It took a long time for any single voice to be heard over the cacophony of the riders, but in the end it was again Hui Liang who drove his horse right up to the stage and pulled it up a hairsbreadth away from a collision.
"If it was the Crown Prince of Su that told of our arrival I demand to see him," he bellowed, spittle flying out of his mouth, the dark moustache over his thin upper lip trembleing in fury.
"Naturally," Xiao Zai said, and then turned to nod meaningfully to a group of guards on the stage, who left at once, their steps purposeful.
Chu Yun walked away from Xiao Zai then and went around to the table where the Queen Consort and Third Princess were sitting in utter confusion.
"Everything will make sense soon," he told them with a pleasant smile.
He wasn't sure they were going to appreciate it -- but that wasn't his problem.
For now his words served to keep both of them in their seats, and lend credibility to Xiao Zai's words.
A few tense minutes passed, where no one spoke while the musicians and dancers resumed entertaining the crowd despite the tension choking the air.
If it wasn't for the shooting pains in his abdomen Chu Yun would be very amused by all of it.
Finally, the guards came back with Ru Long. He walked among the palace guards without being restrained, but the hatred in his dark gaze was palpable. However, there wasn't a single bruise on him, he was wearing fine robes, and his hair had been meticulously pinned in place. No one could say he looked like anything but an esteemed guest.
Soon, the hatred in Hui Liang's dark gaze matched the hatred in Ru Long's.
"It seems we were lured here under false pretences," he spit out the words through gritted teeth, glaring up at Ru Long.
It made it immediately obvious just how many of them there were.
And after Lieba Chun's cheerful toast -- whose side they were on.
The square was now almost boiling with people, all of them simmering with expectation. The sun beat down on the crowd, making curious faces shine with sweat, and the glimmering scales on the rider's armour ripple like water.
Ru Long's gaze was filled with malice, and once or twice he chanced a look behind him at where Chu Hean sat with Lieba Chun.
It must be maddening, to see how everything he'd hoped would bring him an advantage was now turning against him.
Hui Liang looked equally discomfited, he had thought he would storm into Haolin like a victorious General returning from war -- but now he had been reduced to the role of the inconvenient guest who interrupts a wedding ceremony in the middle and doesn't even know whose wedding it is.
His face was red with vexation. "Well, we seek answers," he bellowed, turning his horse to face the riders behind him. "The late King died in his cell without a trial, the circumstances of his death are murky, and His Majesty dissolved the harem and imprisoned several ministers under equally unclear charges!"
That got him a chorus of cheers, the confidence of the riders momentarily restored now that they had been reminded that there was more behind their long journey than Ru Long's traitorous promises.
Xiao Zai waited for the cheers to die down with an indulgent smile.
"No, in fact, those charges are very clear, and they trace back to the Crown Prince of Su, and the attempt on my life he orchestrated."
He paced the length of the stage but came to a stop once again in front of Ru Long.
"Using the same method as he used to render his father, the King of Su, comatose for so long."