Dance Of The Dragons
Chapter 170 : The Emperor’s Birthday Celebration (2)

Chapter 170: Chapter 170 : The Emperor’s Birthday Celebration (2)

Both Xie Jianyu and Mingyu quickly rushed over to Qingyun’s rescue.

"Sister Qing, what happened???" Mingyu exclaimed. She ran so fast that she almost spilled the content of her overflowing basket.

Qingyun was in the middle of squabbling with a young lady over a painted umbrella. Both ladies had their four hands all over the umbrella in a desperate attempt to claim the most area.

"..."

"..."

"It’s mine!" the young lady exclaimed. "Let go!!!"

"No, I saw it first!"

"Young ladies, please be careful!" the umbrella stall owner chimed in. "Otherwise, you are going to rip the umbrella apart!"

"I don’t care!" the young lady shouted. "I am the City Warden’s daughter! I am going to report the both of you to my uncle if I do not get this umbrella today!"

Qingyun glared at the young lady for a split second before she turned her head to the side and gave Xie Jianyu a beseeching look.

What was a City Warden compared to the Crown Prince? It was like comparing a stone to a mountain. Unfortunately, a City Warden’s daughter had a much higher status than a mere servant of Fuxi Palace! Besides, they were in the middle of disguising themselves. Surely Xie Jianyu would not reveal his identity just so that his servant could get a painted umbrella?

Qingyun was starting to regret her poor choice. Oh, why must she fight with this stupid woman for such a trivial item? As if Fuxi Palace had no painted umbrellas in its storage!

"Ladies, stop right there."

Xie Jianyu approached the squabbling women but before he said anything else to placate the situation, a tall figure in dark and bright blue robe already stepped before him and spoke to the City Warden’s niece.

"Ah, is this not Little Meigui, Warden Han’s most adorable daughter?" the person said with a honey-sweet voice.

Han Meigui practically lit up when she saw the man.

"Brother Guiying!" she cried out joyfully. Suddenly, the painted umbrella held no more meaning to her. She instantly let it go.

"Aiyah... Meigui, look at you! You have grown up into a beautiful flower! Surely, your father is very proud of you! Why has he hidden you away from the sight? Is he afraid that some unworthy man might come to steal your heart away?"

"Whaaaat? Nooo, Brother Guiying is the one who becomes more and more handsome every time!" Han Meigui cried out in delight, her cheeks flushing pink at Zhou Guiying’s generous compliments.

The young lady looped her hand around Zhou Guiying’s arm coquettishly and dragged him away from the stall.

"Brother Guiying, why have you not come to visit again? My father keeps asking about you~"

Zhou Guiying winked at Xie Jianyu briefly before he focused his attention on Han Meigui entirely.

"Is that so? Then why do you think do I come here today? I was thinking of asking you out to play..."

Xie Jianyu gave a slight nod in response before he rushed to the stall to get Qingyun.

"Master, I am so sorry," Qingyun apologized profusely. "If I had known that she is some noble young lady, I would not have picked any fight with her."

"It’s okay," Xie Jianyu said. "Qingyun, let’s quickly buy the painted umbrella and go somewhere else."

Afterward, both maids were more mindful of their behaviors and actions.

Time flew quickly when people were having fun.

After spending hours touring the city, the two maids finally gave in to their sore feet and aching backs. Xie Jianyu thus took them to a restaurant to sit down for a hearty lunch. Just as heaven would have it, their table was right next to Zhou Guiying’s.

Having recognized their savior, Qingyun quickly bowed her head in thanks.

"Young Master, thank you for helping me out back then!"

"Oh, it was nothing. Don’t mention it."

Zhou Guiying lifted his cup of wine in Xie Jianyu’s direction.

"Crown Prince, long time no see. I barely recognize you in the simple clothing."

Xie Jianyu cupped his hands as a sign of respect.

"Prince Zhou Guiying is too polite. Are you here to enjoy the festivities on your own?"

Zhou Guiying had to suppress a smile at the Crown Prince’s question. His reputation as a notorious playboy already spread throughout the entire realm, so why would he be anywhere alone?

It’s just that he lost sight of his partner today when he caught sight of the Crown Prince.

Of course, he could not risk telling Xie Jianyu the truth, otherwise the latter might just drag him to the Golden Dragon Palace’s dungeon this very moment.

"Ah, yes. I wanted to enjoy the celebration but I had no one to take with me," Zhou Guiying sighed dramatically.

"In that case, why don’t we sit together for a meal?" Xie Jianyu offered. "Let me thank you properly for your help today."

"I would love to, but..."

Zhou Guiying’s gaze wandered to Caihong. The bird looked like it was about to peck at Zhou Guiying’s eyes for looking at Xie Jianyu for too long.

"...your bird does not seem to like me very much."

"Oh. Caihong, stop that," Xie Jianyu chastised the little bird on his shoulder, which squealed unhappily in response.

"Squeee!"

Xie Jianyu put the colorful bird down on the table and then motioned toward the empty seat next to him.

"Please, Prince Zhou Guiying, join us."

"Squeeee!!! Squeeee!!!"

Ignoring Caihong’s dejected calls, Zhou Guiying rose from his seat and moved to Xie Jianyu’s table.

"Then, let me respond to the Crown Prince’s invitation with extreme gratitude..."

Zhou Guiying’s bottom had yet to touch the seating pillow when his upper arm was grasped and a cold voice was heard behind him.

"Is the Crown Prince holding a small gathering? May I also join?"

Zhou Guiying and Xie Jianyu raised their heads at the same time to look at Zhang Fengxi, who appeared out of nowhere. The heir of Longjing Palace towered above them, looking a lot like a newly-crowned Demon King with the heavy dark clouds that hung above his head.