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Xiao Zai climbed off Chu Yun with bitter reluctance, extending him a hand to help him to his feet.

The two of them righted their robes in silent frustration, but at least for Xiao Zai that hid some very real anxiety.

What now? 

They\'d just navigated a craggy shore with Chu Yun\'s father, the last thing they needed was for the King of Xin to show up.

Hua Nanyi was waiting for them outside, her expression unreadable. Chu Yun asked her if his uncle had brought anyone else along.

She nodded. "First Prince Chu Ming is with him."

Xiao Zai didn\'t know much about the Xin royal family, on account of being purposefully kept away from all political matters by his father, but judging by Chu Yun\'s face he wasn\'t on good terms with his cousin.

"Oh, the dumbest of the three," he said, through gritted teeth.

The three of them made their way through the courtyards towards the reception hall, where they found several servants in deep prostration, and Chu Yun\'s parents bowing respectfully. Chu Yun joined them in greeting his uncle, but Xiao Zai sketched only an abbreviated greeting, on account of belonging to the royal house of another nation.

The King of Xin was finely dressed, in a lengthy golden robe with delicate brocade, and fine shimmering accents. Just as lavish and decadent as the gossip in Zui always painted him and his court to be. He was tall, and had that same slender, scholarly build all alpha foxes Xiao Zai had seen seemed to lean towards.

It was hard to tell his real age, he looked like a man who rarely used his face except to look down on others -- just as he was doing now.

His son, wearing light teal robes, just as exquisitely made, resembled his father, except he was broader across the shoulders, and there was meanness in his smug smirk, whereas the King\'s features only held a vacuous sense of superiority.

"Cousin, you seem well," the First Prince said, as soon as Chu Yun rose to his feet. "Married life agrees with you."

Xiao Zai kept his expression still, standing at Chu Yun\'s side and saying nothing. 

"Yes, I am very fortunate," Chu Yun said, smiling pleasantly, as if he hadn\'t noticed the barb. "I have royal uncle\'s wisdom to thank for arranging such a compatible match for me."

He bowed towards his uncle again, with his hands extended in front of him in a circle. One corner of the King\'s lips curled up in an almost imperceptible sneer. Chu Yun\'s happiness was of no consequence to him.

"We hear that things have been very "exciting" since Miaoyan\'s arrival there."

The First Prince scoffed. "Cousin always found his way to trouble."

---

Chu Yun\'s smile didn\'t slip, but he clasped his hands behind his back, to hide the tension in his fingers.

Chu Ming the fucking idiot. Every single one of his encounters with his cousin had been unpleasant at best, unbearable at worst. He was one of the most idiotic people Chu Yun had ever met. Easily amused, especially with other people\'s pain.

"Perhaps that will change soon," Chu Yun said, smiling tightly.

The King chuckled. "Actually, I was hoping to talk with you just about that," he said, taking a step in Chu Yun\'s direction. "And to his Highness, of course," he tilted his head towards Xiao Zai, in belated acknowledgement.

His parents exchanged a look, that Chu Yun cought from the corner of his eyes. His mother looked pale, on the verge of fainting. Their gazes met and Chu Yun could see the worry written across them.

"Perhaps the four of us could talk in private somewhere else?" His uncle asked, addressing the Prince of Jing as if he was a servant instead of his brother.

But Chu Yun\'s father was in no position to impose his authority. He showed his brother and nephew to his office, and closed the door after Chu Yun and Xiao Zai walked in.

Chu Yun and Xiao Zai stood by the door as the King took a seat behind the desk. Chu Ming sat on the round windowsill, taking one of Chu Yun\'s father\'s puzzle boxes from the desk and throwing it up in the air, as if juggling with a peach.

Chu Yun followed the movement of the box in the air with extreme annoyance. The careless way he touched someone else\'s treasured possessions as if they meant nothing was unbearable. Chu Yun had to wrench his eyes away or his displeasure would end up showing in his face.

His uncle leaned across the tabletop and stared at Chu Yun with a knowing smirk. "It seems you\'ve created so much trouble that the King of Zui felt compelled to write to me for help." He let out a loud laugh, clearly delighted by this turn of events. "He was quick to cast all the blame at your feet. And Xin by association, of course."

What did he expect Chu Yun to say to that? \'Oh no, how terrible.\'?

He chose to remain quiet, doing his best to look contrite and upset by the revelation.

"This is great news for us, of course. Despite all his threats it\'s obvious the King of Zui doesn\'t have much to bargain with, which is probably why he offered me a 10% cut of the profits from the salt trade, as well as 10% discount in imports, for my help in \'settling matters\'."

Chu Yun\'s eyes widened dramatically at those numbers, and Xiao Zai cursed under his breath. The salt trade was Zui\'s most important source of revenue. The King was making very extravagant promises, most likely proportional to his desperation.

The King of Xin drunk in their reactions with glee.

"I understand that his Second Highness has aspirations to reach the throne of Zui. I\'m willing to throw in my support, not only with funds, but with mercenaries as well, in exchange for a 15% cut of the profits and a 15% discount on imports."

He laced his finger beneath his chin, and looked from Chu Yun to Xiao Zai with a look of shrewd satisfaction.. "It\'s only fair that a more dangerous investment should turn a larger profit."