Wolf King And His Fox Consort

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.