It was obvious to Chu Yun that there was a lot of bad blood between Xiao Zai and the First Prince, who, unlike Xiao Zai, resembled his father in everything. Including the arrogant cast of his eyes, and the haughty tilt of his chin.

It was clear from his demeanour that the First Prince never once questioned his claim to the throne.

He was brought up with the clear certainty that he would be his father’s heir — which was curious considering he wasn’t the child of the late Queen Consort. From what Hua Nanyi had told him, the Queen had only one child, an alpha girl, all her other pregnancies resulted in miscarriage. Except her last one, which she managed to carry to term.

Only for both her and the child to die during delivery.

In Xin, the first alpha child of the official spouse inherited the title. Regardless of primary gender.

Apparently, that wasn’t the case in Zui.

Chu Yun glanced at the king up on the dais. His eyes were narrowed in poorly disguised contempt, as he observed the First Prince’s movements.

Despite all his arrogance, perhaps the First Prince’s position wasn’t as solid as he thought.

Chu Yun’s eyes returned to the prince as he came to a stop in front of him and Xiao Zai.

He cupped his hands in front of his chest, and bowed to Chu Yun. “Wuyuan greets brother-in-law, and wishes him a thousand years of happiness, however he may find it.”

For the first time, Chu Yun was needled on his new husband’s behalf. Did the First Prince think he was stupid, and wouldn’t notice the obvious slight to Xiao Zai?

Didn’t the First Prince’s words imply he’d have to search for happiness away from Xiao Zai if he hoped to find it?

Now that they were married, any offence to one of them was an offence to both.

Chu Yun hadn’t come to a strange land to suffer fools lightly.

“Miaoyan is grateful for his First Highness’ well wishes.” Chu Yun reached to the side to take Xiao Zai’s cool hand in his in a deliberate gesture. “Miaoyan hopes to spend a thousand years of happiness beside his husband.”

It was obvious from all the shocked faces around him that no one expected him to say that.

Xiao Zai could not lift his eyes from their joined hands. He didn’t expect Chu Yun would be willing to take his side in front of his family.

Right then, a wizened voice called from behind the beaded curtain. “Come up here, child.”

Chu Yun exchanged a look with Xiao Zai, who just nodded at him, his lips pressed into a tense line.

With his head lowered and his hands clasped behind his back, Chu Yun ascended the stairs up the dais. He bowed his head respectfully to the king and then walked past him towards the the Queen Dowager.

She was sitting up on her sofa, her posture ramrod straight.

“Closer, child.” Her tone was slightly raspy, and her features hard to discern from behind the curtain. “Let me get a close look at you.”

Chu Yun did as she commanded, but nothing could have prepared him for the surprisingly strong arm that shot out and grabbed his jaw, pulling his face across the curtain.

His eyes were wide open with shock the first time he looked into the Queen Dowager’s wrinkled face.

“It’s true what they say about the foxes from Xin,” the old woman said, her thin lips, which she had given her son quirked in amusement.

She let go of Chu Yun’s jaw, who pulled back away from her. “And what do they say about the foxes from Xin, your royal Highness?”

The Queen Dowager let out a rattling laugh, as if she couldn’t believe Chu Yun had dared to ask. He was well aware it was probably something offensive, but he wanted to hear it from her mouth.

She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. “Nothing that bears repeating.”

Chu Yun smiled through his gritted teeth.

She smiled at him, revealing a row of yellowed teeth. The Queen Dowager must have been beautiful one day, but the years hadn’t been kind to her. Her crabapple blossom scent had grown stale, something Chu Yun had never encountered before but had heard plenty about.

It was the consequence that any omega who tried to suppress their pheromones for a long period of time faced. Prolonged exposure to suppressing draughts damaged the scent glands.

But why would the Queen Dowager, first wife of the late king, and mother to the current one, ever do that to herself? And for a long time, no less.

“You and Xiao Zai still haven’t been to your new estate. You should go at once and handle your affairs, I’m sure there’s plenty for the two of you to do.”

Apparently satisfied with the close look she got at Chu Yun’s face, the queen waved him off with an elegant flick of her wrist.

Chu Yun bowed one last time to her, to the dour faced king, and went down the stairs. Promising himself he would have a serious talk with Xiao Zai about his fucked up family.

—

Xiao Zai called for a carriage to take them to their new estate as soon as they left the throne room. He was eager to leave the royal palace at once, and he could see from Chu Yun’s barely suppressed rage that he felt the same way.

At least his grandmother’s interjection meant that Xiao Yuan couldn’t antagonise them as much as he probably would have liked.

He was still incredulous that Chu Yun had bothered to stand by him during Xiao Yuan’s pointless needling. He rubbed his fingers together, trying to get rid of the phantom sensation of Chu Yun’s warm palm against his.

Of course, going to their new residence brought with it its own set of problems.

“I need to warn you about the estate,” Xiao Zai said, once they were halfway there. The carriage was lavish and well appointed, but it was probably the most extravagant thing they would see for a while.

Chu Yun groaned, and slumped on his side of the coach. “Do I want to know?”

Xiao Zai’s mouth clicked shut. No, he probably didn’t, and what’s more, Xiao Zai didn’t want to handle his outburst in such close quarters. They were almost there. Chu Yun would see for himself soon enough.

—

The First Prince’s courtesy name is Wuyuan, and his birth name is Xiao Yuan.