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."