Dance Of The Dragons
Chapter 337 : Goodbye, Fengxi (5)

Chapter 337: Chapter 337 : Goodbye, Fengxi (5)

"Brother Zhiyuan, Sister-in-law*, please calm down," Jiang Rufeng tried to placate the angry tigers who threatened to ransack his Shuiran Palace. "We can talk about everything. There is no need to resort to violence."

"Brother Rufeng, I cannot accept this behavior," Zhang Zhiyuan snapped. "We have just lost the Crown Prince. Fengxi is not approachable in his grief. The last thing we expected was to have our grandchildren stolen away from under our noses!"

Jiang Rufeng did not know that his son stole said twin babies from Fuxi Palace, so he was naturally puzzled by the unfounded accusation.

"Brother Zhiyuan, there must be a misunderstanding," he said, his brows knitted in confusion. "I can assure you that no one from Shuiran Palace took the babies away, I..."

"Indeed," a voice rang out behind Jiang Rufeng.

Xie Jianshen emerged with Jiang Muchen in tow, the baby basket safely tucked in his embrace.

"AHHHH! THERE HE IS!" Lady Song cried out in fury while pointing at Jiang Muchen’s face.

"That is the rascal who threw fireballs at me to take my grandchildren away!!!"

Jiang Rufeng glared at his son in disbelief. Jiang Muchen remained quiet, and Xie Jianshen spoke on his behalf.

"I don’t know the reason for this sudden ruckus," Xie Jianshen said in a calm and collected tone. He acted as if his son did not just do something atrocious to offend the Longjing Palace.

In consideration of Xie Jianshen’s state of mind after losing his cherished younger brother, Zhang Zhiyuan decided to take the high road.

"We are willing to overlook the incident at Fuxi Palace, if we are allowed to take the babies back with us now."

The Longjing Palace Master extended his hands.

"Shuiran Palace Mistress, please do not make it difficult for us."

And yet, Xie Jianshen refused to budge. He looked Zhang Zhiyuan up and down with a haughty gaze instead.

"On what ground must I hand over my precious nephews to Longjing Palace?" He asked.

Lady Song looked like she wanted to beat Xie Jianshen up.

Zhang Zhiyuan swallowed his indignation and said through gritted teeth, "On the ground that they are my grandchildren, the heirs to Longjing Palace Master’s seat."

"No, no."

Xie Jianshen put a hand across the basket in his other arm.

"You are mistaken, Longjing Palace Master, only one is the heir to Longjing Palace Master’s seat. The younger one is the heir to Fuxi Palace Master’s seat."

Zhang Zhiyuan curled his fingers into fists, the veins at his temple throbbing from the electrifying tension that ran throughout his body.

"I am aware," he said. "Nevertheless, they are my grandchildren. Longjing Palace reserves the right to bring them back!"

"I don’t think so," Xie Jianshen replied coolly.

"You...!"

Jiang Rufeng tugged at Xie Jianshen’s elbow.

"Jianshen, we really should..."

Xie Jianshen shot his husband a look, which typically meant that he should not interfere.

Zhang Zhiyuan had always prided himself on his unwavering composure, his ability to navigate the tempestuous waters of life with a steady hand and a calm demeanor. Yet, the recent tragedy that had engulfed his family had shattered his carefully constructed facade.

The weight of his sorrow pressed heavily upon his shoulders, stripping away the last remaining bit of patience that lingered in his heart.

"Shuiran Palace Mistress, do not go overboard!" He snapped angrily.

A cold glint flashed across Xie Jianshen’s eyes.

"Watch your tongue, Palace Master Zhang."

With a slow, deliberate motion, Xie Jianshen reached into the depths of his robe and produced an object that sent a ripple of silence through the assembled crowd.

Their breaths were caught in their throats as if the air itself had been sucked away.

In his hand rested the Imperial Seal, the very symbol of authority and the embodiment of power that marked him as the rightful heir to the Dragon Throne.

"This is the original one, handed to me directly by my younger brother, the late Crown Prince," Xie Jianshen pointed out.

In an instant, as if struck by an unseen force, the entire assembly sank to their knees, their bodies forming a sea of reverence before the newly revealed heir to the Dragon Throne. Even Lady Song, trembling from head to toe, joined the ranks of those prostrated before the new ruler.

A self-sufficient smile laced Xie Jianshen’s lips.

"Palace Master Zhang," he called out.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Zhang Zhiyuan choked out with much difficulty.

"My first Imperial Edict as the new Heavenly Emperor demands that Longjing Palace shows me absolute loyalty and entrust the children of the late Crown Prince into my hands."

His head still bowed in reverence, Zhang Zhiyuan glared at the ground. Next to him, Lady Song was close to tears.

"... This servant thanks Your Majesty for the Imperial Edict," Zhang Zhiyuan finally said.

Xie Jianshen’s expression softened.

"As the children’s grandparents, you are naturally more than welcome to visit them at the Golden Dragon Palace. Rest assured, I shall raise them well."

Zhang Zhiyuan and Lady Song left the Shuiran Palace soon after with empty hands.

"I want to go to Fuxi Palace," Lady Song demanded. "Now!!!"

At Fuxi Palace, Zhang Fengxi had yet to move from his spot.

Lady Song stormed into the room, her movements a whirlwind of pent-up rage. Her hands, clenched into fists, flew like hailstones, raining blows upon her son’s body, wherever they could reach.

"Zhang Fengxi!" She cried out. "Zhang Fengxi, your mother is calling you! Zhang Fengxi!"

Zhang Zhiyuan quickly rushed over to pull Lady Song away from their grieving son.

"Dear, it’s enough. Dear..."

"Fengxi, if you stay this way, you are going to lose your children forever!!!"

Lady Song’s grief erupted in a crescendo of anguished wails, her voice echoing through the halls like a mournful symphony of sorrow.

Tears streamed down her face, unchecked and torrential, like waterfalls cascading down a mountainside, carving rivers of heartbreak upon her porcelain cheeks.

Zhang Zhiyuan forcefully dragged his wife out of the room.

Once Lady Song’s cries ebbed away, the room fell silent once again.

Shortly after midnight arrived, a distinct voice spoke in Zhang Fengxi’s head.

[General Zhang Fengxi.]

Zhang Fengxi’s empty eyes suddenly shone with an unknown gleam.

"I have been waiting for you," the alpha tightened his grip around his Three Realm Spear.

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Author’s note :

*Lady Song is not Jiang Rufeng’s sister-in-law, but typically among friends who refer to each other as brothers, they also call the wives sisters-in-law.