to welcome the two of you into his home," he gestured to an adjoining room, and at the same time two servants opened the doors leading up to it, "Come, let''s enjoy a hearty meal in each other''s company." Chu Yun fanned himself, drawing the Minister''s eye. "Thank you Minister Hu, we are flattered for the invitation." The Minister smiled unctuously, bowing to both of them with his hands clasped in front of his chest. Xiao Zai caught the way his gaze snagged on Chu Yun''s fan. --- Chu Yun had never seen these many omegas in a single place. Not even in the Lanzhou brothels, which employed a lot of omegas, but several betas too. The Minister had brought out the entirety of his concubines, who sat in rows on each side of the table, with Minister Hu at the head, and Chu Yun and Xiao Zai at the foot. It was almost impossible to see the tabletop under the heavy weight of all the laden plates and bowls the servants kept bringing out. The Minister was putting on a display, but of what? Of wealth? Of power? Of virility? Did he want to rub it in their faces that they were two young alphas married to each other, when he had a crowd of female and male omegas ready to attend to his every need? Was that supposed to impress them? Chu Yun kept smiling agreeably over the arc of his fan as the food was being brought out. The Minister looked in his direction often, although his wondering hands were never very far from the nearest omega, fondling and petting them as if they were alone. It made Chu Yun''s stomach turn. At his side, Xiao Zai was almost vibrating with banked impatience. "I must say Minister Hu''s invitation surprised us," he said, putting down his chopsticks and looking over at the Minister from across the table. "To what do we owe the honour?" The Minister chuckled, the sound was surprisingly strong for a man so insubstantial, who gave the impression of swimming inside his fine robes. "Can''t an old man want to entertain the younger generation?" From the looks of it it seemed he was trying to marry the younger generation, not entertain it. That wasn''t all there was to his invitation. Chu Yun could tell Xiao Zai was close to losing his temper, so he slid one hand onto the crook of his arm below the table to hold him back, and said, "We are flattered, regardless." The Minister''s fixed smile dropped somewhat when the two of them just kept eating their food in silence. Clearly he had been hoping his showmanship would have had more of an impact. He cleared his throat after some time, "Actually, his Highness and his Grace must know they are the source of must speculation in the capital." Chu Yun made a point of exchanging a look with Xiao Zai, before returning his attention to Minister Hu. "Indeed?" Again, the man became flustered that they weren''t reacting in the way he expected. "Yes, well, There are rumours that the two of you were seen visiting a brothel in Lanzhou." Immediately this declaration generated an excitable titter from the assembled concubines, many of them pretending to be scandalised as if the nature of their union with Minister Hu wasn''t just as transactional. And perhaps they had just as little choice about the position they now found themselves in as some of those courtesans. Chu Yun nodded, "That''s because we did," and returned his attention the the slices of honeyed pork. Xiao Zai just hummed and took a sip of his wine, adding nothing to Chu Yun''s admission. Minister Hu couldn''t just come out and ask them what they did at the brothel, although it was obvious he wanted to. The laws of propriety held him back, which gave Chu Yun immense pleasure. It was obvious they were frustrating the Minister. Whatever his true intentions were for inviting them he was about to reveal them out of sheer irritation. "It is also said that his Grace frequently visits on of his Majesty''s concubines often," he said, his tone leading and his eyes glued to Xiao Zai waiting for his reaction. "It is odd that his Majesty allows this, considering his Grace is an alpha. So much unsupervised time with an omega...." Chu Yun smiled, leaning towards Xiao Zai until his head touched his shoulder. "His Majesty knows how devoted I am to his son, I would never think to stray," he fluttered his lashes and looked up at Xiao Zai. "Isn''t that right, dear?" A slow smirk spread across Xiao Zai''s lips, and he raised his right hand to Chu Yun''s face, running his thumb over a high cheekbone.. "That''s right, Yun-er belongs only to me." Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 68 - The Fox Hears Something Shocking You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chu Yun could feel the Minister''s steady gaze, from the corner of his eye. He raised his fan to hide the lower half of his face and shuttered his eyes demurely, pulling away from Xiao Zai and returning his attention to the food in front of him. "I hope curiosity wasn''t the only thing that prompted Minister Hu to extend us this invitation," Xiao Zai said, filling his wine cup once again and raising it to his lips. The Minister cleared his throat, and laughed, sharing a look with the two concubines on his side in a week attempt to dispel the awkwardness. "No, I...of course not," he adjusted the collar of his fine robes, "perhaps his second highness has heard of this, but...not everyone is satisfied with his first highness as heir apparent." His expression darkened. "It his rumoured that his Majesty plans to officially announce him as the crown prince on the day of his wedding to," he gestured vaguely, "...that young miss." Minister Hu didn''t approve of Xiao Yuan as an heir, and couldn''t even be bothered to remember the name of his future principal wife -- it all sounded very promising, but Chu Yun wasn''t one to sing victory before the battle. Xiao Zai made only a noncommittal sound, while Chu Yun ate his food. After letting the Minister sweat for a while, Xiao Zai finally said, "It''s of course my father''s decision, as his subjects it falls to us to accept it." Chu Yun smiled a little to himself behind his fan. Xiao Zai might not be a strategist, but he was sharp too. Perhaps it was his dislike for the Minister, but he had been saying all the right things. The man himself fidgeted in his seat, making his voluminous robes sway around him. "I would never imply that his Majesty doesn''t know what''s better for our great nation," he cleared his throat, "however...some people say that his second highness would be the better choice, as crown prince." Xiao Zai leaned across the table and met the Minister''s gaze head on, "And why is that?" The Minister laughed again, the same loud, booming laugh as before, but now there was a hint of desperation to it. "Well, his second highness should know better than anyone his own accomplishments," another anxious chuckle, "however, several people fear that the First Prince is perhaps too hedonistic to properly rule the nation..." Chu Yun cast his eyes around the table, at all the beautifully dressed omegas, each looking more pampered than the next. Minister Hu was clearly a man who understood restraint... "Minister Hu, please be frank with us," Chu Yun said, cutting off the Minister with a half smile. He fanned himself and flashed a split-second of the inside of his fan, just enough to make the Minister''s eyes go wide as he wondered if he had just seen what he thought he saw. "Do you wish to support my husband as crown prince instead of the First Prince?" The Minister stuttered, still at a loss for words from the glimpse he''d caught of the inside of Chu Yun''s fan. If he thought he would make them uncomfortable with his parade of omegas he had another thing coming. Chu Yun would have him squirming on his seat before the end of dinner. "Well, well, in a word yes," he said, casting suspicious looks at Chu Yun''s fan, as if he expected to see the image of the two naked men at any moment. Obviously it wasn''t the image itself that left him uncomfortable, someone like Minister Hu probably engaged in all kinds of libidinous behaviours behind closed doors -- but he couldn''t wrap his mind around that the fact that Chu Yun had worn it to a formal dinner at a court official''s house. He didn''t know what to make of it, and kept trying to convince himself his eyes had deceived him. Which was exactly Chu Yun''s goal. It also meant he was less likely to notice Hua Nanyi skulking around the upper floors of his house, more likely to ignore any unusual sounds. He had been so determined to impress Xiao Zai, that he had called all his concubines to dinner, all his servants to attend them, stationed all his guards at the gate. And in doing so had left the rest of his house completely defenceless. Chu Yun run a hand down Xiao Zai''s arm. "Minister Hu is right to put his fate in my husband, there''s no one more competent than him." Xiao Zai said nothing, and hummed. Minister Hu was looking between the two of them in open confusion. Chu Yun let out a rueful laugh, and said, "Perhaps Minister Hu would like to have a word in private with my husband?" He shot Xiao Zai a meaningful look that he hoped conveyed: say as little as possible but keep him talking. Minister Hu immediately rose to his feet. "Yes, that sounds like a wonderful idea, I''m sure political talk would bore your Grace, anyway." Chu Yun grit his teeth behind his fan. However, when he said, "almost certainly," his voice was pleasant enough. Xiao Zai rose, and followed the minister out of the hall. Chu Yun remained seated, contemplating how much these Zui wolves never missed a chance to offend him. The Minister''s concubines were all shooting him curious looks, as if he were a rare and wild bird they were seeing for the first time. The one seating closest to him, a boy who looked scarcely older than Chu Hean, finally spoke up, "Is the Second Prince making you say all those things?" Some of the other concubines shot him anxious looks. The boy was speaking out of turn, but it led to Chu Yun''s first genuine laugh of the day. "No, I''m saying them of my own volition." The young omega''s eyes went wide, then he lowered his eyes and whispered, "Master said he''s going to gift one of us to the Second Prince, I hope he chooses me." Chu Yun''s smile fell the very same moment. You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 69 - The Wolf Hears A Generous Offer Best novel online free at novelhall.com Xiao Zai followed Minister Hu into the adjoining study to the reception hall with a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. The Minister was the kind of man he despised. Avaricious and callous, surrounding himself with beauty and luxury, uncaring of how many starved to ensure he got where he was. The way he paraded his spouses, whose number could rival the royal harem, as if they were personal merit trophies he had collected was nauseating. He took a seat on a high backed chair in front of a lacquered desk, and gestured for Xiao Zai to do the same. Xiao Zai sat down reluctantly, doing his best not to let his displeasure show in his face. "I have to give his Highness, credit," the Minister said, chuckling drily, "all of us ministers, court officials and clerks alike, thought the wedding to the Xin fox would be the final nail on the coffin of His Highness'' aspirations to the throne." "But now you''ve changed your mind?" "Let''s just say that the way his Highness has successfully made another alpha, one from a foreign nation, easily submit to him has been nothing sort of inspiring to many," he shook his head with a rueful smile. "It gets one thinking...if his Highness has achieved such order in his own household, what couldn''t he do for the nation?" It pained Xiao Zai that Chu Yun had so accurately predicted the behaviour of his own countrymen. If Minister Hu''s words were to be trusted, a group of people who had written him off more than once, was now willing to support him because they wanted him to do with their enemies the same thing they thought he had done to his husband. Just this once, Xiao Zai hoped Chu Yun would have been wrong -- even if him being right put Xiao Zai closer to his goal of reaching the throne. It meant that people like his father were the rule and not the exception. And Minister Hu was looking at him like he expected him to fall right into that mold. It made Xiao Zai''s skin crawl. The Minister steepled his fingers and leaned across the tabletop. "If I might be frank, his Majesty has been very frugal with the royal purse lately," he sighed, "It''s a very concerning decision, as his Highness knows, the Ministry of Works is responsible for the creation of lifesaving public works all over the nation. The public rely on us to improve the infrastructure in their villages and cities, we cannot simply refuse to do so." Xiao Zai adopted a serious expression and nodded. If this little weasel thought he was fooling him with his little show he had another thing coming. His father was probably just tired to funnelling money directly into Minister Hu''s pockets. As soon as Xiao Zai became King he was getting rid of Minister Hu and everyone like him. "If I were King, I would of course invest in public infrastructure," Xiao Zai said, meeting the Minister''s beady eyes. "The people of Zui come first." With a booming laugh, the Minister clapped his hands together. "That''s good, very good, we all want a King who puts the people first," he smiled, revealing rows of large teeth, the gums far retracted up into his skull. "No Ministry serves the people more than the Ministry of Works." Xiao Zai nodded one last time, "I''m glad we agree," he said, hoping the conversation was now over and he could leave and forget it had ever happened. "Of course," Minister Hu said, signalling a "but" in all the previous agreements and concessions, "there''s the matter of succession." Xiao Zai should have seen it coming. "Of course, but I believe that''s something we can worry after I become crown prince, no?" "On the contrary, having an heir before being named crown prince would only strengthen his Highness'' position," the Minister said, his eyes wide. Before Xiao Zai could retort, he lifted one arm. "Of course, I understand the King would not allow an union to an omega, or beta female at this junction. It would defeat his entire reason for marrying his Highness to a foreign alpha," he nodded solemnly. "However, I believe I''ve come up with an ingenious solution." Xiao Zai absolutely didn''t want to hear it. "Let''s hear it," he said, through gritted teeth. "Not everyone you saw outside was one of my spouses," he paused, "although all the most beautiful were." Xiao Zai rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Of course." The Minister cleared his throat. "A few are actually godchildren. Their parents entrusted them to me knowing I would give them a good education, and hopefully broker a good marriage for them." Whether he sampled the goods first or not, was entirely at his own discretion. The unpleasant feeling at the bottom of his stomach grew even more sour. Xiao Zai wanted to leave as soon as possible. "As Minister Hu said...another marriage at this time would be inconvenient," he grit out. Minister Hu laughed. "Of course, of course, but I was thinking of something a little different, actually." He grinned, showing his pale gums. "One of my godchildren could go to the second prince''s estate, for a myriad of reasons...education, health concerns. I''m sure we could come up with a good excuse. If they happened to get with child, in the course of that stay," he shrugged and sucked in a breath, "well, then the proper thing, the righteous thing, would be for his second highness to marry them before a scandal broke out." He reached across the table to pat Xiao Zai''s hand. "I''m sure his Majesty wouldn''t want to see the royal family''s honour brought under question. After all, we''re talking about a young, virgin omega of exceedingly good breeding. It would be the proper thing for his Highness to marry them at once." The muscle in Xiao Zai''s jaw jumped with tension. "I see Minister Hu has thought of everything." The Minister laughed, self-deprecating, clearly mistaking Xiao Zai''s comment for praise.. "Well, I''m very serious about wanting to support his second highness'' claim to the throne." Read novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 70 - The Fox Is Offended, But The Wolf Makes A Promise You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com In the time it took Xiao Zai to return from his private meeting with the Minister, Chu Yun learned that "us", thankfully didn''t mean all of the Minister spouses, and that he wasn''t actually drawing a raffle to pawn one of them off to Xiao Zai. Unfortunately, it did mean one of his "godchildren" was getting pawned off, and they were all foaming at the bit to be picked. Chu Yun remained as quiet as possible, offering nothing while questions rained down on him, prompted by that first''s omega''s industriousness. Finally, the doors to the little study opened, and Xiao Zai came out, looking absolutely furious. He cut Chu Yun a look that meant they weren''t going to stay long. Chu Yun got up from his seat, lifting one hand to his temple. "I''m sorry that I''ll have to cut such a pleasant evening short, but I have a terrible headache." Xiao Zai went to his side, supporting his back. "Thank you Minister Hu for the hospitality, but we''ll be on our way now." The Minister nodded, smiling at Xiao Zai. "His Highness should make sure to consider our conversation, and the terms for any future agreement." Xiao Zai nodded stiffly. "Will do." His hand never left the small of Chu Yun''s back ad he guided him out of the reception hall, and into the courtyard. Hua Nanyi was already waiting for them by the carriage, as if she had been there the entire night. They all climbed aboard the carriage, but Chu Yun waited until they were on the street outside the Minister''s estate to ask Xiao Zai: "Did he offer you one of his godchildren?" Xiao Zai''s eyes went comically wide. "How do you know that?" Chu Yun closed his fan with a loud flick and shoved it back inside the wide sleeves of his robe. "Well, they were all practically begging me to put in a good word for them." He smirked. "One of them generously suggested I could have a go too, outside of heats." Xiao Zai''s expression darkened. "I can imagine the kind of conversations that go on in that house. What were their parents thinking?" In the seat across from them Hua Nanyi was doing her best to become one with the wood panels behind her. Chu Yun snorted. "Their parents were looking at them like meal tickets, what else? Minister Hu promised them good marriages, to rich families, that''s music to the ears of any omega''s parent, especially..." he cut himself off abruptly. "Especially what? Especially here, in Zui, was that what you were going to say?" Chu Yun met his eyes and raised his chin. "Yes, that''s what I was going to say," he paused, "would I have been wrong?" He knew he hurt Xiao Zai''s national pride each time he mentioned Zui''s cold-blooded treatment of omegas, but he also knew that self-same pride made the damn wolves look down on him constantly. Chu Yun had no illusions that if their roles were reversed the people of Xin would have been open-minded and tolerant about Xiao Zai being a wolf -- people didn''t work like that, not about longstanding prejudices. But he highly doubted they would constantly rub it in his face, the way they did with Chu Yun. After a tense moment where they held each other''s gazes, Xiao Zai finally deflated with a sigh. "No, you''re right, you''re always right -- about everything." Chu Yun blew a breath through his nose and cut him an unimpressed look. "Don''t be dramatic." He looked away from Xiao Zai and towards the moving street outside their carriage. "Besides, if anyone should be offended it should be me. Minister Hu is trying to find you another spouse." "I''m not taking him up on the offer." "Good, because I wouldn''t let you." Xiao Zai went very still and then turned towards Chu Yun, one corner of his lips pulled up. "You wouldn''t let me?" Chu Yun met his smirk with one of his own. "That''s right, you belong to me." Xiao Zai''s smirk fell, but the intensity in his gaze doubled. "I thought it was you who belonged to me." Chu Yun reached across the seat and grabbed the front of Xiao Zai''s robes, hauling him close until their noses almost touched. "That was just talk for the Minister''s ears. I own you...don''t get it twisted." He saw the way Xiao Zai''s nostrils flared, but before he could say something Hua Nanyi cleared her throat, loudly and pointedly. "Oh look, we''re almost at the estate," she said, completely unnecessarily. Chu Yun adjusted Xiao Zai''s collar, and then his own. "I''m sorry, I forgot you were there." She shot him a blood curdling glare. "I could tell." --- When they arrived home, for once they didn''t go their separate ways. Xiao Zai was suspicious when Chu Yun called him up into his rooms, but went after him regardless. "Minister Hu won''t be the only one," Chu Yun said, as soon as Xiao Zai closed the door behind him. "Even less slimy allies will raise concerns over the fact that you do not have an heir." Xiao Zai sat down at the low table in front of Chu Yun''s bed. "I''m aware, but they''ll just have to get over it," he said, pouring himself a cup of wine from the pitcher on the table. Chu Yun observed him for a moment, his head titled to the side, and his arms crossed in front of his chest. Considering him. After some time, he approached Xiao Zai, standing over him like a graceful crane, his neck impossibly long and slender. A slow smile spread across his read lips, and he sat down on the table, startling Xiao Zai into almost spilling his wine. "You really mean that, don''t you?" Without waiting for Xiao Zai''s answer, he reached for him and ran the tips of his long fingers across Xiao Zai''s forehead, down the bridge of his nose. Xiao Zai''s heart beat frantically inside his chest, he closed his eyes just as Chu Yun''s fingertips traced the lattice of his eyelids. "I only have you," Chu Yun said, his voice oddly soft. He was still running the soft pads of his fingers along Xiao Zai''s closed eyes. "You can''t betray my trust. You''re all I have in this strange land." Xiao Zai took hold of Chu Yun''s wrist and brought his palm to his lips.. With his eyes still closed he said, "I won''t," and tenderly kissed the inside of Chu Yun''s warm hand. Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 71 - The Fox Basks Under The Sunlight You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chu Yun'' heart rate picked the moment Xiao Zai''s lips touched his palm. The mood was very ambiguous, and they had both spent hours surrounded by omegas, especially Chu Yun. It was odd that not all of them were mated, and yet Chu Yun hadn''t been able to pick up on that at all. Maybe it was due to the sheer amount of them under the same roof -- maybe it dulled his senses in the same way a busy street filled with alphas, betas and omegas, did. He cleared his throat with an anxious grimace and pulled his hand away from Xiao Zai''s lips. "Good, that''s good." Xiao Zai looked up at him, his eyes were very dark, filled with something heated. Chu Yun shuttered his gaze. "You should go now, it''s getting late." "Or maybe I could stay." Chu Yun''s heart skipped a beat, wrenching painfully inside his chest. "I don''t know if that''s a good idea." Xiao Zai got up, towering over Chu Yun even though they were of an height. "Why? Because you don''t want me to, or because you want it too much?" His fingers hooked in the dip of Chu Yun''s waist and he reeled him against his chest. "What are you afraid of?" Xiao Zai whispered against the side of Chu Yun''s face, his warm breath tickling his skin. Chu Yun stepped away from his soft grip, turning around. "I''m not afraid of anything, I just want you to go." He remained with his back turned to Xiao Zai. After some time, he heard the sound of the door sliding closed softly. The tension straining his shoulders left with Xiao Zai, and Chu Yun let himself drop on top of his bed, feeling drained and tired. He rubbed be bridge of his nose with a sigh, unsure of why he felt so disappointed. --- The next morning Chu Yun woke up with a vicious headache, the result of a night of restless sleep. He didn''t have time to languish in bed, though, there were many things he had to see to. Not least of all, the likely arrival of new servants. He''d just made his way into the main hall when a young servant hurried to warn him there were people at the gate, saying they had been offered work at the Second Prince''s estate. Chu Yun went out to greet them himself instead of sending out the steward. Fan Jiang''s mother was a woman whose face showed all the signs of the rough life she''d led. It was possible she wasn''t even that old, but she looked elderly, her spine curved under the years of toil, her hands knotted by manual labour. Her eldest son too looked older than his 27 years, his skin looked sallow and frail, and he blinked a lot, as if being under direct sunlight was still unusual for him, after spending so many years working in the mine. Chu Yun greeted their deep bows with a short one of his own. Hui Li wringed her knotted hands. "Uhm, a young lady gave us back our contracts and said we could find work here?" Her son looked around the estate in confusion, as if he still couldn''t believe it. Chu Yun nodded and gestured for them to follow him towards the kitchens and the adjacent servant quarters. --- Hours later, Hua Nanyi found Chu Yun drinking tea in his study, while reviewing some documents. "You know... we really don''t need any more servants," she said, sitting down in front of him and balancing her cheek on her open palm. Chu Yun shrugged. "The money to pay their salaries is coming out of Xiao Zai''s royal stipend, so I can''t say I give a fuck," he grinned, "besides, with so many servants, there''s very little work to do, so Fan Jiang might get up to something exciting. Have you been keeping an eye on him?" She nodded. "For now he''s just very happy to see his mother and brother," she winced a little, "he mostly just cried a lot." While Chu Yun felt a great deal of sympathy for Fan Jiang''s family, it remained to be seen if he was ever going to extend that sympathy to the man himself. "But he''s been out of the estate, in the previous days?" Hua Nanyi nodded again. "I managed to follow him into a busy street but lost sight of him not long after." That was interesting. Hua Nanyi was very good at what she did. "Do you think he knew he was being followed?" "Hard to say, the street was really packed, I''m not infallible." He rolled his eyes at her and she smirked. "But I never caught him looking backwards, so I don''t think so." Chu Yun drummed his fingers against the tabletop. "All the same, I think it''s safe to assume he already reported to the King the state of my relationship with Xiao Zai." "What do you think the King is going to do?" she asked. "Depends, but I''d wager he won''t do anything until the First Prince''s wedding." he leaned back on his elbows on the floor, closing his eyes and letting the sunbean streaming into the airy room warm his face. "The auspicious date is not far away, so I guess we''ll learn soon." The more important thing was getting more ministers on their side. There were nine lower Ministries, and three upper Ministries. The Ministry of Works was one of the three upper Ministries, so it had a lot of power inside the court. Chu Yun still wasn''t sure if they could trust Minister Hu, but they still had the information Hua Nanyi had collected to use against him, if necessary. He was sure they had Minister Song''s support too, on account of being the only beta Minister, and working in the Ministry of Coachmen, which was a post of little influence in the court. They needed the support of at least five of the lower Ministries, and to sway at least one more top Minister if they wanted Xiao Zai''s claim to the throne to hold any water. "Things are about to get interesting, I''ll tell you that," Chu Yun said, stretching out under his sunbeam like a cat, enjoying the last rays of sunlight before winter truly settled in. You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 72 - The Wolf Chases His Fox Around Town You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Things between Xiao Zai and Chu Yun were so tense that the air around them almost crackled with energy, heavy and weighty like the atmosphere before a storm. Whenever their eyes met Xiao Zai felt as if he only needed to keep holding Chu Yun''s gaze a while longer to make him give in. If his feelings confused him, he could tell that Chu Yun was absolutely bewildered by his own. Xiao Zai would never claim to know someone better than they knew themselves, he wasn''t capable of such arrogance, but he could tell Chu Yun was attracted to him too. For some reason he didn''t want to act upon his desires. There was nothing Xiao Zai could do about it, so he kept himself busy with his little vegetable garden, and with his morning sword practice. Everyday he hoped that Chu Yun would join him again for a friendly spar -- but it hadn''t happened again since that one time. From what he could see, Chu Yun was busy with that maidservant of his, who really was more of a spy/bodyguard combination from what Xiao Zai had seen of her ''duties''. The two of them were always whispering in the corners, like tittering aunties with strong opinions on the people living in their street, and often Hua Nanyi would leave at night and not return until morning. Xiao Zai wasn''t an idiot, he knew all of her comings and goings were probably related to Chu Yun''s professed desire to get him on the throne. He tried to ask him about the secret ''assignments'' he kept sending his maidservant on but all he got was a, "it''s better that you don''t know." Chu Yun didn''t usually keep things from him, but he wasn''t in the habit of explaining his actions either. Fan Jiang threaded around them as if he were stepping on eggs, especially after Chu Yun got all of his surviving family working at the estate too. He must have felt as if a noose had tightened around his neck, two conflicting loyalties squeezing the breath out of him. Xiao Zai gave him a wide berth, and the two of them almost never crossed paths. The day of the First Prince''s wedding was fast approaching, and Xiao Zai had a terrible feeling about it. Unlike Chu Yun with his maidservant, and his letters to his family, Xiao Zai had no one he could turn to besides his dam, so he ended up pouring his concerns to him on his next visit. "Where is your husband?" Gu Wei asked as soon as Xiao Zai led him to one of the private rooms in his wing of the estate. Xiao Zai shrugged. "Probably out, he''s being very secretive, lately." Gu Wei frowned, sitting down at the low table. His fine robes pooled around his legs, making it seem as if he was sitting on a cloud. "I thought you had been making positive steps in your relationship." Xiao Zai sighed, pouring Gu Wei a cup of wine. "Well, it would seem so, but Chu Yun doesn''t seem inclined to admit it," he chuckled humorlessly, "he''s working tirelessly behind my back to get me support from the court ministers, though." Gu Wei drank his wine in one go and then filled up the cup again. "Why behind your back? Didn''t the two of you visit the Minister of Works together." Xiao Zai filled him on what happened then. Gu Wei listened attentively and then burst into laughter. "Ah, I see now why he''s doing the rest behind your back." "Why?" Gu Wei gave him unimpressed look. "Stupid child, he''s jealous. He doesn''t want any more unmarried omegas to be thrown at you in his presence." Xiao Zai went very quiet, a note of warmth spread from his chest all the way to his limbs, like a strong liquor warming him from within during a long winter day. "Could that be it?" Gu Wei snorted with a shake of his head, both the action and the gesture at odds with his polished, icy, appearance. "Yes, of course that''s why. Whether he admits as much to himself, I cannot say, but his behaviour speaks for itself." As soon as it had blossomed the light inside Xiao Zai''s chest went out. "He doesn''t seem willing to act on any feelings he might have." His dam cut him another of his unimpressed looks. "I can''t fault him for that," his eyes narrowed at Xiao Zai. "From the looks of it he''s been avoiding you, and you''ve left him be." Xiao Zai nodded. "If he wants space I''ll respect that." Gu Wei rubbed his temples, looking long-suffering. "Have you considered, that maybe you''re giving him too much space?" Xiao Zai hadn''t. "How do I know the difference?" "Well, if it''s gotten to the point where the two of you barely talk, it''s too much." He rapped his knuckles against the tabletop. "And please, start sleeping in the same bedroom, how long have the two of you been married? It''s getting ridiculous." --- His talk with Gu Wei gave him much to think about. On the one hand, there was Chu Yun''s determination to convince the king their relationship wasn''t good, and not worth sabotaging -- Xiao Zai understood the logic behind that, but if the process caused them to become so distant that it was as if the King had managed to sabotage their relationship then it would all be for nothing. A lot of Chu Yun''s actions spoke of his anxiety of ''something'' coming between them. Xiao Zai couldn''t stop thinking about the conversation they had not long after returning from Minister Hu''s estate. The vulnerable way in which Chu Yun had admitted Xiao Zai was all he had. He should have done as he wanted and kissed Chu Yun right then and there. Xiao Zai went looking for him, but he didn''t find him anywhere at the estate. All the servants could tell him was that he had left after lunch, with Hua Nanyi and taken the carriage -- which meant he was visiting someone, otherwise he would have just taken a horse. He was tired of running into circles, when the last person he expected to, approached him quietly near the stables. "Uhm, his Grace went out to meet his brother," Fan Jiang said, his eyes lowered. "I overheard him and Hua Nanyi talking." Xiao Zai was dumbfounded. "Chu Hean is here?" Fan Jiang had no idea of the relevance of that, and simply nodded. How long had Chu Hean been in Zui, and why wasn''t he staying at the estate? He was Chu Yun''s brother. Did Chu Yun think Xiao Zai wouldn''t allow his brother to pay them a visit after what happened? Was he worried, Xiao Zai was going to do something? His expression darkened. Fan Jiang misunderstood the reason why. "I know my presence here causes his Highness great discomfort," he kept his eyes trained on the ground. "I know that neither his Grace, nor his Highness trust me, but I promise that-" Xiao Zai interrupted him. "Please, feel free to tell my father how terrible our relationship is, you''d be doing us a favour." Fan Jiang stammered, blinking rapidly, "This lowly one wouldn''t. That is..." "Don''t twist yourself into knots," Xiao Zai said, quickly running out of patience. "My father expects a report...give him one." He remained silent for some time, and then finally nodded, whispering something that sounded like ''I''m sorry'' under his breath. Xiao Zai lost his patience. "For what? Being my father''s spy? Letting my brother use you to pretend you''re my dam?" Fan Jiang said nothing, his eyes still lowered in humiliation. Xiao Zai forced himself to calm down, reminding himself that most of those things weren''t Fan Jiang''s direct fault, he was just the easiest target. He sighed. "Look, nothing will happen to you here. I won''t hurt you, his Grace won''t hurt you. Your family will be looked after. Just do your work, and spend some time with them, I''m sure you miss each other." Fan Jiang nodded wordlessly, his lower lip almost bloodless form how hard he was biting into it. "My brother won''t bother you here either." Xiao Zai turned away, walking towards the stables. He was going to get his horse and find Chu Yun in whatever inn he had Chu Hean stashed at. He thought he heard something that sounded like "he doesn''t bother me", but when he turned around Fan Jiang was no longer there. --- Xiao Zai spent a considerable amount of time visiting all the high-end inns in Haolin, before remembering that there were omega-only inns, and that perhaps Chu Yun would have found lodgings for Chu Hean in one of those establishments. He got lucky on the first inn he visited. In the dining area to the side of the reception desk, he could see Chu Yun and Chu Hean conferring with each other, their heads bent together. Xiao Zai approached them silently and then cleared his throat to announce his presence. Chu Yun''s head snapped up at the sound, and he had the dignity to look remorseful. "I can explain," Chu Yun started, with a grimace. Xiao Zai sat down next to him.. "Go on, I have time." Read novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 73 - The Fox Hides His Brother Away Chu Yun had kept busy, paying informal visits to some key ministers, delivering gifts from the Second Prince''s estate, and exchanging a few courteous words with whoever principal spouse welcomed him in their husband''s absence. The key to Chu Yun''s visits was to only stop by when the Ministers themselves were sure to be busy at court. Although he was an alpha, his reputation as Xiao Zai''s fawning fox husband preceded him. Hua Nanyi''s stoic presence at his side put at ease any omegas more uncertain about entertaining him in private -- probably believing her to be someone Xiao Zai had sent with him to ensure he "behaved." During these house calls, Chu Yun talked about everything but politics. He was polite and personable, but not overly close with the Minister''s spouses. The gifts he brought were tasteful and of good quality, but not expensive enough that they could be considered bribes. Everything had gone according to plan, and he had even received a few calling cards extending their gratitude and inviting him and Xiao Zai for a luncheon or supper at their earliest convenience, when he''d gotten Chu Hean''s letter asking if he could pay him a visit. The timing wasn''t ideal, and Chu Yun tried to talk his brother out of it at least until after the First Prince''s wedding, but Chu Hean''s insistence made him worry that something had happened. Selfishly, he had decided not to host Chu Hean at the estate, but now, even before they could have a proper talk, Xiao Zai was there asking for explanations. He exchanged a worried look with his brother, who spoke up, "I apologise for my sudden visit. I understand it might be inconvenient for his Highness." Xiao Zai frowned. "What''s inconvenient for me is not knowing you were coming at all." Chu Yun cleared his throat awkwardly. "It was all very sudden." Xiao Zai gave him an incredulous look. "It takes several days to reach Haolin from Xin." Yes, that was indeed the case. Chu Yun didn''t have as much of a leg to stand on, but he would rather die than admit the real reason why he kept Chu Hean''s visit a secret. And all for nought, because here Xiao Zai was, meeting Chu Hean. "I was busy during those days," Chu Yun said, sounding unconvincing even to himself. Xiao Zai''s frown deepened. "Why is Chu Hean staying at a inn instead of our home? He''s family, you think I wouldn''t let my own brother-in-law stay with us?" Chu Hean was looking between the two of them with a deeply uncomfortable expression. "Maybe I should go upstairs," he said, smiling wanly, "the two of you should talk first." He left without any of them trying to stop him. "Why are you making me say it?" Chu Yun grit out, as soon as Chu Hean had disappeared up the stairs to the second floor, his voice filled with recrimination. "Because I don''t get you! Why didn''t you tell me your brother was coming? Why keep him here?" Chu Yun looked away, balancing his chin on his open palm. They were lucky the restaurant was empty. Otherwise the presence of two alphas in an omega-only inn would be too conspicuous. "I didn''t want him to come," Chu Yun admitted, the words muffled by his palm. "What?" Xiao Zai asked. Chu Yun crossed his arms and leaned back against the wall, his fine features arranged in a deep scowl and tinged subtly with red. "I didn''t want him to come, alright?" he hissed. "I wanted him to stay with us even less." Xiao Zai gave him a long look, and then finally asked, "because you were afraid I would do something to him?" When Chu Yun lifted his eyes towards Xiao Zai''s he saw them filled with a deep-seated sadness, all traces of anger gone from his expression. "No, that''s not it," Chu Yun said, reaching towards Xiao Zai before retracting his hand, embarrassed. As humiliating it was to admit the real reason, he couldn''t let Xiao Zai think he still doubted his honesty about the events of that day. It was better to get it over with. He was only prolonging his own torture. Almost in a whisper, he confessed, "I don''t want him to get close to you." Xiao Zai blinked at him, once, then twice. "What?" This was mortifying, Chu Yun was five seconds away from jumping out of the window and disappearing into the mountains. He looked away from Xiao Zai, staring at the wall-scroll to his right. "What if he''s interested in you? Maybe he sought you out on purpose during his heat?" Just saying the words made Chu Yun feel as if he was on fire. First, for the betrayal to his brother, second, for the humiliation of having to admit such petty thoughts. "Were you jealous?" Xiao Zai asked, his tone even. Chu Yun refused to meet his eyes. "No," he scoffed, "I''m just worried that it could create a bad-" He was cut off by Xiao Zai''s disbelieving laugh. "Who are you trying to fool? Me or yourself?" Chu Yun''s mouth snapped shut with a click. He didn''t have an answer for him. Xiao Zai leaned across the table, bringing his lips close to Chu Yun''s ear. "Go see what your brother wants, and then come back home." His warm breath tickled Chu Yun''s skin, he closed his eyes when Xiao Zai let out an amused exhale. "We have a lot to discuss...and I won''t let you escape so easily this time." After that, he got up from the table and left without as much as a look back. Chu Yun remained glued in place for a long time. He waited for the heat suffusing his cheeks to abate before going upstairs. --- Chu Hean was putting away his clothes when Chu Yun walked into his room -- which didn''t bode well for how long he planned to stay. "So, can you tell me why you had to come here in such a hurry?" Chu Yun asked, closing the door behind him with a soft thud. Chu Hean sat on the edge of the bed and then looked up at Chu Yun pleadingly.. "Uncle wants to marry me off, too." Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 74 - The Foxs Brother Has Grown Up Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chu Yun should have expected something like this. Why else would his brother be so desperate? He had written to his mother, asking about her opinion on Chu Hean''s upcoming visit, but didn''t get a reply before Chu Hean''s arrival. He was now wondering if Chu Hean had perhaps intercepted them. He sat down beside Chu Hean with a beleaguered sigh. "Who does he want to marry you off to?" Part of Chu Yun feared his uncle had completely lost his marbles and had decided to marry Chu Hean to one of their idiot cousins. Chu Hean continued to look at him pleadingly. "I don''t know, some noble''s alpha son I''ve never met." There was a way to phrase what Chu Yun was going to say next that could sound supportive and well-intentioned, or that could permanently damage his relationship with his brother. Taking a deep breath, Chu Yun smiled kindly at Chu Hean and ran his fingers down the silky strands on his hair. "Maybe...maybe it won''t be such a bad thing" Chu Hean flinched away from his touch, his eyes wide with disbelief. "What?" Chu Yun sighed, wondering if perhaps he could have worded that better. "It''s not...the worst thing in the world, being married." The betrayed look Chu Hean shot him made Chu Yun wince. This wasn''t going well. But Chu Yun had no interest in placating his younger brother with empty platitudes. Honestly, Chu Hean was almost of age, he couldn''t be this naive. "You say that because you''re an alpha," Chu Hean said, the words leaving his lips in a hissed snarl. Chu Yun stared blankly at him, and then at the well-appointed but sparsely decorated inn room. Everywhere he looked the furniture was dark, polished to a shine, but not lacquered. Lacquers weren''t as common in Zui as in Xin, and the fabrics were heavier, the embellishments a lot plainer. The bed they were sitting on had a thick feather mattress and multiple layers of blankets stacked on top of the already thick comforter, on account of Zui''s cold climate. There was no way for Chu Hean to have missed the fact that he was in a completely different country on account of his brother having accepted the marriage arrangements made for him. "That really played a role, uh?" Chu Yun said, chuckling bitterly. "Why are you talking as if I had a choice in who I married?" Chu Hean shot him an indignant glare. "As if alphas are treated the same way as omegas!" He was right on all counts. But Chu Yun wasn''t the person to say any of this to. "I was married off! I married into my husband''s family! Into another country in case you haven''t noticed," Chu Yun retorted. Looking at Chu Hean now, he couldn''t help thinking of him as petulant. For the first time in his life he wondered if he had spoiled his brother too much. Chu Hean''s peach blossom eyes shone with wetness, he was on the verge of tears, but not because of sadness. They were tears of anger. He shot up from the bed and stood in front of Chu Yun, his hands clenched into fists at his side. "You know it''s not the same thing! You can go whenever you please, you''re not your husband''s propriety in the same way I''ll be." Chu Yun rubbed his temples, feeling an headache building. "Please, alphas in Xin aren''t that boorish. I would have been worried for you if you had to marry someone from Zui. You have no idea how bad omegas here have it," Chu Yun shook his head, suppressing a shudder, "You''re very lucky to be from Xin." For a moment Chu Hean was quiet, and Chu Yun thought perhaps he had gotten through to him. His slender shoulders shook, and Chu Yun worried he had made him cry, but the bleak sound trapped inside his chest grew in volume until Chu Yun realised he was laughing. His laughter grew and grew until finally he threw his head back in manic amusement. Chu Yun squirmed uncomfortably on the bed -- he had never seen his brother like this. Then, his laughter finally subsided, and Chu Hean''s features adopted their usual mask of sweet tranquillity. "You fool yourself if you think our country is all that much better than Zui. Only those on top go around raising their nose at each other''s countries, beating their chest and proclaiming their superiority." He leaned close to Chu Yun, his voice dropping to a lower register. "You think the peasants of Zui and Xin would even notice if their countries changed rulers? What material different would it make? Would they still not be working on some lord''s land?" Chu Yun could only look up at Chu Hean in stunned silence. Where was all this coming from? He had never heard his brother talk this way. "What would change for the omegas except who they called master?" He grinned in the face of Chu Yun''s shock. "In Zui omegas can be someone''s spouse, in Xin they can be someone''s spouse or a prostitute. Tell me how that''s an improvement?" Chu Yun''s throat was dry, some part of him hurt to realise the sweet little brother who clung to his skirts was gone. His earlier thoughts seemed almost laughable now. He had mistaken Chu Hean''s complaints for petty naivety, but his brother saw clearly, perhaps too clearly for his own good. "You''ll get in trouble talking like that," Chu Yun warned, his heart beating violently inside his chest. Chu Hean scoffed, turning away from him. "I should have known you''d be no help." Chu Yun got up as well, staring down at his brother. "What do you expect me to do? Do you think I''m in any position to change anything? I can''t do anything about my situation, let alone yours." His words didn''t meet any reply or rebuttal. Chu Hean remained with his back turned to him, shoulders drawn. "Maybe you should go for now," he said, after some time, sounding really tired. "Take the package on the table, I brought it for you. It''s food and drink...from home." With a lump in his throat, Chu Yun took the waxpaper parcel and left. Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 75 - The Wolf Asks The Fox An Important Question Best novel online free at novelhall.com When Chu Yun got home he found Xiao Zai waiting for him in his quarters. There was a spread of fresh food from the kitchens on the low table in front of the bed, as well as two clay pots of wine. Xiao Zai smiled warmly as soon as he saw Chu Yun, and got up from his seat to help him get his cloak off. "I don''t know if I''m in the mood to talk," Chu Yun said honestly. He was still shaken from his talk with Chu Hean and didn''t think he had the stomach for any more heavy discussions. Especially not about feelings. "Good thing I''m only inviting you to a meal," Xiao Zai said, folding Chu Yun''s cloak over the foot of the bed. Chu Yun put down the waxpaper parcel in one of the few empty on the circular table that wasn''t covered in food. Xiao Zai sat across from him and eyed the brown wrapping curiously. "What is it?" "Gifts, from Chu Hean." Xiao Zai hummed noncommittally and started pulling at the twine holding the parcel together. The waxpaper fell away, revealing a few clay jars with waxpaper labels identifying them as honeyed fruit preserves, two smaller and slender clay pots of Lanzhou''s famous peach blossom wine, and some sundried meat that wouldn''t spoil on the journey, or for a long time. "It seems your brother and my dam had the same idea," Xiao Zai said, turning around the wine jars already on the table. "These are gifts from him." Chu Yun unwound the twine securing the waxpaper seal around the wine Chu Hean had brought him and poured a cup for himself and Xiao Zai. "I could use a drink, or twelve." Xiao Zai smirked and raised his cup in a toast to him. "I think we have enough wine for that." --- This time, Xiao Zai paced himself. He ate plenty between each cup of wine. He didn''t want a repeat of the brothel incident. It vexed him that he still didn''t know what happened that night. He was fairly certain it couldn''t have been anything serious, but Chu Yun''s smugness the next morning made him worry he had done or said something humiliating. Right now, Chu Yun was oddly subdued, deep in thought and silent contemplation. Whatever his brother told him, it clearly hadn''t gone well. "Is everything alright with Chu Hean?" Chu Yun nodded, gesturing vaguely with his wine cup. "He''s fine, we just had a disagreement," he downed the contents of his cup and filled it up once again. "Like I said, I don''t want to talk about it." They had finished one of the peach blossom wine jars and were now moving on to the rice wine jar Gu Wei sent. Xiao Zai filled Chu Yun''s cup for him. "Why have you been going to visit Ministers behind my back?" Chu Yun gave him an inscrutable look above the rim of his cup and downed the contents in a single swig. "Why do you think?" According to his dam it was jealousy...but how much it would take to get Chu Yun to admit that? "I don''t know, that''s why I asked." One corner of Chu Yun''s lips ticked up. "That''s a lie." "How do you know?" "You have a tell," Chu Yun said, grinning widely. That was the first thing Xiao Zai was hearing of it. "What is it?" Chu Yun''s grin widened, some of the glum hanging around him like a dark cloud when he entered the room was gone. "Why would I tell you? What would be the fun in that?" Xiao Zai sighed and filled up his cup. Nothing was ever easy with Chu Yun, but of course, that was half the fun. "Fine, I think you were jealous," Xiao Zai admitted. He expected Chu Yun to sputter in indignation, perhaps vehemently deny it, but instead he leaned across the table, balancing his chin on his open palm, and asked, "Why is that?" The wide sleeve of Chu Yun''s light periwinkle robe slid down his arm, revealing the milky skin of his forearm. Xiao Zai''s eyes were instantly drawn to the bare expanse of skin. His throat went dry all of a sudden. "Why would I tell you? What would be the fun in that?" he said, returning Chu Yun''s words, affecting a calmness he wasn''t feeling. Chu Yun quirked his eyebrow up at him and drunk another cup. "You said you wouldn''t betray me, why would I be jealous?" Xiao Zai sucked in a sharp breath, he thought Chu Yun would never bring up that oddly intimate moment again. He licked his lips, his eyes never leaving Chu Yun''s half-lidded gaze. The alcohol was having its way with him, making him loose and languid, all of his movements slow, his words honeyed instead of sharp. Xiao Zai could scarcely bear it. "What did I tell you? That day on the brothel in Lanzhou?" Xiao Zai asked, his heart thumping furiously inside his chest. Part of him was scared of hearing the answer, afraid it would change something irrevocably. Chu Yun shot him a look from below his curling lashes, and slid towards him across the floor, bumping his shoulder into Xiao Zai''s with a sly smirk. "Do you really want to know?" No. "Yes." Chu Yun cupped his hand in front of his lips as if telling a secret and leaned towards Xiao Zai''s face. "You said you wanted to shut me up with your cock, you said you wanted to fuck me until I could only call out ''alpha, alpha'', begging you to take pity on me," Chu Yun''s sultry words went straight to Xiao Zai''s cock. He knew he was telling the truth. "Do you want to know a secret?" Chu Yun asked, his voice warm and teasing. He was so drunk, Xiao Zai should make him stop talking. "What?" His voice came out gravelly and rough. "I''d like to see you try," Chu Yun said, delivering a devastating blow to Xiao Zai''s self-control. Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 76 - The Wolf Is Tender, The Fox Wakes Up Hot Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Xiao Zai took a deep, sobering breath. He didn''t want to say or do anything that could put an end to the ambiguous atmosphere weaving itself around them. While he wasn''t as drunk at Chu Yun, he knew the alcohol was having an effect on him as well. He was well past the point of putting an end to things if they escalated. He was threading into murky waters, but he wasn''t strong enough to stop. Chu Yun kept giving him those sultry half-lidded looks from beneath the enticing curl of his thick lashes, his dark eyes sparkled with inebriation, and his lips were reddened from how he kept trying to catch the falling drops of wine that spilled from the corners of his smiling mouth. "Why are you looking at me like that?" Chu Yun asked, still looking up at Xiao Zai. Xiao Zai couldn''t not look at him, he had never met someone he wanted to keep looking at so much. "Like what?" Chu Yun smirked. "Like you want to eat me." Is that what Xiao Zai looked like? He felt a powerful hunger whenever he looked at Chu Yun, but he wasn''t sure if it was a desire to consume him, at least not if he wasn''t consumed in the process as well. Chu Yun frustrated him, infuriated him, teased him, and tested his limits constantly, but Xiao Zai never wanted him to stop. He didn''t know why being challenged at every instant felt so gratifying, but it did. After so many years of being crushed under his father''s heel, oppressed by the schemes of the harem as a child, and worrying for his dam''s and sister''s safety, finally Xiao Zai had someone he felt he could share his burdens with. His equal. Chu Yun chuckled, listing into Xiao Zai''s side. "What is it going to be? Are you going to try," he arched a fluent eyebrow, "or are you all talk." "You don''t know what you''re saying, you''re drunk," Xiao Zai said, mostly to himself, finally managing to wrench his eyes away from Chu Yun. Chu Yun pulled him towards him by the collar of his robes, and looked him in the eyes again, the haze of inebriation receding momentarily. "What do you think it means, that we can only be honest with each other about what we want when we are drunk?" Xiao Zai didn''t have an answer for him, and eventually Chu Yun let go of his robes, patting his chest with a fond hum. He nuzzled into Xiao Zai''s side with a sleepy sigh, and then tucked his legs under his knees. They were almost of a height, but curled up like that Chu Yun looked oddly small, harmless even. Xiao Zai wrapped one arm around his shoulder, pulling him closer. Silky strands of hair tickled his nose and Xiao Zai took a strong whiff, letting Chu Yun''s crisp orchid and pine scent clear his senses. It never stopped amazing him, how someone who came from a warm place could smell so much of winter. Whenever he felt Chu Yun''s scent he was always reminded of home. Chu Yun let out a soft sigh and slid into Xiao Zai''s lap, using his legs as a pillow. He was already half asleep, he wrapped one arm around Xiao Zai''s waist and made himself comfortable. Xiao Zai observed his actions with an amused smile. Despite his earlier provocations, it was obvious the only thing Chu Yun was in any condition of doing was sleeping. For a moment, Xiao Zai indulged himself and ran his fingers through Chu Yun''s silky hair, letting the cool strands slid through his fingers like water. Chu Yun sighed contentedly nuzzling into Xiao Zai''s legs, as if his lap was the most comfortable bed he''d ever had. As much as Xiao Zai was enjoying this odd, tender intimacy, his legs were growing numb. He disentangled himself from Chu Yun''s arms and stood up, lifting Chu Yun with him. Chu Yun grumbled in annoyance, his eyes still stubbornly closed. Xiao Zai couldn''t help smiling at his sleepy antics. Usually Chu Yun was too prickly and haughty to be called cute, but right now there was no other way to describe him. Buoyed by the warmth in his chest, Xiao Zai lifted Chu Yun up into his arms and carried him towards the bed. With some effort, he pulled back the covers and deposited Chu Yun between the soft sheets. Chu Yum grumbled sleepily some more and then clutched the pillow under his cheek to his side. Xiao Zai sat on the floor, just staring at him. He reached for Chu Yun''s cheek and touched his smooth skin. The wine was making him sleepy too, but he didn''t want to go to his own room. His dam was right, the two of them had been married for months now, it made no sense for them to sleep in separate quarters. Between one thought and the next, Xiao Zai too succumbed to sleep, his arm still stretched across the sheets, reaching out for Chu Yun. --- Chu Yun woke up with a gasp. He felt as if he was burning from within. He started clawing at the sheets and comforters around him. Only then realising he had gone to bed in his outer robe. Maybe that explained the terrible heat he felt. Desperate, he started sliding his robes off, both outer and inner, but the heat didn''t stop. His head was swimming, he felt as if he were on fire. He knew what this was...but no, it couldn''t be...not now. Movement at the corner of his eyes drew his attention. Xiao Zai was leaning across the bed, apparently having fallen asleep on the floor. "What''s happening?" he asked, knuckling the sleep out of his eyes. His wolfberry wine scent was more powerful than ever, and it hit Chu Yun like a punch, leaving him gasping, adding fuel to the fire burning him up. Chu Yun looked into Xiao Zai''s eyes and rasped out, "I''m going into rut." Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 77 - The Fox Bites The Wolf Chu Yun''s mind was clouded by a thick fog. Thinking cost him, every thought felt as if it was being pulled through a swamp. The overwhelming urge to mate dominated all his senses. He could feel his fox clawing at his insides, begging for release. With a groan, he relaxed his shoulders and spine and let his tails and ears unfurl. Xiao Zai gasped the moment Chu Yun''s tails fanned behind him, standing on end just as his ears did. A strong wave of pheromones hit him, making his elbows buckle. Xiao Zai''s wolfberry wine scent left him feeling drunker than all the alcohol they had last night. "You should leave," Chu Yun snarled, clenching his fingers on the sheets. Xiao Zai was still looking up at him from the floor, his own fingers curled on the sheets as if he was trying to hold himself back. "You didn''t expect to go into rut." Chu Yun lowered his head, trying to get his thoughts in order. "Alpha foxes only go into rut four times a year, we''re not like you," he raised his eyes, mustering the strength for one, derisive smirk. "Only omegas have their season every month." Xiao Zai ignored the jab. "Let me help you," he said, climbing up on the bed, his nostrils flaring as more of Chu Yun''s scent hit him. That wasn''t a good idea, but Chu Yun wasn''t able to come up with any explanation as to why. Meanwhile, the heat burning inside him was growing in strength the more he spent in Xiao Zai''s presence. He had to make up his mind and either kick Xiao Zai out, or pull him up, and sink his teeth into his nape like he was aching to do. He couldn''t remember wanting anything as much as he wanted to mark Xiao Zai. The pull to follow his instincts was irresistible, and in the end Chu Yun couldn''t hold out any more. With a snarl, he crawled across the bed and threw Xiao Zai against the sheets, climbing on top of him and scenting his neck viciously, letting the sweet wolfberry scent invade his senses. Xiao Zai''s hands came up around his waist, keeping Chu Yun in place, but remaining docile otherwise, and letting Chu Yun do as he wanted. His passiveness only heightened Chu Yun''s arousal, making his desire to dominate climb higher and higher. "I''m going to bite you," he warned, before lapping at Xiao Zai''s neck. He held onto Xiao Zai''s jaw trying to reach his unprotected nape. "Do it," Xiao Zai said, his fingers tightening on Chu Yun''s waist. He closed his eyes and turned his head to the side, all the better for Chu Yun to reach his nape. Before Chu Yun could close his teeth over the back of his neck, into the soft skin hiding his scent glands, Xiao Zai whispered, "As soon as you do, though, I''m going to try." It took Chu Yun''s clouded mind a moment to remember what Xiao Zai was referring to. He only paused for a moment, before opening his jaw wide and sinking his fangs into Xiao Zai''s skin, his mouth immediately flooding with blood. --- Xiao Zai let go of Chu Yun''s waist and slid his fingers up into his loose hair, pushing his head against his neck, sighing in satisfaction as his blood and Chu Yun''s saliva mixed, creating the bonding mark that would bind him to Chu Yun. He expected some part of him to rebel at being claimed like this, in a way so against his nature; to remain docile and inert while another alpha marked him, but all his wolf did was howl in satisfaction. Xiao Zai could feel the changes of the bond mark working through his system, changing him irrevocably. He didn''t even know if this would work, if what they were doing was possible -- if tomorrow he''d wake up sick from his body trying to reject Chu Yun''s claim -- but he didn''t care. Chu Yun lapped up his blood thirstily, his fangs sunk in deep, as if he was getting drunk on Xiao Zai''s blood. With a sigh he finally pulled away, sitting back against Xiao Zai''s knees with a satisfied smirk. His lips and chin were covered in blood, dripping into his chest, and staining his half undone robes. He licked his lips, looking down into Xiao Zai''s eyes. "Now you''ll never get away from me." Seated on top of him like that, covered in Xiao Zai''s blood, Chu Yun had never looked more alluring. His tails curled up behind him as if echoing his contentment at having marked Xiao Zai, his fox ears hung close to the sides of his sleek black hair. He noticed blood dripping down the side of his hand and brought it to his lips, licking it up without breaking eye contact with Xiao Zai. Watching Chu Yun''s red tongue peek through his smirking, bloodstained lips was the drop that broke the dam of Xiao Zai''s lust. With a growl he took hold of Chu Yun''s waist and reversed their positions, slamming him down on the bed and covering his body with his own. "Don''t say I didn''t warn you," he growled, tearing at Chu Yun''s robes. He ripped the fine silk right off of Chu Yun''s body, smiling in satisfaction as every rip revealed more of his pale skin. His small, beige nipples stood from his slender chest like enticing fruit, Xiao Zai couldn''t help biting one and thumbing the other, delighting in Chu Yun''s squirming under him. Chu Yun''s fingers sunk into Xiao Zai''s hair, half of it still up into a tail, and wrenched him violently away from his chest. "You think I''m going to roll over and let you fuck me?" he sneered, amusement flashing in his heated gaze. "First you''re going to have to defeat me." He jabbed his elbow into Xiao Zai''s stomach, disorienting him. He tried to free himself from the cage of Xiao Zai''s arms, but he recovered fast enough to catch him, and reel him back in by the ankle. Chu Yun thrashed and kicked, fighting Xiao Zai for all he was worth, his bloody lips pulled back in a delighted snarl. Xiao Zai lunged at him, determined to overpower him. His blood thrummed viciously in his head, fuelling his arousal. This was a fight he couldn''t afford to lose. He was going to prove his worth as a mate to Chu Yun and claim his prize from his, hot, willing body. You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 78 - The Wolf Makes His Move (NSFW) Chu Yun kept trying to squirm out of Xiao Zai''s hold, who used all of his strength to pin him under his body. In the struggle, Xiao Zai''s own robes ended up being ripped. He shrugged off the tatters while avoiding Chu Yun''s sharp elbows and the kicks he aimed at his stomach and chest. "Is that all you got?" Chu Yun taunted, his white teeth flashing in a cocky smirk. He took advantage of a moment Xiao Zai was distracted to tangle their legs together and climb up on top of him. He sat up on Xiao Zai''s hips, and stretched his torso over his chest to reach his wrists and pin them on the mattress. "Ah! Got you," he said, grinning triumphantly at having immobilised Xiao Zai under him. Xiao Zai had to admit the view was stunning, and he liked feeling Chu Yun''s body pressed alongside his own, heated from his rut and their struggle. The proximity only made Xiao Zai''s cock harder. He let himself stand still, allowing Chu Yun to think he had bested him. His breath uneven, Chu Yun started rutting against him, rolling his hips against Xiao Zai''s abdomen, and dragging his cock into the flat of his abs. Chu Yun closed is eyes and sucked in on a breath, biting down on a moan. Xiao Zai waited for that moment of blissed out pleasure to slip out of his grip, and grab his waist, rolling Chu Yun under him in one swift movement. Whatever curses Chu Yun was going to spit out at him ended up silenced by Xiao Zai''s lips. He held down Chu Yun by the hip with one hand, and the back of his head with the other, keeping him in place so that he could kiss him at his leisure. Chu Yun returned Xiao Zai''s hungry kisses with equal desperation, but wasn''t passive about it. He made Xiao Zai pay dearly for every piece of him he conquered. Kisses were returned with bites, and caresses with angry scratches down his spine. He was like a wild animal. Xiao Zai wanted him so much it made his head swim. He only realised his wolf ears had sprung out when he felt Chu Yun''s teeth dig into the fur above his head, reaching skin. Xiao Zai returned his tender mercies by pulling at one of his tails. Chu Yun tried to swat him with the other eight for the audacity. As much fun as this was, Xiao Zai was growing impatient, he felt seconds away from popping a knot without Chu Yun having as much as touched him. One-handed, he started untying the fastenings of Chu Yun''s underwear, sliding the garment down his bare legs while Chu Yun struggled in his hold. "What do you think you''re doing?" Chu Yun asked, redoubling his efforts to stop Xiao Zai. "I''m going to fuck you," Xiao Zai said, matter-of-fact, "Isn''t that what the winner gets?" One of Chu Yun''s fists flew past his head, almost clipping his human ear. "You haven''t won shit," he growled. Xiao Zai ripped his underwear the rest of the way off, and held him down by the thighs, muscling his way between them. He held Chu Yun''s legs open by the knees and bent him in half. All of Chu Yun''s hissed protests died the moment Xiao Zai closed his lips around the head of his wet cock. He lapped the swollen glans carefully, looking up the expanse of Chu Yun''s body to admire how his muscles strained with the pleasure coursing through him. One of Chu Yun''s hands tangled in Xiao Zai''s head, trying to push him down onto his cock, forcing him to take more of his length into his mouth. Xiao Zai complied but only so he could slide a finger inside his mouth alongside Chu Yun''s cock, and get it good and wet. He waited for a moment when Chu Yun was overwhelmed by pleasure, his grip on Xiao Zai''s hair vicious, to circle his tight hole with the wet tip of his finger. Chu Yun''s reaction was immediate, he tensed all over and let out a startled yelp. Xiao Zai kept holding him down by the hip and continued sucking his cock as his finger traced patterns around his rim. Even the vicious grip Chu Yun had on his hair didn''t deter Xiao Zai, who kept working at Chu Yun''s hole until the skin softened from its tight furl, allowing him to slip the tip past the tight ring of muscle. Above him, Chu Yun gasped as soon as Xiao Zai''s finger slipped inside him past the first knuckle, but Xiao Zai kept sucking his cock, trying his best to distract him from the discomfort of the intrusion. When it came to this, there was no difference between alpha and beta males, who both had the same pleasure point inside them as omega males did, except with none of the lubrication, or reproductive organs. If with the proper attention, a beta male could get fucked, and enjoy it, then there was no reason why an alpha couldn''t either. Emboldened by Chu Yun''s breathless gasps Xiao Zai crooked his finger inside him, tickling upwards towards his navel. Chu Yun struggled in Xiao Zai''s hold, his eyes closed in bliss and his lips parted in a silent, overwhelmed, moan. "Do that again," he hissed, sitting back on his elbows to look at Xiao Zai between his splayed thighs. Xiao Zai gave him what he wanted, searching for that raised spot in his velvety insides and delighting in feeling his hot walls tightening in response to even the briefest of grazes. Chu Yun was so tight, so hot inside, Xiao Zai''s mouth filled with saliva just from imagining how good it would feel to sheath himself in the snug clutch of his body. Suddenly, imagining wasn''t enough. He pulled his mouth off Chu Yun''s cock with a loud pop and slid his finger out of him. Chu Yun shot him a glare, the question ''why did you stop?'' written all over his face. Xiao Zai smirked at him, admiring the flush high up on Chu Yun''s cheeks. "Do you have something to slick the way?" He expected Chu Yun to curse him out, call out his presumption, but instead Chu Yun twisted himself around on the bed, giving Xiao Zai a delightful eyeful of his round ass, and the trail of slickness his finger had left between his cheeks, while he rummaged between the mattress and the bed frame. He emerged seconds later and deposited a clay vial on Xiao Zai''s hand. "Here," he said, averting his eyes. Xiao Zai looked down and recognised the vial from their wedding night.. For some reason, Chu Yun had kept it. You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 79 - The Fox Retaliates (NSFW) Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chu Yun could tell from the look on Xiao Zai''s face that he thought he''d won. Whatever it was they were really competing for, Xiao Zai thought Chu Yun had accepted his victory. How he could be so arrogant with the messy wound of Chu Yun''s bond mark shinning wetly on his nape, Chu Yun didn''t know. But it made the fire inside him crawl to new heights all the same. He leaned back into his elbows again, and watched as Xiao Zai went to work between his legs. It amused him how carefully Xiao Zai handled him, as if Chu Yun was a priceless artefact he couldn''t risk damaging. Xiao Zai coated two fingers into the oil and brought them to Chu Yun''s hole, working the slick into the rim before sinking them inside. Chu Yun hissed at the stretch, and Xiao Zai paused, just like Chu Yun knew he would. Even through the fog of his rut, part of him knew that there was more than one way to dominate someone. He had already laid his claim to Xiao Zai''s body with his mark, now he was prepared to lay claim to his soul. Xiao Zai had told him how himself, when he drunkenly admitted all those base desires back in the brothel in Lanzhou. The experimental, careful touches inside him felt surprisingly good, stoking the flames of his arousal with each brush against that sensitive spot that made thunder crackle through his spine. But most delicious of all was knowing how hungry Xiao Zai was for it. His dark eyes glazed with lust, his mouth open in anticipation. He was infuriatingly good looking, sculpted from jade, fierce as a dragon, strong as a tiger -- Chu Yun wanted to make him beg for mercy. Chu Yun wasn''t stronger than him, but there were other ways to overpower someone. He pushed against Xiao Zai''s shoulder with his bare foot until he got the message and took his fingers out of Chu Yun, who shuddered at the loss. "On your back," Chu Yun said, nodding towards the headboard. He could tell Xiao Zai was confused by his demand, but he still acquiesced, propping himself against the headboard and shooting Chu Yun an expectant look. If it wasn''t for his rut, Chu Yun would have drawn out the moment longer and really put in the effort to torment Xiao Zai -- as it stood, that would have meant tormenting himself as well. Not that Xiao Zai wasn''t sufficiently tormented already. The sight of his flushed cock, dripping copiously onto the planes of his sculpted abdomen was almost enough to make Chu Yun wince in sympathy. He balanced himself on Xiao Zai''s shoulders and threw one leg over his hips, hovering above his lap. Xiao Zai''s nostrils flared with a sharp intake of breath, and he looked up at Chu Yun in breathless anticipation, his tail standing up straight in alarm. Chu Yun half-expected it to start wagging. With a smirk, he bumped the top of his head into Xiao Zai''s chin, and then lowered his lips onto the side of his neck, playfully teasing a spot near the bond mark with his tongue. Xiao Zai''s hands flew to Chu Yun''s waist, keeping him still so that he could rub his cock between his cheeks. Xiao Zai was desperate for it, and it sent a thrill down Chu Yun''s spine. He smirked and brought his lips up to Xiao Zai''s ear, biting his earlobe at the same time one of his hands closed tightly around his thick cock. "If you want to fuck me, you''re going to do what I say," Chu Yun whispered, tightening his fist around the base of Xiao Zai''s cock, making him hiss in discomfort. He spread his knees, arching his spine, and positioned Xiao Zai''s cock at his entrance. Xiao Zai''s eyes were red with desire, his lips bloodless from being bitten into. He looked up at Chu Yun in eager supplication. Chu Yun tightened his fist around Xiao Zai''s cock. "Are you going to do as I say?" Xiao Zai let out a pained hiss and nodded. "Yes, yes, everything you say." Good, because Chu Yun couldn''t hold on much longer. His fox was clawing inside him, begging for both release and acknowledgement. He wrapped his free hand around Xiao Zai''s throat and squeezed. "Call me alpha then." --- Xiao Zai gasped, aroused beyond words. The tightness constricting his airways made him dizzy, but the maddening backwards rolls of Chu Yun''s hips against his cock had a much greater chance of killing him than lack of oxygen. He looked up into Chu Yun''s beautiful, flushed face, red lips shining with spit still stained with blood, dark eyes sparkling with arousal. He had never seen anyone so beautiful, nor so spiteful. His easy compliance had lulled Xiao Zai into a false sense of security -- of course he wouldn''t admit defeat after a single round. Chu Yun released the pressure around Xiao Zai''s throat and he sucked in a thirsty breath of air, filling up his lungs before Chu Yun could choke him again. "What''s it going to be?" Chu Yun teased, licking the sharp edge of a canine. Xiao Zai snarled at him, digging his fingers into his slender waist and pushing him down against his cock wantonly. "I''m not...the one...in rut," Xiao Zai rasped out, his voice strained from Chu Yun''s vicious grip around his neck. Chu Yun frowned and tightened his grip. As always, annoyance made him look even more stunning. "I can always fuck you, maybe knot your mouth," he smiled at the idea, "that could be fun." Xiao Zai must be as dumb as Chu Yun always accused him of being, because his only reaction was to rut harder against his ass. Chu Yun squeezed the base of his cock again, making him hiss breathlessly. He glared down at Xiao Zai, impatient, his own cock bobbing angrily against the flat of his stomach, leaving behind a trail of precum on his sweaty skin. "Say it," he grit out, through clenched teeth. The subtle note of desperation in his voice showed Xiao Zai the real depth of his desire. He wanted this as much as Xiao Zai did. As soon as the pressure around his throat slackened, Xiao Zai rasped out, "Let me fuck you, alpha," giving them both the permission they needed to get what they wanted. Chu Yun''s eyes rolled back into his skull; with a relieved moan he held Xiao Zai''s hard cock still and slowly lowered himself onto it. You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 80 - The Wolf Unravels The Fox (NSFW) Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chu Yun''s spine was taut with tension as he lowered himself onto Xiao Zai''s cock. Despite the preparation, the unusually slick oil, and how copiously Xiao Zai was dripping, it was still a tight fit. Chu Yun had to stop along the way several times to get his bearings, his free hand gripping the headboard tightly for support, the muscles of his abdomen jumping with the strain. It didn''t hurt, as he expected it might, but the stretch was inexorable, like something inside him had to shift to make room for Xiao Zai''s cock. The thought alone punched the breath out of him. He looked into Xiao Zai''s face and found his eyes closed in supplication, his teeth carved into his lower lip. The knuckles of his fingers had turned white from the vicious grip he had on Chu Yun''s waist. It was going to bruise. Finally, after what felt like an age, Chu Yun got all of Xiao Zai''s cock inside him, sitting down fully on his hips. He rocked forward experimentally and drew a strangled moan out of them both. It felt like a lot. Chu Yun looked down at his usually flat abdomen and wondered if the slight distension was a product of the rut cooking his brain in pheromones, or if Xiao Zai''s cock really was pushing against his skin from the inside. "Tight," Xiao Zai grit out, his chest heaving with effort. Seeing how overcome he was made a new wave of heat travel up Chu Yun''s spine. His tails fanned behind him like a peacock''s tail. Xiao Zai had never done this before, he was a virgin before he married Chu Yun. It only made Chu Yun''s ownership of him feel more complete. Grinning, he rose up on his knees, sliding Xiao Zai''s cock out of him, and then falling back down with a roll of his hips. The movement sent a shock of sensation through him, and he had to balance himself on Xiao Zai''s chest. He didn''t expect it to feel so good, he rolled his hips experimentally, and felt that same bolt of pleasure rush through him. One of Xiao Zai''s hands travelled from his waist up his spine, massaging gently. "Does it hurt?" he asked, hissing when Chu Yun answered him by tightening his internal muscles around the girth of him in a vicious squeeze. "No," Chu Yun answered honestly, his grin triumphant. "But it looks like it''s hurting you." Xiao Zai looked up at him, his eyes wet with desire. One corner of his lips ticked up in amusement. "If you could feel how tight you were," he punctuated his words with an upwards thrust of his hips making Chu Yun gasp, "You''d be in pain too, fuck." The grip on his waist tightened. Xiao Zai held him in place so he could fuck up into him. Chu Yun held onto his wrists, intent on telling him to stop, but he couldn''t seem to force the words past the seam of his lips. His mind felt like it was on fire. For the first time in his life, he couldn''t hold on to a thought longer than a fraction of a second. Each time Xiao Zai''s thick cock scrapped that spot inside him he felt himself slipping away, his grip on reason slacking. With a growl, Xiao Zai sat up, wrapping his arms around Chu Yun and pulling him further into his lap. Chu Yun muffled a moan into his loose hair, clinging to his shoulders to support himself when his legs threatened to give out from the change in position. Xiao Zai gripped a handful of Chu Yun''s ass in each hand and made him bounce on his cock, ripping an incoherent moan from his raw throat. "You feel so good wrapped around my cock." He nipped Chu Yun''s ear, teasing the soft lobe with one of his sharp canines. "I can''t hold back any longer." --- The brutal heat of Chu Yun''s squirming insides was something Xiao Zai couldn''t have anticipated. Each time he sheathed himself fully in the welcoming glove of his body he felt his control slipping. Chu Yun kept trying to hang on to his air of superiority, looking down at Xiao Zai as if he were a lofty immortal allowing him the privilege of making use of his body, but Xiao Zai could see all the ways in which he was losing the battle against the pleasure he brought him. Xiao Zai kept bouncing him up and down on his cock artlessly, delighting in the feeling of Chu Yun''s velvety insides clenching around him greedily, as if to keep all of him in. His hole a hungry little mouth for Xiao Zai to feed with cock. Chu Yun''s grip on Xiao Zai''s shoulders grew more desperate with each thrust, his moans more jagged and pained. It didn''t take long for him to start fucking himself back into Xiao Zai''s desperate thrusts, chasing his own pleasure instead of teasing Xiao Zai. His cock, trapped between their abdomens, dripped copious amounts of slick onto Xiao Zai''s skin, smearing him with Chu Yun''s thick scent. The entire room smelled like the two of them, the air thick with pheromones and sex. Xiao Zai never wanted it to stop. He wanted to crawl inside Chu Yun''s skin and make a home for himself under it. But he wouldn''t be able to hold on much longer, he could feel his knot forming at the base of his cock. He brought one of his hands up into Chu Yun''s nape, coiling the slick strands of his hair around his fist, and pulled his head back from the crook of his neck so he could get at his lips. He kissed him messily, fucking his mouth just as hungrily as he was fucking his hole. Chu Yun let out breathy, panting moans into the kiss, his arms like steel bands around Xiao Zai''s neck. "I''m going to come inside you," Xiao Zai warned, looking up into Chu Yun''s red-rimmed, lust-filled eyes, "I''m going to knot you." "Who am I?" Chu Yun dug his blunt nails into the raw wound of the bond mark. "What do you say?" Xiao Zai chuckled ruefully, slamming Chu Yun down hard on his cock.. "I''m going to knot you, alpha." Read novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 81 - The Wolf And The Fox Are In Harmony (NSFW) You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chu Yun would be lying if he said he wasn''t scared at the prospect of Xiao Zai knotting him. He remembered how big it could get from when he had his hands wrapped around it. It seemed impossible that all of that could fit inside anyone, but especially him, an alpha with none of the natural slickness omegas produced. He had never given it much thought when he had fucked courtesans in Lanzhou''s brothels, but now that it was him being fucked, the sheer girth of Xiao Zai''s knot gave him pause. Xiao Zai trailed wet kisses down his jaw, licking over his bobbing throat. "Is my alpha scared?" he asked, running two fingers along Chu Yun''s taut rim, teasing the sensitised skin. "I don''t need to knot you, if you''re afraid." Chu Yun knew he was being goaded, even with the maddening heat turning his thoughts syrupy, he knew Xiao Zai was just trying to appeal to his pride. The problem was that it worked. Chu Yun never met a challenge he didn''t want to win. He slammed his hips down against Xiao Zai''s taking even more of him inside. "Who''s scared?" He asked, breathless. "Have you done anything to merit that?" He could feel Xiao Zai''s grin pressed against the skin of his neck. The very next moment the world turned upside down as Xiao Zai gripped him under the thighs and flipped him on his back. Chu Yun''s back hit the mattress with a breathless huff that turned into a sob when Xiao Zai fucked back inside him. "Let me show you," XIao Zai said, holding Chu Yun''s legs open under the knees. --- In this position, Xiao Zai could fuck Chu Yun as hard as he wanted, but better yet, he also had an unimpeded view of Chu Yun''s overcome expression, his chest and abdomen glistening with beads of perspiration. Like this, he couldn''t hide from Xiao Zai. Everything was laid out plainly, from his dripping cock trailing wetness on his own abdomen, from his sparkling eyes, wet with emotion. Whenever Xiao Zai grazed that spot inside him that made Chu Yun hiss in pleasure, he tightened down deliciously around his cock, driving him closer to completion. Moved by some unnamed impulse, Xiao Zai reached into the pool of milky fluid collecting on Chu Yun''s navel and dipped two fingers into it. Chu Yun watched his movements from below the curl of his lowered lashes, his fingers clenching and relaxing on the sheets as Xiao Zai went still inside of him. Xiao Zai examined the thick, pearly fluid coating his fingertips. "What are you doing?" Chu Yun asked, a note of impatience in his ragged voice. He wanted to keep being fucked, but was too proud to admit it. Xiao Zai smirked and brought his fingers to Chu Yun''s hard nipple, making him yelp in surprise. He coated the little peak in Chu Yun''s own juices until it glistened, making it look even more like fruit, and then did the same with the other, all the while Chu Yun squirmed and cursed him out. He shut Chu Yun up with a vicious snap of his hips, and by letting go of his leg to wrap his hand around his cock, squeezing tightly. Xiao Zai dipped his fingertips in the every growing puddle of precum on Chu Yun''s skin again, but this time brought them to his lips. He held Chu Yun''s gaze as he licked between each digit, savouring the taste of him as he had when he''d been sucking his cock. "Delicious." Chu Yun huffed, turning his face sideways on the sheets. Despite the show of nonchalance, Xiao Zai could feel Chu Yun''s cock grow impossibly harder in his fist, the base distending slightly with the incoming knot. His velvety insides too tightened in heightened arousal, prompting Xiao Zai to keep thrusting into him lazily. The whole thing gave him an idea about how he could fit all of himself inside Chu Yun''s tight little hole. He coated his fingers into more of the sticky juice on Chu Yun''s navel, only this time he brought it to the place where their bodies met, coating the reddened rim straining to take all of him. "My alpha is so wet for me," Xiao Zai said, using more of the milky fluid to coat his knot. Chu Yun frowned, his face made more beautiful by the petulant look pinching his features. "Who''s we--" His grievances were swallowed up in a moan as Xiao Zai managed to sink fully inside him. He sighed in relief as his knot finally breached the jealous grip Chu Yun''s rim and lodged itself into the welcoming heat of his tight passage. Xiao Zai tightened his fist on Chu Yun''s cock, and braced himself over his head with his free arm. His thrusts were growing erratic from how close he was. Chu Yun was trying to hold back the overwhelmed little gasps that Xiao Zai punched out of him with each thrust, but that only made him more determined to see him unravel. "Next time, I''m going to make you come only on my cock," Xiao Zai hissed, before taking Chu Yun''s lips in a demanding kiss. As expected, Chu Yun bit down hard on his lower lip, drawing blood. "Who says there''s going to be a next time?" Xiao Zai sped up his thrusts, so close now that his arms were shaking. "The hungry little hole sucking me in." Chu Yun gasped, his insides coiling tighter with his incoming release. He wrapped his arms around Xiao Zai''s shoulders and hid his face in his neck, scenting him loudly, wet and panting. Without warning, he sunk his fangs into the bond mark on Xiao Zai''s nape, tearing into the skin viciously. The sharp sting of pain was all it took for Xiao Zai''s knot to catch and hold. He came inside Chu Yun with a desperate moan, incredulous that something could feel this good. Chu Yun came with a broken cry as soon as the first gush of cum hit his tender insides, his cock jumping in Xiao Zai''s fist as thick ropes of cum slicked up their already sweaty skin. You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 82 - The Fox Is Cosseted Best novel online free at novelhall.com It took a long while for Chu Yun to get his breathing under control. He couldn''t remember the last time sex left him this winded. Xiao Zai was a comfortable weight on top of him, and the satisfaction of having marked him pacified Chu Yun''s fox, finally giving him some respite from the unbearable fire of the rut. Xiao Zai was laving his neck with soft, wet kisses, letting out satisfied, low rumbles from the back of his throat as he kissed his skin, all the while still coming inside of him. The overwhelming fullness of all the cum filling him up made Chu Yun squirm, but there was nothing he could do about it until Xiao Zai''s knot went down. Something that would take some time as long as the knot was lodged inside someone, and not just clutched in a fist that could let go at any time. The best thing Chu Yun could do was get comfortable and wait it out. With a sigh he pulled the comforter he had kicked off earlier over the two of them and settled back down, Xiao Zai still draped over him -- his own kind of blanket. Xiao Zai cupped the back of Chu Yun''s neck and kept kissing every sliver of skin he could reach. Eventually, Chu Yun grew tired of this needy behaviour and pulled on his hair in warning. "Can you stop?" he glared at Xiao Zai, whose eyes were still clouded by lust, probably because he was still cumming inside Chu Yun. The bastard. "I want to sleep." Undeterred, Xiao Zai kept nuzzling him. "I want to do that everyday." Chu Yun snorted, pulling on Xiao Zai''s hair again. "In your dreams. I''m writing it off as rut induced madness and morbid curiosity. We''ll never talk about it again." Xiao Zai''s expression immediately fell. The disappointed look made him look younger. Almost tugging at the heartstrings Chu Yun swore he didn''t have. "It wasn''t good for you?" Chu Yun huffed and looked away from him, turning his face sideways on the pillow. What did that have to do with anything? The aftermath left Chu Yun feeling conflicted, regardless of how much he enjoyed the moment. Did this change anything for him? Was he weird for having liked it? Meanwhile, Xiao Zai''s crestfallen expression kept hovering on the periphery of his gaze. Chu Yun sighed, and pulled him into a bruising, messy kiss. His split lips reopened anew, filling Chu Yun''s mouth with the now familiar taste of his blood. "Stop whining, next time I''m fucking you." Xiao Zai chuckled, hiding the sound into the crook of Chu Yun''s neck. "I already let you mark me, what makes you think I''d have a problem with that?" Chu Yun went still. The reminder that he''d marked Xiao Zai filled him with a sort of glowing pride. He ran his fingers over the raw open wound on Xiao Zai''s nape. It would leave a scar from the side of his neck all the way around to his nape, over the scent glands there. Depending on what kind of robes he wore, everyone would be able to see it. That too filled Chu Yun with smug satisfaction, although it was best if they kept it hidden, for now. Chu Yun knew it was there, and that was all that mattered to him. "I really made a mess out of you, didn''t I?" Chu Yun said, speaking softly into the quiet room, still tracing the mark gently. Xiao Zai hummed his assent and adjusted the angle of his hips, making all the cum inside Chu Yun jostle, and him hiss at the sudden flare of heat that climbed up his spine. "Almost as much of a mess as I made of you." Chu Yun pulled on Xiao Zai''s earlobe, wishing one of his fans was within reach so he could smack him upside the head with it. "Bad dog! Bad dog!" Xiao Zai chuckled, and did his best to placate Chu Yun with kisses, which only half-worked. He had finally calmed down from the vicious provocation, when Xiao Zai decided to test his luck once again. He ran his palm from the sharp jut of Chu Yun''s hipbone all the way across his clearly distended stomach. Chu Yun tensed in angry anticipation of whatever aggravating bullshit Xiao Zai was about to say. "There''s enough here for at least twins, maybe triplets." Chu Yun cursed the knot that kept them tied together. He glared at Xiao Zai and wrapped himself around his body like an octopus. He took advantage of Xiao Zai''s laughter to sink his teeth into the fresh bond mark again. His fox purred in contentment the moment his mouth filled with fresh blood. He could fell Xiao Zai''s wolf ears brush against the side of his cheek, and his tail wag against his arm, while he nuzzled into Chu Yun''s neck and let himself be bitten. --- The next morning Chu Yun woke up alone in bed. The sheets were a sticky mess below him, and he was scared to even look at the state of his thighs. His lips curled up in disgust while peeling the sheets off of himself. He tried to get up from the wet sheets, but a sharp stab of pain shot up his waist, making him reconsider. He couldn''t believe Xiao Zai had just up and left. Chu Yun was going to kill him. Right at that moment, the doors opened and Xiao Zai walked inside, carrying two pails of steaming water balanced on a stick across his shoulders. "Oh, you''re up," he said, shooting Chu Yun a smile while lowering the pails next to a wooden tub Chu Yun was just now noticing. Chu Yun sat up on the bed and shot him a suspicious look "What are you doing?" "Drawing you a bath." He waved in Chu Yun''s direction with a smug smirk. "It''s the least I could do after making you sleep on my-" Chu Yun threw a pillow at his head before he could finish that sentence. Read novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 83 - The Wolf Is Gallant, The Fox Is Smug Best novel online free at novelhall.com Xiao Zai dumped the contents of the two pails into the tub, filling it up enough for the water to submerge a person. He kept chancing Chu Yun looks from the corner of his eyes as he worked. He was sitting up in bed, a nest of mussed sheets pooling around his lap. His white tails curled around the side of his legs, his fox ears flattened in suspicion. Xiao Zai could see the barest hint of yellow from his narrowed eyes. The sun was coming in into the room from the window behind Chu Yun. The oiled-paper panes diffused the light, enveloping him in a cold glow. His slender chest showed the marks of Xiao Zai''s passion, a trail of finger-shaped bruises stood out starkly over the jut of his sharp hipbone. He was breathtaking, but Xiao Zai didn''t think he would appreciate it if he told him that. It wasn''t that Chu Yun was self-conscious about his looks, he was aware of his beauty but he treated it as a fact -- one it didn''t bear remarking upon. Xiao Zai wanted to remark upon it, and all the other things he liked about Chu Yun. He wanted to list them all and whisper them into Chu Yun''s skin just to watch him flush with embarrassment. "What are you looking at?" Chu Yun asked, bristly as ever, half of his face hidden in the crook of his elbow as he hugged his knees to his chest. Done with the tub, Xiao Zai strode towards him. "Admiring my handiwork," he replied, before lifting Chu Yun into his arms from his nest of dirty sheets. Predictably, Chu Yun didn''t let himself be carried easily. Hissing, "put me down", and kicking Xiao Zai like an angry cat, all of his nine tails hitting him in the face. Xiao Zai followed his wishes and put him down -- directly into the tub. He broke the water''s surface spitting and cursing, his yellow fox eyes glaring daggers at Xiao Zai. Grinning, Xiao Zai let his outer and inner robes slip to the floor and jumped in after him, splashing water on the wooden floor. "You''ll ruin the floors, stop moving around," Chu Yun complained. Xiao Zai ignored him and sat down behind him, banding one arm around his waist and pulling him against his chest. Every scrap of affection had to be bitterly fought for when it came to Chu Yun and his unpredictable temper. But it was worth it every time when the fight finally left him and he allowed himself to relax into Xiao Zai''s embrace. For a while, Xiao Zai let himself enjoy their closeness. He nosed along Chu Yun''s nape, where his fresh pine and orchid scent was strongest. He kissed the unmarred stretch of skin over his scent glands. He wanted so badly to mark him back. The bond mark Chu Yun had left on him thrummed with awareness, as if responding to Chu Yun''s presence. Xiao Zai feared that his body would reject the claim, making him ill, but he didn''t feel any different -- perhaps closer to Chu Yun. But that could be due to the mark as much as the sex. "I can hear you smiling," Chu Yun said, turning to glare at Xiao Zai. "Stop being so smug just because we fucked." Xiao Zai slid a hand up his chest and pinched his right nipple. "Can''t I be happy?" From behind, Xiao Zai could see Chu Yun''s pale earlobes take on a decidedly red tint. "Happy about what?" he mumbled, adding, "embarrassing," under his breath. If he didn''t know it would probably result in his eminent castration, he might consider calling Chu Yun ''cute'' when he was being difficult like this. "Are you ever going to let me mark you?" Xiao Zai asked, returning his attentions to that sliver of unmarred skin. The fall of Chu Yun''s hair around the column of his neck framed it in an eye-catching triangle of pale skin. Chu Yun bumped the top of his head against Xiao Zai''s chin, and then tilted his neck back to look up into his eyes, a small smirk playing at the corner of his red lips. "What are you willing to do for the privilege?" Xiao Zai looked down into his yellow fox eyes, and smiled, "Whatever you tell me to." Chu Yun let out a laugh, loud and delighted. He nuzzled into Xiao Zai''s neck with a sigh. "Good boy," he whispered, reaching backwards to run the fingers of one hand over Xiao Zai''s wet hair. His skin still felt hot to the touch, an aftereffect of his rut. Xiao Zai brought his arms around his waist and held him closer in the water. --- Chu Yun couldn''t spend his entire day lazing around in the bath with Xiao Zai. First because the water went cold fast in the winter, second, because he had other things to do. He had to admit, though, that he felt amazingly relaxed and content. He still didn''t understand why his rut had come in so soon, but he was glad that it had. Despite the soreness in his muscles, he felt more clearheaded. He knew just what to do with Chu Hean for now. He couldn''t keep him at the inn indefinitely, but he also didn''t want to bring him home. He suspected that telling him to return to Xin wouldn''t work well either. He could feel Xiao Zai''s gaze on him as he got dressed, heavy and heated as Chu Yun covered his body under layers of thick silk. The attention gratified him, he liked knowing how much Xiao Zai desired him. A kiss fell on the side of his neck as he combed his fingers through his hair. "I''m going to visit my dam, do you want to come?" So that Gu Wei could take one look at them and know they fucked? No thank you. He would let Xiao Zai handle that himself. He turned around in Xiao Zai''s arms and adjusted the collar of his robes, covering the angry red of the bond mark. "Keep this out of sight for now." Xiao Zai''s smile fell. "Why?" Something warm and sweet settled on the pit of Chu Yun''s stomach. Xiao Zai was proud that Chu Yun had marked him and wanted everyone to see it, the little fool. "Just for a while, just outside," Chu Yun said, smoothing the fall of his robes. "You can tell your dam about it." That dispelled some of Xiao Zai''s annoyance. "Wear a thick cloak," he warned, tightening Chu Yun''s collar around his throat. "It''s snowing." Chu Yun smirked. "Finally, the snow you''ve been promising me is here." --- The blanket of white covering the courtyard almost blinded Chu Yun once he stepped out of the pavilion. It only snowed in Xin at high altitudes, and Chu Yun had never seen so much of it in one place. The tiny snowflakes rained down on him like tiny flowers being blown by the wind. Chu Yun raised his hands to catch them in his palm. Xiao Zai watched him with a smile. He came up behind him and kissed the side of his head. "I''ll be going now, see you later." He slid his hand from Chu Yun''s shoulder down his arm, wrapping around his fingers for a moment before letting go. Chu Yun watched him walk away with a fond smile of his own. They had sex once and already Xiao Zai was suffering from separation anxiety. "What could have happened to put such a big smile on his Grace''s face?" A sudden voice to his left startled him into retracting his gaze from Xiao Zai''s figure. He turned to Hua Nanyi with a scowl. "Whatever it was your presence just ruined it." She chuckled, delighted at having annoyed him. "Well, the other servants will not shut up about the interesting noises coming out of his Grace''s room all of last night," her smirk widened when Chu Yun hummed in annoyance, "everyone noticed too, when early this morning his Highness personally carried a tub into his Grace''s rooms, and the pails of hot water to fill it with." Chu Yun sometimes questioned the wisdom of paying her a salary to mock him relentlessly. He supposed it kept him humble. "Could it be that his Highness didn''t want even the lowly servants to see the state he had reduced his Grace to?" With great dignity, Chu Yun reached for the snow-covered railing on his right and closed his hand around a mound of snow which he promptly threw in Hua Nanyi''s face. The shock robbed her of words for a moment. "I don''t know, you tell me," Chu Yun said, tone pleasant, already closing his cold fingers around another handful of snow. Hua Nanyi expected the second faceful of snow even less than the first, but she managed to duck the third one, scrambling to return Chu Yun''s attacks with ones of her own. In minutes the two of them were chasing each other around the courtyard viciously pelting each other with snowballs. Attracted by the noise some of the other servants came out to watch them.. People from warm places all became children again the moment they saw snow. Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 84 - The Fox Stumbles Into A Secret Tan Ruo gave Chu Yun a confused look, Minister Song towering behind her, looked just as surprised. "You want your...ah, brother to stay with us?" Tan Ruo repeated, eyeing the sulky Chu Hean warily. "Just temporarily," Chu Yun clarified, "Until I can send a letter to my parents and inform them of his presence here." Chu Hean made no comment, his gaze fixed stubbornly on his feet. Chu Yun''s goal with having him stay with Tan Ruo and her wife was twofold: First, he didn''t want Chu Hean and Xiao Zai in the same space, afraid that it would bring about bad memories, for both of them. Second, he hoped that by spending time in the company of a well-mannered, polite and respectful alpha, such as Tan Ruo, Chu Hean would feel a little better about the prospects of marrying one. He did, however, realise he was asking for a lot. After some time, Minister Song nodded stiffly, and tilted her head towards the inside of the house. "Come with me boy, I''ll show you to your rooms." Chu Hean threw Chu Yun one last withering glare, before following Minister Song inside her own house without another word. Tan Ruo waited for them to leave down the hallway before pulling Chu Yun inside as well, dragging him towards a small room where there were no servants. "What''s the meaning of this? Honestly," she asked, crossing her arms in front of her chest and giving Chu Yun a demanding look. Chu Yun rubbed the bridge of his nose and with a sigh admitted everything. That first disastrous encounter in the hot springs that almost resulted in his and Xiao Zai''s estrangement, Chu Hean running to him to escape his upcoming engagement...Tan Ruo listened to it all in silence. But when Chu Yun finished his account she started hitting him with the large sleeves of her robe, flicking him with the excess fabric as if it were a whip. "You have some nerve! You don''t want the young omega to be a problem in your harmonious household so you bring him into mine!" Chu Yun tried to defend himself, but he could see how it looked like that from Tan Ruo''s perspective, even if that wasn''t his intention. She wasn''t done with her recriminations. "Moreover, your brother comes to you with a serious concern about his future, and your first reaction is ''what a great inconvenience for me!''" That made Chu Yun go very still. Tan Ruo wasn''t being fair. He cared about Chu Hean, and loved his brother deeply, he just felt that he was trying to go against something that was much bigger than him. "I''m sorry, is everyone forgetting that I was also pushed into an arranged marriage? Except I didn''t run away, instead I accepted my fate with dignity." Chu Yun still remembered his father''s words to him. His assurances that he was proud of Chu Yun for following his duty and remaining loyal to his country, even if it wasn''t what he, or his family had hoped or dreamed for him. Tan Ruo shot him another deeply unimpressed look. "I''m sure doing that meant a lot for you, but your brother doesn''t feel the same way. Maybe you should try to be more understanding." Why was everyone against him? He threw his hands up in the air. "In an ideal word Chu Hean could marry whoever he wanted, but he''s the king''s nephew! I didn''t get to decide my own fate, why should he?" Tan Ruo shook her head with a sigh. "I hope you didn''t tell him that, because it makes you sound like a bitter concubine, who bullies the newest wife just because she herself was bullied." That wasn''t at all what Chu Yun was trying to do. His marriage had worked out alright, all things considered. And it even had a lower probability of working out than Chu Hean''s marriage, who would be between a naturally compatible alpha and omega pair. Again, Tan Ruo didn''t look happy to hear any of this. "I don''t consider my marriage to have a ''lower probability'' of working out than one between an alpha and an omega," she said, her voice cold. Chu Yun''s eyes widened. "No, that''s not what I meant...of course-," he shut himself up abruptly, aware that he just kept digging a bigger hole for himself with each word. Tan Ruo made her way towards the door, stopping in the doorway, and looking back at Chu Yun. "Your brother can stay as long as he wants." "Thank you, I apologise for troubling you and Minister Song like this," Chu Yun said, his eyes lowered. Tan Ruo stood still, and then sighed loudly. "If you think about it, I think you''ll realise that what you like about your own marriage, what I like about my own, is what Chu Hean fears won''t exist in his." "What do you mean?" Chu Yun asked, lifting his eyes. "Equality," Tan Ruo answered, meeting his gaze. "You see yourself as your husband''s equal, just as he sees you as his. So does my wife see me, so do I see her." Her fingers flexed on the wood of the doorway. "Do you think your brother will have that, with his future alpha husband or wife?" She left afterwards, leaving Chu Yun alone in the room with his thoughts. --- Maybe prompted by Tan Ruo''s words, Chu Yun went to pay Concubine Min a visit. She was out in the Pearl courtyard as always, locked in an intense battle with the weiqi board. Despite his somewhat frequent visits and lessons, she was no closer to making sense of the game. Even the simple rules were beyond her comprehension, to say nothing of the strategy necessary to win. And yet she persevered, determined to one day master the game. Sitting in front of her, Chu Yun observed with relief that the bluish bruise around her eye had faded into nothing, and that there were no new ones marring her soft skin. He couldn''t help feeling guilty whenever he looked at her guileless face. "How has Sister Min been?" Chu Yun asked, supporting his chin on his palm and smiling at her. She shrugged, flashing him a brief smile before returning her attention to the weiqi board. "Things have been well, his Majesty has forgiven my past transgressions." She seemed relieved by this, it made Chu Yun squirm. "My brothers and sisters continue to make fun of me for being slow," her brows furrowed in determination. "I''m going to invite Bailiu for a round of weiqi just as soon as I''m good enough." "Gu Wei?" Chu Yun asked. Concubine Min nodded. "He''s the smartest of us all, if I can beat him they''ll stop making fun of me." Chu Yun''s heart clenched painfully. If it was him, he would just play a round of chess with her in front of the rest of the royal harem and let her win. "Is he mean to you too?" Chu Yun couldn''t hold back his curiosity. Gu Wei was a great source of mystery for him, from the rumours about him and Xiao Yuan to his terrible relationship with the King. Tan Ruo shook her head. "He''s nice, he gives me sweets sometimes." That was surprising to Chu Yun, Gu Wei didn''t strike him as the kind of person to take pity on a bullied girl, although he didn''t expect him to join in either. Mostly he imagined he''d do his best no to get involved in the harem''s inner struggles. "But he says I shouldn''t waste my time trying to play weiqi, or reading, or doing all those other things to try and be smarter," she said, frowning down at the black and white stones on the board. "Bailiu says the best thing people like us can be is pretty vases." What an awful thing to say, and an even worse thing to feel. Chu Yun''s thoughts immediately drifted to his brother. Did Chu Hean feel that way as well? Min Sezhui sighed. "I didn''t understand what he meant. How can a person be a vase?" Chu Yun smiled despite himself. He couldn''t imagine why someone would want to bully a girl as sweet and harmless as Min Sezhui. She looked up into Chu Yun''s eyes. "I didn''t like his explanation much, though." "What did he say?" "He said that it''s better for all of us in the royal harem to be just pretty to look at, but have nothing inside, like a vase." She frowned. "He said it would hurt less that way." Unfortunately, Chu Yun could see what Gu Wei meant. In many, terrible ways, it was a relief that Min Sezhui didn''t realise the full horror of the black eye the King had given her. What could she do to change her circumstances, either way? "I don''t think I understood, even with his explanation, but I think he was trying to say that we''re only good for our looks anyway." She squared her thin shoulders.. "That''s rich coming from him, because I overheard one of the guards telling him he liked everything about him." Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 85 - The Fox Tricks Answers Out Of The Unwitting As expected, Min Sezhui didn''t realise she had said anything out of the ordinary. Chu Yun''s heart thumped violently inside his chest. He cast his eyes around the Pearl courtyard. Hua Nanyi was walking the perimeter, pretending to be a bored servant told by her master to keep herself occupied while he had a private conversation, and pretending not to be keeping an eye out on any threat. The shade of the scholar tree above the little stone table, as well as the garden pagoda, obscured Chu Yun''s view of the window to the King''s office. He had no idea if he was watching them now but at least he knew he couldn''t hear them. Even so, he kept his voice low as he asked, "Have you told that to his Majesty?" She frowned and shook her head. "A lot of people find Bailiu beautiful, only the King doesn''t seem to care about him. I don''t talk about him," she pushed one of the white stones across the wooden board. "It makes him angry." Chu Yun let out a relieved sigh. That was something at least. He remembered Min Sezhui''s warning about the King being worse with ''the boys''. There were fewer males in the royal harem than females, but if the King had an aversion for masculine beauty there would be none at all. "Why did you say his Majesty is more cruel to the boys?" Chu Yun asked, leaning across the table. Min Sezhui lifted her eyes from the board briefly. "He just is...that''s what everyone says. Nothing they do is ever good," she shrugged again. "He beats them a lot...and does other things." Chu Yun didn''t ask what those other things were, but he could infer them. He already knew the King of Zui was a sadist, maybe there was nothing more to it than that, but he kept circling back to Gu Wei. "Do you know who was the Guard who said those things to Gu Wei?" Min Sezhui shook her head again, making all the pendants hanging from her hairpins clink musically. "I only saw his back, and all the palace guards wear the same uniform." Chu Yun sighed, drumming his fingers on the tabletop. The snow had stopped falling at some point while he was in Tan Ruo''s home, now only the blanket of white remained, reflecting light like a mirror. The bright glare made Chu Yun''s eyes hurt. It was possible that Gu Wei was such a calamitous, ruinous beauty that people were just declaring themselves to him with no regard for the consequences, but it didn''t seem plausible. "What did Gu Wei say?" Min Sezhui frowned, trying to recall his words. After some time she said, "''Not here.''" "Just that?" If this was an unwanted advance, there was no way Gu Wei would say just that. It was basically encouraging the mysterious guard to say it again...just at a more opportune time and place. Min Sezhui shrugged, supporting her chin on her laced palms. "Must be nice." Chu Yun went several shades paler. What was this silly girl saying? He reached across the stone table and held her wrist in his fist. "Sister Min must never accept the romantic advances of someone who isn''t the King." He paused, steeling his heart for what he was about to tell her. "No matter how lonely it gets." Chu Yun expected her to complain, instead she laughed. "Sezhui is so plain and dull, no one would declare themselves to me." The matter-of-fact way she talked about herself made Chu Yun wonder if she was repeating someone else''s words. It upset him that there was nothing he could do for her. He patted the back of her hand. "Sezhui is nothing of the sort." She returned his smile with a quick one of her own, but her gaze lingered on Chu Yun''s face for a moment. "There''s something different about Brother Chu." Chu Yun lowered his eyes, feeling heat climbing up his cheeks. How could she tell something like that? He cleared his throat awkwardly. "The servants must have done my hair differently." Min Sezhui hummed, not insisting on the topic, and returned her attention to the weiqi board, whose mysteries she was no closer to unravelling. --- Chu Yun returned home with a heavy heart. He couldn''t understand what Gu Wei was thinking. Did the man enjoy courting death? Was he insatiably libidinous? First Xiao Yuan, now this mysterious guard...what was going on with him? He couldn''t discuss these things with Xiao Zai, naturally. Who would want to have that kind of conversation about their own dam? But he had to get to the bottom of it. Taking advantage of the fact that Xiao Zai was out and wouldn''t return for some time, he went into his office and called Hua Nanyi. "Tell Fan Jiang to come serve me my tea." Hua Nanyi gave him an unimpressed look. "Should I try and make it sound less suspicious?" Chu Yun rolled his eyes. "Naturally," he waved her out of the room, "You''re my most trusted maidservant, make up something about being too tired to attend to me yourself and shove the tea tray in his arms." She left after an exaggerated bow. A quarter of an incense stick later, Fan Jiang knocked on his office''s door, announcing mildly, "His Grace''s tea." Chu Yun bid him to enter but kept his gaze focused on the correspondence in front of him. He had already finished writing the letter to his parents, informing them of Chu Hean''s whereabouts, and asking for guidance. He was left now with a series of dinner invitations from all the Minister''s whose spouses he''d been playing courteous visits on Xiao Zai''s behalf. They would have to hurry to visit everyone Chu Yun had targeted as potential supporters before Xiao Yuan''s wedding. Fan Jiang poured his tea, and was sitting back on his knees, awaiting further instructions when Chu Yun finally addressed him?" "How came it''s you?" He raised one eyebrow at him. "Didn''t I ask Nanyi to bring my tea" He took the opportunity to see if Fan Jiang was the type to push a fellow servant into an incoming carriage. "Ah, something came up and she had to see to it urgently, she was very regretful of not being able to attend to his Grace personally." Chu Yun hummed noncommittally. Then again, everyone knew he and Hua Nanyi had a close relationship, maybe he shouldn''t give Fan Jiang credit for not being a complete idiot. "How are you finding your work at the Second Prince''s estate?" Chu Yun asked, still answering the greeting cards while sipping his tea from time to time. Fan Jiang kept his head demurely lowered. "It has been very pleasant. I enjoy working outside in the stables, and all the other servants have been very welcoming. This lowly one is very grateful for his Grace''s and his Second Highness'' kindness." Chu Yun finally put down his brush on its holder, and turned to face Fan Jiang. "Forgive my indiscretion, but I must ask: what exactly is the nature of the First Prince''s relationship with Gu Bailiu?" Fan Jiang''s eyes widened a fraction before he returned him to its lap. "This lowly one is not a liberty to discuss his First Highness'' personal affairs." Chu Yun chuckled without humour. "No? It seems like everyone else in court is. Why are you the only exception?" Fan Jiang didn''t expect Chu Yun''s directness, and stammered for some time to come up with an appropriate reply. Chu Yun didn''t give him a chance to do so. "You must know that the rumours don''t paint the First Prince in a good light. I''m trying to be an impartial observer." He squared his shoulders. "Besides, this matter concerns my husband, and my family. I have a right to know." Fan Jiang swayed like a willow branch in the breeze, suddenly very frail and wan, for all that he had been doing intensive labour without issue for the past weeks. This must have proved itself a useful strategy when he wanted to seduce the First Prince, unfortunately for him Chu Yun was entirely unmoved. He kept his unflinching gaze trained on Fan Jiang, waiting for an answer. Fan Jiang had the good grace to cut his performance short and blush in embarrassment. "The First Prince has been in love with Concubine Gu since he was a small boy," Fan Jiang finally admitted, his back stiff. "This I heard from his First Highness'' own lips." "Were those feelings ever returned?" Fan Jiang went very still, considering his options. Chu Yun could tell he was measuring the advantages between lying and telling the truth. Finally he sighed. "Not as far as I know. Concubine Gu was unaware of his First Highness'' feelings when he was a boy, and spurned them when he became a man, on account of the filial relationship between them." That at least gave Chu Yun some peace of mind, he couldn''t even imagine the tangled web that would result of Gu Wei returning the First Prince''s affections. Fan Jiang''s expression darkened suddenly, and he met Chu Yun''s gaze for the first time since entering the room. "However, all the rumours about his First Highness raping Concubine Gu are absolutely false! His Grace must not believe them!" Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 86 - The Fox And The Wolf Get What They Both Want Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com "What makes you so sure they''re false?" Chu Yun asked, trying to act as if this wasn''t a shocking revelation. He would be lying if he said the possibility never crossed his mind, or that some of the more pointed remarks he heard from Tan Ruo didn''t make it seem as if that could have been the case. Part of him refused to believe it, however. It seemed impossible that someone like Gu Wei had suffered that kind of humiliation. At the hands of his husband''s son, no less. It was enough to make his blood curdle. It also made him question all the negative rumours circling around Gu Wei. Or at least see the man himself in a different light. What would a person become, after experiencing something like that, and still being vilified by everyone else? Fan Jiang looked up pleadingly at him from his kneeling position, his mournful eyes filmed over with tears. He looked pitiful enough to stir the heart, but Chu Yun knew already how good he was at making himself look harmlessly attractive from his earlier display. It was second nature to him to such an extent that he didn''t think twice about employing the same strategy even after it failed the first time. "His First Highness'' feelings for Concubine Gu are genuine, moved only by the most tender admiration," Fan Jiang said, his fingers flexing over the fabric of his neat servant''s robe. "He has personally swore to me that he has no memory of ever forcing himself on Concubine Gu. He always accepted that his feelings would never be returned, and that they were unnatural. Why, then, would he do something so shameful?" Fan Jiang''s voice rose in timbre as he defended Xiao Yuan''s reputation. Regardless of his intentions in other regards, he actually believed what he was saying. Chu Yun nodded thoughtfully, saying nothing -- all the better to keep Fan Jiang talking. Looking extremely aggrieved, he lowered his head once again. "Even so...even so...the rumours haunt him, my master-his First Highness -- didn''t use to drink so much, but now it''s the only way he can cope." A sob wracked through his frame. "So many people criticise him, but he has been nothing but good to me." That might be so, but Fan Jiang was deluding himself. "He sees someone else whenever he looks at you," Chu Yun said, keeping his words frank but not cruel. Laughter mixed in with Fan Jiang''s sobs, his shoulders shaking violently. "So what? At least he looks at me. Someone like his Grace would never understand the pain of being invisible." Chu Yun cast Fan Jiang a long look, his head lowered once more, dark hair pinned on top of his head in a graceless bun. He didn''t look like a ''dancer'', or someone skilled in seduction. He looked like a sad young man, who had been dealt a bad fate by the heavens, and was now looking for hope in all the wrong places. Xiao Yuan might very well have been one of the very few people to show him any tenderness, but he had sublimated it into a hopeless devotion. If that was warranted or not, Chu Yun wouldn''t know. "I''m sorry that this conversation has upset you," Chu Yun said, returning his attention to his correspondence in order not to make Fan Jiang feel more self-conscious. "Please take the rest of the day off and rest up." Fan Jiang muttered his thanks and left the room without another word. Chu Yun''s thoughts were more jumbled than before and his heart heavier. --- Hours later, after he had posted all his correspondence. Chu Yun was in his quarters, slipping out of his outer robes and making himself comfortable to eat dinner on his own when someone opened his door and slipped inside. It was obvious that Xiao Zai had just come in from the street, still wearing his black bearskin cloak, his hair sprinkled with snowflakes. Before Chu Yun could ask him why he was there he was swept up in his embrace and kissed without preamble. "I missed you," Xiao Zai announced, by way of explanation. "We saw each other just this morning," Chu Yun sighed, dusting off the snowflakes out of Xiao Zai''s hair. Xiao Zai held Chu Yun''s hands in his and brought them to his lips, kissing his knuckles softly. Chu Yun immediately felt heat climb the back of his neck. Why was he being so clingy? Chu Yun shook off his embrace and turned around, putting some distance between them. "What did you do all day, anyway?" "I spent some time with my dam, and then went to see some masons about some improvements for the estate." Chu Yun shot him a narrowed look over the shoulder. "I''m working on the estates'' repairs, you don''t need to get involved." Xiao Zai smiled. "Maybe I want to." Chu Yun ignored him and sat down at the table to eat the food Hua Nanyi had brought him. Xiao Zai sat across from him ready to join in. Chu Yun observed him in silent amusement for a while. "I''m sorry, are you inviting yourself into my quarters?" Chu Yun asked, trying to keep his tone serious despite his amusement. Xiao Zai stole a piece of beef from the plate directly in front of Chu Yun. "These are the master''s quarters, technically they should be ours." "Is that so?" Chu Yun leaned towards him across the table. Xiao Zai smiled around his chopsticks, and then poured Chu Yun a cup of wine. "I think I should start staying here." Chu Yun narrowed his eyes at him. "What about our plan?" "Fan Jiang probably reported that our relationship was unsteady, already. He won''t be in any rush to correct himself and anger my father," Xiao Zai said, grinning, as if he thought this was a battle already won. Unfortunately, presumption was a good look on him. Chu Yun narrowed his eyes at him. "Fine, but you''re coming with me and paying a visit to all the ministers who sent us calling cards." Xiao Zai''s smile fell a fraction. "How many ministers are we talking?" Chu Yun scooted closer to him, and bringing his lips close to Xiao Zai''s ear, said, "So many." Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 87 - The Wolf Wants The Fox More Than Anything You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Xiao Zai could barely enjoy the pleasure of waking up wrapped around Chu Yun''s body before he was slipping out of his embrace and sitting up in bed, stretching languorously. "Get dressed, we have a long day ahead." Last night Xiao Zai had spent ages trying to coax Chu Yun into letting him touch him, only to be rebuffed as if by a hissing cat. When he had finally managed to convince Chu Yun to let him hug him, he could barely enjoy it before the warmth of Chu Yun''s body and the comfort of snuggling up to him lulled him into sleep. Now it was morning and Chu Yun was hiding himself away behind layers of robes. Xiao Zai wanted nothing more than to tumble him into bed and have his way with him. Push him down against the mussed sheets and take whatever he wanted, again and again, with no thought for duties or responsibilities. In his imagination Chu Yun would fight him only perfunctorily, before giving up sweetly. Reality wouldn''t be like that, Chu Yun was all hard edges, and he didn''t give up control easily. But there was the promise of sweetness within him, and it drove Xiao Zai mad. It scared him, how much he would do for those crumbs of tenderness. And so, he got up from the bed and started preparing for the day ahead, mentally preparing himself for making polite conversation with people who a few months ago didn''t even register his existence. --- Their first stop was the house of the Minister Steward, or the Small Treasurer, as he was sometimes called. The role of the Minister Steward was to administer the finances of the royal clan. As one of the nine lower ministries the stewardship was sometimes dismissed as a minor ministry. Chu Yun was happy to tell Xiao Zai why that wasn''t so, "Obviously, the King can do as he sees fit, with the royal treasury, and the Minister Steward has no real power to stop him if he decides to empty the royal clan''s coffers, for instance." They were walking down the street towards the Minister''s house, Chu Yun''s hand looped through Xiao Zai''s elbow. Xiao Zai would have been happy to keep walking forever, with Chu Yun pressed this close to his side. "Of course, people sometimes forget that ''royal clan'' includes all branches of the family tree, that is, all royal relatives," he smirked and looked up at Xiao Zai, his eyes shining. "Countless uncles, aunts, cousins and the like, spread over both Haolin and the whole country of Zui, getting their pensions directly from the small treasuries'' coffers." They came to a stop outside the gates of the Minister''s residence just as Xiao Zai realised what Chu Yun''s aim was with earning the Minister Steward''s support. "They have to write to the Stewardship whenever they need more money and justify all their extra expenses," he said, turning to Chu Yun. "That would become a very unpleasant affair if the minister held any resentment over the Crown Prince and future King." Chu Yun smiled, nodding in approval. His smile warmed Xiao Zai more than the weak winter sun ever could. --- The Minister Steward was a portly alpha man with a single omega husband who he seemed to dote on excessively. The husband greeted Chu Yun like an old friend, which Xiao Zai did his best not to show any displeasure about -- considering the Minister himself hadn''t. Not ten minutes into their meal some seven children burst into the room demanding attention from their parents. All of them were extremely close in age, which made Xiao Zai''s head spin. Even more so when the Minister''s husband offhandedly remarked he was once more with child. Such display of...fertility, felt vulgar to Xiao Zai, he could only imagine what Chu Yun was thinking about it. In any case, that brought them once again to a problem they experienced before: the Minister Steward was exceedingly polite, very courteous and overall he and his husband were pleasant company. He didn''t even mince words and went straight to the point: "His First Highness isn''t of course anyone''s first choice of a Crown Prince, begging pardon for the disrespect." They were all gathered there to be borderline treasonous so no one minded much. "However, news is that one of his beta concubines is with child, and while the chances of the union between an alpha and a beta female producing an alpha son are small, they aren''t nonexistent." He shrugged apologetically. "Perhaps, his Second Highness can humbly request an omega concubine from his Majesty?" Chu Yun changed the subject tactfully and the meal went on without any other diversions into the subject. --- That was lunch, they had dinner at the estate of the Minister of Finance. Unlike the Minister Steward, everyone was perfectly aware of just how important his role was among the nine lower ministries. Xiao Zai could tell Chu Yun''s mood had considerably soured since morning. The matter of an heir kept being brought up at every turn, and it obviously vexed Chu Yun not to be able to come up with a good alternative, whenever it came up. A King needed an heir, that was a base principle the society of both their nations rested on. They were in the carriage, almost reaching the Minister of Finance''s house when Chu Yun suggested, his fingers tightly closed around of his fan, "Maybe we can persuade your father to allow a concubine, mayb-" Xiao Zai shut off that line of thought immediately. "Absolutely not." Chu Yun sighed in annoyance, but it was obvious he was relieved by Xiao Zai''s quick refusal. "You''ll think of something," Xiao Zai said, smiling warmly and reaching forward to hold Chu Yun''s hand. "You always do." Chu Yun straightened up in his seat, his gaze hardening as he looked out the window. "There''s adoption, of course, but in order to ensure the legitimacy of the child''s royal bloodline....it would require a direct royal family member to die and leave behind an orphaned child." Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 88 - The Wolf Makes Plans, The Fox Becomes Ill You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com They arrived at the Minister of Finance''s estate before Chu Yun could follow his line of reasoning to its conclusion. For his part Xiao Zai liked the idea of adopting a child. He could almost imagine Chu Yun sternly correcting their sitting posture, their pronunciation, their childish calligraphy. It must have put an odd look on his face, because Chu Yun shot him a look and pulled on his sleeve. "Don''t smile so much. It worries me" he said, one of his sharp eyebrows climbing up his forehead in suspicion. "About what?" Xiao Zai asked, taking Chu Yun''s arm as they made their way towards the estate''s gates. "That you''re imagining things that definitely won''t come to pass." Xiao Zai said only, "We''ll see," which earned him an eye-roll and a huff. The Minister of Finance was a traditional woman. It was obvious from her neat and austere appearance, as well as her tastefully decorated home, which didn''t steer even a millimetre into ostentation. Unlike the Minister of Works, she was clearly worried about accusations of corruption. She had on attractive omega First Wife, and a fetching omega male concubine. Apparently she treated both of them according to their station in her household. The First Wife wore more expensive robes and jewellery than the concubine, and was allowed more intimacy when addressing the Minister. Even so, both wife and concubine attended the supper. The three of the Minister''s children greeted them politely before returning back to their quarters, escorted by a servant. All three addressed the First Wife as ''mother'', although it was obvious from his looks that at least one was the child of the concubine. Dinner was a subdued affair, and they skirted the topic of the upcoming wedding for the longest time. Xiao Zai was growing restless with all the meandering small talk, but since Chu Yun wasn''t broaching the subject, he said nothing either. Finally, it was the Minister of Finance who brought it up, having grown tired of Chu Yun''s subterfuge and empty platitudes -- which was no doubt his goal. "To be frank with his Highness, Zui would benefit from a strong leader who could right our financial situation, provide a definite solution to the constant floods plaguing provinces to the west, and modernise the army," the Minister said, extending her arm to the side for her wife to fill up her cup. "However..." Xiao Zai relaxed into his seat, fighting the urge to exchange a look with Chu Yun. They had been hearing a lot of ''howevers''. "A marriage between two alphas is just too unorthodox," she said, adding after a while, "it just makes it obvious that both individuals were at one point considered ''undesirable''. It''s not the kind of thing that inspires confidence in the common people." Xiao Zai was of the opinion the common people wanted to have enough food to eat at the end of the day, a roof over their heads, and enough free time to enjoy the company of their families. Almost none of them had ever seen the King''s face outside of a few commemorative paintings. In the far flung corners of Zui, what they heard about the matters of the court, the royal harem, and even the comings and goings of Haolin was all filtered through a storytellers'' mouth in some cramped teahouse. Showing great fortitude, Xiao Zai kept his opinions to himself, and let Chu Yun do what he did best and continue being outwardly pleasant while inwardly furious. --- Over the next week Chu Yun visited so many ministers that they all started blurring together. Many of them were happy to make veiled promises of support IF something changed: Xiao Zai married someone else as a First Spouse (an omega from noble Zui stock); if he found a way to have an heir (preferably if he could procure an already born alpha male); if the Jade Emperor descended from the Heavens and crowned Xiao Zai himself was also an acceptable outcome. It was immensely frustrating, even if Chu Yun expected it to be difficult to begin with. He was in a terrible mood as a result, made worse by the fact that the terrible cat Gu Wei had given them had tired from exploring the outside of the estate, and with the definite arrival of winter had moved permanently into the inside of the palace -- preferably the heated rooms. Which, often meant whatever room Chu Yun happened to be in, since he was a lot less resistant to the cold than the hardy Zui folk. The Little Beast had also taken to sleeping on the bed with him and Xiao Zai, and seemed especially interested in sleeping on top of Chu Yun. Something that never failed to amuse Xiao Zai. "I think the two of you are very alike," he said, after Chu Yun tried to put the kitten down on the floor for umpteenth time and the two started literally hissing at each other. To make matters worse, as a result of eating at so many different houses he''d been feeling unwell. It was vexing that Zui''s mild fare was making him ill almost every meal. Xiao Zai kept trying to convince him to call a physician over, but Chu Yun was much too busy for that. They had to do their best to earn some support. Despite all their complaints it was obvious that most ministers weren''t happy with Xiao Yuan as Crown Prince, and hadn''t been happy with the King''s rule for a long time. Even if he was officially named Crown Prince after the wedding, they still had time to make a move -- the King wasn''t going to abdicate so soon. Moreover, Chu Yun was beginning to accept the fact that Xiao Zai wouldn''t be able to get the throne without some bloodshed. The day of Xiao Yuan''s wedding arrived, and to Chu Yun''s great misery he started it by vomiting over the side of the bed. As far as omens went, he''d say that was a bad one. Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 89 - The Wolf Worries About The Fox Best novel online free at novelhall.com With such an inauspicious start to his day, it was understandable that Chu Yun would be in a bad mood. He shooed Xiao Zai back to his old quarters so that he could get dressed alone, with only the servants to hoover around him, instead of Xiao Zai and his constant concern. "Are you sure you''re well enough to attend the ceremony?" he asked, halfway out the door already. "We don''t need to go if you aren''t well." Chu Yun pushed him out the doorway the rest of the way and closed the door in his face. Hua Nanyi, who had been watching all this from the corner of the room let out a loud laugh. "My, what could have happened to turn his Highness into such a conscientious husband?" Chu Yun had no patience for her jeering, but soon other servants filed into the room and she could say no more as everyone descended on him like magpies who instead of absconding with glittering trinkets bestowed them upon the unsuspecting. --- Hours later, Chu Yun still felt a little nauseous but at least he was dressed and his hair was done. He was sticking to the light colour-scheme he''d been favouring since marrying Xiao Zai, but this time his robes were a little more yellow toned, like the first bloom of spring across freshly thawed grass. It wouldn''t do to attend a wedding wearing robes so light they could pass off for mourning attire. His white rabbit fur cloak was staying, though. Once again, he opted for tasteful but discreet jade ornaments instead of eye-catching gold ones, in the hopes of disappearing in with all the other finely dressed guests. By the time he walked into the courtyard, Xiao Zai was already waiting for him beside their carriage. He was wearing the deep purple robes Chu Yun suggested, with a silver haircrown and matching hairpin. A bearskin cloak across his shoulders made his figure stand out even more imposingly amidst the blanket of snow at his feet. He smiled when he saw Chu Yun approaching but his smile faltered as soon as their eyes met. "Is everything okay?" he reached for Chu Yun, as if afraid he would fall. Chu Yun ignored his proferred hand and climbed into the carriage on his own. "I''m fine." "You look very pale," he grumbled, climbing in after him. He turned to Hua Nanyi as soon as she joined them inside, carrying a hand-warming brazier for Chu Yun in her hands. "Did he get sick again?" "Don''t answer that," Chu Yun said, shooting her a glare before she could open her mouth. He pried the brazier out of her fingers, and stuck his head outside the carriage''s window. "We''re ready, let''s go." The carriage jostled into motion immediately after. Chu Yun just wanted to get this day over with. He was already annoyed that they couldn''t have garnered the support he wanted before Xiao Yuan''s wedding, he didn''t want to have to deal with an illness and Xiao Zai''s overblown concern on top of it all. --- There was something going on with Chu Yun. Xiao Zai couldn''t shake off that feeling all through the mindless rounds of pleasantries with the other guests. They were all bidding their time until the auspicious hour to perform the ceremony arrived. In the meantime, everyone was gathered in the Peony courtyard, pretending not to be observing each other like hawks. The entertainment was lacklustre, other than some pipa players sprinkled through the courtyard, so most people preferred to stave off boredom by talking with the other guests. Xiao Zai had several issues with this. The first of all being that he despised almost everyone gathered around. Chu Yun usually had no problem being perfectly pleasant and charming in social situations, so the fact that he was standing at Xiao Zai''s side, unusually taciturn, was a little concerning. "Are you sure you''re feeling well?" Chu Yun cut him a glare from beneath his curling lashes. "I''m about to stop being if you don''t shut up." Despite the vitriol in his words, Xiao Zai could tell he wasn''t as fine as he kept insisting. There was a pallor to his skin, and yet despite it, faint traces of perspiration gathered on his upper lip and neck. Just as he was about to suggest he get Chu Yun some warm water his dam appeared at their side. "Lovely day for a wedding, isn''t it?" he said pleasantly, his hands folded behind his back in oddly formal posture he usually favoured. Chu Yun smiled at him politely and flicked his fan open in front of his face. "Indeed, maybe unseasonably warm." Xiao Zai frowned. He failed to see how the weather could get much colder short of a blizzard. "It''s always a pleasure seeing father-in-law, but if you''ll excuse me, I think I see Concubine Min waving at me." He disappeared in the crowd without another word, leaving Xiao Zai alone with his dam. Gu Wei clicked his tongue. "He still doesn''t like me." Xiao Zai chuckled. "I think you make him uncomfortable, and he''s not used to it." His dam shook his head with a sigh, but his expression remained pleasant. "Concubine Min talks very fondly of him. I''m glad he''s keeping her company, the other concubines like making things hard for her." He and his dam knew all about that. Not long ago it was them suffering the burnt of the harem''s schemes. These days Gu Wei kept to himself when it came to internal harem affairs, enjoying the modicum of leeway they had won in the last few years -- hard to come by as it was, his dam was still in no position to intercede with the King on anyone''s behalf. "Yun-er is very kind, he just doesn''t like showing it," Xiao Zai said, trying to track Chu Yun''s white rabbit fur cloak through the crowd. Gu Wei hummed. "I couldn''t help noticing he looked a little peaked." "He''s been feeling nauseous lately, he even got sick this morning," Xiao Zai sighed. "He''s too stubborn to consult a physician, keeps insisting it was something he ate." Gu Wei made another noncommittal sound.. "Yes, it could also be that." Read novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 90 - The Fox Gets An Unwelcome Surprise You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Min Sezhui was still waving at Chu Yun from behind a group of guests, standing on her tiptoes to make her hands visible above their heads. Chu Yun approached her with a smile but stood at some distance. It wasn''t just the two of them now, it wouldn''t do for people to see an omega and an alpha being so close. Min Sezhui wore flowing pink robes under a thick white fur cloak which reached down to her elbows. "How has Sezhui been?" She leaned against the whitewashed stone wall behind her with a sigh. "There are a lot of people here, which I don''t like. But his Majesty said I had to come too." She tilted her head to the side against the wall behind her, discreetly eyeing some of the people in the crowd. "Uhm, that''s very unpleasant," Chu Yun said nodding. "Being honest, I wish I didn''t have to be here either," he said, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. That made Min Sezhui giggle and hide the lower half of her face behind her billowing sleeves. "Maybe no one will notice if we leave?" Ah, wouldn''t that be nice? They spent a few moments in quiet companionship, until the sound of whispered voices reached them. Chu Yun turned towards the sound and found a group of lavishly dressed men and women talking with their heads close together. The moment they noticed his gaze a few of them laughed, before moving on to join the rest of the guests. Behind him, Min Sezhui sighed despondently. "I hate when they do that. Maybe they aren''t even saying anything, and just do it to make me seem crazy and stupid when I confront them." That was most likely the case. This type of petty, childish mindgame was exactly the kind of bullying spiteful concubines were said to engage in. Min Sezhui was the King''s favourite at the moment, which meant she was the recipient of everyone''s jealousy. Of course having the King of Zui''s favour didn''t mean having is love, so he was completely indifferent to how much the other concubines belittled her. "Sezhui should ignore them," Chu Yun said, fully aware that was completely useless advice. A sudden wave of nausea hit Chu Yun again. He clutched his stomach and hissed thorough his teeth, bowled over by the pain. Min Sezhui shot him a worried look, bending down to look into his eyes. "Is something wrong?" Chu Yun waved her concern away and straightened up with a groan. "I''ve been unwell the last couple of days." She nodded in understanding, her thin eyebrows lowered over her large humid eyes. After a moment she perked up. "Oh, maybe you''re pregnant!" Chu Yun couldn''t help smiling indulgently at her. "Silly girl, alphas can''t get pregnant," he said, patting her head. Min Sezhui nodded again, the frown returning to her sweet face. A familiar, slightly sullen voice, reached Chu Yun''s ears, coming from a nearby direction. Feeling suddenly overcome with much more than a bout of stomach pain he made his excuses to Min Sezhui and followed the sound of the voice -- all the way into Chu Hean''s back. "What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice lowered. Tan Ruo''s head popped up from the side of Chu Hean''s shoulder immediately. She shot Chu Yun an aggrieved look. "I can explain, but you''re not going to like it." Flanking her, Minister Song nodded curtly. "Frankly, I don''t like it either." Chu Yun started fanning himself in a desperate bid to lower his quickening blood pressure. "It''s precisely because I won''t like it that I need to hear it." --- While talking with his dam Xiao Zai had been approached by some of the ministers he and Chu Yun had visited. Many of them gracious, although Xiao Zai couldn''t help noticing how they exchanged only the most perfunctory of greetings with Gu Wei. It made him grit his teeth in annoyance. When he became King no one would ever disrespect his dam ever again. After the Minister of Finance left, Gu Wei smiled cryptically at his retreating back. "Chu Yun''s efforts must be commended. A few months ago I wouldn''t think these many ministers would have been able to pick you from a crowd." Xiao Zai chuckled. "He''s very industrious." He appreciated everything Chu Yun did for him, even if it seemed they had hit a wall. "Too bad everyone who might consider supporting me seems fixated on my lack of an heir." "Oh, I don''t expect that to be a problem for long," Gu Wei said, his gaze fixed somewhere in the crowd of guests. "What do you mea-" Right at that moment a red-faced Chu Yun approached the two of them, dragging behind him a stone-faced Chu Hean. Xiao Zai was immediately alert. "What is he doing here?" Chu Yun let go of Chu Hean''s sleeve with a growl of frustration. "He was invited by the King." "What?" Chu Yun scowled, shooting his brother a glare. "Apparently, somehow, the King found out about his presence in Haolin and decided to extend him an invitation to Xiao Yuan''s wedding." Chu Hean remained motionless, his beautiful face a mask of neutrality. "How would I know he would invite me?" Xiao Zai frowned. He might not have known, but the timing of his visit was suspicious. What an enormous coincidence that he would learn about his own impending engagement just in time to run away to Haolin less than two weeks before the First Prince''s wedding. He didn''t want to bring any of it up here, and he was still a little worried that Chu Yun might think he harboured his brother animosity after the events of the hot springs. Gu Wei observed this discussion in silence, but after a time hummed to himself, his keen gaze narrowed in reflection. "The most pertinent question is why would the King invite him?" Chu Hean looked mildly affronted. "I''m his son-in-law''s brother." One corner of Gu Wei''s lips ticked up in amusement.. "Of course, but please forgive my bluntness, his Majesty doesn''t really care about close family members, let alone distant relations." You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 91 - The Wolf Saw At Least Some Of This Coming Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chu Yun was torn between wanting to defend his brother from whatever implications Gu Wei was making and having to agree that it was odd the King of Zui would care enough to personally extend one of Chu Yun''s relatives an invitation. Of course...there was another, much more chilling possibility, but Chu Yun was resolutely trying not to think about it. "Have you met His Majesty, in person?" Chu Yun asked, afraid of the answer. Chu Hean glared at him. "First you shut me up in some inn for days, then you dump me at the doorstep of people I''ve never seen before...did you expect me to stay locked up inside like some prisoner?" "Are you implying that you stumbled into the King of Zui...in the streets of Haolin?" Chu Yun asked, feeling faint. Chu Hean nodded. "I assume so, someone in an exquisite carriage stopped me when I was walking through the street, saying I bore a resemblance to someone he knew," he shot Chu Yun a look. "You I assumed, and said as much. He nodded from inside his carriage, asked where I was staying, and a few days later an invitation for me arrived at Minister Song''s house." He opened his arms, grinning derisively. "That''s the extent of my nefarious planning...taking a stroll through Haolin and bumping into the King of Zui. It''s a small world after all." Gu Wei had his arms crossed loosely, and nodded once after Chu Hean''s explanation. "Of course, that''s very plausible." He paused. "But it still doesn''t explain why the King felt the need to issue you an invitation." He shook his head. "It just doesn''t sound like him." Chu Yun was inclined to agree. Except, that he knew how beautiful his brother was. Even in Lanzhou Chu Hean''s beauty drew attention whenever he went. What if the King became infatuated with him? What if he already was? Before Chu Yun could fully panic about the implications of what he had just discovered, a herald climbed into the landing of a nearby pavilion and addressed the crowd: "The auspicious hour is upon us, all guests are invited to enter the hall of Radiant Peace." --- Xiao Zai supported Chu Yun with a hand on the back of his waist as they made their way inside the hall, because he looked on the verge of keeling over. His complexion had gotten progressively worse for every moment they spent talking with his brother, now trailing behind them like a gloomy shadow. The hall had been decorated as befitting a Crown Prince, making the Kings'' intentions very clear. Xiao Zai''s wedding to Chu Yun hadn''t been half as extravagant, and for Zui''s standards, the overwhelming riot of gold and red in the hall was beyond excessive. The ceremony itself was standard, ignoring the sheer amount of gold balanced on top of the bride''s head. Who fortunately was allowed to leave as soon as the three bows were concluded, instead of having to stay behind and entertain guests wearing all that jewellery. Xiao Yuan looked oddly subdued, or perhaps hungover, his eyes kept scanning the crowd, no doubt looking for Gu Wei -- which just made bile rise in the back of his throat. All that pantomime done with, the King finally addressed the guests. He rose from his throne, wearing fine gold robes, but foregoing any other outward displays of wealth. Today all of those were reserved for Xiao Yuan and his First Wife. After a few empty greetings, thanking them all for their presence, he finally delved into the real reason why all of this was happening. "We have anxiously anticipated the day our first alpha son, Wuyuan, would take someone as their First Spouse, today that day has finally arrived and this old heart can rest easy." Xiao Zai could feel tension bunching up his muscles, locking his jaw. He couldn''t stand it when his father put on his human mask and pretended to be a person in front of his subjects. It sickened him to his stomach. He felt fingers wrap around his own, and when he looked down Chu Yun was holding his hand. His gaze was looked resolutely ahead, on the King addressing the crowd, but with such a small gesture he had managed to offer Xiao Zai some comfort away from the dark thoughts swirling in his mind. Without saying a word, Xiao Zai returned his gentle grip. The King went on with his vacuous speech, until finally, "It is therefore, with great pleasure that I announce here, on this day, with you my most loyal subjects, and the heavens as witness, that is my wish that Wuyuan follow in my steps and inherit the wolf throne, when the time comes." His words were meant with cheering, and rote wishes of "may the King of Zui live for 1000 years", and now, "may the Crown Prince of Zui live for 1000 years." Xiao Zai didn''t bother joining in. This wasn''t over yet, none of it was. At his side, Chu Yun looked equally determined. Smiling beatifically at his rapt audience, the King finally declared. "Please be seated, and let''s enjoy the wedding banquet." --- As expected, Chu Yun and Xiao Zai were seated next to Gu Wei -- but so was Chu Hean. Xiao Zai had held out hope that he would be seated next to Tan Ruo and Minister Song, on account of being a guest at their house, but apparently his father had given different instructions, which didn''t bode well. The four of them ate in stilted silence, until the entertainment began and dancers and musicians were brought in. At which point Chu Yun took the opportunity of pretending to watch them, to forgo eating altogether. Xiao Zai was about to remind him that he couldn''t spend so many hours on an empty stomach, when a shadow darkened his field of vision. He looked up just in time to see the King taking a seat on the other side of their table, his golden robes glinting in the candlelight as much as his pearly smirk. Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 92 - The Fox Has A Bad Feeling About All This You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chu Yun went very still, raising his folding fan to hide the lower half of his face, and his scowl along with it. The King''s oppressive presence seemed to make even the nearby candlesticks'' flame flicker, as if a sudden gale had cooled the room by several degrees. No one greeted him, as they should have in the presence of a monarch, but he didn''t care, he was having too much fun examining their startled reactions. He tilted his head towards Gu Wei, and smiled pleasantly, the wrinkles at the corners of his dark eyes deepening with fake affection. "Bailiu, always a sight for sore eyes. You look as lovely as on the day we married." Chu Yun shot Gu Wei a look from the corner of his eye, he didn''t think he had ever seen his usually composed father-in-law show so much emotion at once. The King''s smirk widened, and he reached across the table to take Gu Wei''s hand in his, patting the back of it intimately. "Seeing all this red livery made this old soul remember our own joyous union." More than a blade, the King''s smile hid an entire armoury. "So many years now, and a grown son to show for it." From the corner of his eyes Chu Yun could see Xiao Zai''s tense profile, and the tremble in Gu Wei''s soft hands. A son. Not a son and a daughter. Chu Yun didn''t understand enough about whatever was happening between Gu Wei and the King, or even, what had happened in the past, to accurately guess at what the King was implying. But it was obvious that he either knew A-Xiang wasn''t his daughter, or that if she was, he would never recognise her as such. Gu Wei tried to pry his hand from the King''s grasp but he tightened his hold and pulled him forward, making his elbow jab one of the plates, almost sending it skidding. Chu Yun could only hold on to Xiao Zai''s sleeve and keep still, waiting for the storm to pass. The King grinned, lapping up their discomfort as if it was the sweetest wine. "Let''s just hope that the newlyweds first night isn''t as...eventful, as our own was." Without warning Gu Wei shot up to his feet, his beautiful face devoid of any colour. This time the King''s hand fell away easily. "Excuse me," Gu Wei said, and then walked away from the table without another word. With a growl Xiao Zai slammed his fist down on the tabletop, toppling a wine pitcher which Chu Hean righted with an awkward smile. "How dare you?" Chu Yun kept holding on to his sleeve, hoping to prevent him from flying at his father''s throat. Chu Yun himself was disconcertingly reminded of his last encounter with the King of Zui, and of his uncanny ability to get under people''s skin. Something that was a great source of amusement for him, judging by his wide grin. "Why the outrage? Did you think I kissed your dam on the cheek until he got pregnant with you, boy?" Chu Yun could tell by the fiery glint in his eyes that Xiao Zai wanted nothing more than to wrap his hands around his father''s neck and squeeze until he breathed his last. It wouldn''t have been too great a loss. The King''s sadistic nature was evident even when his behaviour wasn''t outwardly aggressive. Why would he mention his marriage to Gu Wei in comparison to Xiao Yuan taking a First Wife --an official spouse. No wedding was required when a concubine joined a household. Likewise, they had no dowry, or the privileges that came with it. When it came to the King, some spectacle would have been made of a new concubine joining the royal harem, maybe a small ceremony would have been performed -- but nothing on the scale of an official wedding. So the King had only brought it up to torment Gu Wei with a painful memory. Chu Yun kept holding on to Xiao Zai''s sleeve with one hand and fanning himself with the other, keeping half of his face hidden. He was still startled him when the King''s eyes landed on him. "Family is a beautiful thing," he said, his dark eyes sweeping from Chu Yun to Chu Hean. "It''s terrible when outside matters get in the way of beautiful family bonds." A terrible dread crawled down Chu Yun''s spine. The King''s tone was cheerful, which didn''t bode well for any of them. He chuckled and reached towards Xiao Zai, managing to pat his cheek once before Xiao Zai pulled away from him in disgust. The King tsked, not at all put off by Xiao Zai''s open disdain. "Don''t let it be said that I would deprive any of my children from having a family." What was that supposed to mean? Chu Yun lowered his fan. "Xiao Zai has a family," he said, meeting the King''s eyes. The King turned his head slowly towards Chu Yun, his smile slipping for the first time. "Miaoyan looks very fetching when he''s upset. Has anyone told him that?" Xiao Zai raised one arm in front of Chu Yun, as if trying to shield him from his father''s gaze. "Chu Yun is right, I have a family," he said, ignoring the King''s remark. One of the corners of the King''s lips curled up in a rapacious smirk. "It''s a shame to lose out on such incredible good looks because Miaoyan isn''t an omega. The two of you would have had beautiful children," he sighed, as if genuinely aggrieved by the idea. The dread taking hold of Chu Yun''s spine tightened its hold. He shot Chu Hean a look. Why was he so quiet? Why hadn''t their parents answered Chu Yun''s letter yet? The King was looking in Chu Hean''s direction too, his bereaved expression clearing at once. "Thankfully, Miaoyan has an omega brother who resembles him so much.. Truly, the heavens'' bounty never ceases." Read novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 93 - The Wolf Cant Listen Anymore, The Fox Needs Some Fresh Air You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Only Chu Yun''s steady grip on his sleeve kept Xiao Zai from launching himself at his father. He was putting out such an aggressive amount of pheromones that even in such a cramped hall, filled with people, it was only a matter of time before someone noticed Xiao Zai''s overwhelming aura. "What are you trying to say?" Xiao Zai asked, his voice coming out in a threatening growl. The King let out a loud laugh, attracting a few pairs of eyes. "My...here I am, suggesting the possibility of gifting you with an omega concubine in a silver platter, and you act as if I''m making you marry an alpha," his grin pulled menacingly at the corners of his lips, "oh...wait." Xiao Zai''s lip curled up, baring his teeth. He shouldn''t have underestimated his father. Of course he wouldn''t let Xiao Zai''s marriage to Chu Yun be something that actually made him happy. Something he ended up finding his place in, despite its rocky start, and Chu Yun''s own reticence. No, he had arranged the marriage to punish Xiao Zai: for being Gu Wei''s son, for holding him together when the King did everything he could to tear him apart. And he would make sure Xiao Zai was punished. "My brother is already engaged to someone in Xin," Chu Yun said, lifting his eyes to meet the King''s cold gaze. "I''m afraid that what his Majesty is implying will never come to pass." The King raised one eyebrow, amusement dancing in his dark eyes. "Really? That''s a shame. I''ll be sure to write to the Xin King and congratulate him on his nephew''s engagement." As is if remembering Chu Hean was actually there, he turned to him with a condescending look. "Congrats on his Grace''s engagement." Chu Hean bowed his head. "Many thanks for his Majesty''s regard." With one last pleased smirk the King rose to his feet, sweeping his long sleeves behind his back, and moving on to the next table as if he had been merely greeting his son and his spouse, and was about to extend the other guests the same courtesy. Xiao Zai watched him go while thinking about all the ways he was going to destroy him. --- If Chu Yun spent another minute in this hall, he was going to scream. As soon as the King disappeared into the throng of guests, Chu Yun got up from the table, feeling unsteady. "I need a moment," he said, without looking at either Xiao Zai or Chu Hean. If either of them called after him he didn''t hear. He cut through the gathered guests easily and made his way through the ceiling-high doors and out into the open courtyard with a relieved gasp. The temperature had dropped considerably, and a shiver went up his spine. Hua Nanyi had taken his cloak somewhere, and Chu Yun had no way to know where she had stored it A few people were gathered on the grass, enjoying the glow of the sunset reflecting off Haolin''s dark tiled roofs. Chu Yun was in no mood to enjoy nature''s bounty. He wanted to leave as soon as possible, but he knew he couldn''t afford to cause a scene. Maybe a moment to get his breathing under control was all he needed. He cast his eyes across the manicured courtyard, and found two familiar figures talking by a moon window. The First Princess was easy enough to recognise in the military regalia she never took off, Hua Nanyi''s servant robes were less eyecatching but Chu Yun would recognise her posture anywhere. They were so absorbed in their own conversation that they didn''t even notice his approach. "I''m sorry to intrude," he said, trying to force himself to smile pleasantly and failing miserably. "I''m afraid I need to borrow Nanyi so she can fetch me my cloak, if I plan on staying outside for the remainder of the wedding banquet." And he did very much plan that. "What happened? you look like shit," Hua Nanyi asked, startled by Chu Yun''s wan complexion. Belatedly, she remembered the First Princess'' presence, and that most masters and servants didn''t have the kind of relationship she and Chu Yun did, and tacked on a hurried, "uh, your Grace." The First Princess was also inspecting Chu Yun closely, her fine, regal features, pinched in apprehension. "Did Wuyuan do something? Did he..offend, Bailiu? I saw him cut through the courtyard not long ago." A nervous laugh escaped through Chu Yun''s throat. Ah, wouldn''t that have been much easier to handle? "No, I haven''t spoken to his First Highness yet," he amended, "his First royal highness now, I suppose." Xiao Ziyi''s jaw tightened. "My father, then." What was Chu Yun supposed to say? She was probably aware of how fucked up her family was. Hua Nanyi sighed. "I''ll get his Grace''s cloak." She bowed briefly to Xiao Ziyi who returned her curtsy with a small smile. In any other circumstance, Chu Yun would be riveted by whatever was happening there. As it stood his mind was too cloudy to give it much thought. He didn''t want to think about Chu Hean''s possible role in the whole thing. He was sending his parents another letter as soon as he got home, and if that one didn''t get a reply either he was visiting them in person himself. The First Princess kept giving him odd looks, as if worried he might keel over at any moment, something Chu Yun had to admit wasn''t out of the realm of probability. He hadn''t been eating much the past few days because of the constant nausea. A decision he now regretted. "Why does his Majesty hate Gu Wei?" Chu Yun asked, surprising even himself. Maybe if he wasn''t feeling so out of sorts he wouldn''t have asked it so directly, but he couldn''t forget Gu Wei''s haunted look when the King mentioned their wedding night. The First Princess cut him a searching look, as if measuring how much to say, then straightened her back and looked out into the distance. "My mother used to say Bailiu tricked the King into marrying him," she said, tone even, "the King dedicated the following years to making sure he paid for it." You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 94 - The Wolf Never Wanted Any Of This Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chu Yun turned the First Princess'' words around in his mind. Her mother was the late Queen Consort, whose death Gu Wei supposedly had a hand in -- according to rumours. Chu Yun wasn''t about to ask if there was any truth to those rumours to her face. So instead, he asked, "Were Gu Wei and the late Queen Consort ever close?" Xiao Ziyi''s lips tightened into a flat line. "For a time." "And what happened after that time?" he asked, holding himself at a distance. Could it be that like their children, Gu Wei and the late Consort were at one point friends? Chu Yun didn''t put much past Gu Wei. Despite his lofty, immaculate appearance, there was a ravenous look in his eyes, hiding the kind of hunger that reminded Chu Yun why his mother had once warned him that the lone wolf was much more dangerous than the pack. Even so, perhaps the late Queen Consort wasn''t an entirely unbiased source. He was beginning to think that there was no such thing when it came to Gu Wei. Either he was unconditionally loved, or reviled beyond all sense. "What about his first royal highness'' other parent?" Chu Yun asked, wondering once again why he never saw hide nor hair of them. Not even a mention. Xiao Ziyi turned to him with an odd look. "I thought his Grace knew? Xiao Yuan''s mother has been confined to the cold palace since he was a child." Chu Yun didn''t know. Although if she had been banned so long ago, he could see how it would slip everyone''s minds to remark upon it. "What happened to her?" Xiao Ziyi sighed. "A bout of madness, as far as I recall," she frowned, "one day she was normal, and the next she started raving in public, trying to rip all of her clothes off and attacking everyone who came close to her." "No one found a cure for her madness?" Chu Yun knew illnesses of the mind were much harder to treat than those of the body, but even so. Xiao Ziyi shook her head. "They tried for a time, but she didn''t improve. Then my father stuck her in the cold palace. Out of sight out of mind." One had to wonder what kind of cunning schemes Gu Wei must have pulled to avoid the same fate. Before Chu Yun could ask any more inappropriate questions that Xiao Ziyi was clearly only answering because she didn''t want to upset him any further, Hua Nanyi arrived with his cloak. This time, she was the one whose face looked pale. "What happened?" Chu Yun asked, throwing the cloak over his shoulders. She gave him a confused look. "I--the Crown Prince of Su is here." The way she spoke made it sound as if she was having trouble accepting this fact. "I just saw him talking with his Majesty. Why would he have been invited to the wedding?" Xiao Ziyi adjusted the fall of her military robes. "There have been some recent cooperation efforts between Zui and Su, I suppose my father could have extended the Crown Prince an invitation to the wedding in that spirit." She chanced a look towards the pavilion, with its bright lights shining through the paper windowpanes, and the red paper lanterns hanging from the eaves of the scooped roof, dangling gently in the breeze. "Excuse me, I should go back inside," she said, making her mind about something and leaving in the direction of the pavilion. Chu Yun watched her go with apprehension. "What the fuck is the King of Zui trying to do?" Besides ruining Chu Yun''s relationship with his brother, as well as with Xiao Zai...depending on how things panned out. Hua Nanyi sighed deeply. "I really don''t know." --- Inside the hall, Xiao Zai had hissed to Chu Hean, "I think you''d better go sit with Tan Ruo and Minister Song," as soon as Chu Yun left. Chu Hean did as he was told, his expression revealing nothing. Xiao Zai wanted nothing more than to leave. After a quarter of an incense stick sitting on his own at the table he thought to himself that he should do just that. Chu Yun hadn''t been feeling well the last couple of days, they could use that as an excuse and leave the wedding banquet earlier. It was not as if Xiao Yuan actually cared, or as if Xiao Zai liked him. He was making his way out of the hall when the groom himself stopped him. "Why the long face, didi?" Xiao Yuan asked, smiling gleefully. "You don''t look very happy. Smile, it''s a joyous occasion." "Congratulations, a thousand years of happiness" Xiao Zai said drily, and tried to walk past him. Xiao Yuan stopped him with a hand on the shoulder. He leaned in close next to Xiao Zai''s ear and whispered, "You didn''t think he''d let you get away with it, did you?" "Away with what?" Xiao Zai grimaced and put some distance between himself and his older brother. An enigmatic smile stretched across his lips. "Did you think he was just going to watch and let you be happy?" He chuckled darkly. "He''s making me take an unbearable woman as my Consort, after having already made me take a shrew as a concubine." Xiao Zai scowled at him. "Considering who you''d like to marry instead, I can''t say I''m too broken up about your predicament." Something shifted in Xiao Yuan''s face, he lowered his eyes, looking down at his red robes. "I love Gu Wei, you might not believe it, but I do." What did he expect Xiao Zai to say to that? Even under the best circumstances no one wanted to hear that their brother was in love with their dam. Even if Xiao Yuan and Gu Wei weren''t blood related, it still turned Xiao Zai''s stomach sour to think about it. To say nothing of everything his dam refused to tell him about. His head held high, Xiao Zai spit, "We have nothing to say to each other," and bumped into Xiao Yuan''s shoulder on the way out of the hall. --- Most guests were milling about the hall, talking among themselves, some had even spilled out into the courtyard. Xiao Zai looked for Chu Yun''s familiar figure among them, trying to catch a glimpse of his white fur cloak, always so stark against the black spill of his sleek hair. After scanning the grounds for a time, he finally caught sight of a lone figure sitting one the sill of a moon window, his face turned towards the bamboo thicket beyond it. The grass, covered in a light blanket of snow, crunched softly underfoot, but still Chu Yun didn''t look towards him. Only when Xiao Zai took a sit on the sill and reached to touch the arm Chu Yun had loosely wrapped around his knee did he turn his face towards him. "Oh, it''s you," he said, oddly subdued, before turning to look out into the bamboo again. Xiao Zai hated seeing him so dispirited. He hated his father even more for putting that haunted look on Chu Yun''s face. "No matter what, he can''t make me take your brother as a concubine," Xiao Zai said, his fingers closing over the jut of Chu Yun''s wrist. Chu Yun let out a bitter chuckle. "Why not? It''s perfect, it''s not an offence to Xin, and the marriage alliance between our two nations." "But your parents..." Xiao Zai trailed off, unsure of how to phrase the thought that no one in their right mind wanted two of their children married to the same man. Even though it wasn''t as uncommon as one would think, especially when it came to poorer families who ended up having unexpected omega children, which were always a high commodity. But the Prince of Jing was the brother of the King of Xin, it would have been humiliating to say the least. "My parents won''t be able to do anything about it, just as they weren''t when it came to my marriage." Chu Yun shrugged despondently, still not meeting Xiao Zai''s eyes. "If my uncle signs off on it, and sends out a royal edict all they''ll be able to do is prostrate themselves on the floor when it comes, thanking his Majesty for the favour." Xiao Zai tugged on Chu Yun''s wrist, trying to get him to turn around and face him. Something sour climbed up his throat, making the back of his nose and his eyes itch unpleasantly. He hated that Chu Yun was acting so distant. "Even so, I''ll never allow it, I...I..." "You''ll what?" Chu Yun hissed, finally turning around. His eyes were rimmed with red. "This would actually be good for you. My brot-- an omega can give you the heirs those ministers wouldn''t shut up about." He shrugged, affecting an indifference he wasn''t feeling. "Even if they aren''t the children of your First Spouse...everything else still makes you a better choice for the throne than Xiao Yaun." His humid eyes brimming with hurt and recrimination, he added, "Congratulations, you''re about to get everything you''ve always wanted." Read novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 95 - The Fox Regrets His Previous Words You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com After venting out his anger, fear and frustration on Xiao Zai, Chu Yun just felt drained, and a little guilty. He wanted the day to be over. Even though his head was lowered, Chu Yun could still feel Xiao Zai''s gaze on him. In part, he wanted Xiao Zai to hurl hurtful words right back at him. All he could think to do with the pain he was feeling was add more to it, hoping that it would finally overflow like a pail of water, and finally offer him some relief from the burden of carrying its weight. Xiao Zai let out a shuddering sigh, and then, very quietly said, "Let''s go home." Chu Yun nodded, and waited for the rustle of Xiao Zai''s robes to follow after him towards the carriage. Hua Nanyi was already waiting there for them. Her expression darkened when she saw Chu Yun again, but she had the good sense of not commenting on it. The ride back to the Second Prince''s estate was tense, and it seemed to Chu Yun to take an unusually long time. It wasn''t late when they arrived, and despite a dark blanket of night covering all the estate''s grounds, many servants were still milling about, attending to the last of their tasks before they could turn in for the day. Fan Jiang ran towards the carriage as soon as they crossed the gates. He waited for Chu Yun to step out of it before extending him a letter with both hands. "This arrived by carrier pigeon for his Grace shortly after his Highness and his Grace left," he said, stepping away after Chu Yun took the letter, his head still lowered. Why had it taken such a long time for Chu Yun''s parents to reply? He eyed Fan Jiang suspiciously and opened the letter right there in the middle of the courtyard. "Dearest Chu Yun, I apologise for the late reply, I and your father were away for the past fortnight, visiting my family in the province of Lingsu. I''m afraid your maternal grandfather isn''t faring well, and won''t be with us for much longer. We would have been very concerned for Chu Hean, if it wasn''t for your letter informing us that he had gone to Haolin to visit you. He didn''t inform us, or anyone else, of his intention of doing so. Regarding his engagement, I must say that your latter was the first time we heard of it. Your father was so agitated that he immediately took a horse to the royal palace to ask your uncle for satisfaction. But your royal uncle too, hadn''t arranged any matches for Chu Hean, and hadn''t considered doing so. I don''t know why Chu Hean told you otherwise, and I can''t begin to guess, however, please inform him that both I and his father expect his prompt return. I''m glad to see that otherwise, you are well. Warm regards to you and his Highness. Your mother, who loves and misses you." Chu Yun''s grip on the letter started faltering the longer he read on. By the end of it he could only shove it at Xiao Zai so that he could read it as well and draw his own conclusions. How could Chu Hean do something like this? How could Chu Yun be so mistaken about the character of the younger brother he had personally doted on for so many years? Xiao Zai crumpled the letter in his fist as soon as he finished reading. "And this arrived today?" he asked, narrowing his eyes at Fan Jiang. Fan Jiang nodded, his head still lowered. "Yes, your Highness, the messenger from the post office delivered it today. He mentioned that there was a blizzard near the border a few days ago, and that it might have delayed the pigeons." Chu Yun understood Xiao Zai''s reticence. This would have been the kind of information they could have benefited from days ago. If Chu Yun had known the whole story about the engagement was false, he would have sent Chu Hean on his way back to Xin right away. Fan Jiang still didn''t inspire any confidence in him, however if he had acted on the King''s orders to keep Chu Yun''s parents'' correspondence until it was no longer useful to him, it meant that Chu Hean and the King of Zui were colluding -- probably for a long time. Chu Yun couldn''t accept that his brother had orchestrated all this. He loved Chu Hean so much, always had, how could he do something like this to him? What did he expect to gain from it? A sudden bout of nausea hit him, and he swayed in place. Xiao Zai''s hands came around his waist to steady him. "We should call a physician, you aren''t well." Chu Yun shook his head and pulled away from Xiao Zai, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "No, I just need some rest." "I''ll help you," Xiao Zai offered, walking towards him. Chu Yun stopped him with a hand on his chest. "I think it would be better if you slept in your quarters tonight." He could tell from the look in his eyes that Xiao Zai wanted to argue, but finally he pressed his lips into a tense line and nodded. He watched him go without another word. --- The next day Chu Yun woke up feeling no better, and no more rested. The nausea hit him again as soon as he got up. Eating breakfast was out of the question, but so was staying in his room all day, stewing in his own misery. He called Hua Nanyi into his quarters and told her, "Get the carriage ready, I''m leaving." A few minutes later the carriage came to a stop in front of Tan Ruo''s and Minister Song''s estate. The servants took him and Hua Nanyi inside into the reception hall, where a few moments later they were joined by a bleary eyed Tan Ruo, who looked as if she had just thrown any random outer robe over her shoulders and stepped in to greet Chu Yun. He bowed to her politely, but said seriously. "I apologise for disturbing Ruomi at such an early hour, but I need to speak with my brother." Her pretty features immediately tightened into a grimace. "I heard some rumours about what might have happened at the wedding ceremony yesterday," she leaned in close to Chu Yun, and lowering her voice asked, "Is it true?" As much as Chu Yun liked her, he didn''t want this matter to spread further -- if it hadn''t already. He very much doubted the King was trying to make a secret of it. "I''m sorry, I just need to talk with my brother, I''m afraid it''s urgent." She tightened her robe around herself, sparing Chu Yun a sympathetic look. "I understand, I''ll call for you once he''s ready." --- Chu Hean also looked like he had just woken up when he welcomed Chu Yun in his guest quarters. Chu Yun instructed Hua Nanyi to stay in the reception hall and wait for him, and make sure he wasn''t bothered. He needed to talk with Chu Hean on his own. His brother looked the same as always, beautiful and cleanly put-together. He didn''t need any fine robes or expensive ornaments to glimmer more than gold. Chu Yun looked down at him and extended him Madam Jing''s crumpled letter. He held it between thumb and forefinger, skimming over the neat characters before returning it to Chu Yun with a dispassionate look. "So you know." "I just want to know why." Chu Hean was still sitting on his bed, his palms resting on the edge of the mattress, he looked up into Chu Yun''s sickly pale face, and smiled, his peach blossom eyes curving sweetly. "If I remember correctly, gege told me that getting married wasn''t so bad, that not all alphas were cruel," his tone was mellow, but there was something dark hiding in the curve of his smile. "Is this punishment, for what I said?" Chu Yun asked, keeping his voice steady. He could feel another wave of nausea approaching, but he was determined not to show any discomfort. "Punishment?" he repeated, his eyes wide and guileless. "I thought gege wanted me to get married, follow the plans laid out for me by others. Could it be that gege no longer feels the same way?" Chu Yun rubbed at his temples, trying to stave off the incoming headache. "Why are you doing this? What have I--" With a creak of the wooden frame Chu Hean stood up from the bed and walked towards Chu Yun. "''I'', ''me'', everything is about you, isn''t it? When I first told you about my engagement to that random Xin noble, you wouldn''t shut up about how YOU had done what was asked of you, about how YOU also didn''t have any choice in who you got married too." He came to a stop next to Chu Yun, who noticed for the first time that he had grown. Chu Yun was still taller than his brother, but now the top of Chu Hean''s head almost reached his nose. Chu Hean smiled up at him, his beautiful peach blossom eyes filled with tenderness despite the cruelty of his words. "Look, gege, now I have no choice either." He sighed, hooking his pinky with Chu Yun''s.. "You should be happy, though, it seems I''m going to marry a good alpha after all." Read novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 96 - The Wolf Runs To The Rescue You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chu Yun shook off Chu Hean''s fingers, who didn''t seem surprised by his dismissiveness. "Have I ever done something to warrant this?" Chu Yun asked, looking into his brother''s eyes and searching for any sign of that terrible wound he might have left to now deserve his younger brother''s hatred. Unexpectedly, Chu Hean smiled sadly, his peach blossom eyes brimming with tenderness. "Again, you seem to think this is all about you." "What am I supposed to think?" Chu Yun chuckled darkly. "Tell me why you''re doing this." Chu Hean''s eyes narrowed and he tilted his head to the side, inspecting Chu Yun. "You''re the one who said I''d have to get married one day. Aren''t you happy I''m not going to be mistreated?" He smiled. "Or did you never actually care?" "How can you..." Chu Yun shook his head, trying to get his thoughts in order before he said something that could make everything worse. "How can you not think the idea of the two of us calling the same man ''husband'' is fucked up!" It wasn''t unheard of, omega siblings marrying the same alpha. It certainly wasn''t common in Xin, and it was the kind of thing most people would find unsightly, and that loving parents would try to prevent at all costs. A person who wanted to marry siblings usually didn''t have good intentions with either of them. And was instead moved by some kind of sexual fetish, rather than genuine feelings or even pragmatic concerns like expanding territory or advantageous family ties. Chu Hean shrugged. "It''s more common in Zui than Xin, who am I too judge other people''s customs?" Regardless of how common it was, Chu Yun would never accept something like that. "I''m Xiao Zai''s official spouse, his First Husband, I have to accept any concubines he brings into our household for the union to be valid," he straightened his shoulders, "and I''m never going to accept you." The corner''s of Chu Hean''s lips turned downwards, although he wasn''t genuinely upset. "Gege is not going to allow me to serve him tea?" He pouted. "But this way we could be brothers forever." "We are already brothers, why would you want something like this?" Chu Yun felt a darkness closing in around his field of vision, but he fought the dizziness. This wasn''t the time to show weakness. Whatever Chu Hean was trying to accomplish with his tantrum, Chu Yun wasn''t about to give him any quarter. "There''s an alternative," Chu Hean started, his tone leading. "If you find the idea of the two of us being married to Xiao Zai you can always divorce him." A ringing started up in Chu Yun''s ears, like the reverberations left after a brass bell was struck in an empty chamber. "What?" His brother shrugged. "If I marry Xiao Zai the treaty between Xin and Zui still holds, and you can be freed of this unnatural union." "It''s not...not unnatural," Chu Yun''s voice faltered. "No? But at least I''ll be much happier with Xiao Zai than you ever could...after all I''m an omega and he''s an alpha," he smirked derisively. "We''re a natural match. Wasn''t that the gist of your advice to me when I came to you worried about a fake marriage?" He approached Chu Yun, grinning wide. "Has the advice changed now that the marriage is no longer fake?" Before Chu Yun could come up with an answer the ringing in his ears grew to a deafening spike and the very next moment everything went dark. --- Xiao Zai was once again focusing his attentions on the small plot of land that used to be the estate''s old vegetable garden, in an attempt to manage his anger over the events of Xiao Yuan''s wedding ceremony. He was mostly failing, and Hua Nanyi''s figure approaching him in a dead ran meant that he should probably stop trying. Dusting the front of his dark robes, he stood up from the ground and waited for her to reach him. Hua Nanyi''s face was at once red with the effort of her run and pale with fright. "His Highness...Chu Yun -- his Grace -- he, he fainted while at Minister Song''s estate. A physician is already on the way, but I thought I had to come here and warn his Highness." Terror seized Xiao Zai''s chest. Chu Yun had been feeling sick for days now, what if... He swallowed his worry and squared his shoulders. Panicking wouldn''t solve anything. If something happened to Chu Yun, Xiao Zai was going to make sure everyone involved paid for it dearly. --- Minister Song''s house wasn''t far, but it felt to Xiao Zai like he''d been stuck in the carriage for hours. "What happened exactly? How did he faint," Xiao Zai asked Hua Nanyi, to try and get his mind off the anger at their slow pace. "I don''t know, he was in his brother''s room having a talk with him...," she sighed hopelessly, "he told me to wait outside. A few minutes later Chu Hean came out looking pale, saying to call for a physician because his brother had collapsed." A muscle jumped in Xiao Zai''s jaw. Chu Hean. He couldn''t get the thought that he was somehow responsible for Chu Yun''s mysterious illness out of his mind. Chu Yun fell ill not long after Chu Hean gave him that parcel with food and wine from Xin. What if he had poisoned Chu Yun? Xiao Zai clenched his hands into fists and looked out of the window, trying to wrestle his wolf into compliance. He breathed in deeply, still looking out of the window. "You spent many years at Chu Yun''s side, isn''t that right?" Hua Nanyi hummed in assent. "Chu Hean...what was he like, during the time you spent at the Prince of Jing''s estate?" There was silence for a time. It wasn''t until Xiao Zai looked away from the window and towards Hua Nanyi that she let out a trapped breath, deflating like a crumpled paper lantern. "He''s....I''ve always thought that Chu Yun was too lenient when it came to him." Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 97 - The Wolf Takes Matters Into His Own Hands Xiao Zai didn''t let any emotion show on his face, waiting instead to hear all Hua Nanyi had to say and withholding his own remarks until then. "To Chu Yun''s credit, Chu Hean has always acted different around him, more agreeable, indulging even, while he could be a little truculent with everyone else." She shrugged. "I didn''t think much of it beyond him being a spoiled brat who only respected his older brother, but now I''m not so sure." "How so?" Xiao Zai prodded. There might be a number of inconsequential things that Hua Nanyi had ignored at the time but that once reexamined might shed light on Chu Hean''s current goals. "More than being rebellious, it felt as if he was chafing at being a Prince''s son, at being an omega. He seemed to hate spending time in the Prince of Jing''s estate." She fidgeted with the fabric of her outer robe, adjusting it over her knees. "Things got a little calmer once his father sent him to that academy for omegas in the mountains." Xiao Zai remembered hearing about it when he and Chu Yun went back to pay their respects to his parents as per tradition. At the time he assumed it was some sort of etiquette school, similar to what omegas in Zui sometimes frequented. "What did he do there?" Hua Nanyi shrugged. "On the surface it''s just a place for wealthy omega children to learn the Four Arts." So, a place to learn how to play the guqin, master the game of weiqi, and learn proper calligraphy and painting. There weren''t many omegas in Zui lucky enough to be allowed to learn the skills associated with scholarly pursuits. Chu Hean had been very lucky. The frown between Hua Nanyi''s eyebrows gave him the impression that wasn''t all there was to it. "And beneath the surface?" "I can''t say for sure, but after some time the positive impact in his behaviour reversed, and he became more combative. He refused to call Madam Jing ''mother'' saying that he already had a mother and wasn''t going to recognise her as such just because she was his father''s first wife." Hua Nanyi''s charming, lively features took on a complicated look. "I won''t lie and say I was ever close enough to him to learn what was going on in his mind, but, I suppose he felt trapped. Maybe after spending some time with other omegas he realised he wasn''t the only one feeling that way and only became more disillusioned over time." Xiao Zai knew well how hopeless an omega''s position could be. He had spent many years trapped inside the harem, seeing his father humiliate and brutalise his dam, with no one and nowhere to turn to. Even though Xiao Zai was an alpha, that didn''t mean anything in the harem where the King''s words was law. Someone was always answering to someone else. He understood why Chu Hean would find his status as an omega grating, but that didn''t give him the right to take it out on Chu Yun, who was neither responsible, nor someone who mistreated him. Ironically, Xiao Zai now found himself in a very unusual position. For the longest time he thought that he would one day marry an omega and show them all the care and respect his dam had never gotten. Now, his husband was an alpha, and he was about to go against an omega to defend him. It was true what the common people said: "in the end, Fate makes fools of us all." --- Tan Ruo was already waiting for them when the carriage came to a stop outside the estate''s gates. "The physician arrived just a few minutes ago," she said, guiding Xiao Zai inside the house. "He''s already with Miaoyan. I don''t even know what to say to his Highness, I- whatever this one can do to assist shall be done at once." Xiao Zai thanked her for the concern, but at the moment he didn''t have the time to comfort her. He had his own worries to handle. He stepped inside the room Tan Ruo led him to and everything fell silent around him, as if wool had been stuffed inside his ears. Chu Yun was lying on his back on crisp white sheets, his outer and inner robes loosened around his slender throat and slim chest. The physician was hovering by his bedside, taking his pulse. In one corner of the room stood Chu Hean, his face bloodless. His eyes barely moved away from Chu Yun''s still form when Xiao Zai entered the room. Time stood still as Xiao Zai took in Chu Yun''s condition, zeroing on the slow rise and fall of his slender chest. His clavicles seemed more pronounced than the last time Xiao Zai had seen him naked, a result of his constant nausea and refusal to eat. "How is he?" Xiao Zai asked, talking around the tightness in his throat. The physician''s bushy eyebrows knotted for a moment, before his expression smoothed out. "His Grace isn''t under any eminent danger, however his condition...how to say this," he cleared his throat, "If I may...could your excellencies leave for a moment so that I can perform some other examinations?" Tan Ruo clutched her throat, chancing a worried look with Xiao Zai. "Ah, sure, I''ll leave at once." Xiao Zai wasn''t so agreeable. "I''m his husband, everyone can leave, but I should stay." The physician blustered somewhat, clearing his throat several times. "Please, begging your Highness, this old man isn''t as young as he used to be, and it''s possible his senses are deceiving him. It would be better if a more thorough examination was performed to ensure an accurate diagnosis." Xiao Zai stared at Chu Yun''s pale face in deliberation. Finally, he relented and left with a silent nod. He waited outside the bedroom''s door for Chu Hean, who almost bumped into his chest. "The two of us need to talk." Read novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 98 - The Wolf Gets Unexpected News You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chu Hean gave him an assessing look from beneath his eyelashes, and for a moment Xiao Zai was struck by how much he looked like Chu Yun, only softer around the edges. Although, as his latest actions had shown, that softness was only an illusion. Both brothers had the same solid iron core. That assessing look didn''t disappear, but he nodded once, stepping ahead of Xiao Zai and leading him into an empty room. Xiao Zai closed the door behind him with a loud thud. "I think you should leave Zui as soon as possible," Xiao Zai said, tone cold. Chu Hean didn''t say anything, instead he crossed the length of the room and went to stand by the window. He propped it open with the wooden board which had been resting on the sill, uncaring of all the cold winter air rushing into the small room. "I''m afraid that I can''t leave until his Majesty hears back from my royal uncle regarding the matter of me joining your household as a concubine," he gave Xiao Zai a look from the corner of his eyes. "I wouldn''t dare go against his Majesty''s words, and risk making my royal uncle lose face." Xiao Zai kept looking at his profile, trying to get a good read of him. "I''m never going to accept you," Xiao Zai said, "the only thing you''ll get out of this will be ruining your relationship with your brother." One corner of Chu Hean''s lips curled up in derision, he let out an amused chuckle. "Once again, as if this is all about him," he tilted his head towards Xiao Zai, "or you." Xiao Zai found his smugness unbearable, especially considering his brother was unconscious in the next room over. Xiao Zai would do everything for his little sister, and even with her short years he knew she loved him deeply as well. How could that little girl whose life seemed doomed from the start, be so filled with love, while Chu Hean who was strong and healthy, be so full of resentment and bitterness? "Did you poison Chu Yun?" Xiao Zai asked, unable to hold back even a moment more. He balled his hands in to fists to keep them from shaking. Chu Hean frowned and turned away from the window. "What? Are you insane, why would I do that?" Xiao Zai scoffed, raising one arm to point sideways in the direction of the room they had just vacated. "He got sick not long after you gave him that parcel from Xin. What else am I supposed to think." Chu Hean''s slender eyebrows met above his clear eyes, he was fully glaring at Xiao Zai. "I would never poison my dage!" "But you would hurt him," Xiao Zai spit back, "You already have." Something flashed in Chu Hean''s eyes and he turned around, his robes swaying behind him as he resumed his position by the window, completely dismissive of Xiao Zai. Xiao Zai didn''t understand why he was doing any of it. It was obvious Chu Hean had no feelings for him. He didn''t even attempt to be seductive or cajoling now that they were alone. If he wasn''t pursuing and illfated infatuation what could possibly prompt him to debase himself in this way? He was the son of a Prince, under no circumstances would he marry into a family as a concubine. Xiao Zai was sure there was no shortage of good families in Xin desperate to marry him to one of their alpha children -- as a first spouse, as his status demanded. What was going on in Chu Hean''s mind? Despite his unassuming stature, Chu Hean''s back was completely straight. "You''re just like my brother," he didn''t mean it as compliment, "you can''t see beyond what''s right in front of you." Xiao Zai remained silent. He had to give it to Chu Hean, he had an uncanny ability to disguise his true nature. The coquettish boy he met in Xin was nothing like the self-possessed young man calling him foolish to his face now. He was Chu Yun''s junior of no more than two years, he only appeared younger than that because he was an omega. "You say you haven''t poisoned your brother, but we''ll have to wait to hear what the physician says." If the doctor found even a trace of poison in Chu Yun''s blood, Xiao Zai would assume without question that Chu Hean was the one responsible. "I didn''t poison my brother," he insisted, "and I would also like to find out the reason behind his illness. You blame me, but the most obvious difference is that he''s in Zui, now. No harm came to him while he was in Xin, but now he falls ill." An irksome little smirk hooked the corners of his thin lips. "Maybe the one to blame is you." Xiao Zai was ready to launch into a tirade when a knock sounded outside the door. "Sorry to interrupt his Highness, but the physician would like a word," Hua Nanyi, said, voice muffled by the closed door. Xiao Zai shot Chu Hean one last glare. "I mean what I said, I want you gone from Zui. Write to your uncle that I said one fox is enough for me, and I have no interest in another. You can even tell him I called you names. I don''t care, as long as you leave and I''m not forced to marry you." He left the room without looking back at Chu Hean. --- Back in the guest quarters, Chu Yun looked no different, just as pale, his breathing just as slow. Except this time the physician seemed to have joined in on his pallor. The old man paced around the room, wringing his hands in extreme discomfort. "This humble servant requests that his Highness please hear him to the end before reacting to the diagnosis." With such a request, and with the physician looking as if he had been dug out of his own grave, Xiao Zai could only become more worried. Feeling bile rise up the back of his throat, he nodded. The physician took in a sharp breath. "His Grace''s condition seems to be the result of, uh.... pregnancy." You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 99 - The Wolfs Happiness Is Short Lived You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Xiao Zai couldn''t make sense of the physician''s words. It was as if he could hear the sounds, and see the shapes the man''s thin lips were making, but couldn''t put it together into a coherent whole. "I''m sorry, could you please say that again?" The physician ran his thumb and forefinger over the thin moustache on his upper lip, clearly distressed. "I understand that this sounds unbelievable, but I can assure his Highness, with some degree of certainty, that his Grace is pregnant." Xiao Zai''s heart wrenched violently inside his chest, threatening to jump out of his throat. How could this be? He looked at Chu Yun''s pale face, at the unnatural pallor of his features. Could it really be the result of pregnancy? "He''s an alpha...how is this possible." With a loud sigh the physician took hold of Chu Yun''s wrist once again, placing his forefinger and middle finger above his pulse point. "Even just by taking his pulse, I can clearly feel the abnormal rate typical of pregnancy." He shook his head. "For a trained physician it really can''t be confused with anything else, but even so I conducted more tests." He pointed towards a small clay dish by the half open window. "His Grace''s blood confirms the initial diagnosis. He is with child." Xiao Zai staggered against the door, his eyes glued to Chu Yun''s immobile form. He didn''t know how any of this was possible, whether it happened due to something unique to Chu Yun''s biology or his own, he didn''t know, and judging by the physician''s troubled expression, he had no idea either. However, he couldn''t deny the bubbling giddiness taking root in the pit of his stomach and warming him up from the inside. He and Chu Yun were going to have a child. He wished the physician wasn''t there so he could rush to Chu Yun''s side and cover him in kisses, hoping that one of them would wake him up, so that Xiao Zai could share the news with him. The physician saw the radiant happiness on Xiao Zai''s face, and his own expression darkened. He cleared his throat loudly, drawing Xiao Zai''s attention. "I can see how this might feel like unexpected good news, and I''m sorry to put a damper on his Highness'' happiness, but..." he sighed deeply. "As his Highness'' pointed out, his Grace is an alpha, his constitution isn''t prepared for pregnancy." Just like that all of Xiao Zai''s happiness was snuffed out like a candle in a snow storm. "What do you mean?" "This...well, it''s obvious the pregnancy is very early, no more than a couple of weeks, if that," he wrung his hands. "There''s no reason for him to be so ill as to faint. With so little time, the toll on his body is already very noticeable." "Will he be alright?" Xiao Zai asked. If the pregnancy was somehow harmful for Chu Yun he wouldn''t want him to go through with it, although...how would that even work? The physician sighed deeply again. He took off his stiff cap, revealing the small and sweaty topknot under it. "Speaking plainly, this is unprecedented. If his Grace was a male omega I would recommend terminating the pregnancy before the damage could be more extensive." Xiao Zai paled. Was is really that serious? "However, a male omega''s organism has ways to handle that," he sighed, "I am uncertain how his Grace''s body is handling the pregnancy in the first place, terminating it...might not be an option." Xiao Zai felt dizzy with the amount of emotions swimming through him. He couldn''t remember the last time he had gone through so many different feelings in such a short span of time. "Then..." "I''m afraid the safest course of action is for his Grace to carry the pregnancy to term...as unusual it is. Or at the very least not to terminate it unnaturally, and let it happen on it''s own." Seeing the haunted look on Xiao Zai''s face, he hastened to add, "Not that we can know for sure if that will happen! I have seen many dangerous pregnancies be carried to term with no harm to the dam or child!" That hasty correction did very little to assuage Xiao Zai''s fears. He knew from his dam''s accounts that pregnancy was already more delicate for male omegas than it was for female betas and omegas. For one, all children must be cut out of the womb, through the layers of skin and muscle on the abdomen -- a delicate procedure that only the most qualified of surgeons was allowed to perform. Chu Yun would undoubtedly have to go through the same ordeal, regardless of whether the child survived to term or not. With the added complexity of his alpha biology muddying the waters. Xiao Zai felt foolish for his quick joy at the initial news. "His Grace is stable for now, and I''ve written a prescription of supplements to strengthen the body, which are usually effective in cases where the child and the dam''s blood is incompatible." He smiled self-consciously. "Of course I''ll be happy to make adjustments depending on how his Grace reacts." Xiao Zai thanked him for his services and told him to hand the prescription to the maidservant waiting outside, so that she may file it at once. Once the physician had almost opened the door, Xiao Zai stopped him. "I ask that what you have discovered, and what was discussed here today doesn''t leave this room." The Physician took off his hat again and bowed deeply. "It will be done as his Highness commands." --- Chu Yun came to in stages. First he noticed the unfamiliar smell of the sheets bellow him, the unpleasant softness of the mattress. His eyes fluttered open and when his gaze focused he noticed a dark shape bent over the side of his bed. Xiao Zai had fallen asleep on the floor, his upper body resting over Chu Yun''s lap. The sight made something twinge in Chu Yun''s chest.. He couldn''t help but run his fingers over the strands of Xiao Zai''s hair, spilled on the white sheets like an ink stain. Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 100 - The Fox Doesnt Believe This Is Happening Chu Yun still felt tired. He could tell from the darkness outside the windows that he had been asleep for a long time, but he didn''t feel rested. Oddly, running his fingers through Xiao Zai''s hair was actually relaxing him, providing a distraction from the ambiguous discomfort he had been feeling lately. After a few minutes of gentle petting Xiao Zai finally stirred, making soft sleepy noises and bumping his head against the palm of Chu Yun''s hand. He opened his eyes with a start, the graceful lines of his face tightening in awareness before softening with a relieved smile. "You''re awake." Chu Yun felt awkward to still be petting Xiao Zai now that he was awake too, and retreated his hand. "Where is Chu Hean?" he asked, looking around the room. His memory was foggy, he had no idea how he ended up on the bed. Xiao Zai''s expression darkened. "He''s somewhere on the house, don''t think about him now," he made a bid for Chu Yun''s hand and clasped it in his. "There''s something I need to tell you." The serious look on his face gave Chu Yun pause. What could have happened to make him look like that? His mind couldn''t help reminding him of Chu Hean''s words to him, his advice to divorce Xiao Zai and just go back to being their father''s heir. It made his chest hurt just to think about it, which was bizarre because a few short months ago he would have wanted nothing more. The whole reason why he became so determined to make Xiao Zai king in the first place was to have a consolation prize for himself, something to show for the humiliation of having been married off into another family, and losing out on his right to inherit his father''s title. Now, Chu Hean was gifting him the chance to erase all of that, and go back to his old life, but the thought alone made Chu Yun feel bereft. He couldn''t examine it too closely for fear of discovering something he wasn''t ready to confront. But now the look on Xiao Zai''s face made him worry that Chu Hean had talked with him too. He regretted what he told Xiao Zai back at the palace, especially because Xiao Zai might have thought about it and agreed with Chu Yun. What would Chu Yun do then? "The physician has come to see you," Xiao Zai said, keeping his hold on Chu Yun''s hand. "He thinks he knows why you''ve been ill." So, this wasn''t related to Chu Hean? Chu Yun''s relief was short-lived because the look on Xiao Zai''s face made him wonder if the physician had found something really wrong with him. "Is it serious?" Xiao Zai sighed deeply, a dusting of red climbing up his cheeks. Oh, so apparently not only was Chu Yun dying but he was dying of something embarrassing as well. Just his luck. He pulled his hand away from Xiao Zai''s grip with an exasperated groan. "Just say it." "You''re pregnant." Chu Yun looked at him in abject confusion. He was sure he''d heard wrong, because for a while there he could have sworn Xiao Zai said he was pregnant. "Do you mean I have pneumonia?" he asked, forcing himself to smile through the awkwardness he was feeling. "No, I-- you''re pregnant." Chu Yun chuckled, this wasn''t what he thought would happen when he woke up. Xiao Zai didn''t strike him as the type to play a prank on him over something so stupid. "You see, no I''m not, because I''m an alpha...and that can''t happen," he patted Xiao Zai''s cheek condescendingly. "If you''re trying to relieve the tension with jokes, you''re doing a very poor job of it. I''m not in the mood, just tell me what the physician said." Xiao Zai gazed up at him from his position at the head of the bed, looking flustered, "That''s what the physician said! He conducted more than one examination and concluded you''re pregnant." Chu Yun narrowed his eyes at Xiao Zai. He was willing to believe Xiao Zai wasn''t trying to play a prank on him, but either he was exceedingly gullible, or the physician was a very convincing charlatan. "Who was this physician? Was he deaf as an old dog and blind as a bat?" Xiao Zai sighed. "I know it sounds unbelievable, but--" "No, it doesn''t sound unbelievable, it sounds insane." Chu Yun was marginally aware of his increased heartrate. As much as he knew that what Xiao Zai was saying was impossible, some part of his brain kept trying to tell him; "what if? what if it''s real?" Xiao Zai took hold of his hand again, clutching it between his warm palm, he looked at Chu Yun pleadingly. "Please, listen to me, we can consult other physicians, we can call someone from Xin and wait their diagnosis, if that''s what you want. But right now, you need to at least entertain the possibility." It was the genuine terror in Xiao Zai''s eyes that finally broke Chu Yun. He was really scared about this, whatever the physician said convinced him. Which meant that it probably wasn''t anything good. "How...how can I be pregnant?" he asked, his voice hollow. "I don''t know, the physician doesn''t either," Xiao Zai said, his grip on Chu Yun''s hand tightening. "We''ll get through this. I know you''re scared, but you''ll be okay, I promise." Chu Yun wasn''t scared, he was fucking livid. How could this have happened to him? He wrenched his hand out of Xiao Zai''s grip. "This doesn''t leave the room." Xiao Zai nodded. "I told the physician to keep silent about the diagnosis." Chu Yun scoffed, as if he could trust some random physician who showed up out of the blue, and made the miraculous discovery of the first pregnant male alpha. A pregnant female alpha would have been noteworthy enough, and in theory they had the equipment in place. A male alpha was absolutely unforeseen. "How is this possible," Chu Yun kept muttering to himself, struggling between vicious denial and the panic clawing up at his guts. He was pregnant, he was going to have a child. No, that wasn''t possible, he was still dreaming and this was an hallucination. He felt faint, but even that just reminded him of the fucking pregnancy. Not only was he pregnant, he even had to be a fucking wallflower about it! Taking advantage of his distraction Xiao Zai took hold of his hand again and brought it to his lips, kissing the back of it. "I''m sorry, I''m sorry." That was right. He was to blame for all this. Using his free hand Chu Yun punched him on the bicep. "This wouldn''t have happened if you hadn''t come inside of me!" Xiao Zai looked up at him with an aggrieved look. "How was I supposed to know you''d get pregnant? That wasn''t supposed to happen!" Now that Chu Yun was thinking about it, he remembered Xiao Zai joking that he had come so much that there was enough for triplets! Triplets! Chu Yun punched him again, making him wince. "Fuck, that fraud doctor better be wrong, because I swear to the heavens that if I''m pregnant I''m going to make your life a living hell," he hissed, grabbing hold of the collar of Xiao Zai''s robes and bringing their faces closer. Xiao Zai''s eyes widened but his pupils contracted. His tongue came out to wet his lips. "Yeah? How?" How could he be horny at a time like this? Chu Yun let go of him with a disgusted groan. "Don''t even think about taking my brother in as a concubine. I know what I said at the palace but I''m taking it back." Xiao Zai grinned, looking foolish. "I never considered it. I told your brother to go back to Xin." Chu Yun frowned, reading his thoughts Xiao Zai hastened to add, "and that was before I even knew you were pregnant." Despite his profound anger, something settled in Chu Yun''s chest. He still pushed Xiao Zai away when he tried to get close, however. "We''re still not sure that I''m pregnant," he reminded Xiao Zai, his eyes narrowed. "We can''t trust just any random old physician you grab right off the street." Xiao Zai sighed. "Tan Ruo was the one who called him. He''s their personal physician apparently. Both her and Minister Song seem to be in fine health to me." That still didn''t reassure Chu Yun that the diagnosis was correct. It was impossible for him to be pregnant. Even when thinking back about his rut, and the unwise consequences of it, there was nothing out of the ordinary beyond his poor judgement. He even branded Xiao Zai! If he pulled down on the collar of his robes the jagged scar would be visible on his skin, still angry and red from how fresh it was. Nothing about that led Chu Yun to believe he would end up pregnant. It just didn''t make any sense. Xiao Zai kept staring at him in awe. It was obvious, despite his clumsy apologies, and his fear, that the news of Chu Yun''s unlikely pregnancy made him happy. Chu Yun looked away from his clear eyes. He didn''t like being on the receiving end of that look. Not for this. Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 101 - The Fox Has A stomach Bug Since Chu Yun was up, it was only right they returned to their estate and stopped imposing on Tan Ruo and Minister Song''s hospitality. Tan Ruo was of course curious about the physician''s diagnosis, even more so when Chu Yun paled at the mere mention of it. "Ah, nothing to worry about, just a stomach bug," Xiao Zai said, which earned him a glare from Chu Yun. A ''stomach bug'' really? They were almost at the estate''s gates when Chu Hean rushed outside. He came to a sudden stop as soon as his eyes met Chu Yun''s. "You''re alright?" he asked, glancing up and down Chu Yun''s form, searching for any obvious signs of illness. Chu Yun only nodded stiffly and climbed into the carriage. He didn''t have anything else to say to Chu Hean, not after their last disastrous conversation. He couldn''t understand why Chu Hean would want to humiliate himself by becoming a concubine. Part of him wanted to entertain the idea that he was doing it for him, because he wanted to free Chu Yun of an undesirable marriage -- but he never managed to fully convince himself. He was already sat in the carriage when he heard Xiao Zai advise Chu Hean to find alternative lodgings and stop imposing on the hospitality of people he barely knew. Chu Yun considered stepping out and saying something. Chu Hean was his brother after all, he should welcome him in his home. But before he could make a decision, Chu Hean''s melodious voice rang out, "I''ll find other accommodations, and wait further instructions from my royal uncle regarding the matter of joining his Highness'' household. As brother-in-law knows, the decision isn''t up to me." Moments later Xiao Zai climbed up into the carriage as well, his face thunderous. Chu Yun looked down at his lap and said nothing. --- They arrived at the estate late, and despite the several hours he spent unconscious, Chu Yun was tired. "You need to eat something," Xiao Zai told him, after unsuccessfully trying to help Chu Yun down the carriage, thwarted by Chu Yun pulling away from his touch with a glare. He wasn''t a fucking invalid. If Xiao Zai thought he was going to treat him as one just because he let some random charlatan convince him Chu Yun was pregnant he had another thing coming. "Tell the kitchens to have some food delivered to my quarters," Chu Yun said, his only concession to Xiao Zai''s demands. Xiao Zai still wasn''t satisfied. He frowned while keeping pace with Chu Yun. "I should stay with you. Maybe it would be for the best if we went back to sharing a bed..." Chu Yun cut him off with a snort. "Why? Say I was pregnant, how would your presence improve anything?" Concern knit Xiao Zai''s dark eyebrows. "I''m just worried about you." "Well, stop, it''s condescending," Chu Yun said, hurrying his pace so that he could reach his quarters sooner. He hated the idea of Xiao Zai looking at him differently, seeing him as anything less, or more, than he was. It clawed at something vicious and primal, threatening his very sense of self. A hand closed around his wrist, pulling him back. "Why are you so angry with me? I''m not your enemy, I''m your husband, let me help you." The soft, wounded tone of his voice made guilt bubble up in Chu Yun''s throat. He didn''t have the words to explain how much the very idea of being pregnant was upsetting to him, even if he didn''t fully believe it yet. He could tell that to Xiao Zai it was nothing short of miraculous, as if the heavens had decided to bless him personally -- an answer to all their problems. It was exactly that which frightened Chu Yun. To him it felt like a curse. Gently, he pried Xiao Zai''s fingers from around his wrist. "We''ll talk tomorrow. I''ll eat, and tomorrow well call over another doctor and swear him to secrecy." Xiao Zai said nothing but Chu Yun could feel the weight of his gaze as he made his way out of the courtyard. --- He had just switched into a fresh change of inner robes when Hua Nanyi knocked on his room''s door, bringing with her steaming food, and some foul smelling decoction that Chu Yun guessed must be medicine. She set everything down on the low table, arranging the bowls and plates neatly as if she was bidding her time. Finally she took the medicine bowl out of the tray and handed it over to Chu Yun, her lower lip caught between her teeth. "When your husband told me to file the physician''s prescription for you I didn''t even think about it and just went running to the nearest apothecary," she said, sitting down besides Chu Yun at the table. "But the pharmacist must have thought I looked too worried, because he said ''why the long face miss? certainly your master or mistress being with child is cause for celebration.''" Chu Yun''s hand shook on the teapot, missing his cup and splashing a few drops on the table. He ignored it and continued filling up his cup as normal. She gazed up into Chu Yun''s eyes and asked, "Why would he say that?", looking as perturbed as Chu Yun felt. He let out a shuddering sigh, relieved that at least another person seemed to realise the oddity of the situation. "The physician seems to be convinced, and have convinced Xiao Zai along with himself, that I am," he gestured vaguely in the air, "pregnant." Hua Nanyi''s eyes widened comically, her lips pressed into a thin line as some sort of sustained hum tried to escape from behind them. "Sure, that''s...normal," she said after some time, looking on the verge of screaming. "We can run back to Xin if you want. Forget divorce, I think this is grounds for an annulment." Chu Yun laughed, feeling himself relax for perhaps the first time in days. He could always count on Hua Nanyi to make things feel more normal even in the middle of a storm. "I don''t want to leave, but...what if I am pregnant? That would be something, uh?" He kept his tone light but allowed some of the panic he was feeling to colour his words. Hua Nanyi eyed the bowl of medicine on his lap, sucking on a sharp breath. "Well, I guess, I guess you can drink the medicine, either way, it''s not going to harm you. Stuff for pregnant people is always very mild, right?" She scratched her head, her nose wrinkling in confusion. "I have no idea actually." Chu Yun looked down at the bowl as well. He lifted it up to his lips and drank the full contents in one go, determined to get it over with. It settled heavily on his empty stomach, but it didn''t make him nauseous. He should take advantage of the moment and eat while his...stomach bug...allowed him. "Suppose...suppose you are pregnant," Hua Nanyi started, falteringly, her eyes fixed on the empty bowl. "How would something like that happen?" Chu Yun shrugged. "I don''t know, I''ve never heard of something like it," he paused and turned to Hua Nanyi, "have you?" She bit her lower lip, looking momentarily troubled, but then shook her head. "No, never." There was something odd about her look, but Chu Yun was in no mood to press her for answers. "Well, I''m seeing another physician tomorrow, so I guess I''ll know for sure what''s going on, and hopefully this will have been nothing more than an old man''s wrong diagnosis." Hua Nanyi nodded again, drumming her fingers on the table. "If it isn''t...if it isn''t, you need to be careful." Chu Yun shot her an unimpressed look. "That goes without saying, no one can know-" She shook her head. "I don''t mean just in that way, if you really are...that...it means someone did something." "Something?" Hua Nanyi sighed in exasperation, turning to face him fully. "How else would something like that be possible, short of the heaven''s own blessing?" Could someone have done something to make it possible for Chu Yun to get pregnant? Surely not. Because he wasn''t. But thinking back on it. The timing of his rut was very unusual, it happened completely outside of the time Chu Yun expected it to. The onset, too, was very aggressive, without any of the usual symptoms leading up to it that usually made Chu Yun aware it was coming. The only thing out of the ordinary about the day before was that he and Xiao Zai drank and ate together. Some of the wine was a gift from Chu Hean, some was a gift from Gu Wei. Chu Yun had no idea which he had drunk more of. Dread settled on the pit of his stomach. What if...what if something in the wine made it possible for him to get pregnant and triggered his rut? He couldn''t see how his brother would benefit from that, especially considering his latest actions. Gu Wei on the other hand... "What is it?" Hua Nanyi asked. "You went pale all of a sudden." "It''s nothing, I''m just tired." He didn''t want to spend any more time thinking about this.. He especially didn''t want to consider the possibility of Xiao Zai having anything to do with it. You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 102 - The Fox Accepts Reality The next day Chu Yun must submit himself to the mortifying ordeal of being examined by not one, but three physicians Xiao Zai had personally vetted himself. All of the servants were kept away from Chu Yun''s quarters, and the inner pavilion as a whole, with the exception of Hua Nanyi, to reduce the chances of anyone overhearing anything they absolutely shouldn''t. Chu Yun watched in exasperation as Xiao Zai made the three physicians swear in front of him, on their ancestor''s graves, on their own lives, and on their descendant''s lives, that nothing they learned while examining Chu Yun would leave the four walls of his room. After all three were appropriately scared shitless, the examination began. They all took turns taking his pulse and making faces about it. Then they drew his blood into a shallow plate and added compounds to it. One put it on the window sill under direct sunlight, the other blew on it, the last one just watched it attentively for any changes. After Chu Yun''s blood was done telling them whatever it was they needed to learn, all three switched concerned looks and then began more invasive examinations. To Chu Yun''s mortification, this required him to partially disrobe. The men lifted his arms and examined the skin around his nipples, touched his abdomen extensively and thoroughly until Chu Yun thought he was going to be sick again. When one of them suggested giving Chu Yun an internal exam Xiao Zai interfered, "That won''t be necessary, I''m sure you already have enough information to reach a conclusion." Which was a relief because it saved Chu Yun from committing an act of senseless violence. Chu Yun sat up on the bed and closed his inner robes around himself, trying to affect dignity he wasn''t feeling after such a thorough examination. The physicians exchanged another look between themselves and then all dropped to the floor in deep prostration. "This one is talentless and simpleminded, and couldn''t arrive at any other diagnosis beyond pregnancy," he banged his head loudly against the wooden floor. "Begging his Highness to punish this one for his lack of skill as a physician." The other two echoed his sentiment, but added their own spin on the delivery, "His Grace is pregnant, it''s a miracle." "His Grace is pregnant, it''s an abomination." The first physician, not wanting to be left out added, "His Grace is pregnant, it''s a scientific marvel." Xiao Zai threw a pouch of gold and silver taels at each of of them and promptly kicked them out, reminding them menacingly of the oaths they had sworn. "I have half a mind to go find the one who said it was an abomination and beat him to death," Xiao Zai said, after the door closed behind the last physician. Chu Yun let out a bitter chuckle. "Why? I agree with him, it is an abomination." Xiao Zai''s face fell. He sat down on the bed next to Chu Yun. "You don''t mean that, you''re just in shock." He tried to wrap an arm around Chu Yun''s shoulders but Chu Yun dodged him with a scowl. "Stop fucking coddling me!" he hissed, bunching up the sheets between his fingers to stave off his anger. His mind kept trying to tell him that Xiao Zai had a hand in all of this, but Chu Yun refused to believe that little insidious voice. Xiao Zai wouldn''t do something like that to him. But each time Xiao Zai expressed any positive emotion, about...the ''stomach bug'' that nagging suspicion reared its ugly head. Xiao Zai stopped trying to touch him, but he let out a shuddering sigh, his head lowered as he looked down at his lap. "Don''t lock me out," he said, almost in a whisper. "I know you''re scared, but we''ll get through this together." "You don''t know shit," Chu Yun snarled, baring his teeth. "What if it was the other way around? What would you do then?" Xiao Zai looked into his eyes, the dark depths of his own unbearably clear. "I don''t know, but I would be glad to have you by my side." Chu Yun scoffed, hugging his knees to his chest and turning his face away from Xiao Zai. "You''re just saying that, because it''s what you want to hear." He shuddered. "I''ve already given up so much...do I need to give up my body as well?" For a long time no one said anything, until Xiao Zai cleared his throat, his voice rough, "Is that how you feel? That being married to me means giving up on yourself?" Chu Yun shrugged, still not looking at Xiao Zai. He tightened his arm around his knees, wanting to make a shell out of his own legs. "What kind of humiliations haven''t I suffered, since we got married? And now...this." "I never wanted you to humiliate yourself," Xiao Zai said, with feeling. His hand closed briefly over the knob of Chu Yun''s knee before letting go. "Don''t do it. You don''t need to pretend to be beneath me just to court some stupid minister''s approval." Finally Chu Yun turned to face Xiao Zai. His fox eyes were filled with unshed tears, clinging stubbornly to his thick lashes. His sharp eyebrows were furrowed in consternation, making him look even more aggrieved. "And now you belittle my efforts! As if I haven''t singlehandedly turned you into a contender for the throne when in the past you were nothing more than a weed trying to survive in your sibling''s shadow." Xiao Zai pinched the bridge of his nose. "That''s not...fuck. I''m not belittling you, and I''m thankful for everything you have done. I just don''t want you to keep doing it, if you think it''s humiliating." "I have to do something!" he snapped, his lips curled back. "They''ll destroy us, otherwise, the King...he..." Xiao Zai pulled him into his arms and this time Chu Yun didn''t fight him. "I know, shh, I know," he said kissing the top of Chu Yun''s silky hair. "You have me, you don''t need to do everything on your own. You can trust me." Chu Yun closed his eyes with a sigh, letting Xiao Zai''s warm voice wash over him.. He wanted to believe him, but he knew that people who placed their trust in the wrong person eventually ended up paying dearly for the mistake. Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 103 - The Fox Decides To Take His Time Best novel online free at novelhall.com It took Chu Yun over the course of the following week to come to terms with his new reality. He took the medicine the first physician prescribed, and his frequent nausea improved enough for him to keep food down, even if most of it tasted terrible to him. As soon as he felt like he wasn''t under any risk of revealing more than he should, he wrote back to his parents, informing them of Chu Hean''s intention to marry Xiao Zai, fully supported by the King of Zui. He had no illusions that his father would be able to stop his uncle if he decided that it was actually a good idea, but it was still better to warn his parents than leave them in the dark about Chu Hean''s schemes. He seldom left his quarters, which he knew was worrying Xiao Zai but he needed this time on his own to think; get his thoughts in order and decide what he was going to do next. His first instinct was to terminate the pregnancy immediately, it should never have happened to begin with, so he was only setting the course of nature straight. Very astutely, Hua Nanyi suggested he bring it up with Xiao Zai and see his reaction. If he fought the idea, Chu Yun would know for certain he had had a hand in his current...predicament. He was alarmed when Xiao Zai''s face immediately fell, "I asked the first physician about that, but he said it was too dangerous." The fact he had asked was reassuring, but how much could Chu Yun trust his word, really? Chu Yun told Hua Nanyi to call back the three physicians who had examined him, and posed them that same question. They all balked at the idea. "This one wouldn''t dare, the reaction of the medicine on an alpha''s body is completely unknown, the results can''t be guessed." "His Grace should think twice about rejecting a gift from the gods. Misfortune follows those who spit in the face of the heavens." "I''m afraid this curse is his Grace''s to bear until the bitter end." Reluctantly, Chu Yun paid them for their service, even though it could barely be called that. It seemed there was nothing he could do at the moment, except hope that somehow things came to a natural end before reaching bigger proportions. He didn''t tell Xiao Zai anything about his meeting with the physicians. He wanted to believe he really had nothing to do with the pregnancy, and knew he would be extremely upset if Chu Yun openly suspected him if he was innocent. That didn''t mean Chu Yun would remain quiet about the whole matter. He needed to get to the bottom of this. Unlike what the two extremely pious physicians thought, Chu Yun very much doubted he was being either punished or rewarded by the heavens. He had done nothing to merit either form of godly attention. No, something more pragmatic was afoot. With that in mind, he took the opportunity to pay Gu Wei a visit in the royal palace, under the guise of his regular meetings with Min Sezhui. --- There was the very likely possibility that Gu Wei wouldn''t even be at the palace. Unlike the other concubines he enjoyed far greater freedom to come and go as he pleased -- no doubt a result of whatever he held over the King''s head. The guards who were used to him and Hua Nanyi making a beeline for the Pearl courtyard couldn''t hide their surprise when he asked to be led to his father-in-law''s quarters. Chu Yun was in luck, Gu Wei was outside in his little square of private courtyard, trimming the edges of a thornbush. The small courtyard was made even smaller by the great number of plum trees, the rest of the available space taken up by a small lake, where three brocade carps swam lazily. Gu Wei turned to him and Hua Nanyi with a smile and a nod, but didn''t stop his task, continuing to trim the shrubs leisurely. After quietly instructing Hua Nanyi to, "stay inside and see if you can catch a glimpse of that supposed guard", Chu Yun crossed the courtyard in hasty steps. "I''m glad to see you looking much better," Gu Wei said, an enigmatic smile playing at his lips. Chu Yun returned the smile with one of his own, and took an unceremonious seat on the railing of the wooden viewing bridge above the lake. "It seems I have an unusual condition." Gu Wei lifted his eyes above the edge of the shrub. "Oh? Nothing serious, I hope." Chu Yun chuckled. "Depends on who you ask, I suppose." Gu Wei just hummed and kept at his task, frustrating Chu Yun to no end. It always annoyed him how easily Gu Wei could hide himself behind his mask of icy tranquillity. It made him almost impossible to read. Although, all things considered, Chu Yun was beginning to doubt his own skills in that department -- how else would he have failed to notice the changes in his brother? However, he still remembered how Gu Wei had reacted during Xiao Yuan''s wedding ceremony, when the King made all those veiled references to their wedding night and whatever had transpired there. Clearly, some things could reveal the cracks in his mask. Thinking about that, he said, almost breezily, "I haven''t seen father-in-law since the day of the wedding, he left in such a hurry, I''m also glad to see he seems to be doing much better." Gu Wei straightened up, the shears held loosely in his fist. This time there was some tightness around the sharp corners of his eyes. "To what do I owe the visit?" "I was just wondering if you knew anything about the unusual condition I seem to be afflicted with." Gu Wei shrugged. "That would require me to know what condition it is." Chu Yun assessed him. Gu Wei was an old hand. He wouldn''t get anything out of him by asking directly and observing his reaction for any tells -- the man reacted mildly to everything. It was much better to surprise him when he felt comfortable, as the King had at the wedding. But that required a certain calculated risk. Chu Yun knew Gu Wei was the one behind this, he just needed proof, so there was no harm in revealing what both of them already knew. "I seem to be...with child," he said with a pained grimace. He would never get used to saying that out loud. As he expected Gu Wei''s only reaction was a quirk of his elegant eyebrows, and a smooth, "that''s unusual, indeed." No matter, Chu Yun would get an answer out of him -- sooner or later. Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 104 - The Fox Doesnt Believe In Fairytales Chu Yun hummed behind gritted teeth. Unusual was the fucking understatement of the century! He was so pissed off that if he wasn''t careful he could end up revealing to Gu Wei that he suspected him, instead of getting any useful information out of him. "Have you heard of anything like that happening, to an alpha that is?" Chu Yun probed, one of his legs dangling against the bridge''s railing, his other foot hooked around a post. Gu Wei came to a stop, and tapped his chin with the sharp tip of his shears, apparently lost in deep thought. Chu Yun didn''t buy it for a second, but he kept his own counsel. After a few more moments of reflection Gu Wei finally said, "I can''t say that I have, but I suppose I have heard tales about it." "Tales?" Gu Wei waved, almost dismissively. "Oh, just romantic stories for teenagers and sentimental old aunts. Silly things about how soulbonds can overcome even the most dire of circumstances and bind two individuals together against all odds." Chu Yun grimaced, struggling not to roll his eyes. Everyone had heard that kind of nonsense -- and knew better than to give it any credit. "Yes, well, everyone has heard those, but the insurmountable odds are usually class differences," he said, trying to keep his tone of voice pleasant instead of caustic, "not incompatible alpha biologies. Not to mention that soulbonds only happen between alphas and omegas." Gu Wei turned to him, tilting his head sideways pensively. "Do they? That doesn''t sound like the tales I heard as a child, but then again I''m a number of years older than you, and from a different country," he smiled, "I suppose stories change across the years and several li that separate us." "I suppose they do," Chu Yun said, smiling tightly. "Still, maybe there is some merit to those tales," he waved in the direction of Chu Yun''s still very much flat abdomen. "I assume you didn''t think something like this was possible before it happened either." Sure, he didn''t, but Chu Yun also didn''t think he would one day end up married to another alpha -- just because something was unlikely it didn''t mean it had to have an extraordinary explanation. The fact that Gu Wei seemed so focused on the most fantastic alternative was a little suspicious. "I think there might be a more rational explanation for my condition," Chu Yun said, kicking his leg back and forth. The corner of Gu Wei''s lips quirked up, he was having fun at Chu Yun''s expense. "Who says soulbonds are irrational?" This time Chu Yun just said nothing and smiled tightly. There was no point in talking in circles. If this was the hill Gu Wei wanted to die on, he was happy to let him. Gu Wei''s smile widened. "Besides, it seems to me this couldn''t have come at a better time." Chu Yun nodded. On that much they agreed. Even though it was exactly the oddly opportune timing which worried him. "Yes, there is that," Chu Yun said slowly, his eyes narrowed in suspicion. Excluding the whole Chu Hean debacle, which Gu Wei couldn''t have predicted, it was still convenient for Chu Yun to end up unlikely pregnant right after a number of ministers admitted they would throw in their support behind Xiao Zai if it wasn''t for his lack of heirs. Gu Wei chuckled. "Have you decided how you''re going to take advantage of it?" Of course that was Gu Wei''s foremost concern. Chu Yun doubted the man used the chamberpot without calculating everything he stood to gain from it. "Oddly enough, no. I was busy being terrified of this absolutely unwelcome change in my body." Gu Wei gave him an amused look. "Pregnancy is not a death sentence," something flashed in his eyes, "even if it might feel like it, at times." Chu Yun hadn''t come to hear Gu Wei wax poetic about the virtues of childbearing. He tried to tamper down his annoyance by reminding himself that he was merely laying the groundwork to catch Gu Wei later on. If that meant playing nice for a time, he just had to endure it for a while. A sound of amusement next to his ear made Chu Yun realise that Gu Wei had come closer, and was now standing next to him, his arms draped lazily over the bridge''s railing. "You must be reeling from the shock still, I understand that, but you can''t let such an unique opportunity slip through your fingers." Chu Yun nodded, letting Gu Wei know he was listening. "I look forward to hearing father-in-law''s advice." "Whatever my husband''s plans when it comes to you and Xiao Zai, something like this will be sure to ruin them," he smiled, showing the sharp points of his canines. "It''s all about choosing the most opportune moment to reveal it." The problem was that Chu Yun felt closer to hiding under a hole until the entire thing was over, than announcing it to anyone. The embarrassment of being a pregnant alpha was about to kill him, and only a handful of people knew -- four of them sworn to secrecy. His face must have shown his inner turmoil because Gu Wei placed a comforting hand on his back, in a very uncharacteristic gesture. "Planning is with man, accomplishing with heaven," he said, his tone oddly gentle. "Don''t worry about the things you can''t control, focus on those you can. Whether you like it or not, this is the solution to at least one of your immediate problems." As much as it pained Chu Yun to admit, Gu Wei was right about that. --- When Chu Yun left the courtyard, Hua Nanyi was waiting for him at the door of Gu Wei''s suit of rooms, her expression dark. "Did you see the guard?" he asked, as soon as they stepped out of the door. She shook her head. "No one came or went while the two of you talked." Chu Yun smirked. "That''s a good sign that if we keep dropping in unannounced we''ll eventually catch him." "Why do you say that?" Chu Yun gestured to the suit of rooms they had just exited.. "Gu Wei has an inner courtyard and about five individual rooms for himself, and yet not a single servant in sight," he winked at Hua Nanyi, "that doesn''t happen on accident." You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 105 - The Wolf Is Patient Xiao Zai was happy to give Chu Yun his space. Perhaps happy was not the right word. Xiao Zai couldn''t say he was happy to be kept at arms'' length, but he understood that might be what Chu Yun needed to process everything. So, he stayed in the sidelines, and waited patiently for Chu Yun to take the initiative and approach him. He took it as a good sign when Chu Yun returned to his shifty skulking around with that maidservant of his in tow. If he was up to his usual schemes, then that meant his condition was improving. And from the glances Xiao Zai caught of him whenever they crossed paths, Chu Yun''s complexion looked much healthier. Some subtle probing around the kitchens confirmed that he was taking the medicine, so Xiao Zai tried not to get too worried, and wait for things to resolve themselves. But one morning he woke up to the sound of clashing steel outside his window, and had a very bad premonition. He dressed himself hastily and rushed outside, just in time to see Chu Yun with the upper half of his robes tucked into his waist sash as he brandished a sword against a hulking mountain of a man. He recognised the man as one of the workers who still lingered on from the first batch they hired, and who stayed on to finish up the work on the estate, which was by now, almost entirely restored. Chu Yun and the man were locked in fierce combat, neither of them pulling back any punches as their swords clashed. As with the first time this had happened, a crowd of excited servants stood in a circle watching them. Xiao Zai''s blood froze. He was walking up into the circle before he even fully registered that he was going to put a stop to this. "What are you doing?" he asked, coming to a stop near Chu Yun, trying to find a breach in the swordfight to pull him back to safety. Chu Yun threw him a smirk over the edge of his sword. "Exercising," he said, and dodged an incoming strike with a precisely timed vault over the blade of his opponent''s sword which opened him up to land a spinning kick on his head, knocking him to the ground. The man crumbled to the floor like a paper lantern crushed underfoot, his sword falling out of his limp grasp with a metallic clang. Chu Yun sheathed his own sword in the scabbard at his waist and then extended his hand to the man grumbling loudly on the floor. The man took his hand, rubbing painfully at the back of his head. "His Grace fights dirty," he said, as much praise as recrimination. Chu Yun walked past him and patted his back. "It''s the only way to fight, when it''s your life on the line." Chu Yun would have kept on walking right back to his quarters if Xiao Zai hadn''t stopped him with a hand on his wrist. "What do you think you''re doing?" he hissed. "Somehow, I didn''t think you''d want to spar with me," Chu Yun said, tone blithe as if that was Xiao Zai''s only issue. "So I asked someone else." "You know very well--" Chu Yun interrupted him. "Are you sure you want to have this conversation here?" There was a number of servants watching them avidly, greatly anticipating the newest instalment on their ongoing domestic feud, filled with highs and lows, no different than the fantastic stories they could hear in the city''s teahouses. Xiao Zai didn''t want anyone to listen in, but he wasn''t going to let Chu Yun use that as an excuse to escape the conversation. "There''s something I must discuss with you in my quarters," he said, straightening his shoulders. He could see the desire to reject him in Chu Yun''s eyes, but he also knew Xiao Zai wouldn''t give up until they talked, so he hung his head and let out a dejected, "Fine," leading the way out of the courtyard. --- The door had scarcely closed behind him when Xiao Zai asked, "What the hell were you thinking?" Chu Yun threw himself over on the sofas by the window with a dramatic sigh. "Like I said, I just wanted to exercise. I''ve been sick for some time, I just thought it would be good for my health." Xiao Zai glared at him. "You haven''t been sick, you''ve been pregnant." Chu Yun rolled his eyes and crossed his arms behind his neck, laying down on the sofa, one of his legs balanced over his knee. "All the same, really." "You know what the physicians said, it''s already dangerous for you as it is. Why are you taking stupid risks on top of it?" Chu Yun glared at him. "What am I supposed to do? Stay in bed for the next 8 to 9 months, being waited on?" "I''m not saying that, but do you really need to swordfight in the morning?" "Maybe I do," Chu Yun said. His eyes were closed but his eyebrows were drawn in annoyance. "I need to show this...stomach bug...who''s the master of this body. It was mine first, and I''m going to do with it whatever I want." Some part of Xiao Zai knew that wasn''t the only reason Chu Yun was doing it, but he still couldn''t stop himself from blurting out, "well, that''s really juvenile of you." He regretted it almost immediately when Chu Yun sat upright in the sofa, looking straight at Xiao Zai and glaring at him. "That''s easy for you to say, isn''t it? But where does it stop?" "Stops what?" Chu Yun got up from the sofa and walked up towards Xiao Zai, who couldn''t help noticing he had tied his robes very loosely. His sharp collarbones were visible through the wide gape of his collar, drawing the eye with their sinuous shadows. "''No swordfighting'' seems like a reasonable request. But how long until that becomes, ''no horse riding'', ''no running'', ''no walking anywhere alone'', ''no leaving my sight''?" You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 106 - The Wolf Can Play Games Too Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Xiao Zai could see the recrimination in Chu Yun''s eyes. He was afraid Xiao Zai would use the pregnancy as an excuse to lord over him. The tension making his muscles taut immediately drained away and he let out a wry chuckle. Chu Yun could be endearing even when he was being contrarian. "You don''t need to worry about that, I''m not going to forbid you from doing anything." Chu Yun snorted. "As if I would let you." That was true. Xiao Zai could scarcely wrestle a ''thank you'', or a ''hello'' out of Chu Yun. It was very unlikely that he could get Chu Yun to not do something he had put his mind to. So, Chu Yun''s worry wasn''t so much that he''d be ordered about, but that Xiao Zai would become the kind of person who would expect obedience from him. Xiao Zai observed him quietly, while Chu Yun shot him cagey looks from beneath his lashes. He had stopped at a safe distance from Xiao Zai, all the better to make a quick exit if things turned sour. Ultimately, Xiao Zai came to the conclusion that what Chu Yun was really afraid of was changing his opinion of him. Which meant, that at least on some level, and whether Chu Yun realised it or not, he must have feelings for Xiao Zai. "Why are you smiling all of sudden?" Chu Yun asked, extremely suspicious. Xiao Zai tried to wrest his features under control. "Nothing, I just thought of something." Chu Yun''s eyes narrowed, his suspicion mounting. "What?" "It''s not important right now." It was an extreme weakness how much Xiao Zai liked seeing that angry look on Chu Yun''s face -- he expected to see a lot of it in the coming months. He cleared his throat, hoping it would clear his head as well. "In any case, I''m not going to tell you how you should go about your life, but," Chu Yun immediately bristled but Xiao Zai just pushed on before he could sidetrack him with complaints, "I hope you don''t strain yourself trying to prove a point." Chu Yun''s open mouth closed with an audible click. He continued to give Xiao Zai suspicious looks from the corner of his eyes. "You should know that I don''t like this, nor am I happy about the situation." Xiao Zai nodded. "I know, and I''m sorry." "You should be," Chu Yun hissed, but without any real feeling. "Anyway, don''t expect me to become happy about it any time soon." Xiao Zai nodded again. "As far as I''m concerned this is a hostage situation," he paused, and then added, "and I''m the hostage." Xiao Zai chuckled. "I figured that." Chu Yun still didn''t look like he completely believed Xiao Zai, but at least he looked far less defensive. It was as good a time as any for Xiao Zai to try and talk his way back into his bed. "I promise I won''t make any demands of you," he said, smiling encouragingly, "but it would make me feel better if we were staying in the same room." Chu Yun crossed his arms and arched one eyebrow. "Is that so?" "That so." He could tell he was on the verge of annoying Chu Yun beyond compliance, so he decided to change strategies. "Actually, I''ve been sleeping very poorly, I think my quarters are haunted." Chu Yun''s other eyebrow joined its twin high on his forehead. "Haunted?" Xiao Zai nodded seriously. "I''m scared out of my wits, I don''t know what to do anymore. It would put me at east to sleep with you." He inched closer to Chu Yun, his hands itching to wrap around his trim waist. "Maybe you can protect me." He could feel Chu Yun''s penetrating gaze boring into him, trying to get him to crack, but Xiao Zai held firm. He ran a hand over the back of his neck, flicking his hair out of the way and flashing the mark on his skin. Chu Yun''s gaze was drawn to it like the inevitable flight of a moth into fire. "Fine," Chu Yun snapped, "I guess it''s my duty as your alpha," he added as an afterthought. Xiao Zai could only tighten his lips into a grim line to prevent himself from breaking into a smug smirk. At least they were both getting what they wanted. --- Chu Yun could feel the smugness coming off Xiao Zai in waves. He thought he was being so clever. Every concession on Chu Yun''s part happened at his pleasure. Xiao Zai was lucky he was feeling benevolent. They parted ways, and Chu Yun tried not to be annoyed by the pep in Xiao Zai''s step. He had more urgent matters to handle, namely, Chu Hean, who was still in Haolin, bidding his time. Hua Nanyi reached him just as he was about to walk into his quarters. She was wearing the plain dark robes she usually wore out on her ''errands'' although she did look a little worse for wear. "Did something happen?" Chu Yun asked, inspecting her messy hair and dirty skirts. She frowned. "I was keeping watch outside the inn as usual, when I noticed someone suspicious going in." Chu Hean had relocated to another inn in Haolin, this time one that welcomed all kinds of guests. Chu Yun suspected it was meant as a ''fuck you'' to him. He had tasked Hua Nanyi with keeping close watch because he wanted to stay one step ahead of him. "Did you get to see who they were?" "That was why I noticed them at first, they were going to great lengths to hide their face. I watched them go up and stay for a few minutes, when the person left I followed them through the streets, hiding myself as well." Chu Yun already knew the chase wasn''t successful. "You were made?" She shook her head. "Not made, but the person could tell they were being followed and started running, I gave chase but lost them." She rummaged in the pockets of her robes and took out a white jade waist token. "They dropped this while climbing up a roof," her expression was unreadable as she handed it over to Chu Yun. Chu Yun ran his fingers over the engraved characters on the token, and then turned it around inspecting the seal on the back. "''Crane among the clouds'', it''s the symbol of the royal family of Su." Hua Nanyi nodded tightly. "Either this person is someone who works for the royal family of Su or..." Chu Yun closed his fingers around the token.. "A member of the royal family themselves." Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 107 - The Fox Gets The Worst Possible News Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chu Yun didn''t know what to make of Hua Nanyi''s discovery. He took the waist token with him to hide in the vanity in his bedroom, but the image of the beautifully engraved crane soaring above the clouds didn''t leave his mind. First the Crown Prince of Su at the royal palace, apparently a guest to Xiao Yuan''s wedding...and now this. Ever since the war, many centuries ago, Su had been very quiet. The neutral presence between Xin and Zui''s frequent tensions. They avoided taking any sides with the argument that humans were inherently different from divine beasts, and therefore they should not take part in any conflicts. Now Chu Yun was wondering if that oddly neutral position was a cover for some hidden agenda. The matter was taking up so much space in his mind that Xiao Zai even made note of it that night, while moving his belongings back into the master bedroom. "You seem distracted," he said, after Chu Yun had spent five minutes in the same spot looking out the window at the darkness in the courtyard outside, reflecting. Chu Yun couldn''t even name what exactly he had been thinking for the past minutes, except that he felt like something big was coming. "I get the impression I''m just a stone in someone''s weiqi board." He almost jumped when Xiao Zai came up behind him and wrapped his hands around his waist, resting his chin on the crook of his neck. "I have felt like that my whole life," Xiao Zai said, his breath ghosting over Chu Yun''s sensitive skin. He was intimately aware of how close Xiao Zai''s lips were to his scent glands, it would take barely nothing for Xiao Zai to open his mouth and sink his canines into him. Chu Yun shivered and stepped away from Xiao Zai''s embrace. "Well, I never have," he hugged his arms around himself, lowering his eyes. He hated being vulnerable. It was a completely alien feeling to him. Xiao Zai gave Chu Yun his space and stayed back, watching the tense line of his spine. "Somehow things don''t feel so hopeless now that I have you," he said, meaning every word. Chu Yun went very still, and then slowly turned sideways, giving Xiao Zai a narrow-eyed look over the curve of his shoulder. "Maybe you''re giving me too much credit." Xiao smirked. "No, I don''t think I am." His easy confidence settled something inside Chu Yun. He didn''t want to admit it, but he liked the idea of Xiao Zai trusting him to get them out of danger, to find a way to avoid the incoming danger that announced itself like a dark cloud in the horizon. It made him feel like being generous too, so when it was time for bed and Xiao Zai wanted to wrap his arms around him in a stifling hug Chu Yun only fought him a little before conceding. --- The next day actually saw Chu Yun wake up in a good mood, and feeling well-rested for once. Xiao Zai was no longer in bed, but breakfast had been brought in to the bedroom and left on the low table for Chu Yun, something which had Xiao Zai written all over it. After eating and dressing himself, Chu Yun was ready to go about his day, still trying to think up of ways to fix the whole Chu Hean situation that didn''t require him to reveal his condition. He was crossing the main courtyard, intent on finding Hua Nanyi to ask her to go into the city and find out more on the mysterious Su person paying visits to Chu Hean, when Fan Jiang intercepted him. "This one apologises for bothering his Grace, but," he bit his lower lip, chancing a look around the courtyard to ensure no one was watching them, "I have some important news I think his Grace should hear." He started by admitting to Chu Yun that he was keeping in touch with the First Prince. Something Chu Yun had long known about, and was actually counting on him doing, but had kept quiet on, for this express purpose. It was obvious from his expression that Fan Jiang felt reluctant about admitting whatever it was that he was going to say, but he felt he owed some loyalty to Chu Yun. Nothing bad had happened to him since joining the Second Prince''s estate. And after their last uncomfortable conversation about Gu Wei, Chu Yun had never sought him out again. "As long as it doesn''t put you in an uncomfortable position," Chu Yun said, mildly. That was all it took to tip the scales of Fan Jiang''s indecision. "I was keeping his First Highness company when we heard a commotion. His First Highness went to see what it was, and found his concubine, who his Grace met during the feast, unconscious on the floor. The fresh tea she had been drinking was still steaming on the teapot." "I hope it wasn''t anything serious." Chu Yun''s words were completely insincere, he could barely recall the woman''s face. Fan Jiang sighed. "Well, she survived, but she lost the child she''d been carrying." That got Chu Yun''s attention. He remembered the rumours about one of the First Prince''s concubines being pregnant, but he''d put it out of his mind -- too busy with his own crisis. "Does his First Highness suspect it was done on purpose?" Fan Jiang nodded. "He knows it was done on purpose. The tea she was drinking was one of the wedding gifts from his royal highness'' wedding to the royal consort." Well, that could be troublesome. "Was it poison?" He sincerely hoped it was, because then the culprit could be anyone. "No, a royal physician was immediately called to examine the tea and concluded it was very strong abortive mixture. It would only be effective on a pregnant person." Chu Yun had a really bad feeling about this. Apparently so had Fan Jiang, which was why he had decided to tell him. "His Grace and His Second Highness should be careful," his expression grew dark, "I don''t think his First Highness believes his brother is to blame, but no one has yet found out who gifted the tea. This all happened yesterday, so it''s too early to tell." "Thank you for letting me know," Chu Yun said, smiling benevolently and patting Fan Jiang twice on the shoulder. Fan Jiang had given him a lot to think about, but he didn''t want to say anything that could put him in a delicate position. He needed to find Xiao Zai as soon as possible and tell him about this. --- Chu Yun searched the entire estate without finding trace of Xiao Zai until finally asking the servants if anyone had seen him. They told him he had taken his horse into the city early in the morning, but it didn''t look like he was going to be long. Chu Yun waited the entire morning. And then the afternoon that followed it. When night was about to fall he instructed Hua Nanyi to go looking for him. She returned about an hour later, looking pale as a funeral offering. Chu Yun who had been pacing in front of the gates the entire time she was gone rushed to her side. "Where is he? You didn''t find him?" "His Highness...he....he''s been detained in the royal family''s jail." Read novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 108 - The Fox Spends A Night Out In The Cold It was a good thing Xiao Zai had taken a single horse instead of the carriage, because Chu Yun didn''t want to arrive at the royal palace looking desperate. Even though he was feeling it. He could see Hua Nanyi shooting him worried looks from the opposite seat, and he wanted to snap at her to cut it out. It didn''t take a large stretch of the imagination to guess that Xiao Zai''s arrest wast related to the mysterious attack on Xiao Yuan''s concubine. According to Fan Jiang everything happened yesterday. Which meant that if Xiao Yuan reported the incident on the same day, it took only a few hours of investigation for the King to decide Xiao Zai was to blame. They arrived at the palace under the cover of darkness and weren''t stopped from crossing the gates. Chu Yun went directly towards the building on the farthest corner of the palace compound. It was a squat, whitewashed building, with a scooped black tiled roof typical of Zui. It was a far less grander building than all others in the royal complex. The thick iron bars in the crude square windows gave away its purpose. Chu Yun marched towards the prison doors, which were flanked by two unfriendly looking guards. Both their right hands flew to the hilts of their swords when Chu Yun got too close. "No one can enter the royal prison except his Majesty himself and the members of the court of justice," the more stern-faced of the two guards said. "My husband, his Second Highness, has been detained and I wasn''t informed," Chu Yun said, spiting out the words. This wasn''t the time to play at meekness. Along with the steel of his glare, Chu Yun would have sent out a debilitating wave of pheromones if that wasn''t useless against two beta guards. "I demand to see him." The two guards were resolute. "His Grace will have to get express permission from his Majesty. No visitors are allowed in the royal prison." Chu Yun was about to launch into another tirade, when he saw Hua Nanyi shake her head from the corner of his eye. He shot the two guards one last glare and left with her. Once they were a good distance away from the prison building she said, "you won''t get anything by arguing with them. They probably have specific orders to keep you out." He knew she was right, but that didn''t make him any less furious. What exactly was the King trying to do here? Was the whole matter with Chu Hean only a stepping stone leading up to this? Chu Yun couldn''t see the full picture yet, but he had a terrible feeling about what was yet to come. --- After ascending the stairs leading up to the central pavilion where the King''s private quarters, throne room, and offices were located, Chu Yun was met with the unusual sight of several guards in a row on both sides of the stone steps up into the pavilion''s landing. He took one step in their direction, and immediately their swords came out of the scabbards, blades crossing with metallic clinks, preventing Chu Yun from going up the short steps. "No one may enter the main hall at this time," one of the guards said, not even looking in Chu Yun''s direction. "I need an audience with the King," he demanded, staying his ground. "No one may enter the main hall at this time," the man repeated. "I''m the husband of his Second Highness the Prince Xiao Zilang, I demand an explanation as to why my husband is being held under custody in the royal family prison!" The Guards didn''t waver, all of their steady gazes were fixed on invisible points in the middle distance. "His Majesty isn''t holding audiences at this time." Chu Yun balled his hands into fists to keep them from shaking. "Fine," he spit out, "I''ll wait until his Majesty deigns to see me." Hua Nanyi shot him a confused look when he turned around and walked back towards the the top of the stairs they had just climbed. Her eyes widened, large as small moons, when she saw him kneel at the top of the stairs, facing the steps up to the pavilion and the stone-faced guards. He knelt with his back ramrod straight and his chin held high. Flustered, Hua Nanyi knelt at his side too. "What are you doing?" she hissed under her breath. "I''m going to stand here regardless of how long it takes, until someone tells me what''s going on," Chu Yun said. "Let''s see if the King can ignore the humiliation of a member of the royal family being denied an audience and having to kneel for an entire night." Hua Nanyi was immediately alarmed. "You can''t kneel here all night, it''s cold, and," she lowered her voice even more, "you''re pregnant." "I''m not an invalid," Chu Yun retorted. He knew she was going to bring the damn pregnancy up. Everything was going to revolve around the damn parasite inside him for the foreseeable future. Chu Yun was so angry he could scream. "But-" "But what? This pregnancy isn''t even one month along, how much damage can kneeling cause?" Chu Yun was prepared to kneel there the entire night if necessary, and the morning too. The more servants saw him there the better. If the King denied to see him until morning court early the next morning even better. Chu Yun would be sure to look extra pitiful and devoted to his husband when all those ministers showed up for court. He wanted to be the first thing they saw when they climbed the stairs. "Please think this through," Hua Nanyi said, making one last appeal. Chu Yun ignored her. He had made his mind and he was going through with this regardless of what she said. It didn''t look like she was going to give up easily so he decided to give her something to do. "Go find Gu Wei, and tell him Xiao Zai has been arrested, maybe he doesn''t know about this." Her clever eyes darted towards the guards on the steps. "It''s possible no one will let me in." She was right, both of them were well-known faces from the regular visits he paid to Min Sezhui. "Find another way in, it''s night and your robes are dark, you can blend in, if necessary." It was obvious from the look in her eyes that she wanted to protest, but Chu Yun was adamant. "Go now, before he goes to sleep." With a sigh, she got up to her feet. She shot Chu Yun one last pleading look which he ignored, and then finally did as he said and disappeared down the stairs. Chu Yun returned his gaze to the pavilion''s dark wooden doors, steeling his spine for the long hours ahead. --- Being a prince''s first alpha child, and fairly well-behaved (or rather, very good at hiding his indiscretions) on top of being a good student, Chu Yun hadn''t been disciplined often. The most he had knelt outside was a few minutes before his mother took pity on him and called him back inside. The weather was bitterly cold during the winter in Zui to begin with, but even more so at night. At least it wasn''t snowing, but no sooner had the thought crossed Chu Yun''s mind than a snowflake landed on his eyelashes, he blinked it away but a second soon followed. He tightened his rabbit fur cloak around his shoulders with a dismayed sigh, holding it closed in front of his abdomen from the inside. Once or twice one of the guards shot him a worried look, after it started properly snowing. One of the few advantages of the snow was that a blanket soon formed on the ground, Chu Yun shifted around so he would at least be kneeling on the soft snow instead of the hard ground. It might be soaking through his robes, but he''d rather feel that than the unpleasant grinding of the little gravel stones on his kneecaps. Sometime during the night he lost consciousness, or feel asleep. He came to when a gentle hand shook his shoulder. Chu Yun blinked up in confusion, surprised that he was still kneeling and hadn''t toppled face-first into the snow in humiliating fashion. A palace servant holding an umbrella and a portable hand-warmer smiled at him. "The weather is really bad, maybe his Grace should return at another time?" Chu Yun ignored her and kept looking forward. "I''ll stay here until I have an audience with the King." The servant seemed to expect that reply. She held the umbrella over his head and tried to give him the hand warmer. "Then this servant will stay here and shield his Grace from the snow, his Grace should also keep his hands warm." Her offer was tempting, Chu Yun was so cold he could barely feel his limbs, but he wanted to make a statement. If the ministers saw him half buried in snow, then all the better. "That''s not necessary, I''m fine, please leave." She looked really startled to be refused but eventually left. Chu Yun closed his eyes with a sigh, and waited. --- Finally, morning came, Chu Yun could have cried from joy when he saw the sun rays start to break through the darkness over the roof of the palace. With the break of dawn came the sound of footsteps on the stairs. "What...what is this? His Grace, Chu Miaoyan?" asked someone from behind him. Chu Yun didn''t recognise the voice but he knew it belonged to one of the ministers. He had fulfilled his goal. He was so tired, and so cold. When the first person reached the top of the stairs Chu Yun let exhaustion overtake him and collapsed sideways on top of the fresh snow. You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 109 - The Fox Is Injured You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chu Yun woke up with a scream lodged in his throat. His eyes snapped open with the fire consuming his lower body. He looked down at his legs expecting to find them gone. Instead they were propped up from the ceiling by the ankle in a sort of cloth harness. His robes had been tied above his knees in the same way fishermen did when they needed to wade into water. His knees were covered in a thick dark salve, hiding the skin beneath. Chu Yun tried to move, and free his legs from the contraption, but bending his legs sent a soaring pain through his spine. "If I was you I wouldn''t do that," said a wizened voice from behind him. He tried to crane his neck to get a look at the speaker but she did him the favour of moving into his line of sight. The Queen Dowager was wearing her usual fine brocade robes, but her golden crown and gold hairpins with all their trains were nowhere to be seen. Most shocking was the realisation that her full head of sleek black hair was a wig. Chu Yun suspected it was painted to resemble the vibrant black of youth, but he never expected it to be entirely fake. In reality, the Queen Dowager''s own hair was cropped close to the scalp, soft and thin, and a muted grey colour. "What happened?" Chu Yun asked, digging at his memory to try and recall how he''d ended up in what looked to be the Queen Dowager''s private quarters. "I''d say it all started when you were very foolish." She laughed at him. "Oh, don''t look like that. Being foolish is the prerogative of youth. When you get to my age, you won''t have the privilege of being foolish anymore." "I remember hearing the ministers climbing the stairs for morning court." He closed his eyes, but there was nothing but darkness after that, he couldn''t recall what happened afterwards. The Queen Dowager chuckled. "They did, just in time to see you collapse on the snow." Not his most dignified moment, but in his defence it had been really fucking cold. She smiled at Chu Yun''s grimace and pulled up a high backed chair from beneath a desk to sit as his bedside. Despite her small stature and many years the Queen Dowager was clearly a healthy person. She had a slight limp that seemed to be related to injury, but other than that she was surprisingly spry. "I hope you got what you wanted because you have frost burns on your knees now," she said pointing at the salve on his skin. "That''s going to hurt for a time. Frost burns are worse than fire burns in many ways." It remained to be seen if Chu Yun''s night in the cold would pay off in the way he hoped. His most pressing concern was getting Xiao Zai out of jail. Who knew what they were doing to him there. If the King wouldn''t see him, perhaps the Queen Dowager would intervene in her grandson''s favour. "Miaoyan is glad that her royal highness has helped him." Chu Yun was working up to asking her for help with Xiao Zai when she interrupted him with a dry, raspy laugh. "You should be tanking Bailiu." That''s right, he sent out Hua Nanyi to tell Gu Wei about everything, but since he didn''t see either of them until morning he just assumed she wasn''t successful. The Queen Dowager smirked. "He and that maidservant of yours begged me on their knees to do something, and get you out of the snow." She tutted. "I sent out that servant girl to try and persuade you, and if persuasion didn''t work, at leas to shield you from the elements." One corner of her lips ticked up. "Something you were too proud to accept." Chu Yun kept quiet. The least he said the better. "After all these years I think I have a good understanding of Bailiu, and what he cares about. Or rather who." She paused, looking down into Chu Yun''s eyes. "So, why, seeing as his precious son was detained, would he come beg me for his son-in-law instead?" The old croon was sharp as a blade, but Chu Yun wasn''t going to give her the information she wanted that easily. He didn''t expect Gu Wei to go ask her for help, instead of trying to release Xiao Zai, but he knew why he''d done it. "Father-in-law is very attentive and kind, we have a very close relationship." The Queen Dowager slapped her thigh and let out another loud, croaky laugh. "Bailiu is only close to my grandson, If you feel otherwise I''m sorry to disabuse you of the notion." Chu Yun didn''t say anything, instead he looked up at the ceiling of the Queen Dowager''s room. It was painted with vivid scenes of frolicking wolves and other nature landscape. The entire room despite large, felt cramped with the amount of furniture, trinkets, flower arrangements, and wall-hangings covering every able inch of space. It was as if the woman tried to fit everything important for her into this one single room. Chu Yun couldn''t get a clear read on her. She was a lot like Gu Wei in that respect. "I know why he was so scared now," she said all of a sudden, her eyes narrowed in mirth. Chu Yun went very still, playing at nonchalance with a curious hum. "When I called a physician to examine you and your condition he made a fascinating discovery," her eyes widened theatrically when she said the word ''fascinating''. "He said that you are pregnant." "Oh? That''s the first I''m hearing of it," Chu Yun said doing his best to inject real shock into his voice. He must have failed, because the Queen Dowager broke into a fit of wheezing laughter. "You''re either really smart, or really stupid. Luckily for you, you amuse me.. And apparently, you''re also carrying my first great grandchild." Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 110 - The Foxs Father-in-law Isnt Happy Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com What was Chu Yun going to say? The Queen Dowager had already found out, there was no point in denying it. "Well, yes, it seems so," he said through gritted teeth. "Somehow, I, an alpha, ended up pregnant." She shot him an amused smirk. "You aren''t as naive as to think that was an accident, are you?" Chu Yun wondered if she spoke this condescendingly to everyone, or if he was special. "Her royal highness will be relieved to know that I''m not. I suspect my father-in-law had a hand in it." "That seems likely, although, I''ll be the first to admit I don''t know how he did it," she tilted the head to the side, inspecting Chu Yun. "Assuming that was the case. Maybe you are favoured by the gods, stranger things have happened." Chu Yun didn''t think that was very likely, but he kept his opinion to himself. The Queen Dowager got up to her feet, her heavily ringed fingers knocking against the top of the chair. "I won''t lie and tell you that my son is going to give Xiao Zai a fair trial. In case you don''t know already, the charges levelled against him are flimsy, and his motives for purposefully inducing his brother''s concubine''s miscarriage are murky," she sighed, "not even his brother thinks he''s guilty." "But of course that doesn''t matter to his Majesty." She smiled derisively, turning to face Chu Yun. "I''ll tell you this because no one will believe you if you repeat these words: my husband was a cunt. And I knew the moment he was born, that Xiao An would be a cunt as well." Her words rendered Chu Yun speechless. He had never heard a parent talk that way about their own child. And while the Queen Dowager was obviously an unusual woman, he still expected her to have at least some sort of parental affection for her own son, or at least pretend she did. Just how much did she hate the late King? Under which circumstances did she marry him? And of course, what was the deal with her damaged glands. Was the fact that she''d tried to hide her secondary gender for a long time, related to the late King? Once again, it baffled Chu Yun just how dysfunctional the Zui royal family was. Seeing the shock in Chu Yun''s face made her smile widen. "Why are you so surprised? He''s a despicable man, and he was a despicable child. Should I be blind to that just because I was unfortunate enough to generate him inside myself?" Her eyes moved towards Chu Yun''s abdomen, hidden behind the covers, "you''re about to find out for yourself how hard it is to create a new life, and in the end, how little it matters." There was a profound sadness to her words, despite the cold calculating smirk on her red lips. In many ways, she was a broken woman, but Chu Yun got the impression that her sadness wasn''t even for herself, for her own life and the hardships she had suffered. Her dark eyes hid a deep sorrow for something, or someone, long gone. "Anyway, I''m going to let Bailiu in, before he gives himself wrinkles from worrying about you," she chuckled, "it wouldn''t do to ruin his beautiful face." Chu Yun got the impression that the Queen Dowager''s relationship with Gu Wei was complicated, but then again, it was hard to imagine how to people like them would ever see eye to eye. She left her own room, and no sooner had she left, than Hua Nanyi and Gu Wei rushed in. Hua Nanyi immediately deflated in obvious relief to see Chu Yun alert, despite all the salve covering his knees, and the current immobilisation of his legs. Gu Wei on the other hand looked livid. He crossed the room in fast steps, and stopped in front of Chu Yun. His chin trembled with barely suppressed emotion. The next thing Chu Yun knew Gu Wei was raising his hand and slapping him across the cheek. The shock stunned him more than the pain. He could only lift his palm to his smarting cheek and look up at Gu Wei in shock. Hua Nanyi was locked between her instinct to defend Chu Yun, and the knowledge that she couldn''t do anything against Gu Wei. Instead she stood in place, thrumming with restrained violence and glaring at the back of Gu Wei''s head. "What the fuck were you trying to accomplish?" Gu Wei asked, glaring down at Chu Yun with barely restrained anger. His caustic tone of voice brought Chu Yun out of his stupor. "I was trying to get Xiao Zai out of jail, failing that, I hoped to at least earn more support for his bid to the throne, by showing everyone how much loyalty he commanded from his spouse, and how unreasonable the King was by refusing to see me!" He and Gu Wei were locked in a mutual glaring competition, each of them refusing to back down and be the first to look away. Finally, Gu Wei pulled away from Chu Yun''s bedside with a disgusted grunt. "You idiot, your biggest asset is inside you! And you almost threw it all away." Chu Yun rolled his eyes. "Everything is fine," he paused for a moment, feeling slight trepidation, "everything is fine, right?" Gu Wei crossed his arms in front of his chest with a disdainful curl of the lips. "Oh, now you''re worried," he sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "yes everything is fine, thankfully, but now the Queen Dowager knows that you''re pregnant, and she''s going to do with that information whatever suits her agenda." "And you''re afraid it might run opposite to your own agenda," Chu Yun said with a smirk. It was obvious that Gu Wei had something else to say, but decided that Chu Yun wasn''t worth the effort at the last minute.. "Now that you''re done playing the the self-flagellating hero in some romantic ballad, let''s get my son out of prison." You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 111 - The Wolf Is Imprisoned You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Sitting in a dank, dark cell in the palace''s prison, Xiao Zai couldn''t help marvelling at how something so banal, like going into Haolin''s busy market streets to look at children toys and perhaps only daydream, perhaps buy something, could have led to his current situation. When the palace guards surrounded him and told him he was under arrest for causing Xiao Yaun''s concubine to miscarry, Xiao Zai had thought his brother had finally cottoned on on his desire to take the throne from under him. Now, hours later, he knew this was all his father''s doing. That morning Xiao Zai had decided to visit the market at around the same time he usually visited his dam, and then went out with him to lunch. The King must have sent out his guards to search for him in the busiest streets. It must have disappointed him to learn that Xiao Zai hadn''t been arrested in front of Gu Wei. Xiao Zai was certain his father had been counting on it. Further cementing his certainty that despite his snivelling nature, and pathetic existence, his brother wasn''t involved in it, was his recent visit. "Did you do it? Was it you?" Xiao Yuan had asked, his eyes rimmed with red. "Of course not, I would never do something like that." That seemed enough for Xiao Yuan who had only nodded, and muttered something along the lines of, "all Father''s doing," and, "maybe it''s better this way, this family''s blood is cursed." Not even a month ago Xiao Zai would have easily agreed with him, and would even have taken his marriage to Chu Yun and his feelings for him, as a sign from the heavens that he wasn''t meant to have children. Some family lines should end. But now Xiao Zai was going to be a parent himself. His relationship with Xiao Yuan had perhaps been damaged beyond any salvaging, but in that moment he''d wished he had some words of comfort for share with him. Things were quiet after Xiao Yuan left, with only the guards coming and going, and looking in into Xiao Zai''s cell on occasion. He got the impression they were laughing at him. The entire prison was comprised of 5 cells, separated on each side by stone walls, and closed in front by iron bars. He was the only prisoner at the moment. Which wasn''t surprising since the palace prison existed exclusively to hold royal family members, and on occasion, their staff. The last time it was used Xiao Zai had been an infant, and the person it held had been the treasonous uncle on whose estate he now resided. On the day they moved into the estate, Chu Yun had pointed at the wooden signboard above the gate and said it was a warning -- now his predictions were coming true. --- After night fell, Xiao Zai got a visit from his father. He was wearing his kingly golden robes, his iron-grey hair kept away from his temples in a neat top knot, he approached Xiao Zai''s bare cell as if he was climbing the dais up to his throne. He stopped in front of the bars, and one of the guards approached him with a little wooden bench for him to sit. The King dismissed the guards and took a seat with as much gravity as if he had been sitting down on his throne. "I trust you''ve been treated well," the King said, smiling in amusement at Xiao Zai sitting on a makeshift straw bed in the corner of the cell. Xiao Zai didn''t move towards the bars, or acknowledge his father''s presence in any way. He stayed where he was and looked away from him and towards the grimy wall. That didn''t seem to upset his father, who derived enough joy from seeing Xiao Zai behind bars. "You remind me so much of the haughty bitch of your dam when you get that pissy look on your face." Again, Xiao Zai said nothing. "It''s all my fault for letting him raise you, I should have taken you away from his as soon as you were born." Xiao Zai knew he was just trying to get a reaction out of him, but his father always knew just how to get under his skin. This had been a favourite threat of his when Xiao Zai was a child. Whenever he tried to step in and defend Gu Wei from his father''s attacks the King would threaten to take him away and hand him over to a random concubine to raise. The idea of being separated from his dam had almost paralysed Xiao Zai with fear. Now his father was only bringing it up as a reminder of the power he held, not only in the kingdom, but over Xiao Zai''s live. "What is it, boy, that gives you enough confidence to look at your father like that? At your king?" he tsked, shaking his head as if Xiao Zai was behaving like a spoiled brat. "I don''t think you understand the gravity of your situation." "It doesn''t matter, because you''ll do whatever you want," Xiao Zai snapped, unable to hold back his anger any longer. "You''ll have me arrested without any proof, tried without any proof and executed without any proof either, because as you''re so fond of reminding me, you are the king." His father laughed, delighted that Xiao Zai had finally revealed the extent of his rage. "That''s right, I am the King, something you''ll never be." He smirked, and looked Xiao Zai in the eyes. "You''re sorely mistaken if you think I''m not aware of yours and your dam''s schemes. Bailiu has always had the eye on the throne for you...he thinks it''s your right." He laughed again. "Or rather, his right, for all I''ve put him through...isn''t that so? Isn''t that what he tells you? Isn''t that what he has been telling you since you were a child?" Xiao Zai gripped handfuls of the straw under him, tightening his fingers around the limp yellow stems and imagining how much he''d like to be squeezing his father''s neck instead. He didn''t have a right to speak of his dam like that. Gu Wei was worth a thousand of him. "Look at you, pathetic, on the verge of tears because I''m insulting your dam! You''ve always been week, hiding behind his skirts all your life." The King''s smile only grew as he talked with Xiao Zai, taking immense pleasure in the cruelty of his words and their effect on his son. Once, Xiao Zai had asked himself why his own father hated him so much. Now, it had been years since he''d bothered. "I''ve always wished my dam was half the whore you''re constantly accusing him of being," Xiao Zai said his voice low. He allowed himself a humourless chuckle, "maybe that way I''d be lucky enough to call a different man father." The King''s expression immediately darkened and he stood up with a jolt, sending the wooden bench skidding to the floor. "That would make you a bastard." Xiao Zai laughed, there was no joy in it, but it was almost cathartic to admit it to his father''s face. "I''d rather be a bastard than your son. I''d rather be a peasants get, than a king''s, as long as that king is you." The King''s mouth flattened into a thin line, his upper lip vibrated with barely suppressed rage. "Insolent, you''ll pay dearly for this insult." As if Xiao Zai wasn''t already. His father''s expression cleared all of a sudden, as though he had remembered something. "That Fox is proving more loyal to you than I expected," at the mention of Chu Yun, Xiao Zai was immediately alert. "In fact, he''s been kneeling on the snow for hours, trying to get an audience with me, presumably so that he can see you." Xiao Zai''s face lost all colour. He rose from the straw bed and walked up to the bars for the first time, clinging to them in desperation. "He''s...he''s not well, he can''t stay out in the snow like that." The King clicked his tongue. "I came here exactly to tell you that, and ask you if you''d like to see him," he clutched his own chest theatrically, "but after all those hurtful things you said to me, I don''t think I will. You need to reflect on your unfilial words. He''s your First husband, it''s only right he shoulder some of the blame for your sins, too." A part of Xiao Zai knew that his father was lying -- he never had any intention of letting Chu Yun see him, and was just saying that to get back at him -- but it didn''t stop his heart from squeezing painfully inside his chest. "Please, do whatever you want with me, just...just get him out of the snow," he begged, knowing full well that as much as the King was enjoying his humiliation he would do no such thing. The King shot him an appraising look. "You''re really are attached to that Fox, uh? I can''t say I see the appeal, but then again I hate arrogance. It is only slightly more palatable in an alpha than it is in an omega." He left with one last chuckle, his gold robes swaying behind him as Xiao Zai shook the cell''s bars. You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 112 - The Wolf Is Charged Xiao Zai spent the rest of the night shaking the bars of his cell and demanding answers about Chu Yun from the apathetic guards, who kept ignoring him as if he wasn''t there. His mind kept cycling through nightmare scenarios where Chu Yun fainted from the cold, got frostbite, or got hypothermia, and ended up collapsing from exposure. Xin was much warmer than Zui, it was very likely that Chu Yun would underestimate the cold and end up putting himself in danger. Rationally, he knew his anxiety and fear wasn''t helping either him or Chu Yun, but his panic kept mounting with nowhere to go. He was minutes away from shifting into his wolf form and trying to squeeze through the bars, even though the only thing that would accomplish was getting him stuck between them. Morning came, Xiao Zai could see the faint light of morning shine through the bars of the window in front of his cell, weak and grey, promising more bad weather. When morning had turned into noon, the doors to the prison finally opened again. Xiao Zai thought someone was coming to deliver him a meal, but jumped to his feet when he recognised Gu Wei''s form. His dam came to a stop in front of the bars, his expression unreadable. "Is Chu Yun alright?" he asked, clinging to the bars. Gu Wei''s expression darkened. "He is, his tongue in particular is wagging just fine." Xiao Zai let out a breath of relief, if Chu Yun was getting on his dam''s nerves it meant he was fine. Before he could ask anything else, namely about other aspects of Chu Yun''s health, two guards came up around Gu Wei, one of them fitting a large key into the rusty lock of his cell and opening his door. "Thank you," Xiao Zai told his dam, stepping out of the cell with a relieved sigh. Gu Wei''s expression was still tense. "Don''t thank me just yet, this isn''t over." --- Chu Yun needed Hua Nanyi''s help to walk to the throne room, where the King, several ministers, and five judges would gather for Xiao Zai''s trial. All eyes turned towards him when he ambled through the doors, with as much dignity as his injuries allowed him. The gazes fixed on him held a mixture of pity and curiosity. The tale of his night in the snow had likely already made the rounds around Haolin. With the state his knees were in, he wasn''t in any condition to sit on the floor. Hua Nanyi led him to a high-backed chair near the far wall of the room. Ignoring the curious looks, Chu Yun lowered himself gingerly onto the chair, trying not to show the pain he was feeling. A nearby servant brought a footstool so that he could stretch out his legs. Chu Yun couldn''t help noticing there were a lot of spectators to the trial. He scanned the room, but his eyes snagged on a familiar face. For some reason, Chu Hean was seating near the judges panel, not far from Xiao Yuan and his concubine, who had decided to wear white for the occasion, and was crying copiously. What was Chu Hean doing here? Especially on the side of the ''injured'' party? As someone the King intended to marry to Xiao Zai, he shouldn''t be considered a witness for Xiao Yuan. Maybe Chu Yun was about to see the culmination of the King''s plans. It was unclear if Chu Hean could feel Chu Yun''s gaze on him, but either way he didn''t look his way even once. Suddenly, all heads turned towards the door once again. Chu Yun nearly gasped when Xiao Zai walked in, his hands in chains in front of his waist. Gu Wei was with him, but so were scores of guards. Xiao Zai was looking for him among the crowd. Their eyes met across the room, Chu Yun could see the relief go through Xiao Zai at seeing him well. It just made Chu Yun feel guilty for having him worried. He wondered if what he had done would even amount to anything. The guards led Xiao Zai towards the front of the throne, where they made him kneel. At that same moment, the King walked in, followed by a retinue of servants. The Queen Dowager, too, was helped by her servants into the sofa behind her beaded curtain. Gu Wei stood at Xiao Zai''s side, one hand on his shoulder while he knelt, and his head held high. It should have been Chu Yun standing in his place. But now he could only bite his tongue and stay on the sidelines to his own husband''s trial. As soon as everyone was seated the King rose, smiling wider than at Xiao Yuan''s wedding. Who, speaking of which, looked drunker than ever. For once, Chu Yun couldn''t blame him. "This King thanks you all for your presence, we gather here today to deliberate on the sentence for the crimes of the Second Prince, Xiao Zilang, Xiao Zai, my son," he lifted a hand to his chest as if this fact pained him deeply. He turned towards a man in blue with a brocade insignia on his chest with a nod. "Bailiff, please." The Bailiff cleared his throat and started listing out Xiao Zai''s charges. Most of which sounded far-fetched to Chu Yun, even considering the already far-fatched scenario. The King had sat down when the Bailiff started reading the charges, but he got up the moment he was finished. "Now that we have heard the charges levelled against the Second Prince, I''ll deliver my sentence before hearing the judges counsel," he sighed deeply with great gravity, and finally said, "it is with great consternation that I say that I think the punishment should be death." Chu Yun clutched the armrests of his chair, digging in his short fingernails, leaving dents in the wood. The First minister rose from his seat, and said, "I apologise to his Majesty, but I believe the death penalty is too steep. My recommendation is that this dispute is solved through a hunt." One-by-one the other judges rose and passed the same judgement.. Chu Yun was immensely relieved, until he looked towards the King and saw the small smile curling in the corner of his lips. Read novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 113 - The Fox Is Prey Best novel online free at novelhall.com "What the fuck is a ''hunt''?" Chu Yun asked, hissing out the question at Hua Nanyi, who only shrugged and kept looking towards the front of the room. "How am I supposed to know?" At that same moment, Gu Wei''s crystalline voice rang out, "I object to this. How is a hunt going to determine Xiao Zai''s involvement in the crime? In fact, as far as I can see, no trial as been conducted. Were we gathered here merely to hear a sentencing?" The King ignored him and turned towards the judge''s panel. "This King will accept his judge''s counsel. The Second Prince''s honour will be determined through the sacred ritual of the hunt." Chu Yun tried to catch a glimpse at Xiao Zai kneeling on the floor with his head lowered. He had no reaction to the revelation. The King addressed the crowd of gathered spectators as a whole: "For the benefit of the foreign friends joining us today, this King will explain the principles that guide a hunt. For us wolves, it is both a reward and punishment. In special occasions, families, or packs, as they used to be called in less civilised times, will gather to hunt prey and strengthen their bonds," he paused for effect, and Chu Yun could have sworn his dark gaze sought out his own, "or to flush out the weak." He understood Gu Wei''s objections now. There was no way something like this would turn in Xiao Zai''s favour. The King would make sure of it. If he had insisted on the execution, it would make him look unreasonable and that he was outright trying to eliminate his own son -- it might actually cause some of the ministers Chu Yun had managed to sway to rise up against him. instead, with this stupid ''hunt'', he was ''apparently'' giving Xiao Zai a chance to regain his honour. Chu Yun would kneel in the snow for an entire week if all of it wasn''t rigged already. The King paced in front of his throne, as if thinking up the details of the hunt, hands folded behind his back. "In this hunt, the wolf members of each household should be allowed to participate," the King said, smiling slowly to himself. Chu Yun immediately tensed. This left their household at an enormous disadvantage. The only wolves in their home were Xiao Zai himself, Fan Jiang''s elderly mother, who obviously wouldn''t be competing, Fan Jiang''s brother whose health was severely compromised, and who also wouldn''t be participating, and Fan Jiang himself, who had been planted there by the King. Everyone else was a beta human from Su, or Chu Yun! How long had the King been planning something like this? Or had he just taken advantage of a situation in which the stones were lining up perfectly in his board? Even if Chu Yun''s actions had managed to sway Fan Jiang''s alliances, he was only one beta wolf. Xiao Yuan had two beta wolf concubines, and several beta wolf servants. Looking at all of them lining up behind Xiao Yuan, Chu Yun realised how the King had anticipated Chu Yun to be suspicious of him, and acted accordingly. When he and Xiao Zai first moved into the estate together, the King had gifted them all beta wolves as well. Determined to avoid spies, Chu Yun had course corrected and gotten all human betas from Su, instead, -- playing right into the King''s hand. Only now did he see how everything was closing in around him. How this trap had been laid for him and Xiao Zai since before they even got married. And in the middle of it all, Chu Hean, sitting straight-backed next to Xiao Yuan. As if sensing Chu Yun''s gaze, his brother finally turned towards him, his expression unreadable. "Since his Grace Chu Hean, admitted of his own volition to have acted under the Second Prince''s orders, without being fully aware of what he was doing, he won''t face any charges for his role in the tragic incident." Chu Hean bowed his head demurely his expression ambiguous. It made Chu Yun''s blood boil. "Could his Grace please recount the events of the day of the First Prince''s wedding, so that all those gathered here, who didn''t participate in the previous day''s investigation, can be made aware of the facts?" Chu Hean rose to his feet, the tapered tips of his fingers brushing against the tabletop. "On the day of the wedding ceremony, his Second Highness expressed his distaste at the prospect of welcoming me as a concubine into his household." He lowered his eyes, with a hint of humiliation and sadness colouring his expression. Chu Hean was beautiful, and the effect of his performance on the enraptured audience was immediate. Chu Yun had to give it to him, he had managed to fool him perfectly. No wonder he acted so dispassionately about Xiao Zai''s rejection, and lackadaisical in general, about becoming a mere concubine. That was never his plan. But that wasn''t the picture he was painting for the crowd. He sighed in embarrassment keeping his voice low, "I''ve been in love with his Second Highness since our first meeting at my father''s estate -- there was an immediate connection between us," he lifted his eyes shyly to glance at Xiao Zai, who kept looking resolutely ahead, "when he promised me to reconsider accepting me as a concubine if I did what he said, I''m afraid my heart spoke louder than my best judgement." Seeing as everyone considered omegas to be highly emotional, and easily controlled by an alpha''s pheromones, no one questioned his tale. The King kept looking at Chu Hean with a benevolent look. "And what did he ask of you?" "All I had to do was add an expensive looking packet of tea leaves to the piles of wedding gifts," he shrugged, making himself look smaller, "I assumed some recent awkwardness prevented his Second Highness from gifting his brother directly." He bowed first towards the King and then the judges'' panel. "This lowly one apologises sincerely for his mistake." He needn''t have bothered, everyone was already well and truly taken with his performance. Chu Yun could only watch this all play out from the back of the room. The King cleared his throat, returning order to the room after Chu Hean''s moving display. "As we all heard, the facts are clear. Therefore, I decree that for this hunt, both the injured party and the guilty party will chase the prey, from dusk today, to dawn tomorrow. "If the injured party catches the prey first: they will be able to decide on the guilty party''s sentence. If the accused party catches the prey first, all charges will be dropped, and the injured party will let the matter go and not pursue any retribution for damages suffered." He paused, enjoying the effect of his words in the room.. "As for who the prey should be, who better than the Second Prince''s only spouse?" his eyes zeroed in on Chu Yun and his corner of the room, "His Grace, Chu Miaoyan." Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 114 - The Queen Mother Has Something To Say You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chu Yun had no reaction beyond surprise. He had no idea what being ''prey'' entailed. He looked at the front of the dais and found Xiao Zai looking back at him, his eyes wide with panic. Gu Wei was looking back at him, too, his pale lips pressed into a grim line. Okay, so, nothing good. The King didn''t wait for the shock to settle before addressing his captive audience once again, gesturing at everyone to settle down, making his large gold sleeves billow with the regal drop of his arms. "Unlike the participants, the prey doesn''t need to be a wolf, and will be released on the grounds the hunt will take place at hours ahead of the competition. The prey will also take animal form, providing they have one, and their senses will be dulled with medicine, to ensure the fairness of the hunt. The prey will be unable to see or scent those giving them chase, therefore it will be in their best interest to...keep running." Unable to hold back his glee, the King grinned widely. For a moment his dignified features were twisted into a mask of cruelty, exposing his sadistic nature. It only lasted for a moment before he wiped it off, replacing it with his usual air of regal wisdom. Chu Yun tried to come up with something to say, but the words deserted him. At his side Hua Nanyi was like an attack dog poised for action, but held back by the collar around her throat. In this case the collar was civility. Just as the shocked hum in the room began to die down, a gravelly voice rang out. "I object." All eyes turned towards the beaded curtain that hid the Queen Dowager. She was still reclining sideways on her sofa, and didn''t shift her position at all. For the first time, the King''s exultant expression showed its first cracks. "Our Queen Mother is of course welcome to share her wisdom." She lifted a thin arm and pointed forward. Her pale, wrinkled hand broke through the barrier of the beaded curtain, pointing right at Chu Yun. "He is obviously injured," the Queen Dowager said, her gravely voice dispassionate, "what kind of prey will he make?" she scoffed, turning her heavy, crowned head to the side as if dismissing even the sight of Chu Yun. "No, he won''t do." Chu Yun tried to keep his expression neutral despite the relief coursing through his veins. He didn''t know what effects that so-called "dulling medicine" would have on his...stomach bug. The Queen Dowager''s intervention showed that she feared it wouldn''t do any good. The King''s ever present smirk wavered. "But then, if not him, who will be the prey for this hunt?" The Queen Dowager scoffed loudly from her sofa, adjusting her legs and making the beads clink together with her movements. "Doesn''t he have a brother right here? What different those it make? Just replace one fox for the other." Chu Yun could feel Hua Nanyi''s fingers tightening on his shoulder, and then her whispered praise, "Smart old dog." He should have been glad that she had spared him from something potentially dangerous for himself and...stomach bug, but he couldn''t help but worry for his brother. Chu Hean''s expression revealed nothing, but Chu Yun was still apprehensive about what could happen to him. Meanwhile, the King was going through a complicated series of emotions, his jaw trembled with his attempt at holding a smile, at the same time his hands shook with barely suppressed rage. "Very well, it will be done as Queen Mother says." She said nothing, taking for granted that her orders would be followed. She had taken all the fun out this pantomime for her son, and with a grunt he raised his hand, and announced, "Court dismissed." --- Chu Yun rose to his feet as soon as the King left, determined to talk with Xiao Zai before the guards took him away. With great effort he walked to the centre of the room, with Hua Nanyi''s help. Xiao Zai fought against the hands restraining him the moment he saw Chu Yun approach. "I''m so relieved to see you." His eyes drifted down to Chu Yun''s legs. His knees and the thick layers of salve still coating them were hidden beneath the skirts of his robes, but it was clear someone had told Xiao Zai about his injuries. Chu Yun threw his arms around him, bringing their faces close. He had spent months curating the image of a besotted fool, he would make good use of it now. "What can happen to you during this hunt?" he whispered against Xiao Zai''s ear, holding onto the back of his neck as if he couldn''t bear to be parted from him. "It''s not just the chase," Xiao Zai whispered, "sometimes, to make things exciting, some wild animals can be released alongside us." Chu Yun went still, his stomach churning with fear. He remembered the King''s words at the beginning of the trial. "Flush out the weak," the sick bastard had said. If both of his sons died then it wouldn''t be a big loss either way. It explained Xiao Yuan''s apathetic look, and it also ensured he''d try to win -- if only to end the hunt as soon as possible and save his own life. As to what would happen to Xiao Zai if he lost -- Chu Yun had no illusions that it would be the King deciding on a sentence and using the First Prince as a mouthpiece. Except this way he looked civilised instead of bloodthirsty. Chu Yun kept clinging to Xiao Zai even as the guards tried to separate them. "I''m not going to let him win," he said fervently. The tips of Xiao Zai''s manacled fingers brushed against Chu Yun''s abdomen. "Is..." Chu Yun nodded. He only felt Xiao Zai''s relieved exhaled against his neck for a fraction of a second before the guards dragged him away.. Chu Yun held his gaze until the doors closed behind him. You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 115 - The Wolf Is In Fine Form You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Back in his cell, Xiao Zai tried to get his frantic thoughts in order. He hadn''t participated in a hunt since his early teen years, and he had been a lot more naive back then -- even knowing how treacherous the palace could be. Now, he knew to expect traps, and all kinds of obstacles thrown in his path. His father had a set outcome in mind, and it didn''t involve Xiao Zai coming out victorious. Xiao Zai had his doubts if it involved him coming out alive, at all. At least his grandmother had found a way to get Chu Yun out of it. He couldn''t imagine she had been moved by the kindness of her heart. While she never set out to torment him or his dam like many others had, she was always cold and distant. Like an impenetrable wall of ice. Whatever her motives, Xiao Zai was still grateful. Although he suspected that she would come collect, in due time. He paced the length of the small cell back and forth while thinking of the best way to catch Chu Hean as soon as possible and get the hunt over with. His father''s original intention was for Chu Yun to be the prey, so he was going to be forced to improvise. That didn''t meant that Xiao Zai was going to have an easier time. Moreover, it would just be him and Fan Jiang, while his brother''s household boasted at least six wolves. The odds weren''t in their favour. Something like a hunt required a level of trust in the people in your party. It wouldn''t be possible for them to talk in their wolf forms, although they would retain their minds. Communication would be incredibly limited, forcing them to rely on instinct, and the ancient pack connections that primitive wolf societies relied on to conquer and retain territory. Seeing as he and Fan Jiang hated each other, he doubted a natural understanding would be born during the hunt. Hours passed, the guards came and threw some slop into his cell which could barely pass for food. Stomach rumbling, Xiao Zai struggled to keep it all down, he would need his strength if he wanted to make it through the hunt. --- The hunt would be happening in the large woods just behind the royal palace, and which were still considered part of the royal grounds. Chu Yun, along with Hua Nanyi, and all the servants in their household who had been summoned to watch the hunt. Many of them, despite being humans from Su, had lived in Zui for years, therefore they knew what a hunt was, although they had never seen one. Chu Yun was in the same boat. They were all waiting in a clearing, surrounded by tall, dark pine trees. Some time ago, wooden stands had been mounted along the tree line, which the court spectators rushed to fill, coveting the higher seats, that would give them a better look over the trees. The contingent of the households participating in the hunt had seat of honour in even higher, tower-like structures in opposing sides of the clearing. The King, in a display of his impartiality, and indifference towards worldly affairs sat in a raised platform between the two towers, almost at ground level. "Awful view, I never understood the point of this, it''s not as if we can see much beyond the tree tops," a familiar raspy voice said from Chu Yun''s right. He was surprised to see the Queen Dowager ascending the stairs, her face obscured by a dark blue veil affixed to her heavy crown. Two servants helped her up the stairs, carrying the train of her robes. Less surprising was seeing Gu Wei''s stern face appear behind the Queen''s servants. "I didn''t know her royal highness would be joining us," Chu Yun said, not hiding his surprise. The Queen took a seat at the end of their little viewing gallery, truly not interested in the hunt about to happen. "Well, I have to sit somewhere, and I didn''t like the feng shui on the other tower." Chu Yun looked across the clearing towards the wooden tower hosting Xiao Yuan''s household members. Compared to theirs, and the large amount of humans from Su, it looked positively empty. "Ah, I see," Chu Yun said, one corner of his lips ticking up. The Queen had an unusual sense of humour, Chu Yun had to giver her that. Beside him, at the front of the box Gu Wei snorted, "No, in fact I think you don''t see." He shook is head, and nodded towards the ground before Chu Yun could ask him what he meant. "It''s starting." --- Xiao Yuan and his contingent approached the King''s seat. They all bowed to him, and without fanfare disappeared into their own robes as they shifted into their wolf forms. Xiao Yuan was the first to emerge from his apricot coloured robes. He was a grey wolf with brown eyes. He towered over the other wolves in his pack, which were all different colours of brown and cream. His ears and tail were the smallest among all, despite his larger size. Cheers sounded from the stands behind him. And when Chu Yun turned around, many people were on their feet to get a good look at the wolf forms of royalty. In a society that made so much mystery out of the beast form, and involved it in so much ritual, this was an unprecedented event -- surely to make the rounds in Haolin''s teahouses for many months to come. Guards dragged in Xiao Zai, still manacled. Chu Yun''s stomach boiled with indignity at seeing him publicly humiliated like this. Fan Jiang followed behind him with his head lowered. Xiao Zai didn''t bow to his father, in a blink he disappeared inside his robes, and emerged moments later as a menacing black wolf with ice chip eyes and white tipped ears. He was the tallest among all the wolves. He snapped his powerful jaw at the guards near him and they scattered like frightened ants. Seeing him like this made something settle sweetly in Chu Yun''s middle. His husband looked like he could maul the competition without even trying. Just as it should be. Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 116 - The Wolf Is Deadly You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Being in his full wolf form felt like Xiao Zai like returning home after a long absence. But not like any home he''d ever had, instead it was like the ingrained concept of ''home'' that existed in everyone and said there was somewhere they belonged -- someplace they came from, and could return to at anytime. He dug his claws into the soft snow beneath his paws and looked up at the towers. His wolf eyes had better sight than his human eyes, and he could see Chu Yun looking down at him in admiration and approval. It made him want to howl. He was faintly aware of Fan Jiang to his left, and his brother and his group to his right, but all his attention was focused on Chu Yun. It would likely remain that way if his father hadn''t spoken. "It''s time." A tray with a large incense burner was brought before the King. Xiao Zai knew that inside was an incense stick with several coils, which would burn until dawn, signalling the end of the hunt. The King lit it with the candle a servant gave him. "Begin," he said, as soon as the incense started smoking. Xiao Zai rushed into the pine forest, hearing the snow crunch under his paws, and the rush of the bodies behind him approaching at speed. The forest swallowed them all into its depths like an hungry maw. The snow on the ground, and clinging to the pine needles, muffled the sounds of nature, and made each step rumble like thunder. From the corner of his eyes, Xiao Zai thought he could see Xiao Yuan leading his group. He came to a stop when he saw Xiao Zai looking at him. Xiao Zai tensed, preparing for a confrontation, the dark fur over his ruff standing on end. Instead Xiao Yuan nodded once, and turned in the opposite direction, leading his group deeper into the forest. When Xiao Zai turned, he saw Fan Jiang, a medium-sized white wolf with black eyes gazing in the direction Xiao Yuan had disappeared to. No doubt he would much rather have gone with him, but he was stuck with Xiao Zai. With a growl, Xiao Zai snapped him out of his trance and nudged him towards a path between the trees. Fan Jiang lowered his head and ran in that direction. In their wolf form, betas still couldn''t pick up the unique pheromones of alphas and omegas, but they still had a wolf''s superior sense of smell. Even if Fan Jiang couldn''t pick up Chu Hean''s omega pheromones, he could still pick out the scent of a fox. Chu Hean''s pheromones should have been disguised with a mixture of herbs, in order to make the hunt harder. As an alpha, Xiao Zai''s senses were attuned to pheromones, making it harder for him to tune them out. For instance, he could still smell Xiao Yuan, even though he was already about three li away. As a beta, Fan Jiang was going to pick up different scents much quicker than him, which was why Xiao Zai wanted him to go out in front and lead the way. Even if he purposefully tried to mislead Xiao Zai, he wouldn''t be able to control his body''s natural tells. His ears would twitch, or his tail quirk up, if he picked up a different scent, giving him away. On the other hand, if they suffered an ambush, or were attacked by a mindless animal, it would certainly happen from the rear. And since Xiao Zai was the stronger of the two, it was up to him to defend them both. The two of them slowed their pace and threaded softly through the forest, snow crushing under their paws, sending a few skittish critters running. Fan Jiang was more skittish than any squirrel, stopping every tenth step and scenting the air. Xiao Zai was about to growl at him to cut it out when he heard a noise. He stopped, trying to make sense of it, it was faint, but growing closer -- and fast. He howled to draw Fan Jiang''s attention, and turned to face whatever was pursuing them. And it was pursuit, he was sure of it now. Fan Jiang held back a few paces, almost cowering behind Xiao Zai. The smell of his fear was almost palpable. The vegetation rustled with the heavy gait of whatever was coming for them, but the darkness of the forest didn''t reveal anything. Finally, Xiao Zai caught a flash of white, almost vanishing into the shadows around it -- a tiger. Xiao Zai dug in his hind legs and prepared to leap as soon as the tiger got closer. The tiger emerged from the darkness like a bolt of lightening, his nose wrinkled in a vicious growl, his fangs on display and all his claws extended, ready to pounce. Xiao Zai kicked up against the snow and leapt into the tiger''s surge, their bodies colliding in midair with a sickening, muscular thud. They fell to the ground in a heap of furry limbs, Xiao Zai yelped when one of the tiger''s claw dug into his flank. But the tiger was disoriented from the fall, and didn''t have the advantage of a human brain. He stayed down while the tiger got up. Thinking he was no longer a threat, the tiger now focused his attention on Fan Jiang, standing perfectly still a few paces away. While the tiger prepared for another attack, Xiao Zai launched himself at his neck, biting down until his mouth flooded with blood. The tiger''s pained yowls were drowned by the gurgle of blood gushing around Xiao Zai''s muzzle. The best Xiao Zai could do for him now was give him a quick death. In seconds, the white tiger was dead. He closed his jaw over the tiger''s ruff and dragged it towards the quietly whimpering Fan Jiang. He nodded from the tiger to Fan Jiang. Eventually Fan Jiang understood that Xiao Zai meant for him to carry the tiger. Maybe it was the adrenaline of the kill filling him with impudence, but he didn''t even care that carrying the dead tiger would slow them down. He was going to have its pelt made into a lovely new cloak for Chu Yun.. A cloak fit for a king. Read novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 117 - The Fox Worries, The Wolf Witnesses Something Odd Now that he had handled one of the traps, Xiao Zai took the lead while Fan Jiang followed behind, awkwardly dragging the dead tiger with them. Xiao Zai couldn''t shake the feeling that something wasn''t right, along with Chu Hean''s scent there should be fresh tracks on the snow, allowing both Xiao Zai and Xiao Yuan to find him. But not only where there no fox tracks, his scent was faint as well. More concerning were the abundant hoof tracks. Why had a horse passed through here? The more Xiao Zai inspected them the more concerned he got. The edges were very defined, but it had been snowing intermittently since morning, just a light powder, but enough to blur tracks like these. Xiao Zai stood still waiting for Fan Jiang to reach him. Fan Jiang stopped at his side, letting go of the tiger, and panting loudly. Xiao Zai pawed at the horse tracks, hoping to make his meaning clear. For a moment it seemed like Fan Jiang wasn''t going to understand him, but moments later he started scenting the ground, chasing a trail. Xiao Zai carried the tiger himself, and followed after him, his own senses told him that Xiao Yuan was not very far away. --- Chu Yun kept looking out into the dark forest, as if expecting to see any obvious sing of activity. He jumped whenever a tree swayed between the others, imagining it being displaced by the speed of a run, or the violence of a battle. Any sound made him cling to the edge of the viewing box in anxiety, expecting someone to emerge from the tree line at any moment. As the night fell, torches were lit all around the clearing, but they didn''t make it any easier to look into the dense pine forest. "Will you stop your fretting? It''s making me dizzy just to look at you," the Queen Dowager said, fanning herself despite the bitterly cold weather, which the braziers lit in their viewing tower were doing little to dispel. She had been making similar comments for the whole evening, and well into the night. At first Chu Yun found them funny, but as the hours passed with no sign of Xiao Zai they were beginning to grate on him. Beside the Queen, Gu Wei snorted while looking up at Chu Yun''s pinched expression. "What is it? Are you worried because you can''t intervene and save the day?" That comment made Chu Yun freeze. Was that why both of them were there? To ensure he didn''t do anything reckless? "I''m far too old to require supervision," he said, biting back what he really wanted to say. The Queen Dowager let out a rattling laugh, snapping her closed fan against the armrest of the portable sofa on which she was sitting. "Ah, no one is ever too old for that, believe me. But you can rest assured that no one here is supervising you..." "Her royal Highness is your witness," Gu Wei said, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Witness for what?" Chu Yun asked, completely at a loss. The Queen Dowager smirked. "Everything can happen during a hunt, I don''t want my son to cast any suspicion about your role in any of it," she flicked her fan open again, "therefore, I''ll be your witness, that you spent the entire night up in this tower, and were accounted for at all times." She leaned towards Gu Wei with a smile filled with false apology. "Bailiu''s word is worthless in my son''s eyes, so he doesn''t count." She paused. "No offence meant, of course." "None taken," Gu Wei said, surprisingly, he looked like he meant it. Chu Yun supposed if he were to shift into his fox form and discreetly enter the woods he could help Xiao Zai, but there were too many variables involved with something like that. He wouldn''t try to attempt it, not in front of these many people. But the Queen Dowager''s words made him worry that she new something he didn''t. With his stomach churning with anxiety, Chu Yun turned his gaze once again towards the dark pine woods. --- Xiao Zai knew the moment he heard the sound of hooves that they''d caught them. He let go of the tiger''s carcass and sprinted in the direction of the sound. He broke through a thicket of boxthorn and surprised a fully human Chu Hean in the middle of climbing behind a cloaked man on a horse. He threw one look at Xiao Zai from above his shoulder and pulled something from his wrist, throwing it in his direction. "Give my brother this." The rider didn''t wait and set his horse into a full gallop. Xiao Zai gave chase, but it became apparent right away that as fast as he was, he wouldn''t be catching up to the horse, cutting through the dense woods like a dark shadow. Chu Hean''s behaviour was puzzling, but the day was about to break and he didn''t have time to stand there and try to figure it out. Xiao Zai returned to the spot where the red bracelet had fallen and picked it up carefully between his teeth. In Chu Hean''s absence it would have to do. --- Chu Yun along with several others had climbed down the towers, and was waiting close to the passage into the woods. The sky was taking on the dark purple of dawn, and the hunt would be over soon. If no one returned before the incense stopped burning, there would be no winners. He had begun entertaining all kinds of terrible thoughts about Xiao Zai lying somewhere in the middle of the forest, injured or worse, when a black wolf came out of three line dragging a huge white tiger by the ruff. Chu Yun broke away from the crowd surrounding him and rushed towards the wolf. Xiao Zai came to a stop in front of him and dropped the dead tiger at his feet. At the same time, servants surrounded him, carrying robes to hide him behind and for him to change into as he shifted back into his human form. Before they could exchange a single word, a silver wolf ambled out of the forest. Xiao Yuan was dragging something between his teeth too, but instead of a successful catch it was another, smaller wolf. Dead, much like the tiger. You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 118 - The Fox Likes What He Sees You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Everyone watched as Xiao Yuan dragged the corpse of the dead wolf into the clearing, many people gasping in shock. Chu Yun kept looking at the cream corpse of the dead wolf, trying to remember who it belonged to. A gaggle of servants immediately surrounded Xiao Yuan, who emerged from their middle dressed, if not composed. He pointed down at the corpse and shouted, "Someone murdered the Crown Princess." The effect of his words in the crowd was immediate, gasps of shock rose from the onlookers. The curious bystanders drew in close, trying to get a glimpse at the dead Crown Princess in her wolf form. Chu Yun exchanged a worried glance with Xiao Zai, who was staring at his brother with a look of extreme confusion. Fan Jiang, freshly changed into new robes stared at the commotion with apprehension written all over his face, it was clear from the downwards slant of his mouth that he wished he could rush to Xiao Yuan''s side. The King''s personal guard dispersed the crowd so that he could approach the First Prince and inspect the scene. He spared the corpse of his dead daughter-in-law only the most cursory of glances before turning towards Xiao Zai with a thunderous expression. "What''s the meaning of this?" Of course his suspicions would immediately fall on Xiao Zai. Chu Yun hadn''t realised he''d taken a step forward, until he felt Xiao Zai holding him back by the elbow. "I would also like to know," Xiao Zai said, returning his father''s caustic glare. "Maybe she fell victim to the tiger who attacked me? One must ask what was a tiger doing in the royal forest grounds." The King completely ignored the remark about the tiger, even though it was clearly visible on the floor by Chu Yun''s feet. "It was impossible for the Crown Princess to be mauled by a tiger without anyone noticing." Xiao Yuan nodded, his features pale and haggard. "I didn''t hear anything, no one did. One moment she was walking behind the group, the next she was lying dead on the snow!" He looked like he was in a trance, unable to accept the reality of the death of his wife of less than a month. It was obviously not heartbreak making him incredulous, Chu Yun doubted the two of them had seen each other more than twice in the days since the wedding. But it took a special kind of coldness to be indifferent to the senseless death of another person. Someone like the King, for instance. "It''s odd that so soon after one of the First Prince''s concubines lost a child, his First Wife is now dead." Xiao Zai chuckled bitterly. "It is odd, but it has nothing to do with me." The King''s gaze travelled from Xiao Zai to Chu Yun. "Perhaps, I''ve been looking in the right place but at the wrong person." Ah, there was the Queen Dowager''s foresight paying off. Chu Yun wondered if she knew this in particular would happen, or if she had simply anticipated that her son would do something after the pantomime with the abortive tea. Just as he was thinking that, the woman herself approached the corpse of the Princess Consort. She shook her head with a sigh of regret, and then turned to her son. "Miaoyan stayed in the tower the whole night. Something that would be hard to miss because his presence is both overwhelming and extremely tiresome." Chu Yun supposed he could handle the insult seeing as she was trying to intercede in his favour. Gu Wei was probably somewhere watching everything, and smirking knowingly to himself, like the mastermind he fancied himself as. The King clearly didn''t expect his Queen Mother to provide Chu Yun''s defence, and stayed quiet, his expression grim. Xiao Zai exchanged a few words with Fan Jiang, and then took a step forward. He raised his hand showing the red circle of a handmade bracelet that Chu Yun immediately recognised. He had made that bracelet for Chu Hean himself, when he started his classes in the academy, which would mark his first time leaving their estate for an extended period of time. He''d expressed his worry about not being around their family, and anxiety about whether his classmates and teacher would like him. Chu Yun had made that bracelet to remind him that he was always with him, and that no matter what, he could trust his dage to protect him if something happened to him. Seeing it in Xiao Zai''s hand made Chu Yun''s stomach drop. "This bracelet was all that Chu Hean left behind before escaping on the back of a horse ridden by a mysterious, hooded figure," he closed his fist around the thin red strings, "I''d like to know the meaning of that." Chu Yun couldn''t hide his relieved sigh. He would never wish any harm to come to his brother, no matter how strained their relationship became. At the same time, Xiao Zai''s description immediately made him think of that waist token from Su that Hua Nanyi found. For once, the King wasn''t able to hide the look that passed across his eyes. "I have no idea what you''re talking about." Xiao Zai nodded. "Just like with the tiger...this son understands," he smiled derisively and bent down to heft the dead tiger across his shoulders. "Where do you think you''re going?" the King shouted, pointing an accusing finger at Xiao Zai. "I''m going home to have a cloak made for my husband." His words sent a bolt of lightning down Chu Yun''s spine. He liked it when Xiao Zai openly defied his father like this. It made everyone around him stand to attention. It showed them all a glimpse of the King he could be. Without a word, Chu Yun held onto Xiao Zai''s elbow, and the two of them made their way through the crowd that parted for them like clouds after a storm. "Do you think this means you''ve won?" the King shouted after his son''s retreating back, but Xiao Zai kept walking. "You''re supposed to catch the prey in a hunt!" Xiao Zai lifted the bracelet in the air again. "Royal father is welcome to go into the forest and look for Chu Hean, this son assures him he won''t find him." Chu Yun struggled not to laugh out loud. He was superficially aware of Hua Nanyi, Fan Jiang, and all their other servants following after them, but he couldn''t stop himself from asking the question that had been bouncing around his mind since he''d seen Xiao Zai walk out of the forest bloodied from a fresh kill. "The full moon is in four days, isn''t it?" Xiao Zai shot him a heated look. "It is. Why do you ask?" Chu Yun smirked.. "Good boys deserve treats." Read novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 119 - The Fox Thinks Payback Is Fairplay You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com It was a good thing the full moon was four days away, because Chu Yun''s knees were in no condition of anything more strenuous than a brisk walk. Of course that didn''t stop Xiao Zai from hounding him like a persistent child who''d been promised a trip to the market. Wherever Chu Yun turned to there was Xiao Zai, ready to help make him more comfortable, apply salve to his injuries, bring him something to drink. It got so annoying that Chu Yun had to threaten to rescind his offer of a treat to get him to back off. "You are secretly pleased, don''t lie," Hua Nanyi said, after witnessing the latest of these exchanges. Chu Yun sat back down on his sofa and kicked his legs up over the armrest. "Of course, but I can''t let him get too comfortable." The truth was that the last few days had put a lot of things into perspective for Chu Yun. He was ready to admit that maybe, on some level, he was attracted to Xiao Zai because he was Xiao Zai, and not just any attractive person. At the moment that was the extent he allowed his realisation to go, but there was only so much a person could change their worldview at once. Chu Yun hadn''t called Hua Nanyi into his office to be insulted to his face, as much as she enjoyed the activity. She had just returned from the royal palace, after being sent there as Xiao Zai''s and Chu Yun''s representative. He could only imagine the King''s face when she informed him that Chu Yun wouldn''t be able to appear in front of the court on account of his injuries, and that Xiao Zai wouldn''t either, on account of Chu Yun''s injuries too. "There was a lot of screaming," she said, siting down at the low table in front of the sofa and pouring herself a cup of tea. "But the gist of it is that they can''t really pin Chu Hean''s mysterious disappearance on you, and that the judges agreed that since Xiao Zai brought back one of his belongings it actually counted as a win, seeing as Chu Hean wasn''t really supposed to leave on horseback either." Chu Yun snorted. "I bet the King just loved that." "He looked really red in the face about the whole thing," Hua Nanyi said, sipping her tea. "Anyway, Xiao Zai has been cleared of all charges, and you aren''t implicated in anything. There''s still the ongoing investigation into the Princess Consort''s death, but...Fan Jiang testified that Xiao Zai never left his side, and Xiao Yuan too attested that he never saw, or scented, his brother nearby." "Another demoralising loss for the King," Chu Yun said, wiggling his fingers towards Hua Nanyi so that she''d pour him a cup of tea as well. She passed him a teacup and took a sip of her own. "I don''t understand what was the King''s goal with all this? It seems to me like he went to a lot of trouble only to end up with nothing to show for it." "Actually, his original plan was really clean and efficient." Chu Yun smirked into his teacup. "It''s just too bad that no matter how much a man plans, it''s up to the heavens to make those plans come to fruition." Hua Nanyi frowned. "Well, right now he has a Crown Prince with a dead Princess Consort, and a concubine who just miscarried. No matter how you look at it, Xiao Zai came out of the whole thing on top." "Yes, but he easily couldn''t have. Don''t forget I was supposed to be the ''prey'', and I''m sure he planned on getting rid of me, and perhaps seriously injuring Xiao Zai. I don''t think he cared either way whether Xiao Yuan or Xiao Zai won, as long as Xiao Zai came out of the whole thing humiliated." He tapped one fingertip against the smooth edge of the fired clay pot. "I''ll tell you something else, I''m sure he''s responsible for the concubine''s miscarriage, but I don''t think he was involved in the Consort''s death." Her frown deepened, and she gave him a puzzled look. "The person who spirited Chu Hean away, then?" "Perhaps, perhaps not...there''s a lot happening right now, but either way, I don''t consider this a victory for us. We got lucky, but that might not happen the next time." She remained quiet, Chu Yun got the impression that he had given her plenty to think about. "Speaking of which, did you find anything else in Chu Hean''s rooms at the inn?" "Nothing, he vanished without a trace," she chuckled bitterly, "now there''s someone whose motives I can''t make sense of." Chu Yun looked down at his wrist where a red bracelet peeked over the edge of the loose white sleeve. "Yes, me neither." That troubled him more than any dark ploys the King of Zui could throw at him. --- Xiao Zai could feel the pull of the full moon more keenly than he ever had before. He didn''t know if that was due to Chu Yun''s provocative promise, or because he could still feel the adrenaline of taking down the white tiger thrumming through his veins. In a few days Chu Yun''s new cloak would be ready, and Xiao Zai couldn''t stop imagining how he''d look in it -- in nothing but it, preferably. There was something about knowing he''d bested another creature in combat and laid down the spoils at the feet of his mate that satisfied an incredibly primal part of his brain. It must be the ancient wolf brain scholars would sometimes refer to when talking about the primitive past of the animal clans. Back when they all lived in packs, skulks, and herds, instead of villages and cities. Technically, since he hadn''t marked him, Chu Yun wasn''t his mate yet. Xiao Zai had a feeling he had done enough to change that. They were back to sleeping in separate quarters because of Chu Yun''s injuries, but on the night of the full moon, just as Xiao Zai was growing restless with repressed desire, the door to his room creaked open under the cover of darkness. The scent of Chu Yun''s arousal rendered Xiao Zai speechless, but his words stole the breath from his lungs. "On your knees," Chu Yun rasped, closing the door with a soft thud.. "I spent an entire night on my knees for you, now it''s your turn to return the favour." You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 120 - The Fox Calls The Shots (NSFW) You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com The moment Chu Yun entered the room he was hit with a potent wave of Xiao Zai''s pheromones. His scalp tingled with a bone-deep awareness of Xiao Zai''s rut, as if he could almost predict what Xiao Zai was going to do before he did it. It still stole his breath to watch an half naked Xiao Zai stalk towards him, looking all the while like the bloodied wolf who dropped a dead tiger at his feet, fall to his knees in front of him. Chu Yun''s breath hitched when Xiao Zai pulled him by the hipbones and rubbed his face into the crook of his hip, inhaling deeply. It was such an intimate gesture that it made Chu Yun feel flayed alive. He caught Xiao Zai''s hair between his fingers and pulled. "Undress me." He wanted him to stay on his knees and Xiao Zai didn''t disappoint him. He undid Chu Yun''s waist sash with urgency, no finesse to his greedy hands. Chu Yun shrugged the open outer robe off his shoulders all the while Xiao Zai was already working on his inner robe. "Greedy," Chu Yun said. The truth was that he was the one who was greedy. He felt a compulsion to monopolise Xiao Zai, to have him at his feet in anyway he could get him. It was an all-consuming attracting, inevitable like the seasons, like life and death. Compared to it, all his past trysts seemed oddly passive and remote, as if he hadn''t been an active participant in them. All of him felt alive when Xiao Zai touched him, and it scared him to think what it could mean. So he didn''t think, he stepped out of his underwear and closed his eyes, The alluring image of Xiao Zai''s dark eyes looking up at him from waist level, his breath hot and humid on the skin of his abdomen, was burned into his retinas. Chu Yun was so hard it almost made him dizzy, like there wasn''t enough blood for the rest of his body. "Open," he hissed, bringing his free hand towards Xiao Zai''s lips and pulling at the corner of his mouth. Xiao Zai''s mouth slid open obediently, and the feeling of his wet tongue dragging over his thumb made Chu Yun''s eyelids tremble. He kept his eyes resolutely shut even as he fed his cock into Xiao Zai''s wet mouth. The truth was that he was afraid that the sight of Xiao Zai taking him down his throat would make him come too soon. Chu Yun was trusting a predator with the most vulnerable part of his anatomy, and it sent a delicious thrill down his spine. He tried to distract himself from the delirious sensation of Xiao Zai''s mouth around his cock, from the wet, sloppy noises, and the tremble when the tip of his tongue teased the small slit. Maybe he succeeded too well, because he gasped in surprise when Xiao Zai brought a wet finger to his hole, teasing gently at the entrance. Chu Yun''s fingers yanked on Xiao Zai''s long hair, coiled tightly around his fist. "Bastard, who told you...," he hissed, finally opening his eyes and looking down at Xiao Zai. The sight of Xiao Zai pulling away from his cock, a thick string of saliva connecting the swollen head to his reddened lips, delivered a devastating blow to Chu Yun''s composure. "I thought my alpha was going to reward me," Xiao Zai said, smirking before taking Chu Yun back into his mouth. He resumed circling the rim of Chu Yun''s hole with his slick finger, and this time Chu Yun didn''t complain, only letting out a gasp once it finally slipped inside. The dual stimulation made his earlier attempt at distraction pointless. Xiao Zai''s finger teased his insides, more exploratory than stimulating, but on every second pass he''d almost brush against the spot that made Chu Yun''s breath hitch. He couldn''t help the snap of his hips against Xiao Zai''s mouth, unsure of which source of pleasure he wanted more of. Finally, he couldn''t take it anymore. "Enough," he said, pulling Xiao Zai away from his hard cock. He didn''t want to come in Xiao Zai''s mouth, at least not yet...He didn''t know what he wanted, but when Xiao Zai took out his finger, he keened at the loss. Something flashed in Xiao Zai''s dark eyes at the sound. He got up from the floor and hoisted Chu Yun up against his chest in a swift movement. Chu Yun cursed him but still wrapped his legs around his waist, allowing himself to be carried to the bed. Xiao Zai deposited him carefully on the mussed sheets, where the scent of his rut was stronger. Chu Yun resisted the urge to turn his face to the side and inhale deeply. Xiao Zai stood over him, pupils dilated and eyes darker than ever as he admired Chu Yun''s naked form. Chu Yun leaned back on his elbows and tilted up his chin up, looking his fill too. Xiao Zai''s regal good looks were made sharper by his arousal, everything about him looked poised for combat. His skin was slick with sweat, the tight muscles of his chest and hard abdomen heaved with each breath. Chu Yun''s eyes were drawn to Xiao Zai''s dark, tight nipples, hard in the cold air of the room, and then down his abdomen, across the deep cuts of his hipbones and towards his hard cock, jutting proudly from between a neat thatch of pubic hair. Chu Yun lifted a foot and pushed against Xiao Zai''s chest, aware that he was opening himself up for his hungry gaze, giving him an unimpeded view of his slick cock, leaking a thin stream of pearly fluid into the valley of his hip, dripping steadily down between his cheeks. Xiao Zai''s nostrils flared but he swayed in place, as if trying to hold himself back. That confused Chu Yun who had been looking forward to seeing his desperation. "What are you waiting for?" he asked, letting his foot fall back down to the bed with a pout. "No longer interested in your treat?" Xiao Zai sucked his lower lip between his teeth, eyes glued to Chu Yun''s spread thighs. "I''m worried that--" Chu Yun interrupted him with a groan, he could guess what Xiao Zai was worried about and he didn''t want to hear any of it. He jerked on Xiao Zai''s hand, pulling him on top of him, who tried to break his fall with his forearms. His care not to press Chu Yun under him, further confirmed his suspicions. Chu Yun threw one arm around Xiao Zai''s neck and hissed against his ear, "Stop worrying, or all you''ll have is your hand to get you through this rut." Best novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 121 - The Wolf Retaliates (NSFW) Xiao Zai knew the moment Chu Yun''s exquisite eyebrows pitched downwards over his humid eyes that he was in trouble. He was irresistible, and Xiao Zai would go to great lengths to keep him happy. Chu Yun''s threat wasn''t an empty one, he would leave Xiao Zai wanting if he kept annoying him. But he couldn''t help worrying that being rough with Chu Yun could hurt him, considering his unusual and delicate pregnancy. But seeing as Chu Yun reacted with extreme annoyance to any implication that he was anything but bursting with vitality and strength, Xiao Zai didn''t know how to safely bring up the subject. The rut also reduced him to pure instinct, and his instinct didn''t want to waste time talking. He lowered his lips against Chu Yun''s in a vicious, biting kiss. It served the purpose of feeding his bloodlust and distracting Chu Yun from his displeasure. Like the thaw of the lakes in the spring, Chu Yun melted into the kiss. His hold on Xiao Zai''s neck grew languid and sensual, instead of harsh and punishing. Xiao Zai climbed between the cradle of his spread thighs, and Chu Yun made more space for him by hitching his knees higher. He let our a groan when their sticky erections rubbed together. Chu Yun muffled his moan into the crook of his neck, clinging tightly to Xiao Zai. His sharp teeth dug into the sensitive skin of Xiao Zai''s neck, worrying at a spot close to where he had marked him. Xiao Zai got the impression his mark tingled in awareness of Chu Yun''s closeness. Xiao Zai slid one of his hands down Chu Yun''s chest, thumbing a nipple on his way down towards his dripping cock. He gripped it tightly, making Chu Yun yelp and rock up into his fist. Xiao Zai drank his pleasure greedily. He loved the sight of Chu Yun overcome with desire. But Chu Yun was growing impatient. "Are you just going to look at me?" he asked, frowning even as he kept fucking the fist around his cock. Xiao Zai nuzzled his neck, inhaling his orchid and pine scent deeply. "I love looking at you when you''re like this." The words only made Chu Yun''s frown deepen. "Why are you looking so smug for? You''re not doing anything worth being smug over," he clung to the back of Xiao Zai''s neck, hissing into his lips, "I''m not going to break." It was a warning as much as a threat. One corner of Chu Yun''s lips tugged up in a derisive smirk. "What? Do you think your cock is so big it can hurt me?" He laughed, provocative and teasing, driving Xiao Zai wild with his vicious taunts. "Like a kid who popped his first knot and thinks he''s going to have the world''s omegas falling at his feet," he scoffed, "pathetic." The rational part of Xiao Zai''s brain knew Chu Yun was running his mouth on purpose to provoke him. Whether Chu Yun realised that or not was a different question. He seemed unable to ask for what he wanted unless he was exhausted, injured, emotionally compromised, or too fucked out to care about being vulnerable. In the meantime, he teased and mocked like the spoiled brat he grew up as. Because that was easier and more familiar than being honest. But that was what the rational part of Xiao Zai''s mind had to say: the culmination of several hours poring over Chu Yun''s character and personality. Unfortunately, there was not a lot of space for rationality during a rut. The animal part of his brain told him he needed to fuck the viciousness out of Chu Yun. Playing right into Chu Yun''s hand. Xiao Zai tried to hold off and not give Chu Yun the satisfaction, but he wasn''t strong enough to resist. With a growl he tore into Chu Yun''s mouth with a vicious kiss and pinned one of his knees to the bed, keeping his legs spread and easily accessible. Chu Yun laughed into his mouth, delighting in his victory. Xiao Zai rummaged with his free hand under the mattress for the oil he had bought just with this occasion in mind, in eager anticipation of the next time he''d be able to bury himself inside Chu Yun''s hot, twitching insides. He poured nearly half the bottle over Chu Yun''s, winking, flushed rim, making him hiss at the coolness of the slick. He spread some over his own cock haphazardly, drunk with lust, nearly salivating at the sight of the oil dripping between Chu Yun''s cheeks and into the bed below. He touched the tip of his cock to the heated rim, and it took barely nothing to bully his way inside. Chu Yun''s hole put up only token resistance before opening for Xiao Zai''s cock sweetly, much like Chu Yun himself. Chu Yun muffled a groan against Xiao Zai''s shoulder and then bit down with a shout as he fed him all of his cock in one long, tortuous slide. They were both panting by the time Xiao Zai was fully sheathed inside the hot channel. "There, I gave you what you wanted," Xiao Zai said, whispering the words against Chu Yun''s ear, and punctuating them with a snap of his hips. Chu Yun scoffed even as his knees bracketed Xiao Zai''s hips, keeping their bodies close. "What I wanted? As if you''re doing me a favour. Fucking me was the highlight of your life." As always, Chu Yun''s arrogant words went straight to Xiao Zai''s cock. He loved seeing the high flush of arousal on his cheekbones, the humid film clouding his dark eyes, but above all, he loved the superior curl of his red lips, the haughty tilt of his chin. Everything about Chu Yun reminded Xiao Zai of what a privilege it was to be allowed between his legs, inside his body. Which was why he lowered his head to suck a pebbled nipple into his mouth, making Chu Yun squirm and tighten on his cock, and when he let go with a wet ''pop'', grinned down at him and hissed, "No, the highlight of my life was getting you pregnant." You can read the novel fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 122 - The Wolf Is An Animal (NSFW) Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Xiao Zai knew he was risking a lot by saying something like that, but his blood still sang in anticipation in the split second it took Chu Yun to react. At first, his exquisite features went slack with shock, and then tight with anger. The sharp sting of a slap struck Xiao Zai across the cheek. "How dare you?" Chu Yun hissed, his teeth bared. Xiao Zai sucked on a ragged breath, snapping his hips into Chu Yun with abandon. Despite the outrage on his face, he''d gone tighter inside, wrapping around Xiao Zai like a tight fitting glove. "Slap me again if you''re so angry." Xiao Zai grinned, hoping he would. Chu Yun did. Harder than before even. Xiao Zai hissed through his teeth and fucked into him harder. Watching in delight as Chu Yun''s eyes rolled back into his skull when his cock brushed against the spot inside him that made his inner muscles go tight like a warm, clenching fist. Xiao Zai kept aiming for that spot, keeping a steady pace and fucking increasingly more erotic sounds out of Chu Yun slack mouth. He took it as a personal challenge to unravel Chu Yun''s tightly held control, and make him give into his lust, his desire. He was breathtaking in the throes of ecstasy. All the muscles in his body straining with tension, working to stave off an inevitable orgasm. His skin shone with perspiration, inviting Xiao Zai to lick it. He laved Chu Yun''s right nipple, rubbing his thumb across the the left, still faintly wet with traces of saliva. Chu Yun pushed his chest against Xiao Zai''s face, and his ass into his thrusts, with a bitten off moan. If Xiao Zai said all the filth running through his mind he''d end up much worse than with a couple of slaps. Most of it was mindless, base stuff, like how Chu Yun''s tight, scorching hole felt like it was made for Xiao Zai to fuck, how the breadth of his wide shoulders highlighted the slender dip of his narrow waist, how his long legs made Xiao Zai want to cover them in bites. But what would really make Chu Yun furious with him were all the sentimental admissions. Like how they were made for each other, how it was fate that had brought them together, how Xiao Zai would trade ten years of his life to spend a single one at Chu Yun''s side. Xiao Zai kept suckling at Chu Yun''s nipple, rolling the tight peak around with his tongue while thinking of everything he still wanted to do to Chu Yun, still wanted to tell him. A sharp sting on his scalp reminded him that Chu Yun''s temper was as volatile as the weather. "That''s enough, you''re sucking it raw." He pulled Xiao Zai''s head off his chest by the coil of hair wrapped around his fist, his words mellowed by the panting of his breath. "You think you''ll have milk?" Xiao Zai said, unable to stop that particular thought as he had been all the others. He got another slap, and Chu Yun''s blunt nails scored down his back for his troubles. "Are you an animal?" he snarled, even as his legs tightened around Xiao Zai''s hips, and he continued meeting him thrust for thrust. Chu Yun''s body said one thing and his mouth another. It was maddening, but Xiao Zai wouldn''t have him any other way. Contrarian bastard that he was, spoilt vixen, demanding tease, calamitous beauty, arrogant strategist -- Xiao Zai wanted all of him. "I''m your animal," Xiao Zai said with a harsh snap of his hips, drinking in the sight of Chu Yun''s mouth falling open on a moan and his eyebrows knitting together in overwhelmed pleasure. He could feel the effect of his words on Chu Yun, his tight channel squeezing around his cock so tightly it made Xiao Zai have to slow down the rhythm of his thrusts. He was close, he could feel the tell-tale throb at the base of his cock. Xiao Zai wanted to mark Chu Yun so much that it made his breath catch, but he wanted Chu Yun to ask him for it, beg him even. So instead he forced himself to lower his head into the crook of his neck and lick the skin teasingly, leaving a placeholder, until the day came. "You''re mine too," he whispered against Chu Yun''s ear, cupping the back of his neck "you''re my animal too, my alpha, my husband, my Yun-er," he punctuated each word with a snap of his hips, dragging keening sounds out of Chu Yun''s raw throat, bringing them both closer and closer to the precipice. Tears of desire were gathering at the reddened corners of Chu Yun''s eyes, a sight so incredibly erotic it nearly undid Xiao Zai. "All of me belongs to you, and all of you belongs to me," he hissed, his rut taking him to frenzied heights. "One day I''m going to unhinge my jaw and swallow you whole." Chu Yun shouted as orgasm stole through his body with the violence of thunder. His red cock shot ropes of white cum up his chest, into his own panting mouth. He came only from the cock fucking him, like Xiao Zai said he''d make him. That thought alone, and the vicious clenching of his hole was enough to bring Xiao Zai over the edge. Knot sliding easily inside despite the contractions of Chu Yun''s channel. Chu Yun wrapped his arms around Xiao Zai''s neck and crushed their lips together in a vicious kiss. Not giving into softness even after his body was sated. It was up to Xiao Zai to gentle him with tiny sipping kisses, with slow rocks of his hips as he filled him up. Slowly, after Chu Yun had calmed down enough for it, Xiao Zai turned them on their sides, so they could wait out his knot in a more comfortable position. He dropped kisses onto Chu Yun''s unblemished nape, imagining how it would look with his mark. He banded an arm around Chu Yun''s waist, his palm pressed tightly against his abdomen. Chu Yun slid his own hand over Xiao Zai''s arm, but instead of batting it away, like he expected him to, he laced their fingers together.. With a sigh he settled back into Xiao Zai''s embrace, his tired breath brushing against Xiao Zai''s bicep in warm, sleepy puffs. Read novel online free fast updates at novelhall.com Chapter 123 - The Fox Indulges Himself Chu Yun woke up in drowsy stages, his muscles lax and liquid from the night before. He shifted in the bed and felt Xiao Zai''s arm tighten around him, keeping him in place. He also became aware of the hardness still pressed inside him. He felt behind him awkwardly. Xiao Zai''s knot had gone down, but improbably, he hadn''t slipped out during the night, and now, the motions of Chu Yun waking up had worked him back to hardness. Chu Yun rolled his hips backwards, wrenching a sleepy moan from Xiao Zai, who tightened his arm reflexively and pushed his hips into Chu Yun, seeking more while still clinging to the last vestiges of sleep. It seemed like a waste to pull away when they were both enjoying this languid, lazy rutting, so Chu Yun didn''t. Making a mental wager of how long it would take for Xiao Zai to wake up fully. Not long, it turned out. Chu Yun''s only warning was a choking gasp, and then a hiss buried in the back of his neck. "Good, you''re up, I was tired of doing all the work myself," Chu Yun said, voice dispassionate, as if it wasn''t his own arousal that had prompted him to make use of Xiao Zai. Xiao Zai snapped his hips into him, making Chu Yun groan, and slid his arm down his abdomen, wrapping his leaking cock in a loose fist. "Are you taking advantage of me?" he rasped, his voice warm with amusement and sleep, made gritty by the awakening of lust. Chu Yun dug his fingers into the flesh of the arm around his middle. "You like being taken advantage of." Xiao Zai''s answering laugh was lost in the snap of his hips and the slick sounds of their coupling, no longer as lazy as it had began. --- Hours later, Chu Yun finally wrenched himself away from the soiled bed and Xiao Zai''s grabbing hands. "We are respectable people," Chu Yun insisted, stepping out of the wooden bathtub and dripping water all over the floor. Uncaring of the floors now that it wasn''t his rooms. "We aren''t going to spend the entire day locked in here fucking." He could feel Xiao Zai''s gaze on his back as he slipped the inner robe over his wet skin, making it stick to the planes and curves of his body. "Why not? It seems like such a wonderful idea," Xiao Zai sighed mournfully, sinking against the edge of the tub. "One day I''ll chain you to the bed." Chu Yun shot him a look over the shoulder. He still hadn''t made up his mind regarding how Xiao Zai''s sudden bouts of possessiveness made him feel -- still din''t know if they were something he wanted to encourage or not. But in the meantime, he could take advantage of them. "I''ll let you, on the day you become King," he said, smirking around the words. "I''ll even call you ''my King'', and ''his Majesty''." "What about alpha?" Xiao Zai asked, his nostrils flaring, his fingers digging into the edge of the tub. Chu Yun pulled his long hair to the side, revealing the unblemished expanse of his nape. He trailed his fingers down the smooth skin. "I''m your alpha, why would I do that?" He heard Xiao Zai''s frustrated growl behind him, as he picked up his discarded outer robe from the floor. If Xiao Zai didn''t want to be teased, he shouldn''t make it so much fun for Chu Yun. --- It was a lovely winter day outside, the sky was so blue it hurt the eyes, and the sun had decided to grace them with its rare presence. Chu Yun took the opportunity to inspect the progress on the last of the estate''s courtyards, while drinking the foul medical concoction that kept his stomach bug subdued. He felt a pang of guilt whenever he thought about it, and how he still hadn''t said anything to his parents. He wasn''t sure he should, not by letter. It could be easily intercepted and he didn''t anyone to learn of the pregnancy. Still, Chu Hean had stolen away in the middle of the night from a Zui forest, after seemingly colluding from someone from Su, his parents needed to learn about that. He finished his medicine with a grimace and went back inside to write a letter to his father informing him of everything that had transpired. He had no sooner sent Hua Nanyi to post the letter when Fan Jiang approached him, his head lowered. He greeted him politely, and then asked: "I was wondering if his Grace would allow me to spend a few days at the Crown Prince''s estate." His cheeks flushed faintly as he spoke, giving away just what exactly he would spend those ''few days'' doing. Chu Yun was grateful for what Fan Jiang had done, both his warning and for staying loyal to their household when in direct competition with Xiao Yuan. He knew he sneaked away often to visit the First Prince, but on the wake of such personal tragedy, perhaps he felt like Xiao Yuan needed to taken care of. A kinder person would have said yes and sent him on his way with well wishes for Xiao Yuan, and perhaps a gift. But while Chu Yun was kind, he was also an opportunist. "Of course, in fact, I should pay his Royal Highness a visit too, we can take the carriage." Fan Jiang''s face paled somewhat. "That''s not necessary, his Grace doesn''t need to inconvenience himself on my account..." Chu Yun grinned and slapped Fan Jiang on the back, shocking him even more. "Nonsense, you''ll be more comfortable on the carriage, beside as his brother-in-law, it''s my duty to offer my condolences and support during such a difficult time for his Royal Highness." Fan Jiang knew there was no point in arguing with him, and could only hang his head in the defeat as he followed Chu Yun towards the stables. For his part, Chu Yun was going to take the opportunity to plant a few more seeds of discord.. The King wanted his first son completely broken under his authority -- perhaps Xiao Yuan would appreciate being given an alternative. You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 124 - The Fox Makes A House Call You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Xiao Yuan''s estate was indeed fit for a Crown Prince, although he hadn''t been one for long. Still, it was obvious it had always been the King''s intention to crown him, just from comparing the sprawling, brand new estate, he had given Xiao Yuan in the centre of Haolin, close to the royal palace itself, with Chu Yun''s and Xiao Zai''s estate in the periphery, close to the city''s gates. Their carriage came to a stop inside the estate''s main courtyard, where everything had been arranged to perfection. Every single tree branch was trimmed in symmetry to the next, the little pleasure lakes were filled to brimming with fat brocade carps. Even the dark tiles on the pavilion''s sweeping roofs looked like they had been freshly oiled, as if they were supposed to serve as mirror for the sun. A number of servants surrounded them the moment they stepped out of the carriage. Fan Jiang they ignored, but Chu Yun was swarmed with attention. He got the impression that the servants were trying hard to show the First Prince how hardworking they were -- perhaps hoping Chu Yun would remark on how attentive they had been. That gave Chu Yun a pretty good idea of the state of things in the First Prince''s estate: utter chaos. Fan Jiang ignored the servants and walked into the main pavilion, trailing familiar paths and leading Chu Yun deeper into the house. He came to a stop outside a dark door. His hand wavering on the wood, hesitating before knocking. Chu Yun made his mind for him and knocked instead, announcing them. The door flew open right away. A half-dressed Xiao Yuan greeted them at the doorway, his robes falling off his shoulders. He looked like he hadn''t shaved since the day of the hunt, his eyes looked red and bruised and he smelled like a distillery -- completely overwhelming his natural alpha scent. "A-Jiang," he sighed, as if the sight of Fan Jiang was the first good thing that happened to him in weeks. He pulled him up by the collar and kissed him right there in the open doorway. Chu Yun paled. "Perhaps we should talk inside?" He pushed Fan Jiang into the room, unwilling to stand there and witness such an uncomfortable public display of affection. Xiao Yuan stumbled backwards into what looked like an office, his gaze focusing on Chu Yun for the first time. "The Fox? What are you doing here?" he asked, shooting Fan Jiang an inquisitive look. Chu Yun ignored his drunken confusion and sat down at the low table in the middle of the room. It was almost impossible to tell what colour the table used to be. Almost every available space was covered in empty pots of wine, and everything else was stained beyond salvaging. While the room was ostensibly an office; walls covered in remarkable pieces of calligraphy, Daoist maxims, paintings of epic battles, it was obvious that it hadn''t been used like one in ages. The shelf behind the low table was full of bamboo strip scrolls, but the thick layer of dust covering them made Chu Yun wonder if Xiao Yuan had ever glanced in their direction. More importantly, it showed that servants were seldom, if ever, allowed in there to clean. That, together with Fan Jiang''s certainty that Xiao Yuan would be inside, meant it was probably where they met in private. At some point Xiao Yuan must have tried to hide how much Fan Jiang meant to him, up until he was forced to take a woman, who now laid dead, as his Consort. If there had been any alcohol left, Chu Yun would be pouring himself a cup. "I''d like to express my condolences to his Royal Highness," Chu Yun said, and despite everything else he meant it. Xiao Yuan dropped to the floor across from him with a grunt. "Did my brother send you here?" "He doesn''t know I''m here." Xiao Yuan snorted. "Right, you''re an alpha, you can go wherever you like," he shook his head in amusement, "how does my brother feel about that, I wonder." That irked Chu Yun. "He trusts me," he said noncommittally, since he couldn''t say the truth which was: I''d scalp him if he tried to stop me. Fan Jiang looked between the two of them with a look of profound concern and took a seat next to Xiao Yuan. Xiao Yuan reached for the nearest wine pitcher, but it was empty, so he let it roll onto the table with a grunt. "Well, I suppose he has reason to trust you, you''ve done a lot for him." Chu Yun was surprised he had ever been sober enough to notice, but didn''t let his surprise show. "His royal highness flatters me." Xiao Yuan scoffed again. "You Foxes are really something," he smirked, "you know I spoke with your brother? He was very polite, like you...until I annoyed him and the politeness dried up." The memory seemed to amuse him, but he returned his reddened gaze to Chu Yun once again. "I wonder what would take to make you drop the pretence." Chu Yun stood to attention the moment Xiao Yuan mentioned his brother. "What did his Royal Highness and my brother discuss?" "Oh, just my father''s intention to marry him to Xiao Zai," he picked an empty cup from the table and raised it to Chu Yun, "another thing that worked out perfectly in your favour with his sudden disappearance." There was a lot of bitterness to his words, but no real malice. He didn''t resent Xiao Zai, only that he hadn''t been able to turn the King''s schemes to his favour as he had. "And what did Chu Hean say to that?" Chu Yun asked, trying to steer the conversation in a direction that could give him more information into what Chu Hean was planning. "Not much, but he seemed disinterested about the whole matter, when I suggested he marry me instead, he grew angry. Called me a series of vile names," he chuckled, "when I next saw him he was talking with the Crown Prince of Su." Chu Yun smiled. "Maybe I should pay the Crown Prince a visit, perhaps he has some information regarding my brother''s whereabouts." Xiao Yuan grinned, listing into Fan Jiang''s side and lowering his head onto his shoulder. "That''s going to be complicated, the Crown Prince returned to Su on the day of the hunt." You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com Chapter 125 - The Fox Makes An Offer And Receives An Unexpected Visit Chu Yun took note of the unusual timing of the Crown Prince''s departure but said nothing. Could the cloaked figure Hua Nanyi saw leaving Chu Yun''s inn, and the Crown Prince be the same person? The token she found belonged to someone either in the employ of the royal family of Su, or a member themselves. All signs pointed to Chu Hean having a deep connection to Su...something that had probably been going on for some time, and that Chu Yun was completely ignorant of. Somehow, it must be connected to that academy in the mountains. The remote location, the blind master, and the excuse of a secluded retreat where omegas could quietly refine their artistic abilities was perfect for all kinds of political manoeuvring -- especially if it involved the usually inconspicuous Su humans. Omegas and Alphas had fine tuned senses, but betas, especially beta humans, barely registered. But what was Chu Hean''s role in it all? The heartbreak at his brother''s deception was still fresh in his mind. Chu Hean''s had accused him of making everything about himself. Clearly he thought there was a higher purpose to his actions. Chu Yun had to find out what. The First Princess might know more, she had looked surprised to see the Crown Prince of Su. In the meantime, he could still try to get something useful out of Xiao Yuan. "Did his Majesty mention anything about the Crown Prince''s visit?" Xiao Yuan snorted, nuzzling in deeper against Fan Jiang, who looked embarrassed to be touched with such familiarity in front of Chu Yun. "My father doesn''t talk with me unless it''s to criticise or ridicule me." Chu Yun grimaced. He desperately wished he had brought his folding fan to hide behind. But using a folding fan while it was snowing outside required a level of affectation far beyond his capabilities -- although many in Zui were unbothered by it. The problems of the Zui royal family were many and varied, but Chu Yun had no interest in discussing them with Xiao Yuan -- it was unfortunate that he had such a terrible father, but his ill-advised feelings for Gu Wei were a kind of misery he brought upon himself. "What about the First Princess? I noticed she wasn''t present for the hunt," Chu Yun asked, trying to change the subject as tactfully as possible. "Her? My sister always finds a way to disappear when things are about to become uncomfortable." There was a hint of bitterness to his words, but then, Xiao Ziyi did occupy an enviable position. "She found some really urgent training exercises to do with the garrison the moment she heard about the miscarriage." Very smart of her. "And where does the garrison usually train?" Xiao Yuan gave him an odd look. "How am I supposed to know? In some forest outside of Haolin, I imagine." Chu Yun was sure he could find out where. More importantly, he had come here for a reason. "Well, I won''t inconvenience his Royal Highness any longer and will take my leave," he rose to his feet, smiling agreeably. "However, I want to extend mine, and the Second Prince''s assistance, should his Royal Highness ever need it. The events of the past week were a tragedy, and we would be remiss in not extending our support." Xiao Yuan interrupted him. "I''m sure my brother didn''t agree to any of that, nor is he aware that you''re saying it." The First Prince had gotten so used to drinking in excess that he was even capable of coherent thought while completely inebriated. Chu Yun had to give him credit for that at least. "Well, it seems we all might have a common enemy, so it would be in our best interests to join forces." Their common enemy was the King, as Xiao Yuan very well knew. Chu Yun wasn''t going to say anything else on the matter and let the thought take hold in his mind for some time. He bowed to the First Prince, and then, looking at Fan Jiang said, "I think it would be best if Fan Jiang rested here for the next week. He must still be overwhelmed from the events of the hunt." Fan Jiang lowered his eyes bashfully. "His Grace is very kind." Xiao Yuan didn''t say anything but his eyes never left Chu Yun as he walked to the door, his intoxicated mind trying to arrive at a conclusion regarding what exactly Chu Yun was offering. What Chu Yun was offering him was very simple: Xiao Yuan knew, as well as anyone, that he wasn''t fit to rule. And while Chu Yun could never give him Gu Wei, if Xiao Zai became king he could give him Fan Jiang. Xiao Yuan could either continue following his father''s orders and end up married to women he didn''t like as a form of humiliation for daring to covet the King''s property, or he could take his brother''s side and support Xiao Zai''s claim to the throne, and at least find some happiness with a person who genuinely cared for him. --- The satisfaction of a task accomplished carried Chu Yun through the carriage ride all the way back to the estate. He hadn''t seen Xiao Zai since their indulgent morning together. He wanted to convince him to go with him to pay his sister a visit, but he might need some positive encouragement to agree. Luckily for him, Chu Yun was feeling generous -- and creative. His good mood evaporated the moment he saw a carriage with the royal family''s seal inside the estate''s gates. The moment the coachman pulled the horses to a stop, the door of the palace''s carriage flew open. The King stepped down the steps leisurely, smiling up at Chu Yun through the window. "Why the surprised look? Can''t this King visit his son and son-in-law? It''s only right we spend some quality time in family," he chuckled in grim amusement and then turned his head towards the dark interior of the carriage he had just exited. "Isn''t that right, Bailiu?" Gu Wei stepped down the carriage gingerly. Chu Yun''s eyes went wide when he saw the raw split in his lower lip. He came to a stop at the King''s side, his expression unreadable and his lovely eyes completely opaque.. "Yes, your Majesty, it''s only right." Chapter 126 - The Foxs Secret Is Out Chu Yun couldn''t believe his day had taken such a turn. He cast his eyes around the courtyard looking for Hua Nanyi, but she was nowhere to be found. The King was obviously delighting in his discomfort. The moment Chu Yun showed weakness he''d be ready to pounce. So Chu Yun didn''t give him the chance. He flagged down one of the servants passing by, who looked as if she wanted to be anywhere but there. "Call Hua Nanyi and tell her to warn the kitchens to prepare a supper for his Majesty and Concubine Gu." The servant girl nodded, "Uh, Sister Hua just got back, I''ll go fetch her from her rooms." Showing up unannounced like this, the King must be planning to stay for a long time. Smiling tightly Chu Yun gestured towards the main pavilion. "Please, let''s go inside. I''ll have refreshments brought while we wait for the meal." --- The King strode into the hall as if he owned it, looking in every direction like a guest invited to admire the new decoration. He took a seat at the long low table near the frosted-over windows overlooking the courtyard. "I heard about what you did to the place, but seeing it is something else," he nodded in fake appreciation. Sitting at the King''s left, Gu Wei said nothing but kept his shoulders and back straight, his posture entirely dignified despite the injury to his lips. A few servants spilled into the room, bringing fresh tea, wine, and dried fruits to keep them entertained while their meal was being prepared. Chu Yun poured Gu Wei and the King cups of tea, like a dutiful son-in-law, although everyone there knew how much of a charade that was. In fact, the only reason why Chu Yun was bothering to keep up appearances was because he didn''t understand what the King''s goal was. "I don''t think I ever saw my brother''s estate looking this splendid, not even when he lived here." The King chuckled to himself, and took a sip of his tea. "Good tea. Did Miaoyan know my brother was executed for treason?" Chu Yun smiled over the rim of his own cup. "Yes, I had heard." The King turned to Gu Wei. "Bailiu remembers him well, doesn''t he? I seem to recall the two of you were friends." It lasts only for a second but Gu Wei''s eyelids come over his eyes, fluttering slightly, before he flickers them open and says. "I do, your Majesty." The King completely ignores his distress. "A beautiful thing, isn''t it? The relationship between brothers," he turns towards Chu Yun, "such a tragedy to taint it with betrayal." Chu Yun doesn''t know if he''s being threatened, if the King is implying that he knows about his visit to the First Prince, or if Chu Yun should handle his own brother in the same way he had. All of it is very unsettling anyway, so instead of replying Chu Yun just smiles tightly. Gu Wei is oddly subdued, probably a consequence of the injury. Chu Yun has never seen him bruised before, which probably meant it had been a while since he''d been the target of the King''s violence. He wondered what had brought this on and tried to repress a shudder. --- The food had just been brought in from the kitchens when Xiao Zai burst through the main hall''s door, his nostrils flaring. Even with four other people in the room Chu Yun could distinctively scent the aggressive wave of pheromones he was sending out -- uncaring of his father''s presence. He came around the table and took a seat next to Chu Yun. His killing intent doubled the moment he saw his dam''s spit lip. "What''s the meaning of this?" he asked the King who only chuckled and took Gu Wei''s long-fingered hand in his own in a parody of a loving handhold. "I''ve felt a sudden longing for family," the King said, his tone wistful, "and Bailiu is the only dam of one of my adult children who''s still alive." He looked into Gu Wei''s eyes with a look that could be called loving if it wasn''t so chilling. He tucked a strand of hair behind Gu Wei''s ear, who held still although it was clear the King''s mockingly gentle touch disgusted him. The King seemed to think of something and let out a chuckle. "Well, I suppose Xiao Yuan''s mother is still alive, but what use do I have for that crazy bitch?" he patted Gu Wei''s cheek condescendingly. "You made sure of that, didn''t you Bailiu?" Gu Wei turned his face to the side, avoiding the King''s touches. Below the table, Chu Yun held on to Xiao Zai''s wrist, trying to ground him. He could tell he was only seconds away from throwing himself at his father''s throat. Something they absolutely couldn''t risk, with guards stationed inside their estate, and a slew of the King''s personal servants just outside the door. "The pig trotter is wonderful, I think the cooks really outdid themselves today," Chu Yun said, cutting through the tension with inane chatter. The King tilted his head towards him, one corner of his lips curling up in an amused smile. "Miaoyan is full of surprises, it is this family''s luck to have him join us." Chu Yun went cold, his spine locking up painfully. If any other father-in-law had said those words they might have been meant with affection and kindness, but in the King''s deep voice they could only sound like a threat. The King cut his cold gaze to Gu Wei and trailed his index finger down a strand of his hair, twisting it around the digit once he reached the end. Chu Yun watched in apprehension as he curled the waist-length strand of hair around his finger until he reached Gu Wei''s chin and then tugged violently, making Gu Wei hiss in discomfort and list towards him awkwardly. "And yet Bailiu failed to tell this King just how surprising Miaoyan can be." Xiao Zai''s chest rumbled with a trapped growl. "Let go of my dam." The King clicked his tongue and released Gu Wei''s hair, allowing him to sit up straight again. "You''re too old to cling to your dam''s robes like that, boy.. Especially considering you''re about to be a father." Chapter 127 - The Fox Wont Be Intimidated In His Own Home Chu Yun could tell that delivering that single line was the entire purpose of the King''s visit: he knew, and wanted to rub it in their faces. The King looked from Chu Yun to Xiao Zai in avid anticipation, eager to drink in their despair, their fear. Chu Yun dug his fingers into Xiao Zai''s thigh, grounding himself along with him. He took his chopsticks with a pleasant smile and brought a mouthful of rice of his lips. "The rice is excellent too, cooked to perfection. The cooks outdid themselves to serve his Majesty." On the other side of the table, Gu Wei too reached with his chopsticks for a thin slice of pork and brought it to his lips. "Yes, the food is delicious." The King wanted a big and dramatic reaction to his shocking declaration, but Chu Yun wasn''t going to give him the satisfaction of walking into his home and trying to scare him into cowering to his demands. So he knew...eventually Chu Yun would begin to show and there was only so far the "put on some weight" excuse could take them -- he would have found out eventually. The best strategists were adaptable. Chu Yun had spiralled into a blind panic when Xiao Zai was arrested, fearing the worst. But this time Xiao Zai was at his side, safe and hale, and the King would have to try harder to scare him. Despite his stiff back, Xiao Zai too started to relax. He poured himself a cup of wine and downed it, his eyes never leaving the King''s. It was obvious the King was disappointed to not get the reaction he wanted, but he wasn''t one to give up easily. "Do you want to tell them how I found out, Bailiu?" Ah, now he was going to try and sow discord. Chu Yun shot him a look of exaggerated interest, like someone indulging a child''s whims. "I think his Majesty should be the one to tell them, seeing as it was his discovery." The look on the King''s eyes was murderous. Chu Yun had no doubt he would have slapped Gu Wei if they were alone. There were no guarantees he wouldn''t once they were. The King lifted his cup and a servant immediately approached him to pour his wine. He drank it, and cleared his throat, like a storyteller in front of a riveted audience at a teahouse. "I couldn''t help noticing how unusual the Queen Dowager''s behaviour was on the day of the hunt, and in the following days during the deliberations about the events that happened then." Despite his penchant for theatrics and dramatic acts of violence, the King was very astute. He wouldn''t have been able to hold on to his position otherwise, considering his disastrous reign and less than positive reputation with his own ministers. Something as unusual as the Queen Dowager suddenly speaking in favour of Chu Yun wouldn''t escape his notice. "Of course I wouldn''t bother her Royal Highness with such mundane enquiries," he said, and oddly, Chu Yun believed him. Maybe he didn''t love his mother, but he respected her. Chu Yun would never forget the way she had declared her son to be a cunt just like his father. There had been only bitterness and resentment in her words. She regretted ever having borne Xiao An. It was impossible for someone who spoke that way to have ever loved her child. It made Chu Yun wonder if the King would have been a different person had his mother loved him, or would his rotten character have shown itself regardless? Below the table Chu Yun trailed his fingers over his abdomen. The King smiled pointedly at Chu Yun, as if sensing the direction of his thoughts. "Her servants however had several interesting things to say, like how her sudden interest in you started after you spent that night in the snow and she called a physician to examine you." Chu Yun nodded. "Her royal highness was very kind in looking after me," he said, and then turned to Xiao Zai. "We should invite her over for a meal someday. I''m indebted to her." Xiao Zai grunted in acknowledgement. It wasn''t as easy for him to pretend everything was fine, but Chu Yun appreciated him trying. The King was getting annoyed that his words weren''t having the desired effect. He signalled the servant to refill his cup and slammed it down on the table after drinking. "After that it was only a matter of tracking down the physician and...applying some pressure." One could imagine what kind of pressure he applied. The King turned to Gu Wei then, his expression a mockery of fondness. "The confirmation came when I went to ask Bailiu about it, and he was so determined to make me forget the whole thing, and convince me there was no reason behind the Queen Dowager''s sudden change of behaviour that he tried to seduce me." Gu Wei''s pale cheeks showed a hint of colour. This was an excruciating humiliation for him. His real punishment for trying to deceive the King. The split lip was just a detail. The King smiled condescendingly at Gu Wei, running a thumb over his cheek. "As if I would have any use for a withered omega when I have a garden full of fresh flowers." Xiao Zai growled, the sound coming from deep within his ribcage. He was on the verge of doing something really unwise. The King was elated, having finally gotten the reaction he came looking for. "I think this is wonderful news personally, and I''m hurt that I wasn''t told sooner," he said, smiling at Chu Yun. Chu Yun returned the smile. "We wanted it to be a surprise." The King''s smile slipped at Chu Yun''s glibness. "Oh, it is a surprise indeed. It''s not everyday that an alpha gets pregnant." Chu Yun hummed, not meeting the King''s eyes. "It''s unusual." The King''s chuckle was devoid of any humour. "Fragile too.. I bet." Chapter 128 - The Wolf Loses His Cool A sepulchral silence descended over the room. The servants, who Chu Yun never wanted to find out about his pregnancy until it was impossible to hide, were doing their best to disappear into the wall panelling. Xiao Zai''s loud breath was audible in the quiet of the room. Chu Yun didn''t know if he would be able to stop him this time. "If you dare harm Chu-" The King cut him off with a loud laugh. "Harm him? I would never do something like that. I know you aren''t implying I would do something as taboo as hurt my own flesh and blood," he reached over the table to pat the back of Xiao Zai''s hand. "It''s normal to feel nervous about the birth of one''s first child." His smile took on a feral edge, his white teeth glinting. "Let''s hope his Grace can give you many more...Who knows? When the heavens bless their favourites it''s not with drizzle but with rain." The King''s feelings about Xiao Zai''s status as ''heavens favourite'' were obvious. But at least it underlined his intentions clearly. He wasn''t going to let Xiao Zai reap the rewards of having gotten his alpha husband pregnant. He would do everything in his power to terminate the pregnancy, and Chu Yun''s life along with it. Chu Yun looked forlornly at the food in front of him. This was probably his last time enjoying food that wasn''t completely bland and cooked under the strict supervision of Hua Nanyi, with ingredients she would need to personally buy herself. He would miss seasoned food. There was a beat of silence, all of them returning their attention towards the food in front of them. After some time, the King cleared his throat. "I do think it would be wise for the pregnancy to be kept under wraps," he said, in that same threatening tone he had used to refer to its ''fragility''. "Considering the recent misfortune that befell the Crown prince, it seems prudent." Chu Yun hummed, bringing a teacup to his lips. Prudent was an euphemism for ''I don''t want you to do it.'' Now that he knew, the biggest motivation for Chu Yun and Xiao Zai to keep it a secret was gone. They actually benefited greatly if everyone else found out, considering that the only thing stopping Xiao Zai from having the overwhelming support of the majority of ministers they had talked with was his lack of heirs. Of course, the King knew that as well. Which was why Chu Yun didn''t want anyone to know, because he didn''t want to be in the position of running against time. The time until the child was born, and the time the King had to try and kill them both. "That was our intention as well," Chu Yun said blandly. The King smiled at him. "Pregnancy looks good on Miaoyan, he''s much more agreeable than the last time we spoke." Chu Yun''s smile didn''t slip, but it was a close thing. He hated any implication that being pregnant made him ''less''. But he knew to expect it moving forward. Part of him wanted to hide away until the child was born, and then present them to society as if having been adopted by him and Xiao Zai. It was a small, petty feeling, but Chu Yun didn''t think anyone else had ever been in his position to know what it felt like. Xiao Zai laid one hand over Chu Yun''s inner arm, reassuring him with his touch. "I think it''s best if his Majesty returns early to the palace, it might snow and the roads will become slippery," Xiao Zai said, raising to his feet with finality. The King smirked but rose to his feet, feeling magnanimous after finally finding his way under Chu Yun''s skin. "Perhaps it''s for the best, walk me out, boy," he waved towards Xiao Zai with a paternal smile that set Chu Yun''s teeth on edge. "Let Miaoyan and Bailiu chat for a little longer." Chu Yun could tell that refusal was on the tip of Xiao Zai''s tongue, but in the end he knew it was the fastest way to get rid of his father and followed him out of the hall. --- Xiao Zai had never expected to find his father and dam at his estate after returning from the seamstresses'' to check on the progress of Chu Yun''s cloak. As the meal went on, his good mood had only soured. He accompanied the King to the royal carriage stationed inside the gates and then stepped a few paces to the side, to avoid being overheard by any of the nearby guards. "So, you managed to get an alpha pregnant?" the King said, as soon as he reached Xiao Zai. He sounded almost appreciative. "It''s good to see that despite being coddled by Bailiu all your life you still turned out to be a real alpha." Xiao Zai said nothing, determined to avoid raising to his father''s bait. Of course, that only made him want to try harder to get under his skin. "I suppose an alpha would understand the concepts of loyalty and honour, unlike those mewling omegas," he said pensive, rubbing at his chin. "What he did? Spending an entire night in the snow just to speak with you --and while pregnant-- I respect that. An omega would have just made a scene and fainted on the spot." Xiao Zai grit his teeth, he didn''t know where the King was trying to get with this but it was nowhere good. He clapped Xiao Zai on the shoulder, a kindly father about to impart some wisdom onto the younger generation. "I understand why you''re so fond of him, and for an alpha he''s very attractive, but then again those Xin foxes have always been more fine-boned compared to wolves." Xiao Zai shook off the King''s hold with a grimace. Hearing him talk about Chu Yun like that turned his stomach, he was only glad that Chu Yun wasn''t there to hear it as well. "The hour grows late, his Majesty should return to he palace safely," he bit out. It pained Xiao Zai that his dam would be going with him as well, but there was nothing he could do about that. Gu Wei was part of the royal harem, the royal palace was his only home in Haolin. At least while his father drew breath. The King nodded with a sigh. "You''re in such a hurry to see me go, but I wonder if that''s only because you''re afraid of what I have to say." He was used to his father''s schemes, if Xiao Zai gave him the opportunity he would flay him alive with his words, and send him into a spiral of doubt and resentment. "No, I just worry the roads will become slippery." The King guffawed, but there was no mirth in his expression. His fake joy reminded Xiao Zai of an actor''s ghost mask. "Come now boy, you can''t think your seed is so potent, or that you fucked him so well, that he got pregnant from your virility alone." Xiao Zai frowned deeply, unable to hide his disgust. His father was a beast. Who spoke with their children like that? What kind of animal set aside all the rules of propriety and civility to speak so vulgarly about his own son''s husband? He wouldn''t dignify any of that with an answer. Of course the King wouldn''t be so easily deterred. "Perhaps you think the heavens do favour you?" He smiled condescendingly. "Perhaps now, as they have at no point before in your life, they''ve finally decided to cast their gaze towards you? Do you think your fox whore is carrying som--" Xiao Zai couldn''t stand hearing another word. "Say another vile thing about him, and I''ll cut you where you stand, I know I won''t live a moment after, but I swear I''ll do it." His hissed words were as cold as a sword''s edge, and Xiao Zai meant every single one of them. He might die, but at least he''d go knowing his father wouldn''t be a threat to his family. The King''s smirk widened and he took a step closer to Xiao Zai, their noses an hairsbreadth apart. "He must have a tight hole, to make you lose your mind and threaten your King so brazenly." Xiao Zai''s hand flew to the dagger at his waist, it was ceremonial, but its blade was keen, it could kill just as well any other sharp thing. Before he got to it the King kneed him in the stomach, making him lose his balance. Two guards had come closer at the first signs of an altercation. The King reached for the sword in the scabbard of the nearest one and held its edge against Xiao Zai''s neck. Xiao Zai stood up, straightening his back and raising his chin to meet his father''s eyes. A moment later he could feel the tip of the other guard''s sword between his shoulder blades. "A son attacking his father," he shook his head with a forlorn sigh, "It makes the heavens weep.. But then again, you were raised by a traitor so it''s all you know. Tell me, what would you do if you knew that this time the one he betrayed is you?" Chapter 129 - The Wolf Is Stuck Between A Sword...and Another Sword Xiao Zai glared at his father across the edge of the blade, his breath fogging up the cold steel. With a chuckle, the King lowered the sword and returned it to the guard''s scabbard. "Impulsive, undisciplined, unfilial," he sighed, "I should have never let Bailiu raise you. It was always going to end up like this." "My dam is worth a thousand of you," Xiao Zai spit out. He felt as if his insides were bubbling with acid and he needed to let it out before it choked him. "He has poisoned you against me," the King said, obviously to the benefit of the guards listening in, and the servants passing through the courtyard in hurried steps, because both Xiao Zai and the King knew that wasn''t true. Gu Wei didn''t need to poison him, because Xiao Zai hated his father from the moment he saw him lay a hand on his dam. The King gave his son a disappointed look and clasped his hands behind his back. "If you weren''t so blind you''d see what is right in front of you. No matter how much you delight in it, an alpha being pregnant is not natural. It will be dangerous to him." Xiao Zai bared his teeth. "Because you want to-" He was cut off with a loud snort. "I don''t need to do anything but let nature run its course. A pregnancy is already dangerous for women and omegas. Can you imagine how it will be for him?" "He''s fine," Xiao Zai said, but his tone was much lower. Chu Yun was doing better since he started taking the medicine, he wasn''t getting nauseous as often and he could keep food down again. He was doing better. He was. Nothing would happen to him. The King chuckled, shaking his head. "And how can you be so sure? Have you been told so by all the other alphas who got pregnant?" his lips curled in a mocking sneer. "Don''t be foolish boy. Even if the pregnancy doesn''t kill him, what about the birth?" "That''s--" The King interrupted him. "You know omega males already risk the most because the child needs to be cut out of them," he smiled, "but what surgeon has performed a birth on an alpha?" Xiao Zai grit his teeth. "We will find one, they will train before the--" The King''s laughter was like knifes being dug into Xiao Zai''s ribs. A few scant hours ago the possibility of Chu Yun coming to any harm as a consequence of the pregnancy wasn''t even a speck on his mind. They had dealt with that, the medicine kept him stable. That was all that mattered. But now doubt gnawed at his bones like a hungry dog. "Train on what? In the scores of other pregnant alphas?" The King''s disdain was palpable. "There is only one person who stood to benefit from this. Only one person would do anything to see you on the throne at all costs. And as ambitious as that little fox is, I doubt he wanted any of this." "My dam had nothing to do with it, it was..." Xiao Zai cut himself off. He didn''t know what he was going to say. It was a gift from the heavens? A sign that he and Chu Yun were made for each other? Soulmates? He believed all of those things, but his father didn''t deserve to hear any of them. "But he was the first person who came to your mind, wasn''t he?" the King grinned as if he''d already won. "Bailiu wouldn''t shed a single tear if your husband died. If it ever came down to a choice between saving his life, or the child''s life, Bailiu would cut the baby out himself and leave your husband to bleed like a pig." "Shut up, shut up! You are not worthy." Tears of anger were clouding Xiao Zai''s eyes, but he couldn''t go on listening to a single word. He refused to believe his father''s hateful insinuations. He would ignore everything he said. As if on cue, the doors of the main hall opened, letting all the light spill out. Gu Wei stepped outside, his form unmistakable in the darkness, even when wearing a bulky fur coat. He looked between father and son, and noted the guard''s alert stances. He came to a stop between the two and turned to the King. "We should go." The King grunted in acknowledgement but didn''t look in his direction. He left Xiao Zai with one last warning, "Think on what I said, boy," before walking towards the carriage. Gu Wei shot him a half-smile, his eyes filled with sadness. Xiao Zai tried to return the gesture but found that he couldn''t quite do it. --- He went back inside the hall and found Chu Yun alone, draped over the low table. Xiao Zai came up behind him and sat down at his back, drawing him into his embrace. Chu Yun let himself be hugged, and slipped down into Xiao Zai''s lap, pillowing his head sideways on his thighs. "Did my dam tell you something?" Xiao Zai asked, running his fingers through Chu Yun''s long, silky hair. "He said we have to depose your father." Xiao Zai''s hand stilled on Chu Yun''s hair. He had dreamt about the King''s death so often it felt more like a memory. But his dam knew as well as he did, that wasn''t something easily accomplished. "What did he suggest?" Chu Yun sighed, making himself more comfortable on Xiao Zai''s lap. "Well, obviously we can''t kill him ourselves. How would that look? Do you want murdering your father to be the thing that puts you on the throne? What an inauspicious start to your rule." Some of the tension drained out of Xiao Zai at his words. "Then what?" "Hopefully someone else does it for us," he paused, "Gu Wei''s suggestion was to find proof he was involved in the concubine''s miscarriage. Force even the most complacent ministers to have him tried, and then ensure the judges aren''t bribed, or at least give them higher bribes." That wouldn''t be easy to do, ministers were creatures of habit. And for the most part, the King had kept them all comfortably fat. Even the ones who supported Xiao Zai as a Crown Prince instead of Xiao Yuan, weren''t expecting him to replace his father right away. They just wanted someone more ''dignified'' to have the title. "I''m sure you''ll think of something," Xiao Zai said, pulling on Chu Yun''s earlobe. Chu Yun turned around on his lap until he was looking up at Xiao Zai. "What about you think of something too? Why do I have to do everything around here?" Xiao Zai smiled, he loved seeing Chu Yun''s resentful look. "Because you look so beautiful and proud when all your grand plans work out. I would never take that away from you." Chu Yun scoffed. He fisted one hand into the collar of Xiao Zai''s robes and pulled him down into a messy kiss. "Don''t think I''m that easily seduced," he said, sounding very seduced from where Xiao Zai was standing. He kept petting Chu Yun''s head with one hand, and trailed the other down his waist and over his abdomen. Chu Yun only allowed the touch for a brief moment before batting his hand away. His whispered curses made Xiao Zai smile. He would do anything for Chu Yun. Anything, to keep him tempestuous and difficult, to keep him safe. He would do anything for their family. Chapter 130 - The Wolf And The Fox Go Through A Dead Mans Things The renovations on the estate had finally come to an end. The next morning Chu Yun and Xiao Zai took a tour of one of the last courtyards to be finished while the foreman pointed out how they had followed all of Chu Yun''s instructions for the design. "We''ve installed the swing among the bamboo grove for some privacy," the man said, following the path between the tall bamboo until they reached a small clearing with a wooden swing and fountain, which trickled water peacefully back into a stone basin. The sounds of nature were stronger among the evergreen clouds of lush bamboo foliage, rustling peacefully in the wind, tiny leaves sprinkled with the thin powder that had fallen overnight. The foreman rested his hands on his hips and looked on proudly at the product of his and his men''s labour. "His Grace mentioned only that he wanted a bamboo grove in this courtyard and a swing, but we thought it would be more charming for the swing to be hidden among the bamboo." Chu Yun ran the tips of his fingers over the smooth wood. "It''s perfect." Xiao Zai came up to his side, and traced the same path Chu Yun''s fingers just had. "I think a child would have a lot of fun playing here. Children have vivid imaginations." Chu Yun shot him a meaningful glance, but Xiao Zai just grinned. The foreman didn''t understand the reason for their charged looks and was merely grateful they had liked it. "Oh, since we''re finishing up today, I think his Grace should know that some of the men found a few documents and ledgers during the renovation work in some of the rooms. Everything was stored in wooden crates and kept out of the way in a storage room." Chu Yun thanked the foreman for his time and gave him a fat pouch of gold taels as gratuity, on top of the amount that would be paid to all the workers the next day for finishing up the project. Xiao Zai followed him as he left the courtyard, headed straight for the storage room the foreman mentioned. "You''re very generous with money, I''ve always noticed that." Chu Yun shot him a look from the corner of the eye. "I''m generous with your money, my money is the dowry." "It''s my father''s money, seeing as I have no official post to earn my own." He opened the door of the storage room for Chu Yun who ducked under his arm unceremoniously. "I say we spend as much of it as we can." Chu Yun was inclined to agree, but he was distracted by the sheer amount of overstuffed chests and crates in the small storage room. "A few documents, uh?" Xiao Zai knelt in front of the nearest open chest and started rifling through its contents. "These seem to be account books from my uncle''s estate," he flicked through the coarsely bound books, "records of money spent on food, servant wages, upkeep in general." Chu Yun sat down next to Xiao Zai and took out a book at random from inside the box. Technically the duty of keeping the books of the Second Prince''s estate was supposed to fall to him, as the Main (and only) Spouse, but he found it a dull task so he delegated it onto Hua Nanyi who had always had a fondness for numbers. The records of Xiao Zai''s disgraced uncle''s estate were predictable, nothing jumped out as suspicious or as an indication of possible treason. "What was your uncle like?" Chu Yun asked, after a moment where the two of them sat in silence each examining their own book. "I don''t have many memories of him, I don''t think we met often." "But your dam was close with him," Chu Yun said, remembering the King''s pointed words for Gu Wei. Xiao Zai hummed. "He could have been, yes. He hasn''t talked about him in the years since his death." It seemed that everyone Gu Wei got close to met with an unfortunate end. It was not surprising he had gone to such lengths to keep that guard of his hidden. They were risking a lot by seeing each other inside the royal palace as it was. Chu Yun hadn''t given much thought to the late Prince''s execution for treason. Regardless of whether the charges against him were fabricated or not, the result was the same. "Did the King have any other siblings?" Chu Yun asked, wondering if they had all met equally gruesome ends. "Two sisters, a beta and an omega, married off to some Lords in some far away province. I haven''t seen either of them in years. A few that were stillborns, or died as toddlers, according to what my grandmother says." "This uncle wasn''t her son?" The answer seemed obvious to him, but he wanted to make sure either way. The Queen Dowager was an unusual woman after all. Xiao Zai shook his head. "No, my grandmother only had my father, and with great reluctance." Chu Yun chuckled. He could tell. "My uncle was the son of my father''s favourite concubine, her only surviving child, all others were stillborns." He paused. "He and my father were the late King''s only alpha sons." Ah, that explained the treason. "He never married? Never had any children of his own?" Xiao Zai sighed. "Not that I know of, my grandfather died before I was born, afterwards I assume plans were made to guarantee there were no threats to my father''s claim to the throne. Maybe my uncle knew that getting married would put him at risk." Chu Yun closed the account book with a soft rustle and ran his fingers over the faded characters written on the thin cover. "For all the good it did him." They rummaged through the storage room a while longer, hoping to find something useful. Chu Yun didn''t know what exactly he was looking for, but anything that helped them make a stronger case against the King would be useful. Part of him doubted that any ministers would afford that much importance to a concubine''s miscarriage. It was another thing if the King was involved in the death of the Crown Princess, but Chu Yun doubted it. Her death had come as a blow to him as well. Suddenly, Xiao Zai went very still and called out to him, "You need to see this." Chapter 131 - The Fox Reads Some Old Letters Chu Yun closed the chest he had been going through and got up to sit next to Xiao Zai across the room. Xiao Zai was holding what looked like a stack of water damaged letters. They smelled as if someone had hidden them away in a cranny of the estate where they stayed for years. It was surprising that the masons had kept this old stack of letters instead of throwing them away. Chu Yun would have. Xiao Zai had one of them open on his thighs and kept chancing confused looks at it. Chu Yun perched his chin on Xiao Zai''s shoulder, and read aloud. "Friend, The child has arrived, everything is well with him despite the long journey. I know that these words will be of little comfort to you on account of the pain you no doubt feel at having parted with him. As per your request, I''m confirming his identity by noting and enclosing the drawing of the star shaped birthmark on his shoulder blade. Although I didn''t need to see it to know it was him. He is just as talkative as you described. Impressive for a toddler without a single tooth. He will be well looked after. This I promise you. Your Friend in Adversity." Chu Yun''s voice trailed off, his eyes lingering on the drawing of a small six-point starburst on the corner of the yellowed page. There was only one conclusion to draw. "Well, either your uncle did have a child, or he helped someone hide theirs." Xiao Zai nodded, his gaze unfocused. "It sounds like it, but...how is that possible?" Chu Yun didn''t know either. Although it seemed like Xiao Zai wasn''t the most trustworthy source. "Maybe Gu Wei knows something about it?" A muscle jumped in Xiao Zai''s jaw, he nodded stiffly. Chu Yun hadn''t failed to notice how he''d been reacting oddly whenever his dam''s name came up. "What did the King want to talk with you about?" he asked, changing subjects without any subtlety. Xiao Zai folded the letter back into his original shape, stalling for time. "The usual; threaten me, try and intimidate me, imply that my dam was somehow responsible for you getting pregnant." One of those things was not like the others. It also explained Xiao Zai''s odd mood. Chu Yun nuzzled his chin into the crook of Xiao Zai''s neck, and wrapped one arm around his waist. Xiao Zai was taller than him, so he had to hunch so that Chu Yun could hug him from behind comfortably. "Did that upset you?" Chu Yun guessed the answer was ''yes'', but asking was the polite thing to do. Xiao Zai was quiet for a moment, and then sighed, slouching back against Chu Yun''s chest. "I don''t want to believe him." That was the core of the matter for him. Xiao Zai hated the idea of suspecting his dam when he might not have done anything. It was only right that Chu Yun came clean about his earlier doubts. "I thought he might have had something to do with it," he said, "I even confronted him." Xiao Zai turned around in his arms. "You did? What did he say?" Chu Yun hummed. "He denied it." Xiao Zai chewed on his bottom lip. "Did you believe him?" Chu Yun hadn''t. He was still convinced Gu Wei had something to do with it. It was what made the most sense. It wasn''t obvious how he''d done it, but it was the most logical explanation nonetheless. Instead of any of that Chu Yun said, "I decided it didn''t really matter." That surprised Xiao Zai who raised a questioning eyebrow at him. "Really? You don''t care about being pregnant?" Of course Chu Yun cared. Sometimes he got startled all over again when he remembered he was pregnant. But there was no changing that. Terminating the pregnancy was too risky, and by now Chu Yun wasn''t even sure he would want that, if it were possible. At least it did strengthen Xiao Zai''s claim to the throne. Overall his feelings on the matter were complicated, but he didn''t think there was any point in Xiao Zai ruining his relationship with his dam over it. Especially considering that for years they only had each other. That kind of loneliness was something Chu Yun would never understand. In any case, he would handle Gu Wei. If he really was responsible for Chu Yun getting pregnant, that score would be settled in time. It had nothing to do with Xiao Zai. "It''s a done thing now," he shrugged, "what am I going to do about it? There''s no use in blaming anyone, it''s best if we move on and just handle it." He was maybe exaggerating how alright he was with the whole thing. But he hated the idea of the King getting under Xiao Zai''s skin. His wager paid off when Xiao Zai''s face softened, and he turned around in Chu Yun''s arms. Anticipating his intentions, Chu Yun let himself be pulled into his lap, all the better to handle the syrupy declaration that was sure to follow. "Does that mean you are maybe a little happy about us having a child?" "Let''s not get carried away," Chu Yun said covering Xiao Zai''s face with his palm and pushing him away. "Accepting an inevitability isn''t the same as being happy about it." Xiao Zai held Chu Yun''s hand in place by the wrist and kissed the middle of his palm. "I''m scared, I worry about you, but I''m happy too. I''m sorry, I know it''s not what you wanted, but I''m happy." Chu Yun wasn''t going to begrudge Xiao Zai his happiness. He was almost certain that if their roles were reversed he would be happy as well -- along with everything else Xiao Zai had said. Thinking about the pregnancy always left him feeling maudlin. Better to keep busy and not think about it. He took the stack of letters and slapped them lightly against the side of Xiao Zai''s face twice, making him laugh. "We need to get to the bottom of this." Xiao Zai took the letters from him and tried to kiss him, while nodding. He was only half listening. "I think we need to go and see your sister," Chu Yun said, dodging Xiao Zai''s lips. He had been thinking they had to ever since he visited Xiao Yuan. She could shed some light on Su''s increasing involvement on everything going on.. And, being older than Xiao Zai, maybe she knew more about their late uncle. Chapter 132 - The Fox Makes The Wolf A (sexy) Promise Xiao Zai woke up the next day feeling more clear-headed. He doubted that Xiao Ziyi would be able to shed much light on their uncle''s alleged treason, and on whether or not he''d had had a child. But, if she could point them in the right direction regarding Su''s plans in Zui, and Chu Hean''s involvement in the whole thing maybe they could use it to their advantage. Or at least avoid being blindsided in the future. Chu Yun wanted them to go find Xiao Ziyi right away, and put up a fierce resistance to Xiao Zai''s efforts to keep him in bed a little while longer. Unlike Xiao Zai he was in a terrible mood because he''d spent all of yesterday eating bland food personally prepared by Hua Nanyi. Which according to him was ''awful'', ''unfit even for animal consumption'', and a ''punishment worse than death by a thousand cuts''. She didn''t pay him any attention because she insisted on trying the food before giving it to him, and described it in such glowing terms such as, ''not even that bad'', and ''something a pack of hungry dogs would totally eat''. Xiao Zai was a little moved by Chu Yun''s dramatics on account of nurturing deep feelings for him, and so got up early to go into Haolin''s market district to buy him fresh breakfast from a stall. His mood was greatly improved after he ate. "Thank you, the food was very good," he said, dropping a sticky salty kiss on Xiao Zai''s lips. "I can keep buying you food from the market, if you want," Xiao Zai suggested, following the salty taste back to Chu Yun''s lips. Chu Yun pushed him away with an amused expression. "That won''t work, eventually you''ll be followed and your father will just bribe the vendor into poisoning your portion." "So I''ll cook for you," Xiao Zai said, toppling Chu Yun back onto the mussed sheets. "I''m sure I''ll do better than Hua Nanyi." Chu Yun scoffed. "You don''t know how to cook." "Does she?" "Fair point," Chu Yun conceded with a laugh. "Fine, you can cook my meals from now on." Xiao Zai grinned down at him, nuzzling into his neck and flooding his nose with his crisp scent. "If I do well will you let me mark you?" Chu Yun gave him one of those arresting, petulant looks from beneath the curl of his lashes. "Let''s not get ahead of ourselves," he lounged back on his elbow and bumped his knee between Xiao Zai''s legs, rubbing it upwards suggestively. "You have to become King first." Xiao Zai gave him a heated look, trying to keep himself from grinding down against the delicious pressure. Chu Yun smirked, delighted in the effect he was having on Xiao Zai. "I''ll even let you fuck me on the throne, how about that?" Against his best efforts a groan escaped Xiao Zai''s throat. The mental image alone was enough to make him lose his breath. He could just picture Chu Yun, debauched and wanting, dripping Xiao Zai''s cum onto the throne. He wanted it so much it made him hurt. "Mark your words," he groaned, finally giving in into his urge and grinding against the knee between his legs. "That''s the second thing you''re promising to let me do to you when I become King." His eyes humid with arousal, Chu Yun held onto Xiao Zai''s wrist by his waist and teased, "You''d better start working on it then." --- After a liberal application of positive encouragement, Xiao Zai finally let Chu Yun get out of bed and get ready for the day. Xiao Zai found that Xiao Ziyi was training with the army in a training facility in the woods, a two-hour horse ride away from Haolin. That particular facility wasn''t secret, and there was even a little village nearby that enjoyed some uptick in commerce from the soldier''s presence, so it wouldn''t be hard to find them. Chu Yun wanted to take the horses because it would be faster. Xiao Zai was determined to convince him to ride in the carriage because of his ''condition''. He changed his mind after Chu Yun threatened to walk there instead. They were about ready to leave when Hua Nanyi ran towards them, her face flushed. "Can I go as well?" "Why? No one knows we''re going so I''ll be fine eating the soldier''s food," Chu Yun said, incredibly relieved for that fact. "No, I just want to go," she looked down at her feet. "I get bored here." That was a very thin excuse but Chu Yun was in some hurry so he just sighed and said, "Fine, hurry up." Xiao Zai watched her run towards the stables for a moment before turning to Chu Yun with a smirk. "You think she likes Ziyi?" Chu Yun gave it some thought, before concluding, "it''s possible. She has terrible taste. She has to, to think that slop she makes is edible." --- The journey towards the training grounds was uneventful. Just as Chu Yun said, being a pregnant alpha hadn''t turned him into an invalid and he was still perfectly capable of riding a horse. The soldiers guarding the gates were very surprised to see them, and terrible at hiding their shock. "The General? Uh, yes she''s here, but... we''re in the middle of training exercises. The General isn''t seeing guests, now." The ''or ever'' was implied. Chu Yun dismounted from his horse, and walked towards the guard, his white rabbit fur cloak fanning behind him like a tail. "Tell her Highness, that her brother, and brother-in-law have some urgent matters to discuss with her," he said, giving the soldier a pointed look. "Matters that involve both family and Zui''s internal security." The man had some misgivings about passing Chu Yun''s message along, but in the end he walked inside the facility, returning moments later with a triumphant smile. "The General says that that can be discussed upon her return to Haolin. She apologises that his Grace had to travel all this way, but military duties take precedence over family." Chu Yun was about to give the smug soldier a piece of his mind when Hua Nanyi said, "tell her that Hua Nanyi is here too, and that it really is urgent this time, no party invitations." Refusal was on the tip of the soldier''s tongue, but a thunderous look from Xiao Zai made him change his mind. Upon his return he grit out, "The General welcomes you into the Howling Wolf training camp," and opened the gates wide to let them in. Chapter 133 - The Fox And The Wolf Listen To The First Princess Complain The soldier led them through the camp. Xiao Zai and Hua Nanyi dismounted their horses and another soldier came to take them to the stables. There wasn''t much to the training grounds, the facility was simple and devoid of any luxuries. The buildings were all one floor, wooden constructions, and the ground was simple gravel and packed dirt, made muddy and soggy by the frequent snowfall. It was hard to tell which buildings were dorms, which were administrative just by looking at them. But when the soldier took them towards a single lone tent at the back of the precinct, Chu Yun knew right away it was Xiao Ziyi''s. She was a woman who valued her privacy, and was probably pissed they were about to intrude on it. The soldier pushed back one flap of the red tent and stood behind, his back ramrod straight. "That will be all, Private Jin," Xiao Ziyi''s voice rang from inside the tent. The man shot them all a withering look and beat in retreat. Chu Yun was the first to duck his head and walk inside Xiao Ziyi''s tent. It wasn''t lavish, but her station was made obvious by the several banners behind her tall desk, and the thickness of the tent''s canvas, covered on the inside with silk. Despite that, it was obvious the First Princess hadn''t done much to make the place more comfortable than it was by design. The cot pushed up against a corner was narrow and sparse. And the brazier burning beside her desk was plain cast iron, probably no different than the ones heating the soldiers'' barracks. She only lifted her eyes from the paperwork in front of her when Hua Nanyi walked in, joining Chu Yun and Xiao Zai in front of her desk. Xiao Ziyi returned the brush to its holder and laced her fingers together. "What''s this all about?" Chu Yun didn''t miss how she seemed to be asking the question to Hua Nanyi. He cleared his throat. "We hope her Highness can help shed some light regarding Su''s dealings in Zui." She frowned. "I don''t see how that''s relevant. I mentioned at the wedding ceremony that Su and Zui have been in talks to establish treaties, I think that''s as much as his Grace needs to know," she said, her expression dark. She was looking at Chu Yun as if he was a spy. "What do you know about what happened at the hunt?" Xiao Zai asked, his expression equally dark. His sister frowned. "Not much," she cleared her throat, "I don''t encourage gossip among the troops." Chu Yun smiled, slow and meaningful. "Her Highness needs to be caught up to speed, then." --- They told her all the details about Xiao Yuan''s concubine''s miscarriage, the sham trial, the hunt that followed, the suspicious death of the Crown Princess, the even more suspicious disappearance of Chu Hean, and his supposed connection to someone from Su. "We know the Crown Prince of Su was in Haolin around the time of these events," Chu Yun said, showing Xiao Ziyi the token Hua Nanyi had found. "Do your recognise this?" Xiao Ziyi turned the token around in her hands, inspecting it. "This is the seal of the royal family of Su." They knew that already. "Yes, but the name, is it familiar?" Chu Yun said, tapping the characters. She shook her head. "No, I''ve never met anyone from Su by that name." "So, it''s not the name of the Crown Prince of Su?" Xiao Zai asked, tentatively, already sounding disappointed. Xiao Ziyi returned the token to them. "No, it''s possible it could belong to someone in his employ, but," she frowned, one of her eyebrows climbing up her forehead. "Why would the Crown Prince of Su be involved with your brother in a conspiracy?" Chu Yun bristled at that. "We don''t know if it''s a conspiracy." He couldn''t shake off the feeling that she suspected him of something. "It is odd that the Crown Prince of Su left on the same night Chu Hean disappeared, no one saw him at the hunt either," Hua Nanyi said. Her words merited more attention from Xiao Ziyi, maybe because she was a human from Su herself. "Supposedly, he left before the hunt, but did anyone see him leave? Everyone who could have recognised him was at the hunt." Xiao Ziyi hummed. "You''re a human, weren''t you born in Su?" she asked Hua Nanyi, far more kindly than she had spoken to Chu Yun. Hua Nanyi told the First Princess the tale he was himself very familiar with. As far as she knew, she''d been born in Su, but raised by a family of betas in Xin. After some time her adoptive father died, and her adoptive mother got sick. Fearing for her future she sought out Chu Yun''s father to take in Hua Nanyi as a servant. Her adoptive family had had some means, so Hua Nanyi knew how to read and write and had formal teaching in other areas, such as mathematics. Chu Yun''s father thought it would be a waste of her talents to give her menial housework, and so she joined their household as Chu Yun''s maidservant in name only, as she was mostly a study companion, and playmate for most of his adolescence. All her ''servant'' duties she had taken up herself of her own volition, because, in her own words, Chu Yun could be terribly dull at times. She had naturally fallen into the role of spy, after the events that marked the start of Chu Yun''s total and complete disinterest in Xin court politics. She didn''t mention that last part, but to everything else Xiao Ziyi listened with quiet interest. "Then, would you consider yourself loyal to Su, or Xin?" That brought Hua Nanyi to a screeching halt. Chu Yun could tell from her expression that was something she had never considered. Finally, she made up her mind. "I''m loyal to the adoptive parents who raised me, and are unfortunately now dead, and to the Chu family for taking me in," she cast Chu Yun a meaningful look. "I''m loyal to his Grace for being my friend." Chu Yun lowered his eyes, not wanting to show any emotion in front of Xiao Ziyi, with her probing intrusive questions. She leaned back in her chair and smiled, apparently happy with the answer she got. "Loyalty is a complicated matter. Should one be loyal to the country they were from, or the country that welcomed them? What if that welcome was less than positive? What if it was effusive? What if everything your country had denied you, you were promised somewhere else?" Xiao Zai looked from Hua Nanyi to Chu Yun in confusion. "I don''t think I follow." His sister spread her arms wide. "In simple terms, Zui is losing some of its beta population to Su." That was a surprise to Chu Yun. "I thought usually it were the humans migrating to either Xin or Zui." She nodded. "It was so, not long ago, but things have changed. Su has made some necessary improvements to its infrastructure, they are prospering." She sucked in a breath. "That was the nature of the Crown Prince''s visit, we were hoping to stop the exodus of beta population from our border towns into Su." Chu Yun''s brain made some quick calculations. The border towns were strategically important, key points of defence for any nation, but often unappealing to live from the common people''s perspective. More than a garrison, it was population which ensured the defence of border territories. Without people, the army was left defending a ghost town, at the easy mercy of sieges. "Is this a deliberate effort from Su to weaken Xin?" Chu Yun asked, his blood pumping faster. Xiao Ziyi sighed, her expression pinched and uncomfortable. "It''s hard to say. The Crown Prince surely wasn''t forthcoming. The problem is that it''s obvious the people of Xin aren''t treated equally, betas pay higher taxes. The ones from wealthy families can hope for good marriages, perhaps, but most of those who set out on their own either work for exploitative wages, or try to set up their own business only to be burdened with higher taxes than an alpha competitor." Her frustration was obvious. This was clearly an issue she had long pored over. "This happens to all betas, regardless of whether they are wolves, snakes or cranes. It''s easy to see why they would think it would be better to set out for Su, where they wouldn''t be unfairly taxed. Everyone is a beta there, after all." "Except betas comprise the majority of the population in Zui" Xiao Zai said, his expression guarded. "You''re seeing the problem here," she rubbed her temples. "I''ve had many talks with father about the importance of lowering taxes, but he refuses to listen to it. He says it''s the revenue from those taxes that keeps the coffers full and allows for public investment." "Except most of it ends up embezzled," Chu Yun said, recalling the many ministers he met with. He was about to say something to Xiao Ziyi about how she could help turn the tide on all that, when Xiao Zai surprised him by speaking first. "So let''s get rid of him." Chapter 134 - The Wolf Makes His Case There was total silence in the tent after Xiao Zai spoke. Chu Yun could only blink in shock while trying to come up with anything to say. Unfortunately, Xiao Zai was on a roll. "He''s a terrible father, a terrible King, anyone would be better than him." His sister raised an eyebrow. "Like you?" Chu Yun bit down on a hiss. That was exactly what he thought she was going to say. Her relationship with Xiao Zai wasn''t great. Of course she would think he was being an opportunist. Xiao Zai rummaged into the pockets of his robes and took out the folded letters they found at the estate. Other than that one letter talking about a child, there was nothing else of note in the rest of them. They were clearly addressed to the ''treasonous'' uncle, and it was obvious he was familiar with the person writing to him. They would never know what he wrote back, but from the contents of the letters he got, it seemed he was aware that he was in danger. Xiao Ziyi skimmed the letters at first, not really interested, but as she got to the most recent ones, her eyes narrowed in concentration. She gasped when she got to the final letter -- the first Chu Yun and Xiao Zai had read. "What is this?" she asked, although her voice was wavering. "We found these at the estate. There are no names, but it''s obvious they were meant for Uncle." Xiao Ziyi''s mouth fell open on a gasp. "But he never...he didn''t even have a concubine." "Is there anything you remember from the time around his execution? I barely remember him." Xiao Zai leaned over across the table, his eyes not leaving Xiao Ziyi''s. Chu Yun observed him quietly. Maybe he wouldn''t need to intervene, he seemed to be handling the situation better than anticipated. It made Chu Yun feel oddly proud. Xiao Ziyi ran her eyes over the letters again, fer knuckles white from how hard she was gripping the thin stack. "I don''t know much, he was a kind man from what I recall, he was on good terms with my mother, and...," she gave Xiao Zai a pointed look, "your dam." The implications in her tone was plain, and something that had crossed Chu Yun''s mind briefly. However he discarded the thought as quickly as it came, because, surely, certainly, Gu Wei wasn''t dumb enough to have two children whose sires weren''t the King he was married to. It could be a very odd, revenge strategy, but Chu Yun doubter that Gu Wei thought there was any point in trying to spite a man who hated him by having children with other men -- when that could very much get him killed. "I think it''s safe to say Gu Wei is not the dam of your Uncle''s mysterious child," Chu Yun said with certainty. "He would never allow one of his children to be sent somewhere he wouldn''t even be able to visit them." Xiao Zai shot Chu Yun a look of tender admiration. He wasn''t used to hearing people defend his dam. "It certainly wasn''t my mother," Xiao Ziyi bristled, as if anyone had implied that. "We didn''t come here to ask about that, we just want to know if you remember anything about those times, if you heard any mention of a child." Chu Yun paused. "Actually, maybe the child wasn''t his...just someone''s child he wanted to hide? A foster child perhaps?" Xiao Zai pulled the last letter from his sister''s tense fingers and read it again. "This ''friend'' mentions they can''t imagine Uncle''s grief at being parted from the child. It makes their relationship seem very close. And he says it himself the child is a toddler." Chu Yun plucked the letter from Xiao Zai''s fingers and folded it into his own pockets. Something like that could turn out to be very important evidence one day. The rest of the letters they could afford to leave with Xiao Ziyi, but that one they must absolutely keep under close watch at all times. "In any case, it seems obvious from this letter, and all the others, that your Uncle knew he wasn''t going to be alive for much longer and was making arrangements about his eventual death." The First Princess, the Commanding General of Zui''s armies, her father''s daughter, was silent for a time, worrying her lip between her teeth. "Well, if he was guilty of treason, it''s only natural that..." Chu Yun groaned, unable to mask his impatience. "Your Highness, please be reasonable." Xiao Ziyi''s mouth snapped shut with a loud click of her teeth. She shot Chu Yun a glare, but it was obvious she didn''t have any arguments. Chu Yun didn''t understand if she had a better impression of the King than Xiao Yuan and Xiao Zai because she had a genuinely good relationship with her father, or if she was just too filial for her own good. Filial duty shouldn''t come before the good of her country. Chu Yun understood the value in letting someone ruminate over a thought, take some time to pull at it like a scab. So, he put a hand on Xiao Zai''s inner arm, and said abruptly, "We''ve taken too much of the General''s time, we should go." Xiao Ziyi shot Hua Nanyi a look, who didn''t meet her eyes. She''d said it herself: she was loyal to Chu Yun. The General returned her gaze to the letters on her desk and said, "We''ll talk about this after I return to Haolin." --- Xiao Zai was looking forward to arriving home and drawing himself a bath. Maybe he could even talk Chu Yun into joining him. Those hopes were dashed the moment they crossed the estate''s gates, and came face-to-face with a wild-eyed Xiao Yuan. He rushed to Xiao Zai''s horse and held onto one side of the reins, making the animal come to a sudden halt. "You''re finally back, I need your help." "What is it?" Chu Yun asked, pulling his horse to a stop behind Xiao Zai. "It''s A-Jiang, he''s fallen ill." Chapter 135 - The Wolf Sees An Inconvenience, The Fox An Opportunity Xiao Zai knew there was no hope of salvaging the rest of his day then. Xiao Yuan looked genuinely scared, as if he feared all the recent death hovering around him like a hungry vulture was ready to claim another victim. "What is it? Is he suddenly nauseous and unable to keep food down?" Xiao Zai asked, shooting Chu Yun a knowing smirk that he acknowledged with a glare. One never knew. It might be catching. Xiao Yuan just looked confused. "What? No, he started complaining of a pain in his chest, then it was his back, and then he just fell to the floor," he looked up into Xiao Zai''s eyes. "He''s unresponsive but his eyes are open," he shook his head, trying to dispel the image like water from his ears. "Please send one of your doctors over, I have a few servants watching over him, but I don''t trust anyone in my house," Xiao Yuan said, one step away from begging. Xiao Zai despised him, when he looked at his brother he saw only a pathetic simpering man who refused to take responsibility for his actions. He would tell everyone who''d listen that he''d never raped his dam, but he knew, as well as anyone, that each time he made one of his desperate attempts at seducing him, Gu Wei would be beaten black and blue for it. Xiao Yuan had never apologised for that, for all that he worried that people would think he was a rapist as well as a drunkard. It wasn''t sympathy for his brother that made Xiao Zai call over a servant and ask him to fetch Physician Song and have him meet them at the First Prince''s estate, but pity for Fan Jiang. A deep sorrow for how everyone who came into Xiao Yuan''s orbit ended up worse for it. Xiao Yun barely thanked him before climbing into his own carriage and setting back towards his estate. Chu Yun climbed up back onto his horse as well. Xiao Zai tried to stop him. "I''m going," he said with a frown. "I''m not going to drink or eat anything," he said with a roll of his eyes. "Besides, something really odd is happening there, and we need to get to the bottom of it before it causes more problems." He spurred his horse towards the gates. "It seems we''re spending the day today visiting your siblings," he said with a smirk over his shoulder. Xiao Zai smiled and went after him at a gallop. The only sibling he really wanted to see was tucked away in a cosy village away from all of this, and all the better for it. --- The Second Prince''s estate looked no different than the last time Chu Yun had been there, although there was a more frantic energy to it. Xiao Yuan led them through the hallways of the estate''s sleeping quarters until they reached a finely decorated pear wood door. A richly dressed concubine was kneeling on the floor, hanging on the door handles, tears streaming down her face. Chu Yun recognised her as the pampered concubine from the feast at the estate, the omega who''d lost the baby. "Your royal Highness," she exclaimed as soon as she saw Xiao Yuan, crawling on her knees towards him, hugging his legs. "They won''t let Rui-er in, even though I''ve begged them to let me see A-Jiang! Rui-er is so scared for him! There''s has been so much death in this house!" She was almost hysterical, but Xiao Yuan ignored her, pushing her to the side and walking into the room as if she wasn''t even there. Chu Yun knelt next to the crying concubine and helped her to her feet. "Please don''t cry, Lady, ah, Rui-er is it?" She smiled self-consciously at him, dabbing at her reddened eyes with sleeves that covered her hands. "This one is called Peng Rui, your Grace," she curtsied politely, bending her knees and lowering her neck, "pleased to make your acquaintance." They had already met each other but they hadn''t been introduced, a slight a woman with Lady Peng''s temperament wasn''t sure to have forgotten. Xiao Zai cleared his throat, "We should go in," he said, cutting in between Chu Yun and the concubine, and not acknowledging her in any way. Chu Yun held back a sigh at his childishness. He couldn''t be jealous just because Chu Yun exchanged two words to an omega? He followed him into the room, where Xiao Yuan was already kneeling by Fan Jiang''s bedside. It was obvious the room they were in was Xiao Yuan''s own, from the lavish decoration and the many wolf motifs carved into dark lacquered furniture, and painted onto wall hangings. A room fit for a Crown Prince, but Xiao Yuan looked like a small child among all the splendour, clinging to Fan Jiang''s pale hand with red eyes. The sight was just has perturbing as he had described. Fan Jiang was laying on his back with his eyes wide open, completely unnmoving. A faint, trembling breath passed through his lips, the only indication he was alive. Only Concubine Peng''s sobs cut through the silence in the room. Moments later, Physician Song arrived, a servant carrying his medicine chest. He started examining Fan Jiang right away, pronouncing at once, "even his pulse is sluggish," after a quick examination. He peered into Fan Jiang''s eyes, asking for a candle to examine them more closely. Everyone waited in breathless anticipation as he took blood samples, saliva samples, and mixed them with all kinds of powders and herbs from his portable chest of drawers. Finally, he announced. "He''s been poisoned." Which wasn''t really news to anyone present, but he went on to elaborate, "it''s an uncommon poison, I''ve only seen its effects once before. It''s made from blue cap mushrooms, and it works as a paralysing agent. If untreated it can lead to a painful and slow death as the person wastes away." Xiao Yuan closed both hands around Fan Jiang''s wrist. "So there is an antidote?" The Physician nodded. "Thankfully, yes. It''s a long decotion process but we can find all the ingredients here in Haolin, and I know the recipe." Before the breath of relief was even out of Xiao Yuan''s lips, Chu Yun turned to the Physician. "Thank you for your help, please wait outside with my maidservant, Physician Song, we''ll call for you shortly." Chu Yun turned to the confused Xiao Yuan with an enigmatic smile.. "There are some things we need to discuss with his Royal Highness first." Chapter 136 - The Fox Corners Unsuspecting Prey Xiao Yuan''s face fell, the flicker of hope going out from his eyes like a snuffed candle. His gaze lingered on Chu Yun''s face only a moment before he turned to Fan Jiang on the bed. "Name your price," he said, dispirited. He wasn''t even going to try to bargain, or threaten Chu Yun that he could just go behind him and find the physician anyway. Maybe curse him out the house and say he would summon all the physicians in Haolin. Surely one of them could come up with a cure. But Xiao Yuan was too tired for any of that. He was a man beset by enemies on every side. The man Chu Yun spoke with when he dropped off Fan Jiang wasn''t broken yet, but the man who looked at him from behind those empty eyes was. He was on the verge of losing the one person he had left, and he couldn''t take it anymore. That was why Chu Yun knew he was going to get what he wanted. Sometimes, a clean break could be a fresh start. "Renounce your claim to the throne," Chu Yun said, his back stiff. "In public. Come before the court and say you renounce as Crown Prince." Xiao Zai''s sharp intake of breath was almost deafening in the quiet room. Chu Yun could feel his gaze burning the back of his head. Xiao Yuan turned around slowly, his gaze climbing up Chu Yun''s body and landing on his face. "You know, I''ve been hearing all kinds of praise about you," Xiao Yuan said, with a bitter sort of amusement, "No one shuts up about how courteous you are, and how respectful, and how dotting towards Xiao Zai." His smile widened mirthlessly, and for a moment he almost resembled his father. They had the same kind of violent handsomeness, although there was something hungry to Xiao Yuan''s sallow good looks -- as if he''d spent several years living on the streets as an orphan. It was amazing that a Crown Prince could look that deprived. "But that''s not true at all, is it?" Xiao Yuan said, taking one step in Chu Yun''s direction. "You have him wrapped around your finger. Somehow, you got him under your thrall," he looked at Xiao Zai over Chu Yun''s shoulder. "My sullen younger brother has really blossomed since your wedding. Look at him, he even looks taller." Xiao Zai had no reaction to the jab. Xiao Yuan snorted. "Maybe all it took to make a King out of him was someone whispering in his ear that he could be one." One corner of Chu Yun''s lips curled up. Xiao Zai had Gu Wei telling him that all his life. No, the credit was all Chu Yun''s. Finally, Xiao Yuan sighed, hanging his head like a dead man going limp on the noose. "Very well. It''s not as if I would make for a very good King." Right then they heard a fierce screech from the door, "No, how can his Royal Highness say that?" Peng Rui''s earlier grief was all but gone, replaced by a seething hatred. She fell to her knees in deep prostration as soon as everyone turned towards her. "I beg that his Royal Highness please reconsider," she said knocking her forehead against the floor. "Being Crown Prince is not something that can be easily renounced, it is ordained by the Heavens that his Royal Highness as his Majesty''s first alpha son should inherit the throne, and-" Chu Yun slid the tip of his booted foot under Peng Rui''s chin, making her mouth snap closed with a dainty click. She gazed up at him in utter shock. "Are you done?" Chu Yun asked, removing his foot She shot Xiao Yuan a scandalised look, hoping he would say something about the humiliation Chu Yun had just subjected her to. Xiao Yuan spared her only a brief glance before looking once again towards Fan Jiang. Peng Rui shot up to her feet. "Your Royal Highness! You can''t let them humiliate us." "There is no ''us''," Chu Yun said, turning to her with a mocking smirk. "Can''t you see that his Royal Highness has no interest in you?" Her lovely eyes blazed with fury. If she could have killed Chu Yun and gotten away with she would have. "As his Royal Highness'' Concubine, this one is loyal only to him-" she tried, her voice cracking. Chu Yun laughed. "Is that why you drank abortive tea for days, until you lost your child?" Her eyes widened, the spidery red veins around her iris almost doubled in size. "That''s-" She finally had Xiao Yuan''s attention. He looked from between her and Chu Yun with a frown. "What''s the meaning of this?" The thought hadn''t crossed Chu Yun''s mind until he''d seen her laying on the floor by the door, crying for Fan Jiang when at the feast she''d looked like her biggest dream was for him to choke on his own saliva and die. That odd behaviour led to another realisation. He was reminded of a conversation he''d had with the three Physicians, about terminating his own pregnancy. Where the more scientific minded of the three mentioned that doing so would require a person to take abortive tea over a period of time -- which could have a series of unpredictable effects because Chu Yun was an alpha. "It seems oddly convenient that of the many wedding gifts, Concubine Peng would be drawn to the exact same tea over a period of several days. It''s not enough to take abortive tea once, it requires exposure of at least three times a day over three days," he smiled without any kindness. "It''s impossible that Concubine Peng didn''t feel sick well before she finally collapsed and lost the child. Why not alert someone at the first signs something wasn''t right?" Her face paled. She opened and closed her bloodless mouth and finally stuttered out, "It must have been stronger, fast acting." Xiao Zai chuckled, making Peng Rui flinch as if she''d been whipped. "What did my father offer you to make you keep drinking that tea?" Chapter 137 - The Fox Is Devious Xiao Yuan mumbled to himself, "My father...", and then threw his head back in a laugh. Peng Rui remained on the floor, her fingernails digging into the polished wood. "Don''t believe them your Royal Highness, they''re just trying to poison you against me! Against his Majesty." She snarled up at Chu Yun. "Why would I kill my own child?" Chu Yun smiled. "Because you can have others," his eyes flickered to Xiao Zai. "I''m sure the King reminded you of that, when he asked this little thing of you. Why would you care? I''m sure it stung, to see a beta become the Prince''s First Wife, but the King promised to make it up to you, didn''t he?" She bared her teeth at him. The truth was that Chu Yun needed her to admit it, he was making conjectures, but he didn''t have solid evidence. He needed her to come out and admit to it in front of Xiao Yuan -- wipe away any doubt. Luckily, his past conversation with Xiao Ziyi, and with Chu Hean long before that, made it so he knew just where to push. "Here you are, an omega lady of nice breeding, reduced to being a mere concubine, who isn''t even favoured, humiliated daily because your husband prefers a servant to you. And then you don''t even get a title to show for it." Chu Yun shook his head. "Then, some beta upstart, from a family who is just a little bit richer than yours, just a little bit more well-connected gets to see their daughter marry into the royal family as the Crown Prince''s main wife, become the Crown Princess and future Queen of Zui." The corners of his lips turned downwards into an approximation of pity. "I don''t know how you could handle it." Finally, she cracked. Fat tears started spilling down her cheeks, her earlier rage turning into self-pity. "It should have been me," she said quietly. "I did everything right, it should have been me." "What did you do?" Xiao Yuan asked, advancing towards her with a furious scowl. Xiao Zai stepped in front of him, preventing him from getting close to the crying concubine. "What I had to! What his Majesty told me would be best for Zui," her sobs made her slender shoulders shake. "Of course I didn''t want to drink the tea! But his Majesty promised, he said, that it would help Wuyuan!" She glared at Xiao Zai. "He was right to say you needed to be removed, that you were a danger to Wuyuan and to the nation!" Xiao Zai had no reaction to her words, his handsome face revealed nothing. Xiao Yuan on the other hand was almost shaking with rage. "You snake, you''re lower than a dog!" Chu Yun gripped Peng Rui under the arm and helped her to her feet. She stood up awkwardly, all her jewellery jangling. "Let''s not be harsh, Rui-er only did what his Majesty told her, isn''t that right?" he asked her. She nodded fiercely, breaking into a huge grin. "That''s right! I acted under his Majesty''s orders, there''s nothing you can do against me," she pointed a manicured finger at Xiao Zai, "and once I tell him of your treasonous plot my rewards will be even greater." Chu Yun hissed, clasping his hands behind his back and turning on his heel to face Peng Rui. "Except you didn''t stick to his Majesty''s orders, did you?" Peng Rui blinked, her expression blank. "Of course I did. I did everything his Majesty told me to!" "I believe his Majesty told you to drink the abortive tea and have Xiao Zai framed for it, and I even believe he encouraged to get rid of Fan Jiang, but," he paused and gave her an accessing look. "I doubt he told you to kill the Crown Princess." "I did no such thing! I never touched her!" "You weren''t at the hunt, though, you weren''t watching from the tower with the rest of the First Prince''s household." "Because I was at home, convalescing." Chu Yun hummed. "Convenient, you were at home alone at a moment when no one else was." She had been shaking with hatred, now she shook with fear. "I didn''t do it!" she turned to Xiao Yuan, her tone pleading. "Your Royal Highness has to believe me! I didn''t do it." "But you did poison Fan Jiang?" Xiao Yuan asked, his voice coming out raspy. Peng Rui''s chin trembled. "He holds you back! He''s just a reminder of an unnatural attachment, a shadow of someone else! Darling, Rui-er is only worried about your future." Xiao Yuan chuckled darkly. "What future?" He lowered his eyes and after a moment shouted. "Guards! Guards!" Peng Rui panicked but seconds later three men entered the room, their hands ready on their sword hilts. "Lock this woman in one of the guest quarters, keep a rotation at the door. Don''t let her out under any circumstances, don''t let anyone in besides me." The guards nodded as one, and two of them moved to grip a struggling Peng Rui behind the arms. They dragged her out, kicking and screaming, begging for Xiao Yuan''s help. Xiao Yuan turned to Xiao Zai. "When do you want me to renounce?" he smiled sadly, "as you know most of my days are free. Father doesn''t give me anything to do." Chu Yun walked up to Xiao Zai, standing at his side. "We''ll tell you when it''s time." Suddenly, he had an idea. "Although, we would appreciate an account of today''s events written by you." Xiao Yuan didn''t see the point of it, but he nodded all the same. After it was done, Physician Song was allowed back into the room, and Chu Yun and Xiao Zai left. Outside, Chu Yun gave the letter to Hua Nanyi. "Go back to the training facility and deliver this to the First Princess." She hid the letter beneath the folds of her waist sash and Chu Yun added, almost absent-mindedly. "Stay the night." "What? How...What am I going to use as an excuse?" He shrugged. "You''re clever, so be clever about it." --- They had barely entered their bedroom, when Xiao Zai pinned Chu Yun against the door. "You''re devious," he said, nuzzling his nape, inhaling his scent. "You know she didn''t kill the Crown Princess." Chu Yun chuckled, letting Xiao Zai''s hands roam over his body. "Someone did, it might as well be her." She tried to have Xiao Zai incriminated for something he would never do.. Chu Yun thought it would suit her well to take the fall for a crime that was either orchestrated by his grandmother, or by his dam. Chapter 138 - The Wolf Is In Awe Of The Fox Halfway through Chu Yun''s interrogation of the concubine, Xiao Zai realised that he was bluffing. He was giving her rope to hang herself with, but she tied the noose around her own neck, admitting to what she had done, and not being convincing enough to deny what she hadn''t. Now, Xiao Zai couldn''t help appreciating Chu Yun''s cunning. "Don''t you feel guilty? She could be executed for the death of the Crown Princess," Xiao Zai asked, pressing the question into the hot skin of Chu Yun''s neck. He didn''t know what answer he expected, or wanted to hear. But seeing the ruthless side of Chu Yun always sent a bolt of arousal through him. He could be merciless when he wanted to, which made his kindness, his compassion, and the rare glimpses of sweetness he allowed Xiao Zai to see, all the more precious. "It won''t come to that," Chu Yun said, grinning and stealing a breathless kiss from Xiao Zai. "But, it will make her desperate to save her own skin." He gripped the two sides of Xiao Zai''s collar and walked him backwards to the bed. He pushed Xiao Zai down into the mattress and climbed on top of him with a triumphant grin. "She knows that any chance she might have of being promoted to Principal Wife is ruined, and the King will definitely kill her if he thinks she went against his orders." He traced a finger from Xiao Zai''s bottom lip, down his chin, over his bobbing throat. Xiao Zai swallowed drily, looking up at him in awe. His fingers tightened on Chu Yun''s waist, his eyes never leaving the proud curve of his lips. With a smile, Chu Yun lowered himself over Xiao Zai''s body and brought their faces close together, letting their breaths mingle before touching his lips to Xiao Zai''s sweetly. Xiao Zai couldn''t resist sliding his hand down towards the taut curve of his generous ass and gripping a handful. Chu Yun laughed into the kiss, tightening his grip around Xiao Zai''s neck in warning. "After we let her stew in her fear for a time, we''ll give her a choice," Chu Yun said, whispering the words into Xiao Zai''s ear. "She''ll be spared if she testifies against the King. If she tells the court he ordered her not only to get rid of her own child to incriminate you, but also to kill the Princess Consort." Xiao Zai hummed in contentment, lifting his knees to rock upwards against Chu Yun. Their bodies moved in a slow rhythm that added to the fire burning under their skin. "There''s only one problem, the King doesn''t benefit at all from the Crown Princess'' death," Xiao Zai said, his wandering hands growing restless, trying to get at Chu Yun''s skin. "We can make her accuse him, but it''s a different story to make the accusation stick." Chu Yun hummed against Xiao Zai''s lips, conceding his point. "I think we can leave the motive up to the people who wanted her dead," he said, cryptically. "What does that mean?" Xiao Zai asked, laughing when Chu Yun licked a ticklish strip across his jugular. "Don''t worry about it." Xiao Zai considered pressing him for more information, but soon Chu Yun started undoing his robes, and the moment Xiao Zai got his hands on his bare skin all rational thoughts flew out of his mind. --- Chu Yun woke up the next morning feeling sated and sticky. Xiao Zai was glued to his back, both arms banded tight around Chu Yun''s waist as if he feared he might run away in the night. Las night, they stopped after the first round because Chu Yun got hungry and reminded Xiao Zai of his promise to cook for him. Xiao Zai didn''t want to go into the kitchens, and so he compromised and rode into the market streets to get them something from a stall. They ate naked in bed, all the better to continue from where they had stopped. Now, with the faint morning light streaming in through the paper panes, Chu Yun turned around in bed to admire the shadows Xiao Zai''s long eyelashes cast on his smooth cheeks. He traced the crisscrossing pattern with his fingertip slowly, trying not to wake him. Xiao Zai wrinkled his nose in his sleep, ticklish. Overcome with fondness Chu Yun kissed him softly. He couldn''t bear the thought of saddling Xiao Zai with the knowledge that his dam might have orchestrated, or at least been complicit in, the murder of the Crown Princess. It was a toss up between Gu Wei and the Queen Dowager, for who did it -- but they might even have been working together. With the privilege of hindsight, their odd conversation during the hunt finally made sense. It explained why the Queen Dowager watched from their tower, why it was important for her and Gu Wei to be seen at the same place that day. Did they help Chu Yun avoid any accusations of slipping into the forest and killing her himself? Sure, but that was never an argument that held much water to begin with. No, the most important thing was that both of them were clearly visible the entire night, and in each other''s company. Chu Yun had no idea why they''d done it, but now he had enough leverage to ask Gu Wei. This time he wasn''t leaving without some direct answers. Something jumped in his stomach and he touched his abdomen. A well-timed reminder that they were still running against time. The King wouldn''t sit idly by now -- they had to get rid of him once and for all. If Gu Wei proved uncooperative Chu Yun would be happy to remind him of that. Chu Yun cast one more look at Xiao Zai''s peaceful sleeping form and got up from the bed, shivering when his bare feet touched the cold floor. It pained him to leave his warm bed to meet Gu Wei, but he could make the sacrifice.. Xiao Zai would compensate him later, in much the same fashion he had last night. Chapter 139 - The Fox Demands Answers Hua Nanyi still wasn''t back by the time Chu Yun left for the royal palace, so he went on his own. He would be lying if he didn''t admit to some trepidation. The King would likely be informed as soon as Chu Yun walked into the palace complex. And while Chu Yun was sure he wouldn''t do anything, that extra awareness of the danger he represented made the fine hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. An enemy was never more dangerous than when he was cornered. The King knew it was only a matter of time until Xiao Zai and Chu Yun moved against him. They had reached the point of no return. That made him unpredictable, but Chu Yun was counting on the Queen Dowager to keep him in check. Her goals weren''t obvious yet. It might only be the promise of her first grandchild making her look out for Chu Yun when she wouldn''t care otherwise. Still, Chu Yun hurried to find Gu Wei, foregoing his usual visit to Min Sezhui. If everything went well they would have ample opportunities to meet soon, after the King was no longer a factor. As luck would have it, Gu Wei was in his private suit of rooms. A handsome, stone-faced guard opened the doors for him. Chu Yun''s eyes lingered on him, trying to parse if he was Gu Wei''s lover. His face revealed nothing, but that wasn''t the reason why Chu Yun had come. Gu Wei was sitting at his low table, pruning a flower arrangement of plum blossoms. He lifted his eyes towards Chu Yun in acknowledgement before returning to his work. "I''ve heard you and Xiao Zai paid a visit to Xiao Yuan," he said, noncommittal. "You''re well informed," Chu Yun said, taking a seat across from him. "No more than you, I''d wager." They were about to see that. "Speaking of which," Chu Yun took a folded up letter from his pocket. One of the more innocuous ones where the mysterious person commiserated about Xiao Zai''s Uncle''s fate. "The masons found this while repairing the estate. Do you have any idea who he might have been corresponding with?" Gu Wei scanned the letter quickly, his expression unchanging. He returned it to Chu Yun with a tight smile. "It seems to me that poor Xiao Yao was aware of the fate that awaited him, maybe he was just commiserating with a friend?" "And you have no idea about who that friend might be?" Chu Yun probed, smiling tightly. "None." "And you never heard anything about Xiao Yao having a child?" Gu Wei kept working on his arrangement, betraying nothing. "It would be a surprise to me if he had one." The problem was that maybe he was too composed. A person would show some signs of ''surprise'', after admitting that something was ''surprising''. It was about time Chu Yun gave him some encouragement to be more forthcoming. "Speaking of surprising, I think Xiao Zai would be surprised to learn of your involvement in the Crown Princess'' death." That got him a reaction. Gu Wei cut him a sharp look before putting down his shears and lacing his fingers under his chin. "Where are you trying to get at with an accusation like that?" "To the truth," he said, leaning across the table. "I want to know why you did it." Gu Wei scoffed. "It''s base speculation, why would I have anything to say about it?" "Only you or the Queen Dowager could have been behind it," Chu Yun smiled, and then added. "I saw a beta guard outside your door. If I''m not mistaken he''s a wolf too. How easy would it have been for him to slip into the forest during the hunt while everyone was distracted?" Gu Wei''s eyes narrowed in annoyance. He didn''t think Chu Yun was actually threatening him, but it bothered him nonetheless to hear him speak aloud about these things. "It would do you good to learn when to stop meddling," he said, after a prolonged silence, his tone curt. "I don''t doubt you did it with Xiao Zai''s best interests at heart," Chu Yun conceded with a nod, making himself look earnest, to Gu Wei''s annoyance. "But I want to be in on it, just to make sure I don''t accidentally spoil everything." Gu Wei gave him a long look of appraisal. "You really are the proverbial fox in the chicken coop, aren''t you?" Chu Yun shrugged. "I''m looking out for Xiao Zai as well." At that, some of Gu Wei''s antagonism dispersed. The reminder that they were on the same side made him relax. Chu Yun imagined that he wasn''t used to having allies. "She was more ambitious than she seemed," Gu Wei said with a grimace. "She realised soon that being married to Xiao Yuan might not bring her any advantage, and that the way things were going he would be a King in name only. My husband won''t let go of the throne, no matter how unpopular he grows." "Did she try to seduce the King?" Chu Yun asked, confused as to why Gu Wei would have cared. Gu Wei''s answering laugh quickly changed Chu Yun''s mind about his first guess. "Perhaps if she had been that simple-minded she would still be alive." With those cryptic words he rose to his feet, smoothing down the creases of his cream robes. "Walk with me." He walked towards the doors, and Chu Yun followed him. Outside Gu Wei addressed the guard stationed at his door, "Escort us." The man fell into step behind them without a word. Chu Yun kept stealing glances at him over his shoulder. He was arresting in the same way that a lightening storm could be called arresting. His handsome features drew the eye, but in the stillness of his gaze lied the promise of real danger. Chu Yun found it disconcerting to look at him for more than a few seconds at a time. After they''d walked through two courtyards, and had gone deeper into the palace complex than Chu Yun had ever been before, he could no longer hold off his curiosity. "Where are we going?" Gu pointed at a dark building just ahead of them. "The cold palace.. You won''t understand otherwise." Chapter 140 - The Fox Goes To The Cold Palace The outside wall of the Cold Palace looked rundown and dilapidated, as if there had been no repairs done to it in many years. They walked through a moon gate and into an overgrown and unkempt courtyard. Gu Wei stepped through the frosted over weeds with confidence, sidestepping rocks and holes on the ground with practised ease. There was only one door leading to the building adjacent to the courtyard, and it was latched from the outside. Anyone could open it by sliding open the latch, but then again, Chu Yun assumed no one came here, and whoever did knew better than to release Xiao Yuan''s mother. "How long has she been here?" Chu Yun asked, stepping inside the Cold Palace behind Gu Wei. "More than a decade," he said, as if he didn''t care to keep exact count. Chu Yun looked around the decrepit palace. It looked as derelict on the inside as it did on the outside, splintered floorboards, ripped panelling and water-stained walls. Everything smelled faintly of rot and mildew. The palace was of a considerable size on the inside, but it was obvious that most rooms were too damaged to be of any use. Gu Wei crossed the dank hallway and stopped in front of one of the only few standing doors. On the other side was a surprisingly lavish bedroom, like a flower blooming from manure. Unlike the rest of the palace this room was impeccably decorated, furnished with all kinds of priceless paintings, porcelain vases, and dark lacquered furniture. A large canopied bed stood in the middle of the room, illuminated by the diffuse sun rays streaming in from the paper window panes. Gu Wei''s guard stayed by the door, his dark gaze fixed on a point on the wall in front of him. Chu Yun had no idea if he was acting so stoic for his benefit, or if he was that serious naturally. In any case it was hard to see what the appeal was for Gu Wei -- perhaps his lover was another guard. Gu Wei pulled the dark purple canopy aside and called to the figure sleeping on the bed, "Sister Qin? It''s Gu Wei here to see you." Something moved among the covers and then a dishevelled woman sat up in the middle of the bed. Her hair was untidy and there were stains down the front of her inner robes. Among the pristine bedroom, she was the only thing that looked out of place. "What do you want?" the woman hissed from her nest of bed covers, curling her lips up at Chu Yun and showing her darkened teeth. She must have been a beautiful woman one day, but neglect, and perhaps illness, had left only a hollow ravage behind. "I came to see if Sister Qin is doing well." Gu Wei said, dragging a cushioned chair in front of the bed and sitting in front of Concubine Qin. She hissed at him. "No, you came to gloat! You came to laugh at me!" She pressed the heel of her hand against the side of her head and squeezed her eyes shut. "Everything is a mess in here because of you. It hurts to think!" Gu Wei shifted in the chair, balancing his elbows on the armrests languidly. "Then don''t think. It''s because you thought too much that you ended up here." Chu Yun looked between the two of them with unease. Concubine Qin was as ruined as the Cold Palace itself. Whatever she had done, Gu Wei had made sure to destroy her completely for it. It sent a cold pulse of dread down Chu Yun''s spine. It was one thing to know a person was merciless, and another to see it for himself. Perhaps sensing the trajectory of Chu Yun''s thoughts Gu Wei shot him an amused look. "I bet this is confirming all your most uncharitable thoughts about me." Yes. "I''m sure father-in-law had his reasons." He would like to hear them as soon as possible so that he could leave this place and its terrible atmosphere. Gu Wei smiled as if laughing at a private joke. "I had plenty of reasons, but I know you won''t take what I say at face value, so I want you to hear it from her." Chu Yun shot a skeptic look at the unkempt woman on the bed. She didn''t look to be in any condition to share the details of her last meal, let alone recall events that happened years ago. "Has Sister Qin seen her Royal Highness the Queen Consort lately?" Immediately the woman started to screech, holding both her hands over her ears as if blocking out a piercing noise. "That bitch, that bitch! She haunts my dreams, she haunts my dreams, and all she does is laugh and laugh." Chu Yun went very still, his gaze locked on the writhing concubine. Gu Wei''s words had unlocked something in her, worsening whatever condition afflicted her. "Why does the Queen Consort haunt your dreams? Did you do something to her?" The screeches from the concubine grew in volume, making Chu Yun flinch and take a step backwards. "I killed her, I killed her! It took her hours to die!" The sudden shift from shouting to yelling pulled her doughy features in two different directions. "I cut out her baby and left her to die, she bled out on the floor while I watched." So that was the reason behind the Queen Consort''s unusual death during childbirth, but how had the rumours ended up levelling the responsibility at Gu Wei? Chu Yun couldn''t look away from Concubine Qin, still thrashing in the middle of the bed, pulling at her own hair in an attempt to distract herself from the pain in her head. Gu Wei turned to Chu Yun again, hooking one arm over the back of the chair and twisting his body sideways, in an unusually relaxed sprawl. "She said it," he smiled, and then asked, almost as an afterthought, "Who made Sister Qin this way?" "You!! It was you, you snake, you cheap whore," she let out a pained growl. "My head hurts with all the ghosts you put inside it." A cold smiled stretched across Gu Wei''s lips. "Maybe you shouldn''t have collected so many ghosts." Chapter 141 - The Fox Is Told A Decade-old Secret Chu Yun couldn''t take her tortured display any longer. "Enough," he told Gu Wei with a hiss. "Make her stop." Gu Wei had no reaction beyond smiling at Concubine Qin. "Sister should get ready, his Majesty is going to pay her a visit today." Just like that, Concubine Qin''s face brightened immediately. "He is? Of course he is!" She scrambled out of the bed ungainly, and only then did Chu Yun notice the thin silver chain attached to her ankle. It seemed to be long enough to allow her to move around the room freely but go no further than that. She sat in front of the low vanity overlooking the window, and started trying to comb through her matted hair. Chu Yun watched her with extreme discomfort. After some time she started humming a tune while looking at her reflection in the gold mirror, her gaze completely unfocused. "The Princess Consort was an ambitious woman, not unlike Concubine Qin," Gu Wei said. Picking up his tale where he''d left off. "She started paying visits to Qin Ming, and somehow found out it was me who reduced her to this state," he hugged the high back of his chair and looked up at Chu Yun. "She was smart, so she knew that more useful than getting into the King''s bed, was giving him something he''d always wanted." "Dirt on you?" Chu Yun guessed. Gu Wei smirked derisively. "Xiao Yuan''s...shall we call them, ''affections'', for me have always been a point of extreme vexation for him, as has the matter of A-Xiang''s paternity," here his smile fell, "even so, it bought us some breathing room, me and Xiao Zai both. He might be King, but the rules of Zui, as well of the court bind him as much as they do all of us concubines. He couldn''t have me killed just because he wanted to, not with me being the dam of an alpha son." Chu Yun understood what Gu Wei wasn''t saying. The very idea that he''d been raped by Xiao Yuan offered him some leverage. If Gu Wei formally accused Xiao Yuan, with Xiao Zai no doubt testifying in his favour, there was only so much the King could do to prevent the court from trying the case. Even if Xiao Yuan was cleared of all suspicion, that kind of accusation would immensely weaken the King''s position. It would mean the King was unable of, not only, disciplining his harem, but his heir as well. Most people couldn''t stomach serving a weak master. Even the greediest of ministers would turn against him in time, if only because they would lose all respect for him. Everything that made Xiao Yuan unfit to rule would apply to the King by association as well. For now there were only rumours, scandalous gossip people were happy to pass around while only half-believing it. "Part of our agreement is that I can never discuss A-Xiang with Xiao Yuan," Gu Wei smiled as if this brought him great amusement. "The official account is that the King is her sire, of course, but that she must live away due to her frail health. If you ask me she is safer there than she''d ever be in the royal palace." Despite his words there was a tightness around his lips that betrayed inner pain. Gu Wei wasn''t being honest. The truth was that he probably wished he he''d never ended up in his current situation at all. "So the Crown Princess found out and threatened you?" Gu Wei shook his head. "Like I said, she was smart. She didn''t threaten me, she went to the King directly and told him." Chu Yun sucked on a breath. That must have sucked. Gu Wei laughed at the look on his face. "Nothing I couldn''t handle." Which probably meant a violent, and brutal beating. Chu Yun chanced a quick look backwards at the guard by the door. His expression was unchanged, but his hands were tightly balled into fists at his side. He was the lover after all. Gu Wei sighed and stretched his legs over the end of Concubine Qin''s bed, crossing them at the ankle. "Anyway, he''d long suspected it, and had sent people to investigate her for years, trying to get something useful out of her." He looked over his shoulder at where Qin Ming was still brushing her hair. "Most of the time she''s catatonic. She only reacts when I''m here, it''s extremely hard to get her to talk otherwise. The Princess Consort was persistent." Chu Yun imagined it was all the free time from having none of Xiao Yuan''s attention. "She got her answers, enough for the King to believe her, but he wanted proof. After all these years, it would be extremely suspicious if he accused me with nothing to show for it," Gu Wei clicked his tongue, "it was just too bad that the King couldn''t resist rubbing it in my face just how close I was to certain death." "She died at the hunt before she could find anything," Chu Yun concluded. Gu Wei nodded. "She was smart, but I''m an old hand." The King must have been furious, more so when he found out about Chu Yun''s pregnancy. It was not surprising that he''d beaten Gu Wei badly and dragged him along when he dropped in to gloat that he''d found out about the pregnancy. He wanted to punish Gu Wei for ruining his plans, yet again. He was probably still punishing him. Gu Wei looked well, the bruises on his face were healed, but there was no telling if something else had happened, and he wasn''t about to tell Chu Yun either. "I know why you killed the Crown Princess now," Chu Yun said, "but why do this to her?" he nodded towards Concubine Qin. "Wasn''t it easier to just kill her?" Chu Yun didn''t have much stomach for torture. Sometimes killing someone was a necessity, a "you or them" situation. Chu Yun could be pragmatic about death, about murder. But torture...it turned his stomach. It reminded him of the memories he most wanted to forget. Gu Wei didn''t seem to share his sentiment. His expression darkened and he shot Chu Yun an unimpressed look. "She killed the only friend I had in the palace, the first person to show me any measure of comfort.. Believe me, she is lucky I didn''t do much worse." Chapter 142 - The Fox Gets Home To A Surprise Chu Yun didn''t know what his face showed, but whatever it was it made Gu Wei chuckle. The truth was that Chu Yun didn''t expect Gu Wei to have any intense feelings for anyone besides his children. He certainly had never seen him display that level of care for anyone who wasn''t Xiao Zai. Gu Wei must have really liked the Queen Consort, because it was a lot easier for him to have killed Qin Ming -- if not immediately after the Queen Consort''s death, then at some point during the years she spent out of sight in the Cold Palace. He would have saved himself a lot of trouble. But he hadn''t done any of this just to get rid of an enemy. He had completely destroyed her, in memory of his friend. Chu Yun wondered if he felt closer to the Queen Consort when he visited Concubine Qin and saw her like this. Did it bring him peace? Looking at her sitting in front of the mirror and brushing her hair while humming that tune to herself, Chu Yun didn''t know what mercy would look like at this point. "The rumours tell another story, you know?" Chu Yun said, wrenching his eyes away from Qin Ming''s reflection in the gold mirror. "Everyone seems to think you had something to do with the Queen''s Consort death, including the First Princess." Chu Yun shrugged, stretching his arms above his head languidly. "Several people would welcome my downfall, and besides, those rumours benefit me. It''s convenient for me that people think grief over her good friend''s death drove Qin Ming mad, instead of me." "The King seems to care for the First Princess, at least more than he does for Xiao Yuan and Xiao Zai...wouldn''t he have punished Qin Ming if he found out she was responsible for her death?" Gu Wei gave him a look that made Chu Yun feel very young. "He would have, almost certainly. But what satisfaction would I have gotten out of it? What guarantees would I have that justice would be served?" He chuckled again, this time without any humour. "No, it had to be me. The King would have done it for his honour, because he would never stomach such an humiliation. Only I did it for her, because she didn''t deserve to die like that." Chu Yun rubbed at his temples with a sigh, reminded once again of the terrible trip with his grandfather. A blood debt was something he hoped he would never have to collect. "Don''t think that because he likes Ziyi that he had any tender feelings for his Queen Consort. She was one of the most intelligent people I ever met, so she knew what it took to survive him. I could never do what was best for me, no matter how much she warned me that questioning him only made things worse." Gu Wei''s gaze grew distant and unfocused, as if he was lost in the memories of those conversations. "The King doesn''t even love himself, he has nothing to give but hatred." That, Chu Yun found it easy to believe. Especially because he couldn''t let go of the idea that he was doomed from birth to be the way that he was. Whether she realised it or not, the Queen Dowager, must have had a hand in shaping the monster he became -- even if his stock was rotten to begin with. After a few more minutes of contemplation, Gu Wei rose to his feet. He returned the chair to its place and said, "Let''s go," walking out of the room as the guard moved to the side to let him past. Chu Yun followed after him, thinking of how his conversations with Gu Wei always threw him for a loop. Still, he had an inkling he knew more about Xiao Zai''s uncle than he was letting on. Before they left the overgrown courtyard of the Cold Palace, Chu Yun stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. "If you know anything about Xiao Yao, it could really help," Chu Yun said, making his urgency plain. "We''re moving against the King soon. Xiao Yuan is going to abdicate as Crown Prince." Gu Wei frowned. "Why is he doing that?" "That''s not important, I''m just telling you this so you know it''s not a whim on my part." Gu Wei held his gaze for a beat, and after some time admitted, "The treason accusations were all forged. The King showed the court ''secret correspondence'' between Xiao Yao and allies that were supposedly trying to orchestrate a coup. None of that was real, Xiao Yao had no interest on the throne, all he wanted was a quiet life." "Is there proof of that?" Chu Yun asked. Gu Wei glared at him. "If there was the King got rid of it long ago." He sighed deeply, looking all of a sudden very tired, as if the weight of all his burdens were bearing down on him all at once. "Understand this: Xiao Yao was a nice man, he was polite and kind, he worried about me when he saw me with bruises, as he worried about all the other concubines. He was everything his brother isn''t, but he wasn''t a fool. He kept his distance, he didn''t get any closer than propriety allowed. So, I have no idea about any details regarding his personal life." Chu Yun nodded, still not completely convinced, but willing to drop the issue for now. Maybe they would find more answers at the house. The restoration work was only superficial in some rooms, maybe there were more secrets hidden behind walls, in dank cellars out of sight. They were walking under the moon gate leading into the cold palace, when Gu Wei stopped him. "I don''t need to remind you that you have nothing to gain if a mysterious child shows up. If Xiao Yao had any children that would make them heirs to the throne as well." "Sure, but they wouldn''t take precedence over the previous King''s legitimate alpha sons." Gu Wei smiled tightly. "You don''t want more trouble for yourself." His hand tightened around Chu Yun''s bicep briefly. "I''m on your side, not just Xiao Zai''s, yours too." Nothing about Gu Wei''s beautiful face betrayed any inner duplicity, but Chu Yun still found it hard to trust him. It wasn''t even because he thought he was lying, instead, he suspected that any loyalty was conditional to Xiao Zai''s feeling for him. If Gu Wei ever had any reason to suspect him of hurting Xiao Zai, Chu Yun could probably count himself lucky if he didn''t end up like Concubine Qin. --- The journey back to the estate went by smoothly. Chu Yun felt only a little nausea as he got down from the carriage. Hua Nanyi hadn''t been there to brew him his medicine the previous night and this morning, and unfortunately, it seemed he wouldn''t be able to do without it any time soon. As luck would have it, he stumbled into her on his way to his quarters to change robes into something more comfortable to stay home all day. She showed him a thick leather-bound parcel. "I got this from the post," she said, handing it to him. "From home." Chu Yun inspected it curiously. Wondering why his parents had sent him a parcel in reply to his last letter informing them of Chu Hean''s puzzling behaviour. "How did it go with the First Princess, how did she react to Xiao Yuan''s letter?" he asked, as she walked him towards his private quarters. Her expression went completely still, as if she were carved out of stone, but Chu Yun didn''t miss the faint tinge of red on the top of her ears. "She seemed really annoyed by the whole thing, cursed the court and the lot of you, and expressed her gratitude for being an army general. Uh...I think she''ll support Xiao Zai though, although she insisted that if you sent me over because you wanted a written declaration of support you had another thing coming." No, Chu Yun hadn''t been that optimistic. Xiao Ziyi said they would talk when she got back to Haolin, and he was still counting on it. The letter was only meant to help her make up her mind more easily -- which apparently it had. "And what else did you do? You stayed there the whole night and a great deal of morning..." Hua Nanyi cleared her throat and looked to the side, completely ignoring him. Chu Yun just laughed to himself. --- Hua Nanyi left to brew some medicine for him. Chu Yun walked into his bedroom expecting to find it empty. Instead he found the low table in the centre of the room laden with food, a dizzying variety of dishes, and above them all Xiao Zai beaming widely. "Ah, I hoped you''d get back in time for lunch," he said, coming around to take off Chu Yun''s rabbit fur cloak. "I made you some food. I went into the market and bought everything fresh myself." Just looking at the number of dishes, it must have taken him hours.. Chu Yun took a seat at the table and reached for an appetising grilled fish, while Xiao Zai watched him in anticipation. Chapter 143 - The Fox And The Wolf Get A Mysterious Box Chu Yun was keenly aware that Xiao Zai had probably never cooked before, and so lowered his expectations. He had already decided to make a big production out of how great the food was before it even touched his tongue. He was so surprised by how good the fish tasted, perfectly charred on the outside, and juicy and smooth on the inside, that he could only say, "It''s good." Xiao Zai still beamed at him as if it was the effusive praise Chu Yun had plan to deliver, and served himself too, loading his rice bowl with cuts of meat. "Did you do this on your own?" Chu Yun asked, genuinely amazed, especially once he realised it wasn''t just the fish that tasted good. Xiao Zai nodded. "I told everyone to leave the kitchen and cooked with what I bought fresh from the market." For a moment, the image of the Second Prince of Zui buying produce in the market stalls alongside all the commoners was so charming that Xiao Zai didn''t know what to do with himself, so he ate another bite of food to keep himself busy. They ate in companionable silence for a moment, until Xiao Zai asked, "Where did you go, this morning?" "I paid a visit to Gu Wei, I wanted to see if he knew anything about your Uncle," Chu Yun said, keeping his tone even. Gu Wei hadn''t asked him for secrecy, but he wasn''t inclined to tell Xiao Zai about what he''d told him about Concubine Qin and his role in her current state. As much as he had done it to avenge the Queen Consort, Chu Yun didn''t think Xiao Zai would appreciate learning about it. Ironically, Gu Wei had gone to some effort to raise Xiao Zai into the kind of person who would think less of him if he knew just how far he took his revenge. Chu Yun valued family, he had loving parents and he treasured his relationship with them. Xiao Zai only had Gu Wei, and perhaps against his best interests Chu Yun didn''t want to damage their connection. "Did he know something?" "Not much, just what he suspected, that the accusations of treason were fabricated, and that Xiao Yao had no interest in the throne." Xiao Zai poured himself a cup of wine, and tea for Chu Yun. "He must have wanted something, otherwise why stay in Haolin?" He took a sip of his wine, his brows furrowed in concentration. "All other members of the royal family left for other provinces, it''s safer to stay out of my father''s sight. There must have been something in Haolin worth drawing my father''s attention for." Chu Yun hummed to himself, thinking that whatever it was, it was probably related to the mystery child. Xiao Zai''s eyes drifted to the leather-bound parcel Chu Yun had dropped beside the table before sitting down. "And that?" "From my parents, we can open it after lunch." "You can open it in private if you want, you don''t need to show it to me," Xiao Zai said. Chu Yun found it sweet how he could get oddly bashful sometimes. They were married, and were going to have a heaven defying child together. What wasn''t Chu Yun already sharing with him? "You cooked such great food for me, maybe I want to reward you." Xiao Zai''s face fell immediately. "Then I want a better reward." The bow of his lips curved downwards. "I want a kiss at least." "I''ll consider your case and deliberate fairly before delivering a sentence." Xiao Zai shot him a glare, but it only lasted a split-second before he cracked into a grin. --- After the table was cleared, Xiao Zai laid down in the lounge sofa and Chu Yun made himself comfortable against his chest so the two of them could read through the letter that came loose after unravelling the first layer of the tightly-bound parcel. "My Son, I trust that this letter finds you and his Second Highness well. As you can imagine the news you gave us shocked us greatly. We could have never imagined that Chu Hean would act in such a way. As far as we know he never came into contact with anyone from Su, aside Nanyi, and as you know, he wasn''t even that close to her. Your mother took things personally, I''m afraid. She is offended that Chu Hean, who she treated no worse than she did you, could act in such a selfish way. She had a huge row with his mother, and A-Mai has been crying since then, although we both believe she knew nothing of Chu Hean''s plans. This was a great and saddening revelation, and perhaps because of that, I didn''t have the heart to stop your mother when she insisted we go up to that Academy of his, to see if they knew something about his plans, or current whereabouts. Nothing looked amiss there, I must say. The elderly master, while blind, is sharp and seems to keep his students in order. They all looked like perfectly ordinary young omegas, and nothing we saw revealed they got up to anything beyond practising their musical skills and calligraphy. Your mother wasn''t satisfied with any of this, though, and demanded to be shown to Chu Hean''s quarters, whenever he stayed over at the academy. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary there either, but when we were about to leave we found the box we now send you. The other students confirmed it belonged to Chu Hean. The lock mechanism is complex, and all our attempts to open it failed. As it is made of iron, it is impossible to break open, and using fire on it could potentially damage its contents. Unsure of how to proceed we''re sending it to you. Hopefully it can be of some help. Please write if something happens, you know how your mother worries. So do I. If you see Chu Hean, in the meantime, remind him that the only thing that can''t be undone is death. Everything else, as his father, I''m willing to forgive if it is forgiveness he seeks. It relieves me of many burdens to know that you are well and being well treated. Heavens willing we will see each other soon. Your father," Chu Yun folded the letter carefully, intent on keeping it, as he had all others. Xiao Zai tightened the arm he had banded around his waist. "You told your father nice things about me." It wasn''t a question, his voice sounded smug. He could have inferred as much from the letter''s content. Chu Yun still bumped the back of his head against his chin in warning. "I can write another one right away telling them how much you get on my nerves." In retaliation, Xiao Zai tried to bite his ear lobe. "Only if you tell them I cooked an entire banquet for you as well." Instead of answering him, Chu Yun pulled away from his embrace and relocated to the floor to better examine the box. It wasn''t a very large box, no bigger than the average jewellery box, but it was very unusual. It was obvious why his parents had wrapped it in leather when Chu Yun pulled it away and saw the intricate carvings along all sides of the box. He ran his fingers through them, trying to find any hidden mechanisms, but had no luck. Xiao Zai examined it next, lifting it to eye-level and peering into it deeply. "It seems like there''s a keyhole here, but it''s oddly shaped." Chu Yun examined the opening too. It didn''t look like it could fit a regular key, instead it seemed to be cut in the shape of a relief of some kind. Almost like- He got up to his feet suddenly, and rushed for the dark cabinet against the north wall. After rummaging in a drawer he found what he was looking for and returned to sit on the floor next to Xiao Zai. "This is nothing like the ones we have in Xin, but I think the principle is the same." "What are you talking about?" Xiao Zai asked, as Chu Yun settled the box on his lap. "It''s a watcher box." He took out the jade waist token from the mysterious masked man that Hua Nanyi had followed outside Chu Hean''s inn. The carving of the crane soaring amidst clouds had a similar relief to that of the box''s keyhole. "They''re different in Xin but they''re supposed to be used by operatives, either soldier or spies, working in hostile territory, to keep stolen documents, orders that need to be passed along in person, proof of identity, that kind of thing." He ran his fingers over the odd keyhole. "It seems that this is something like that, but the key is the waist token only someone in the royal family of Su, or high up in their employ would have." They both watched in silence as Chu Yun slid the bottom of the token into the box''s opening, slipping it home easily. Chapter 144 - The Fox Finds Love Tokens When Chu Yun next tried to open the box''s iron lid it slid off easily, no longer fixed in place by the lock mechanism. The inside of the box was no different than the outside, but its contents were surprising. Chu Yun took out a jade hairpin he had never seen before. He was certain it wasn''t one he''d ever seen his brother wear. The decorative end of it was sculpted like a plum blossom, a key note of Chu Hean''s scent. This was a love token. It was very unlikely that something like this would be given in friendship, it was impossible to miss the implications. He passed it on to Xiao Zai, who turned it around in his fingers and arrived at the same conclusion Chu Yun had. "You think Chu Hean had a lover?" He paused, thinking on the implications further. "From Su?" The two things might not be related, but it seemed unlikely. What were the chances of Chu Hean hiding a love token in a watcher box that could only be open with a token from the royal family of Su, or those in their employ, but that had no relation to someone from Su? Chu Yun didn''t think there was room in the world for so many coincidences. Was this why he rebelled? For love? "How did he even meet someone from the royal family of Su at an academy for omegas in Xin?" Chu Yun questioned aloud, biting down on his urge to scream. Chu Yun couldn''t help thinking the jade hairpin took on some extra significance if it was a gift from a human. No beta would be able to feel Chu Hean''s scent, it felt somehow more intimate that he''d have to tell this hypothetical human what he smelled like. Relationships between humans and their kind weren''t unheard of, but they seldom resulted in marriages -- if ever. Especially because human children were always beta. Chu Yun wasn''t even certain if they could take on their species traits. For instance, would the child of a human and a fox always be a human? He had never stopped to consider these things. Most Su migrants that he knew of, married other humans. And even then, Hua Nanyi was the only human he spent any time in the company of. Xiao Ziyi seemed to like her, but Chu Yun had never considered what would happen after that -- for either of them. It was funny in a way, that so much separated humans from them, but seeing them side-by-side on the streets it was impossible to tell. The animal traits that differentiated them were kept hidden so often. Chu Yun wondered if it was only modesty, and a desire to embrace civilisation and leave behind their wild roots, that made it so -- or if perhaps it hearkened back to the times Su, Xin and Zui had been a single nation. A common courtesy long forgotten? A reminder of their similarities in order not to let the differences tear them apart? An imposition of the humans over them? Chu Yun only realised he''d been lost in thought when he heard Xiao Zai gasp, eyes narrowed at whatever he was looking at. He took a look over Xiao Zai''s shoulder, hooking his chin on the crook of his neck. Between his slender fingers hung a worn piece of paper, that showed traces of being folded and unfolded many times over, as if someone kept taking it out to look at time and again. "When the moon comes out I think of how it pales compared to you When the stars shine I think of how your eyes blot them out When the sun beats down on the land I think of how its heat can''t compare to yours When winter turns to spring I think of how it will pain me to part from you When summer turns to autumn I think of the kisses I''ll lay upon you when I see you again." The poem confirmed the romantic nature of Chu Hean''s relationship to whoever had sent it to him. But it confirmed something else too. "''When summer turns to autumn''," Chu Yun read aloud. "That was when they met again, after being apart for some time, on the Autumn Equinox." Xiao Zai nodded slowly. "Around the time we got married." Could Chu Yun also write that off as a coincidence? How long had Chu Hean and this mysterious person been corresponding? Judging by how worn that little piece of paper looked, Chu Hean thought of them often. "Is there anything else in the box?" Chu Yun asked, folding the little square again and adding it to the hairpin inside the box. Xiao Zai took out a little silk pouch and opened it. "Ash?" He turned to Chu Yun with a frown of confusion. "Does that mean anything to you in Xin?" Chu Yun took the pouch from him and examined it. Not everything had been burned to ash, a few pieces of paper remained. "The remains of the letters he got. He burned them all but saved the ash." He didn''t know what to do with the knowledge that Chu Hean was such a romantic. There was some heft to the silk pouch. Just how many letters had Chu Hean burned? How long had this thing between him and the sender been going on? Nothing else in the iron box was worthy of note. There was some musical notations that Chu Yun couldn''t gleam anything from, and that maybe his brother kept for sentimental value as well. "He''s smart, he didn''t leave behind anything outwardly incriminating," Chu Yun said, sliding the lid of the box in place. "Except the box itself," Xiao Zai mused. That''s true. Chu Hean painstakingly burned all the letters he got, although it was obvious he attached some sentimental meaning to them. He kept the jade hairpin and the poem which were obviously gifts in there. He wouldn''t just leave the box behind. "He planned on going back to get it," Chu Yun said, looking into Xiao Zai''s eyes. "Think about it. Where would he take it? Home? Where my parents would easily find it? With him when he came to Zui, and it would be just another thing to lug around that he could risk losing or having stolen?" Chu Yun sighed, running his thumb over Chu Hean''s red bracelet he still wore on his wrist. "No, he left this box in the only place he thought it would remain safe. The one place it was safe all these years, until my parents found it. He was planning to go back." Xiao Zai hummed to himself. "Perhaps he still is." That made Chu Yun''s eyes widen in realisation. "Of course! If the box was still there it was only because he hadn''t been back to collect it." Both his and Xiao Zai''s expectant smiles fell at the same time, a split-second later. "It takes some time for correspondence from Xin to reach us. There''s no guarantee he hasn''t been there in the meantime," Xiao Zai said. Objectively, he was right. As far as they knew, Chu Hean might have been there and left already, after realising his box wasn''t there. It would be easier if they knew where he''d gone to, after disappearing during the hunt. Su was the obvious answer, but if he wanted to hide, and had the protection of the royal family to do so, it would be very hard for them to find him there. The Academy remained their best chance. Even if he had already been there, maybe they could get something out of his classmates. Unlike Chu Yun''s parents they knew what to ask now. Even if they tried to protect Chu Hean, they would still be able to find something useful. "I still think we should go there," Chu Yun said, making up his mind. "We have nothing to lose." Xiao Zai gave him a long look. "My father--" "Your father can''t do anything against us if we aren''t here," Chu Yun reasoned. "Think about it, right now we only need things to fall in our favour. We need your sister to throw in her support with us, we already have Xiao Yuan''s. That concubine of his is locked up in his house and not going anywhere. You saw how he was, he won''t give her any quarter." Xiao Zai still wasn''t convinced. "If we stay here we''re just sitting ducks. He''s desperate, he''ll try anything at this point to get rid of me, and ruin your chances to reach the throne. Even if he sends people after us, we''ll have at least a day''s advance before anyone comes asking after us. The servants will just tell people we''ve left to visit my parents." He could tell Xiao Zai''s worry was not only related to what the King might do, but with Chu Yun''s condition as well. "Besides, I think it''s time we share the happy news with some people in Xin too." He smirked.. "There''s something to be said about having family fight your battles for you." Chapter 145 - The Wolf Is A Little Puppy It took three days of preparations for them to be able to leave. Xiao Zai visited Xiao Yuan again in the meantime. Their conversation was stilted but cordial. Fan Jiang had fully recovered his full range of motion, and other than an intense headache was recovering well. He expressed a desire to return to the Second Prince''s estate and resume his duties, but Xiao Zai told him he could stay with Xiao Yuan and take as long as he needed to rest. Which apparently came as a surprise to both him and Xiao Yuan. When he was about to leave, Xiao Yuan asked to have a word in private with him. "I know we''ve had our differences," Xiao Yuan started, haltingly. Xiao Zai smiled a little to himself, that was an understatement. "And your husband is really annoying, just an incredibly smug asshole, unpleasant to the core, although nice to look at." Xiao Yuan shook his head with a grimace as if trying to get a bad taste out of his mouth. Xiao Zai''s good humour vanished. He didn''t appreciate Xiao Yuan badmouthing Chu Yun in front of him. Before he could say anything Xiao Yuan interjected with a reluctant sigh. "But I suppose he''s good for you, that''s probably not worth much coming from me, but you no longer look like someone pissed in your wine." Despite himself, Xiao Zai let out an amused huff. "Speaking of wine, you should cut back." Xiao Yuan met his eyes with a self-conscious nod, and then Xiao Zai was off. They would probably never be close, but, they could at least be civil. --- The new year was only a few weeks away, and there were preparations being made all over Haolin. The festive atmosphere was palpable, and it also presented the best opportunity for them to leave. The King would be leaving for a nearby temple in the mountains around Haolin, to pray for prosperity and abundance for the kingdom. While the temple wasn''t far, he would stay for two days to observe rituals. "He leaves tomorrow and so do we," Chu Yun told Xiao Zai with a smile. The most auspicious time for the King to make his prayers couldn''t come at a better time. That night Xiao Zai tried to settle a restless Chu Yun into bed so that both of them could be well-rested for the journey ahead. But he was filled with energy and refused to comply. "How are you not tired?" Xiao Zai asked, finally resorting to pinning his wrists to the bed. "Let''s go to sleep." "I was just thinking that we should stop by my parent''s on the way back from the academy," Chu Yun said, struggling weakly in Xiao Zai''s hold. "It would be nice seeing them again." Xiao Zai would never deny Chu Yun something like that. "It will give me another chance to make a good impression on them." Chu Yun grinned. "Hopefully you won''t run away to Lanzhou''s most famous brothel again." It seemed to Xiao Zai like those events had happened ages ago. He wouldn''t have guessed then, that he would ever end up here, sharing the same bed as Chu Yun. Expecting a child with him. "What are you thinking about?" Chu Yun asked, a suspicious frown pinching his features. "You got this look all of a sudden--" Xiao Zai lowered his weight on top of him and nuzzled his neck, feeling his crisp scent. "I was just thinking that I''m happy to be here now, with you." Predictably, Chu Yun scoffed and turned his face to the side. Hiding his reaction from Xiao Zai. He was so bold about everything except his own feelings. For some reason Xiao Zai found it irresistible. It made him want to pry his ribcage open and take a look at his beating heart. He imagined it would sound the same as his name falling from Chu Yun''s lips, and that was why he was so determined to keep it a secret. "Now you have a different look," Chu Yun said, slipping one hand free of Xiao Zai''s grip to run the thumb over his cheekbone, still peering intently into his eyes. "Like you want to bite and never let go." "Does that scare you?" Xiao Zai asked. But he knew the answer even before Chu Yun laughed. "You think I''m afraid of a little puppy like you?" His words were mocking, but his fingers were gentle as they mapped the contours of Xiao Zai''s face. "You''ll have to try harder." Xiao Zai turned his face to the side to suck one of Chu Yun''s fingers between his lips, starling a delighted gasp out of him. The gasp turned to a hiss when Xiao Zai dug the tip of his canine into slender bone. He let it slip from his mouth with a wet pop. "I will, because you like it." He kissed Chu Yun before he could come up with something smart to say to him. But as he hugged him to his chest and the two of them drifted off to sleep, Xiao Zai couldn''t help thinking that both their souls remembered a time before this one. A time before the trappings of civilisation, and all its rules. A time when the only thing there was to do was run in the woods and howl at the moon. Deep in his bones Xiao Zai felt like their animals called to each other. An ancient song they were discovering together. --- They left at dawn the next day. Everything was covered in a layer of ice, and the sky was blotted by a dense fog. They would be taking a rented carriage, and only Hua Nanyi with them, all the better to travel faster, and leave quickly if necessary. Xiao Zai had told his dam about their plans the previous day. He got the impression he was very tired, and his parting words: "I hope we can put an end to all of this soon," didn''t do much to reassure him. As he climbed up into the carriage next to Chu Yun.. Xiao Zai could only hope that they''d find something that would help them get the ending they wanted. Chapter 146 - The Wolf Is Enchanted With the wedding procession, as well as with the traditional visit to Chu Yun''s parents, they had to take the main roads into Xin, but now, travelling light and with a simple carriage, they could save some time by taking advantage of backroads whenever possible. Travel towards Xin was gruelling all the same. The official roads were in very poor condition, littered with holes that made journeys even slower, and the backroads were little better than goat paths. Now that he was no longer bickering with Chu Yun about whose country was superior, Xiao Zai could easily admit the obvious: "Zui infrastructure has really gone to shit," he lamented while sitting on the coachman''s seat with Chu Yun while Hua Nanyi rode alongside them. Chu Yun was reclining against the carriage in a lazy sprawl, his legs crossed at the knee, the wide brim of a bamboo hat pulled down over his eyes. He was wearing simple travel robes, and had forgone his usual rabbit fur cloak in favour of a simple sheep''s wool one. "Think about all the ways you can improve it when you become King." While Chu Yun''s easy confidence in him was reassuring, part of Xiao Zai couldn''t help worrying that they were underestimating the damage his father had done to the country''s treasure. Xiao Zai didn''t care much about the royal family''s personal coffers, but he couldn''t work miracles if everything was gone. In any case, he had to become King first. --- They stopped for the first time at dusk at an unassuming roadside inn. Hua Nanyi made some more medicine for Chu Yun and the three of them shared a simple but filling meal. When night fell, Xiao Zai was surprised to be dragged outside by Chu Yun. "Where are we going?" he asked, as Chu Yun led him by the hand into the dense woods behind the inn''s wooden structure. "I overheard some people talking while we were having dinner," Chu Yun said, throwing a smirk over his shoulder. The sight of it sent a shiver down Xiao Zai''s spine. It made him feel like they were about to do something illicit and dangerous. Xiao Zai''s life had been marked by a bleak breathlessness until he met Chu Yun. Wrought with fear as much as with boredom, nothing thrilling had ever happened to him until Chu Yun entered his life. He had never felt the pleasant jolt of anticipation low in his stomach that came with doing something foolish, but exciting. As they went deeper into the woods Xiao Zai became aware of the growing sound of rushing water. Chu Yun seemed to be following it, dragging Xiao Zai behind him until they broke through the treeline and into a clearing where the air was several degrees warmer. Even before he saw the springs, Xiao Zai could feel the warm humidity of the bubbling waters. Several small pools, of varying sizes littered the ground. The earth teemed with life around the rough stony edges of the pools, where the moisture and warmth allowed grass and a few flowers to bloom all year long, despite the blanket of snow only a few paces away. Chu Yun stopped at the edge of one of the pools and let his cloak and his robes drop to the ground, stripping down to nothing in the heady twilight of the clearing. The silver glow of the moon cut the angles and planes of his body into sharp relief. Xiao Zai''s eyes followed the trim line of his spine, the sharp dip of his waist, and the full curve of his ass. Chu Yun wasn''t putting on a show. He didn''t need to do anything to captivate Xiao Zai, who followed after him like a moth drawn to a flame. He stepped into the pool and looked back at Xiao Zai, one of his eyebrows quirked in amusement. "Aren''t you going to join me?" Xiao Zai did away with his clothing quickly, dropping them on top of Chu Yun''s, and followed him into the pool. He caught him around the waist and pushed him against the stony edge of the pool, trapping him between his arms. Chu Yun let himself be trapped easily, smiling at Xiao Zai as if he had him right where he wanted him. The next moment Xiao Zai felt something soft tickle the back of his leg underwater. He looked away from Chu Yun''s eyes and saw his nine white tails streaming around the two of them in the water. When he looked up, Chu Yun''s large fox ears stood to attention on top of his silky hair, the fine fur trembling in the breeze. He smiled when he saw how Xiao Zai''s gaze took everything in, and looped his arm around his neck, pulling him down into a kiss. "I''ve shown you mine, now show me yours." Xiao Zai didn''t know what had prompted this, but he was happy to indulge Chu Yun. With a shiver he felt his tail unfurl around his legs, and the itchy feeling of his wolf ears stretching out like leaves towards the sun. Chu Yun ran his fingers over them, making Xiao Zai tremble at the sensation. "You look so good like this," he admitted, returning his arm to its original place around Xiao Zai''s neck. "But I''m glad I''m the only one who gets to see it." Xiao Zai was glad too. The sight of Chu Yun rolling around in their nuptial bed with all his tails coiling around him was permanently seared into his mind. Even though they hadn''t done anything that night, it was still the most powerfully sensual sight Xiao Zai had ever seen, at the time, regardless of how much he''d tried to ignore it then. "I''m glad I''m the only one who gets to see you like this too," Xiao Zai admitted, whispering the words into Chu Yun''s ear. "Maybe after the child is born we can shift into our full forms and run through the woods together," he added, before he lost his nerve. It was hard to tell how Chu Yun would react to any mention of the child. Even now, almost two months into the pregnancy, he seemed to mostly ignore it. So it was a pleasant surprise when he ran a hand through the back of Xiao Zai''s hair and said, "Maybe when the brat is old enough we can bring them along too." Chapter 147 - The Wolf Thinks The Fox Will Make A Good Parent Even hearing Chu Yun refer to the child as ''brat'' was enough to put a smile on Xiao Zai''s face, something Chu Yun noticed immediately, and didn''t waste any time teasing him mercilessly for. "You''re all smiles about the kid now, but just wait until it''s actually born," Chu Yun scoffed, submerging himself down to the neck on the warm waters and pulling Xiao Zai along with him. "Babies are really annoying, my younger sister is only four. I remember well all the nights she woke up the entire house with her crying." Xiao Zai pulled Chu Yun into his lap, leaning his back against the edge of the pool. "I''ll take care of the baby, I won''t let them disturb you." Chu Yun narrowed his eyes at him. "You won''t have a choice, because I''m not waking up in the middle of the night." Xiao Zai nodded. "I''ll handle it." Chu Yun was silent for some time, lost in thought, until finally saying, "I suppose we''ll need a wet nurse, as well as other nannies." Maybe they would, maybe not. Xiao Zai slid one hand up Chu Yun''s abdomen and tweaked a nipple. "You never know." Chu Yun groaned and slapped his hand away. "Are you hopeful for the baby''s sake or your own?" It was a tie. "Why not both?" Chu Yun frowned at him, haughty and judgemental -- unfortunately, it was a great look on him, and Xiao Zai couldn''t stop himself from kissing him breathless. Chu Yun bit at his lower lip in warning, but eventually Xiao Zai''s gentle hands on his flanks soothed him enough that he condescended to kissing instead of the mauling he preferred when he got into one of his moods. The steam coming off from the pool in thick clouds, along with Chu Yun''s intoxicating taste made Xiao Zai feel lightheaded. He pulled away from his lips with a regretful sigh. "You''re going to be a good father, you know?" Xiao Zai said, running his thumb along the angle to Chu Yun''s jaw. "You don''t need to worry about that." Chu Yun''s lashes shuttered down his eyes, and he pulled away from Xiao Zai''s touch, looking away from him, but revealing the odd flush of his earlobes with the motion. "Who''s worried about something like that? You already said you were going to take care of the brat, so I guess I''ll just pat them on the head once in a while." It was hard not to smile fondly at how transparent Chu Yun was being. His inability to admit his feelings shouldn''t be so charming. And Xiao Zai shouldn''t be so willing to indulge him. He gathered Chu Yun to his chest, letting his oversized fox ears brush against the underside of his chin and neck, while he settled him over his legs under the water. "Maybe we can tell the kid to call you uncle." Chu Yun''s reaction was immediate and fierce. He glared up at Xiao Zai, and tried to storm off the pool . Xiao Zai laughed as he restrained him, keeping him in place against his chest. "What''s the matter? I thought you didn''t want to have any trouble with the kid." The intensity of Chu Yun''s glare grew tenfold. "If you think I''m going to carry a child for nine months, only for them to call me ''uncle'' you have another thing coming." It was unfair how good indignation looked on him. Xiao Zai bit gently at the edge of his jaw to stave off his ever-present impulse of biting him harder, and more permanently "What should the child call you, then?" Xiao Zai asked, as Chu Yun chased the words all the way to his lips with angry kisses, gripping his cheeks between the fingers of one hand to keep Xiao Zai in place. Chu Yun ruminated over his answer for a time before declaring, "His Royal Highness, the King Consort has a nice ring to it." Xiao Zai chuckled against the heated skin of Chu Yun''s neck. "That''s what you want our child to call you?" "Why not? Respect for one''s elders is important." He allowed Xiao Zai''s kisses to linger for a moment, and his touch to grow exploratory before saying, "I suppose that when we''re in private, I can condescend to being called, papa." Admitting that couldn''t have been easy for him. Xiao Zai rewarded him with a deep kiss, and by sliding his right hand between his legs. "What about me? What do you think you should call me?" Chu Yun let out a breathless gasp, and held onto Xiao Zai''s wrist, redirecting his touch to where he wanted it. "I''ll only call you nice things if you''re good." Xiao Zai tightened his grip. "What about ''alpha''? When do you think you can call me that?" Chu Yun let out a breathless hiss. "You keep asking me for things," he grumbled, sidestepping the question altogether. "What will you call me, after all I''ve done for you?" Xiao Zai banded one arm tightly around Chu Yun''s waist, gluing his back to his chest, and whispered into his ear. "I''ll call you whatever you want. Your royal highness, alpha, husband... He punctuated each word with the downwards stroke of his hand, and was rewarded each time with Chu Yun''s bitten off moans. There was only one title Xiao Zai held back from mentioning, for fear that it could scare Chu Yun. Although Xiao Zai knew it to be true. Soon, he wasn''t even able to think as their gasps and pants filled the little clearing, almost drowning out the bubbling of the spring water. --- They left early the next morning. Hua Nanyi made no comment of Chu Yun''s great mood. Things continued in the fashion for the next few days. They stopped at roadside inns to eat and sleep. Except for the memorable occasion where they ended up sleeping all on top of each other inside the carriage because Chu Yun was convinced there would be another inn further down the road. Eventually, they arrived at the secluded location of Chu Hean''s academy high up in one of the few mountain ranges in Xin. They had traded in their thick winter cloaks for thinner fare when they entered Xin, but at altitude the whether turned bitterly cold once more. The academy was surrounded by tall white walls. Two wooden doors prevented anyone from gaining entry into the premises. Chu Yun pulled on the string attached to the heavy brass bell on the door, and waited. When someone finally came to see them, they were met with suspicious looks and dismissals. "I apologise but Master is not seeing guests at this time." Chapter 148 - The Fox Gets Denied Entry The woman who came to greet them at the door was a middle-aged omega with a diminished build but a serious expression. She looked from Chu Yun to Xiao Zai in extreme suspicion. Discreetly, she tried to scent the air around the two of them, and after confirming her suspicions, declared with a frown: "No alphas are allowed inside Harmonious Resonance Academy." Chu Yun had expected something like that, but didn''t let it stop him. "My name is Chu Yun, my brother Chu Hean was a student here, this is my husband, Xiao Zai." He introduced the two of them with a pleasant smile, but kept his gaze cold and businesslike. "I''m aware that my parents paid a recent visit, and we would only like to follow up on their findings." The woman huffed in annoyance. "It disturbs the student''s to have people constantly visiting the academy," her eyes narrowed, "besides, no alphas are allowed unless they have an omega mate with them. Which isn''t the case." Xiao Zai''s expression darkened. Chu Yun could feel the aggressiveness pouring from him in waves. So could the woman, who took a step backwards behind the gate, glaring at Xiao Zai as if he was confirming her worst assumptions. Chu Yun stepped in front of him with a placating smile. "Forgive my husband, he can be very protective. But I assure you that we don''t represent any harm for your students, we are committed to each other." The woman scoffed in disbelief, and went to close the gates in their faces. "You can write a letter to Master Luo expressing your desire to visit us. If he sends you an invitation you''ll be allowed in." Chu Yun stepped in front of the gate and lodged his foot between the gap, preventing the sour-faced woman from closing it in his face. "We understand, and we''ll be on our way. We apologise for having disturbed you," he sighed and hung his head. "Could I please just trouble madam to tell me if my brother has been here recently? It''s been too long since I last saw Chu Hean." The woman huffed. "Yes, he came by recently, and didn''t leave any messages. Maybe his Grace will still find him in Lanzhou if he hurries." Chu Yun nodded, his eyes downcast. "How long ago did he leave?" She was obviously growing impatient with all the questions. "Just yesterday. I''m sure his Grace will find him in Lanzhou." Chu Yun thanked her once again for her time and finally allowed her to close the gates in their face. "I can''t believe we missed him," Hua Nanyi grumbled as they retreated down the path they had just followed. "We didn''t. She was lying," Chu Yun said, steering the horses off the path and into the woods. Once they were hidden from view from both the Academy and anyone coming up the road, he turned to both Xiao Zai and Hua Nanyi with a smirk. "She wanted to get rid of us as fast as possible. And she mentioned Lanzhou twice, trying to get us to go there. Why? If Chu Hean had told her he was headed there why not just say so? Chu Hean could be anywhere, but he''s definitely not in Lanzhou." "Do you think she''s working with him?" Xiao Zai asked, sitting down on the coachman''s seat and stretching his legs with a groan. "Trying to get us off his scent?" "I think so, she seemed really determined to get rid of us. Not just send us on a wild goose chase to Lanzhou but gone as soon as possible. Maybe she knows Chu Hean will be showing up soon." Hua Nanyi leaned her back across the carriage, crossing her arms in front of her chest with a bored sigh. "What do we do then? Just wait here for him to show up? How long will that even take?" Chu Yun wanted to ask her why she was in such a hurry to get back to Haolin. She''d been acting like the whole trip was a great imposition on her. He decided to be a the bigger person and ignore her. "Of course we aren''t just going to wait around. You''re sneaking in after dark and finding out whatever you can about what is going on in there." She rolled her eyes at him with a sigh. "I always end up doing your dirty work." "That''s why I pay you." She narrowed her eyes at him. "And what am I doing with that money exactly? I feel like this is a very disadvantageous relationship for me." "You get to insult him whenever you want, not many people have that privilege," Xiao Zai said, his tone resentful and filled with vinegar. It was charming how his possessive nature would manifest itself over the most banal things. He didn''t even insult Chu Yun, he was happy to leave that for Chu Yun himself, but he still didn''t want anyone else to do it. Hua Nanyi did perk up at the reminder, though. "That''s true! I should be more grateful about life''s little gifts." She returned Chu Yun''s answering scowl with a delighted grin. --- After nightfall, Hua Nanyi changed into inconspicuous all black robes and climbed the Academy''s wall. Chu Yun instructed her to drop in on any conversations, or try to find any correspondence that could mention when Chu Hean was due to arrive. He expected her to stay there well into the night. Which was why when she returned a few scant hour later, Chu Yun thought something had gone terribly wrong. "What happened, did someone find you?" Hua Nanyi approached them and pulled off the scarf around her lower face with a gasp. She had been sprinting, trying to reach them as fast as possible. "You were right that that woman wanted us far away from here, but you were wrong as to why." She sucked on a steadying breath, balancing herself on the side of the carriage.. "Chu Hean isn''t coming back soon, he''s already here." Chapter 149 - The Fox Stumbles Onto A Slumbering Foe Chu Yun chanced a glance towards the sliver of the Academy''s walls he could see far off in the distance between the tree branches. "We have to get inside before he leaves." Xiao Zai''s eyebrows shot up towards his hairline. "Why not wait here for him to leave through the gates?" "What guarantee do we have that''s the only entrance into the Academy?" Chu Yun was fairly certain it wasn''t. They needed an alternative way to enter or leave in case there was an emergency. Chu Yun didn''t want to risk missing his brother because they played it safe. Who knew where he would disappear to next? "Did you see another way out or in when you were inside?" Chu Yun asked Hua Nanyi. She ran her hands over her head with a sigh, and paced the ground in front of Chu Yun, her eyebrows knitted in concentration. "It''s not like I had time to see much when I was there. I saw Chu Hean almost right away. It was only by a stroke of luck that he didn''t see me too." She sighed, and closed her eyes, trying to recall what she had seen behind the Harmonious Resonance Academy walls. "There was an odd trapdoor outside one of the buildings near the wall," she said after some time. "It could lead to a cellar, or to some sort of tunnel system." Chu Yun grinned widely and patted her on the bicep enthusiastically. "What are you waiting for? Go back there and check." Hua Nanyi left, but not before shooting him a withering look. "You know she makes the medicine you take everyday," Xiao Zai said, coming up behind Chu Yun as the two of them watched Hua Nanyi vanish into the shadows. "If I was you I''d consider the real danger of her adding some sort of laxative infusion to it." Chillingly, that sounded like something she would gleefully do. "Don''t repeat that where she can hear you," Chu Yun told Xiao Zai with a scowl. She didn''t need any extra inspiration. Hua Nanyi returned minutes later, sopping wet, and furious. "It turns out I was right, the trapdoor led to a tunnel system, but it was completely flooded." This fact filled her with obvious misery. But the next words out of her mouth went a long way to improve her sour mood. "I hope the two of you are ready for a frigid swim in the middle of winter." What other option did they have? Chu Yun said nothing and gestured for her to lead the way. Xiao Zai fell into step with him, a few paces behind Hua Nanyi. "It''s better than laxatives." Chu Yun shot him a withering glare, taking back every tender feeling he had been nurturing for him. "I''m going to make you sleep on the floor at my parent''s house." Somehow, the glint in Xiao Zai''s eyes made him worry he had taken it up as a challenge. --- Just as advertised, the tunnels were completely flooded, and the water chilled them to the bone. Hua Nanyi had forgotten to mention the pitch darkness, which was only broken by the flickering glow of torchlight after they had swam for an age and a half. Hua Nanyi climbed out of the trapdoor first, signalling for them to follow her after confirming the coast was clear. Chu Yun pulled himself over the stairs with a grimace. His robes clung unpleasantly to his skin and sloshed wetly with each step. He took in his surroundings with a critical eye. The entire complex behind the walls was bathed in darkness with only a few torches in strategic points lighting the courtyards between each low, wooden building. It didn''t look the way Chu Yun expected it too. It more closely reminded him of a daoist monastery or nunnery. There was an air of ascetic tranquillity to it that sat at odds with its image of a place omegas were taught how to be genteel and refined members of society. "Where to, now?" Chu Yun asked, turning to Hua Nanyi. She pointed towards a building to their left. "I saw him go into that one. We might as well start there." As quietly as possible, the three of them climbed the stairs up to the pavilion''s landing. Hua Nanyi slid the door quietly open and they slipped inside without anyone being the wiser. The doors opened into a narrow corridor with doors on each side. Everything was dark, and the only sounds they could hear came from the nature outside the doors. "Just open doors and take a peek!" Chu Yun whispered after being on the receiving end of Hua Nanyi''s and Xiao Zai''s expectant looks. The first room Chu Yun looked into didn''t reveal anything useful. It looked like it was used to store gardening tools. The next room had three sleeping occupants and made him hold back his breath nervously. Each person was sleeping on their backs in a cot on the floor, their features made vague by the darkness of the room. Even so, Chu Yun could tell none of them was Chu Hean and retreated into the hallway silently. From the looks they shot him when their eyes met, Xiao Zai and Hua Nanyi had the same luck. Finally, there was only one room left. Chu Yun was the first to the door, sliding it open noiselessly. The sight that greeted him almost made him stumbled backwards into Xiao Zai''s chest. There were two occupants in the room, and two cots, but only one of them was being used. The two people were locked in a tight embrace under the covers. Chu Hean had his head pillowed on the chest of man whose face was hidden by the fall of his hair. The leg thrown over the man''s own intimately made it obvious it wasn''t the first time they had shared a bed. Chu Yun was frozen in place as he took in the sight of his younger brother. In sleep, he looked so much like the kind, shy boy Chu Yun remembered that it almost made his heart ache. Behind him, Xiao Zai and Hua Nanyi were equally still, not even daring to breathe. Only the Heavens knew when he would have an opportunity like this again. Chu Yun steeled his heart and decided to take advantage of it. "Find something to lock the door with," he whispered to Hua Nanyi. "The two of us will find something to block the windows," he said, with a nod towards Xiao Zai. No one was leaving the room until Chu Yun got the answers he wanted. Chapter 150 - The Fox Finds His Brother In A Compromising Position They moved quietly and swiftly through the room, locking down any possible escape avenue. Hua Nanyi stuffed discarded robes under the gap between the door and floor, reducing the chances of any conversation being overheard by the people slumbering in the adjacent rooms. After they had done the best they could to ensure Chu Hean couldn''t make another unlikely escape, the three of them came to a stop at the foot of the bed. "Is that...," Hua Nanyi started, eyes narrowed as she observed the man hugging Chu Hean to his chest. "The Crown Prince of Su," Xiao Zai said, finishing her thought with a sigh. Chu Yun wasn''t shocked exactly, but he really didn''t understand how things had come to this. How was his brother in bed with the Crown Prince of Su? Was this the reason for his rebellion? He was right to think their father wouldn''t approve of such an union. No matter which way they looked at it, the political repercussions were too large to ignore. To say nothing of the King of Su''s opinion on the matter. Suddenly, the Crown Prince let out a loud sigh and turned around on the cot, slipping out of Chu Hean''s embrace, and turning on his stomach. His robe became tangled with his movements, and one corner of it slid down his shoulder, making Chu Yun gasp out loud. Right there on his shoulderblade, as clear as if it had been drawn with a brush and ink, a starburst birthmark. So uncommon it couldn''t possibly be mistaken for anything else. "How..." Xiao Zai couldn''t finish the sentence, looking from the Crown Prince to Chu Yun in utter confusion. Chu Yun too had drawn a complete blank. The more he pulled on the several threads binding all of them, the more tangled they became. "Don''t mention it," Chu Yun hissed, under his breath. They didn''t know what they were dealing with yet. They had nothing to gain by exposing how much they knew already. Besides...there was the very real possibility the Crown Prince didn''t know about his true origins himself. Although they didn''t know exactly how he was connected to Xiao Zai''s uncle, Xiao Yao, it was undeniable that they meant something to each other. It was the kind of connection that threatened the legitimacy of the Crown Prince''s claim to the Su throne. A weapon like that, capable of overthrowing entire nations, was worth holding on to. Right now he needed to have a talk with his wayward younger brother. "Chu Hean, wake up," Chu Yun said, raising his voice for the first time since entering the room. Chu Hean shot up in bed with a start, his eyes growing wide and roving over the room in alarm. Maybe his sleep wasn''t as peaceful as it looked, or maybe he''d been on the verge of wakefulness anyway. But when his gaze first settled on Chu Yun''s he looked as if he''d seen a ghost, something straight out of his nightmares. It took him a second to school his features into a mask of nonchalance. "I should have known you wouldn''t have left so easily." He sat up fully and pulled his inner robe tighter around his neck, eyeing Hua Nanyi and Xiao Zai suspiciously. Chu Yun squatted in front of him, balancing his elbows on his knees with an insouciant smirk. "Why don''t you wake up his Royal Highness too? He should be a part of this conversation, as well." Chu Hean shook the man sleeping next to him lightly, who grumbled something unintelligible under his breath before turning on his front. He was obviously startled to see three people in their room but he composed himself faster than Chu Hean. He met Chu Yun''s eyes with a derisive chuckle. The Crown Prince of Su had a kind of lean beauty sharp glint in his eyes that reminded one of a sword. Everything about him seemed poised for attack, as if he had honed his own angles into sharp edges himself. When he smiled, his features took on a catlike grace. "Your brother did warn me you were persistent." "Uhm, he knows me better than I know him," Chu Yun said. Chu Hean didn''t flinch at the jab, but his lips flattened into a thin line. "The two of us owe us some explanations," Xiao Zai remained standing, his arms crossed in front of his chest. The Crown Prince smiled. "Are we allowed to make ourselves decent, or must this conversation be conducted while we are in our inner robes?" Chu Yun smiled tightly. "You''ll survive." He got back up to his feet and stood shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Zai, looking at the two of them in the cot with an accessing look. "Just drop it, Ru Long," Chu Hean said with a sigh, fastening his inner robes around himself with sharp pulls and getting up from the bed. "Well...you''re here now. Ask your questions." There were so many questions turning around in Chu Yun''s mind that he had trouble knowing where to start. "How did the two of you even meet?" was the first thing he ended up asking, because he just couldn''t wrap his mind around the unlikelihood of it all. Ru Long got up to his feet as well, and answered instead of Chu Hean. "A couple of years ago I got lost around these woods. Chu Hean was the one who found me." His expression was serious, but the corners of his lips curled briefly up as he spoke. The memory was a good one. "What was the Crown Prince of Su doing in Xin, near an Academy for omegas," Xiao Zai asked, stealing the words right out of Chu Yun''s mouth. Ru Long laughed. "Can''t a prince enjoy the countryside in a neighbouring country?" Seeing as his glib words weren''t having the desired effect his smile widened.. "No?" He sighed theatrically, and then added, with a flippant sigh, "If you must know I came looking for a long-lost relative." Chapter 151 - The Fox And The Wolf Vs The Little Fox And The Human Xiao Zai shot Chu Yun a meaningful glance, who schooled his features into neutrality. ''A long lost relative'' could mean a lot of things. It could mean that Ru Long knew of his relation to Xiao Yao, for instance. "Did you find that long lost relative?" Chu Yun asked, keeping his words vague. Ru Long chanced a look towards Chu Hean. "No, but I found something else." Chu Hean fought valiantly not to show any emotion but in the end his lashes still shuttered down over his eyes coyly. Chu Yun had half a mind to cuff him upside the head. He thought his brother wasn''t the kind of person to let himself be seduced away from his family by the first random man who he found wandering in the woods. Honestly, he hoped most people would be more discerning than that -- let alone his own younger brother. He turned to Chu Hean, raising his voice in a sternly, "Did you run away because of him?" For a moment Chu Hean had no reaction, and then split into riotous laughter. "Do you think my mind is so soft that I need someone else to think for me?" What was Chu Yun supposed to think? It was better to say nothing at all. Ru Long wrapped a hand around Chu Hean''s shoulder and glared at Chu Yun. "Your brother is much stronger than you give him credit for." "That''s not what we''re discussing here," Xiao Zai said, intervening before things could get out of hand. "We want to know the reason behind your behaviour in Zui. The lies about the engagement, the inane talk about becoming my concubine...What were you trying to accomplish with all that?" Chu Yun kept his eyes on the Crown Prince while Xiao Zai talked, but he had no reaction to his words. Clearly he''d been aware of all of his brother''s schemes -- maybe he was even behind them. "What I needed to accomplish has been accomplished, so you needn''t concern yourself with it anymore." Chu Hean spoke with a tone of haughty dismissiveness that rankled. Chu Yun wasn''t just going to accept his half-assed excuses. "Yeah? What if I write a letter to the King of Su telling him his Crown Prince is running fool''s errands with an omega nephew of the King of Xin? What do you think will happen then." Both Ru Long and Chu Hean bristled immediately, their expressions darkening simultaneously. "I advise you not to do that," Ru Long growled, his eyes narrowed threateningly. "Things could go very badly for you." Xiao Zai took a step forward, placing himself between Ru Long and Chu Yun. "And I advise you not to threaten my husband." Chu Yun appreciated the gesture, and it was always attractive when Xiao Zai showed his claws, but now wasn''t the time. He pushed him aside and advanced towards Ru Long. "I think you''ll find I''m not easily intimidated, and that I do what I want." Ru Long smirked at him. "Let''s not get ahead of ourselves," he spread his arms wide, backtracking on his earlier aggression. "We''re all family, anyway." This guy couldn''t be real. Chu Yun scoffed in his face. "You''re no family of mine. As far as I know you and my brother aren''t married. You''re nothing to me." "Don''t talk with him like that," Chu Hean said, now himself taking a step in front of Ru Long. "You will never understand our bond. There''s nothing like it in the world." Chu Yun would never understand? Was Chu Hean really implying that his ill-fated, juvenile relationship was somehow more meaningful than his marriage? He didn''t know whether to laugh or cry. Xiao Zai experienced no such indecision. "You must be joking," he said with a growl. Perhaps anticipating that things were about to get out of hand, Ru Long cut in, "Let''s be rational here. In the end, none of Chu Hean''s actions ended up being prejudicial to either of you." Yes, but only due to Chu Yun''s timely intervention and quick thinking! He was so furious, that for a moment he considered throwing something at both their heads. Instead he took a measured, calming breath and smiled. "Of course, I''m sure that''s true if I think really hard about it." Ru Long smiled pleasantly. "I was sure you''d see it that way eventually." Xiao Zai wasn''t feeling as generous. "Keep in mind that we can still get in touch with your father at any time." "Let''s hope it won''t come to that." "The only reason it won''t is if you tell us what you''re planning," Xiao Zai insisted, not giving any ground. Subtly, Hua Nanyi moved towards the door, placing herself in front of it, her arms crossed over her chest. Her posture made it obvious that she wasn''t going to make things easy for Ru Long and Chu Hean if they tried to make a run for it. The two of them exchanged a charged look. Chu Hean nodded in some kind of unspoken agreement, but it was Ru Long who finally talked, "Our goals aren''t so divergent. We also want to see the King of Zui deposed." Xiao Zai laughed humorlessly, his ink dark eyes flashing in the gloom of the room like flint. "Except you are part of the royal family of another kingdom, that hardly means we have the same objectives." "For a foreign power to interfere in the succession of another is an act of war," Chu Yun said, his chin raised high. Chu Hean tilted his head to the side and gave Chu Yun a long look. "But isn''t exactly what you''re doing?" "How am I, Xiao Zai''s husband, representative of a foreign power?" Chu Yun''s voice rose in an annoyed hiss. Ru Long turned to Xiao Zai with a smile. "As far as his Highness knows, you could be a spy from Xin, placed at his side to ensure the weakening of the royal house of Zui, so that Xin could reap the benefits." Chu Yun showed no reaction, despite the fury burning inside him. He knew what the Crown Prince was trying to do, and his accusations weren''t even unfounded. Chu Yun had initially looked at Xiao Zai becoming king as a great opportunity for Xin. A way for him to easily manipulate someone into approving laws and decrees that easily benefited his people. He no longer felt that way. Xiao Zai was a fair person, and he knew peaceful cooperation paved the road to prosperity far more firmly than constant border skirmishes and infighting over natural resources ever could. The kind of petty conflicts that served only to stoke the ego of the landed gentry and lazy nobles weren''t how Xiao Zai was going to make his mark as a King. Somehow, along the way, Chu Yun''s aspirations to put a puppet in the throne of Zui that he could easily control from the sidelines had shifted into genuine loyalty. Having Xiao Zai as king was the best thing, for both Xin and Zui. When Xiao Zai spoke, his voice came out in a threatening rumble. "If you''re done making unfounded accusations about my husband, I would appreciate it if you went back to explaining just what your goals entail." Emboldened by Xiao Zai''s unwavering trust, Chu Yun pressed on, "maybe it''s related to how Zui betas from border towns have been leaving en masse for Su?" He looked around the room meaningfully. "Maybe it''s related to your presence in this, frankly very odd, Academy for omegas?" Ru Long grinned, flashing rows of pearly teeth. "People leave to wherever they are promised a better life, a more decent life." Chu Yun hummed. "I just wonder if those promises aren''t all empty," he tapped one finger against his chin. "One wonders if it is a better life that waits them in Su, or something else." Ru Long opened his arms wide. "His Grace is welcome to go to Su and see for himself how migrants from Zui and Xin are treated," his gaze drifted towards the stone-faced Hua Nanyi standing by the door. "My guess is that they fare much better than their Su counterparts in Xin and Zui." "As long as we don''t tell the King of Su the motive of our visit, right?" Chu Yun said, his eyes flashing. Ru Long''s smile faltered. "We have our own succession matters, and as his Grace mentioned, foreign intervention is an act of war." "His Highness would to do keep than in mind and stay out of Zui, then," Xiao Zai said. The two of them exchanged poisonous smiles, while Chu Yun redirected his attention back to Chu Hean. "I still don''t know what the purpose of this Academy is. It seems absent all the features that would make it into a school for the refined omega children of high society to learn good manners." Chu Hean''s smile spread slowly across his face. "Oh, it is that, believe me. But you''re mistaken about who frequents it. All kinds of omegas end up here, those of good breeding and those of dubious pasts, alike. Somehow, Harmonious Resonance has room for us all." "To what ends?" Chu Yun asked. Chu Hean met his gaze with open defiance.. "Our own." Chapter 152 - The Fox Gets The Shock Of His Life In Chu Yun''s mind the image of his brother as a sticky child, with chubby cheeks and grasping arms who clung to him wherever he went was so clear as to be almost sharp. He could still hear Chu Hean call him ''gege'' in a childish voice, and then more self-consciously, as he grew up. Chu Yun never treated him with anything but utter affection and patience. He made sure to include Chu Hean in everything, at an age other children wouldn''t have been bothered to drag around a younger brother. Especially an omega younger brother, who his parents constantly reminded him was more fragile than him, and who he couldn''t roughhouse with. But to Chu Yun the only thing that mattered was enjoying Chu Hean''s company, seeing the world through his innocent eyes. And even though there were only four years of difference between them, he had always felt a keen sense of responsibility over him. It wasn''t until Chu Yun was well into his early teens that he had finally understood there were some things he and his brother couldn''t do together. When Chu Hean first started taking lessons in the Academy, Chu Yun took it worse than him. Despite his father''s insistence that it was necessary for Chu Hean''s future, he didn''t understand why he needed to go somewhere else. Now, standing only a few paces apart from him, and looking into a pair of eyes so like his own, Chu Yun felt they had never been more distant. Not even in those first few days when Chu Hean left and Chu Yun had to get used to his absence. "We omegas need to look after each other," Chu Hean said, meeting Chu Yun''s gaze head on. "That''s what Harmonious Radiance teaches some of us. The ones who don''t want to wait patiently around for an alpha to tell us how the rest of our life should go." Maybe it had taken Chu Yun too long to realise his brother was no longer a child -- hadn''t been one in a long time. But one thing Chu Yun was still sure of. "They haven''t thought you anything you couldn''t have come to me for help with." Chu Hean shook his head, as if Chu Yun wasn''t getting it. "That''s the point, we shouldn''t have to depend on any one''s benevolence to go through life." They were talking in circles now. "Fine, Chu Hean, it''s your life, I won''t tell you what to do with it, I''m glad you found meaning in some shady organisation," he scoffed. "I won''t tell our parents, and you can leave here with the Crown Prince of Su, who absolutely doesn''t want anything from you, or isn''t trying to tell you how the rest of your life should go." Ru Long gave Chu Yun an unimpressed look, his head tilted to the side in open defiance. "Do you know who your brother is?" Before Chu Yun could even process that question, three small flying daggers flew past him. Each of them hit the wooden post behind him, piercing through his sodden robes and immobilising him. For a split-second Chu Hean flashed three other daggers held tightly between his knuckles, before loosing them towards Hua Nanyi. Each one hit the wooden door behind her, pinning her just as firmly as they had Chu Yun. Only Xiao Zai wasn''t standing in front of anything that could be used to immobilise him. "What the fuck do you think you''re doing?" he hissed, jumping in front of Chu Yun and shielding him with his body. Chu Yun could only stare in shock at the quivering dagger securing the collar of his robes to the wooden beam, his mind struggling to process what had just happened. Chu Hean sighed and calmly tied his long hair in a ponytail on top of his head, securing it in place with a silver cuff he grabbed from the side of the cot. "I''m showing you what I''ve spent the past years learning." He smiled winningly at Chu Yun. "You can tell mother and father that the tuition money wasn''t wasted." Incensed, Chu Yun could only grit out, "Chu. Hean." through clenched teeth like a warning. His brother ignored him, as he and the Ru Lang started getting dressed. Xiao Zai tried to pry the daggers out of the wood, being careful not to nick Chu Yun in the process. His fingers trembled on the thin handles of the flying daggers. An annoyed sigh sounded near them, and then Chu Hean reached with his slender fingers -- musician fingers -- to pry the dagger free with practised ease. "They aren''t toys you know?" Chu Yun glared at him. "So what are you? Some kind of assassin? A spy?" His brother met his eyes with a superior smile. He was proud that he had managed to surprise Chu Yun. "Nothing so pedestrian," he said, but didn''t elaborate further. Hua Nanyi struggled inefficiently against the daggers pinning her, while Ru Long went around the room shoving belongings at random into travel bags. "Almost ready," he told Chu Hean, ignoring Xiao Zai''s hateful look. Slowly, Chu Hean pulled out the dagger pinning one of Chu Yun''s sleeves in place. The moment his arm was released, Chu Yun clutched it to his chest, avoiding his brother''s touch. The sleeve slid down his arm and Chu Hean''s eyes caught on the braided red bracelet around his wrist. Recognition flashed in them, but he said nothing. "Like I said before, none of this is personal." He cleared his throat and slid the daggers back into the hidden straps under his inner robes. "We''ll be on our way, and if you don''t bother us--" Ru Long cut in, "Say...by contacting the King of Su, for instance." Chu Hean nodded. "Then we''ll stay out of your way." Chu Yun bit back everything he wanted to say and looked instead towards Xiao Zai, still hovering protectively next to him. "I''ll go back for my box, I know you probably have it," Chu Hean said. Again, Chu Yun didn''t answer him. Chu Hean shook his head with a sigh, as if Chu Yun was being a particular difficult child. He rummaged into a nearby bag and took out a crumpled letter that he handed to Xiao Zai. "Here, I think you might find this useful." Xiao Zai closed his fist around the letter. Chu Hean smiled and pulled back the last dagger holding Chu Yun in place at the same time Ru Long kicked out one of the windows. Destroying shutters, frame and all. "Let''s go," he said, and Chu Hean grinned, just like he used to back when Chu Yun took him out on adventures. "Goodbye, dage, we''ll see each other soon.." And then he was gone, jumping out of the window after Ru Long and disappearing into the night. Chapter 153 - The Fox Finds Out What Is Really Going On Chu Yun was too stunned to do anything while Xiao Zai helped Hua Nanyi off the door. Cursing under his breath all the while. He was still stunned by the revelation that Chu Hean was what...some elite martial artist? Part of an organisation that deployed omegas to carry out secret assignments? No sooner had Hua Nanyi been freed from the door than someone kicked it open from the other side. Several figures wearing veils obscuring the lower half of their faces streamed into the room. All of them were carrying a different type of weapon, from whips, to daggers, to swords. The three of them were obviously outmatched. They retreated towards the centre of the room, lifting their hands in surrender, as the veiled figures surrounded them. Chu Yun stepped in front of Xiao Zai, afraid that he would do something daring and put himself in danger. No one said anything, everyone in the room seemed to be collectively holding their breath. The sound of a staff striking wood came from outside the door. An elderly man, clad in white, with a white ribbon tied over his eyes, entered through the open doorway and cut through the veiled figures who parted for him like stalks of millet in a summer field. "What''s going on here? It''s the middle of the night. You''re disturbing everyone''s rest." A disciple near him, said, "Intruders, Master. Chu shixiong and his friend are gone." The elderly man hummed, tapping his wooden staff against the floor. "Disciple Chu''s elder brother I presume?" The room was filled with people, all of them omegas from the looks of it. Chu Yun had never been surrounded by as many omegas before, and their combined scents were overwhelmingly cloyingly, a mixture of fruity notes that made one dizzy. Among so many omegas, it would have been surprising if the elderly master could have picked the scent of two alphas. "That''s right," Chu Yun said, raising his voice and lifting his chin. "And I demand to know what''s going on here." "You were told to leave," one of the veiled figures said, making her veil flutter with her harsh words. Chu Yun recognised her voice as belonging to the woman who met them by the gates and told them to search in Lanzhou for Chu Hean. "It''s obvious we didn''t follow that advice," he returned the vitriol in her words tenfold. "And now I want some answers. Or we''re going to have a problem." From the corner of his eyes he saw Xiao Zai discreetly stuff the crumpled letter Chu Hean had given them into the pockets of his robes. Out of sight from the veiled disciples around them. Even though the elderly master couldn''t see, Chu Yun felt as if he was being probed into. As if somehow he was looking through them and into some secret recesses of their souls. After some unspoken inner deliberation he nodded twice to himself and said, "Very well, our guests please follow me." --- They followed the man out of the room and the pavilion they were in, and into an adjacent pavilion. A few of the veiled omegas trailed after them, weapons at the ready in case they tried anything. The elderly man opened the door into a small office, overlooking an inner courtyard where several training dummies stood on a gravel path. Chu Yun, Xiao Zai, and Hua Nanyi stood in front of the desk, while the elderly Master took a seat behind it. He waved towards the disciples that had followed them into the office, and they left as silently as they had come, closing the door behind them with a soft thud. There was no sound of footsteps afterwards. They were all keeping guard on the other side of the door. Ready to intervene if their Master showed any signs of distress. All the same, Chu Yun''s shoulders still drooped in relief at not having those cunning eyes follow his every movement. The elder in white laid down his staff over the desk and reclined on the tall-backed chair. "My name is Chen Yi, and I am Master of Harmonious Radiance Academy. I''ll be happy to answer any questions you might have." "How long as this actually been a martial arts school instead of an arts and etiquette academy for genteel omegas?" Chu Yun asked, getting the big one out of the way. Master Chen joined the tips of his fingers together on top of the table, his lined face radiated kindness and patience. "Since its inception. Harmonious Radiance has always prepared omegas for both family life, and war." Xiao Zai scoffed. "Family life and war? Those things couldn''t be more divergent." The elderly master smiled kindly, seemingly with genuine amusement. "I understand why his Highness would think so, but perhaps he can conceive of situations in which an omega''s family life more closely resembles a battlefield." Xiao Zai''s face fell, and he went immediately quiet. Chu Yun knew exactly what was running through his mind. The image of Gu Wei''s split lip, along with Min Sezhui''s dark eye immediately swam to the forefront of his mind. It was hard to claim they weren''t both fighting in a sort of silent war, one where no reinforcements would be coming. "So, you teach omegas how to protect themselves...," Chu Yun said, clearing his throat and sounding out the words. The Master tilted his head sideways with a pensive hum. "In a way... except we also teach them how to kill. Defence can only take one so far." He said the words so casually that it took a moment for their full meaning to sink in. "But why? Isn''t that dangerous?" He exchanged a look with Xiao Zai and Hua Nanyi who seemed just as lost as he felt. "Why put so many omegas at risk by turning them into...," he was at a loss for words, "what even are they?" One corner of Master Chen''s lips quirked up in genuine amusement. "Whatever they want to be. Some of them are spies, others are assassins, some will be dams, mothers, spouses....At Harmonious Radiance, the choice is theirs." Chapter 154 - The Wolf Keeps His Real Thoughts To Himself Xiao Zai could tell that Chu Yun was having a hard time imagining his brother as part of a secret martial arts academy. His eyes were wide as moons, as he muttered the word, "assassin" to himself. Part of Xiao Zai was shocked as well. He could still see Chu Hean -- slim, waifish, Chu Hean, almost half a head shorter than Chu Yun -- throwing those flying daggers as if he''d been doing it all his life. Slinking out of the window like a cat, disappearing into the night like a ghost. But, an even bigger part of himself, remembered being hidden in an armoire by his dam, before his father stormed into the room and started raining blows on him. When he was still a child he used to hope that his dam would just hit back, return all of his father''s violence. It was only later that he realised that his dam would never be strong enough to fight back, even if he wanted to. When Xiao Zai became older, old enough, strong enough to protect his dam, he came to the harshest realisation of all. Strength and power were different things. His dam had no strength and no power. Xiao Zai had strength but no power. His father had both strength and power. Harmonious Resonance, gave its disciples strength...but was it giving them power? Xiao Zai kept all those thoughts to himself. Instead he continued observing the elderly master as he kept explaining just what it was exactly they were hiding from everyone, up here in the mountains. "Some of our students are offered the chance to learn martial arts, as you''ve seen for yourself, and the opportunity to carry out assignments." Chu Yun interrupted him at once. "Who decides what these assignments are?" Master Chen smiled faintly, running the tips of his fingers over the knotted wood of his staff. "Whoever commissions them, naturally." The elderly master couldn''t see Chu Yun''s triumphant grin, but he could probably hear the self-righteousness in his voice when he said, "So, they''re paid to do someone else''s dirty work? I fail to see how that can be considered freeing." Xiao Zai was inclined to agree, but he thought there might be pragmatic reasons behind it. "How else are they supposed to survive in case their families disinherit them when they refuse to comply with their wishes? Or if their marriages turn sour and they need to escape?" Master Chen asked, that benevolent smile never leaving his lips. "They earn money with every successful assignment, money they can access whenever they need. And our institution can live on." His explanation was just as pragmatic as Xiao Zai expected, but it also raised in him a terrible fear. "Who knows about what Harmonious Resonance really does?" "About our location? And the identity of our people?" Master Chen shook his head. "No one. Those who contract our services never see us." He smiled again, stretching his paper-thin lips. "But if you''re asking who knows about the services we offer. Then a lot of people do." Xiao Zai''s heart skipped a beat. "People in Zui, for instance. Important people?" Like his father, for instance. Master Chen continued smiling pleasantly. "Of course, our achievements precede us in several territories." He chanced a look at Chu Yun who had gone several shades paler. "Then...did my father ever request your ''services''?" "His highness should know that we take our client''s privacy very seriously." He raised a finger towards the ribbon covering his eyes. "Besides, all our contracts are hand-delivered by curriers who work as intermediaries, between us and our patrons -- ensuring our continued anonymity. As you can imagine I''m unable to read anything. The disciples take on contracts as they come and keep their contents secret." Chu Yun scoffed loudly. "How efficient. And how convenient for you. Master Chen could be lying to our face and we would have no way of disproving him." The old man laughed, slender white eyebrows drifting up towards his hairline. He wore his white hair in a tight queue on top of his head, adding to his ascetic appearance. Xiao Zai didn''t think Master Chen was trying to hide the fact that he was an omega, but even if he were, his musical laugh would betray him. Below the ravages of time, it was obvious he had once been a great beauty. "I''m under no obligation to tell his Grace and his Highness anything at all. The two of you were found trespassing on the grounds of a private learning institution." He closed his fist around his staff and set it upright against the floor, using it to raise himself from his chair. "This is a courtesy I''m extending his Grace, and his Highness by association, due to his relation to one of our most promising disciples, and the great things he has always said about him." That declaration astonished Chu Yun, a muscle in his jaw jumping. "Chu Hean talked about me?" Master Chen hummed. "At length. A very common case of hero-worship." Xiao Zai could almost see the entangled thoughts swimming behind Chu Yun''s eyes, as he tried to reconcile Chu Hean''s recent actions with the revelation that he supposedly thought so highly of him. "Then why did he--" Master Chen cut him off right away. "I would rather not know what Chu Hean might have, or might not have done. As mentioned, anonymity and secrecy are part of how our organisation runs." "Well, I still have plenty of unanswered questions." His accusing words were met with another of Master Chen''s benevolent smiles. "I want to know if my brother has gotten himself involved with something dangerous." "Oh yes, almost definitely." Master Chen chuckled. "But he did it completely aware of the risks going in, and perhaps even welcoming them. There is great satisfaction in defeating the adversary who underestimates you." Xiao Zai still had one hand shoved into his pocket, fingers curled tightly around the letter Chu Hean gave them. He wanted to read whatever was in it, as soon as he could.. He had an inkling they might find some more answers in it. Chapter 155 - The Fox Considers A Worrying Possibility Chu Yun''s mind was still reeling from experiencing such a slew of revelations in such a short span of time. However, he had come to a devastating conclusion: The conversation Chu Hean had with him in that inn, where he lied about the engagement, had been a test -- one Chu Yun failed. Perhaps if he had shown more empathy, perhaps if he hadn''t treated his brother like a problem he needed to solve, and passed him off into Tan Ruo''s hands like a mischievous puppy -- Chu Hean would have opened up to him about his real reason for being in Haolin. Master Chen led the three of them out of his office, back they way they had come. The night was cold and as these thoughts ran through his head, Chu Yun shivered in his watterlogged robes, being forced to remember every opportunity he had to reach out to Chu Hean, but had dismissed him instead. Thinking about it, his relationship with Chu Hean had been very superficial for some years now, it was just that Chu Yun was too self-absorbed to notice. It shouldn''t have surprised him that Chu Hean had kept an entire secret life hidden from him. He had always worried about his brother, but worrying about someone wasn''t the same thing as loving them. Master Chen and a few silent veiled disciples led them towards a pavilion at the edge of the academy walls, and towards what looked like guest quarters. "You are welcome to stay here for the night, and rest," Master Chen said, opening one of the doors with his staff. "There are changes of clothes and fresh bedding in the chests. Feel free to wash up. Someone will bring you warm water and a basin." He left after that, but the two disciples stayed behind to impart on them the importance of respecting Harmonious Resonance''s hospitality and staying in their rooms until morning. Chu Yun and Xiao Zai stayed in the room, while Hua Nanyi was shown to the one adjacent. Xiao Zai opened his mouth as if to speak the moment the door closed, but Chu Yun raised one finger in front of his lips. He hadn''t heard the telltale sound of footsteps growing distant. The two of them remained in silence for minutes, until the disciples at the door eventually left, and moments later two others arrived with some food and a bucket of warm water and basins for them to quickly wash up. Chu Yun still waited for a time until they couldn''t hear anything else out in the corridor before whispering to Xiao Zai. "Show me the letter." Xiao Zai took it out from where it was crumpled inside his pocket and spread it out on the table between the two of them. As Chu Yun''s eyes flew over the crinkled page, it became obvious that Chu Hean hadn''t given them a letter. It looked like a contract, and there was almost nothing written on it. "Target: Second Prince of Zui and Husband Means: Any Payment: 1000 gold taels Commissioner:" In place of a name, the ''commissioner'' section only had a red seal stamp. Chu Yun could immediately guess at who that stamp belonged to, but Xiao Zai''s muttered, "that bastard", confirmed it. "We need to keep this," Chu Yun said, already folding the paper into a small square, making it easier to hide and keep safe. This was another thing they could use against the King when the time came to implicate him in the false accusation of Xiao Yao''s treason, which resulted in his execution. The law applied to the commoner as much as to the King -- in theory at least. But Chu Yun hoped that ordering his own son''s murder was too much for most people. "Why did Chu Hean give us this?" Xiao Zai asked in confusion, his eyebrows drawn. "I mean, I assume from the secrecy of this place, and Master Chen''s words, that they destroy the contracts as soon as they read them. There is no need to keep them if they''re all as straightforward as this one." Chu Yun agreed with him. "The less steps there are in a gambit, the lower the chance for mistakes. They don''t keep the contracts, I''m sure of it. Which means that Chu Hean saved it." He worried at his bottom lip, his mind whirring. "I don''t think he meant to carry it out. I think when he first came to Haolin he wanted to warn me about it, without exposing himself or Harmonious Resonance." Xiao Zai scoffed. "He had an interesting way to go about it." "Perhaps I wasn''t willing to listen," he smiled self-deprecatingly. "I think he wanted to teach me a lesson." "Well, fuck that," Xiao Zai said, his expression darkened. "I''m not opposed to omegas learning martial arts, or doing whatever else they want, but this," he pointed at the square of paper between Chu Yun''s fingers. "is too much. They obviously accept any contract they get! Just doing who knows what, for whom knows who, indiscriminately." He was right, but Chu Yun had a different way to look at it. "It''s pragmatic, they don''t take sides, they probably don''t know anything about their marks." He shrugged. "A blade has no say about who wields it." "Then their lives belong to someone else as surely as if they were following an alpha spouse''s orders." Chu Yun nodded. "Still, it must be freeing in a way, to be told you can be a blade, when all your life you''ve been told you were meant for soft things," he sighed. "Who else could you lure with a promise like that but an omega?" The more he thought about it, the more Chu Yun realised that Harmonious Resonance must have existed for decades, centuries even. Operating in total secrecy, leaving behind a slew of suspicious deaths, but no way to trace them back to the responsible party. "The one thing I don''t understand is how did the Crown Prince of Su become involved in all of this," Xiao Zai said. "He''s the odd one out." "He said he wanted to see the King of Zui deposed, and I believe him." He sucked on a fortifying breath, remembering Gu Wei''s last words to him. Any child of Xiao Yao''s was a threat to Xiao Zai''s ascension to the throne. "We have to consider the possibility that not only does Ru Long know about his connection to your uncle, but that maybe he''s his child -- and that he knows that too." Chapter 156 - The Fox And The Wolf Go Back On The Road Both Xiao Zai and Chu Yun had trouble falling asleep after Chu Yun voiced his opinion that Ru Long could be Xiao Yao''s son. Xiao Zai in particular had a hard time wrapping his head around it. As far as he knew things in the Su court weren''t that different from Zui. The King was married to a Queen, and had an harem of mostly female concubines, and a few males, that while unable to produce heirs, were still political pawns, or just pushed onto the king in ways he couldn''t refuse, in the same way as many of the female concubines. With the exception of everyone being human, and a beta, there wasn''t much difference in how the Su court operated, nor their rules of succession. So, it was impossible for Ru Long to be the Crown Prince if anyone knew he was a bastard. The King would never tolerate something like that. Which raised several concerning questions. Laying side by side in the bed, Xiao Zai asked one of them: "Either the King doesn''t know he is a bastard, or...he is the King''s child." "Except...how can he be both the King and Xiao Yao''s child at the same time?" Chu Yun asked, his tone halting. They both knew there was a way. The same mysterious way in which Chu Yun got pregnant. If it was possible for an alpha to get pregnant from another alpha male, why couldn''t it have worked for an alpha wolf, and a beta human male? It made sense for Ru Long to want revenge against the man responsible for the death of one of his parents. But, even if he were the King''s son, the circumstances around his birth would be murky to say the least. It was hard to say what the King of Su thought of the whole thing. Assuming they were right in their assumptions. "He doesn''t want us to inform the King of Su of his presence in Xin, and possibly, of his dealings with Chu Hean as well," Chu Yun said, worrying at his bottom lip. "But what did he mean by ''looking for a long lost relative''? He couldn''t have been talking about your uncle, everyone knows he''s dead." Xiao Zai was confused about that too. But it was too late to contemplate the implications any further. He reached across the narrow cot and tucked a strand of Chu Yun''s hair behind his ear. "We should sleep, it''s getting late." Chu Yun nodded, but Xiao Zai knew it would take him some time to actually relax enough for that. "I think they''ll want us out of here first thing tomorrow morning," Chu Yun said, one corner of his lips quirking up. "And there''s probably someone keeping guard outside this pavilion." "Definetly." Xiao Zai smiled, looking out into the dark and imagining pairs of eyes looking at them from the shadows. "I would never have thought that Chu Hean would have wanted something like this for himself," Chu Yun said, his voice tightly wound. "I used to call him ''little scholar'', because he was so introspective, and interested in his calligraphy, and his poems." His sharp eyebrows met above his dark eyes. "How does one go from that to a martial artist assassin?" Xiao Zai didn''t have an answer for him, and he knew that Chu Yun was probably blaming himself for how things had turned out. "You can''t anticipate everything," he said, pulling Chu Yun against his chest, and resting his chin on top of his head. "People are unpredictable, they don''t always behave in ways you can clearly anticipate." Chu Yun muffled an annoyed sound against his chest, and finally said. "Unlike you, you''re very predictable." Xiao Zai chuckled. "How so?" "Loyal, like most dogs." Xiao Zai let out a startled laugh and tried to slide his cold hands under Chu Yun''s robes to make him yelp and squirm. "And you''re a vixen, like all foxes." In the end, Chu Yun got the best of him by wrapping his frozen feet against his calves, Xiao Zai just rolled on top of him and silenced his victorious laughter with a kiss. --- Chu Yun woke up feeling sticky and cold at the same time. He wanted a proper bath, and a decent change of clothes, instead of putting on musty robes that had been on the bottom of a chest for who knows how long. As expected, the morning started bright and early with Master Chen and a group of disciples knocking on their room''s door and politely escorting them out of Harmonious Resonance Academy. They were almost at the gates when Master Chen stopped them, "I know that his Grace and his Highness probably didn''t have the most pleasant of experiences while in our company." Chu Yun hummed noncommittally. If he was feeling generous Chu Yun would at least concede that the miserable experience of wading through a flooded tunnel wasn''t the Academy''s fault. But he wasn''t sure if he was feeling generous. "I would however, advise both of you not to divulge what you saw here." While the elderly Master''s smile was pleasant, there was a hint of steel to his words. "We value our privacy." He could see Xiao Zai''s spine growing taut with apprehension at his side, but Chu Yun had seen this coming, and was prepared for the possibility of being threatened. "Very well, but we''ll want something in exchange for keeping the secret," he said, looking out into the sea of veiled faces. "I don''t know if his Grace is in a position to bargain," Master Chen said, the smile never leaving his thin lips. "I think I am," Chu Yun retorted, just as pleasantly. "One day, I''ll come here, directly, and request something of you, I will pay, just as any patron, but Harmonious Resonance will have to carry out my contract, no matter what I ask for." After a beat of silence, Master Chen nodded. "Those are the terms we extend to all our patrons." "I will be able to name the disciples I want to carry out the contract." Chu Yun smirked. "I don''t believe that''s part of your terms." Everything Chu Yun had learned about Harmonious Resonance led him to believe that contracts were either assigned at random, or that disciples could choose them themselves -- increasing the illusion that they had some freedom over the actions they took. Master Chen''s smile didn''t falter but it was a close thing. "It''s not...but his Highness will have his exception, we would prefer not to attract any undue attention." "And you can''t risk killing the Second Prince of Zui, his husband, and their maidservant in one fell swoop." Chu Yun looked out at the veiled disciples, only their eyes visible above the thin muslin veils covering the lower half of their faces. "That would attract too much attention. Who knows who we''ve told about our destination?" Finally, Master Chen''s smile vanished entirely. "Indeed, so it is better for everyone if his Highness and his Grace go on their way." He raised his staff and two disciples opened the heavy wooden gates. "We''ll keep our end of the bargain and trust that his Highness will do the same." The three of them left the academy''s grounds. The gates closed behind them with a loud and final thud. --- After they had been on the road for some time, and Chu Yun was fairly certain no one was following them, he turned to Hua Nanyi and said: "I hope you didn''t stay in your room the whole night." She rolled her eyes at him as if to saying, ''who do you think I am?'' "It wasn''t easy, they were patrolling everywhere," she said, with a hint of smugness. "But I did find some very interesting things." "Like what?" Xiao Zai asked. "Well, for instance, Chu Hean isn''t at all popular," she said, tone conspiratorial. "I heard more than one person say that none of ''this'' would be happening if it wasn''t for him." She paused. "By ''this'' they meant us." "I gathered." "Did you hear anything else?" Xiao Zai probed, looking away from the road and the horses, and towards Hua Nanyi riding alongside them. "They referred to Chu Hean as ''the little Prince'', and had a lot of opinions about him bringing Ru Long with him to Harmonious Resonance." Her expression took on a complicated look. "It seems they resented that he got preferential treatment." "Why does Chu Hean get special treatment, though?" Chu Yun asked, mostly voicing his inner thoughts. He didn''t expect Hua Nanyi to have an answer for him, but it was still worth wondering about. "Maybe he''s the most successful out of all of the disciples?" Xiao Zai suggested, sending a cool shiver down Chu Yun''s spine. That would meant that his younger brother was the most vicious among a group of vicious killers. He was really glad he had worked out that bargain with Master Chen.. He might need to redeem it sooner rather than latter. Chapter 157 - The Fox And The Wolf Arrive At The Inlaws They arrived at the estate of the Prince of Jing in the evening. Chu Yun hadn''t sent out word ahead of their arrival, so the palace servants were completely befuddled when they opened the gates and saw him and Xiao Zai wearing ill-fitting robes of dubious providence, and riding in the coachman''s seat of a plain rental carriage. Only Hua Nanyi''s presence on horeback, and her unmistakable frown, convinced them they were indeed seeing Chu Yun and not someone who resembled him a great deal. His mother rushed out of the main pavilion as soon as their carriage came to a stop in the courtyard. She ran towards Chu Yun with her arms open wide, her fine robes fluttering behind her. "My son! Oh, my darling, I''ve missed you so much." Madam Jing was a very effusive woman, and her open displays of affection made everyone uncomfortable. Except Chu Yun who relished the attention and let her hold his face between her palms and inspect him closely, with the contented expression of a lazy housecat. "You''ve lost weight," she declared, after peering into his face for a moment. "Doesn''t the food in Zui agree with you?" Chu Yun shook his head with a pout. "No, mama, I miss the smells and tastes from home." Madam Jing looked on the verge of tears. "My poor child, mama will ask the kitchens to make all your favourite foods." Only then did she seem to notice Xiao Zai''s presence. She let go of Chu Yun and bowed stiffly to Xiao Zai. "It''s a pleasure to see his Highness again." "Mother-in-law should call me Xiao Zai, or Zilang." He smiled politely. "Mother-in-law looks even more beautiful than the last time I saw her." That little bit of flattery finally earned him a genuine smile, albeit a thin one. Madam Jing linked her arm through her son''s, and pulled him along with her, "Come, tell mama everything that happened while you were away. I''ll take you to your rooms." Before Chu Yun had the time to say a single word, Madam Jing cut him off immediately. "What on earth are you wearing? Those robes look like they scratch more than a cat." They did. But Chu Yun didn''t want to reveal where they''d gotten them. He didn''t want his parents to know anything about Harmonious Resonance. Not only would that be breaking his bargain with Master Chen, but more importantly -- he was sure they would take the revelation incredibly poorly. It frightened him even to imagine. His mother would probably drag Chu Hean''s concubine mother by the hair into the main courtyard and having her beat black and blue for the humiliation to their family. So instead, Chu Yun said only. "We ran into some troubles on the road. I''ll tell mama all about it later, right now I really need to take a bath." "Of course, freshen up first and then I''ll have dinner served in the hall. Your father isn''t home yet so it''s better to wait for him." She stopped at the door of Chu Yun''s room and patted his cheek. "I know he''ll be just as happy as I am to see you." --- Chu Yun wanted to soak in his family''s hot springs right away, and while Xiao Zai had terrible memories associated with them, he did want to properly wash off the grime of the last leg of their journey. Besides, this time he had Chu Yun''s company as he walked through the stone path into the bamboo grove hiding the hot springs, and there was no Chu Hean around to drop in unannounced. Chu Yun dropped his thin inner robes at the edge of the pool and stepped inside with a contented sigh. Sinking in the warm waters with a gratified smile that made heat pool at the pit of Xiao Zai''s stomach. He got in next to Chu Yun and wrapped one arm around his shoulders, pulling him into his side. "Have you decided what you''re going to tell your parents?" His eyes drifted downwards, where the bubbling water hid Chu Yun''s abdomen from view. Xiao Zai had the impression there was the faintest curve to it, as if Chu Yun had eaten a large meal, but it might just be the product of his own overactive imagination. He knew better than to mention it to Chu Yun, who would surely obsess over it -- convinced other people would be able to tell, as well. "That''s why we came, isn''t it?" Despite his confident tone, Xiao Zai could sense some apprehension in his words. "You don''t need to tell them if you don''t want to. We can wait." Chu Yun shook his head. "No, your father needs to know there will be real political consequences to harming me or the child. If we bring some document from my parents, just something mentioning wanting to host the child''s 100 day ceremony or something of the sort, will be enough to make that clear. Besides, it is the kind of thing that will sway even more ministers to our side." "I know, I know, but..." "No, we have your father backed against the wall now," Chu Yun said, his fox eyes shining with determination. "A cornered animal will strike. He will do something, and we need to be prepared for any eventuality. We need to have all our stones in order in the weiqi board, before we make a move on him." Xiao Zai knew he was right, but he also thought they had enough already to move in for the killing blow. Even the laziest, most corrupt ministers, could see the writing on the wall. The King was unravelling, and only heavens knew who, or what, he would drag with him in his downfall. "I worry, though," Chu Yun finally admitted, resting his head against Xiao Zai''s shoulder. "About what their reaction will be. What will they think of me?" Xiao Zai slid his hand across Chu Yun''s lap and laced their fingers together.. He didn''t know what Chu Yun''s parents'' reaction would be, but he knew he would take him and leave the Prince of Jing''s estate, and Xin itself, if any of them dared offend him. Chapter 158 - The Fox And The Wolf Break The Big News They couldn''t stay in the hot springs forever. Eventually they got on with the business of washing themselves and getting ready for dinner. Reluctantly, Chu Yun got out from the warm, welcoming waters, and wrapped himself in a clean inner robe. Only after the bath had he realised how tired he was, how much his body ached from the days of travel, and the uncomfortable places they had slept in along the way. Part of him wanted to put off telling his parents about the pregnancy, and instead enjoy a lavish meal of all his favourite foods and go straight to bed. Apprehension coiled sourly on the pit of his stomach as he got dressed into fine outer robes in his old bedroom. While Zui was still mired in the depths of winter, even with the steady approach of the new year and the spring festival -- in Xin it had already come and gone. The weather was still cool, but it was a mild cold, that refreshed more than chilled. It was easy to ignore the difference in climates when they were up in the mountains of Harmonious Resonance academy, but down here near Lanzhou, the discrepancy was staggering. Chu Yun felt a little odd putting on such light robes, the layers billowy and thin, the only concession to the season was a slightly thicker outer robe, made of silk panes with an extra layer in between. He found the robes he used to wear ill-fitting. The colourful brocade and the vivid patterns seemed garish to him when he looked down at himself. He didn''t recognise the person who looked at him from the gold mirror. Xiao Zai''s deep red robes suited him a little better, but only marginally. He came up behind Chu Yun and looked at their joined reflections in the mirror. Chu Yun had the disorienting impression of looking at strangers. His heart quickened inside his chest. He didn''t know how to react to the feeling of being a stranger in his own home. Xiao Zai placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled at him through their reflection. He didn''t say anything, but his steadying touch and smile was enough to bring Chu Yun''s breathing under control. He was fine, he was still the same person. He wasn''t irrevocably changed by his time in Zui. "Ready?" Xiao Zai asked, oblivious to Chu Yun''s inner turmoil. Chu Yun slid his fingers over Xiao Zai''s hand and met his eyes through the mirror. "Ready." --- The Prince of Jing, when he arrived, was delighted to see his son. He embraced Chu Yun tightly, slapping him on the back effusively, and unlike his mother praised him for gaining weight and growing more muscular. He was kind and courteous with Xiao Zai, and his smiles seemed genuine. From what Xiao Zai remembered, the Prince of Jing was a soft-spoken man, who deferred to his wife. That hadn''t changed in the months since, but there seemed to be a darkness to his gaze, as if he had aged years in mere months. Xiao Zai thought it was related to how none of them mentioned Chu Hean, sidestepping the matter of his conspicuous absence entirely. The absence of the Prince''s three concubines was noteworthy as well. Xiao Zai assumed that with Chu Hean''s recent "rebelion" Madam Jing''s control over the household had only strengthened. "You haven''t said much about what the two of you have gotten up to in Zui," Madam Jing said, pouring Chu Yun a coup of fragrant peach wine which he eyed warily. "Have you made friends? How''s the neighbourhood around your estate? Do the omegas in Haolin care very much about fashions? The people of Zui always seem so stoic, I find it hard to believe..." Xiao Zai didn''t want Chu Yun to feel uncomfortable, and so took the cup from him and drank it. "I''ll drink for Chu Yun, mother." Madam Jing blinked up in surprise at him, but dismissed the matter soon and moved on to other topics. "I hear that there was a great scandal in Zui recently, but no one seems to agree on the details. Did someone in the First Prince''s family really day?" Her eyes widened dramatically. "Surely it was only the storytellers in Lanzhou trying to draw in more clients with unfounded gossip." Before either of them could reply, Madam Jing would move on to the next source of gossip in Lanzhou. She kept making small jabs at Zui, perhaps out of carelessness perhaps on purpose. Xiao Zai knew Chu Yun had to handle the same kind of ignorant comments about Xin from his own people, so he was determined to endure it with dignity for his sake. Especially because he looked so obviously flustered and nervous. Xiao Zai had never seen him so apprehensive. He picked at the food distractedly, and replied to his parents comments with monosyllables. It was only a matter of time until one of them noticed. "Is everything alright?" The Prince of Jing asked, peering into Chu Yun''s eyes. "You look a little pale." Chu Yun exchanged a look with Xiao Zai and cleared his throat loudly. "Actually, we have something to tell you." Xiao Zai held his hand under the table, supporting him in this silent way, but letting him speak. His parents had no idea what he was getting at, and kept looking from the two of them in open confusion. "What news dear?" Madam Jing asked, batting her long lashes like a startled owl. "Uhm, I know this is confusing, and probably won''t make any sense, but I''m pregnant." Before anyone could say anything he rushed to add, "We don''t know how it happened, but I''m pregnant. Four different physicians confirmed it. Two months along, next week." No one said anything for a long time. And then the Prince of Jing got up from the table on unsteady legs. "I need to go lay down for a moment, excuse me." His face was as pale as if he''d seen a ghost. Chu Yun turned towards his mother, panic rising in his voice. "Mama? Say something." His mother turned to face him slowly, as if the gears of in neck had rusted over, and then burst into tears. Chapter 159 - The Fox Gets A Cold Reception His mother''s shoulders shook with the violence of her sobs. Chu Yun''s hand hung frozen in midair, halfway towards her, he was afraid that touching her would only make things worse. Only Xiao Zai''s warm hand around his own under the table prevented him from getting up to his feet and leaving like his father. Xiao Zai didn''t say anything, but his steady presence was enough to comfort Chu Yun in the face of his mother''s sadness. An odd thought struck him. He didn''t think he had ever upset his mother before -- or his father, for that matter. All his life, Chu Yun had always been the perfect son. Neither of them had ever raised their voice towards him, and his father had definitely never walked out on him. Even when things were rocky for a while there, and he kept to himself and told both of them very little -- they didn''t pressure him, trusting him to know what was best, and act accordingly. Now, his mother couldn''t stop crying as if letting out all the recriminations she held back for all those years. His parents'' reaction just solidified the panic Chu Yun had been feeling since he learned about the pregnancy. He tried to keep his mind off it, and most of the time he even succeeded. A part of him was even excited about the idea of a child who was as much his own as Xiao Zai''s -- if only in the abstract sense, where he imagined a child, fully formed, of around two or so, magically appearing in their lives, completely unrelated to any pregnancy. But other times the panic almost choked him. Xiao Zai''s fingers tightened around Chu Yun''s hand. Chu Yun turned towards him and saw the downwards swoop of his eyebrows, and the thin line of his lips; a picture of barely restrained anger. It was only a matter-of-time until the dam holding it all back burst. Chu Yun noticed it too late to stop him. "I don''t see the motive for mother-in-law''s tears," Xiao Zai spat out through gritted teeth. "Both Chu Yun and the child are fine." His words cut off Madam Jing''s tears more abruptly than a faucet. "The child?" her chin trembled, announcing another crying fit. "How can you say that? What have you done to my son?" "He hasn''t done anything," Chu Yun said. "We don''t know why it happened." She turned to him with a furious look. "It''s punishment! From the heavens." Her words hit him like a slap. Chu Yun could dismiss that kind of talk from the one physician who kept envisioning draughts and plagues, but hearing it from his mother made all the air leave his lungs as if he was being submerged underwater. "Mother--" Chu Yun tried again, his voice wet and raspy. Xiao Zai got up to his feet and pulled Chu Yun by their linked hands. "We''ll leave tomorrow morning." In any other circumstance Chu Yun might have admonished him for being disrespectful with his mother but as it stood, he was too numb to do anything but let himself be dragged along out of the hall. --- The moment the door of his bedroom closed behind him, Chu Yun''s eyes started burning with unshed tears. He looked up at the familiar ceiling he''d seen all his life, and sucked on a fortifying breath. He wouldn''t fucking cry. Xiao Zai''s eyes were filled with consternation. He approached Chu Yun, who turned his face to the side when he tried to kiss him. Xiao Zai''s lips landed instead on his cheek, and he pretended that had been his intention all along. "Don''t let it upset you, they''re just in shock," Xiao Zai said, sliding one hand through Chu Yun''s still wet hair. How could he not be upset? He wanted to rage at Xiao Zai for using such empty platitudes on him, for trying to coddle him as if he was a fussy pet, but he didn''t have the energy for it. He felt weighted down with a profound sadness, like he''d jumped into a lake with several rocks tied to his waist. He let himself drop to the bed with a hollow sigh, his legs hanging listlessly from the edge. He wanted to go to sleep and wake up seven months from there. Xiao Zai took a seat at his side on the edge of the mattress. "We''ll leave tomorrow. I know they are your parents and deserve my respect, but I won''t let them offend you." Chu Yun rubbed the bridge of his nose. "They didn''t offend me, I offended them." Xiao Zai''s knuckles turned white from his grip on the mattress. "How would you have done that?" Chu Yun chuckled bitterly, throwing one arm over his hot eyes. "Who wants to hear their alpha son is pregnant? And on the tail-end of everything that happened with Chu Hean? I fooled myself by thinking they could look past it and see the political opportunity it presented." He sighed deeply. "I made a mistake." "Is that how you see it? As a political opportunity?" What did Xiao Zai want him to say? That he saw it as a miracle? That he was happy to be put in such an unusual position? He didn''t begrudge Xiao Zai his own happiness, and he appreciated his restraint in displaying it. But they just weren''t in the same situation. Of course Xiao Zai was happy, it was natural for alphas to sire children. But he couldn''t expect Chu Yun to share his happiness when his circumstances were drastically different. It wasn''t fair. "I''m just tired, I need to sleep." He pulled his legs up into the bed and wrapped his arms around his knees, toeing off his slippers. After some time, Xiao Zai laid down behind him. His chest to Chu Yun''s back. "Can I stay with you? Or do you want me to leave?" Chu Yun reached behind to pull Xiao Zai''s arm over his waist and press the two of them closer. "Stay.." Despite its curtness, the quiet word sounded more like a plea than an order. Chapter 160 - The Wolf Swears An Oath Chu Yun eventually fell into an exhausted sleep, but Xiao Zai didn''t sleep at all the entire night. He got up at down, leaving Chu Yun sleeping on the bed. His sword-sharp eyebrows were drawn above his eyes, hinting at the nature of his dreams. Xiao Zai wanted to smooth out the worry from his brow, kiss him into restful sleep. That was not possible, so he contented himself with brushing his hand through his hair, and pulling the comforter over his shoulders. He walked out into the deck overlooking the courtyard outside Chu Yun''s bedroom. He rested his elbows on the wooden railing and looked out at the mist draped over the lotus flowers on the decorative pond like a shroud. Everything about Xin was manicured to perfection. The courtyards didn''t have a leaf out of place, all the flowers matched each other in colour and symbolism. Nothing was left to chance, it was a land that valued beauty above everything else, the study of it, the creation of it. But it valued order too. Much like this courtyard, and all the sprawling gardens of Lanzhou -- there was an almost symmetrical precision to all of it. Chu Yun''s parents were scrambling for a box to fit their beautiful, perfect, alpha son. In the cold, harsh light of dawn, and with all of his anger banked by tiredness, Xiao Zai thought they could come around still. Everything was silent around the Prince of Jing''s estate, only the distant cry of a bluethroat bird cut through the eerie stillness. He went down down the stairs and into the courtyard, deciding that a walk would help him get his thoughts in order. He''d promised Chu Yun that they would leave right away, but now he was wondering if doing that wouldn''t cause irreparable damage to his relationship with his parents. Xiao Zai hadn''t been walking for long, winding from one courtyard into the next, when he bumped into the Prince of Jing. Chu Yun''s father looked startled to see him, the thin skin under his eyes looked bruised as if he too had spent the entire night chasing sleep with little success. "His Highness," he said in greeting, nodding towards Xiao Zai. His shoulders were drawn tight, he looked like a plucked string, vibrating with tension. "I want father-in-law to know that while Chu Yun has my full support, the past couple of months haven''t been easy for him." The Prince of Jing''s lips pulled into a thin line. "I can imagine." Xiao Zai eyed him critically. The Prince was a tall man, almost as tall as Chu Yun, with a scholarly posture that while also resembling Chu Yun was a lot more reserved, more squirrely. Being firm with him was probably the best course of action. "Then, father-in-law must know how unfair it is to blame him for something that is not his fault." The Prince of Jing hummed. His gaze distant. "It''s a lot to take in, at once." "It is, but even more so for him." Xiao Zai met the Prince''s evasive gaze, holding it. "Chu Yun holds both his Highness and the Madam his mother in high regard. He entered into our marriage determined to make the two proud, and bring honour to his family." The Prince opened his mouth as if to say something else, but Xiao Zai''s gaze hardened, cutting him short. "It would be unspeakably cruel to throw all that back in his face." The two of them were silent for some time. The Prince of Jing sighed deeply and looked out at the manicured expanse of the east courtyard, his right fist pressed primly against the small of his back. "Parents have certain expectations about how their children''s lives should pan out...," the Prince of Jing started, his tone halting. Xiao Zai nodded. "I know that." Intimately. "I expected that when Chu Yun returned to us, that he would have tales of how he''d gotten the entire Zui court under his thumb." One corner of Xiao Zai''s quirked up. "He did that too." The Prince of Jing shot him an annoyed look. "And now he''s pregnant! What will become of him? He''s not an omega, he won''t be happy to take on the duties and role of one. But how will the other alphas look at him? He''s already a foreign in Zui, this is just another thing to mark him as different." The Prince of Jing''s eyes looked red with panic when they met Xiao Zai''s, who became sure then, that his reaction the day before was due to extreme fear for his son, and not rejection. He took on a steadying breath and said. "I want father-in-law to know that I will do everything in my power to ensure that no one will ever disrespect Chu Yun. I won''t allow anyone to speak even a single word against him, and I will severely punish everyone who tries." His heart beat violently inside his chest, making him feel dizzy with an overwhelming swell of emotion. "I swear it, in my eyes no one compares to him. In my heart he is the standard by which all others are measured." The Prince of Jing gave him a long look. Peering into Xiao Zai''s eyes in search of any signs of deception. "I believe you," the Prince said after a prolonged silence. "But there''s only so much a Prince can do." He smiled sadly. "I know it better than anyone. I couldn''t even prevent my oldest son, my heir, from being married off in a foreign land." He didn''t ment it as an insult, but Xiao Zai knew that he considered their marriage to be beneath Chu Yun. Their union was intended as an humiliation to them both. A reminder to Gu Wei that the King of Zui was all-powerful, and that he would do as he wanted with his son; and that no matter how accomplished, how talented Chu Yun was, he was still only the son of a Second Prince, and his King would use him in whichever way was more convenient for him. Xiao Zai was happy to prove everyone what terrible mistake they had made. "I will be King, and Chu Yun will be King Consort," he said, seeing the truth of his words take shape. The Prince of Jing chuckled humorlessly. "I don''t think he''ll get much comfort from that." "I will have only him, no harem, when I am King, only Chu Yun will stand by my side.. Our child will inherit the Zui throne, this I swear." Chapter 161 - The Wolf And The Fox Are Rudely Interrupted Chu Yun woke up alone. Xiao Zai''s side of the bed still held faint traces of warmth. It hadn''t been long since he got up. He turned around in the bed and blinked up against the weak morning light filtering in through the window paper panes. He got dressed in a daze, grabbing his discarded outer robe from the floor and tying the waist sash awkwardly, fingers still clumsy with sleep. He stumbled outside, in search of Xiao Zai. He was sure he''d be outside. Xiao Zai wouldn''t feel comfortable wandering the halls of his parents'' estate. It didn''t take long for Xiao Zai''s smooth, deep voice, to reach his ears. But it were his words, and not his familiar voice, that made Chu Yun stop in his tracks. "I will have only him, no harem, when I am King, only Chu Yun will stand by my side. Our child will inherit the Zui throne, this I swear." He didn''t say it as some grand declaration, but that was what it felt like to Chu Yun. The unwavering conviction of his voice made Chu Yun''s heart stutter. Xiao Zai meant every word. What was Chu Yun going to do? He was so happy, he almost couldn''t believe he''d been miserable just hours before. Happiness made him flush with shame. What an unseemly feeling, what an unsightly thing. He didn''t want to show himself looking so overcome. Chu Yun''s father spoke before he had the chance to fully compose himself. "His Highness says that now, but one can''t upend so many traditions at once. I won''t claim to be knowledgeable about Zui''s internal dynamics, but there''s no way the nobles and the ministers won''t see such a dramatic change as an attack on the established values." Chu Yun knew his father was right. Traditions endured even when their original meaning was lost to time. What to say of traditions whose meaning was very much still relevant? Even so, Xiao Zai had stood up for him and Chu Yun would do the same. "If he is a good King, the people will not care if he has a harem, or a single spouse," he said, stepping out from behind decorative shrubs. "Most of them will never seem him or me -- they won''t care." His father lifted his eyes towards him, Chu Yun met his gaze unwavering. He was in this situation already, and the only way out was through. "You better than anyone know that the people, and the court officials, and the ministers, and the nobles are not the same thing." Chu Yun knew, but he also knew that he could bend them to their will. A weak King could easily be turned into a pawn, but Xiao Zai wouldn''t be weak, not with Chu Yun at his side. "I know too that minds can be changed," he said, coming to stand shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Zai. "If not voluntarily then through persuasion." His father looked at the two of them for a while, inspecting them together as if examining an intricate puzzle box. Finally, he let out an overwhelmed sigh, and nodded. For the first time, Chu Yun noticed his father was no longer a young man. He had always seen him as the picture of the model scholar, carefully put together. But while he wasn''t looking his father had gotten older. "I pray to the Heavens that the two of you succeed because the alternatives will be bathed in blood." --- Chu Yun and Xiao Zai left together, leaving his father alone with his thoughts. They walked back to the bedroom in silence, the sun stretching its lazy rays over the sky and blinding them with its glare. It was morning now, but Chu Yun felt like going back to bed. He felt wildly anxious, as if his tongue was made of iron and there were ants biting the tips of his fingers. Xiao Zai''s words kept swimming around in his mind, making him feel dizzy. Xiao Zai too seemed uncertain of how to proceed. As soon as the door closed behind them, Chu Yun placed his hands on Xiao Zai''s chest and walked him backwards all the way to the bed. His knees hit the mattress and he fell backwards, gazing up at Chu Yun with a startled look. "Did you mean it?" Chu Yun asked, climbing over Xiao Zai''s lap. "Yes," Xiao Zai gasped, his pupils blown wide. He slid his hands across Chu Yun''s thighs, digging in. "There is only you for me." Chu Yun''s eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings over his eyes. He wanted to return Xiao Zai''s honesty, but the words burned on his tongue. "For me...for me also." That was all he could say before an overwhelming heat consumed him. He pinned Xiao Zai''s wrists to the bed and kissed him. Pouring into the kiss all the things he couldn''t say, everything that was trapped inside him like a caged bird. Xiao Zai kissed him with equal desperation. He got out of Chu Yun''s grasp and reversed their positions, climbing over him with blatant hunger. Chu Yun''s shaking hands started tearing at Xiao Zai''s robes, undoing his waist sash clumsily, shivering with desire. He wanted to fuck so badly he thought he''d go mad with anticipation. Xiao Zai broke their kiss with a gasp. "Wait, won''t your parents come looking for us?" The reminder of his parents'' nearby presence wasn''t a welcome one, but Chu Yun was too eager now to stop. The locked door would be deterrent enough, besides they wouldn''t come themselves, they would send out a servant. Chu Yun was too busy rationalising all this, already anticipation the particular brand of vicious tenderness that coloured their lovemaking, that he didn''t even notice the knock at the door. Xiao Zai''s hands grew still on his waist. "What is it? We''re occupied," he snapped, voice rough. It was Hua Nanyi who answered him.. "His Majesty the King of Xin is here, and he wants to see his nephew." Chapter 162 - The Fox And The Wolf Are Offered An Alliance Proposal Xiao Zai climbed off Chu Yun with bitter reluctance, extending him a hand to help him to his feet. The two of them righted their robes in silent frustration, but at least for Xiao Zai that hid some very real anxiety. What now? They''d just navigated a craggy shore with Chu Yun''s father, the last thing they needed was for the King of Xin to show up. Hua Nanyi was waiting for them outside, her expression unreadable. Chu Yun asked her if his uncle had brought anyone else along. She nodded. "First Prince Chu Ming is with him." Xiao Zai didn''t know much about the Xin royal family, on account of being purposefully kept away from all political matters by his father, but judging by Chu Yun''s face he wasn''t on good terms with his cousin. "Oh, the dumbest of the three," he said, through gritted teeth. The three of them made their way through the courtyards towards the reception hall, where they found several servants in deep prostration, and Chu Yun''s parents bowing respectfully. Chu Yun joined them in greeting his uncle, but Xiao Zai sketched only an abbreviated greeting, on account of belonging to the royal house of another nation. The King of Xin was finely dressed, in a lengthy golden robe with delicate brocade, and fine shimmering accents. Just as lavish and decadent as the gossip in Zui always painted him and his court to be. He was tall, and had that same slender, scholarly build all alpha foxes Xiao Zai had seen seemed to lean towards. It was hard to tell his real age, he looked like a man who rarely used his face except to look down on others -- just as he was doing now. His son, wearing light teal robes, just as exquisitely made, resembled his father, except he was broader across the shoulders, and there was meanness in his smug smirk, whereas the King''s features only held a vacuous sense of superiority. "Cousin, you seem well," the First Prince said, as soon as Chu Yun rose to his feet. "Married life agrees with you." Xiao Zai kept his expression still, standing at Chu Yun''s side and saying nothing. "Yes, I am very fortunate," Chu Yun said, smiling pleasantly, as if he hadn''t noticed the barb. "I have royal uncle''s wisdom to thank for arranging such a compatible match for me." He bowed towards his uncle again, with his hands extended in front of him in a circle. One corner of the King''s lips curled up in an almost imperceptible sneer. Chu Yun''s happiness was of no consequence to him. "We hear that things have been very "exciting" since Miaoyan''s arrival there." The First Prince scoffed. "Cousin always found his way to trouble." --- Chu Yun''s smile didn''t slip, but he clasped his hands behind his back, to hide the tension in his fingers. Chu Ming the fucking idiot. Every single one of his encounters with his cousin had been unpleasant at best, unbearable at worst. He was one of the most idiotic people Chu Yun had ever met. Easily amused, especially with other people''s pain. "Perhaps that will change soon," Chu Yun said, smiling tightly. The King chuckled. "Actually, I was hoping to talk with you just about that," he said, taking a step in Chu Yun''s direction. "And to his Highness, of course," he tilted his head towards Xiao Zai, in belated acknowledgement. His parents exchanged a look, that Chu Yun cought from the corner of his eyes. His mother looked pale, on the verge of fainting. Their gazes met and Chu Yun could see the worry written across them. "Perhaps the four of us could talk in private somewhere else?" His uncle asked, addressing the Prince of Jing as if he was a servant instead of his brother. But Chu Yun''s father was in no position to impose his authority. He showed his brother and nephew to his office, and closed the door after Chu Yun and Xiao Zai walked in. Chu Yun and Xiao Zai stood by the door as the King took a seat behind the desk. Chu Ming sat on the round windowsill, taking one of Chu Yun''s father''s puzzle boxes from the desk and throwing it up in the air, as if juggling with a peach. Chu Yun followed the movement of the box in the air with extreme annoyance. The careless way he touched someone else''s treasured possessions as if they meant nothing was unbearable. Chu Yun had to wrench his eyes away or his displeasure would end up showing in his face. His uncle leaned across the tabletop and stared at Chu Yun with a knowing smirk. "It seems you''ve created so much trouble that the King of Zui felt compelled to write to me for help." He let out a loud laugh, clearly delighted by this turn of events. "He was quick to cast all the blame at your feet. And Xin by association, of course." What did he expect Chu Yun to say to that? ''Oh no, how terrible.''? He chose to remain quiet, doing his best to look contrite and upset by the revelation. "This is great news for us, of course. Despite all his threats it''s obvious the King of Zui doesn''t have much to bargain with, which is probably why he offered me a 10% cut of the profits from the salt trade, as well as 10% discount in imports, for my help in ''settling matters''." Chu Yun''s eyes widened dramatically at those numbers, and Xiao Zai cursed under his breath. The salt trade was Zui''s most important source of revenue. The King was making very extravagant promises, most likely proportional to his desperation. The King of Xin drunk in their reactions with glee. "I understand that his Second Highness has aspirations to reach the throne of Zui. I''m willing to throw in my support, not only with funds, but with mercenaries as well, in exchange for a 15% cut of the profits and a 15% discount on imports." He laced his finger beneath his chin, and looked from Chu Yun to Xiao Zai with a look of shrewd satisfaction.. "It''s only fair that a more dangerous investment should turn a larger profit." Chapter 163 - The Fox Makes Adjustments To The Terms Chu Yun bit the inside of his cheek so hard he tasted blood. His uncle kept looking at them from behind the desk as if he had already won. A few weeks into their marriage, Chu Yun might have accepted the proposal with glee, even after acknowledging he was being used as a pawn -- after all, his loyalty was to Xin. To his people. But things weren''t that simple now, something like this would directly harm the common people of Zui, impact their livelihoods. Even if Xiao Zai reduced taxes after he ascended to make up for the difference, it wouldn''t be enough. It was the kind of thing that would stain his reign forever -- his first act as a King being the subjugation of his own kingdom in a one-sided agreement that didn''t benefit his nation in any way. It made him seem greedy for the throne -- capable of anything. And while Chu Yun wanted to promote eventual trade agreements between Xin and Zui he wanted them to benefit both parties equally. Moreover, something like this would only aggravate the tension of the border towns between Zui and Su, leading to an even greater exodus of the beta population. There was no way they could accept a deal like that. But on the other hand, they couldn''t afford to let Xiao Zai''s father go forward and take it. Chu Yun was unsure of the exact terms he had negotiated with his uncle, but the risk of him using it get rid of them, and any support they had managed to wrangle in the months between was too great. Chu Yun chanced a look towards his grinning cousin, looking as stupid and cruel as ever. Maybe if they refused his uncle''s proposal they wouldn''t make it out of the room. And what to say of his parents outside? There was a good chance a great deal of his uncle''s personal guard was stationed just outside the gates of the Prince of Jing''s estate. Chu Yun looked up into Xiao Zai''s eyes, trying to convey to him that he was going to need to trust him -- a great deal. "We accept," Chu Yun said, still holding Xiao Zai''s gaze. A muscle jumped in Xiao Zai''s jaw and he closed his eyes, blocking out the sight of Chu Yun and the room as a whole. The apple of his throat bobbed as he swallowed drily, but after a time he nodded as well. "Excellent," his uncle said, raising from the chair, the long sleeves of his golden robe brushing the wooden table top. "We can call in your father to draft the contract for us." He smiled. "He always had exquisite calligraphy skills." Chu Yun returned the insincere smile. "I''m heartened by Uncle''s haste to ensure his word is binding, however, I''m sorry we can''t say the same." He looked up at Xiao Zai for a moment, the corners of his lips turning downwards. "Since his Second Highness isn''t King yet, I''m afraid Royal Uncle would only be signing a non-bidding agreement with a Prince." Chu Yun shrugged. "At the very least that would only show treasonous intent, on his Second Highness'' part." His uncle''s smile stayed in place. "Even so, it would show that his Second Highness was a man of his word, no? Something to ensure our agreement was binding -- for both parties." "Except it wouldn''t be. Something like trade revenue profits can only be determined by a nation''s sovereign, what authority would the Second Prince have to concede something like that?" He shook his head. "No, I''m afraid that we''ll only be able to sign something like that, after his Second Highness becomes King." The King of Xin didn''t look surprised by Chu Yun''s words, but he did click his tongue in impatience. "Perhaps I should just take his Majesty the King of Zui''s very generous offer." His gaze hardened. "Maybe some investments aren''t worth the trouble." Chu Yun didn''t let anything show in his face. His Uncle''s manipulation strategies were obvious, but he was a greedy man -- Xin prospered despite him, not because of him. And due to a robust civil servant system that placed only the most competent individuals in administrative posts. He wanted Xiao Zai to take the agreement, because in his mind it would only be a matter of time, until the continuous drain on Zui''s coffers, and natural resources, turned them into a vassal state of Xin. By Chu Yun''s calculations, something like that could happen as soon as his Uncle''s heir''s reign -- if he got his way. "I didn''t say that we shouldn''t draft the proposal, it''s important to lay down the terms right away." Chu Yun clasped both hands behind his back and paced the length of the office, as if talking to himself and envisioning all this in his mind. "I''m just saying there''s no point in signing it before Xiao Zai is king." There was a long silence in the room, and then his uncle finally sighed, "What are you suggesting?" "Let''s call father to write the contract, and uncle can sign it right away. We''ll take it to Xin, and after securing the throne, and deposing the current King, Xiao Zai will sign it himself, with the title of King, as well as the royal seal." The King of Xin didn''t seem overly impressed, his lips thinning in displeasure. "And how will I ensure the signed contract gets back to me? It seems very convenient for you and his Second Highness to return to Zui while I have no guarantee that your end of the bargain will be kept." Chu Yun nodded seriously. "Of course, I understand Uncle''s concerns. How about this? Cousin travels with us to Zui, to ensure everything happens as expected, and then leaves right away, in possession of the signed contract, which Xiao Zai will sign in front of ministers and court officials, in his first act as a King." Chu Yun''s expression remained bland, as if this was a concession he had come up with at the last minute to silence his Uncle''s complaints -- and not something he''d been working towards since he began negotiating. He could see he had succeeded when he saw his cousin''s eyes shine with victory. His small, shrivelled brain, probably thought something like this would get him a leg over his brothers. His uncle still hadn''t named a Crown Prince -- despite his blinding greed he wasn''t stupid, unlike his three oldest alpha sons. Part of Chu Yun thought he was just bidding his time until one of the alpha babies born last year were old enough to succeed instead. Maybe his cousin thought so too -- or had been warned by someone smarter than him -- and saw this as the perfect opportunity of proving to his father that he was worthy of the throne. "I can do it, father," he said, his voice almost shaking with anticipation. Chu Yun loved it when people were predictable. Finally, his uncle clicked his tongue. "Fine, but the mercenaries won''t enter Haolin, and will remain in hiding in the nearby forests, awaiting Chu Ming''s orders." He turned to his son with a grave look. "If at any point you believe the situation won''t turn in our favour, or that his Second Highness," and here he pointed at Xiao Zai but looked at Chu Yun, "won''t keep his end of the bargain, you retreat from Haolin and Zui, the money will stay with you at all times, only you can order the men to proceed. Don''t let your cousin talk you into doing anything different." Chu Ming nodded eagerly. "I won''t disappoint royal father, I will bring great honour to Xin." "See that you do," the King of Xin said, walking from behind the table, and walking towards the office door to ask someone to call Chu Yun''s father into the room. --- The contract was written as an agreement of mutual aid between the King of Xin, and the King of Zui. Chu Yun watched as his uncle signed it, and then stamped it with his royal seal. He handed the contract to his son who rolled it up carefully and sealed it closed with wax. "That doesn''t leave your possession until his Second Highness signs it," he warned, his cold eyes fixed on his son''s eager expression. "Of course father, I will never lose sight of it." Chu Yun and Xiao Zai remained quiet as this went on. Chu Yun''s father who had written the whole thing according to his brother''s specifications looked pale. Chu Yun did his best to ignore the worried looks he shot him from time to time. Finally, the five of them exited the office. Chu Yun''s uncle looked on at the cowed servants with a superior scowl. "I''ll be on my way now. The mercenaries will be here tomorrow for the journey into Zui. I advise you to depart as soon as they arrive." He left without a single look back at his own brother or sister-in-law. Chu Ming stretched his arms above his head with a smug smile. "Ah, I remember this estate had amazing hot springs. You," he pointed at a prostrated servant," show me the way." Chu Yun watched him leave the hall with an inscrutable look that hid great inner satisfaction. His cousin didn''t know what was about to hit him. Chapter 164 - The Fox Makes Amends As soon as his uncle left, taking all his people with him, and Chu Ming disappeared from sight, Chu Yun''s mother deflated like a paper lantern, crumpling against the wall while raising a hand to her trembling chest. Chu Yun had never seen his mother look so wan. He rushed to her side, to help her stand, worried she might faint. In his worry he had forgotten about her cruel words the day before. She looked up at him, and her beautiful eyes filled with tears. She clung to his hand tightly, and whispered, "Walk with me." Chu Yun shot Xiao Zai a look from behind his shoulder, who nodded in acknowledgement. They needed to talk too, and soon, but first Chu Yun would see to his mother. After all, he would be leaving very soon. She waited until they were in one of the smaller courtyards, far away from the hot springs as well as from the hustle of servants moving from one pavilion to the next, and took a seat on a stone bench beneath the shade of a pear tree. Chu Yun sat next to her and waited quietly for her to come up with the words she wanted to tell him. "You always act like you''re invincible," she said, chewing on the words before spitting them out. She looked up at Chu Yun with a face full of recrimination but eyes filled with tears. "Sometimes I think it''s our fault, for spoiling you all your life," she sighed, looking down at her small dainty hands. "Your uncle has always been jealous of your father, you know that. That''s why we live just outside of Lanzhou, instead of having an estate in the centre, that''s why your father takes on humiliating court positions, far below his station, to ensure his brother won''t have reason to find him ambitious." "I know- mother I-" She looked at him with a glare. "No, I don''t think you do. People make sacrifices, Yun-er, they bow their heads, they suffer humiliations in silence to protect their families. A smart person does everything in their power not to attract the eyes of those more powerful than them." Her fine eyebrows pinched in annoyance. "Why do you insist on doing the opposite?" Chu Yun didn''t say anything for some time. His mother was wrong about him. He might not have suffered any humiliations before going to Zui, but he endured nothing else after getting there. Time and time again, he had to let go of his pride to do what would benefit him and Xiao Zai in the long run. In the few short months he''d been married to Xiao Zai life had taught him a great deal about humility. But he also knew that those who made themselves small, too small, risked disappearing. Sometimes the only way to survive was fight against the forces pushing you down into the mud. "Mother needs to trust my judgement," he placed his hand over hers. "I''m aware of the risks, but our situation in Zui is different than father''s, we can''t simply lower our heads and hope to be left alone. The King will never let us." She let out a startled sob and looked away from him, holding her draping sleeve in front of her face as if it was a handkerchief. "You are a grown man, a married man, I won''t tell you what you should do with your life" she sighed, "I can only pray that you know what you''re doing." They remained in silence for a little while longer, and then her eyes drifted to his flat abdomen. "If we reach towards the heavens too much, acting like lofty immortals, they have a way of humbling us." She closed her eyes and shivered. "Don''t think the heavens don''t notice, when we don''t appreciate their gifts, and try to reach further than our hands can grasp." "Who can say what is the will of the heavens?" Chu Yun asked, meeting his mother''s eyes. "One person''s miracle is another''s curse." He chuckled, remembering the physician who was sure he was carrying the literal son of the heavens, while his colleague swore up and down that his child would signal the end of times. Who knew which of them was right? Personally, Chu Yun thought neither of them was -- he had always leaned towards a more mundane explanation. His mother sighed deeply, giving up the fight. "Please be careful, I''m sure you''ve made an enemy of the King of Zui, and now you''re about to make an enemy of your uncle." He opened his mouth, ready to placate her, but she raised a finger in front of his lips. "I know you, Yun-er, don''t lie to me." In the end, all Chu Yun said was, "I''ll be careful." His mother glared at him and then almost tackled him in a vicious hug that made him let out a bubble of startled laughter. Her strength always came as a surprise considering her diminutive size. "When the child is born I get to pick the name." Chu Yun hugged her to his side, resting his head on top of hers. "Yes, mama, whatever you want." --- That night, Chu Yun sent Hua Nanyi ahead to Zui with two letters for Xiao Ziyi and Xiao Yuan. "You''ll have to leave the estate on foot under the cover of darkness and then hire a horse on the next town over," he said, giving her a pouch filled with taels. "I''ll try to stall as much as I can tomorrow to give you more of a head start." She nodded seriously and pocket the money. They exchanged only a look before she left for her quarters to get ready for the journey ahead. Chu Yun didn''t need to impart on her how important it was that those letters were delivered. That night Xiao Zai hugged him as sleep evaded them both. Chu Yun''s father had drafted and signed a letter expressing his wishes to host and pay for his grandchild''s 100 day ceremony. The letter was now safely stored at the bottom of Chu Yun''s travel chest. "Are you nervous?" Xiao Zai asked, placing his hand over Chu Yun''s chest and feeling the frantic beat of his heart. "Do you trust me?" "Yes." "Then I''m not nervous" Chapter 165 - The Fox And The Wolf Prepare For Confrontation They left early the next morning, despite Chu Yun''s best efforts to stall them until after lunch. Chu Ming was impatient. "The journey is long, and we really don''t have time for this," he said, as Chu Yun hugged his mother goodbye. "You can always write to them." Chu Yun made no comment, but in his mind he envisioned all the ways in which he was going to get back at his cousin. Xiao Zai was incredibly patient the entire time, which took great fortitude on his part because Chu Ming did his best to be unbearable. Along with his large retinue of servants, they were also travelling with the mercenaries -- some of them on their own horse, others riding along on open and closed carriages -- which naturally slowed them down. On top of that, Chu Ming had unbearably high standards for every roadside inn they stopped at. The bed had to be just so, as well as the linens, to say nothing of the food, and the temperature of his bath water. Once or twice Chu Yun had to intervene before he could harass a servant girl. "You''re no fun since you got married," he said, after Chu Yun made up something for the poor girl to do far far away from Chu Ming. Chu Yun bit back his retort that even at his most hedonistic and decadent, he had never used his noble title to intimidate others into his bed. "Maybe cousin should try marriage," he said with a stiff smile. "It has surprising benefits." In truth he feared the poor souls who would one day end up furnishing Chu Ming''s harem. As far as he knew he already had a few "servants" which provided other "services", but weren''t given official concubine status, on his uncle''s orders. What exactly the King of Xin was planning for his three alpha children only he knew. For now, he seemed content with having all three still living at the royal palace, where he could keep a close eye on them. Chu Ming burped loudly and reached for another wine jar. Chu Yun gave him a displeased look from the corner of his eye. While Chu Ming seemed sure that he was ready for more responsibility, eager to get out from under his father''s watchful eye, all signs pointed to that being a disaster in the making. He hadn''t seen his cousins in a long time, and even then, he avoided any contact with them for as long as he could, but if they were both as bad as Chu Ming, he could see why his uncle was scrambling to find anything to strengthen Xin''s position. In Chu Yun''s opinion he was better off holding out until one of the babies came of age. As unlikely as it was that they''d survive that long when Chu Ming and his brothers realised what their father''s intention was. --- Travelling with Prince Chu Ming was a constant test to Xiao Zai''s endurance. The journey was already much longer than it needed to be, due to his constant insistence to stop at every single minor inconvenience. He also ran his mouth a lot. Half of everything he said were disparaging remarks against Zui, which Xiao Zai did his best to ignore. Everything else was conceited bloviating and detailed accounts of his sexual escapades. His only source of relief were the brief moments in which his gaze met Chu Yun''s and he could read in it a desire to commit gruesome murder that perfectly matched his own. Xiao Zai enjoyed all displays of the strong connection they shared, even when they were violent. He and Chu Yun hadn''t talked much about what he was planning to do regarding the contract Chu Ming carried with himself, but there was no doubt in Xiao Zai''s mind that Chu Yun had no intention of going through with it. Sometimes Chu Ming would say something particularly annoying and Chu Yun would get this look on his face, a flash of gleeful carnage. A little smirk that promised, "just you wait and see." Chu Ming of course was too self-absorbed to notice any of this, but Xiao Zai always did, and it stole his breath away. He loved the reminders of Chu Yun''s ruthlessness, he loved knowing that he was a good person because he chose to, because he could just as easily have become a vicious person. A cruel person. It spoke volumes about his character that he had deliberately chosen to be good, and hadn''t just stumbled upon it as many people did -- out of religious piety, familial piety, a genuine lack of opportunity to be anything else. Chu Yun had decided to be a good person because he couldn''t conceive of causing harm to innocent people on purpose. Which made it all the more rewarding when he got that glint in his eyes, that said, "but some people deserve it." Xiao Zai couldn''t wait to see what he was going to do. --- They arrived in Zui almost three weeks after leaving it, even though it felt longer to Xiao Zai. The last leg of the journey took on an inordinate amount of time. Even if they had managed to speed up after the mercenaries made camp in a forest a few li outside of Haolin. Xiao Zai was extremely nervous that he had brought an external force into his own nation''s territory. If someone found out, there would be no way to evade the treason accusations. They had to act fast. Chu Yun thought so too, and managed to talk Chu Ming into going to see the King of Xin right away, despite his complaints that he wanted to eat and sleep first. They compromised on a bath, and then leaving. Hua Nanyi met them by their bedroom''s door, and said, "They''re here," in lieu of a greeting. Chu Yun exchanged a curt not with her, and told her to get changed into her best robes. When they walked into the room there was a parcel carefully wrapped in wax paper on top of the bed. Chu Yun untied the string and came face-to-face with the white tiger cloak Xiao Zai had commissioned for him. He pulled it out of the parcel and inspected it with a smile.. "I guess I know what I''ll be wearing." Chapter 166 - The Fox Corners The King Chu Yun wished he could have seen all these events unfold from the perspective of the King, and the few gathered officials who were present at his side. But he knew the chain of events went something like this: Xiao Yuan burst into whatever hall his father was in, looking very haggard, and talking disjointedly about treason, and conspiracy, and other such things that didn''t make much sense, but must have filled the King with glee, especially when he heard Xiao Zai''s name being mentioned in conjunction with them. The King didn''t waste time, he called an emergency court session -- all the ministers, judges, and officials were to come to the Crowning Moon royal palace at once. Treason was serious business, and it seemed history was about to repeat itself. No longer after the King and whatever officials were already at the palace, having moved into the the throne room to hear out Xiao Yuan and his nonsensical ravings, the First Princess Xiao Ziyi showed up as well. Unlike Xiao Yuan, she remembered what she was supposed to say, and her brain wasn''t addled by years of constant alcohol abuse. So, she managed to clarify what her brother had clumsily only half understood: Xiao Zai had uncovered a treasonous plot, and was coming towards the palace right away, to deliver proof. Chu Yun liked to imagine that Xiao Yuan''s hazy gaze had cleared up for just a second and that he''d smirked at his father in victory. The King wouldn''t have seen it, too busy being dismayed at the knowledge that he had gathered all of Zui''s governing body into one room to hear out Xiao Zai. While neither Chu Yun or Xiao Zai saw any of these events unfold, they did have the privilege of watching all eyes turn towards them as they entered through the double doors of the throne room, with a distinctively befuddled Chu Ming in tow. Chu Yun''s white tiger cloak trailed on the floor behind him, the soft winter fur brushed against his cheeks where the cloak tied around his shoulders. Beneath it he wore the most unassuming cream robes he owned. The cloak drew everyone''s eyes, the black stripes standing stark against the white fur. They came to a stop at the foot of the dais, and bowed deeply to the King of Zui, and then turned sideways to bow to the gathered ministers and officials as a whole. Chu Ming bowed only to the King of Zui, clearly uncomfortable but trying to hide it. He had no idea how much more uncomfortable things were about to get yet. The King glared down at Chu Yun and Xiao Zai and sat on his throne. "Well, we''re all gathered here now," at this he shot Xiao Yuan, standing stiffly to his right, a critical look, before going on, "we might as well hear what the Second Prince has to say." Xiao Zai took a single step forward, his expression unreadable. "I have found evidence of a treasonous plot that would see a great deal of Zui''s profits from the lucrative salt trade be divested towards Xin." After a moment of shocked silence, a chorus of voices immediately rose up, as some people discussed his words among themselves, while others asked him direct questions about it. "How is that possible? Does his Second Highness have proof?" asked a portly minister who had had him and Chu Yun over for dinner. "Who would have the authority to discuss such things in Zui''s name?" "Surely his Second Highness means that the raw material is being diverted from the mines into Xin?" asked a judge, who seemed to be looking for an alternative to outright treason. Chu Yun''s gaze remained fixed on the King the entire time, whose expression didn''t shift beyond the tension in his jaw. But Chu Yun could still feel the cold heat of his gaze, boring into him as if hoping he could cleave him in half with the power of his mind alone. At his side, Chu Ming looked completely confused by the proceedings, but he was far too intimidated by the novel situation he found himself in to say anything. Perhaps Chu Yun''s uncle should have entrusted him with going on more diplomatic missions on his own, perhaps then he wouldn''t feel so out of his depth in a foreign court. But his uncle''s oversight was Chu Yun''s foresight. Still, he had told Chu Ming that something very different would be taking place, and sooner or later he would start raising concerns, so he had to make that impossible for him, very, very soon. Just as Xiao Zai was turning towards him, Chu Yun wrapped one hand around Chu Ming''s shoulder and dragged him forward towards the foot of the dais. "The proof is right here," Chu Yun said, raising his voice so everyone could hear him. "My uncle and my cousin, came to my family''s estate while I and his Second Highness were visiting, and informed us of a most vicious plot. My uncle, as King of Xin, has his nation''s best interests in his heart, but not if it means the people of another should starve." A blatant lie, but it made Chu Ming relax -- after all, the things Chu Yun was saying painted him and his father in a positive light. One of the ministers, the Minister of Finance whose house Chu Yun and Xiao Zai had also dined at, addressed Chu Ming directly, her tone urgent. "Is this true? Have his his Majesty the King of Xin and his Highness contacted his Second Highness with information regarding a treasonous plot?" Chu Ming only wavered for a moment before nodding firmly. "Yes it is, royal father met with his Second Highness in private to discuss it." He didn''t elaborate, entirely out of his depth, just as Chu Yun had hoped. Still, as far as he knew things were still progressing somewhat along the vein Chu Yun had discussed with him, although he had also been told this meeting would happen under secrecy and among the ministers of Chu Yun''s and Xiao Zai''s confidence -- not in front of the entire assembled court. But Chu Ming''s arrogance was his biggest downfall -- what did he care about Zui internal politics as long as he got what he''d gone there for? More voices rose among the gathered ministers and officials, the hum of their whispers growing more urgent by the minute. Finally, the King couldn''t remain silent any longer. "I don''t suppose there is any more proof of these accusations beyond the word of his Grace''s cousin?" Being referred to as Chu Yun''s cousin made Chu Ming''s handsome features twist in disdain, which wast just what Chu Yun needed for what he wanted to do next. "Indeed there are," he extended one hand to Chu Ming, bowing his head politely, "If his Highness the First Prince of Xin wouldn''t mind?" Mollified at being addressed with the deference he thought he deserved, Chu Ming took out the folded contract from inside a travel bag and gave it to Chu Yun, who unfolded it unceremoniously in front of everyone. "Before I pass this document along for inspection, I want to ask his Highness the First Prince of Xin a question." All eyes turned to Chu Ming who clearly didn''t appreciate the position he now found himself in and wanted to get out of it as soon as possible. "This document was the result of a contract between the King of Zui and the King of Xin, isn''t that right?" Chu Ming nodded, shifting his weight from one foot to another. "In this contract his Majesty the King of Xin promises to offer his economic support, as well as manpower, to the King of Zui, in exchange of 15% of the salt trade revenue as well as a 15% discount on imports." He paused hearing the rumble of shocked gasps and disbelief. "Isn''t that right?" Chu Ming looked around in apprehension, swallowing drily. Effectively, yes, that was right, but he had finally caught on onto the path Chu Ming had been leading him on. At this point, disagreeing was no longer an option. The waterline was up to his nose already. He shot Chu Yun a single look filled with hatred, and bit out a reluctant, "Yes." Chu Yun passed the contract to Xiao Zai, who walked towards the ministers and handed it to one of them. Immediately they started to strain over each other''s shoulders to get a better look, in the end, most of them had done away with propriety and were nearly climbing over each other to get a good look. Their shocked gasps were like music to Chu Yun''s ears. "That''s the seal of the royal house of Xin, the King of Xin has definitely signed this document," a shocked judged said. "How can this be, how can this be?" bemoaned another. In the middle of it all, the King remained quiet, but after the rumbling had gone on for a time he rose up from his throne. "Is that document signed by me as well?" he asked, his tone carefree. Several ministers whispered "no", while others merely shook their heads in humility. The King of Zui inspected his manicured hands. "So, how can anyone say I was involved in it? Maybe this is a vile conspiracy orchestrated by Xin to weaken us." His words were perfectly reasonable, but that wasn''t the only weapon in Chu Yun''s arsenal -- he''d come prepared for war. "Because this isn''t his Majesty''s first act of treason." Chapter 167 - The Fox And The Wolf Tighten Their Net Xiao Zai felt like he''d been waiting his whole life for this moment. The irate look on his father''s face was the sweetest sight. The King got up from the throne and pointed an accusing finger at Chu Yun. "How dare you? Guards, arrest him at once." The guards stationed inside the throne room faltered for only a moment, after all, this was a sort of official hearing, was it not? But their indecision didn''t last long before they were moving towards Chu Yun with their weapons at the ready. Chu Yun barely moved, standing still in the middle of the room. A wizened voice sounded from behind the throne. "Don''t. I want to hear what he has to say." The King whipped around with a start, looking at the Queen Dowager, now sitting at her usual seat behind the beaded curtain. A servant served the queen a cup of tea from which she took a dainty sip. "Her Royal Highness can''t expect this court to hear this charlatan''s vile slander?" The King''s tone sounded pleading, almost mellow, as it always did when he addressed the Queen Dowager. The Queen took another calm sip of her tea. "Why not? If baseless slander is all he has to say, then let him speak." She leaned towards the curtain hiding her from view. "Maybe it will be entertaining for us all." With an annoyed grunt the King sat back down on the throne, sweeping his large golden sleeves over the armrests. The guards stood down. Chu Yun had mentioned to him that his father''s only weakness was the Queen Mother. That hers was the only approval he had ever wanted, but had been denied all his life. Maybe if his father hadn''t been so unspeakably cruel, Xiao Zai would find it in himself to pity him. As it stood, he couldn''t wait to see him fall. The King waved reluctantly for Chu Yun to go on. Chu Yun addressed the gathered ministers. "As your excellencies all know, the late Prince Xiao Yao was accused of treason, and sentenced to death for that crime." He paused only briefly to let his words sink in before saying, "We''ve found in the late Prince''s estate correspondence that he received where it''s clear that he knew he was about to be framed for something, and began making arrangements." He took a stack of yellowed, water-damaged letters from the inside of his pockets and handed it to Xiao Zai who passed it along towards the nearest minister. The most important letter of all they wouldn''t find among the stack. "We didn''t find specific information about how exactly he was incriminated--" The King let out a snort. "Which is the same as saying you have nothing." He relaxed visibly into his throne, balancing his bent elbow on the armrest, and his cheek on his closed fist. Xiao Zai met his superior smirk with one of his own. --- On the one hand, Chu Yun wished they''d had the time to find the definite proof they needed to incriminate the King of forging Xiao Yao''s treason attempt -- however, they only needed to plant doubt in the ministers and official''s minds. The contract, and Chu Ming''s quiet presence, were incriminating enough, but the letters proved that the King had been suspected of treason, years before Chu Yun and Xiao Zai could even dream of wrongfully framing him. Most of them detailed several occurrences where the senders, who used pseudonyms or signed off anonymously, detailed they had heard or seen the Xiao An''s plans to get rid of his brother. Even the most septic among them had to ask themselves why the late Prince had been warned his life was in danger by so many people, and gave every sign of preparing himself for the worst. Who would forge that kind of correspondence? Which would only be relevant decades after the fact -- too late to save Xiao Yao''s life? But Chu Yun wanted all doubt erased from their minds. He turned to Xiao Yuan. "His royal highness has suffered recent setbacks, isn''t that so?" Xiao Yuan nodded, with unusual dignity. "My life has been riddled with tragedies, as of late." "Could his Royal Highness ask for Concubine Peng to join us here?" Chu Yun said, pacing with his hands folded behind his back. "The issue of her miscarriage, and the late Princess Consort''s death hasn''t been fully resolved." Xiao Yuan nodded and whispered a few words into the ear of the servant standing next to him, who left the hall at once. The King raised one hand towards Chu Yun with a mocking laugh. "How are we letting this fox, a foreigner, a stranger, give orders in the seat of the Zui rulers? In this hallowed hall?" Several ministers exchanged looks among themselves, agreeing with the King''s sentiment. This was somewhat vexing for them, even if they needed to get to the bottom of the issue. "He''s speaking in the condition of my husband," Xiao Zai said, meeting his father''s cold eyes. "He is too a member of the royal house of Zui, and has been so from the moment we got married. In this same palace." The King was gearing up for more arguing, but the Queen Dowager cleared her throat, interrupting him. "I''m curious to hear what young Concubine Peng has to say. I suggest we wait for her." Chu Yun bowed in deference to the Queen Dowager''s wisdom. Fuming, the King slammed his fist down on the armrest of the throne. Chu Yun had expected him to put up more of a fight, but he was easily cowed by the Queen Dowager''s words. Perhaps there was more there than a desire to please her. He had to know he was fighting for the throne, for his life, even. An uncomfortable silence descended over the hall as everyone waited for Concubine Peng''s arrival. At last, the hall''s doors flew open again, and Peng Rui walked in, escorted by a servant. She was just as richly dressed as Chu Yun remembered, but her skin looked thinner, sallow somehow. Her dimmed gaze lit up the moment it fell on the King in his throne. She sprinted towards the dais and threw herself at the bottom of the stairs. "Peng Rui asks his Majesty for mercy, this villain and the Second Prince are trying to frame her for the murder of the Princess Consort," she turned her tear-streaked face up towards the King. "Peng Rui would never do that, Peng Rui would never do something outside of his Majesty''s orders." Chu Yun coughed into his fist to hide his smile. Chapter 168 - The Wolf Savours The Moment Xiao Zai addressed Peng Rui first. "And what were his Majesty''s orders?" She whipped her long neck towards him, "His Majesty asked Pen--," she cut herself off abruptly the moment her teary eyes focused on Xiao Zai and she realised what a blunder she''d made. She sucked her lips into her mouth, biting down on them, as if she was trying to take back her words along with them. The King glared down at her in abject fury, his expression twisted into a mask of rage so powerful, he scarcely looked like a person. Peng Rui crawled across the polished wooden floor, resting her hands on the bottom step of the dais. She looked up at the King in supplication, and begged, "Your Majesty, please, Peng Rui swears she didn''t kill her. It must have been someone else." "Silence!" The King bellowed, slamming his fist down on the throne''s armrest with a crack, his voice booming through the hall like thunder. "Foul woman! You dare come before me and implicate me in your crimes?" Peng Rui shook her head furiously, tears streaming freely down her face. Xiao Zai looked at Xiao Yuan. "Can his Royal Highness clarify what''s happening here?" Xiao Yuan straightened his shoulders. "Shortly after the Princess'' Consort''s death, another servant fell ill, in what looked like an unusual string of bad luck on my household. I asked the Second Prince for help in finding an adequate physician." He paused and looked down at Peng Rui still prostrated pathetically on the floor. "In that time we uncovered that Concubine Peng terminated her own pregnancy to frame the Second Prince." He paused and turned to the King, whose eyes were almost bulging out in disbelief. "She did it under his Majesty''s orders." The look of betrayal on the King''s face was almost comical. Xiao Zai wanted to ask him what did he expect. He''d spent the past two decades twisting Xiao Yuan into a mockery of a man, robbing him of all dignity, humiliating him at every turn, in the hope of driving out any figment of initiative and leaving behind only a puppet he could manipulate from the sidelines -- in the event of his growing unpopularity making it impossible for him to remain on the throne without suffering a coup. But his father had forgotten that even a starving dog would one day grow desperate enough to bite at the foot that kicked it down. No creature was so wretched that it didn''t revolt at its own abuse. Xiao Zai wasn''t sure if he could ever forgive Xiao Yuan. Gu Wei had hinted to him that maybe he should, but Xiao Zai couldn''t even entertain the idea. But perhaps this could mark a sort of understanding between them. Despite everything, Xiao Zai was willing to acknowledge that Xiao Yuan had been as much a victim of his father as himself. The only person who had never suffered the same humiliations they did, looked down at the scene unravelling in front of her eyes with great consternation. Xiao Ziyi had a thin face, she probably longed to be back in the army barracks, away from the filth and ugliness of the court. But that simple, straightforward existence had been denied Xiao Zai. He knew the only way he got to live a peaceful life was with the King gone. But the King wouldn''t admit defeat so easily. He glared at Xiao Yuan, and at the Concubine hugging the first step of the dais. "I had nothing to do with that, anything this woman did she must have done of her own volition." He nodded towards one of the guards. "Take her away to the palace''s holding cells for further questioning." Peng Rui started screaming the moment the guards held her up, struggling to free herself of their hold with no success. She shot a few pleading looks at the King who looked resolutely away. "I only did what his Majesty asked! I''m not guilty, I''m not guilty." Her pleas echoed through the quiet hall as she was dragged away unceremoniously. As soon as the hall''s doors closed behind her, the King addressed Xiao Zai with a scowl. "Are we done with this farce now?" He was trying to preserve his dignity by acting unaffected by what was going on but it was obvious that wasn''t enough. Everyone around him looked more and more uneasy, the ministers had the glum expressions of people who had always known it was only a matter of time until something like this happened. But some officials and judicial clerks looked genuinely horrified. And they hadn''t even heard the biggest revelation yet. --- Chu Yun took a good look around the room, wondering if they had done enough to have the King deposed. It certainly looked like it. But it was prudent to ensure the stakes were really hammered down. He was thinking about how to bring up the unrest in the border towns, when he heard the sound of beads clinking. He looked behind the throne to the Queen Dowager''s seat, just as she slid a knotted hand through the threads and pushed them to the side. The Queen Dowager never showed her face in court, and remained hidden behind the beaded curtain at all times. Both because common people like ministers and officials weren''t worthy of seeing her face, but also because of her enduring mourning for her late husband the King. A deafening silence fell as the Queen Dowager got up from her brocade sofa and walked with great dignity towards the front of the dais, placing her hand over the back of the throne. "This old widow has wronged the people of Zui for a long time," she said, her voice raspy but sure, and her eyes as clear and alert as if she were still a young girl, "but I beg you please understand, that a mother''s heart is a tender thing, always inclined to see the best in her children." Chapter 169 - The Fox Sees The Light Go Out In The Kings Eyes Chu Yun''s heart hammered wildly inside his chest. What was the Queen Dowager going to say? She was even more unpredictable than her son. Chu Yun never knew where he stood with her, whether she was an ally or a foe. She never made her allegiances explicit. For the first time since he had walked into the throne room Chu Yun felt trepidation. But all he could do was wait. He pulled the tiger fur cloak tighter around his throat and looked up at the Queen in tense anticipation. At his side, Xiao Zai took a step closer to him, wanting to present an united front. The Queen Dowager was in no hurry to explain herself. Her lined face looked remorseful, but not sad. The only person who seemed more apprehensive than Chu Yun was the King, whose fingers tightened on the smooth end of the throne''s armrests until his knuckles turned white. "Mother-," he whispered, not looking around to face her. The Queen Dowager ignored him. "A mother always thinks the best of her children. And sometimes can even convince herself that her eyes deceive her." She sighed deeply, shaking her head. "However, in light of today''s tragic revelations, I can no longer remain wilfully ignorant. I have to admit to myself, and to all of you, what I saw, more than four decades ago, on the day the late King''s soul left for the underworld." Her words fell on the room like a hammer, rending everyone mute. Xiao Zai exchanged a wide-eyed look with Chu Yun. But Chu Yun quickly shifted his eyes back towards the dais and the Queen Dowager, who despite her slim stature and advanced age, commanded everyone''s attention. The King looked so pale it seemed he had seen the ghost of his aforementioned late father. It was the look on his face that made Chu Yun finally relax his shoulders. The King knew exactly what the Queen Mother was talking about, and it scared him to death. One of the ministers could no longer hold back his excitement and blurted out, "What did her Royal Highness witness?" The Queen Dowager raised a trembling hand to her chest and sighed deeply. "Something I''ve spent my entire life trying to forget." Chu Yun had to give it to her, for a woman with such an imposing aura, and an indomitable steel resolve, she played the frail old lady very convincingly. "Mother, please," the King whispered, turning around in the throne to try and touch his mother''s hand. But she pulled her fingers away from him as if scalded, holding the hand he''d touched to her chest as if cradling an injury. Ignoring him, she continued to spin her tale. "As everyone surely remembers, our late King suffered a sudden illness and was bedridden for weeks, before his untimely death." Everyone who was old enough to remember nodded gravely. The King looked desperate. Chu Yun only realised he was holding his breath when it left him all at once. "On the night of his death, I was keeping vigil, and praying for his quick return like all the days before. I must have fallen asleep..." Her lips trembled and she looked away to the side, ashamed of revealing the depth of her emotions in front of these people. A quick look at their audience told Chu Yun her performance was very convincing. "I woke up with a start, and found my-- my son, bent over his father, with a small brocade pillow in his hands." The collective gasp of shocked disbelief was like a downpour hitting a tiled roof all at once, making the entire building shake with the vibrations. The King shot up from the throne and faced his mother with a look of total betrayal. "That''s not how it happened, royal mother knows that!" Much like the unwise Peng Rui, the King was letting his emotions get the best of him, and incriminating himself in the process. He tried to reach for his mother who turned away from him with a watery sob, unable to stand the sight of him. Had it been happening to any other person, Chu Yun would feel terrible for the cold dismissal. "Stop, just stop," she said with a sigh, still not looking at him. "On that day you told me you were just trying to make your father more comfortable on the bed, but when I got up to kiss his forehead he was still as stone!" Her tone was accusing, filled with recrimination. "All these years, I''ve told myself I was mistaken, that it was merely a coincidence, and my dear son was really just taking care of his ailing father. But I can''t continue being blind, not after what happened today." The glint in the Queen Dowager''s eyes told Chu Yun she''d been waiting for this day all her life. The King must have been little more than a boy then, and she had been planning his downfall even then. "I did it for you! Mother asked me to kill him!" the King advanced towards his mother with reaching hands even as she kept backing away from him. "I did it for mother!" The Queen Dowager shook her head firmly. "You are sick, and I''ve been remiss in my duties as both a mother and Queen Dowager." At this point the ministers and officers were all talking over each other, no better than clucking hens as they shouted for the King''s immediate arrest, and bemoaned the terrible crime he had committed. For a son to kill his father was an unforgivable sin. The King didn''t seem to care for any of it. He had been shattered at his mother''s betrayal. There was nothing behind his eyes except a glassy emptiness. Chu Yun still had the assassination contract from Harmonious Resonance -- how he got hold of it would raise a lot of uncomfortable questions, after the dust settled down, but now he was sure he wouldn''t need to use it. The King was no more.. Now he was just Xiao An, reduced once more to a little boy reaching for his mother''s skirts, who turned her back on him for the last time. Chapter 170 - The Fox Makes An Announcement As Xiao Zai watched his father drop to his knees behind the throne, the only thought running through his mind was that he wished his dam was there. He looked around the hall, but he couldn''t see Gu Wei anywhere. He must have heard about what was happening. Wouldn''t he want to watch? A childish part of Xiao Zai wanted to run out and find him, bring him by the hand and point towards the shell that once held their tormentor and say: "Look, papa, he bleeds too." He supposed that part of him would be gone soon too. He didn''t have any interest in revisiting the traumas of his childhood after this. He would bury the child he had been with his father, and look forward for the life he was about to build -- for the sake of his own unborn child. The King continued to kneel pathetically on the dais, looking up at the Queen Dowager''s back in empty disbelief. There was no doubt in Xiao Zai''s mind that the King had killed his own father, but he also believed him when he said he had done so at the Queen Dowager''s behest. He must have been desperate for her approval, willing to do anything to please her. Now he had finally succeeded. The Queen Dowager sobbed tearfully into a handkerchief she pulled from her sleeve as the ministers and officials talked all over each other, unsure of how to proceed. An unsuspecting voice rose among the commotion, "Guards, take his Majesty to the palace''s holding cells," Xiao Yuan said, straightening his back. "As Crown Prince I''m stepping in to fulfil my duties, this is my first order as King." The guards did as they were told. Four of them pulled the King to his feet, who offered no resistance, and let himself be dragged out of the throne room. The Minister of Rites stood from his chair. "We can''t let the news of this shameful even spread, his Royal Highness'' coronation ceremony should happen as soon as possible!" Xiao Zai''s and Xiao Yuan''s eyes met. They had a gentleman''s agreement. Chu Yun was confident it would earn them Xiao Yuan''s loyalty, but in that split-second in the noise throne room, Xiao Zai wasn''t so sure. Something passed across Xiao Yuan''s eyes, maybe a flash of what his life would be like, if he was king, but it lasted only for a moment before he shook his head and cleared it away. "No," he said, looking straight ahead at the Minister of Rites. "I''m going to abdicate." His words were met with an enormous outcry. Some of the audience lifted their hands to the sky in supplication. Chu Yun''s cousin looked like a single leaf adrift in a coursing river. Chu Yun himself examined his nails with an unhurried look. Xiao Zai relaxed. "Who will be King then?" The Minister of Agriculture asked, shaking with rage. "What will happen to Zui if his Royal Highness abdicates!" Xiao Yuan let the ministers air out their grievances for a moment before interrupting them. "My brother, Xiao Zilang, is more fit to be King than I ever will be. I was aware of our fathers many failings as a King, and of the dangers he posed to Zui and her people, it was only Zilang who took action to stop him and uncover the extent of his corruption." As he spoke, straight-backed and sober, a far cry from his previous drunken displays Xiao Zai saw the King he could have been. If things had been different, if their father hadn''t poisoned Xiao Yaun from an early age, and then poisoned both of them against each other, maybe Xiao Zai would have been happy under his brother''s rule. But that would never come to pass. Xiao Zai extended a hand to Chu Yun, who took it with a single nod. The two of them ascended the steps of the dais together, and bowed to Xiao Yuan, and then to a still sniffling Queen Dowager. "His Royal Highness'' words humble me," Xiao Zai said, and meant it, because he knew how much of the credit was owed to Chu Yun. None of this would have been possible without him, who stood quietly at Xiao Zai''s side. He looked magnificent in his white tiger cloak. It took everything in Xiao Zai not to turn to him and voice the gratitude inside his chest like a thousand fluttering butterfly wings Of course that despite Xiao Yuan''s words there were still discordant voices. "His Highness the Second Prince is married to an alpha, such an union is unseemly," a lower officer said, looking at his colleagues for approval. "The marriage would have to be dissolved." Another one joined in on his protests. "Yes, and moreover, if his Highness'' becomes King, the alpha children of his First Spouse will be the legitimate heirs to the throne. That won''t be possible as long as his First Spouse is another alpha." Xiao Zai let the complaints die down before declaring, in no uncertain terms, "There will be no divorce or annulment, his Grace, Chu Miaoyan will be King Consort." More dissenting voices rose, but this time it was Chu Yun who silenced them. "Regarding the matter of legitimate heirs your excellencies needn''t worry." He paused, and untied his cloak, letting it drop from his shoulders to the floor. In a deliberate gesture, Chu Yun cupped his stomach, making his robes go tight against his abdomen, showcasing its slight, round distension. They had been so busy in the past weeks, and exhausted by the constant travel, that Xiao Zai had scarcely had the opportunity to take a good look at Chu Yun and notice the ways in which his body had changed. The sight left him breathless, that was their child inside Chu Yun. Sometimes he still couldn''t believe it. Uncaring of how everything had gone silent around him, Chu Yun smiled and looked out at the court.. "By the grace of the Heavens'' I''m carrying his Highness'' child." Chapter 171 - The Fox Hears The Queen Mothers Tale Chu Yun was already expecting the uproar the revelation of his pregnancy would generate, but he had no patience to withstand the volley of questions from the assembled ministers. In his opinion this had gone on for long enough, there was nothing to gain by entertaining more questions. Besides, Xiao Ziyi looked faintly green, as if she couldn''t tolerate another alarming revelation without expiring on the spot. She would probably demand the refurbishment of Haolin''s garrison in compensation. But inspired by her sickly complexion, Chu Yun got an idea about just how he could put a definite end to the caterwauling going on among the ministers. He exchanged a meaningful wink with Xiao Zai and let out a trembling gasp, before falling into his arms, apparently unconscious. Someone shouted, "His Grace! His Grace has fainted," and after that Chu Yun had to try really hard not to move while several people fretted over him. Even Chu Ming climbed up the dais awkwardly, unsure if the Zui court would think less of him for not showing concern over his cousin''s health. Xiao Zai picked Chu Yun up under the knees, stepping outside the circle of onlookers. "Bring him into my quarters, we''ll call a physician at once," the Queen Dowager said, all traces of sadness gone from her gravelly voice. "All the emotional turmoil was too much for him. " Xiao Zai followed her advice anyway, while Chu Yun laid in his arms perfectly still, struggling not to let his lips quirk up in amusement. Xiao Zai waited for them to be far enough away from the throne room, in the palace''s empty hallways to say. "You couldn''t resist, could you?" Chu Yun opened a single eye and smiled at him. "Let them think they caused the death of their kingdom''s unborn heir for a while, and maybe next time they''ll only speak if they have something useful to say." --- Chu Yun was feeling fine, but he still took the opportunity to stretch his legs on the Queen Dowager''s comfortable sofa, resting in the same room he had convalesced not too long ago. It was almost unbelievable to think of how much things had changed in such a short span of time. He was so tired from the arduous journey to Xin and back, but somehow he was inundated with an incredible sense of peace. They had done it. The two of them. He couldn''t stop exchanging lingering looks with Xiao Zai, silent acknowledgements of what they had accomplished even as people came and left the room. Xiao Ziyi was the first to walk in, together with Hua Nanyi. "Is it true?" Hua Nanyi asked, her voice trembling slightly, her eyes drifting towards Chu Yun''s stomach. Chu Yun chuckled and patted the slight roundness of his abdomen. "Believe me, no one was more shocked than me." She blinked twice. "You seem fine." "Well, I''ve had more time to get used to the idea." Xiao Ziyi was still trying to wrap her mind around it. "But how...how is it possible?" Chu Yun let out a sigh and rubbed his temples. "Ah, that''s a matter of much theological debate." Xiao Zai''s laugh startled Xiao Ziyi who looked between the two of them in utter confusion. Of course she wouldn''t understand the duality of Chu Yun''s cursed-blessed pregnancy. It was better to change subjects before she had a nervous breakdown from being forced to interact with people who weren''t soldiers for such an extended period of time. "By the way, there are about 300 mercenaries stationed just a few li outside of Haolin." His words had the effect of wiping away Xiao Ziyi''s look of extreme discomfort, but unfortunately replaced it with disbelief. "What? How come? You didn''t mention that in your letter." Chu Yun nodded. "I did that on purpose." She struggled for something to say, before giving up and just sighing deeply. "I''ll handle it." "You''ll need to take my cousin Chu Ming with you." That didn''t cheer her up in any way, so Chu Yun added, "Take Hua Nanyi with you. The two of you will have fun antagonising him together." Despite her best efforts to remain serious, Chu Yun could tell that she was at least a little pleased by that. Hua Nanyi said nothing, her shoulders squared and hands clasped tightly behind her back, but the fact that she was putting so much effort into looking serious and respectable spoke a great deal. After the two of them left, the Queen Dowager came in, looking tired but spirited. She shot Xiao Zai a look. "What are you doing here? Go back to that hall and reassure your courtiers that your husband is well and so is the child. You''ve made some bold statements, now you need to go out there and stand by them." "Her Royal Highness is right," Chu Yun said, lifting his hand to brush his fingers against Xiao Zai''s. "You should go." Xiao Zai took Chu Yun''s hand and bent at the waist to drop a soft kiss on his lips. As soon as he left the Queen Dowager pulled up a chair and sat in the sofa in front of Chu Yun -- just as she had not so long ago, when Chu Yun had no idea how things would turn out for them, but apparently the old Queen Dowager did. "Have you been planning this since the beginning?" Chu Yun asked her, supporting his cheek on the elbow he had thrown over the sofa''s gilded armrest. She smiled indulgently at him. "Since I had Xiao An kill his father, you mean?" Chu Yun nodded. "No, at the time I wanted the old bastard to see his own firsborn kill him before he breathed his last." She chuckled, as if the memory was one she liked revisiting. "But I also thought it would benefit me to have that to hold over Xiao An''s head. And it did. I was regent until he was old enough to take the throne." "You must have earned the court''s respect in that time." It made sense for Chu Yun that the Queen Dowager would have done her best to seem concerned with the nation and ensuring a smooth transition when her son took the mantle himself. Especially if she took to the sidelines afterwards -- the caring mother, the grieving widow. Even if Xiao An screamed to the high heavens that he did it for her, no one would believe him. And so, she was above any suspicion, bidding her time until the perfect opportunity to get rid of him came along. Chu Yun had offered it up to her on a platter. "I suppose you''re wondering why I did it." Chu Yun chuckled. "I remember you telling me about how despicable father and son both were." She nodded with a faint smile. "I remember using stronger language than that, but yes, in short, that was why." "What did the late King do?" He didn''t bother asking her about Xiao An''s crimes because he was well aware what they were. "I suppose the worst thing he ever did was marry me." She twisted her knotted hands on her bent knees, the knuckles stood out dramatically against her pale skin. "I had been promised to him since I was a child, but I never wanted to marry him. The few short times we met, his mere presence annoyed me, everything he said seemed grating and boorish to me." Chu Yun smiled. "Her Royal Highness must have been a very determined woman since a young age." "I was, but that''s not a good thing for an omega to be, and I suffered under the disciplining rod plenty for that." The curl of her lips made Chu Yun sure she didn''t regret it even a little, and most likely, if she had some scars from that time, she wore them with pride. "One day, I couldn''t take the stifling environment of my parent''s estate any longer, and ran away. During my time away I fell in love." Chu Yun would never describe the Queen Dowager as a fanciful woman, but as she talked about falling in love it was as if she was momentarily transported to her own girlhood, even her sunken cheeks seemed to gain a little colour. "I suppose her Royal Highness'' parents soon found out," Chu Yun said, imagining all kinds of recriminations and even more brutal uses of the disciplining rod. The Queen chuckled. "No, not right away, we wouldn''t have been found for some time. We knew we had to run and hide ourselves, hide who we were. The man I fell in love with was a commoner, which was bad enough, but worst of all, he was an omega like me." Chu Yun sucked in a breath, that would surely make things worse. "Where is he now?" he asked, unable to stop himself. "Dead," the Queen Mother said, hardened to it by the passage of time.. "And so is everyone who had anything to do with it." Chapter 172 - The Fox Hears A Tragedy The Queen must have seen the look of abject terror in Chu Yun''s face, because she reached towards him and patted the back of his hand, as if trying to reassure him. She thought of something that made her chuckle. "That''s not true actually, in many ways Xiao An is responsible for his death too, and he''s still alive." She shrugged. "I suppose he won''t be for much longer, though." Chu Yun swallowed drily. He was aware he might regret it soon, but he couldn''t stop himself from asking, "May I ask what happened?" She made a humming sound and looked towards the window behind Chu Yun. Night had fallen outside the room, and she probably couldn''t see anything, but she still gazed out into the dark. Maybe she found some comfort in it. The thought sent a chill down Chu Yun''s spine. "We managed to hide away in a small village for some time. The villagers knew we were both omegas, but they didn''t care, common people can be very straightforward, as strange as they can find others, at the end of the day their lives are too busy, and sometimes too hard, for them to worry too much about anyone else''s." She paused, twisting her knotted fingers. "We were left alone." "In this case the problem wasn''t so much that you were both omegas, but that her Royal Highness was betrothed to the late King." Chu Yun couldn''t imagine how the court, and Haolin, might have reacted if they found out. The Queen Dowager scoffed. "He couldn''t tolerate the humiliation. Imagine the omega he was betrothed to since birth preferring another omega over a virile alpha like him?" Her thin lips curled in distaste, revealing her yellowed teeth. "It drove him insane, he was determined to find me and drag me back at all costs." "How long did the two of you manage to stay hidden?" "Three years." She paused, as if contemplating the number. "The shortest and most blissful of my life." Chu Yun didn''t know what to say. That seemed to him like such a small number. He couldn''t imagine only having that time with...with Xiao Zai. "We were always looking over our shoulders, but we were happy. Tang Fan was not only beautiful, so beautiful he looked like a painting, but he was also caring, loving, and incredibly funny too. No one has ever made me laugh as much as him." She smiled faintly as she recalled this, the deep folds at the corners of her eyes deepening. "We wanted to have children, even though it''s almost impossible between omegas. Still, we tried." In Chu Yun''s opinion it wasn''t only the chance of having a child that moved them. "And you thought that if you got pregnant the King would no longer want you." She gave him little nod, but not because she was ashamed of admitting it. "We were...naive. At that point it had become a matter of pride for him. He wouldn''t stop until he found me." "But I did manage to get pregnant." Chu Yun''s eyes widened. "Then...the child?" As much as he wanted to believe that somehow it had survived, nothing about the Queen Dowager''s demeanour gave him that impression. She flattened her lips into a thin line, and ignored his question. "As I was saying, I did get pregnant, and we couldn''t have been happier, Tang Fan said it was a miracle. Proof that we had the heaven''s blessing." Her expression grew darker. "But not two months into my pregnancy, we were found out." "We fought as hard as we could, but not hard enough," she said with a self-deprecating half-smile. "I was brought back to the palace, where that dog insisted that I marry him anyway. Of course, first he locked me in a room, and made servants hold me still as he personally fed me abortive tea for days." Chu Yun didn''t know what to say, other than, "I''m sorry." The Queen Dowager startled at the sound of his voice. She had been so focused on telling her story that she''d forgotten who she was even telling it to. Chu Yun didn''t take it personally. "Anyway, he wasn''t going to marry a woman pregnant with someone else''s child. At that point I was sick, from the tea, with worry for Tang Fan, I said I''d do everything he wanted, as long as he told me where he was, what had happened to him." She went very still, all expression disappearing from her face. "For as long as I live I''ll never forget his words." Her voice dropped a register, becoming even deeper. "He said: "I want an alpha heir from you, which is all you''re good for. Well, one of two things. Your lover I gave to my men to do as they pleased with." A powerful wave of disgust came over Chu Yun so that he had to close his eyes against the vertigo it caused. The Queen Dowager looked like a shell of a person as she recounted these events. "Later I found out that he survived for four days and four nights, before finally being granted the release of death." Her paper-thin eyelids trembled with grief. "You see, I had to get revenge for him so that his soul could finally rest. So we can see each other again in the next life." Chu Yun remained in silence, too stunned by what he''d heard to say anything of substance. The Queen Dowager got up from the chair with a shuddering breath, and reached for her walking stick. She pointed at Chu Yun''s abdomen with it. "My miracle child never had a chance. It had to die so that Xiao An could be born." Just saying it made her furious, her thin chin trembled with rage. She blamed Xiao An as much as his father for the tragedy of her life. Her rheumy eyes met Chu Yun''s clear gaze.. "Take good care of yours," she said and then left her own room, leaving Chu Yun alone with his thoughts. Chapter 173 - The Wolf Will Be A Great King Xiao Zai was swarmed the moment he returned to the throne room. The volume of the arguments going on inside could be heard from behind the closed doors, but it couldn''t compare to the cacophony once he stepped inside. He spent ages answering the same questions. Yes his Grace was fine and so was the child. There really was a child inside him and not just a hearty meal. Several people knew about the pregnancy including the Queen Dowager, his dam, and his Grace''s parents, who had even sent out word of their desire to host the child''s 100 day ceremony -- Xiao Zai had their letter right there. That particular point silenced a lot of the discordant voices, who seemed to resign themselves to the fact that this was really happening. But the question on the tip of everyone''s tongue was: how was it possible? Xiao Zai answered honestly: he didn''t know, but personally he had no interest in questioning his good fortune for fear that the Heavens would find him ungrateful. His reluctance to say anything else on the subject silenced the contingent that was still in the mood to argue some more. Finally, the Minister of Works, he of the many concubines and several godchildren, finally voiced the one question that had worried him, and all the ministers like him: "and, uh, will, I suppose, soon to be, his Majesty make any changes to the cabinet, and administrative posts?" Finally he was addressing the biggest concern of those interested in keeping everything exactly the same as it had always been. "Naturally, civil servant exams will take place as usual, and candidates will be promoted into ministry positions according to their results," he smiled at the fidgeting Minister of Works. "I expect any replacements and changes to happen on the basis of merit, and follow the appropriate procedures." In theory that''s how it always should have been. In practice, unscrupulous ministers got rid of any promising individuals who joined their ministry for fear of being overshadowed and eventually replaced. Xiao Zai had plans to address the corruption going on at all levels inside the court, but no intention in admitting to it just yet. The Minister of Works could only wring his hands some more and smile weakly. "Of course, of course, his...Majesty knows best." But there was a change Xiao Zai wanted to make immediately. "However, there is something I plan to address right away. I''d like to establish the post of Great Chancellor, which will be a royal adviser of the highest rank, who will also oversee matters regarding civil service." Xiao Zai turned towards Xiao Yuan, who had disappeared towards the back of the room, making himself almost invisible -- a far cry from the man who had faced down their father and renounced the throne in dramatic fashion. "And I''d like my brother, Xiao Wuyuan, to be Great Chancellor." The room fell into an uneasy silence, as if collectively holding their breaths. Xiao Zai knew some of them must be questioning whether Xiao Yuan''s abdication had been entirely voluntary or if Xiao Zai had forced his hand. The truth lay somewhere in the middle, but Xiao Zai didn''t want to repeat the mistakes of the previous generations. He didn''t want his brother, or his brother''s future children to feel like they had anything to fear from him. He felt the same way about all his young siblings, whose lives were about to suffer a great upheaval. He was determined to let go of the past and to lead Zui into a road of common prosperity for all -- and he had to start with his own family. "It would be my honour," Xiao Yuan said, after a prolonged silence, bowing deeply to Xiao Zai, all the way across the the room. --- Xiao Zai dismissed everyone from the throne room. The court would be suspended until his coronation, and the Queen Dowager would be regent in the interim. The First Prince stayed back as the crowd exited the throne room, he was probably still in disbelief. "Why? Why are you doing this? You''re already going to be King," Xiao Yuan said, without meeting Xiao Zai''s eyes. Part of him must be feeling weak or diminished for not managing to hold on to the title of Crown Prince -- regardless of how unsuited he was for the role. "I think you''ll be good at it," Xiao Zai said, although that was only a guess. "Father kept both of us under his thumb, and it hurt us both in different ways. You are part of the royal family of Zui, and you should serve its people." They didn''t need to be friends for Xiao Zai to give his brother a chance to rescue his life from the pit their father had pushed it into. Speaking of which, "If you want, you can marry Fan Jiang." Xiao Yuan looked up into Xiao Zai''s eyes visibly startled, his mouth fell open in shock but no sound came out "I''ll give him a noble title, and you''ll be able to marry him." "Thank you," Xiao Yuan said, lowering his head to hide his red eyes. Xiao Zai knew that gratitude could almost feel shameful at times, so he patted Xiao Yuan''s shoulder and told him to go back home. He was about to leave too when he heard a voice coming from behind him. "You''re going to be a great King." Gu Wei stood leaning against a pillar, supporting one elbow in his palm as he looked on at Xiao Zai with a gentle smile. "Where were you?" Xiao Zai asked, stepping closer to his dam. "I thought you wouldn''t want to miss this." Gu Wei gave him one of his enigmatic smiles. "I wanted to celebrate in my own way, or perhaps enjoy my last day on earth, if things didn''t go according to plan." He reached forward to tuck a stray strand of hair behind Xiao Zai''s ear. "It was a good thing, what you did for Xiao Yuan." Xiao Zai let out a relieved breath. He hadn''t known how his dam would react when he came up with the idea. "There''s someone I want you to meet," Gu Wei said, "It''s time, now that it''s finally safe." Chapter 174 - The Wolf Meets Someone He Already Knew Xiao Zai didn''t know what Gu Wei meant, but he still followed him out of the throne room. They started threading familiar paths towards Gu Wei''s private quarters in the royal palace, the same suit of rooms and small courtyard in which Xiao Zai had grown up. Walking these hallways as a King, or nearly one, gave him an intense sense of vertigo. It felt unreal that he''d revisit the place he''d spent so many years living in fear after deposing his father. He''d waited so long for this moment that now it had come he could only feel a deep sense of unreality. That feeling multiplied when his dam opened the doors to the reception room in his quarters, to reveal a guard Xiao Zai had seen many times before, sitting at the table wearing casual robes that Xiao Zai recognised as belonging to Gu Wei. The man put down the teacup and got up to his feet. He bowed deeply to Xiao Zai with his arms circled in front of his chest, and then dropped to his knees in deep prostration. "I apologise for all these years of deception," he said, eyes fixed on the floor. "This lowly one has shared a bed with Concubine Gu for years, and yet wasn''t able to protect him from the indignities he suffered. This one deserves death." Gu Wei let out an extremely long-suffering sigh, and rubbed his temples. "Why did you have to say all that in the most embarrassing way possible?" He bumped the man''s side with his foot. "Get up, think about my thin face. I''m too old for this." The guard did get up to his feet, not looking at all remorseful for what he''d said. "My name is Jin Luan." Gu Wei gestured towards him, still shielding his eyes in embarrassment with his other hand. "He is your sister''s sire." To say that Xiao Zai was deeply uncomfortable was an understatement. Despite not having been crowned yet, it could be said that he had just become King, and yet, in a matter of seconds, Gu Wei had made him feel like a child again. He had never talked about any matters of a romantic nature with Gu Wei, and he assumed his dam never had any reason to discuss them, considering his unhappy marriage. The matter of A-Xiang''s sire had always been a sore subject, and Gu Wei instructed him not to mention it. Fearing that it meant that his dam had suffered some awful abuse -- either at Xiao Yuan''s hands, like the rumours said, or someone else''s -- Xiao Zai respected his wishes. But it turned out that his dam had had a lover for years. A man who Xiao Zai had seen at his side often, and assumed was only a palace guard his dam had managed to sway into being loyal to him instead of his father. He looked at Jin Luan with renewed eyes. The man was clearly a beta, as well as wolf. He was handsome in an almost feral way. His eyes were sharp as blades, and his high cheekbones seemed carved from jade, the only hint of softness on his face was the bow of his generous lips. "Say something, you''re making me nervous." His dam''s tone was light, but Xiao Zai knew he was probably truly anxious. Xiao Zai cleared his throat and squared his shoulders. "Thank you for keeping my dam company during his years of strife in the royal palace." "Oh, heavens," Gu Wei groaned and rubbed his temples with renewed vigour. "Anyway, I''m sorry to have kept our relationship from you, but I didn''t want to implicate you, in case we were ever found out." That sobered Xiao Zai, and shook him right out of his embarrassed stupor. That''s right, the two of them had been risking death if their affair was found out. Luckily that would never come to pass now. Xiao Zai let out a shaking breath and asked his dam: "What are you going to do now?" As much as Xiao Zai would never begrudge his dam his hard-won happiness many others would. Regardless of his father being deposed in disgrace, royal concubines weren''t supposed to remarry, or enter into any sort of relationship. The fate of the concubines of late kings was usually a Daoist nunnery. In rare cases they were allowed to return to their family homes with their dowries. Gu Wei shrugged breezily, and then smirked at Xiao Zai. "Your husband went to great pains to restore Xiao Yao''s estate, and with the two of you moving into the royal palace soon, it''s going to be sitting empty." His smirk widened. "I think A-Xiang will love it there. And obviously we''d need some protection, out there just the two of us, Granny Han and a handful of servants." Xiao Zai should have known his dam would have already thought of everything. And despite his shock, Xiao Zai was genuinely happy for him. No one deserved happiness more than Gu Wei. Xiao Zai would spend the rest of his life trying to repay his dam for everything he had done for him. --- He stayed for a few more minutes with Gu Wei and Jin Luan, sharing tea over stilted conversation, and then left to go back to Chu Yun -- still "convalescing" in the Queen Dowager''s private quarters. Xiao Zai told him everything his dam had revealed, to which Chu Yun reacted in typical Chu Yun fashion. "I knew there was something odd about the way he praised all the renovation work on the estate!" His eyes narrowed in wariness. "He was scoping out the place for himself!" Xiao Zai chuckled at Chu Yun''s outrage and took his hand. "Take it as compliment of your incredible good taste." Chu Yun was unimpressed. "That goes without saying." Xiao Zai couldn''t stop his fond smile even if he wanted. "Well, at least it won''t sit empty, that would truly be a waste of your incredible good taste." That didn''t seem to mollify Chu Yun, so Xiao Zai switched tactics. "Anyway, I remember you making some really enthusiastic promises about the two of us and the throne..." he trailed off suggestively. Chu Yun''s sour expression melted into a seductive smirk. "But you haven''t been crowned yet." He walked his fingers over the back of Xiao Zai''s hand and then closed them around his wrist, pulling him forward until their noses almost touched.. "Get that done, and then we''ll talk." Chapter 175 - The Wolf King And His Fox Consort Xiao Zai''s coronation ceremony happened without much fanfare three days later. The nobles in attendance looked like they were shocked to be there, even the ministers and officials who had more time to get used to the idea didn''t look much better. Only Xiao Ziyi and a contingent of the higher ranking military officers looked appropriately neutral, and businesslike -- no doubt due to her own influence. Chu Yun was glad they had expedited the ceremony, despite the Minister of Rite''s complaints about waiting for an auspicious date and time. The compromise they reached was finding the most auspicious day and hour of the upcoming week, which was why there were all gathered in the throne room in the middle of the night. Xiao Zai sat on the throne while the Minister of Rites read out all the religious and secular texts, detailing his duties as the King of Zui. The Queen Dowager stood behind the throne, as the Regent who would be passing over her powers to him, even though she''d only been so for less than three days. Chu Yun stood a few paces to Xiao Zai''s right, wearing his stripped tiger cloak, and vibrant red robes to celebrate the occasion. He was already wearing a gold haircrown and hairpins with a trailing silk ribbon between them. Although it was far more simple than what an omega Consort would have worn, Chu Yun still felt its weight awkwardly on his head. In the future, he would avoid wearing such intricate haircrowns unless it was extremely necessary. He did like his tiger fur cloak. That he expected to wear as often as possible. Xiao Zai was wearing the golden robes of a King, and a jade haircrown and hairpins. He looked elegant and refined, but Chu Yun missed seeing him in his darker colours. Maybe when it was just the two of them he could talk him into wearing darker robes again. Finally, after what felt like hours, the ceremony was over, Xiao Zai was King, and Chu Yun was King Consort. Chu Yun let out a huge sigh of relief, while everyone wished Xiao Zai long life and a thousand-year reign. They had done it. It was over, and Chu Hean and Ru Long hadn''t shown up to interfere, which had been Chu Yun''s biggest fear. It didn''t mean they wouldn''t in the future, bringing with them a world of trouble -- but for now, at least, everything was fine. Xiao Zai addressed the crowd to make Xiao Yuan''s position as Great Chancellor official, and express his desire to consult with Commander-General Xiao Ziyi in all matters concerning the safety of Zui. It was a brief, dry address, but Xiao Zai would never be an eloquent person -- so the court should get used to his directness. --- With the ceremony over, people started filling out of the throne room, eager to return to their homes and go straight to bed, most likely. Gu Wei stayed behind with Jin Luan, who Chu Yun still couldn''t help eyeing warily. "Well, we''re off now," Gu Wei said, smiling at Xiao Zai. "Tonight we officially change homes." Chu Yun still held a little resentment over that. The Second Prince''s estate had been completely restored to his tastes, while the Crowning Moon palace most definitely was not. And as much as Chu Yun thought that Zui stylistic sensibilities were lacking, he wasn''t going to suggest reforms that would clearly aggravate the people he was trying to ingratiate himself to. No one had brought up the matter of the harem yet, but it was obviously only a matter of time before political alliances started being suggested. In no time, every lord from north to south would be marching into Haolin trying to push their young relatives into the newest King in exchange of favours. Or worse, reminding him of existing alliances. He didn''t even want to think about how they were going to navigate that. "You don''t look so well, is the pregnancy giving you trouble?" Gu Wei asked, bringing Chu Yun out of his thoughts. "No, everything is fine, I''m just tired." He wasn''t about to admit that the idea of random people being pushed into Xiao Zai''s lap was giving him hives. Chu Yun knew that while they had overcome a great hurdle to get Xiao Zai on the throne, things weren''t about to get any easier. If anything, the stakes had only gotten higher. "We need to settle on a date for Xiao An''s execution. I don''t want him to stay in that cell for too long, who knows what damage he could cause." Xiao Zai said, changing the subject abruptly. The issue had been preying on his mind. Gu Wei gave him an inscrutable look. "Don''t concern yourself over that now, enjoy the moment." He and Jin Luan left after that, but Chu Yun got the impression that Gu Wei was planning something. "Your dam is up to no good," he told Xiao Zai, once the doors closed behind them, and he and Xiao Zai were finally alone in the throne room, dark but for the flickering flames of the torches and candle-holders. Xiao Zai wrapped one arm around Chu Yun''s waist and pulled him against his chest. "You always think that," he said, inhaling Chu Yun''s scent deeply. The proximity sent a thrill through Chu Yun''s body. They had been so busy lately, he missed touching Xiao Zai, missed the heat of him, in more than just exhausted sleep. Xiao Zai took one of Chu Yun''s hands and started leading him up the dais, towards the throne. Chu Yun knew at once what he had in mind. "You don''t give up, do you?" The truth was that despite his words, Chu Yun was also looking forward on making good on his promise. Xiao Zai said nothing. He let go of Chu Yun''s hand and sat down on the throne, his legs spread wide. He patted his robe-covered thigh with a smirk.. "His Royal Highness the King Consort''s seat is ready." Chapter 176 - The Fox Belongs To The Wolf (NSFW) Chu Yun eyed Xiao Zai''s smug smirk and confident sprawl with a critical eye. He had to consider his options here. On the one hand, he had promised to do and say a series of lewd things when Xiao Zai became King, because ultimately, positive reinforcement always worked wonders with him. On the other hand, all that positive reinforcement had clearly gotten to his head. Making up his mind, Chu Yun hiked his fine robes up and climbed up on Xiao Zai''s lap, bracketing his thighs with his knees on the wide seat. One of Xiao Zai''s hand slid under the layers of his robes and inner robes, up his leg and towards his ass. "You were thinking of this too." Chu Yun scoffed, and held onto the back of the throne over Xiao Zai''s head. "What gave you that idea?" Xiao Zai smacked him softly. "It''s cold, and you''re not wearing any pants under your inner robes." "I hate pants," Chu Yun said with an insouciant shrug. What was Xiao Zai going to do? Call him out on having a sartorial preference? The hand on his ass travelled to the fastenings of his underwear, undoing them with sharp tugs. He pulled the garment off from under Chu Yun''s robes, and threw it on the floor with a smirk. Chu Yun sat back down on Xiao Zai''s lap. "Is that all his Majesty is going to do?" Xiao Zai''s nostrils flared, his grip on Chu Yun''s skin grew demanding. "You''re the one who made me all those promises, now deliver." It was true that Chu Yun loved making Xiao Zai work for it, and in any other occasion he would want him to, but he was too eager to delay things any longer. His blood was simmering with desire, and he wanted to give in, without a fight this time. They would have time for that later. "As his Majesty commands," he said, and worked one hand between them, to pry at the fastenings of Xiao Zai''s heavy golden robes, and finally reach the warm skin underneath. He peeled the robes off his shoulders, hanging them over the back of the throne as if they were regular linens left out to air in the sun. Xiao Zai let himself be undressed, looking up at Chu Yun with a heated gaze. Chu Yun wrapped his fist around his straining cock and squeezed. "It seems I wasn''t the only one thinking of this." "It''s all I''ve been thinking about for months," Xiao Zai admitted, fucking up into Chu Yun''s fist with an hiss. Still wearing most of his robes, Chu Yun kept his ministrations light, and inched away from all of Xiao Zai''s attempts to get him naked. "I want to see you," he groaned sounding almost pained. "You''re going to," Chu Yun said, working his shaft slowly, making the precum drip generously down the swollen head. "Do you have something?" Swallowing drily Xiao Zai stilled Chu Yun''s hand on him as he reached back into the pockets of his discarded robes for a small clay vial. Chu Yun took it from him with a smirk. "Shameless, having something like this on you, while you were being crowned King." He brought the vial to his lips and peeled the seal with his teeth, spitting it away in an arc. "What would your subjects say?" A haze of lust filmed over Xiao Zai''s eyes, he let out a strangled moan as Chu Yun dripped cool oil on his heated cock. "I''m sure they would understand, if they could see you like this." Chu Yun hummed as he coated his fingers, bringing his hand behind him and under his robes. "Would you let them see me like this?" He let out a hiss when the first finger breached him, at the same time Xiao Zai dug his fingers into the exposed skin of his thighs and groaned. "Never, you''re mine." Chu Yun''s eyelashes fluttered over his humid eyes -- he wasn''t sure if it was due to the pleasure his own clumsy fingers brought him, or from the note of possessiveness in Xiao Zai''s voice. He had never wanted to belong to anyone, but now he wanted to be owned as much as he wanted to own. Xiao Zai had gotten under his skin -- it was only fair if Chu Yun returned the favour. It was hard to loosen himself up while still wearing the ceremonial robes and the tiger cloak, but Chu Yun had something in mind, and he was willing to withstand the discomfort to make it happen. Finally, he was as ready as he was going to be. He hiked the skirts of his half-done robes up to his waist and positioned himself above Xiao Zai''s cock. His grip on the fabric wavered as he impaled himself, torturing both of them with a maddening slow descent. Xiao Zai''s cock milked Chu Yun''s hole with its girth, making his own cock drip a continuous sticky stream into Xiao Zai''s abdomen, as he was slowly stretched on the cock inside him. Finally, Xiao Zai bottomed out, and Chu Yun sighed in contentment at having taken all of him. "You''re mine too, don''t forget that," he said in a fevered whisper, rocking his hips forward to make them both hiss in pleasure. After standing still for so long, Xiao Zai was frantic, he started pawing at Chu Yun''s robes, eager to get them all off. This time Chu Yun didn''t stop him, and helped him instead. He slid off his inner and outer robes, but kept the tiger cloak on. Xiao Zai''s mouth fell open on a snarl. His eyes snagged on the curve of Chu Yun''s abdomen, more noticeable now that he wasn''t wearing anything. The words he was about to say died on his lips. Chu Yun gripped the back of the throne with both hands and thrust down onto Xiao Zai''s cock. At the same time he let go of his control on his fox form, letting his tails and ears spring free. Xiao Zai gasped as soon as he saw Chu Yun''s golden eyes and flopping white ears. One of his hands held onto the curve of Chu Yun''s waist, while the other spread over his abdomen. He fucked up into him with a grunt, gritting out between clenched teeth.. "Fucking gorgeous, and all for me." Chapter 177 - The Wolf Loves A Challenge (NSFW) Xiao Zai''s mind whited out with the rhythmic hot clench of Chu Yun''s channel as he fucked himself on his cock. Xiao Zai looked up into his face, his breath hitched at the sight of his trembling eyelashes, and the bottom lip caught between his teeth, at obvious signs of his pleasure. Chu Yun was trying to hold back his moans, which was a crime in Xiao Zai''s opinion. The violence of his pleasure belonged to Xiao Zai, he wanted all of it. On Chu Yun''s next downwards thrust, Xiao Zai held on to the throne''s armrests and canted his hips up to meet him halfway and drive his cock harder into his twitching hole. Chu Yun let out a punched out gasp and dropped his hands from the back of the throne to Xiao Zai''s shoulders, digging his blunt nails into sweaty flesh. Xiao Zai''s hand on Chu Yun''s abdomen kept stroking over the taut flesh, marvelling at it, and at the same time wishing he could get a clear view of where Chu Yun was taking him in into his body, opening up for him. A slap landed on the back of his hand. "Stop that," Chu Yun hissed, his cheeks stained a deep red. Xiao Zai smirked, but didn''t comment on it. Chu Yun was so unpredictable when it came to the pregnancy, Xiao Zai didn''t dare tell him he thought he looked good like this. That being pregnant didn''t take away from his beauty, or his strength. No, Chu Yun had to be coaxed like a temperamental cat into letting himself be petted and cossetted, but that was fine, Xiao Zai loved the challenge. Almost as much as he loved the sounds coming out of Chu Yun''s throat when he wrapped both his hands around his waist and moved him up and down on his cock as if he weighted nothing. Using his body for his pleasure, but only because it put such an overwhelmed look on Chu Yun''s face, like he couldn''t believe he could be made to feel so delirious with pleasure. He dropped his hips down against Xiao Zai''s thighs with a grunt and held on to his neck tightly, letting Xiao Zai fuck into him harshly while he rotated his hips in a circular motion, making Xiao Zai''s cock press right against where he wanted it. "There, right there, keep fucking me like that." He let out a series of stuttered gasps and then hid his face into the crook of Xiao Zai''s neck, as if he couldn''t believe he''d said those words. Xiao Zai did as he was told, losing himself in the ruinous heat of Xiao Zai''s body, and the overworked spasms of his sensitive insides. Chu Yun muffled the sounds Xiao Zai fucked out of him against the side of his neck, lapping at the skin between gasps, his sharp canines edging closer to the scar of his claim each time Xiao Zai dropped his weight onto his cock. "Why can''t you admit that you love this?" Xiao Zai whispered, hissing the words into Chu Yun''s red ears. "Why can''t you admit that you love how my cock feels inside you?" He got a bite for his teasing, which wasn''t bad at all, but not what Xiao Zai wanted. He smacked Chu Yun''s bouncing ass, but the tiger robe got in the way, preventing him from winding up his arm and really making Chu Yun sting. He pulled it off him with a groan, trowing it on the floor beneath the throne. Chu Yun barely noticed, eyebrows furrowed and eyes closed in mindless pleasure. Xiao Zai adjusted his stance and Chu Yun leaned back on his thighs, balancing himself with both arms behind his back, hands on Xiao Zai''s knees. His hard cock slapped against his abdomen with the snap of his hips, drooling a steady stream. Xiao Zai was mesmerised by the sight of it, it made him feel thirsty. He licked his lips in anticipation of drinking Chu Yun down, straight from the source. Overwhelmed as he was, Chu Yun didn''t have any control over his tails, which flailed madly behind him, twisting themselves into and around each other in the rhythm of Chu Yun''s trembling insides. The sight made Xiao Zai remember yet another of Chu Yun''s promises. He said he''d let Xiao Zai tie him to the bed and have his way with him after he became King. Xiao Zai''s grip on Chu Yun''s waist tightened, he thrust up into him with abandon fuelled by the mental image of Chu Yun hopeless and at his mercy. He must have gotten him just right, because Chu Yun threw back his head on a drawn-out moan, extending the heaving line of his crane-like neck. Xiao Zai wrapped one hand around it, feeling Chu Yun''s frantic pulse under his thumb. He loved it when Chu Yun choked him, in those moments he imagined how sweet it would be to die buried inside him. He wondered if all people in love felt this out of control or if he was especial, if Chu Yun brought it out of him. Still, he didn''t dare tighten his fingers without Chu Yun''s permission, for fear of accidentally hurting him, so he slid his hands down the long column of Chu Yun''s neck and down towards his chest. He flicked the edge of his thumb over Chu Yun''s tight, hard nipple, and drew out a startled gasp and an almost painful squeeze of his hole around his cock. "Sensitive? More than usual?" Xiao Zai asked, arching an eyebrow and smirking at Chu Yun''s annoyed frown. Chu Yun didn''t answer him, but when Xiao Zai teased his other nipple his hole spasmed rhythmically again. This time Chu Yun shot him a glare, and pinched Xiao Zai''s nipple in retaliation. But that only made Xiao Zai let out a pleasured hiss, not deterring him in any way. "I wonder if I can make you cum like this?" Xiao Zai asked, rubbing his thumb over the peak of Chu Yun''s tight nipple. Chu Yun scoffed, sucking air through his teeth to disguise his groan of pleasure. "Most likely you''ll just make yourself cum embarrassingly fast." Xiao Zai loved Chu Yun''s look of haughty superiority, but he loved wiping it off his face even more. "So? Tonight I''m going to keep fucking you until you beg me to stop." Needled, Chu Yun sneered, just like Xiao Zai knew he would. "I''d like to see you try." Xiao Zai pulled him down into a kiss, licking into his mouth hungrily.. He would spend his entire life rising to Chu Yun''s challenges if he gave him half a chance. Chapter 178 - The Fox Is Manhandled (NSFW) Despite his provocations, it was Chu Yun who came first, tightening a fist around the base of his cock when he felt the knot form. Xiao Zai caught his choked off moan and redoubled the speed of his thrusts. The next moment Chu Yun was coming all over himself, struggling to keep his fingers tight around the knot. Xiao Zai''s fingers joined his, squeezing tightly, milking Chu Yun for all he was worth and making his insides convulse with the the aftershocks of his orgasm. It didn''t take long for Xiao Zai to follow after him with a delighted moan, spilling inside him and locking it all in place. Chu Yun felt wrung dry, as if he''d been exercising for hours. Suddenly, Xiao Zai curled one hand around his waist and pulled him against his chest as he stood up from the throne. Chu Yun let out a startled yelp and wrapped his legs tighter around Xiao Zai''s hips. "What are you doing?" he hissed into Xiao Zai''s ear, threatening to bite him. Xiao Zai''s knot was still tying them together, making Chu Yun feel uncomfortably aware of all the cum trapped inside of him. He didn''t get an answer, and instead was effortlessly carried towards the tiger cloak Xiao Zai had pulled off him earlier, and lowered onto the soft fur carefully, trapping his tails under him. Xiao Zai blanketed his body, bullying Chu Yun''s knees apart so he could settle between them on top of him. "I''m trying something," he said, a belated answer to Chu Yun''s question. Just before Chu Yun could ask him what, Xiao Zai drove into him with a sharp thrust. His knot still hadn''t deflated. The tight pressure against his prostate knocked all the air out of Chu Yun''s lungs. "You''re going to kill me," he warned, looking up at the exquisite ceiling of the throne room in shock. Xiao Zai lowered his lips onto his and kissed him softly. "Only if it is with pleasure." Chu Yun curled both arms around his neck, and pulled him fully on top of him, wanting to reach Xiao Zai''s bonding mark and reopen it again. He let out little grunts of frustration because their positions made it hard for him to reach the mark. All the while Xiao Zai kept fucking into him with harsh shallow thrusts. "Is it good, alpha?" Xiao Zai asked, his voice dripping with honey. "Am I fucking you well?" He punctuated his words with particular hard snap of his hips. It made Chu Yun''s teeth click shut, squeeze his eyes tight in overstimulation. What was he supposed to say? He wasn''t going to admit that Xiao Zai fucked him so well that he sometimes thought he was losing his mind. And that that filled him with equal parts shame and euphoria. It felt like he was doing something illicit each time, breaking some ancient rule he wasn''t even supposed to know about. He stayed silent for too long and Xiao Zai let out a whining pitiful sound from the back of his throat, the rhythm of his thrusts stuttering. "Isn''t it good, am I doing it wrong? Does alpha want me stop?" Chu Yun blinked his wet eyes open, glaring at Xiao Zai through the tears clinging to his lashes. As expected Xiao Zai was smirking, he knew very well what he was doing. He slowed the pace of his thrusts to a crawl, but Chu Yun still refused to dignify him with an answer. Instead he held onto Xiao Zai''s shoulders and tried to fuck himself back on his cock. But this position wasn''t ideal for that. He was about ready to scream in frustration. "Does alpha want anything?" Xiao Zai''s tone was wondering, but the sharp thrust of his hips was true, pushing his swollen knot against Chu Yun''s prostate deliciously. "Alpha only needs to ask." After that brilliant starburst of pleasure Xiao Zai resumed fucking him slowly and haltingly, like the shy virgin he had never been. Chu Yun grit his teeth and tried a different strategy. "Please, your Majesty..." He wasn''t begging but it was a close thing. But that wasn''t what Xiao Zai wanted Chu Yun to call him so he slowed his pace further, barely rocking back and forth into his tight hole. "No one fucks me like your Majesty," Chu Yun tried again, his cheeks flaming with humiliation. Xiao Zai looked down into Chu Yun''s wet, yellow fox eyes with a dispassionate smirk. "I''m the only one who has ever fucked you." Chu Yun let out a growl and started squirming underneath him, his fox ears flattened against the sides of his head in annoyance. "I can still change that." Something flickered in Xiao Zai''s eyes. The black of his irises bled out, replaced by the ice chip of his cold wolf eyes. "Say that again, and you won''t get to come a second time tonight." The rumble of his voice sent a shiver down Chu Yun''s spine. He was so hard it was painful, and his hole felt hot and raw from over-stimulation. He wanted to be fucked properly, he wanted to come, and then maybe he wanted to be fucked again and kept on the knife''s edge of pain and pleasure the whole night. He could feel his defences collapsing, he didn''t even know why he was holding out anymore. He closed his eyes and sucked on a shuddering breath. "Please alpha, fuck me." Xiao Zai let out a growl and bent Chu Yun in half, fucking into him with abandon. "All you had to do was ask." His vicious thrusts fucked punched out moans out of Chu Yun''s raw throat. This was what he wanted, he felt so good that his mind wasn''t capable of coherent thoughts. Only when Xiao Zai fucked him like this did his brain finally go quiet, leaving behind only a red haze of lust. Xiao Zai looked down into Chu Yun''s dazed eyes with pride, still jostling his body with his vicious thrusts.. "I''ll do everything to keep my mate happy." Chapter 179 - The Fox Makes The Wolf An Irresistible Offer (NSFW) Xiao Zai didn''t hold back after Chu Yun conceded. His blood sang with satisfaction at being acknowledged as Chu Yun''s alpha. He had to become King to be granted the privilege. How many other alphas could say that? He fucked harshly into Chu Yun, delighting in his bitten off moans, the little startled flutter of his eyelashes every time he got him just right. He couldn''t help kissing every exposed bit of skin he could reach, laving him with his tongue and marking him with his saliva. Chu Yun was too delirious with pleasure to care that Xiao Zai was slobbering all over him. Xiao Zai kind of wished he''d call him a dog. He bit one of Chu Yun''s fox ears just to get hissed at and scored with blunt nails all down his back. They were pressed so close to together that he could feel the Chu Yun''s leaking cock dripping against his abdomen. Both of them were so wet, stuck together with a combination of sweat and Chu Yun''s precum which bubbled up in clear rivulets each time Xiao Zai''s cock slammed against his prostate. Chu Yun was always mesmerising but seeing him in the throes of ecstasy was something else. Xiao Zai got drunk just looking at his glazed expression, his red panting mouth letting out all kinds of embarrassing noises Chu Yun would certainly be embarrassed about as soon as he regained his higher brain functions. His hole felt hot and wet with Xiao Zai''s cum, wielding to the fucking sweetly, tightening around his cock each time he pulled out before slamming back in. His knot had gone down in the meantime, and he could fuck Chu Yun deeper, the way they both liked it. Chu Yun''s arms tightened around his neck with the force of Xiao Zai''s thrusts. "I''m close," he stuttered, his voice coming out ragged. Xiao Zai kissed him sweetly on the corner of the mouth, an apology for what he was about to do. He pulled out of him without warning, making Chu Yun''s eyes go wide with shock, and immediately narrow in anger. "What are you doing, I said I wa-" Xiao Zai wrapped both hands around his waist and flipped him on his front. He kept one hand curled around his hipbone and pulled him back against his lap. "On your knees." He patted his flank with his other hand to get him to move. Chu Yun threw him a glare over the shoulder, his humid eyes sparkling like gold. "I''m going to make you pay for this." Xiao Zai ran his tongue over his bottom lip, admiring the sight of him. He wished Chu Yun would. He couldn''t wait for it. He reached forward and grabbed the back of Chu Yun''s neck pushing it down into the cloak. Chu Yun got the hint and lowered himself onto his elbows, his spine arching beautifully. Xiao Zai fit both thumbs between his generous cheeks and spread, getting a good look at his winking hole. It was red and shiny, a hungry mouth begging for more. He barely had to apply any pressure for a glob of cum to bubble out. He smacked Chu Yun''s ass just to watch his tight hole squeeze onto itself in anticipation. Chu Yun glared at him over the curve of his bicep. "Are you just going to look at it? With a chuckle, Xiao Zai sat back on his knees and pulled Chu Yun''s ass down onto his cock. He sunk in easily, barely meeting any resistance. Chu Yun let out a sigh and breathy curse, his eyelashes fluttering against the skin of his arm. Xiao Zai started slow, building up to his previous rhythm from scratch, getting Chu Yun back onto the edge of the orgasm he had cruelly wrenched him from. Slowly, Xiao Zai moved his hands from his hips up his sides, and down beneath his abdomen. He cupped Chu Yun''s firm belly with one hand and wrapped the other around the base of his cock, squeezing tightly. Chu Yun let out a choking gasp and started fucking himself back onto Xiao Zai''s cock, chasing the thrill of release. Xiao Zai let him, content to admire the sensual play of shifting muscle on his back, and the way his little hole stretched to accommodate all of him. It still seemed impossible that he could fit all of his cock inside Chu Yun. Chu Yun was happy to fuck himself for a time, adjusting his stance to get Xiao Zai''s cock right against where he wanted it, but he got tired after a while, his movements growing jerky and uncoordinated. He threw Xiao Zai another indignant glare. "You''re really not going to do anything?" Xiao Zai smirked at him. "I love it when you use me for your pleasure, I''m happy to just watch." Chu Yun''s nostrils flared. "I called you alpha already, what more do you want?" Xiao Zai ran a reverent hand up Chu Yun''s flank. "I just want you to want me as much as I want you." He saw the moment all the fight drained out of Chu Yun, he hung his head between his shoulders with a sigh. "Of course I want you, I- fuck---" his shoulders trembled, and Xiao Zai resumed fucking into him, making his breath stutter inside his chest. "Can''t you see how much..." Xiao Zai draped himself over his back, banding one arm around the roundness of his abdomen as he fucked into him with gentle thrusts. "Shh, I know, of course I know, I was just teasing you." He dropped a kiss to the sharpest point of Chu Yun''s shoulder blade, so he''d know he meant it. He never wanted to cause Chu Yun distress, he''d take whatever Chu Yun wanted to give him, no matter how little or how much. Chu Yun slid one hand down over Xiao Zai''s lacing their fingers together over his abdomen. "Mark me, do it." His words sent such an intense rush through Xiao Zai that he thought he was about to come. "You don''t have to say that-" "I want you to." Chapter 180 - The Fox Is Offended (NSFW) Chu Yun''s heart rabbited wildly inside his chest. Part of him couldn''t believe those words had just left his mouth. His head was clouded with lust, his thoughts were slow and syrupy like honey, but he still knew what he had said, and he knew it couldn''t be taken back. Xiao Zai licked a strip over the back of his neck, over the scent glands, right where he''d bite Chu Yun. Chu Yun closed his eyes and shivered in anticipation, but the sharp sting of teeth never came. He was left poised on the knife''s edge of anticipation for a breathless moment, before Xiao Zai pulled away from his neck and fucked harshly into him. "Thank you." Before Chu Yun could give voice to his indignity, Xiao Zai snapped his hips against him, shoving his cock deep inside his battered hole, rubbing right against his prostate on the slide in. His elbows gave out and he fell with his face between his arms, shivering from the intensity of the feeling. He could feel starbursts of light going off behind his eyelids, signalling his approaching orgasm. Xiao Zai too sped up the force of his thrusts, fucking into him madly, stripping Chu Yun''s cock to the rhythm of his thrusts. "Mark me already," Chu Yun growled into his arms, although it sounded more like a muffled whine. Xiao Zai ignored him and kept fucking into him with abandon, jostling him with the strength of the harsh fucking. Chu Yun could feel the thread of his sanity unwinding as Xiao Zai pushed him further and further into madness. The only coherent thought swimming around in the soup of his mind was: ''why isn''t Xiao Zai marking me?'' Did he not want to? Maybe it was him who didn''t want Chu Yun as much as Chu Yun wanted him. Impossible. He wouldn''t dare. Not after everything Chu Yun had given him. His tails, which had previously been flattened sideways and out of the way to give Xiao Zai unrestricted access to his body and an unimpeded view of Chu Yun''s back, rose up in alarm at the same way time Chu Yun pushed Xiao Zai away with his foot. Xiao Zai slipped out of him with a startled grunt. Chu Yun took advantage of his confusion to push him onto his back, and climb on top of him. He still hadn''t gotten his bearings when Chu Yun sunk down on his cock. "Now you don''t want to mark me all of a sudden, is that it?" Chu Yun hissed, wrapping a hand around Xiao Zai''s neck. Anger had cleared up his mind, despite the lust still clouding his thoughts and guiding his body in a primal rhythm against Xiao Zai''s. The throne room was huge, large enough to fit hundreds of people, and yet Chu Yun could swear they had filled it up with their combined scents. Each time he inhaled he smelled Xiao Zai''s intoxicating wolfberry wine scent, mingled with his own pine and orchid. He didn''t know how to described their combined fragrances other than, right. The combination of their pheromones smelled right to him. And he was going to make Xiao Zai realise that too. He could feel himself inching closer towards orgasm each time Xiao Zai''s cock pressed against his prostate, but he wanted Xiao Zai to come first. Chu Yun himself didn''t want to come again until Xiao Zai''s knot had gone down. But he had to make it happen fast. He grit his teeth and tightened his channel around Xiao Zai''s cock on the next downwards push. "Does it feel good inside me?" Xiao Zai let out a choked gasp, Chu Yun slackened the grip on his throat enough to let him answer. "Perfect." Chu Yun gave him a look of superiority. "Remember I''m granting you a privilege." The blue of Xiao Zai''s wolf eyes was almost gone, reduced to a thin circle from the inky spill of his pupils. He could only nod dumbly, gaze fixed on the arrogant curve of Chu Yun''s lips, the way his tails fanned behind him as if framing him in white fur. Chu Yun knew it would take very little to push him over the edge. He tightened his grip on Xiao Zai''s neck and sped up the rocking of his hips. "You think I''d let just anyone cum inside me?" Xiao Zai gasped, his fingers flexing on Chu Yun''s thighs. Chu Yun could feel the knot at the root of his cock. He steeled himself for what he was about to say. "You think I''d let just anyone breed me?" Xiao Zai pushed him down fully on his cock, forcing his knot inside him just as he started coming with an overwhelmed groan. He kept one hand hooked around Chu Yun''s hip and pulled him down into a messy kiss. He tried to wrap his hand around Chu Yun''s painfully hard cock, but Chu Yun slapped him away. "No, I have other things in mind." Xiao Zai was too out of it to ask any questions, and Chu Yun indulged him with kisses and lazy petting while waiting for his knot to go down. The moment it did, he climbed off Xiao Zai''s cock on unsteady legs. Xiao Zai keened at the loss. Chu Yun helped him up, tsking at the way Xiao Zai''s tail almost wagged. Before Xiao Zai could do or say anything Chu Yun sat down on the throne, legs spread wide. "Kneel." Xiao Zai did, looking almost transfixed. Chu Yun cupped the back of his neck with one hand and pushed his face towards his cock. "Open up, your Majesty." Their eyes met, Xiao Zai gave Chu Yun a heated look from beneath his lashes as he opened his mouth and took him down into his throat. The wet heat of Xiao Zai''s mouth felt blissful around his cock. Chu Yun scratched one of Xiao Zai''s wolf ears with a contented sigh. "I''m going to teach you to never reject my generosity again." Chapter 181 - The Wolf Wants The Fox To Want It Badly Xiao Zai felt an incredible thrill at being on his knees while Chu Yun sat on the throne -- his throne. It felt illicit, dangerous, his head spun. He loved seeing this side of Chu Yun, demanding and domineering, ordering Xiao Zai around without doubting he''d be obeyed. Xiao Zai swallowed him down eagerly. Chu Yun kept one hand on the back of his head and a running commentary of Xiao Zai''s performance. "Wetter, make it sloppy." "You can take it further down your throat than that." "Don''t drool all over yourself, it''s unbecoming." "You''re really gagging for it, uh?" His tone was dispassionate despite the breathless hitch in his voice. He was getting close, Xiao Zai could feel the swell of the knot bumping against his lips. Suddenly Chu Yun let go of the back of his head and slipped two fingers alongside his cock inside Xiao Zai''s mouth, making space. "Open wide, I''m going to knot your mouth and come down your throat." Xiao Zai''s eyes fluttered shut and he relaxed his jaw as Chu Yun did just that. --- Xiao Zai wasn''t aware of anything, his mind floated in a sea of tranquillity. It was hard to hold on to any thought, but then again he didn''t really want to, he was happy to drift peacefully. Everything was so quiet he thought he could hear the earth''s heartbeat. Someone was calling his name, and then touching him. His gaze came into focus and he saw Chu Yun''s worried face. "Where did you go?" Chu Yun asked, sounding relieved. "Your eyes were open and you were breathing but it was like there was nothing behind them." Xiao Zai let out a contented sigh and scooped him up in his arms. They were still naked, sitting on the cold floor at the foot of the throne. Xiao Zai pulled Chu Yun''s discarded cloak with his foot, and Chu Yun picked it up when it was close enough, throwing it over both of them. "I went somewhere blissful" Xiao Zai said, thumbing the corner of Chu Yun''s mouth before kissing him. His mouth still tasted of Chu Yun''s cum, and he wanted to share the flavour with him. "Were you scared?" Chu Yun scoffed. "No," he said, but it was a lie. Xiao Zai knew him too well. Xiao Zai scented him deeply, his scent made even headier with the musk of sex. Chu Yun''s fingers tightened on Xiao Zai''s bare leg. "Why didn''t you mark me?" Xiao Zai nuzzled his neck with a smile. He knew what kind of reaction being rejected would get out of Chu Yun, and he was happy to have gotten it. He loved driving Chu Yun to the edge of reason, drowning him in pleasure and forcing him to submit to the whims of his body, but he also loved it when Chu Yun did all of that to him. The push and pull between them was addictive. Xiao Zai never wanted it to stop. "You make me work so hard," Xiao Zai said, inhaling deeply and dragging the edge of his teeth over Chu Yun''s skin, making him gasp. "You''re so hard to please, so difficult." He smiled at Chu Yun so he knew he wasn''t complaining. "Maybe you should get a taste of your own medicine, from time to time." Chu Yun''s face tightened in a frown. Xiao Zai couldn''t resist kissing the scowl off his lips. Chu Yun kept his lips pressed tight, denying him entrance, but after Xiao Zai worried at the seam of them with his tongue he finally relented, kissing back with marked impatience. Xiao Zai laughed into the kiss, and Chu Yun pulled away with a shove to his shoulder. "So you''re just being difficult?" "No, I''m making you work for it." "You''re the one who wanted to mark me!" Yes, but he also wanted Chu Yun to want it, as badly as Xiao Zai did. He smirked. "I still do." Chu Yun glared at him. "Fine, then don''t mark me, see if I care." He cared deeply. Xiao Zai nodded. "Ok, I won''t mark you if that''s what you want." Chu Yun''s eyes flashed with annoyance. "I know what you''re doing." "What am I doing?" Xiao Zai asked, his tone filled with innocence. Chu Yun''s eyes narrowed. "It won''t work." Xiao Zai shrugged. "What won''t?" With an annoyed growl Chu Yun got up to his feet. Xiao Zai got up too and pulled him against his chest with an arm around his waist. "Don''t be mad," he said, whispering the words right over Chu Yun''s scent glands on his nape. "I just don''t want you to do anything you''re not ready for." He patted Chu Yun''s bare hip. "I''m sure that when you really want it, you''ll find a way to let me know." He pulled away and started picking his discarded robes off the floor. Chu Yun kept staring at him with a calculating glint in his eyes. Xiao Zai couldn''t wait to see what he had in store. --- The two of them left the throne room, in wrinkled robes and loose, messy hair, doing a poor job of pretending they hadn''t spent several hours fucking savagely inside. The two guards stationed outside greeted them respectfully while looking resolutely ahead, barely breathing. Chu Yun was so humiliated by the knowledge that they probably heard everything that he wanted to die. Xiao Zai didn''t look bothered in the least and took his hand as he guided him through the hallways, and towards the royal bedchamber. Chu Yun was supposed to have quarters of his own. The late Queen Consort''s old rooms must have been readied for him. But, there was no point in him even pretending he wanted to sleep there. It was almost dawn when they reached the bedroom. Chu Yun barely had the chance to take in the rooms before he was being pulled into bed. He pretended to have forgotten their last conversation in the throne room, but his mind buzzed with all of all the ways he was going to make Xiao Zai regret not marking him when he had the chance. If he thought Chu Yun was going to beg a second time he had another thing coming. He didn''t understand why he was so displeased by it. He rolled Xiao Zai around on his side and pressed his lips to the messy mark on his nape, to make himself feel better.. He fell asleep wrapped tightly around Xiao Zai, breathing in his comforting scent. Chapter 182 - The Fox Is Persuaded To Enjoy A Lazy Morning Chu Yun woke up slowly, he felt something ticklish on his lower stomach. He tried to ignore the sensation, but it grew more persistent with each moment. He tried to scratch it but his hand came in contact with a head of silky hair. He opened his eyes reluctantly and found Xiao Zai perched over his lower body, brushing butterfly kisses against the taut skin of his abdomen, cupping the small bump of it. "Good morning to you too." Chu Yun fell back on his pillow with a groan. He couldn''t believe Xiao Zai had kissed the stomach bug good morning instead of him. He added it to his growing mental list of grievances with Xiao Zai. Xiao Zai pulled himself up the bed and fell on his side beside Chu Yun. "Did his Royal Highness the King Consort sleep well?" Chu Yun rolled his eyes at him and made to get up without answering him. Xiao Zai pushed him back down onto the bed and kissed him on the lips. Chu Yun bit down on his lower lip with a snarl. "Haven''t you pawed at me enough?" Xiao Zai grinned and shook his head, biting the edge of Chu Yun''s jaw. "No, I''ll never have enough of you." Chu Yun pushed him away halfheartedly. On the inside he was pleased that Xiao Zai had admitted as much. It meant Chu Yun would have a really easy time making him beg for the privilege of marking him. He got up from the bed and stretched his arms over his head with a contented sigh. They had slept in today, but tomorrow would be a different story. Xiao Zai had to attend court at least three days out of the week. And once a month common people would be granted audiences to express grievances. Xiao Zai could make changes as he saw fit, but Chu Yun didn''t think he should, at least not right away. In fact, Xiao Zai should refrain from making any reforms of any kind in the first months of his reign. His ascension had come as a shock to many, better not to give them any more reason to worry. Any change was frightening to those who benefited most from the status quo -- Xiao Zai should treat everyone he interacted too in the coming weeks, and maybe months, like an easily spooked horse. As soon as all the excitement died down then the two of them could get to work. Xiao Zai came up behind him and wrapped him in his arms. "I can hear your brain working," he nipped teasingly at the back of Chu Yun''s neck, "come back to bed, we''ll regret it if we don''t enjoy the free time we have for now." His determination to act unaffected wavered -- they would be busy very soon. He turned around in Xiao Zai''s arms and pushed his finger into his smiling cheek. "Fine, but I want a bath first, I smell terrible." "You don''t," Xiao Zai said, and lifted a naked Chu Yun into his arms, who immediately started struggling to be let down. His protests were ignored as Xiao Zai carried him from the bedchamber, through and adjacent room, and finally towards a lavish bathroom. There was a large pool in the middle of the room, the wooden floorboards reached almost to its edge, making it convenient to walk there. Two bamboo spouts protruded from the floor, pouring a constant stream of bubbling hot water into the pool. Chu Yun stopped struggling the moment he saw it. Xiao Zai walked into the steaming water with him still in his arms. "Maybe this small amenity can help his Royal Highness overcome the loss of his treasured previous residence." Chu Yun dove under the water and surfaced with a contented sigh. "Perhaps." Xiao Zai shot him a winsome smile and stretched his arms over the edge of the pool. "Surely I deserve some reward for leading you to it?" His reply was a swipe of water to the face. He sputtered for a moment, but before he could retaliate he got a lapful of Chu Yun, so his protests never made it past his lips. --- After the second bath they took to deal with the consequences of the first, Chu Yun finally managed to disentangle himself from Xiao Zai enough to escape back into the bedchamber and get dressed. If he didn''t escape soon, Xiao Zai would find some other exciting place for them to fuck in, and Chu Yun could never resist the lure of ill-advised trysts in ill-advised places. He got dressed into pale silver robes, and did his hair himself, unwilling to call servants into a room that smelled unmistakably of sex, even though they hadn''t even done anything on the bed. He didn''t have to venture far out of the King''s private quarters, before finding Hua Nanyi pacing the hallways, looking restless. She brightened up the moment she saw him. "Finally, I thought you were going to sleep until tomorrow." Chu Yun didn''t remark on it or excuse himself. "It''s a huge palace, I''m sure you could find something to keep yourself occupied." Her eyes widened comically. "Are you kidding me? This place is a warzone since morning. The guards have had to keep all the concubines out of the throne room. They demand an audience with the King to learn what will become of them." They weren''t getting one. No way was Chu Yun letting his father''s harem loose on Xiao Zai. He was fully aware of how miserably he had been treated by many of them, and he was sure they would try to use that to their advantage. "I''ll see them myself," Chu Yun said, changing directions towards the throne room. "I''ll start with the newest additions and work myself up to the senior concubines. In the meantime, go back to our previous, wonderfully renovated, estate, and ask Gu Wei for a list of all the concubines who fucked with Xiao Zai." He smirked to himself.. "I''m going to dispense some justice." Chapter 183 - The Fox Hears Concubines Grievances The only throne in the throne room was the King''s, as well as the Queen Dowager''s lounging sofa behind the beaded curtain, but in certain occasions, another throne could be brought in for the Royal Consort. Chu Yun told the servants to do so, and asked them to place it right next to Xiao Zai''s throne. He sat down and told the guards to let the concubines in. They streamed in orderly, impeccably dressed and well-mannered, some dozen women and about five men. Chu Yun noticed immediately that Min Sezhui wasn''t among them. The concubines all prostrated themselves at the foot of the dais. "Greetings to his Royal Highness, the King Consort," they said as one, their voices rising harmoniously. Chu Yun greeted them, and bid them to rise. "I''m afraid the his Majesty is otherwise occupied, but I''ll be happy to hear what the noble concubines have to say." He could tell they were disconcerted to see him. Several pairs of eyes drifted towards his abdomen, where the fall of his robes hid the roundness of his stomach from view. They were probably speculating if he was pregnant at all, if what they heard were only rumours, or worst of all, if it was all a ploy he and Xiao Zai had come up with. One of the younger concubines, a girl who couldn''t be much older than Min Sezhui took a step forward, her hands folded demurely at her side. "His Royal Highness might not be aware but while it isn''t required that concubines have a dowry, most of us did, when joining the harem." She cleared her throat. "All of us sisters and brothers have been wondering what would happen to it, and to us, now that there''s a new King." Chu Yun smiled at her, leaning his elbow on his throne''s armrest and his cheek on his closed fist. He imagined just how worried they could be. Xiao Zai had never gone into details, and neither had Gu Wei, but he knew that some of the people looking innocently up at him were responsible for causing him a world of pain. They were probably afraid that Xiao Zai would seize the opportunity to get revenge on them. Chu Yun would be more than happy to do it in his place, but he was also aware that some of these people came with powerful family connections that could cause them a lot of trouble down the line. Some of them had had children, those children were Xiao Zai''s brothers and sisters, and needed to be provided for adequately. Which was why Chu Yun had asked Hua Nanyi to get Gu Wei''s input on the matter. He''d know better than anyone just what those family connections were. Chu Yun had helped Xiao Zai secure the throne, and renovated the estate Gu Wei was currently living in -- Gu Wei owed him. He had been silent for so long that the young concubine grew restless, shifting a worried look behind her shoulder at the others. "I want to know what the royal concubines would like to happen," Chu Yun said finally, widening his eyes as if the idea had just come to him. "Maybe it''s better if we can come to an agreement, uhm?" Most of them nodded with relieved smiles. They were probably assuming that Chu Yun was soft, and that would just follow whatever course created the less commotion. One of the older concubines, only a few years younger than Gu Wei, stepped out of the Group and towards the dais. She curtsied briefly before addressing Chu Yun. "I think everyone should get their dowries back and receive compensation according to how many children they provided the royal family with." She was a shrewd one, very tactfully she hadn''t mentioned the previous King, highlighting instead the contributions of the concubines to the royal family line. There were several people in the throne room, and it was impossible for Chu Yun to pick apart their scents. He wasn''t able to tell how many of the women were betas and how many were omegas, but the one who had just spoken struck him as a beta. Zui omegas were rarely ever that direct. The other concubines didn''t seem to agree with her suggestion, which was to be expected. Not all concubines had had children with the King. Some of them might not even have slept with him -- a concubine wasn''t an official spouse, there was no need to consummate the union. One of the men shot a glare towards the concubine who had just spoken and addressed Chu Yun. "What Concubine Lin suggests is unfair to everyone who didn''t bear a child, we all served the royal family equally." Some of the concubines shot him openly scornful looks, even some of the other men. Chu Yun remembered what Min Sezhui said, that the King was particularly cruel to male omegas -- obviously that didn''t create any bonds of loyalty among them. Chu Yun hummed loudly, pretending to consider what they had just said. "What about this? We pile all the dowries, divvy them up equally among all the members of the harem, and stipulate a fixed value per child for the stipends?" Immediately a chorus of discordance rose, even though Chu Yun knew he was being very reasonable, he mostly said that to see how the concubines would react. A woman who hadn''t spoken before hiked up the skirts of her robes to walk more quickly to the front of the Group. "With all due respect, his Royal Highness is being very unfair! We should take into account the skills and talents of each child! Besides, our dowries are our own! How is it fair for those who had larger dowries to share with the ones who didn''t?" Chu Yun was about to send them all out, and announce that he was going to hear them one by one like he had planned, when a servant came to his side to announce that Gu Wei was waiting on the other side of the doors. Of course. Chu Yun should have known he would want to come in person. He nodded towards the servant to let him in anyway. Chapter 184 - The Fox Expects Things To Be Interesting All the concubines fell silent the moment Gu Wei walked into the throne room, with Jin Luan trailing close behind him. Gu Wei didn''t look any different, and he was wearing the same style of robes he usually did, fine and elegant but not extravagant -- however there was a marked change to the way he carried himself. It was as if he was lighter somehow. Jin Luan on the other hand still walked with the same menacing grace, but he no longer wore the robes of a palace guard. Either by his own choice, or at Gu Wei''s encouragement, he had dressed in tight-sleeved robes, with a practical cut to them and, a discreet plum tree pattern along the hems. The concubines watched with guarded expressions as they made their way towards the dais. Gu Wei bowed to Chu Yun respectfully and Jin Luan even more deeply. Chu Yun nodded at them to climb up the dais at the same time Hua Nanyi walked into the throne room from one of the servant entrances Her eyes flashed in annoyance when she saw Gu Wei. "I couldn''t stop him from coming," she said, whispering into Chu Yun''s ear, on the opposite side from Gu Wei. For his part Gu Wei acted as if nothing was amiss. Chu Yun patted Hua Nanyi''s upper arm in commiseration. It would take a hundred of her to stop Gu Wei from doing what he wanted. Chu Yun didn''t blame her. "As per his Royal Highness'' request," Gu Wei said, taking a very official looking missive from his pocket and handing it to Chu Yun. Chu Yun unfolded it without comment. As expected, it detailed the names of every concubine and comments on their conduct. Credit where credit was due, Gu Wei made a point to distinguish between the concubines who were insufferable towards him, but who had never done anything to harm Xiao Zai. The concubine who absolutely didn''t want to share her dowry with the less fortunate concubines couldn''t handle the tension of Gu Wei''s arrival any longer, and spoke up: "With respect, this lowly concubine would like to enquire as to the merits of Concubine Gu''s presence here." Chu Yun blinked down at her. "Is Concubine Gu also not a royal concubine?" The woman smiled sweetly, like a person trying to say ''fuck you'' with the curve of her lips and eyes alone. "Naturally, however Concubine Gu is his Majesty''s dam, of course his future isn''t as murky and unclear as that of us other lowly concubines." Chu Yun hummed in assent. He couldn''t fault her logic. "That''s why I think he makes a perfect impartial party to help me with the allocation of funds to the harem. After all, due to his status as his Majesty''s dam, he can keep his official residence in the royal palace if he so wishes," -- all the concubines were probably well aware that Gu Wei was already living in their old estate -- "so he can help me ensure everything is divided equally and fairly." Most of the concubine''s faces fell in dismay. It was obvious they expected Gu Wei to do nothing of the sort. "I will now hear each concubine one by one, their wishes for their own future, as well as their opinions regarding the division of assets, and after hearing everyone I''ll come to a decision." He smiled and read the first name off the missive, one with an extensive list of wrongdoings listed. As luck would have it, he knew who this Concubine was. "Let''s start with Concubine Lin, everyone can wait outside," he nodded towards Hua Nanyi, "my maidservant will call the next person over once we''re done." --- Concubine Lin remained stiffly in place, her back ramrod straight and hands demurely folded, as all the other concubines filed out out of the room. According to Gu Wei''s information, she was a beta, the first daughter of a noble family who exerted control over two administrative provinces to the east, and whose own private army kept growing in size in the previous years. Supposedly, various advisers had warned Xiao An about the risks her family represented but his solution to it was keeping her happy by ignoring everything she did to stir up discord in the harem, and impregnating her twice. Unfortunately for Concubine Lin, her eldest child was an omega boy who -- Gu Wei noted should be around 16 that year -- and a beta girl of around 6. Which meant she and Gu Wei were with child at the same time when he was pregnant with A-Xiang. Privately, Chu Yun thought both of them must have hated that. She was incredibly jealous that Gu Wei had conceived an alpha son even though he wasn''t favoured, and constantly tried to undermine him by spreading rumours that resulted in him being punished by the King. She employed the same tactic towards Xiao Zai, accusing him of hurting his younger siblings, which resulted in several beatings. Chu Yun''s face showed no reaction, as his eyes ran over the information on the missive. He wanted Concubine Lin to break first, and would remain silent until she said something. She cleared her throat pointedly. "I''ve already told his Royal Highness what I believe should be done regarding the dowries," her pleasant smile was as thin as her face was thick. "At the moment I have nothing to add." "Concubine Lin comes from a renowned and wealthy family, surely she understands that some of her fellow sisters and brothers won''t be returning to the same kind of untroubled existence." Chu Yun tapped his finger''s on his throne''s armrest while smiling down at the fidgeting concubine. In fact, some of the other concubines came from very dismal circumstances. Omegas born of two beta parents, which was rare both in Zui and in Xin, but apparently a little more common among wolves than foxes, and that through their beauty attracted a ''sponsor'' or a ''godfather'' of higher social status, similar to the Minister of Works, who would introduce them to fine society and more often than not offer them as concubines in exchange for some type of advantage. Gu Wei pointed out exactly that in his notes. He made sure to clarify which concubines would be returning to a life they might have been trying to run away from when they became royal concubines. Chu Yun wondered if any of them regretted it. Many of them probably did, some maybe were only sorry they hadn''t gotten more out of it. Others probably thought they would do it all again. He wondered where Gu Wei fell in that spectrum. One could say he''d won in the long run. As much as a person was supposed to win at a marriage, he had. His son was King. His husband was still in the palace cells, all alone now that Peng Rui had been sent back to her family with little more than a stern talking to. Xiao Yuan had wanted to be lenient with her, and Chu Yun and Xiao Zai had no objections. They were ignoring Xiao An. Which was as much part of his sentence as the cell itself. He would have to be officially tried soon, but no one was looking forward to that. Chu Yun held out hope he would kill himself and save them all the trouble. Maybe if he had a little more dignity. Something Concubine Lin lacked alongside him. She threw her head back and said, "This lowly concubine thinks all brothers and sisters should have looked after themselves. The previous King gave everyone ample opportunity to elevate their family if they so wished," she shrugged, and lifted her eyes towards Gu Wei. "All they had to do was serve him well." Chu Yun leaned back on his throne with a laugh, startling Concubine Lin. "Then I suppose we should save the highest compensation to those who served the former King the worst," his fox eyes flashed in amusement, "after all, he was a traitor, and committed the gravest sin of all, that of patricide. And was conspiring to kill his own son, who is the King you now serve, as we all do." Concubine Lin paled, lifting one hand to her fluttering throat. She wanted badly to backtrack but didn''t know how to. Gu Wei chuckled. "In that vein, maybe it''s better to consider the matter one of settlement over damages suffered at the hand of a tyrant who posed a treat to our nation, and will soon be tried for his crimes." Chu Yun nodded seriously. "Very good points, very good points. I''m going to recant my previous idea of equitable distribution, and suggest instead that those who suffered the worst mistreatment should receive the highest compensation." He leaned over to get a good look at Concubine Lin all the way down the dais. "Was Concubine Lin, mistreated?" The woman fell to the ground in tears. "His- his Royal Highness has no idea of the humiliations..." This ought to be good, Chu Yun was anxious for her performance.. At his side, Gu Wei suppressed a chuckle. Chapter 185 - The Fox Dashes The Concubines Hopes Concubine Lin listed out all the slights she suffered at Xiao An''s hands, mentioning several instances of physical violence and abuse, to her and her children. "He...he used to threaten my children to get me to do what he wanted," she said, tearfully looking up at Chu Yun. Chu Yun listened in silence, Gu Wei too said nothing. Finally Concubine Lin got up from the floor, looking nervous by their lack of reaction. She wrung her hands with a wan, slightly pathetic, smile. "Thank you for your testimony, Concubine Lin," Chu Yun said with a nod. "Nanyi, show Concubine Lin out, and tell," he looked briefly down towards the missive," tell Concubine Tang to come next." The Concubine left with her head hung low, not nearly as haughty as she had walked in. "Was anything she said true?" Chu Yun asked Gu Wei, when she and Hua Nanyi were almost at the door. Gu Wei hummed. "Xiao An ignored her, most of the time, he didn''t like her, but because of her family''s power he didn''t risk being outright aggressive. She knew how to cajole him though, he appreciated that, she got gifts from time to time," he shrugged, "he never hurt her children, though. Xiao An couldn''t be bothered to know half the names of his youngest children. He ignored all of them and never spent any time with them." "Let''s see what Concubine Tang has to say, next." According to Gu Wei''s notes she was the third omega daughter of a local Haolin merchant family -- not nobility, but richer than many of them. They had "sponsored" a number of public works. She had been the King''s favourite for a time, when she first joined the harem. But she was very shrewd, and was constantly trying to use the King''s favour to win advantages for her family. From official posts to her brothers to a Ministry position to her father. Military commissions even. Maybe she had underestimated the nature of the King''s feelings -- his interest in his concubines never went beyond sexual. And he didn''t appreciate it when they tried to use him, although that was all he did with them. The King grew tired to Concubine''s Tang schemes and she did start suffering from retaliation in the later years. Gu Wei noted that she was initially cruel to him, because it pleased Xiao An, and because she felt superior to Gu Wei -- but as soon as her star dimmed she understood the needless cruelty of her petty actions and apologised to Gu Wei. They were civil after that. She bore the King two omega daughters, which did nothing to endear her to him. When confronted with the suggestion of divvying up the dowries and compensation the concubines for any damages suffered under Xiao An, she was in favour of it, but she added: "Some concubines behaved in an unbecoming and cruel manner, inflicting on brothers and sisters the same cruelty the previous King did, however, I''d like to ask his Royal Highness not to blame their children for the parents'' actions, and treat them all accordingly." She sighed deeply. "It is my belief that that would only be perpetuating an unfortunate cycle of recrimination and jealousy between siblings. As it stood, Chu Yun agreed to her. There was an interesting pattern to Xiao An''s children. He had three adult children, all of them alphas, and then there was a large gap, between Xiao Zai and the next child. He reviewed all that information in the missive, and eyed Gu Wei from the corner of his eye. He wasn''t sure if Gu Wei had a hand in it, or if it was all coincidence, but there were five years between Xiao Zai and his next sibling. No. He wasn''t seeing the full picture. This didn''t start with Gu Wei, but with the late Queen Consort. There was quite an age gap between all the adult children. Which meant Xiao An had focused his attentions on a single person. If nothing else, the Queen Consort had his attention, if not his love. Gu Wei had implied as much, saying that she had advised him on how to handle Xiao An often, but he could never quite follow her example. Chu Yun dismissed Concubine Lin with a sigh, after assuring her that her concerns would be taken into consideration. They still had a long list of concubines to talk with. He could be here for a while. --- Things progressed somewhat normally -- with several concubines exaggerating the level of the abuse they endured, when mostly they had been ignored, while downplaying the abuse others suffered. Some went as far as to point fingers, without making any mention of their own actions. At times they would look up at Gu Wei, but seeing him remain silently at the side of Chu Yun''s throne emboldened them to say whatever they wanted. Gu Wei was quick to set the record straight as soon as they turned their backs. But things changed dramatically when the first of the male omegas walked in. He was perhaps a little younger than Gu Wei, and not as eye-catching, but had the same type of frosty aura to him. Gu Wei tensed the minute he walked in. Concubine Zhang went straight to the point: "I bore the late King no children," he pointed at Gu Wei, "Concubine Gu made sure of that." Gu Wei didn''t flinch, his gaze fixed on the other man. "I''m sure it would bring Concubine Zhang some comfort to believe that." He scoffed. "Shut up, Bailiu, we all know how much you liked mixing anti-conceptional herbs in with everyone''s teas, desserts and meals." Concubine Zhang''s expression darkened. "You had a great teacher, after all. And when you had no other use for her you got rid of her." He shook his head in disgust. "I had no love for the Queen Consort, but she was your friend." Ah. Chu Yun understood everything now. He''d been only half-right. So the Queen Consort had been the one responsible for the unusual lack of children, not the King''s sole focus on her. After her death Gu Wei picked up where she left off. Concubine Zhang wasn''t wrong in his accusations, but he was wrong about what motivated them. Although, Gu Wei really had painted himself in the corner of ''vicious Concubine desperate to make their child king at any cost''. Looking at his face now, Chu Yun thought the only thing Gu Wei regretted was that the late Queen Consort was dead at all. Proving his point, Gu Wei smiled at Concubine Zhang, as if he hadn''t made cruel accusations against him. "The Queen Consort was a friend to us all, it is a shame that not all brothers and sisters could see that." Concubine Zhang scoffed with a shake of his head. He had no interest of understanding Gu Wei''s words. "Thank you for your time, Concubine Zhang, you may go now," Chu Yun said. "Concubines who didn''t have any children won''t be left out." The look Concubine Zhang shot him made it obvious he didn''t care either way. "He really doesn''t like you." Gu Wei nodded. "The King used to take all his anger of me out on him. Each time I found a way to escape him, or frustrated his latest attempt to get rid of me and Xiao Zai he would seek out Zhang Mo." Chu Yun rubbed his temples with a sigh. The politics of the harem were truly twisted. He was only glad that they only had one more person left before being done with the whole thing. --- Finally, it was time to call all the Concubines back to the throne room. Chu Yun was at least heartened to see that some of the fight had gone out of them. They had been at this for hours, and he was exhausted already. It really hadn''t been as much fun as he''d hoped -- he suspected that Xiao Zai was having an even more miserable time than him. He got up from the throne and addressed all the gathered concubines. "I''m sure we are all tired and hungry, so I won''t keep the royal concubines long," he paced in front of his throne as well as Xiao Zai''s, "but...there are some things we need to clear up." He paused as they all looked among themselves and then continued: "For instance, Concubine Yin says that Concubine Ran was constantly lying about her conduct so that she''d be punished, and even led to Concubine Yin''s child being punished with the disciplining rod so severely that he fell ill...however, according to Concubine Ran it was Concubine Yin who always conspired against her." He smiled. "The two Concubine''s can''t be saying the truth, so we need to get to the bottom of it, I would appreciate it if all the royal concubines could help clarify this issue." The reaction was immediate, most of the concubines started taking sides and attacking each other. Chu Yun let this go on for a while before clearing his throat pointedly. "I think this just goes to show that perhaps none of you have each other''s best interests at heart." He smiled sadly. "So, the decision must fall to me." He could almost swear he heard Gu Wei suppress his laughter, behind him. Chapter 186 - The Wolf Cant Say No To The Fox In the aftermath, Chu Yun got all the concubines to agree to his initial suggestion of divvying up the dowries, and giving stipends to each child. And with the additional emotional stress he had put them all through, they even agreed that yes, it was fair to take into consideration the family circumstances each of them would be returning to. None of the wealthy ones looked particularly interested in complaining to their families and causing trouble for Xiao Zai in the future -- so Chu Yun chalked it up as a win, even though he felt as tired as all the concubines looked. In the end, he had gotten what he wanted without a fuss, and maybe some of them would be leaving the Crowning Moon royal palace a little better off than they had joined it. Most of all, they seemed relieved to be leaving it behind, and Chu Yun with it. Concubine Zhang was the last to leave, he hung back and turned towards Chu Yun with an inscrutable look. "His Royal Highness will have a harder time when managing his husband''s harem. They won''t be as accommodating as us wilting flowers." Chu Yun''s fingers tightened into fists out of Concubine Zhang''s view. There would be no fucking harem. Xiao Zai wouldn''t dare. He didn''t want to. He wanted Chu Yun so much it made him look stupid. There would always only be Chu Yun for Xiao Zai. In the same way there would only be Xiao Zai for him too. They were it. Of course he wasn''t going to tell Concubine Zhang any of that, so instead he smiled and wished him safe travels. Once he was gone Gu Wei let out a small laugh. "You know he won''t be the only person to bring up the issue of a harem. Even though you are pregnant, everyone will expect Xiao Zai to take more concubines." Chu Yun grit his teeth. He didn''t appreciate being reminded of that. "We''ll cross that bridge when we come to it." Gu Wei hummed noncommittally. "I''m glad to see that your relationship is going so well." What was Chu Yun supposed to say to that? Did Gu Wei expect a thank you note? If their relationship was going well it was entirely due to Chu Yun''s winning personality and incredible good looks. Unless Gu Wei was thinking about his own contribution in terms of the ''stomach bug''. Chu Yun hadn''t forgotten about it, and he still wanted to get to the bottom of his miraculous pregnancy, it was just that he had a lot on his plate as it was. It could wait. He narrowed his eyes at Gu Wei, it didn''t mean he trusted him though. "Is there something on my face?" Gu Wei asked, raising his hand to his cheek, the picture of innocence. Chu Yun got up from his throne and stretched his arms above his head. "I''m going to see how Xiao Zai is doing, father-in-law is welcome to come too." If Gu Wei was offended at the implication that he needed Chu Yun''s permission to see his own son he didn''t let it show. --- Xiao Zai was slowly going insane. He could feel his brain unspooling inside his head and potentially leaking out of his ears. The Adjunct Minister of Finance had been droning on for about an hour, about only heavens knew what because Xiao Zai had stopped listening early on. Around the time his suggestions regarding how to increase revenue without raising tax were shot down by a lengthy description of how taxation was the backbone of the nation, actually, and how not lengthily taxing the commoners who worked on the land of the gentry would lead them to expend their extra income on gambling, whoring, and seditious activities. "On account of their weaker, less fortified minds, naturally," the Adjunct Minister concluded. "The common people need the guiding hand of his Majesty and their betters in order to be able to enjoy a worthwhile life, otherwise they will succumb to worldly pleasures. One must not blame them for this weakness of character, they are unable to help themselves without the proper guidance." Xiao Zai was certain he had never heard anything so idiotic in his entire life, but judging by the faces of the other ministers, their aides, and several court officials and other administrative personnel -- they either agreed or were used to this kind of talk. It had been like this since Xiao Zai called the extraordinary session in one of the palace''s courtrooms. Xiao Zai thought that he could seize the opportunity to have a more candid conversation with the ministers, since the throne room was currently occupied. A chance for them all to talk eye-to-eye instead of him towering above them from the dais and the throne. He was bitterly regretting that now. It was clear that the ministers had no interest beyond reinforcing the ideas that "things have always been like this, and they should continue being that way." They were happy that Xiao Zai had no interest in continuing his father''s unwise, one-sided and costly campaigns, but it was immediately obvious that their hopes were that Xiao Zai would return things to what they were during his grandfather''s times. Apparently in those days both the nation''s treasury as well as the royal clan''s purse were filled to bursting. Xiao Zai remembered his dam mentioning a famine that badly affected his family when he was only a child, but the ministers never mention any of that. They preferred to focus on the mountains of meat and rivers of wine. Finally, Xiao Zai couldn''t take it anymore -- he wasn''t going anywhere with this. "Thank you to his Excellency for the valuable insight," Xiao Zai said, raising from his seat before anyone got into their minds to keep talking. "This has been a very enlightening and productive session." The ministers all said their platitudes, praising Xiao Zai''s wisdom, benevolence and maybe a dozen other virtues that he didn''t hear because by then he was already out the door. Xiao Zai wondered if Chu Yun was still in the throne room. Little Pan had joined the royal household and became his personal manservant. He''d said that Chu Yun''s mood seemed "most agreeable" when he first met with the concubines, so at least his day must have been less frustrating than Xiao Zai''s. He reached the throne room at the same time Chu Yun exited, followed by Gu Wei and Jin Luan -- who Xiao Zai still didn''t know how to behave around. "I didn''t know you''d be here," Xiao Zai said, smiling at his dam and ignoring the awkwardness of Jin Luan standing at his side like the world''s most dour-faced shadow. His dam returned his smile and turned his head towards Chu Yun. "I thought his Royal Highness could benefit from a helping hand, but as usual he had everything under control, my presence was hardly necessary." Chu Yun looked briefly flustered. "Father-in-law flatters me." Xiao Zai tried to hide his amusement. He wondered if Chu Yun and his dam would ever be completely comfortable around each other. "I''m happy to see you well, and now that I have I''ll be on my way," Gu Wei said, and then added, "after paying Xiao An a visit, perhaps..." He let the end of the sentence hang suspended in the air, not quite a question, not quite a request for permission. But an opening for a rejection anyway. Xiao Zai didn''t know if it was wise, but he respected his dam far too much to tell him what he should or shouldn''t do. He turned to one of the guards stationed nearby. "Please escort my dam towards the traitor''s cell," he unwound his waist token from around his sash and gave it to Gu Wei. "You''ll have my authority to move around the palace." Gu Wei closed his fingers around the jade token with a grateful smile and then nodded towards Jin Luan to follow after him. Chu Yun waited until they turned the corner to throw himself at Xiao Zai. "You won''t believe how annoying my day was," Chu Yun said with a sigh, pressing the words against the hot skin of Xiao Zai''s neck. Xiao Zai wrapped his hands around his waist and squeezed, enjoying the delicious proximity of him. "It can''t have been any worse than mine," he lowered his lips against Chu Yun''s in a brief kiss. "Although, it''s looking up now that we''re together again." Chu Yun looked up at him, but instead of the mischievous expression Xiao Zai expected, he was biting into his lower lip in regret. "I wish I could go back to our bedroom with you but..." Xiao Zai narrowed his eyes at him. "But you want to follow my dam instead." Chu Yun hung his head like a child caught stealing sweets. "But I wan''t to see what Gu Wei is up to instead," he admitted with a sigh. Xiao Zai answered his own earlier question: Never. Chu Yun and Gu Wei would always be suspicious of each other. He sighed and kissed Chu Yun again, squeezing his waist one last time before letting go of him. "I can no more stop you than ask the sun to stop rising." He smiled ruefully into Chu Yun''s eyes. "Don''t let him see you or he''ll complain to me." Chu Yun shot him a blinding grin before dashing down the hallway. Much like the sun, Xiao Zai had no intention of suppressing Chu Yun''s true nature. Chapter 187 - The Fox Eavesdrops Chu Yun caught up to Gu Wei and Jin Luan in the courtyard, when they were already walking towards the prison doors. They stopped at the door and the guard escorting them said something, and then Gu Wei lifted his hand, probably showing them Xiao Zai''s waist token. The guard opened the doors for him, but Gu Wei kept talking. Hiding behind a shrub, Chu Yun watched the scene play out without being able to hear anything, but whatever Gu Wei was saying now the guards were struggling to obey him -- looking between each other often. Finally, Gu Wei showed them the jade token again and Jin Luan squared his shoulders in the kind of posture that was immediately intimidating. The guards exchanged one more look and then walked away from the door and from the prison itself. Chu Yun watched them in confusion. What was Gu Wei planning? Chu Yun''s confusion only grew when moments later several other guards filed out out of the prison as well. With Xiao Zai''s token, everything Gu Wei said was as if an order from the King himself -- but why was he telling all the guards to leave the prison? Chu Yun doubted he had any intention of releasing Xiao An, but he definitely had something planned. After everyone left the prison, Chu Yun sneaked out of his hiding place and approached it quietly. He realised how weird it was for the King Consort to be skulking around in his own home, but he was certain that Gu Wei would put an end to whatever was happening inside if he saw him. He tried the door only briefly. He knew it would be locked from the inside, neither Gu Wei or Jin Luan would leave that kind of thing up to chance. So he went around the building out of view from anyone walking out into the courtyard. The back of the building led to a minuscule strip of overgrown courtyard, with one of the palace complex''s walls right next to it. With some effort, Chu Yun managed to wedge himself between it, with his hands crammed against the wall, feeling humiliated and slightly ridiculous. Finally, he reached one of the tiny barred windows, propping himself with his back and feet against both walls, to keep himself steady while he listened in. He could look inside from the corner of his eye, just enough to see Jin Luan''s side, and the white hem of Gu Wei''s robe, who was sitting down in front of a cell Chu Yun couldn''t see into. But he could hear them well enough -- their voices echoing inside the dank, cavernous cells. "Why so quiet, Bailiu? I thought you''d want to gloat." "You''ve lost any authority to call me that," Gu Wei said, his voice barely changing. "I''ll have to think of another courtesy name, because I have no interest in continuing to use the one you gave me." Xiao An chuckled, but there was no true amusement in it, just resentment. "You think forgetting me will be that easy? You have my mark on you, Bailiu, we have a son together. The ghost of my memory will stay with you long after I''m gone." The cool chilling tone of his voice sent a shiver down Chu Yun''s spine. It made him wonder if he wasn''t right, if Gu Wei would ever truly be free of him. If anyone who Xiao An had touched would ever truly be free of his poisonous stench. He could see Jin Luan''s balled fists at his side, the tense line of his jaw, but he said nothing. He always ever only watched and let Gu Wei do the talking. Chu Yun wasn''t sure how he was in private, but in public, his utter devotion to Gu Wei was obvious. "No one will remember you as anything but a cruel, brief, footnote in the history of this nation," Gu Wei said, his voice mellow, almost sweet. "And that''s all you''ll be in my life as well. Don''t fool yourself into thinking your touch has the power to change anything about me. I''m not made of clay." There was silence for a time. Chu Yun assumed Gu Wei would want to say some vicious, cruel things to Xiao An, rub it in his face how everything he had done had been for nothing, but that wasn''t what he was doing. Maybe it was because Chu Yun didn''t fully understand Gu Wei...maybe it was because some part of Gu Wei was now finally at peace. "And who is this?" Xiao An asked, his tone dismissive. Chu Yun imagined he was nodding at Jin Luan, even though he couldn''t see them. "He''s A-Xiang''s father," Gu Wei answered truthfully, making Chu Yun''s breath seize in his throat. Xiao An laughed. He laughed until his laughter became a raspy wheeze, and then a cough. The prison was cold and humid, he''d probably gotten sick in his days there. "I always knew you were a whore," he said, his breath still rattling. "I should never have believed you, I should have known Xiao Yuan wouldn''t have the balls to rape you." The way he spoke, as if Xiao Yuan was a disappointment for not raping Gu Wei, turned Chu Yun''s stomach. He shouldn''t have been surprised that Xiao An would say something like that but it was still revolting. Jin Luan must have thought so to, because the thread of his firmly held control finally snapped. He slammed a fist against the cell bars, making the whole thing rattle loudly. "Don''t talk with him like that, you are not worthy." There was another prolonged silence, and then Xiao An''s rumbling voice sounded: "I''ve seen you around, I remember your face. Don''t remember ever hearing your voice, though. Did Bailiu keep you leashed? Or did he have other uses for your mouth?" The sound of Gu Wei''s feet scratching the rough stone floor sounded through the prison. He was growing impatient. He had gone to visit Xiao An for a reason, but he wanted to say his piece first. "He had nothing to say to you then, and he has nothing to say to you now." He got up to his feet and leaned closer to Jin Luan. Chu Yun could see the flutter of his robes moving as he rested his fingers over his arm. Xiao An scoffed. "Looks like he has a lot to say, judging from that mean look on his face." He paused. "What is it boy? Are you angry that I whelped Bailiu before you got the chance? Or that his child with me is almost as old as you." He laughed at his own crude joke, but neither Gu Wei nor Jin Luan had any reaction and eventually his laughter petered out into nothing. "You have always been a sad, cruel, man," Gu Wei said, no inflection to his voice. "Maybe if circumstances had been different I could have felt something for you other than hatred. You''re right, we do have a son together, and that should mean something." He sighed loudly, a heavy sound, filled with regrets. "It should, but it doesn''t. And I feel sorry for Xiao An most of all, he deserved to have a father." Chu Yun struggled to see more into the cell, but his vision was limited in this position, and any other would require him to hang on to the bars too conspicuously. Even so, he managed to parse that Gu Wei had taken something out of his pocket and handed it to Xiao An. "What is this?" "A way to put an end to this," Gu Wei said. "You will be tried soon, and found guilty and executed. Xiao Zai will give the order to do it." Another derisive snort from Xiao An. "So? Are you trying to save me from the executioner''s block, Bailiu?" "No. But I think a son shouldn''t be responsible for his father''s death." Xiao An''s deep inhale sounded ragged, but he said nothing. Gu Wei wasn''t done speaking, "You haven''t been a good father to any of your children, but you can still spare them the humiliation of seeing you tried for your crimes." He turned around then, Jin Luan following after him like a shadow. "If you have any dignity, any modicum of honour left, you will take that pill and die without making it a shameful spectacle for your family. It would be the noblest thing you ever did in your life." After that, the prison''s door opened and closed, as Gu Wei and Jin Luan left. Xiao An still hadn''t said anything. Moments later, the guards filed back in into the prison, taking their posts without a word either with Xiao An or themselves. Chu Yun waited for a moment before leaving his hiding place and circling back towards the front of the prison. He wanted a word with Xiao An too, and unlike Gu Wei, he''d only need to say so for the guards to leave. Being King Consort came with its privileges. Chapter 188 - The Fox Makes An Ultimatum The guards could scarcely believe they were told to leave again, a few short minutes after returning from following those exact orders. It was reassuring at least, that they didn''t try to argument with him, as they had done with Gu Wei. Inside, he found Xiao An sitting on a straw cot in one of the leftmost cells, his back towards the bars. Chu Yun pulled on the same stool Gu Wei likely had, and sat in front of his cell. When Xiao An had no reaction, Chu Yun kicked the bars with his booted heel. That got him a lazy glance over the shoulder. And then Xiao An finally turned around. He didn''t get up and move towards him, instead he scooted backwards on the cot and pressed his back against the wall, holding on to one of his knees in a casual sprawl. "My grandchild has gotten bigger inside you," Xiao An said, with a nod towards Chu Yun''s abdomen. The stool was low, and in that position Chu Yun''s bump was more evident. Chu Yun adjusted the fall of his robes around his middle selfconsciously. His actions sent Xiao An into a laughing fit, his wheezing breath rattling around his chest like a trapped bird. "What? Are you ashamed of the proof of how thoroughly you have fallen as an alpha?" That snapped Chu Yun out of his embarrassment quicker than a bucket of cold water. Because, no, he wasn''t ashamed. And the fact that someone like Xiao An thought he should be, was just more evidence that he was right not to be. Chu Yun sat up straighter on the stool and rested one hand over his abdomen, he smiled at Xiao An. "It''s too bad you won''t be around to meet them." The smirk fell off of Xiao An''s lips, most likely at the reminder of his own imminent death. "Why are you here, little fox? Did Bailiu send you in to make sure I go through with it?" Xiao An looked like a shadow of his former self, his cheeks were sunken in, a thin sparse beard covering them, peppered with white. It seemed almost unbelievable that not so long ago he''d been such an intimidating figure, larger than life almost. "Gu Wei has no idea I''m here," Chu Yun said, "I followed him and overheard what he told you." Xiao An chuckled again, rubbing at his matted hair where it was probably making his scalp itch. "Can''t help getting your nose where it doesn''t belong, uh? My son doesn''t know what kind of trouble he has invited into his life with you." Chu Yun smirked. "He does, but unlike you he''s not afraid of meeting his match." He cleared his throat. "Speaking of which, where is Min Sezhui?" She hadn''t been with the other concubines during the audience, and Chu Yun hadn''t seen her at any other point. Xiao An sighed and bumped his head against the wall. "Ah, sweet Sezhui, she has come to see me, she delivers my meals personally. Unlike all the other whores I married she has always been loyal." Chu Yun didn''t have any problems imagining Min Sezhui doing what Xiao An said. She was too forgiving for her own good, and it must have been easy for Xiao An to elicit her pity. "Where is she?" Xiao Zai repeated. Xiao An shrugged. "She must be staying in her quarters." Chu Yun frowned. "All this time?" Why wouldn''t she leave her quarters? Chu Yun walked by Pearl courtyard often, but she wasn''t there lately. "Of course, she only left her quarters with me in the morning and went to the Pearl courtyard while I watched from the window, and then served me my meals."Xiao An''s grin grew sharper. "I learned my lesson and taught her well." Chu Yun couldn''t hide his disgust, and had no interest in doing so. He wanted Xiao An to see exactly how repulsive he found him. "You''ll be dead soon, and Min Sezhui will do as she pleases," Chu Yun said, his tone cold. "Speaking of which, I advise you to take the pill Gu Wei gave you." Xiao An must have expected that. He hummed thoughtfully, but with exaggerated movements. Mocking Chu Yun. "All of you seem in such a hurry to see me dead before the trial. Maybe you aren''t so sure that I''ll be convicted." Chu Yun snorted and got up from the stool. He walked up to the bars and wrapped his hands around them. "It has nothing to do with that. Xiao Zai is king, your trial is a formality everyone is postponing because the humiliation is too great." Xiao An pretended to be unaffected by Chu Yun''s words, but a muscle jumped on his jaw. "Take that pill or I''ll make you regret it." He snarled, his lips curling up in disgust. "I''ll make you regret everything you''ve ever done to Xiao Zai. I''ll have you begging for death before I even start." Finally, he got a reaction out of Xiao An, who got up to his feet and stalked towards the bars. His gait was unsteady, but his grip around the bars was sure. "Why should I rob you of the satisfaction of doing all that? Go ahead, do your worst." Their eyes met through the bars, and Chu Yun smirked. "I''m pregnant and it''s bad luck to take a life while a new one is about to come." He slammed his fist against the bars suddenly, startling Xiao An. "But my maidservant has no such qualms. Maybe I can watch while she does it." He shrugged, "maybe it doesn''t count if I just tell her what to do." He hoped Xiao An knew he meant it. It would give him no pleasure, but Gu Wei was right. Xiao Zai shouldn''t be the one to send his father to the gallows. Not when he was about to become a father himself. Chu Yun didn''t consider himself a religious or superstitious person, bu he knew a bad omen when he saw it. "I''ll leave after I see you take the pill." He expected Xiao An to laugh, to do nothing, maybe to sit back down on his cot. Instead he took the pill from the fold of his ratty robes and swallowed it. "Consider it a gift for my grandchild, may it be as ruthless as you." Chapter 189 - The Wolf Admires What He Never Had Chu Yun was in bed the next day, when Xiao Zai woke him up with a gentle shake of his shoulder. The words were out of his mouth before Chu Yun could even open his eyes: "Xiao An is dead." Chu Yun yawned loudly and stretched his arms above his head on the sheets, trying to get his stiff muscles to unwind. "Uhm, how did that happen?" he asked, tucking a strand of loose air behind Xiao Zai''s ear. "The physician said his heart gave out. Apparently he''s had a cough for some days according to the guards, the physician said it might be related." That was some effective pill, Gu Wei had gotten -- Chu Yun had to hand it to him. Chu Yun smiled up into Xiao Zai''s eyes, still feeling sleepy and languid. "Better this way, no?" Xiao Zai nodded, lowering his face into Chu Yun''s neck with a sigh. "It is, but I just thought I would feel something, like a deep sense of relief or something." Chu Yun patted the back of his head, running his fingers through the silky strands. "Maybe you''re to numb to feel anything right now. Maybe the relief will come later. Maybe it won''t come at all. Who knows how you''re supposed to say." Chu Yun''s hands stilled as he thought of something. "You''re even allowed to feel sad." Xiao Zai''s head shot up from his neck. He looked at him with a confused frown. "Why would I feel sad? Xiao An abused my dam all my life, and mistreated me at every turn--" Chu Yun shushed him and pulled his head back towards his neck. "I know, I know, but you are allowed to mourn the father he never was. You are allowed to feel sad that it has all come to this." That seemed to get to him, and Xiao Zai settled fully against his side. His breath a steady tickle on Chu Yun''s warm skin. "I suppose part of me wishes it could have been different." Chu Yun understood him, although he had never experienced that kind of pain. Xiao An''s death mean that Xiao Zai had to finally mourn the life he could have been, the person that other life could have turned him into. It was never easy to let go of a part of yourself, no matter how thin a figment it had been to begin with. Chu Yun kissed the top of Xiao Zai''s head and told him, "Let''s get ready for the day. You''ll have to go to court, and talk with the ministers about what to do regarding Xiao An''s burial, but that shouldn''t take long. We''ll have time afterwards. Let''s pay a visit to Gu Wei and A-Xiang." Xiao Zai lifted his head from his chest and met his eyes for a moment, smiling in relief. "How do you always know what to say?" Chu Yun bit his chin playfully. "Must be my formidable deduction skills." Xiao Zai wrapped his hands around Chu Yun''s waist and rolled them around on the sheets. "Yeah, must be." --- Xiao Zai was relieved that once again, Chu Yun had been right. The meeting with the ministers was very brief, and in less than an hour they settled on burying Xiao An in an unmarked grave inside the palace complex, albeit outside the royal clan''s burial grounds. That seemed like it satisfied all the necessary taboos without ruffling any feathers. Mostly, Xiao Zai wanted it to be done with, but didn''t want to give any ministers the impression that he was pursuing some deep-seated hatred of Xiao An. He just wanted to move on and be left to the task of being Zui''s King. He and Chu Yun left towards their old house in a carriage not long after, Hua Nanyi riding with them, while an honour guard followed behind. Xiao Zai would never get used to their constant presence, never too far away from him, but he understood the necessity. They were welcomed by Fan Jiang''s mother, one of the servants who didn''t want to follow them into the royal palace, on account of preferring the more relaxed pace of the Second Prince''s estate. "We weren''t expecting visitors," his dam said, walking down from the reception hall to greet them outside. Behind him, Xiao Zai saw Jin Luan with A-Xiang on his shoulders, her thin legs dangling from each side of his neck. The moment he saw Xiao Zai he took her down and put her back on her wheelchair. Chu Yun and Gu Wei were trading words that could at once be a friendly greeting or discreet barbs, Xiao Zai''s mind was still reeling from the sight of his little sister smiling on Jin Luan''s shoulders. Her sire. Her father. Xiao Zai walked into the estate''s main hall in a sort of a daze, his eyes lingering over the obvious signs of recent play. The low tables were littered with discarded papers where someone had been practising calligraphy before growing bored and painting landscapes instead. Some wooden toys were scattered on the ground. Jin Luan looked as stoic as ever, but he was wearing more comfortable, casual robes, and while he was standing stiffly next to A-Xiang''s wheelchair, A-Xiang''s fingers were closed around his fingers. She waved excitedly at Xiao Zai. Despite the tightness in his chest, Xiao Zai couldn''t refuse her, he walked to her side and knelt next to her wheelchair. Patting the top of her head he said, "A-Xiang has grown taller again." She giggled and pulled on Jin Luan''s hand. "Gege, have you met my dad? A-Xiang has a papa and a dad now!" Jin Luan''s face did something complicated before settling on a smile. Xiao Zai could feel Gu Wei''s eyes on his back, and he was sure that if he turned around he''d catch him smiling too. "Yes, I''ve met A-Xiang''s dad," Xiao Zai said, smiling at his little sister. "Is A-Xiang happy?" She nodded enthusiastically, the smile straining her chubby cheeks.. "A-Xiang loves living with papa and daddy." Chapter 190 - The Wolf Says Whats On His Heart Xiao Zai kept smiling at his sister even as his insides tightened painfully. "That''s good, gege is glad A-Xiang is happy." He was happy for her, that much was true. A-Xiang deserved to know who her sire was. And although his feelings for Jin Luan were still ambiguous, even to himself, he could imagine how much it must have pained him to know he couldn''t see her, or tell her who he was. "Look at what A-Xiang has been making!" she said, pointing towards the papers scattered across the tables. Xiao Zai knelt in front of the table beside her, admiring all the drawings carefully. A-Xiang always worked hard on her calligraphy because Gu Wei had ideas of turning her into a scholarly young lady, but looking at her carefree landscape paintings -- landscapes that she could have only came up with, because she had never left the tiny village in which she grew up -- Xiao Zai had the impression that his little sister had the makings of an artist. "These are very beautiful, A-Xiang," he said, ignoring the calligraphy and pulling out the paintings. They were very immature, but for someone as young as A-Xiang they showed a lot of promise. "Gege thinks so?" She asked, obviously delighted. Suddenly, Xiao Zai felt a presence at his side, and when he looked up Chu Yun had come to stand beside them, admiring A-Xiang''s works as well. "Maybe there''s a place on this estate that A-Xiang would like," Chu Yun said, almost as if talking to himself. He turned behind him to Gu Wei and asked him. "Can we take A-Xiang to one of the courtyards? Of course father-in-law and Jin Luan are welcome to come as well." Gu Wei acquiesced and Xiao Zai took A-Xiang''s wheelchair outside, walking leisurely through the estate''s courtyards. It felt weird to Xiao Zai to be back knowing this was no longer his home. He''d spent such a long time looking for a home, and when he finally found it, he could barely enjoy it. Now he was back living at the palace where he''d spent so many unhappy years, and he didn''t know how to go about making it a home. He watched Chu Yun''s straight back, and thought that if anyone could do it it was Chu Yun. At first, Xiao Zai had no idea where he was leading them, but then he saw the bamboo thicket and realised what he had in mind. A-Xiang''s head moved from side to side as she took in the secluded courtyard, with all its little nooks and crannys. The little slice of tranquillity that Xiao Zai and Chu Yun were supposed to enjoy to get away from everything weighting down on them. For their child to enjoy too, when they were born. When it seemed like they would have had that time. Xiao Zai stopped in front of the swing. A-Xiang barely needed to turn her head towards him for him to read the intention in her excited posture. He picked her up easily and deposited her on the bench. She held on to the robes with her thin arms and looked up at him in expectation. "Perhaps father-in-law and Jin Luan would like to swing her?" Chu Yun suggested, his voice cutting through the melodious chirp of the birds hidden somewhere among the foliage. Jin Luan was obviously startled by the suggestion and exchanged an apprehensive look with Gu Wei who just walked towards A-Xiang, touching his elbow on the way. The two of them got behind the wooden bench and pushed A-Xiang in unison, making her silky hair flutter with the movement. Xiao Zai pulled the empty wheelchair away from the swing''s path and watched the three of them in silence. His heart was heavy as a stone. Chu Yun''s warm hand touched his shoulder, the fingers curling intimately around the bone. "Walk with me," he said softly, pulling Xiao Zai away from the scene. Xiao Zai let himself be guided through the little bamboo grove, lost in his thoughts and silent despite all the words he felt bubbling up inside him. "You shouldn''t feel bad for being sad," Chu Yun said suddenly, surprising Xiao Zai. "She''s just a little girl, and she''s been through so much, with all her health problems, how can I begrudge her-" Chu Yun interrupted him. "You don''t begrudge her, but you wish you had a chance at a happy childhood too. I think that''s understandable, I think everyone should be afforded that much." Xiao Zai said nothing, but the guilty band around his heart had let up somewhat. Chu Yun never failed to reassure him, even when Xiao Zai wasn''t sure he deserved to be reassured. Chu Yun laced their fingers together as they walked through the familiar courtyards of what had once been their home. Nothing had changed, in such a short time, but everything felt irrevocably different. The two of them wouldn''t be able to exchange casual conversation with the servants, in the ways they both preferred, they wouldn''t be able to wear casual clothes and go out in saddled horses, riding wherever they wanted. Xiao Zai was king now, and the two of them had to observe all the rules and expectations that came with it. They could only ever be themselves again in the company of their families, and their most trusted, most loyal servants, like Hua Nanyi -- to everyone else they were his Majesty and his Royal Highness. It was lonely, and for a moment Xiao Zai missed the simpler existence they led when he was just the Second Prince. But there was no going back now. It wasn''t even as if he regretted becoming King, he knew why it had to be done, he knew he was Zui''s best hope, especially with Chu Yun at his side. But the process of becoming someone else was painful, as he was beginning to find out. When he turned his head to the side he found Chu Yun smiling softly at him as they walked. Unlike him, Chu Yun had had to become someone else the moment they got married. His life had been thrown upside down when he came to Zui. And then some, when he got pregnant. "You''re going to get a second chance, you know?" Chu Yun said, surprising Xiao Zai with his words. "What do you mean?" Xiao Zai asked. Chu Yun took their joined hands and brought them to his stomach, as they came to a stop under the shade of a scholar tree. The scent of incoming spring permeated the air, driving away the last chill of the winter and bringing with it new life. "You might not be able to go back and have a happy childhood, but you''ll still get a second chance with our child." Chu Yun smiled up at him. It made Xiao Zai''s heart tighten with emotion to see his usually sharp fox gaze brimming with softness. "Raising our child will allow you to experience everything you missed out on, too." Xiao Zai didn''t say anything, he just let go of Chu Yun''s hand and wrapped his own around his waist to pull him into a deep kiss. The slight curve of his stomach pushed against Xiao Zai''s, and even that was a sweet reminder of everything Chu Yun had said. He was right. Xiao Zai was getting a second chance, with his own family, to have the life he had always dreamed of. "I love you," Xiao Zai said, unable to keep the words inside. Chu Yun''s limpid eyes widened in shocked realisation, and his lips fell open in a silent gasp. Xiao Zai''s arms tightened around him, bringing their bodies impossibly closer. "I''m not saying that just because of the baby, I''ve been in love with you for an embarrassing long time. Even when we could barely tolerate each other I already knew my life was changed forever for having met you." "I-I...," Chu Yun stammered, but Xiao Zai silenced him with a kiss. "You don''t need to say it back," Xiao Zai said, whispering the words against Chu Yun''s wet lips. "I only want to hear you say it when you feel like it will kill you to keep the words inside any longer." He dropped another soft kiss on Chu Yun''s lips. "I have all the time in the world. I can wait for you my whole life." He felt a weak push against his side and pulled away from Chu Yun''s lips. "Bastard, who gave you the right to say those things?" Chu Yun asked, averting his eyes. His cheeks were flushed and his lips were red and wet like the inside of ripe fruit. He could only chuckle fondly at Chu Yun''s flustered state. He so rarely lost his composure, Xiao Zai treasured every moment it happened. He took his hand again and tugged him back in the direction of the bamboo grove. "Let''s go tell A-Xiang she''s going to be an aunt.." Xiao Zai smiled just imagining her reaction. Chapter 191 - The Fox Gets Unexpected News A-Xiang was predictably excited about the news she was going to be an aunt, although confused about how it was possible. Chu Yun smiled kindly at her. "Your brother and I like each other very much, and so the heavens have granted us this blessing." If Xiao Zai noticed how his voice wavered when he said ''liked'' he didn''t let it show. The truth was that Xiao Zai was still reeling from their conversation. Xiao Zai''s declaration kept rattling around in his mind, wreaking destruction through his scrambled thoughts. Sometime along the way, in the short span of time they had been married, Chu Yun became hopelessly enraptured by him. It still seemed hard to believe. He had known it for a while but it made him go warm inside all the same. The feeling only got worse when he watched the way Xiao Zai was with his sister. He was so attentive and indulgent, encouraging her to speak her mind and share her thoughts, taking her childish conversations with the utmost seriousness, as if she was just a small adult and not at all a child he was humouring. It made Chu Yun see the father he was going to be, and it made everything worse for his heart. Because suddenly he wanted the stomach bug out, and not just because he had to go to the latrine more often now, and had to keep taking foul medicine every day. He wanted to see their baby, wanted to see if they would resemble him or Xiao Zai more. Probably would barely look like a person for the first month of life or so, if Chu Yun''s experience with other people''s babies was anything to go by, but after that maybe... All his thoughts were probably showing right there on his face, so it was a good thing that Xiao Zai had his back turned to him and couldn''t see. Gu Wei could, however, Chu Yun could feel his knowing look on him, but refused to acknowledge it. Gu Wei didn''t need even more excuses to be a smug bastard. They left shortly after that, Xiao Zai looked a lot more happy and settled, no longer anxious about the changes in his family life. Chu Yun could imagine that Jin Luan''s presence was confusing for Xiao Zai, he was used to it just being his dam and him, and A-Xiang tucked away for her own safety. In many ways it wasn''t any different than when Chu Yun''s father brought his last concubine into their household, when he was about ten. He''d been used to the way their home worked, and the new addition seemed at first to change everything. But that was only at first, in the end, they all settled back into their usual roles and the new concubine found her own place -- life went on, mostly unchanged. Xiao Zai would grow used to Jin Luan''s presence at his dam''s side, very soon he and Chu Yun would have to get used to their own change. Back in the carriage Chu Yun noticed how bored Hua Nanyi looked. She''d stayed a few paces away during their little family time, Chu Yun thought she had done it out of politeness even though it wasn''t necessary, but now he could see the restlessness written all over her face. "What''s gotten into you?" he asked, as soon as the carriage started moving. She sighed deeply. "I have nothing to do all day, besides looking out for you, and standing quiet in the corner of rooms for hours," she rolled her eyes. "There are guards for that, I feel like it''s a waste of my talents." Chu Yun snorted. He supposed she was right. "Well, yes, there are a lot of guards around to keep an eye on us." Xiao Zai nodded thoughtfully, thinking of something. "Maybe you could see what Xiao Ziyi is up to? We haven''t heard from her in some time..." Hua Nanyi perked up immediately. Xiao Zai exchanged a knowing look with Chu Yun who tried to smother his snicker into his sleeve by disguising it as a cough. Unfortunately for Hua Nanyi, Chu Yun felt like being a little bit of an asshole. He had been far too calm and understanding the past few days, it was about time he changed it up. "How about you try to see if there''s any word about Chu Hean and Ru Long instead?" He suggested, making Hua Nanyi glare at him right away. "They have been laying low, which is never a good sign." "The most dangerous enemy is the quiet enemy, right next to the cornered enemy, the enemy that doesn''t know he''s an enemy yet," she shot him an aggravated look. "I''ve heard all about your enemies." Chu Yun couldn''t help chuckling in the face of her annoyance. "So you agree, that we should know what the two of them are up to?" She let out a frustrated groan and hung her head in defeat. "I''ll see what I can find." Taking pity on her, Chu Yun added. "After that you should go see if Xiao Ziyi knows anything, maybe there''s some useful information she''d like to share." She perked up at that, obviously relieved, but didn''t let her enthusiasm show. She didn''t want to give Chu Yun the satisfaction. "We haven''t heard from your uncle yet," Xiao Zai said all of a sudden, "I''ve congratulatory notes from all the lords in Zui, and even from the King of Su, but nothing from your uncle yet, which is odd because I''m sure he got the news firsthand from your cousin." In truth Chu Yun wasn''t surprised. They had frustrated his uncle''s plan. He was probably still seething about that. While Xin hadn''t lost anything with Xiao Zai becoming King, his uncle''s lofty aspirations hadn''t been met either. And of course, who could forget the unpleasant confirmation that his oldest alpha son was as big an idiot as he''d always feared. "I''ll write to him," Chu Yun said, "to smooth out any ruffled feathers, but you can count on hearing from him sooner or later. He''s probably just regrouping after the humiliation we put Chu Ming through." --- They had the rest of the day free after that. Hua Nanyi was gone, doing what Chu Yun asked her to, and Chu Yun and Xiao Zai went back to their quarters. The King''s bedroom was large and lavish, decorated sumptuously as benefiting his station, and with furniture that must have been procured from outside of Zui because it wasn''t in its usual style. Chu Yun felt adrift in the huge quarters, comprised of the bedroom, a series of sitting rooms, drawing rooms, offices and viewing rooms overlooking the King''s private courtyard. Of everything he like the pond with its brocade carps more than anything else. And he went outside to sit on the wooden deck above it, dipping his bare feet into the cool waters. Even though the chill of winter still persisted, Chu Yun longed for the spring. Xiao Zai sat down next to him, hooking one arm around his shoulders, and pulling his head towards his neck. "What has gotten you so morose?" Chu Yun wasn''t, not really, but he guessed it was downing on him that this was the rest of their lives. It still felt unbelievable, that they had gotten here. At the same time, Chu Yun couldn''t shake off the feeling that there was something in the horizon he wasn''t able to see. Some hidden danger approaching them silently. It wasn''t just a desire to annoy her that had made him send Hua Nanyi look into what Chu Hean and Ru Long were planning. "Nothing in particular," he answered at last, with shrug. "It''s just a lot to take in." Xiao Zai''s hand drifted to the back of his neck and rubbed softly, massaging softly. Chu Yun melted into the gentle touch with a contented sigh. With Xiao Zai''s warm hands on him all his worries felt very distant. It didn''t take long for Xiao Zai''s touch to stop being comforting, and turn into something else, more heated and leading. Chu Yun had fond memories of the King''s private baths. He pulled Xiao Zai''s hand from around his neck and brought it towards his lips, sucking one of the fingers past his lips. It didn''t take much for Xiao Zai to follow his lead. --- They didn''t hear from Hua Nanyi for over two weeks. The first week she was away Chu Yun wasn''t worried. He expected this assignment to take longer than others, but as the days went on he started to fret. He was going over some documents in his private office when Hua Nanyi burst in, looking travel-worn and very pale. Chu Yun shot up from his seat and went to her, steadying her with an arm around her shoulder. "What happened? Where have you been?" She held onto Chu Yun''s shoulder and looked into his eyes. "I followed Chu Hean''s and Ru Long''s trail...they haven''t returned to Su, or stayed in Xin.. They''re just outside Zui borders, with a contingent of Xiongnu riders." Chapter 192 - The Fox Expected This Even Less It took some time for Hua Nanyi to get her bearings, according to her she had ridden for days on end after she cought up to Chu Hean and Ru Long. "I regret ever telling you I was bored," she said, accepting the cup of tea Chu Yun gave her. "Did you get the chance to talk with Xiao Ziyi?" he asked, taking a seat next to her. She drank almost all of the tea in one thirsty gulp, before shaking her head in denial. "No, I wanted to get back to you as soon as I could." "You should go see her now," he rapped his knuckles against the table, lost in his own thoughts. "Xiao Zai is in an audience, but he should be finished by the time the two of you get back." Hua Nanyi looked like what she needed was about a solid two day''s sleep, but Chu Yun couldn''t trust anyone else to go talk with Xiao Ziyi, and he knew she absolutely wouldn''t come unless she knew it was important. She avoided the palace at all costs. Hua Nanyi downed the rest of her tea and got up with a tired but resolute nod. "I''ll hurry." She hadn''t said much about what she''d seen, but there was no doubt in Chu Yun''s mind that this was the kind of thing that needed to be discussed in a diplomatic way. Xiao Zai and Xiao Yuan were meeting with several ministers, trying to slowly push forward a few reforms. Progress was slow, and while Chu Yun advised Xiao Zai on how to approach the matters and how to talk to the ministers, he didn''t show up himself. It was better for now, while Xiao Zai''s ascension was so recent, that they didn''t think that Chu Yun had any influence over him. He would have time to establish a role for himself later on, for now, any implications that he was exerting any sort of authority could be prejudicial. Just as he had expected, Xiao Zai was just leaving the throne room when Chu Yun arrived. He was discussing something with Xiao Yuan in hushed tones, but stopped the moment he saw Chu Yun approach. Xiao Yuan greeted him and excused himself, assuming that whatever they were going to discuss was private, but Chu Yun stopped him. "Let''s go back inside, you should hear this too." --- He detailed the situation to Xiao Zai and Xiao Yuan, telling them how Hua Nanyi had tracked Chu Hean and Ru Long to a Xiongnu encampment just outside Zui''s borders. The Xiongnu usually roamed the grasslands, raising horses and cattle, following a nomadic lifestyle with some brief incursions into the nearby kingdoms of Su, Zui and Xin -- but that hadn''t happened in years. It was worrying that at least some of them were so close to Zui''s borders, especially considering Chu Hean''s and Ru Long''s presence with them. "From what you''ve said your brother''s goals are unpredictable," Xiao Yuan said, frowning deeply. "And the First Prince of Su seems to be trying to find ''long lost relatives''?" Both Chu Yun and Xiao Zai nodded awkwardly. That was the gist of it -- more or less. Chu Yun wasn''t sure if they should tell Xiao Yuan about Ru Long''s possible connection to Xiao Yao just yet. Xiao Yuan''s frown deepened. "What do they want with the Xiongnu, then?" Chu Yun didn''t have an answer for him. He couldn''t clearly see what either of them had to gain by trying to align themselves with a people who were notoriously closed off, and loyal only to themselves. The Xiongnu were comprised of several clans of divine beasts, with the current leader being decided internally through means Chu Yun didn''t understand. There were tigers, bears, and supposedly even dragons among them -- although that was the stuff of legend, no one really believed it. All they could do was wait fro Hua Nanyi''s and Xiao Ziyi''s arrival, which thankfully didn''t take long. Hua Nanyi looked exhausted when she dragged herself into the throne room, followed by Xiao Ziyi who just looked annoyed. Xiao Zai stopped pacing in front of the throne, and taking advantage that everyone else had been excused from the room , blurted out, "What the fuck is going on?" Four expectant pairs of eyes turned to Hua Nanyi, who took a sobering breath and raised her hands in apparent surrender. "This is going to sound hard to believe, but...I don''t think Chu Hean and Ru Long were there voluntarily." That gave Chu Yun pause. She was right -- he found that hard to believe. "You mean they were there...as prisoners?" She grimaced, tilting her head slowly from side to side. "They weren''t restrained...but they didn''t look happy to be there either. Maybe like, unwilling guests?" Xiao Ziyi had no interest in Chu Yun''s brother and the First Prince of Su, she had more direct concerns. "A sighting of Xiongnu riders so close to our borders is bad news," her jaw tightened, "it has been years since they raided our lands, but that doesn''t mean they won''t do it again. Word must have reached them that Xiao Zai is now the new Zui King. Opportunists like them would consider a transitional period such as this the perfect time to mount an incursion." Xiao Yuan paled, crossing his arms in front of his chest defensively. "Surely we can''t be certain that that''s what they''re planning." He looked towards Xiao Zai looking for support. "Maybe the First Prince of Su did drag them here, but Miss Hua just caught them during a disagreement. Maybe he promised them something in exchange for their support in helping him achieve," he gestured vaguely, "whatever it is he wants to achieve." Chu Yun had to admit that Xiao Yuan''s reasoning was solid, and at first he would have agreed with him, but now, he was beginning to reconsider. For one, the Xiongnu were notoriously unpredictable, Ru Long had to be an idiot to think he could make any sort of deal with them and expect them to follow through. More importantly, he was acting entirely behind the King of Su''s back -- if his insistence that he shouldn''t be informed of his actions or whereabouts was anything to go by. Chu Yun and Xiao Zai had upheld their end of the uneasy truce between them -- if it could even be called that -- and Chu Hean and Ru Long hadn''t done anything in the meantime. Getting the Xiongnu involved seemed too dramatic for their previous behaviour. There had to be something else going on. He turned to Hua Nanyi: "What did you see? In detail, what did the encampment look like, the riders? What did it seem like they were doing there?" She worried at her lower lip before turning to him. "I didn''t get to spend much time there, because I was almost made shortly after, and had to leave in a hurry, but it looked like they were getting ready to go on the move." Xiao Ziyi swore under her breath. "Towards Zui? Or maybe back to the grasslands?" Hua Nanyi shrugged. "It was hard to say, I couldn''t hear much, and what I did hear wasn''t very clear, but it gave me the impression that Chu Hean and Ru Long weren''t there entirely of their own volition. They seemed tense, and then there was the entire manner I found them." Of course, Chu Yun had forgotten to ask her how''d she track them towards the Xiongnu. She paused dramatically before turning to Chu Yun. "You might not like to hear this, but, for some reason I can''t quite understand, Chu Hean was dressed like one of them." Chu Yun really didn''t want to have heard that, she was right. Her words conjured all kinds of terrible mental images of what could have happened to lead his brother to wear the clothing of the Xiongnu. It could also explain why Hua Nanyi got the impression that neither he, nor Ru Long, were there entirely of their own volition. It was hard to imagine that if any of the scenarios Chu Yun was envisioning were true, that Ru Long had been okay with them. Xiao Zai turned to Chu Yun with a complicated expression. "Could Chu Hean have been following a contract?" He didn''t elaborate, but he didn''t need to. It was entirely possible that Chu Hean had found his way into the Xiongnu through Harmonious Radiance. He seemed dedicated to Ru Long, and whatever plan he had for Su, and maybe Zui -- but he seemed equally committed to the academy and his role there. Hua Nanyi intervened with a nod. "That was my first thought as well, because according to what I found out, Chu Hean and Ru Long split up some time during their journey." What could have caused that? Did it have to do with the Xiongnu, or did that only happen after the split? Hua Nanyi looked up into Chu Yun''s eyes. "To me it seemed like Ru Long had tracked Chu Hean to the Xiongnu too, it was like he had arrived there not long before me.. And like I said, he didn''t look happy to be there." Chapter 193 - The Wolf And The Fox Host Guests From Far Away Chu Yun took his time to digest what Hua Nanyi had told them. He paced in front of the dais with his hands tightly clasped behind his back in deep thought. Could Chu Hean have been made captive, in the course of one of his assignments for Harmonious Resonance? Did a falling out case him and Ru Long to split up? Why? He couldn''t help feeling afraid for his brother, despite everything. The Xiongnu were unpredictable, but unlike most other enemies Chu Yun didn''t feel well-equipped to deal with them. They were illusive, and rarely sent ambassadors or invited anyone into their ever-moving camps, so it was hard to have a good read on their political makeup -- which was no doubt part of their goal. However, the many years of peace without any Xiongnu incursions into their territories had made them grow complacent. Chu Yun had studied both Zui and Su diligently, but had only spared the Xiongnu the briefest of his attentions. He regretted that now, even though he didn''t think they were planning anything as nefarious as an invasion. "This ''contingent'', ''camp'', whatever you saw, of Xiongnu, were there many of them?" he asked Hua Nanyi. She thought it over, which Chu Yun considered a good sign. If their numbers had been so remarkable she would have said so right away. "I''d say almost a hundred people," she said, sounding uncertain of her answer. That wasn''t a small number, but neither was it possible to mount a full scale incursion with only some hundred riders, no matter how competent the Xiongnu were. They were either a rebel faction looking for trouble -- or seeking aid. In either case, a preemptive strike was the best course of action. Whatever they were planning, it was in their best interests to remove the element of surprise. Chu Yun turned to Xiao Zai. "I think we should send a military retinue to welcome them into Zui and invite them for a formal meeting. You should write a formal invitation, requesting their presence and of whoever leads them to a banquet in Haolin, as honoured guests of King Xiao Zai." "Yes, wonderful idea," Xiao Yuan sighed deeply in relief. "That way there will be no margin for misunderstandings, they won''t be under the impression that we want to ambush them, and we won''t cause alarm if anyone sees Xiongnu in Zui territory as they''ll be accompanied by our own soldiers." Xiao Ziyi cleared her throat. "And who should lead this retinue?" Chu Yun grinned at her. The answer was obvious, but she didn''t want to think about it. "Naturally, her Highness should go," Chu Yun said, and before she could protest he turned to Hua Nanyi. "Nanyi will accompany you, as she''s the only one who knows the route." While Hua Nanyi couldn''t quite disguise her excitement at having Xiao Ziyi''s company, she till looked a little frazzled. "Can I rest first?" Xiao Zai nodded firmly. "Of course, but you should leave tomorrow at the latest. We don''t know if they''ll move camps, or change locations in the meantime. We can''t risk losing track of their location." From high up on the dais he fixed Chu Yun with a determined look, "I''ll have the official invitation written today, and Xiao Ziyi can present it in my name." --- Time seemed to speed up after that. Hua Nanyi and Xiao Ziyi left the following day as agreed, and Chu Yun dove into the preparations for the feast, while Xiao Zai and Xiao Yuan talked the court into hosting the Xiongnu without raising any concerns over their presence along the Zui borders. In fact, they were staying silent about that, and instead Xiao Zai mentioned only some vague correspondence, alerting him of the presence of Xiongnu nearby, and of his desire to initiate diplomatic relations. As always, he had a hard time talking the conservative ministers and officials into doing anything out of their expectations. But Chu Yun advised him to remind them often of how the Xiongnu were expert horse breeders, and wouldn''t it be wonderful, if an alliance provided Zui''s military with such high quality animals? In the end they conceded, but even that only increased the pace at which things were progressing. A little before a week had passed, they got a letter from Xiao Ziyi informing them that they had established friendly contact with the Xiongnu, and that they would be returning to Haolin for the welcome feast. The message was short, clearly sent in a hurry, but Chu Yun''s gaze kept snagging on a single detail, "The Xiongnu were hoping to establish contact with Zui to begin with, and as such were most agreeable to the invitation." What did that mean? Why would the Xiongnu want to establish contact with them to begin with? What was their interest in Zui? Was it related to Chu Hean''s presence among them? Instead of comforting him, Xiao Ziyi''s cryptic missive only made his anxiety double. At night, Xiao Zai tried to reassure him that everything would be fine, and that no one would attempt anything against Chu Hean as long as Xiao Ziyi was present. Chu Yun knew he was right, but that didn''t stop him from sleeping poorly over the next couple of days, until the arrival of the Xiongnu in Haolin was finally announced -- almost two weeks after Hua Nanyi''s and Xiao Ziyi''s departure. --- On the day of the welcome banquet, Chu Yun got dressed in the most resplendent and extravagant robe he owned. Spring had finally come, and he could do away with his tiger fur cloak, using instead a thick brocade silver robe, matched with silver hair ornaments. Unlike him, Xiao Zai shone brightly in his gold robe and haircrown. The two of them resembled the sun and the moon side by side up on the dais, sitting in their respective thrones. Chu Yun was almost five months along, and there was no hiding the swell of his abdomen now. It was obvious to everyone that he was pregnant. He hoped that no one from the Xiongnu contingent would comment on it, or that due to the amount of people in the hall they would just assume he was an omega. But Chu Hean would know. Chu Hean would be coming to, and he would finally find out that Chu Yun was pregnant. That along with everything else at stake filled him with trepidation. He could only wait anxiously as the servants announced the entrance of the First Princess of Zui, as well as of the Wise Prince of the Left. That made Chu Yun sit up straighter in his throne. If he wasn''t mistaken the title of "Wise Prince" was used by the heir of the Xiongnu Emperor. They weren''t meeting just some grasslands lord, but the heir to the entire, vast, Xiongnu empire. And he had sought an audience with Zui before the invitation reached him. Chu Yun didn''t have much time to speculate about that, because moments later the doors opened and several men and women wearing colourful, leather clothing with fur accents entered the throne room. Unlike them, the Xiongnu wore pants, although the upper half of outfits resembled robes, and sturdy leather boots. The grassy plains where they roamed were even colder than the already frigid Zui territories, so Chu Yun understood the preoccupation with warmth. Despite the differences, it was obvious that all their clothing was finely made, expertly stitched and aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Along with their unusual dress, many of them sported tiny braids in their hair, some of them thread through golden or jade beads. No one was more eye-catching than the man leading them all, whose confident smile Chu Yun could see when he was almost across the room. His people parted so that he could easily access the foot of the dais, where he knelt deeply on one foot and with a hand to his heart. "Lieba Chun greets his Majesty the King of Zui, and his Royal Highness the King Consort." Xiao Zai welcomed him in equally respectful terms, while Chu Yun remained quiet. His eyes flew across the sea of serious, unfamiliar faces, looking for Chu Hean among them. "We are honoured to welcome the Wise Prince into our capital, but we have heard that the Prince sought an audience as well, beyond the matters of diplomatic relations," Xiao Zai said, looking down at Lieba Chun, who hadn''t moved from his place at the foot of the dais. "That is true, your Majesty, this humble prince from the grasslands, came to Zui in the hope of securing a marriage alliance." His words were met with stunned silence all around. Xiao Zai cleared his throat. "A marriage alliance? On what terms?" Finally, Lieba Chun stood up. He was handsome, roguishly charming in a way that promised all kinds of trouble. When he smiled, his sharp canines glinted in the flickering candlelight of the hall, whiter than any pearl. "This Prince seeks his Royal Highness'' permission and blessing to marry his brother." Chapter 194 - The Fox Has Heard Of Worst First Meetings Chu Yun was stunned silent for a long time. Beside him, Xiao Zai too was speechless. Lieba Chun, Wise Prince of the Xiongnu wanted to marry Chu Hean? His mind kept getting snagged on the the improbability of it all, and he couldn''t form coherent thoughts past it. He would have never thought that the reason for the Xiongnu''s presence at the Zui borders was related to a marriage alliance. No matter how much he wracked his brain, he had no memory of anything like that happening before. Even back when the three kingdoms were only Zhou, there were never any marriage alliances between them and the Xiongnu. They were either at war or actively ignoring each other. Not even the best strategist could predict the uncertainty of fate. Although, Chu Yun suspected that his brother must have done something to lead events to their current predicament. Finally, Chu Yun couldn''t stay silent anymore, Lieba Chun''s roguish smile was on the verge of slipping, and Xiao Zai looked like he wanted to become one with the throne and disappear from sight of the entire court. "The Wise Prince, means my brother Chu Hean?" Chu Yun asked, his voice coming out croaky and uncertain. Lieba Chun spread his arms around to encompass the throne room. "Does his Royal Highness have another?" That merited the raucous laughter of the Xiongnu with him, even though Chu Yun thought it really wasn''t that funny. He cleared his throat pointedly. "And where is Chu Hean? I assume the Wise Prince has talked with him about this?" Lieba Chun whistled, and the crowd behind him parted to admit a man and woman walking beside a young man about a head shorter than them. Chu Yun''s eyes widened. Hua Nanyi hadn''t made it up -- Chu Hean was indeed wearing the clothing of the Xiongnu. His legs were wrapped in fur, tied tightly around his calves with bright red wraps, in a similar pattern to the ones that tightened the sleeves of his shirt around his forearms. His hair was gathered high on top of his head, braids from his temples joining the high pony tail, many decorated with the same type of beads Lieba Chun himself wore. His eyes widened too when he caught sight of Chu Yun''s pregnant stomach. His mouth fell open in obvious shock, and then promptly slammed closed with a loud click. Chu Yun was grateful that he hadn''t made any comment on it at least. Although it was obvious from his expression that he was burning with a mixture of shock and curiosity. "Brother, you seem well," Chu Yun said, smiling at Chu Hean despite everything that had happened between them, and apparently, to them, since the last time they saw each other. "His Royal Highness looks well too," he said, his expression inscrutable, and just because he couldn''t resist, he added, "how far along now?" It was an extremely inopportune thing to ask of him in the middle of so many people, especially a contingent of foreign people, but Chu Yun just smiled and rested a hand over his swollen middle. "Some eighteen weeks now." Chu Hean just nodded, his face still unreadable. Lieba Chun noticed there was something happening between the two of them but unable to say what cupped his fists in front of his chest in a salute. "Congratulations to his Majesty and his Royal Highness, may their child be born healthy and strong." Xiao Zai thanked him, although from the corner of his eye Chu Yun could tell he still looked very out of it by everything that was happening. "So, the Wise Prince came all this way to ask for Chu Yun''s permission to marry Chu Hean," he rubbed the bridge of his nose momentarily, "I apologise for the question, but why not go to his parents? Is it Xiongnu custom to ask the brother instead?" He made a fair point. There was no reason why Chu Yun would have a say over his parents, even though he was King Consort of Zui -- they were still the higher authority in matters concerning Chu Hean as their unmarried child. Lieba Chun chanced a look towards Chu Hean, charged with tension. "I was under the impression they were...unavailable." While he was being diplomatic, Chu Yun could read between the lines. Chu Hean had most likely lied to him and told him his parents were dead. Lieba Chun really didn''t know anything about Chu Hean -- however he came to be interested in marrying him, it clearly wasn''t related to his position as nephew of the King of Xin, because the Wise Prince clearly had no insight about Xin''s internal situation. "Ah, yes, I see why the Wise Prince would think so," Chu Yun said, in an attempt to clear the air and avoid making the Wise Prince feel awkward. He would kill Chu Hean if he had brought a diplomatic crisis to his doorstep with whatever was happening here. He exchanged a look with Xiao Zai, and then smiled at Lieba Chun. "Perhaps it is better for us to proceed with the feast and discuss the Wise Prince''s proposal while we eat?" To his credit, Lieba Chun wasn''t inclined to make a scene, he bowed respectfully and said, "I''m happy to do as his Royal Highness thinks best." Despite his roguish smile and rakish good looks, Lieba Chun didn''t seem to have any second intentions beyond the motives he stated. The man seemed genuinely interested in marrying Chu Hean, for whatever reason. Chu Yun''s gaze drifted to the sullen Chu Hean standing a few steps behind Lieba Chun -- it remained to be seen if the Wise Prince knew just how much he was risking by even suggesting the idea. --- Xiao Zai and Chu Yun descended from the dais and adjoined to another hall, where tables had been laid out on each side of the room so that the people sitting behind them could admire the entertainment happening between them, as well as talk with each other from across the distance. The two of them sat a table together, with Chu Hean and Lieba Chun sitting on the table right next to theirs. Food and drink was brought out by servants at the same time performances and musicians filed in to entertain everyone. There was little talk during the height of the performances, everyone''s attentions focused on the skilled dancers. Only afterwards, as they left and only the musicians remained, playing a pleasant background melody, did Lieba Chun finally address the elephant in the room. "Chu Hean gave me the impression that his and his Royal Highness'' parents were deceased." He kept his voice down as he sat sideways on the floor to better talk with them. Chu Yun shot Chu Hean a glare. "I have no idea why he would have told the Wise Prince something like that." Now that everyone was occupied and entertained, they could talk more openly, but still Chu Hean refused to say anything. Chu Yun expected Lieba Chun to be upset at the realisation he had been lied to, maybe even demand some kind of compensation for the insult, but instead, after a brief frown of confusion, he threw Chu Hean a smirk over his shoulder and shook his head with an indulgent smile. "His Highness should be well aware of his brother''s...''particular'' temperament." Chu Yun and Xiao Zai chuckled in unison, prompting Chu Hean to shoot them an annoyed glance. "Yes, I''m well aware of just how particular he can be." He hadn''t always, but Chu Hean had done his best since his wedding to Xiao Zai to show Chu Yun just how mistaken he had been about him. He wondered where Ru Long was now, and what did he think of the whole situation. Chu Yun knew that the minute Xiao Ziyi delivered the official invitation that he would be forced to leave, or at least hide. It would put him in an uncomfortable position, as the Crown Prince of Su, to be seen arriving in Zui in company of Xiongnu delegation, and obviously he couldn''t drop in on the feast unannounced. "I''m very curious about how the Wise Prince made Chu Hean''s acquaintance," Xiao Zai said, voicing a question that was burning Chu Yun as well. "It must have been a recent meeting, as the last time we were together Chu Hean didn''t mention the Wise Prince." Lieba Chun chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck self-consciously. He had sharp features, his handsome ruggedness contrasted very sharply with his large eyes and his long and thick eyelashes. His gaze softened his entire appearance. Instead of intimidating, Lieba Chun resembled a young boy that had just committed some minor infraction and expected to use his charm to talk himself out of any punishment. "We Xiongnu do things differently, than the people of Zui and Xin when considering a mate. It is important for us that any pair is well-matched," he looked towards Chu Hean who avoided him and kept staring at his food.. "I knew Chu Hean was the one for me when he managed to sneak into my tent in an attempt to assassinate me, and almost succeeded." Chapter 195 - The Foxs Brother Makes An Offer How was one supposed to react to the knowledge that one''s brother had tried to kill someone, and that this awakened in that person a desire to marry him? Chu Yun would be sure to leave instructions to the next unfortunate soul to find themselves in such a predicament as soon as he had an answer himself. He took a sip of tea, thankful that the hall was so lively and raucous that no one could have heard with Lieba Chun said. Xiao Zai looked like he was experiencing a grave physical and mental attack. "Uhm, so, brother-in-law, attacked the Wise Prince?" Xiao Zai asked, trying to smile despite the sheer awkwardness of the situation. "And this is a courtship ritual of the Xiongnu?" Lieba Chun seemed amused by their shock, while Chu Hean kept eating his food as if he wasn''t the one being talked about. "Well, not necessarily, it doesn''t usually involve an attempt on a person''s life," he laughed, and then cut his eyes towards Chu Hean, looking besotted, which was concerning. Chu Yun was entirely alarmed by everything going on. "Although it is important for people to display both their mental and physical fortitude. A show of strength is always welcome." Chu Hean snorted loudly and rolled his eyes. Chu Yun wanted to throw a platter of food in his face. He should have solved this problem himself, instead of bringing Lieba Chun to their doorstep. How was Chu Yun supposed to handle this mess? Did Chu Hean want more reasons to hate him? Because he had to know that Chu Yun was tempted to give his blessing, and organise the wedding himself! In any case, in their brief acquaintance, Lieba Chun didn''t strike him as a bad person. If anything he seemed naive about Chu Hean''s nature. "And what does Chu Hean have to say about this?" Xiao Zai asked, voicing the question Chu Yun didn''t dare pose. Chu Hean ignored him for as long as he could before it was impossible to write it off as him simply thinking over the question. "As I told the Wise Prince, I leave the decision entirely up to my brother." Lieba Chun looked at Chu Yun with an expectant and charming smile. "I have to admit this custom seems odd to us Xiongnu, but I won''t pass any criticism. I''m sure many of our traditions must seem odd to the peoples of Zui and Xin as well." His grin grew. "So, what does his Royal Highness say?" Chu Yun felt on the verge of screaming. He wanted to kill Chu Hean. "I''d like to have a word with my brother before making a decision," he said, raising to his feet. "If the Wise Prince wouldn''t mind?" Lieba Chun nodded agreeably. "Of course, I imagine there is a lot his Royal Highness would like to discuss with Chu Hean." To his credit, Chu Hean didn''t make a scene and got up to his feet quickly. Chu Yun led them both out of the hall and towards one of the nearby offices without another word. --- As soon as the door closed behind him, Chu Yun asked Chu Hean. "What the fuck are you thinking?" Exactly at the same time Chu Hean asked, "How the fuck are you pregnant?" Chu Yun glared at him. "Omega solidarity, now answer my question." Chu Hean clearly didn''t appreciate the blitheness of his comment. "Don''t be glib." "I''ll be whatever I want, now, tell me why the fuck did you think it was a good idea to get me and Xiao Zai involved in this mess with the Xiongnu." Chu Hean crossed his arms in front of his chest, and paced the length of the small room, his expression sombre. "Me and Ru Long had a falling out." That made sense, considering what Hua Nanyi had said. However, "Supposedly, he was with you and the Xiongnu near the Zui borders, where is he now?" Chu Hean shot him a glare. "Aren''t you well informed?" He was, but that was none of Chu Hean''s business. If Chu Yun wasn''t well informed, who knows how much worse things could have been. "Where is Ru Long now?" Chu Yun asked, ignoring him entirely. "He tracked me to the Xiongnu, when I was still on the plains." He glared at Chu Yun as if it was his fault. "But we parted ways before that, he has...plans...that can have dramatic consequences, in matters that I consider important." It was impossible for him to be any more vague than that. But Chu Yun was adept at reading between the lines. Chu Hean and Ru Long had some kind of falling out due to a divergence in ambitions. As Crown Prince of Su, it was likely that Ru Long had made Chu Hean several promises that he had no intention of keeping -- or no means of keeping -- but had hoped that by then Chu Hean perhaps wouldn''t have cared. "You attacked Lieba Chun because of a Harmonious Resonance contract?" Chu Hean nodded, with his back still to Chu Yun, shoulders drawn tight. "I have a responsibility to the academy. I take my role seriously." Of course he did. Even if he was nothing but a pawn at the hands of an opportunistic organisation, they were the first ones to give Chu Hean a purpose beyond his role as omega, and the limitations it presented for him. They had preyed on his vulnerability and fear to exploit his loyalty. Chu Yun could imagine Ru Long discouraging him from taking any more contracts, perhaps even pressuring him to cut all ties with Harmonious Resonance, and how badly Chu Hean could have reacted at that. "So, you were tasked with killing Lieba Chun, and failed," Chu Yun said, after a few moments of silence. "Ru Long didn''t want you to take the contract in the first place?" Confirming his suspicions, Chu Hean nodded minutely, still keeping his back turned to Chu Yun. Ru Long was a fool if he didn''t see how Chu Hean would have immediately interpreted that as an attack on his autonomy -- which he valued above everything else. Chu Yun had no intention of repeating Ru Long''s mistake and tried to avoid passing any judgement on Harmonious Resonance. "So, I imagine it was a shock that instead of being imprisoned and tortured, he asked to marry you instead?" However, he couldn''t avoid the note of humour in his words, which made Chu Hean turn towards him with a glare. "How was I supposed to know almost being murdered would be a turn on for him?" Chu Hean asked, hissing out the words. "I did recognisance on their land, on how their camps were organised, I observed for days hiding in the cold, just to learn guard rotations. How was I supposed to know that their courtship rituals involved...I don''t know, killing and maiming?" His frustration made it very hard for Chu Yun to keep a straight face. He should never have doubted that karma would right the wrongs his brother had inflicted on him. The will of the Heavens was nothing if not creative. "I don''t know why you''re complaining, it seems like an ideal arrangement. The Xiongnu value strength, you showed yours, and now Lieba Chun considers you an equal worthy of being his mate," Chu Yun shrugged, "I fail to see the problem." Chu Hean glared at him, but said nothing. "Is he an alpha?" Chu Yun asked, trying to see if that was the root of Chu Hean''s problem with what seemed like a match made in the heavens. "No, he''s a beta," Chu Hean spit out, filled with consternation. Ah, so he too realised that he didn''t have many arguments to oppose the marriage himself. Chu Yun was almost overcome with glee at the irony of the whole thing. "That speaks well of the Xiongnu, doesn''t it? He''s the Wise Prince, heir to Xiongnu Emperor, and a beta..." He didn''t need to finish the thought to make the implications plain. Chu Yun could surely figure them out for himself. The glare he shot at Chu Yun was murderous, but it only encouraged him to prod at him further. "Speaking of, how did he become Wise Prince? What are the succession rules among the Xiongnu?" "How else? He beat his siblings in tests of mettle to win the title," Chu Hean said, through gritted teeth. Chu Yun tapped his chin pensively. "Did that include any alpha siblings?" Chu Hean knew that question was coming, and only nodded. "How about omegas? Are they forbidden from taking part in those competitions?" "No," Chu Hean admitted reluctantly. "You see, that speaks well of them, and of Lieba Chun''s character," Chu Yun said, actually meaning his words. Maybe this had been a blessing in disguise and he and Xiao Zai really should take alliances with the Xiongnu into consideration. "I think he would make a good husband, actually." Chu Hean''s beautiful features pinched in annoyance. "Find a way to change his mind." "And what if I don''t?" Chu Yun asked, with his arms crossed. Chu Yun grit his teeth, glaring at a point above Chu Yun''s shoulder.. "If you help me, I''ll tell you what Ru Long is planning." Chapter 196 - The Fox Wont Play Games, The Wolf Likes The Wise Prince Chu Yun stared at Chu Hean''s familiar face and shook his head with a sigh. "I don''t need you to tell me that kind of thing." Chu Hean''s face fell. He had really believed that the promise of telling him Ru Long''s plans would really impact his decision in either way. It almost made Chu Yun feel sorry for him. His relationship with Ru Long must have been badly shaken, if he was willing to sell him out. And if he was planning on lying to Chu Yun he must really be overestimating just how guilable he was. Either way, Chu Hean''s fears had made him overlook something essential. "Whatever I tell him, Lieba Chun won''t marry you if you don''t want to," Chu Yun said, softening his tone so it didn''t sound as much like an accusation as it felt. Predictably, Chu Hean glared at him. "What makes you so sure of that? He came all this way didn''t he?" "Because you told him to! Because you told him he needed my permission to marry you!" He couldn''t keep the frustration off his voice any longer. "If you had been direct with him, you would never have ended up in this situation." Chu Hean kept glaring at him, but Chu Yun noticed that he didn''t disagree in any way. He didn''t knew when Chu Hean became so averse to direct confrontation that he was unable to do anything that didn''t involve subterfuge and dissimulation. "Let''s go," Chu Yun said, with a shake of his head towards the door. "We''ve been here long enough, and you won''t make me lie to a person who approached us with honesty and stated his intentions clearly." Chu Hean scoffed. "Everything is about politics with you, you''re always looking for the angle that can help you further your agenda." "And what about you? Why bring him here? Forget the shit about telling me Ru Long''s plans, the truth is that you came here hoping to manipulate me. You wanted to take advantage of our bond as brothers, and my own regret over what has become of us to make me do your dirty work for you." Now he was openly glaring at Chu Hean, unable to hold himself back. "If you''re old enough to carry out an assassin contract against Lieba Chun, then you''re old enough to tell him you don''t want to marry him yourself!" --- Xiao Zai had feared that things would become unbearably awkward the moment Chu Yun and Chu Hean left but the truth was that Lieba Chun was surprisingly easy to talk to. He was polite, funny, and freely admitted not knowing much about Zui, which allowed Xiao Zai to admit the same about the Xiongnu and to ask whatever questions he wanted. Which Lieba Chun replied in turn, very candidly, as far as Xiao Zai could tell. They weren''t necessarily discussing state secrets, and kept only to generalist cultural aspects, but it still felt like Lieba Chun was extending him a courtesy that Xiao Zai felt obliged to return. It really was a shame that Chu Hean was such a poisonous viper, because Xiao Zai would really have liked to form some kind of alliance with Lieba Chun -- even if it didn''t inolve the Xiongnu''s prised warhorses. He really didn''t understand what drew such a seemingly nice and normal man to someone as temperamental as Chu Hean. "I hope the Wise Prince can forgive my forwardness, but," Xiao Zai started, tentative even as Lieba Chun nodded letting him know he should go on, "Aren''t you curious to know the reason why Chu Hean attempted to assassinate you?" Lieba Chun laughed heartily and filled his cup with wine, downing it with a pleased smack of his lips. "Good wine." Xiao Zai signalled a servant to fill up his cup again, Lieba Chun drunk that cup and then another, before finally turning towards Xiao Zai with an answer. "He told me that despite his status as a Prince''s son he fulfils duties as an assassin for some kind of organisation." Xiao Zai was surprised that Chu Hean had admitted half that much, and only nodded in silence. "He told me he doesn''t know who files the contracts, and it''s not in his interest to care. I believe him. An assassin can''t afford to feel disgust for his client''s aims, or pity towards his targets." That was all very well and good, but it still meant someone had paid a considerable sum to get rid of Lieba Chun. Speaking of which...did that mean that Harmonious Resonance was beholden to fulfil the contract anyway, despite Chu Hean''s failure? "But someone still wants the Wise Prince dead." Lieba Chun laughed again. "There are a select few that would stand to profit from my death, and this was hardly the first attempt," he smirked, thinking of something, "although all others didn''t involve such charming assassins." Xiao Zai hoped his grimace could pass for a bewildered smile. He had a very hard time thinking about Chu Hean in any positive terms, although he also wasn''t in any hurry to tell Chu Yun that. "Chu Hean, can be...difficult," Xiao Zai said, lamely. A raging asshole didn''t seem appropriate. Lieba Chun nodded seriously. "He has a strong temper, that''s a good thing. There is nothing us Xiongnu despise more than meekness. I can see that your husband, his brother, also has a strong character, I''m sure your child will be determined and fierce." He raised a cup to Xiao Zai. "To both their health." Xiao Zai accompanied him on the toast, feeling a little insulted on Chu Yun''s behalf. Just as they put down their cups, Chu Yun and Chu Hean rejoined them, sitting down at their previous seats without a word. Lieba Chun turned towards Chu Yun with an expectant smile. "So, what has his Royal Highness decided?" Chu Yun spared only a brief glance at Chu Hean before saying. "I think the Wise Prince would make a great husband for my brother, and I have no objections to the union." Lieba Chun laughed triumphantly and smacked the top of the table with a winning smile, but Chu Yun wasn''t done talking. "However, the decision is ultimately his, and I won''t attempt to change his mind." He raised an expectant eyebrow at Chu Hean, who looked between him and Lieba Chun before admitting, "I''m afraid I''ll have to decline the Wise Prince''s proposal," he paused, looking uneasy, "my heart belongs to another." Chapter 197 - The Fox And The Wolf Are Hospitable Both Chu Yun and Xiao Zai fell silent at Chu Hean''s admission. For his part, Chu Yun wanted to roll his eyes at his brother''s serious words. He had found Ru Long passed out somewhere near Harmonious Resonance (in circumstances Chu Yun didn''t fully understand himself -- and perhaps never will) and imprinted on him like a baby chick. The whole thing felt to him painfully young and juvenile. Especially when the two of them talked about their relationship as if they were the first two people on earth to fall in love -- a sure sign of youthful folly. Chu Hean still hadn''t come of age yet, and Ru Long was probably around Chu Yun''s age, but Chu Yun wasn''t putting much stock on his maturity. Really, what did either of them know about love? Perhaps it was condescending, but from his perspective he had the impression that their courtship had gone something like: Chu Hean saying "I wish I could change the world," and Ru Long replying, "You can do whatever you want, darling" -- which was neither true nor helpful, but Chu Hean being a brat had probably eaten it up. He didn''t realise how much his inner thoughts were affecting his expression until Xiao Zai elbowed him lightly on the side and whispered, "you''re frowning." Chu Yun wiped the expression off his face and replaced it with a blank look, but not before Lieba Chun caught it. Something flashed in his eyes, a steely glint of determination, and he addressed Chu Hean after a prolonged silence: "Thank you for being candid," he sounded genuine, not hurt at all. "I will of course retract my proposal if you''re not amenable to the wedding." The tension melted off CHu Hean''s shoulders. His thick eyelashes fluttered in relief as if he truly believed Lieba Chun would truly marry him by force. Chu Yun wanted to shoot him a pointed, "I told you so" look, but he decided he was better than that at the last moment. Lieba Chun rose to his feet, and patted his pants somewhat stiffly. "I''m afraid I came all this way to make a fool of myself," he laughed, self-deprecatingly. Xiao Zai got up as well and clapped him on the shoulder as if they had been friends their entire lives. "Not at all, it has been a great honour to host the Wise Prince, and he and his people are welcome to stay as guests of Zui for as long as they''d like." Lieba Chun lifted a hand to his heart and bowed respectfully. "His Majesty honours us, but I''m afraid I wouldn''t want to impose." Chu Yun got up to his feet as well. "It wouldn''t be any sort of imposition," he hastened to add. "The Wise Prince and his people have such a long journey ahead, the least we could do is allow them to rest well." Despite Chu Hean''s terrible blunder, childish conduct, and otherwise intractable behaviour, he had perhaps delivered a useful ally to them. Lieba Chun had grounds to demand some kind of retribution for being led around and dragged all the way from the grassy plains to Zui on Chu Hean''s whims. Instead he had been kind and courteous, and entirely respectful even though Zui must be entirely different than what he was accustomed to. Lieba Chun rubbed the back of his neck with a chagrined smile and looked away from Xiao Zai. "Then, if his Majesty truly doesn''t mind, we''ll have to impose on his hospitality. No more than a week, surely." "We''ll have accommodations prepared for everyone," Chu Yun said, although, logistically, he wondered where they were going to fit all the Xiongnu riders. There weren''t individual rooms in the palace for each of them, and the rooms there were weren''t prepared for sharing, Chu Yun would have to get creative. Before he could follow that line of thought further, Lieba Chun interject with a rueful laugh. "We are simple people, most of us prefer the cold breeze of the open plains. My people won''t be comfortable sleeping inside." He paused. "If there is some open swath of woods, or forest, we''d like to make our camp there." "Of course, the royal woods are just behind the palace complex, the Wise Prince will be close enough to us," Chu Yun said. Xiao Zai had a complicated expression, as if he wasn''t sure it was proper. In the end he just nodded along. Chu Yun understood his reticence, but this was Lieba Chun''s wish and it would be ruder to force him and the entire Xiongnu contingent to sleep in rooms if they would prefer not to. Lieba Chun grinned widely, his pearly teeth glinting in the low light, made even whiter by the golden glow of his tanned skin. "I''m very grateful, to both his Majesty and his Royal Highness." Slowly he turned towards Chu Hean, who he had been ignoring up to that point. "Since we''ll be staying a little longer, I''d like to make a request of his Grace," he said, one corner of his lips quirking up in obvious mischief. Chu Hean''s shot him a narrowed look, but eventually gave a stiff nod of his head. "The Wise Prince may ask." "If I return home to our steppes without a spouse it will raise several questions. It would be a blow to my honour as Xiongnu." Chu Hean''s glare grew almost scorching, but Lieba Chun interrupted him before he could complain. "That isn''t to say that his Grace has to do anything, but it is common for us to organise games when trying to prove our worth as mates." That made sense. Chu Yun thought surely not all the Xiongnu were seduced by assassination attempts, so there must have been another criteria for less exotic preferences. "I would appreciate the opportunity to organise games in front of my people, so they know it wasn''t a matter of ability that led to his Grace''s rejection." He winked with a smirk. "At the same time, his Grace could invite the person he loves to participate as well." Before Chu Hean could say anything Chu Yun cut in. "We''d love to host such an event. I think it would be very entertaining for the people of Haolin." Lieba Chun grinned. "Then it''s settled." Chu Hean fumed silently but no one paid him any attention. Chapter 198 - The Fox Tries To Open His Brothers Eyes Unlike the Xiongnu, Chu Hean would be hosted in the royal palace. He drew looks from all the servants in his exotic garb as Chu Yun led him through the corridors towards the guest quarters. Chu Hean was silent the whole way there, but to Chu Yun even the sound of the beads in the braids of his hair clinking together sounded judgemental. He could have asked any servant to escort Chu Hean, and be rid of him for the night, but he wanted to have another talk with him. When they reached the guest quarters he closed the doors behind him and shot Chu Hean a pointed look. "So, are you going to call Ru Long here and have him participate in the competition?" Chu Hean turned around with a derisive snort. "He''s the Crown Prince of Su, how could he do something like that? What kind of image would that give?" One corner of Chu Yun''s lips curled up. That was reasonable, but he thought there was something else to it. "He could wear a disguise, isn''t that what he did when the two of you were sneaking around Haolin? Besides, what do you think is going to come of your relationship?" He clasped his hands behind his back and walked towards Chu Hean, on the opposite side of the room. "Has he made you any promises? Vowed to marry you?" Chu Hean snorted. "Our bond goes beyond that kind of triviality." Chu Yun cut him off with a laugh. "Really? So you''re in a relationship with him with no certainty of how long it will last? That seems very convenient," he glared at Chu Hean, "for him." As expected, Chu Hean bristled immediately. "Ru Long loves me. We had a disagreement, and still he sought me, he tracked me all the way to the Xiongnu. I don''t doubt his devotion, and that''s all that matters." Chu Yun hummed thoughtfully. "And why did you disagree in the first place? Could it be that he didn''t approve of your role within Harmonious Resonance?" Chu Hean''s nose wrinkled in distaste and he turned away from Chu Yun with a loud scoff, confirming his guess. "Maybe he doesn''t share your ideals as much as you thought." Again, that made Chu Hean''s temper flare higher than a volcanic eruption. It was almost impressive how he had managed to hide it from Chu Yun for so long. "We agree! Ru Long also thinks the treatment of omegas is unfair." "That might be so, but it''s well known that in Su women often don''t have the same opportunities as men -- in fact much of their difficulties could be compared to what omega men and women experience in Zui and Xin." He shrugged in the face of Chu Yun''s barely contained rage. "I wonder...do you extend them the same solidarity? Does Ru Long? It''s obvious that Su isn''t free of prejudices just because the population are all betas." Chu Hean didn''t have an answer for him, but his knuckles had turned white with rage from how tightly he was clenching his fists. "I''m not trying to make light of you, or dismiss your worries, but you should consider whether or not you''re being taken advantage of. Some people disguise themselves as allies but they only want to use you to further their own cause." He left Chu Hean with those words. He didn''t know what Ru Long''s true intentions were, but it was important for his brother to remain alert either way. The truth was that he found it very unlikely that his uncle would approve of Chu Hean''s marriage to Ru Long just on the basis of "true love". Ru Long likely knew that as well, and if he was serious about Chu Hean he should have a plan already. That he was apparently telling his brother they were "above that" was concerning. Ru Long would be king one day -- and where would that leave Chu Hean? --- Back in their quarters, Xiao Zai had called for a wooden tub to be delivered directly into their bedroom, and was already soaking in it when Chu Yun walked in. "For old time''s sake," he said, stretching his arm''s along the rim of the tub. Chu Yun had to admit he missed the proximity of the portable tub compared to the huge bathing pool in the royal quarters. While it was nice to swim, it was even more enjoyable to rest his head against Xiao Zai''s shoulder and relax. He started undressing right there by the tub while Xiao Zai''s hungry gaze took in his every movement. His eyes roving hungrily over Chu Yun''s body as it was slowly revealed. Chu Yun felt self-conscious over the size of his belly. He didn''t like how much it had changed his body. And while he had never had any opinion on the appearance of pregnant people before, now that it was happening to him he found it unnerving. Xiao Zai reached for him, and Chu Yun walked within his reach. Xiao Zai''s hand rubbed over the swell of his stomach tenderly before sliding up and curling around his waist pulling him forward with intent. Chu Yun raised one foot over the rim of the tub and then the other. He got settled on each side of Xiao Zai''s legs and descended slowly onto his lap, facing him in the cramped space. They looked into each other''s eyes for a moment, and then Xiao Zai smiled softly, tracing the pad of his thumb over Chu Yun''s cheek. "Finally alone," he said, and then lifted his chin to peck Chu Yun''s lips. "You are so beautiful, sometimes I want to lock you away so no one else can look at you." Chu Yun scoffed. "In this state? I assure you, you''re the only one looking." He didn''t consider himself vain, although Hua Nanyi would probably disagree, but it still stung his pride to think he didn''t look as attractive as he used to. Xiao Zai''s hands slid over his thighs underwater. "Nonsense, you get more beautiful every day." He grinned when Chu Yun glared at him. "See? Like that evil glare, who could resist you?" That did manage to wrest a smirk out of Chu Yun. "You have terrible taste." Xiao Zai chuckled. "What to say of Lieba Chun, then?" Chu Yun wrapped one arm around Xiao Zai''s neck and hid a snicker against his wet skin.. "I''m afraid his case is terminal." Chapter 199 - The Fox Is An Opportunist Chu Yun''s laughter made Xiao Zai relax like few other things did. They had been so busy the last few days, getting everything ready to welcome the Xiongnu, and worrying about what their arrival might meant, that he felt like they''d barely had a moment for themselves. It was a relief to know that Lieba Chun''s intentions were benevolent, and a part of Xiao Zai was even excited for these games and what they might entail. On the other hand, that meant more planning, which would surely take up all of Chu Yun''s free time while Xiao Zai spent his days in court hearing out ministers who wanted nothing else but the assurance that tomorrow would be exactly the same as today, and the day before that. "What are you thinking about?" Chu Yun asked him, after he''d been silent for some time. "Just on how I miss how much time we had for each other before," he said, sliding his hands up from Chu Yun''s thighs and up the swell of his abdomen. Chu Yun batted them away, like Xiao Zai knew he would. He was needlessly self-conscious. He looked arresting pregnant. The dignified way he carried himself with, and his exact movements, made it seem as if the pregnancy barely cost him. As if it came as naturally to him as everything else he did. The truth was that he had been feeling pains, and started having trouble keeping food down again. The physicians recommended he start taking the medicine three times a day instead of two and that seemed to be helping -- even though Chu Yun never stopped complaining about how foul it tasted, even all these months later. Xiao Zai worried, especially because the physicians warned him that things were about to become more delicate for Chu Yun. This was usually the time when a pregnancy was the most ''safe'' for everyone else, in terms of losing the child, but the physicians warned him that for Chu Yun it would be the opposite because his body would have to find a way to make room for a child. The medicine seemed to be helping but who knew how long that would last as his pregnancy progressed. He didn''t want to worry Chu Yun with his maudlin concerns, so he kept brushing his fingers over Chu Yun''s thighs. Chu Yun relaxed against him looping his arms loosely around his neck with a contented sigh. "I miss it too," Chu Yun said, after a sustained silence. "It doesn''t feel like it''s just the two of us anymore." He slid his hand down his own abdomen, his elegant eyebrows pinching in concentration. "I guess, it never will again." Xiao Zai laced their fingers together, and kissed Chu Yun''s lips softly. "You don''t need to be afraid, I''ll always find time for you." Chu Yun scoffed but Xiao Zai noticed the pleased curl of his lips. "Nevermind the child, you have a country to rule." "Do you want me to say you come first there too?" Xiao Zai grinned as Chu Yun ducked his head, oddly bashful, although he tried to hide it with a derisive chuckle. "Don''t let your minister hear you, they already fear you keep my counsel too closely." Xiao Zai slid his hands from Chu Yun''s abdomen and pulled him into his lap, making him yelp. "They have no idea how close I want you," he said, his voice low. Chu Yun smirked. "Why don''t you show me?" Xiao Zai endeavoured to do just that. --- Chu Yun woke up feeling rested and well-fucked, so much so that he wasn''t even annoyed that Xiao Zai was long gone by the time he got up from bed. Not too long ago it would be him leaving the bed first, and leaving a sleeping Xiao Zai behind. No matter, he would punish him for that later. He still hadn''t gotten Xiao Zai to beg for Chu Yun to let him mark him, but that was only because he kept being distracted. Next time for sure! For now, he had games to prepare, although obviously he would need Lieba Chun''s guidance, considering he had no idea what exactly they entailed. Hopefully the main courtyard would be large enough, and if not that, then the spectator grounds where the hunt was held. But before handling any logistics, Chu Yun found Hua Nanyi. "I was hoping I could have a few quiet days," she groaned, bumping her head against the bedframe. "I''ve just returned from two round trips into the fucking Zui border." She had her own private quarters not too far away from the King''s bedroom. Although she complained incessantly and often asked Chu Yun to put her in with the other servants so she''d be harder to get ahold of. "Come on it won''t be that bad, it''s just fun stuff...logistics." She gave him a deadpan look. "You hate logistics." Chu Yun waved her complaints away as she groaned and got out of bed anyway. The first order of business was actually unrelated to the competition itself, but Chu Yun didn''t want to go on his own, for fear of coming on too strong. The truth was that he had been trying to get Min Sezhui to leave her quarters unsuccessfully since Xiao An''s death. She opened the door only a sliver and talked with him through the gap. Her voice sounded almost hoarse from disuse, despite still lovely and soft, and her face was sickly pale. Through the gap in the door Chu Yun only ever saw darkness. He doubted she was opening the windows. He didn''t know why she had become so withdrawn, and was beginning to despair that nothing seemed to improve her condition. Chu Yun was ready to try a new strategy, and he was hoping that Hua Nanyi''s presence would convince Min Sezhui of the fake urgencey He knocked on her door and called, "Concubine Min?" A few moments later he heard shuffling from inside, and then the familiar sliver of doorway opened showing a slice of Min Sezhui''s pale face. "I''m sorry to disturb Concubine Min so early, but I''m afraid I need her help." Chapter 200 - The Fox Tries To Help, The Wolf Has An Emergency On His Hands Min Sezhui looked up at Chu Yun in confusion, completely at a loss. Her usual easy smile was nowhere to be seen. All the other concubines had already left the royal palace, taken their dues and gone to start new lives somewhere else or gone back to their old ones. Only Min Sezhui still hung around her old quarters like a ghost, unable to move on. Attached to a place where she had been unhappy for a long time, but unable to conceive of a different existence. Chu Yun didn''t know how to help her, but he hoped that getting her out of her bedroom might be a start. At his side, Hua Nanyi looked on at Min Sezhui with a blank expression, which albeit not reassuring, didn''t expose how much Chu Yun was talking out of his ass. "I don''t know if Concubine Min has heard this, but there is a Xiongnu diligence in the place right now, and it falls to me to organise an event the Wise Prince Lieba Chun wants to host in order to show his valour as a spouse." The word ''spouse'' made Min Sezhui bristle immediately. "This one was already married once." Chu Yun smiled thinly. "Concubine Min needn''t worry, I need her help because I have never organised any event of the sort, and while Concubine Min might not have organised one herself, she has surely attended them." Her relief was palpable, but she still didn''t want to have anything to do with what Chu Yun was about to embroil her in. She kicked at her floor restlessly, her fine brocade shoes looked scuffed up and unkempt. "This one isn''t clever, and has no talents, there is nothing she can do to help his Royal Highness." She bowed her head deeply. "Apologies for being useless." She was about to close the door in Chu Yun''s face when his arm shot out to stop her. "Concubine Min isn''t useless. I''m sure there''s a lot she can do to help us, her opinion on decoration, food, music, would be very much appreciated." A denial was on the tip of her tongue again, but her politeness was making her falter. She didn''t want to say "no" to the King Consort again, and Chu Yun was banking on that to finally get her out of the room. He hated Xiao An for a lot of things, and the damage he had done to Min Sezhui''s self-esteem was just a reminder of what he had put everyone around him through during his lifetime. Harder, less gentle people had honed the pain inflicted on them like a blade, but Min Sezhui could only let herself be cut up into ribbons like an old robe meant for scrap. Before, she was so determined to show the other concubines that she wasn''t slow, that she could learn, and talk about the same things as they did. But now, weeks after Xiao An''s death, she didn''t leave her quarters and hadn''t gone back to her spot under the scholar tree. Spring had come for everyone but Min Sezhui, who withered in the shadow like a fallen peach blossom. Hua Nanyi sighed in annoyance and turned to Chu Yun, "Your Royal Highness, we don''t have time for this. The honour of the Zui kingdom hangs on the success of this ceremony, if Concubine Min won''t help we should move along." She spoke with the authority of a trusted adviser, and her curt tone made Min Sezhui shrink on herself. But Chu Yun understood her gamble, and was happy to play along. "Yes, let''s go we shouldn''t waste any more time." Just as he let go of the door and made his way to leave, Min Sezhui threw it open. "I-- this Concubine will help," her gaze was lowered, and her fingers were clenched in the fabric of her robes tightly. She looked frayed, from head to toe. Chu Yun knew that if she went out like that everyone would stare at her. "We can wait for Concubine Min to change into finer robes," he said although his tone made it sound as if it was merely an issue of protocol. "We''ll be sure to stay busy for most of the day." She nodded and disappeared inside the room without another word, closing the door behind her. Hua Nanyi sighed deeply, leaning against the doorframe. "Do you think this will change anything?" Chu Yun shrugged, matching her position on the other side of the door. "I have to try, she''ll fade completely if nothing changes." He hadn''t forgotten Min Sezhui''s kindness when they first met, or the black eye she sported for days when Chu Yun''s gambles backfired. He owed her. Minutes later she emerged from her quarters dressed in fresh robes. She didn''t quite look like her old self, but it was a start. Chu Yun smiled encouragingly at her. "Let''s go then, we have a lot of work ahead of us." Min Sezhui made no comment but he hoped that just being outside and breathing some fresh air would do her good. --- Xiao Zai had just left an unproductive meeting with some ministers when Xiao Yuan found him on the hallway. "We have a problem," Xiao Yuan whispered, pulling Xiao Zai by the elbow towards a secluded nook. "Your bother-in-law is gone." "What do you mean gone?" Xiao Zai hoped that Xiao Yuan was playing a very unfunny prank on him. "He''s gone, not in his room, where he was the last time anyone checked in on him." Xiao Zai cursed under his breath. They should have known that just having guards outside Chu Hean''s door wasn''t enough to deter him. He was a highly trained assassin after all. Escaping a guarded room was nothing for him. Still, Xiao Zai had hoped that he would at least care about Chu Yun enough not to put him in such a compromising position. Clearly not. No matter, he knew just who to ask for help.. Maybe they could even make things interesting ahead of the upcoming games. Chapter 201 - The Fox And The Wolf Eavesdrop Chu Yun had just finished settling on a menu for the upcoming festivities, and was looking out the open window in relief at having convinced Min Sezhui to voice an opinion -- any opinion -- just in time to catch sight of Xiao Zai and Lieba Chun skulking around some bushes in a most undignified manner. Lieba Chun was the Prince of a nomadic people, so Chu Yun really had no metric to judge how inappropriate his behaviour was, but Xiao Zai was King of Zui and he really shouldn''t be outside hiding behind bushes like a troublesome child. "There''s something I need to do," he told Hua Nanyi his gaze still fixed on the open window and the backs of Xiao Zai''s and Lieba Chun''s heads. "The two of you should move on to decide on the flower arrangements." Hua Nanyi paled considerably. "I don''t understand anything about flower arrangements!" And Chu Yun did? "Just pick what looks good, but ask for the meaning of each flower and sprig first, let''s avoid accidentally offending our guests first. Min Sezhui will help you." Maybe either or both of them said something in reply, but by then Chu Yun was already out the door, his intention focused on discovering what Xiao Zai was up to. --- The two of them were still hiding behind the same bushes, and didn''t hear Chu Yun''s approach, their gazes fixed on something just ahead that Chu Yun couldn''t quite see. "What are you doing?" he asked loudly, making Xiao Zai curse and Lieba Chun''s hand fly to his waist, reaching for a weapon he wasn''t carrying. "Hide," Xiao Zai said, gesturing at Chu Yun to crouch like they were doing. "Don''t let them see you." Chu Yun had no idea what he was talking about, until Xiao Zai made a space for him at his side, and dug two fingers into the bushes, indicating that Chu Yun should look through the foliage. Through the branches and tiny leaves Chu Yun could barely make out two figures in the adjacent courtyard. But as soon as one of them talked, Chu Yun recognised his voice immediately. "So you''re not going to compete?" Chu Hean asked, sounding annoyed. The other man had his back to them, and from the looks of it half of his face was hidden by a cowl, but it wasn''t hard to guess his identity. "You said it yourself, this is just some pageantry to stroke that barbarian''s ego," Ru Long said. Chu Yun chanced a sideways glance towards Lieba Chun -- he really hoped Chu Hean hadn''t used those exact words. For his part the man had no reaction, the line of his back was drawn tight. The slice of Chu Hean''s face that Chu Yun could see revealed only a deep resentment. Chu Yun had no idea how he had contacted Ru Long, or if perhaps Ru Long had followed him all the way from the border and approached him only now. He also had no idea why Xiao Zai and Lieba Chun of all people had stumbled upon their conversation, but it was obvious that no one was getting what they wanted from it. "Just wear a mask! No one will know who you are," Chu Hean insisted, although his eyes were downcast. Ru Long sighed deeply, as one might when talking with a stubborn child. Chu Yun bet his brother hated that. "What will that accomplish? He won''t make you marry him, isn''t that what you said?" Chu Hean nodded, still not meeting Ru Long''s eyes. "So, why should I make a spectacle of myself for the benefit of some barbarians, and your brother and Xiao Zai?" he was sounding angry now, showing his real feelings about the whole thing. "I could ''wear a mask''" he mimicked mockingly, "as if they won''t know it''s me beneath it!" It didn''t surprise him that Ru Long cared so much about his image, but it surprised him that Chu Hean hadn''t realised that this was always how the conversation would turn out. "I told Lieba Chun I wouldn''t marry him because I love someone else," Chu Hean said, his voice low, there was an edge to it now, a hint of accusation. "Doesn''t that mean anything to you?" Ru Long said nothing. And from his position Chu Yun couldn''t tell what his face looked like. But he saw Chu Hean''s defeated nod. "I guess that settles it," he said, and turned to leave. Ru Long reached out for him but Chu Hean batted his hand away. "Wait! I came all this way for you! You keep jerking me around like a dog on a leash, and now you expect me to jump when you tell me to?" Chu Hean''s lips curled up in a snarl. "Why do you see it like that? As me telling you what to do?" He turned away from Ru Long, putting an end to the conversation, and walking away. Ru Long stood still for a moment before chasing after him, disappearing out of their field of vision. Chu Yun turned to Xiao Zai with a raised eyebrow. "Care to explain what''s going on?" "Your brother vanished from his quarters," Xiao Zai said, with a sheepish smile. "It would be inconvenient if he disappeared from the palace ahead of the games." Lieba Chun chuckled. "His Majesty entrusted me to help find his Royal Highness'' brother. It turned out I didn''t have to look far, he must have left to meet with this person and then brought him here." He smiled widely. "We got here just in time to hear the exchange his Royal Highness heard as well." Xiao Zai stood up with a grimace. "Ah, well, I apologise that the Wise Prince had to hear such unkind words-" Before he could finish that sentence Lieba Chun laughed loudly and clapped him on the shoulder, as if they were old friends. "His Majesty needn''t apologise, I dare say that there couldn''t have been a more auspicious time to organise the games." Chu Yun gave him an accessing look from the corner of the eyes but said nothing.. He had the impression that Lieba Chun knew just how to make the best of every opportunity. Chapter 202 - The Fox Things Something Odd Is Going On Over the next days Chu Yun met with Lieba Chun often to get the details for the games down and have everything organised, before back pain had him bedridden. The physicians assured him that wasn''t going to happen, even though each day he found it harder to walk. But he would be damned before he slouched! During those frequent meetings he couldn''t help noticing Chu Hean''s occasional presence. The first time he saw him he looked as sour as Little Beast after someone stepped on his tail. He hung around the corners and avoided both Lieba Chun and Chu Yun the whole time Chu Yun was there. Chu Yun wanted to ask him what he was even doing there if he was so displeased, but he didn''t want to risk getting into a row in front of Lieba Chun. The second time, while he still looked churlish, he was at least moving around Lieba Chun''s tent, inspecting the few items the Wise Prince had brought with him into Zui while he and Chu Yun talked. Chu Yun tried to focus on his conversation with Lieba Chun but Chu Hean''s presence was intrusive -- his gaze kept drifting towards his corner of the tent, trying to make sense of his presence there. The third time he met with Lieba Chun he heard laughter coming from the inside of the tent. When he walked in, the smile froze on Chu Hean''s lips, who excused himself quietly before leaving in a hurry. "What was that all about?" Chu Yun asked Lieba Chun, trying to sound casual. Lieba Chun laughed off his question. "Oh, just a private joke from the time Chu Hean spent with us in the steppes. His Royal Highness wouldn''t understand." He didn''t probe, but he also didn''t pay attention to anything else Lieba Chun said during the entire meeting. He didn''t remember the last lime he had heard Chu Hean laugh so freely. --- Naturally, he had to discuss these things with Xiao Zai. "Something is going on," he told him, while pacing the length of their bedroom while Xiao Zai took off his outer robes and hair crown. He hadn''t forgotten the glint of opportunism that had shined in Lieba Chun''s eyes after overhearing Chu Hean''s fight with Ru Long. He was sure he was doing something, and Chu Yun''s nature demanded that he find out what. Xiao Zai came up behind him and wrapped his arms around him, kissing the side of his neck, before moving on to massage his sore flanks. "This is good news, just let it be," he said, whispering the words against Chu Yun''s ears. "Maybe Chu Hean has finally realised that Ru Long will always have second intentions, and that unlike what he wants, they''ll never stand on equal ground." That was all well and good, but Chu Yun''s burning curiosity wouldn''t be so easily satisfied. He was about to open his mouth to complain, when Xiao Zai silenced him with another kiss, he pulled away from his lips softly. "Are you bored? I think you''re bored." Sometimes Chu Yun wished he wasn''t so perceptive. He grit his teeth and looked away. "No, I''m curious...I just told you." Xiao Zai smiled at him, tucking a loose strand of hair behind his ear. "No, you''re bored. You''re a strategist and you''ve been planning events. Before I became King you spent days coming up with plans about how to keep our heads attached to our necks. I know flower arrangements can''t be considered life or death decisions." Despite himself Chu Yun let out a snort. He wanted to assure Xiao Zai that he was fine, that he had nothing to worry about, that he understood they had to take things slow with the court. He was pregnant after all, it wasn''t as if he was feeling all that energetic. But that truth was that he was incredibly bored. He didn''t feel diminished by his tasks as King Consort, but they also didn''t stimulate him in any way. He could handle most matters in a few hours. Ironically, if Xiao Zai had a large harem, he would probably have his hands full trying to manage them all. He let himself slump against Xiao Zai''s shoulders. He mumbled, "Maybe I''m a little bored," into the fabric of Xiao Zai''s white inner robes. "After the games you''ll start attending court with me," Xiao Zai said, running a hand over the back of Xiao Zai''s hair. "If any minister has a problem with it they can bring it up, and then you can make them pay for the insolence." Chu Yun chuckled, turning his face against Xiao Zai''s neck and inhaling deeply. He smelled so good. His wolfberry wine scent always went straight to Chu Yun''s head, making him feel intoxicated without drinking anything. "They''re going to hate me," Chu Yun said, his tone was joking but it was a genuine warning. This time the ministers wouldn''t be meeting the coy, sycophantic Chu Yun who sucked up to them in order to earn support for Xiao Zai. And the difference was bound to make their heads spin. "Good," Xiao Zai said. "Maybe you can tell them all the stuff I can''t." Chu Yun couldn''t, not really. But he still said, "Deal," while looking into Xiao Zai''s dark eyes and feeling his stomach swoop pleasantly. He had never thought he could feel this close to another person. As if their hearts beat in sync. By the time they went to bed Chu Yun had forgotten everything about Chu Hean. He fell asleep with his head over Xiao Zai''s chest, the steady rhythm of his heart lulling him to sleep. --- The next morning he woke up alone, as was often the case these days. Only after a brief moment of disorientation did he notice the steady knock on his door. Only one person would be as brash as to knock on his door while he was still sleeping. So he didn''t even bother getting out of bed as he told Hua Nanyi to enter. She just stuck her head inside the room. "Your brother is here. I told him you were sleeping but he says it''s urgent." Chu Yun fell back on the sheets with a groan. "Send him in, and breakfast too.. I have a feeling it''s not the kind of conversation I''ll want to have on an empty stomach." Chapter 203 - The Fox And The Little Fox Have A Heart To Heart Chu Hean walked in a few minutes later, accompanied by Hua Nanyi and a tray of breakfast for two. Chu Yun was already sitting down at the low table, untangling the knots from his hair with an unfocused gaze. "You aren''t staying?" He asked Hua Nanyi pleadingly, after she set down the tray and arranged all the plates and bowls. She couldn''t hide her panic in time. "No, ah, uh, I''m helping Concubine Min decide on...on, music, music for the games!" She left before Chu Yun could call her out on her blatant lie. At least it was true that Min Sezhui had been more engaged lately. She still didn''t look enthusiastic about anything, but at least she left her room regularly to help with preparations for the games. In that aspect, Chu Yun''s plan had worked wonderfully. Now, if she would only smile from time to time. Across from him, Chu Hean dug into his millet porridge with little enthusiasm. His expression looked troubled, his gaze far off and distant. "So, what is this is about?" Chu Yun asked, taking a spoonful of his own, incredibly bland porridge. He couldn''t wait to no longer be pregnant and be allowed to eat food with seasoning again. He failed to understand the logic behind all the bland food. Were the physicians afraid the child would sneeze inside of him and dislocate one of his ribs? With the way it insisted on kicking his bladder, Chu Yun would almost consider it an improvement. Chu Hean ate two more spoonfuls before setting down his bowl and sighing deeply. "I don''t know what to do." That made Chu Yun want to laugh in his face. So the one enlightened being in all of creation, he who knew more than the Yellow Emperor in the Heavens, and all the gods put together, didn''t know what to do and had come to Chu Yun for guidance. Chu Yun stopped himself at the last moment and simply hummed into his porridge, saving himself from incurring Chu Hean''s wrath for a mere instant of gratification. "I don''t think Ru Long ever expected to make me his official spouse," Chu Hean finally said, with a defeated sigh. "He is engaged since birth, to the daughter of some lord in Su with ties to the throne." He spit out the words in annoyance as if they burned his tongue. "The engagement is still standing I suppose?" "He told me he would break it off as soon as he became King and marry me instead," Chu Hean said. "But now...I don''t think he has any intention of doing that at all." He looked away from the table, his clear eyes brimming with resentment. Chu Yun would never forget Chu Hean''s arrogance when gleefully revealing that he had been fooling Chu Yun, and doing heavens know what under his nose for years. It must cost him tremendously to realise he had been deceived as well. It made a special kind of grim sense. Chu Hean was a highly trained assassin -- the blunder with Lieba Chun notwithstanding -- Ru Long had to be a fool not to understand the opportunity that represented. "Did you ever carry out any particular ''assignments'' for him?" Chu Hean was silent for a long moment, but finally nodded -- just once, his neck barely moving. That settled it, then. Whatever feelings Ru Long had, it was obvious he prized Chu Hean''s use as tool even more. Maybe it was the fear of losing his sharpest blade that made him chase Chu Hean all the way to the steppes, rather than any tender feelings. Perhaps his insistence for Chu Hean to stop his Harmonious Resonance activities had more to do with wanting to monopolise his skills. All those same thoughts must have been running through Chu Hean''s mind as well, judging by his troubled look. Chu Yun cleared his throat. "You don''t know what to do regarding Ru Long or Lieba Chun?" Chu Hean looked down at the table and turned the bowl of millet porridge around between his cupped palms. They wouldn''t have had such a simple breakfast back in Xin. Even with all the other dishes on the table, it was still far more simple fare than they were used to. He supposed they no longer were the same people as the last time they sat down for breakfast together. "I gave him my heart, and...," he cut himself short, terribly embarrassed. Chu Yun understood the meaning all the same. Not just his heart, he gave him other things as well. "Well...I slept with a lot of people before marrying Xiao Zai," Chu Yun said, grimacing. This just wasn''t the kind of thing he and Chu Hean ever discussed. "A lot of people. Many," now that he was talking Chu Yun didn''t seem to be able to stop, even though Chu Hean''s horrified look probably reflected his own. "I was well known in all of Lanzhou''s best pleasure houses. I had favourite courtesans in each of them." Chu Hean groaned and hid his face between his palms. "Please stop, I get it." Chu Yun coughed into his fist to hide his mortification. "I was just trying to say, that the first person doesn''t matter as much as...the, uhm, the last." Somehow of everything he had said that was the most embarrassing. After a tense moment of silence Chu Hean cleared his throat. "Thank you, for telling me that." He sighed, still not meeting Chu Yun''s eyes. "I suppose it''s a reassuring. Omegas hear a lot about saving ourselves for the alpha who''ll marry us." Chu Yun knew that. Alphas didn''t hear that kind of thing -- case in point: his own exploits. "I don''t know if it matters but...I don''t think Lieba Chun cares?" Despite the uncertainty of his tone, Chu Yun bet that he was right. If Lieba Chun''s reaction to overhearing the fight between Chu Hean and Ru Long was anything to go by. It was only for a split-second but Chu Yun could swear the corner of Chu Hean''s lips ticked up just before he said, "No, I don''t think he does." Chapter 204 - The Fox Hasnt Forgotten Old Debts Chu Yun kept a critical eye on Chu Hean, waiting for other tells, but none came. Chu Hean kept eating his porridge slowly, eyes lowered. "What were you doing in Lieba Chun''s tent, by the way?" Chu Yun asked, finally voicing the question itching at him ever since the first time he saw his brother darkening the Wise Prince''s doorstep. Chu Hean grimaced, looking sheepishly to the side, towards a cabinet filled with valuable trinkets. "He found me actually, he told me that he overheard one of my discussions with Ru Long and wanted to help." Chu Yun took a hurried sip of his tea to hide his surprise. Lieba Chun was bold indeed. "And you accepted his advice?" He shrugged, still looking away from Chu Yun. "Just to get him to stop pestering me at first." Somehow, Chu Yun doubts that''s the whole story. "And if Ru Long caught you at it and got jealous all the better, right?" Chu Hean said nothing, but the top of his ears took on a distinctively darker shade. "Is he still around?" Slowly, Chu Hean nodded. "He''s still in Haolin. He doesn''t tell me his plans anymore. And I''m not sure now, if he was ever fully honest but..." He still believed him, and now was beginning to reconsider that. Chu Yun wanted desperately to ask him what Ru Long''s plans were -- not only in Zui but in general -- but he also had an inkling that Chu Hean expected that of him. One wrong move could send him right back to his previous cold antagonism. So instead, Chu Yun stretched his aching back, groaning loudly when something cracked. He rubbed his sore spine while Chu Hean watched his movements from across the table with open curiosity. "I can''t believe you''re pregnant," he said. "I can believe it just fine," Chu Yun said, patting his stomach. "My back hurts like hell and I want to piss every half hour. Impossible to mistake it for anything else." Despite his best efforts, Chu Hean cracked a smile. "But how could it have happened?" Chu Yun shrugged. "I don''t know. I have my suspicions but at this time I don''t think it matters anymore. I''ve decided not to care." Chu Hean''s gaze drifted from Chu Yun''s abdomen up to his eyes. "You don''t think your husband might have had something to do with it?" That was the one thing Chu Yun was sure of. "That I know for sure. Xiao Zai would never do something like that." Chu Hean didn''t look entirely convinced, but he also didn''t look like he was about to argue. "A pregnant alpha...The people of Zui must either find you a miracle or an abomination." His words weren''t cruel, but their bluntness still made Chu Yun hiss. "A bit of both." In the beginning Chu Yun was able to dismiss that kind of talk, but when he started showing it became harder to ignore the whispered conversations happening all around him. Along with all the others that went silent the moment he walked into the room. While he appreciated that Xiao Zai wanted to have him involved in court matters, he knew that his presence would upset the ministers. Other alphas in particular found him unsightly. They looked at him and feared they too could end up pregnant. In moments like those he understood Chu Hean''s complaints better than ever. In those other alpha''s eyes he didn''t see only the fear of the unknown, the fear of pregnancy as a medical condition, but the fear of being indistinguishable from an omega -- of being lowered to their status. "Is it dangerous?" Chu Hean asked, once again not meeting Chu Yun''s eyes. Chu Yun looked away from him too. He didn''t want to look in his eyes while he lied. "No, not particularly. Just uncomfortable." Chu Hean let out a huff of breath that could have been a sigh of relief as much as chuckle. "Good thing it will be over soon, then." That was something else that didn''t seem possible. He was almost six months along, in another three the baby would be born. Almost on the anniversary of his and Xiao Zai''s wedding. A full year later and Chu Yun would be a parent. It really was impossible for mortal minds to understand the will of the Heavens. The physicians told him they could predict the child''s sex by the shape of his stomach, but Chu Yun didn''t want to know. He would know soon enough. A thought that thrilled him as much as it frightened him. Something of that fear must have shown in his face because Chu Hean''s expression shifted. "Are you worried?" Before Chu Yun could answer he added, "For yourself or the child?" "Both, I suppose," Chu Yun replied, eager to change the subject even though it was his fault they had stumbled into it. "Has Lieba Chun told you anything about his plans for the games? He''s being very secretive with me." It was a very blatant segue, but Chu Hean played along. "He likes teasing it, but he hasn''t told me anything in specific. Only that his horseback archery, his prowess with the mace, and singing voice are sure to charm me." He rolled his eyes at the mental image of Lieba Chun saying all those things, but Chu Yun didn''t think he was imagining the hint of fondness in his words. "He''s a very charming man, isn''t he? Good natured, humble." Chu Yun said, speaking honestly. After a moment''s pause Chu Hean nodded. "Yes...he grows on you." He smirked a little to himself. "Like mould or some other fungus." Chu Yun took a sip of tea and looked at his brother over the rim of the cup. This was nice. They were being civil for once. But that didn''t mean that Chu Yun had forgotten all the grief Chu Hean had put him through. He still had a few scores to settle, and maybe, he could even kill two birds with one stone. "Yes, well, I would hate losing him as an ally. An alliance between the Xiongnu and Zui would be ideal." He rapped his knuckles against the table with a sigh. "And since you won''t marry him, I''m thinking of suggesting he marry Min Sezhui instead. She''s still young, and I think life in the steppes would do her good." He turned to Chu Hean with an agreeable smile. "What do you think?" Chapter 205 - The Fox Brokers Unusual Marriage Alliances Chu Hean took a long, drawn out sip of his tea, during which Chu Yun did his best not to look smug. He put the cup back down on the table with a clink and an extended hum of deep thought that Chu Yun didn''t believe was genuine. "Well, she''s a widow," he said, astutely, "and a former concubine. Lieba Chun is a Prince who has never married before, how would it look..." Chu Yun raised his eyebrows dramatically. "That shouldn''t matter, right? I don''t think Lieba Chun would care about that, in the same vein I''m sure he wouldn''t care that you Ru Long were... intimate." In fact Chu Yun wasn''t sure, but that didn''t matter because Min Sezhui had already made it clear she wasn''t interested in remarrying. Besides, Chu Hean''s reaction had probably come as a surprise to even him. Chu Yun absolutely had to strike while the iron was hot. "In fact, I think I should see him right now to discuss the possibility. Min Sezhui has been so dispirited, I''m sure this is just what she needs." He got up to his feet with as much grace as his condition allowed. "Do you want to accompany me? I''m sure it would put Lieba Chun''s mind at ease to know you would support him. After such a prolonged absence from his people it would do him good to return with a spouse." Chu Hean got up from the table with a grimace, which he tried to disguise as a sudden cough. "Sure, I think it sounds like a great idea." --- For someone who thought the idea sounded great, Chu Hean''s expression looked as thunderous as a storm cloud all the way to Lieba Chun''s tent. It was a miracle that he didn''t notice the smugness coming off Chu Yun in waves. This was clearly a great idea. Hopefully Chu Hean wouldn''t solve this particular problem with murder, which was probably how he had learned to handle things at Harmonious Resonance. Lieba Chun was outside his tent, practising archery sharpshooting in only his pants, when they arrived. Someone threw a circular clay target into the air some distance away from him. Lieba Chun loosed his arrow with expert precision, striking the target dead centre and shattering it in midair. He pulled down his bow and turned towards them with a wide grin. "Ah, brothers Chu, to what do I owe such an illustrious visit?" Lieba Chun had a way of speaking that was at once jesting and genuinely polite. Paired with his blinding smile and roguish good looks it made one feel as if they were always in on a joke, but never the butt of one. All of Lieba Chun''s long hair was tied haphazardly on top of his head, some of the braids tied around it, to keep it in place. It left his neck and chest bare, making the droplets of sweat dotting his golden skin twinkle in the early morning sun. While Chu Yun thought about the merits of having Lieba Chun as an ally and brother-in-law, the path of Chu Hean''s gaze across his naked torso made it evident that his train of thought was of an entirely different nature. "I came with a proposal for the Wise Prince," Chu Yun said, nodding towards Lieba Chun''s tent. "Perhaps we should discuss it inside." They walked into the tent. Chu Hean dragged his feet, as if considering coming up with an excuse to make himself scarce. "What is this about?" Lieba Chun asked, leaning against a portable desk and crossing his arms in front of his glistening chest. Chu Yun shot Lieba Chun a meaningful look, hoping to convey his true intentions with what he was about to say. "I was thinking that since Chu Hean has already declined the Wise Prince''s proposal, it would be a shame for him to leave Zui without an engagement. I''m good friends with one of the previous King''s former concubines, a lovely girl who unfortunately went through a great deal of suffering." Lieba Chun''s face did something complicated, his expression one of utter confusion. But Chu Yun raised his eyebrows and tilted his head towards Chu Hean subtlety. Finally, Lieba Chun rubbed his chin, letting out a dramatic sigh. "His Royal Highness'' suggestion makes sense. Of course I would have to meet the lady first." "Of course, I''d be happy to organise a meeting." Chu Yun turned to Chu Hean who had been silent the entire time, and now looked close to sulking. "Perhaps if everything goes well, maybe the Wise Prince can even show his intentions towards Min Sezhui in the games, instead of just symbolically towards Chu Hean." Lieba Chun nodded again, still rubbing at his chin. "That would make sense. Especially considering that his Grace''s significant other doesn''t seem inclined to participate." Chu Yun could almost hear the sound of Chu Hean''s teeth grinding. A furtive glance made it obvious how absolutely furious he was. Whether he just liked having Lieba Chun''s attention, or actually had begun to develop some fondness for him, Chu Yun couldn''t tell. But he was proof that successful relationships had started on much unsteadier grounds. "Then that settles it," Chu Yun said, turning towards Chu Hean. "Min Sezhui is very shy, and still very shaken, so maybe it would put her at ease if this all felt like an informal meeting. Perhaps both I and Chu Hean should also be there to make the introductions." That prompted Chu Hean to speak up for the first time since they had entered Lieba Chun''s tent. "I don''t know her. How will my presence there help in any way?" It wouldn''t, because the point wasn''t to make Min Sezhui comfortable with marrying Lieba Chun -- it was to make Chu Hean uncomfortable. But Lieba Chun knew just what to say. He bounded over to Chu Hean and clapped him on the back as if they were long time friends, a marked difference to his usual flirtatious manner around him. "Compared to his Royal Highness you''ve known me for a longer time, maybe you can put in a good word for me with lady Min." And then he winked, and let go of Chu Hean''s shoulder without another look back. Chapter 206 - The Fox Hears An Oath Chu Yun had informed Min Sezhui of the point of their meeting with Lieba Chun. He made it clear to her that even though they might discuss the possibility of marriage, it was only a ploy to make Chu Hean admit to having some interest on Lieba Chun to begin with. He didn''t want her to think he would go against her wishes and marry her off to someone else. She seemed to understand, and was even willing to cooperate. She only requested that Hua Nanyi be there too. Apparently she had grown used to her company, and felt more comfortable walking around with her. Hua Nanyi herself was amenable to this. Even so, Chu Yun had worried that maybe Min Sezhui would be too stiff or dismissive when talking with Lieba Chun. It turned out that he needn''t have worried. "Are there a lot of lambs in the Wise Prince''s camp?" Min Sezhui asked, her eyes wide in expectation. "Of course, our people have great herds," Lieba Chun said, sounding genuinely charmed by Min Sezhui''s curiosity. "We move frequently in order to ensure our herds can graze on the freshest grass." Min Sezhui sighed contentedly. "I''m sure they love that." She rested her chin on her palms. "The lambs must be very cute prancing in the plains." Lieba Chun nodded encouragingly. "They are, they are! Maybe Lady Min will be able to see them soon." That seemed to snap Min Sezhui out of her daydream about adorable lambs frolicking in the grassy plains. She shot Chu Yun a worried look before lowering her gaze and folding her hands on her lap. "We''ll see." Chu Yun didn''t think Lieba Chun was entertaining any ideas about actually marrying her. But there was no denying that they had hit it off. Chu Yun hadn''t seen Min Sezhui so talkative in weeks. Maybe Lieba Chun''s offer was genuine, even if he didn''t have marriage on his mind. Across from the two of them, Chu Hean clearly had other ideas. He had been silent during the entire conversation. And while at first he looked annoyed, as Min Sezhui and Lieba Chun started talking more earnestly his expression got progressively more downcast. Right then his gaze was fixed on a tree across from the outdoor table they were all sitting at. The fresh spring breeze rustled the branches around them, and a few birds chirped merrily high up on the tree copses, but Chu Hean looked as if he had stepped into the dead of winter, on the coldest day of the year. Even Hua Nanyi couldn''t help shooting him askance looks. Chu Yun waited for another lull in the conversation before suggesting that it was time Min Sezhui returned to her rooms to rest. "The games will happen tomorrow, after all," Chu Yun said, getting up to his feet as well. "We should all be well rested ahead of the event." Min Sezhui and Hua Nanyi left first. Chu Hean seemed eager to follow suit, but Chu Yun held him back. "I think there''s something you need to tell the Wise Prince," Chu Yun said, cutting straight to the point. Chu Hean barely reacted. "I wish the Wise Prince a thousand years of happiness," he said, his eyes lowered. "Lady Min is a lovely young woman, the two will surely be very happy." That wasn''t what Chu Yun expected him to say, but he should have known Chu Hean wouldn''t miss out on the chance to be forlorn. He did seem to revel in his own misery at times. Lieba Chun chuckled, surprising Chu Hean who finally looked up at him. "I would have preferred to be happy with you," he said sincerely, his expression filled with softness. "But only a fool attempts to draw milk from a rock. Happiness is precious, and it is better to find it in a little grass patch, than to seek it forever in barren fields." A muscle jumped in Chu Hean''s jaw. His peach blossom eyes shone with emotion, but just as Chu Yun thought that he was finally going to admit to Lieba Chun that he was happy to have the little grass patch too, he looked away again with a nod. And then left without another word. Chu Yun made to follow after him, but Lieba Chun''s hand on his shoulder kept him where he was. "Let him go," Lieba Chun said, shaking his head with a rueful smile. "He is an introspective soul. I had the time to observe his nature back in the steppes. He likes to analyse everything, and isn''t good with snap decisions. He''s very stubborn, it takes a lot for him to change his mind." Chu Yun knew that Lieba Chun was right, but it still frustrated him. Chu Hean had projected an entirely different persona for years. Part of Chu Yun kept looking for his didi in the sullen young man who walked away from them with his shoulders drawn. "He hurts himself," Chu Yun said, giving voice to his frustrations. "It''s as if he decided, a long time ago, that he was meant for misery, and refuses to see any alternative." Lieba Chun was quiet for a long time. The breeze made the beads in his hair jingle, the bells tied to his legs chimed with a foreign melody. "I don''t think it''s that. I don''t think he wants to be miserable. I think he''s mistrustful of everything that seems too good to be true." He turned to Chu Yun with one of his rakish smiles. "Personally, I take it as a compliment." His words made the tight band around Chu Yun''s chest loosen enough for him to laugh. There was something to be said for Lieba Chun''s boundless optimism. "I think the Wise Prince should take it as a challenge too." "Oh, I do, and tomorrow I intend to win it." He crossed his arms over his chest and looked up towards the blue sky and the blazing sun with a smile. "His Royal Highness can mark my words, Chu Hean will be my husband.. Even the wind whispers it to me so." Chapter 207 - The Wolf Gets To Kick Back And Enjoy The Games Xiao Zai had to admit he was looking forward to the games. He had been only marginally involved in them, by going over invite lists, and assuring every fretting minister that this was merely a friendly competition, and not a display of Xiongnu force. Chu Yun had organised everything really, although he kept telling Xiao Zai he didn''t know anything about what kind of competitions Lieba Chun would be participating in. "He''s keeping it a secret," Chu Yun said that morning while the two of them were getting ready for their day. There was a slew of servants ready to attend to them, but Xiao Zai preferred doing everything on his own. And he liked attending to Chu Yun himself. It reminded him of their previous life in the Second Prince''s Estate. He revelled in brushing out Chu Yun''s hair every night, and doing it up in the morning, on the occasion that they got up at the same time. He also loved it when Chu Yun returned the favour and smoothed out his robes, pinned his hair, and then stepped a few paces away to take in all of him and inspect his handiwork. Xiao Zai loved his little pleased smile afterwards, the little nod he probably didn''t even notice as if he was congratulating himself on a job well done. "I know there''s something you''re keeping from me," Xiao Zai insisted, pulling Chu Yun towards him by his pale forearm. "You''re smiling like you have a secret, too." Chu Yun slipped a hand inside his own sleeve and took out a folded fan. He struck Xiao Zai lightly on the head with it. "Hands off, you''re wrinkling my robes." Xiao Zai let go of him with a fond smile. "You''re really not going to tell me?" Chu Yun smacked him lightly with the fan again, but then hooked it around Xiao Zai''s neck and pulled him towards him to get at his lips. "I really don''t know what Lieba Chun is planning. But there''s a surprise I think you''ll enjoy." No matter how Xiao Zai pestered him, Chu Yun refused to reveal anything else all the way towards to the main courtyard where they had set up the game grounds. They consisted of a large track for horse races, several mounted targets, and some different stages and arenas -- that were created according to Lieba Chun''s specifications but whose purposes evaded Xiao Zai. The competitors were already in position outside the game grounds, most of them were Xiongnu, but there was a fair number of people from Zui who had volunteered in the name of friendly competition. Naturally, most of these volunteers were army soldiers or palace guards -- the kind of people more qualified to represent Zui in a display of skill. A figure in particular drew Xiao Zai''s gaze, and he understood at once what Chu Yun meant by surprise. "Xiao Ziyi is participating as well?" He had heard about his older sister''s prowess but he had never seen any display of it. "Can you believe she volunteered of her own volition?" He shook his head. "I thought I would have to beg her." From the corner of his eye, Xiao Zai saw Hua Nanyi bite down on a smile. Somehow he had the impression that Xiao Ziyi wasn''t participating in the games just out of a desire to keep Chu Yun happy. Chu Yun led him towards their seats in the middle of a raised viewing platform. Xiao Yuan was already waiting for them there, Fan Jiang sitting by his side. He smiled as soon as he saw Chu Yun. "I''m glad you''re feeling better," Chu Yun said, nodding towards Fan Jiang. He had had a long period of convalescence. It was only in the past month or so that he had been strong enough to spend any time out of bed, and only very recently left Xiao Yuan''s estate. Xiao Zai heard all of this from Xiao Yuan himself, who watched over Fan Jiang zealously. He didn''t need to say anything for Xiao Zai to know he felt an immense guilt over what had happened to him -- and the role he played in it. He had also confided in Xiao Zai that he would be marrying him as soon as he was well enough to withstand the ceremony. Fan Jiang himself looked a lot better, lighter somehow, as if a great weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Among all the familiar faces, the only person missing was his dam, but Xiao Zai had personally met with him and knew that he wouldn''t be joining them. Gu Wei had spent the past decades dreaming of leaving the royal palace -- he was in no hurry to return, especially not for any official events. Xiao Zai understood that there was more to it too. He and Jin Luan could only ever be together behind the closed doors of the Second Prince''s estate. Even if Xiao An had died in disgrace, branded a traitor, it didn''t mean that anyone would accept Gu Wei being in a relationship with a former palace guard. It wouldn''t look good for the royal clan. Moments later, the Queen Dowager joined them. Heavily attended by servants who helped her climb up the the platform and held several umbrellas above her, to shield her from the sun. A seat had been prepared for her behind Xiao Zai, with the usual beaded curtain to shield her from view of unworthy onlookers. She looked thin and frail as ever, but Xiao Zai could see the mean slash of her smirk once they turned around to pay their respects to her. The old croon was looking forward to some excitement. With her arrival, Xiao Zai could finally announce the start of the games. The lively sound of drums picked up the moment he finished his speech and sat back down. The competitors got in place, following the instructions of a few Xiongnu whose ribbons tied across the forehead marked as officials. He heard a curse on his right, and turned to see Chu Yun squinting into the group of competitors. "I can''t believe him." Xiao Zai followed his line of sight and landed right on Chu Hean, dressed in typical ornate Xin robes, his long hair tied in a high pony-tail on top of his head. Chapter 208 - The Fox Gets A Fright No one was paying Chu Hean''s presence among the competitors any special attention. And a cursory look around showed that Ru Long was nowhere to be seen, with or without a mask or veil to disguise his identity. On the level below Chu Yun''s and Xiao Zai''s viewing platform, Min Sezhui was sitting beside Tan Ruo, Minister Song, and a contingent of other courtiers. Chu Yun could only see the top of her head, and the butterfly pins sticking out of her delicate hairdo. She had no idea that Chu Hean was competing because of her. Maybe it would actually do her some good to know, she who always found herself lacking, that someone else thought she was competition. Her time in the royal harem had destroyed her self-esteem, Chu Yun was running out of ideas about how to build it back. He just knew it didn''t have to do with teaching her how to play weiqi or the guqin. She seemed alert at least, if not overly interested in the games about to take place. Chu Yun focused on her to avoid thinking about Chu Hean and how he was certainly going to do something foolish. Xiao Zai''s hand brushed over his knee for a moment, a quick touch, there one moment and gone the next. They were in full view of everyone, it wasn''t the time for intimacy. But as always, Chu Yun appreciated that Xiao Zai noticed when something bothered him. He didn''t have long to worry about what Chu Hean was going to do, because one of the Xiongnu blew a horn, and the drums stopped suddenly. A Zui official stepped onto a podium and announced the first competition while reading it off a bamboo strip scroll: horseback archery. Everyone who wasn''t going to compete fell back, while all the participants took a step forward among the cheers of the onlookers. The challenge was very simple. The competitors rode the length of the track, each at a time, while trying to hit the centre of the stationary targets mounted along the right side of it. Whoever hit the most targets won. Horses were a Xiongnu speciality, so almost all of them were participating in this challenge. Many Zui soldiers were as well, including Xiao Ziyi. The first contestant was from Zui, and he did a passable job. Of the seven targets he only missed two, and the last one was technically only a miss because the arrow wasn''t lodged deeply enough into the leather and fell due to the air displacement of the horse''s hooves. Everyone still cheered dutifully, including Xiao Zai who seemed more excited than he had expected to be about the whole thing. "That was good start, right? Certainly not a shameful showing." Chu Yun agreed with him, at least until a Xiongnu followed him up and hit the centre of every single target. Xiao Zai still cheered, but he turned to Chu Yun with a confused expression. "How is someone supposed to beat that? He already hit every target, does that mean he wins?" They had their answer when the next Xiongnu shot the arrows while riding backwards on the horse. Despite the impressive display he missed one of the targets. Chu Yun cheered alongside Xiao Zai but their gazes met in a look of twin bewilderment. Neither of them expected that the competition would be so fierce. At least the Zui contestants weren''t humiliating themselves -- that counted for something. Chu Hean was thankfully sitting this challenge out. Chu Yun supposed that horseback archery wasn''t part of the necessary skillset of a silent assassin. When Xiao Ziyi''s turn came along Chu Yun only expected her to mount the horse and shoot every arrow into the centre of the targets. Competent, clean, but nothing fancy. That was why he couldn''t hold back his surprised gasp when he saw her tie a black ribbon over her eyes before mounting her horse. Both Xiao Zai and Xiao Yuan leaned forward on their seats, eyes wide with anticipation. Privately, Chu Yun thought there was no way she was going to hit every target, not from the back of a running horse. She kicked the horse into a gallop with a yell, thighs clamped tight around its middle as she loosed the first arrow right into the centre of the target, and then the second, and the third, and every arrow afterwards until she ran out of track. The cheers from the spectators were deafening. After all, one of their own had put on the most impressive display until now. Hua Nanyi got up to her feet with a hoot, clapping loudly, until she realised everyone was shooting her weird looks and sat back down with an embarrassed grimace. After Xiao Ziyi it was Lieba Chun''s turn, he was the only competitor remaining. Chu Yun didn''t know what he planned to do surpass her, but these games had been nothing if not surprising. Lieba Chun took his horse right up to the starting line, and climbed up on it, but he didn''t sit on the saddle. Instead, he stood on it, and pulled the reins with his feet. The audience gasped in collective disbelief as Lieba Chun stood perfectly balanced on top of the running horse and hit every single target as easily as if he were shooting from the ground. He reached the end of the track and was immediately surrounded by a Group of cheering Xiongnu. It was obvious he had won the first challenge. Chu Yun was still amazed that he hadn''t fallen down the horse, let alone that he''d managed to hit every single target. Lieba Chun stepped away from the group of Xiongnu and bowed to the Zui audience who cheered for him too, albeit less effusively than they had for Xiao Ziyi. Then, he did something to an arrow, and fired it up into the air. Chu Yun followed its trajectory, as it approached the viewing platform at great velocity. Before anyone could scream in fear of the arrow being meant for them, or jump in front of Xiao Zai to protect him, the arrow lodged itself on the little table next to Min Sezhui. Unfazed, she reached for it and pulled out the beautiful magnolia bloom pierced through the arrow shaft. She took the flower and pinned it to her hair. Chu Yun only wished he could have seen his brother''s reaction. Chapter 209 - The Wolf Is A Little Jealous Lieba Chun''s little display got him a lot of attention, and quite a number of amused giggles from a great many number of spectators. Even some middle-aged alpha men who certainly thought themselves above such things looked a little flustered. At Xiao Zai''s side, Chu Yun let out an amused chuckle. "Nice trick." Xiao Zai pulled his gaze towards Min Sezhui who was now showing the flower in her hair to Tan Ruo, who praised it much more effusively than it deserved. He had to admit that it was impressive. Too flashy, perhaps. Xiao Zai chanced a look towards Chu Yun who seemed to be trying to look for his brother among the crowd of competitors and wondered if maybe he would like it if Xiao Zai did something like that for him. They hadn''t sparred in months, on account of Chu Yun''s pregnancy. It wouldn''t be safe, or fair -- considering how big he was and how much that hindered his speed. But maybe he would appreciate a demonstration from Xiao Zai''s part of how much he valued him, and thought he was worthy of seduction. Being King was a very stationary position -- most of the time he spent his day sitting on his ass, listening in to droves of ministers drone on. Trying to find middle ground when he''d rather go for a scorched earth approach. Maybe it was making him soft. Being the King of Zui was certainly not as romantic as being a nomad Prince. "You''re scowling," Chu Yun hissed into his ear, making Xiao Zai''s fingers flinch on the throne''s armrests. When his eyes met Chu Yun''s he was smirking at him. As if he could read Xiao Zai''s thoughts and found them amusing. "I was thinking I should take the opportunity to resume all the martial arts training my father prevented me from pursuing," Xiao Zai said, as if that was just a random thought that had popped up into his mind. One corner of Chu Yun''s red lips ticked up and his eyes shone with undisguised mirth. As always the sight of him never failed to take Xiao Zai''s breath away. "That seems like a good idea." He took out a fan from his wide sleeve and opened it in front of his face. From the side Xiao Zai could see the inside panel, and recognised it immediately. He could feel the back of his neck heat up. "Maybe I could watch, award style points?" He lowered his eyelashes as he spoke, in blatant provocation. Xiao Zai didn''t have a fan to hide behind, so he could only clear out his strained throat, and mumble, "I would like that," while averting his gaze. "Maybe after the child is born I will join you," Chu Yun said, his voice low and alluring. "Maybe we won''t be wearing anything at all." Xiao Zai swallowed drily, nodding minutely to show he was listening, while trying very hard not to show how much the conversation was affecting him. Chu Yun, vixen that he was, seemed to take it as a challenge. "Maybe the victor will get a special reward." The mere way he spoke was suggestive. Xiao Zai was having a hard time focusing on the dance performance taking place on the ground to keep everyone entertained while things were shifted around for the next challenge. He didn''t say anything, hoping that Chu Yun would stop his teasing, his gaze turned resolutely forward. Which meant he didn''t expect it when Chu Yun leaned all the way over towards him, the folding fan hiding them from view. "Maybe the winner gets to choose what he wants to do with the loser." He punctuated his words with a sharp bite to Xiao Zai''s earlobe before retreating back to his seat, as if it was nothing. No one around them noticed, but Xiao Zai wouldn''t be forgetting the fire burning hot in the pit of his stomach any time soon. Suddenly he was impatient to show Chu Yun that he wasn''t missing out on anything. That maybe Xiao Zai wasn''t all that great with archery, and couldn''t do handstands on moving horses or whatever, but he knew just how to make him happy anyway. "How much longer is this going to take?" he snapped despite himself. A servant who had been pouring Xiao Yuan tea shot him a worried look. "The games have just started, your Majesty." Next to him, Chu Yun dissolved into a fit of laughter, trying to muffle it behind his fan and failing spectacularly. --- The next challenge was supposed to test the competitors balance as well as their skill with a staff. They would have to balance on a rope stretched between two poles about two meters above ground. The height wasn''t particularly scary, but that two people would have to face each other with bamboo poles and try to topple the other while not falling themselves would have been. Two people went against each other, and then the winner moved on to go against the winner of some other group, until only two remained. This time, both Lieba Chun and Chu Hean were taking part. And they were starting on opposite groups. By Xiao Zai''s estimates they would only be meeting each other in the final -- if they could both make it that far. "Did you set it up like this?" he asked Chu Yun nodding towards the different doubles waiting behind each end of the rope. Chu Yun shook his head. "No, probably Lieba Chun''s doing." It turned out Lieba Chun''s confidence wasn''t unwarranted, because the two of them kept moving up into the ranks until they''re the last two standing. Lieba Chun stepped onto the rope with a flourish and swirled the pole around between his fingers, bowing to Chu Hean theatrically. Chu Hean swiped his own pole under his feet and jumped over it, landing steadily back onto the rope, the arm securing the pole extended towards Lieba Chun in open challenge. Two peacocks.. He couldn''t think of a better match. Chapter 210 - The Fox Sees His Life Flash Before His Eyes Chu Yun couldn''t deny that he was looking forward to see what kind of show Chu Hean was going to put on. His ego was bruised, so he felt like he had something to prove. He was very predictable in a way. Just because he had rejected Lieba Chun it didn''t mean Lieba Chun had a right to reject him. Foolish, bratty, and arrogant. Lieba Chun had his work cut out for him. He seemed to relish the task, if the brilliant grin he threw at Chu Hean was anything to go by. He stepped over the taut rope, his weight barely making it move. Chu Hean mirrored his movements and when it seemed they were just going to bump into each other''s chests on the middle of the rope, they brought down the poles at the same time. And then they were off. It was tense and exciting for the first few minutes, until Chu Yun realised they were too evenly matched for the fight to be interesting to begin with. They kept countering each other as if they could predict what the other was going to do -- dodging in just the nick of time, and then switching places and having their strike miss by just a hairsbreadth. "It''s like watching two cats circle each other," Xiao Zai said, dismayed, leaning towards Chu Yun to voice his complaints. Chu Yun had to agree. They were like two cats in a courtyard, their sharp paws raised towards the other while they hissed and spit but ultimately did nothing. For a moment they seemed to be rushing towards each other, like a strung cord, but then all the energy deflated and they sized one another up before attempting a move that the other easily parried. It was like watching a very boring mating dance between two animals who didn''t know that was what they were doing. "How much longer can this take?" Chu Yun asked, fanning himself aggressively. He chanced a look around, and got the impression some of the others were on the verge of falling asleep. Fan Jiang was definitely nodding off, he was sure of it. He managed to drag his eyes back towards what was happening over the rope just in time to see them rush at each other again. Chu Yun expected more of the same anticlimactic action, but this time something different happened. Lieba Chun struck forward with the pole, aiming for Chu Hean''s chest, as he had done before, but instead of jumping backwards, over him, or just parrying, Chu Hean let go of his own pole at the same time he jumped high and landed on the pole Lieba Chun was still holding. The extra weight made Lieba Chun lose his footing. Chu Yun watched in slow motion as Chu Hean jumped backwards and landed on the rope at the same time Lieba Chun slipped completely off and fell on the ground. Chu Hean extended his arm just in time to grab Lieba Chun''s bamboo pole before it touched the ground and whipped it towards him. "I win," he said, his tone dispassionate, even though his eyes were shining with mirth. From the ground, Lieba Chun threw him a filthy look before pulling on the pole and toppling Chu Hean who fell gracelessly on top of him. "Congratulations," Lieba Chun replied, turning to mouth the words into Chu Hean''s ear. In the platform above Chu Yun rolled his eyes so hard he felt something straining. They had more of this to endure. He felt fingers close around his wrist, and turned his face to find Xiao Zai looking at him with a look of deep commiseration. "Stay strong, it will be over soon." --- Xiao Zai had lied. It wasn''t over soon. They had to endure some similar displays a thousand times over. Sometimes there would be a break in action, and the two of them wouldn''t participate in the same challenges, but more often than not they were going against each other and exchanging victories. The worst part was that they seemed to be attempting to make all the spectators uncomfortable with increasingly more elaborate celebrations. After the knife throwing competition, Lieba Chun lorded his victory over Chu Hean by pinning him to the target wall behind him, and pulling it out with a dramatic flourish, their noses almost touching. Chu Hean returned the favour in the after the swordfight competition, by cutting a ribbon off Lieba Chun''s shirt and exposing a slash of his golden chest. Lieba Chun preened, puffing out his chest so that everyone could admire the cut of of his muscles. Even at a distance, Chu Yun could see the depth of Chu Hean''s scowl -- he had miscalculated that one, to Chu Yun''s amusement. Xiao Ziyi won the horse race, which came as a surprise, but perhaps shouldn''t, because Chu Hean wasn''t that competent a rider, and spent the entire race trying to throw Lieba Chun off. In any case, Chu Yun jumped to his feet and cheered dramatically, relieved beyond belief to not be seeing any more of them. Xiao Ziyi stood under a peach blossom tree as her reward was awarded to her. A blossom fell right on her cheek as she received her silk ribbon. She picked it between her fingers, flickered her gaze towards the platform filled with court onlookers and brought it to her lips discreetly, before slipping the blossom between the folds of her robe. At the same time, Hua Nanyi fell back on her chair with an inelegant thunk, fingers tight over the armrest. When it was all said and done, Lieba Chun won the most challenges, and was the winner of the games. Xiao Zai got up from his gilded chair with a relieved sigh. "Finally," he said, smiling at Chu Yun. The two of them made their way down the stairs to award Lieba Chun his reward in person. Chu Yun was thinking of how much he was going to enjoy relaxing in the bathing pool afterwards, when something sharp zinged past his cheek. He heard a gasp behind him.. He turned around and met Xiao Zai''s wide eyes as a red stain blossomed around the arrow shaft protruding from his chest.