Wolf King And His Fox Consort

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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." 

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