Chapter 91 - The Wolf Saw At Least Some Of This Coming

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.