Wolf King And His Fox Consort

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."