Wolf King And His Fox Consort [BL]

Xiao Zai and Chu Yun returned to the party for their children's 30 day celebration, and acted as if nothing was out of place. As always Gu Wei noticed, but for once didn't try to find out more.

It wasn't until later that night, together in bed that Chu Yun brought it up:

"I didn't realise, when she first told me the tale, how devastating it sill was, all these years later," he admitted, his face buried in Xiao Zai's chest. "For both of them. Neither of them really moved on."

Xiao Zai ran his hand down the back of Chu Yun's hair. "Would you?"

Chu Yun shifted in the silk sheets, and looked up into Xiao Zai's eyes. "No. Not if it was you and me."

Sometimes he had trouble believing it had been less than a year since he and Xiao Zai met. He couldn't imagine how his life would be without him, worse, he couldn't imagine how he would survive if anyone took Xiao Zai away from him.

"I don't know how your grandmother is feeling now that she knows Tang Fan is alive. I think the desire for revenge was the motivation behind many of her actions these past years."

"She wasn't just moved by the desire to avenge his death, they were deprived of an entire life together, that didn't change," Xiao Zai said, "although, it probably pains her that he spent all these years thinking she was complicit in his suffering."

The most harrowing thing about the Queen Dowager's and Tang Fan's tale, was how many people might be experiencing something very similar that very moment.

Chu Yun's hand tightened on Xiao Zai's inner robe. "Tomorrow, right? You're going to address the court and the remaining ministers tomorrow?"

Xiao Zai laced their fingers together over his chest. "The two of us, you're going to be there too."

"I don't know if that's wise, you hear the rumours too, everyone whispers that I'm seducing you into doing whatever I want."

Xiao Zai let out a startled laugh. "Well, aren't you?"

Chu Yun stabbed a blunt fingernail on a sliver of  Xiao Zai's bare chest. "Yes, but that's beside the point."

Xiao Zai kissed him, and after that they didn't talk for a long time. Ever since the twins' birth every moment of intimacy between them felt stolen to Chu Yun, a precious indulgence that could be put to an end at any moment by a sharp cry -- it made him want to indulge all the more.

When they finally broke apart, it was Xiao Zai who resumed the issue to make his point: "This concerns both the future of our children, and of Zui, I can't imagine doing it without you at my side."

"It feels right to face this one last hurdle together," Chu Yun admitted.

Xiao Zai chucked. "I wouldn't call it the 'last' one."

"Maybe not, but maybe that's for the best." Chu Yun turned until he was laying halfway on top of Xiao Zai. "I wouldn't want you to get tired of me if things got too boring."

Xiao Zai slid his hand up into Chu Yun's hair and pulled him close. "You always find a way to keep things exciting, no exterior interference required."

---

Spirits were high the next day when Xiao Zai and Chu Yun walked into the throne room. All the remaining ministers were gathered, as well as several nobles. Each faction had their own expectations of how the King's announcement would go.

The rumour that the young prince wasn't an alpha had circulated freely in the palace, and beyond, since the twins' birth. Many people saw it as confirmation that Xiao Zai would soon start accepting candidates for his own royal harem -- and they all wanted to put forth their family's omegas, or female betas.

The ministers on the other hand, were expecting high promotions, considering they were the remaining few not found guilty of treason. Some of them were already dreaming of the gold taels that would soon be lining their coffers.

Xiao Zai took his seat on the throne with a mix of trepidation and anticipation.

At his side, Chu Yun looked down at the gathered crowd with thinly-veiled amusement. Despite what he had said last night, Xiao Zai knew he wouldn't have wanted to miss such a momentous occasion.

"Thank you all for gathering here under such short notice," Xiao Zai said, as soon as all courtesies were done with. "I'm sure many of you can guess as to why this meeting was called."

The faces looking up at him from the crowd all affected a polite blankness, but some couldn't hide an involuntary twitch of the lips, others couldn't disguise how their gazes drifted towards Chu Yun. If they were all set to gain something today, then no one was set to lose more than Chu Yun.

"I'm pleased to announce that the youngest prince of Zui is called Xiao Fei, and the youngest princess Xiao Yin."

As expected, a chorus of well-wishes rose from the crowd, congratulating Xiao Zai as well as wishing the prince and princess a long and prosperous life.

"The birth of our children is a joyous occasion," Xiao Zai continued, drumming his fingers slowly on the throne's armrest. "However, it has made clear the necessity for change, in this court, and in our nation."

He was barely done speaking before loud encouragements were raising from the crowd. Several people were almost trampling each other for the chance to be the first one to call him "wise".

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It was hard for him to restrain a smile imagining if they would still feel that way in a moment's time.

Xiao Zai rose him his throne and walked towards the edge of the dais, his hands clasped behind his back. "We have recently avoided a treacherous plot that laid bare the necessity of strengthening our nation's morale, and entrusting the people's vision for the future of our nation."

More scattered agreement and encouragement, although less enthusiastic. Now they were less sure where Xiao Zai was going with his speech.

He was happy to put them out of their misery.

"Which is why I'm opening up schools all over the nation in order to prepare candidates to take the civil servant exam. This is aimed at opening up civil service to people from commoner families, who don't have the means to hire private tutors, or send out their children to the academies in larger cities."

Now his words met with utter silence, but Xiao Zai wasn't done yet.

"And to ensure that every citizen of Zui gets a fair chance, the schools will be open to betas and omegas along with alphas. All of them will be able to take the exams."

The silence lasted only a moment longer before breaking into utter chaos.