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.