Wolf King And His Fox Consort [BL]

Chu Yun had no visible reaction to Jin Luan's revelation, in part because it didn't come as a surprise. He wanted to know how Ru Long factored into Xiao Yao's life -- exactly how had Xiao Yao come to have a child that needed to be entrusted to someone in Su?

But he couldn't give his goals away. Not because he feared Jin Luan would relate their conversation to Gu Wei, that was a foregone conclusion, but because he would stop talking if he noticed Chu Yun's marked interest.

Gu Wei of course wouldn't tell him any more than he already had.

"Xiao Zai must have been a cute child," Chu Yun said, sidestepping the issue briefly. "Sometimes I felt like I've known him for such a long time that it's almost hard to believe that we've been married for less than a year."

That much was true. He did sometimes feel like he had known Xiao Zai all his life.

Jin Luan nodded in understanding, but added, "I don't feel like that about Gu Wei."

Chu Yun turned to him in open curiosity. He didn't expect Jin Luan to be so candid. "How so?"

"I feel as if I'm meeting a new side of him every day. As if he is a fruit and each time I peel a piece of rind I see a completely different and surprising colour inside." He smiled, amused at his own thought process. "Don't tell him I said that."

"I won't," Chu Yun said, with a conspiratorial tone.

He thought Jin Luan was right about Gu Wei, though. There were many facets to him, like a cut stone, he only ever showed one at a time, depending on the circumstances. But Chu Yun could imagine him letting his guard down around Jin Luan, being more vulnerable.

"I know you don't trust him," Jin Luan said, his features hardening back into their usual stoic mask as he met Chu Yun's eyes. "But Gu Wei wants only the best for Xiao Zai. He went through hell for him." He swallowed thickly. "For A-Xiang too. So I beg you not to judge him too harshly for protecting his children."

Chu Yun nodded slowly.

He didn't know if he judged Gu Wei too harshly. And he fully believed his love for Xiao Zai was unconditional. So much so, that he would do everything to ensure Xiao Zai was safe, and that his position as King was secure.

Like finding a way for Chu Yun to get pregnant.

He was still convinced of that. And somehow, it was all connected to Xiao Zai's uncle and Ru Long. Why else would Gu Wei be so secretive about it, if he never had a romantic relationship with the man?

Chu Yun couldn't shake the feeling that there was something Gu Wei didn't want him to find out.

"I wonder if Xiao Yao's execution could have something to do with the person he loved?" Chu Yun said, changing the subject as if he felt awkward discussing Gu Wei. "Such a tragedy, that he should lose his life and still be branded a traitor."

Jin Luan hummed, his features softening again. Chu Yun wandered if he had given the man much thought in the past years.

"It's possible, maybe Xiao An felt threatened by how close he was to the King of Su." He shrugged. "He was more well-liked than him, and maybe Xiao An felt that Su's support would even make him more popular."

Chu Yun held himself very still. This was exactly the kind of information he wanted, but he had to set his stones carefully.

"Xiao An saw enemies in every corner, maybe because he thought that everyone was moved by the same desires as him, or shared his dubious character."

Jin Luan nodded eagerly. "Exactly, he thought everyone was like him, and so expected the worse of everyone."

If Chu Yun wanted he could have gotten Jin Luan to talk about Xiao An for hours, albeit in his economic way with words. It was obvious he had a lot of bottled resentment still, but that he likely kept to himself, not wanting to burden Gu Wei -- who had gotten the worst of Xiao An -- with his complaints.

"And what about the person he loved? It would be just Xiao An's style to use it against him. He would have to be secretive about it."

Jin Luan frowned. "I think he was. I found out he loved someone else because I overheard him talking with Gu Wei about that person. He seemed anxious, but I guess that is to expected." He ducked his head. "I was eavesdropping because I was almost blind with jealousy, as soon as I realised there was nothing between them I felt too guilty to stay there."

It was Chu Yun's turn to nod in understanding, although he was biting his tongue to refrain from screaming.

Curse Jin Luan and his single-minded focus on Gu Wei. Chu Yun would have really liked to know who the other person was.

"We'd better go back inside," Chu Yun said, patting the stone bench before getting up. "I just wanted to give Xiao Zai and Gu Wei some alone time."

Jin Luan nodded in understanding. Satisfied with that explanation for Chu Yun's sudden request for help.

When they went back inside, Gu Wei and Xiao Zai were sitting on opposite sides of the table, drinking tea and talking amiably.

Gu Wei's sharp gaze went straight to Chu Yun. "We were wondering when you'd rejoin us."

Chu Yun sat down next to Xiao Zai. "I just wanted to ask Mr. Jin what Xiao Zai was like as a child," he said, pouring himself a cup of tea. "I'm afraid father-in-law wouldn't share any embarrassing moments."

He smiled towards Jin Luan. "Not that Mr. Jin has."

It was unclear if Gu Wei believed him, but he wasn't interested in discussing it. "Well, I'm very thankful for everything Miaoyan has done for Xiao Zai, and can only hope that we can find all the parties involved in the attack soon."

"I suspect one of the involved parties might be Ru Long, Crown Prince of Su, so that might prove difficult."

He kept his gaze trained on Gu Wei but he had no reaction to Ru Long's name or the mention of Su.

"That's going to require a lot of diplomacy and careful manoeuvring," he said, filling up Jin Luan's teacup. "But I don't doubt your skills in that regard."

Chu Yun took a sip of his tea and smiled at Gu Wei over the rim of the cup, who returned his smile with a quirk of his fine eyebrows.

Maybe he really was a clueless as he seemed to be, but Chu Yun thought he could be forgiven (even by Jin Luan) for still having his doubts about him.

---

"What did you want to talk with Jin Luan about?" Xiao Zai asked, the moment they were out of Gu Wei's former quarters.

Chu Yun took his arm, and waited until they were further away before answering him. "I wanted to know what he knew about your uncle. Apparently he overheard him talk with Gu Wei about the person he loved, and he was close to the King of Su."

"Because of Ru Long?"

Chu Yun nodded. "I just want to know as much as I can, to be prepared. Maybe we can negotiate with him in some way, but first we need to know what he's after." He sighed in annoyance.

"It would be great if we could sidestep him and go talk with the King directly, but I've had Hua Nanyi look into it before, the King of Su hasn't been seen in public for a time, due to a recurring health problem, and there has never been a good time for us to go to Su, but now it's perhaps the worse."

Xiao Zai nodded along. "And any letters could be intercepted, who knows just how large Ru Long's influence in Su is, these days?"

"Exactly," Chu Yun admitted. "They do very public moves, but the truth is that there is a lot of secrecy about the inner workings of the Su court. It's a good strategy, makes them stronger to external attacks."

"But sensitive to internal threats."

Chu Yun gave him a look over the shoulder. They were almost reaching the royal quarters. "You think that's what Ru Long is doing? It would explain the constant secrecy, if he's making moves against his father."

"Yes, but what if the reason why he spends so much time running around in secret is because there are threats to him as well? What if his position as Crown Prince is being questioned?"

That was possible. Especially their assumptions were right and Ru Long was somehow related to Xiao Yao -- it would throw his legitimacy as heir into question.

Xiao Zai sighed. "I really wish we could go to Su."

Chu Yun came to a sudden stop in the middle of the hallway. "What if there was a way for us to make Su come to us?"