CHAPTER 504: CHAPTER 504 : (EXTRA) THE DETHRONED CROWN PRINCE (4)

Xie Jianshen and Jiang Rufeng weren’t exactly strangers. They had exchanged curt greetings on a few past occasions -- mostly formal ones --, but their interactions were limited to distant glances and polite formalities. Never had they delved into anything beyond superficial pleasantries.

Jiang Rufeng had never graced Fuxi Palace with his presence, and Xie Jianshen had never set foot in Shuiran Palace.

Not to mention that Jiang Rufeng was many years older than Xie Jianshen.

The Lion Parade in Shuiran Palace was similar to the Dragon Awakening Festival in Fuxi Palace and the Phoenix Rebirthing Festival in Qifeng Palace. While open to all, these events held an unspoken exclusivity. Those who weren’t affiliated with the respective clan rarely participated.

This time around, it was Jiang Rufeng himself who specifically invited Xie Jianshen to join the parade. Although Xie Jianshen was not sure about agreeing to Jiang Rufeng’s marriage proposal, he was curious about the Lion Parade.

Therefore, he agreed to go.

Omegas were not allowed to wander out on their own, so Xie Jianshen went with a chaperone from dragon clan.

On the agreed upon day, Jiang Rufeng waited for Xie Jianshen to arrive at the entrance of Shuiran City.

"Welcome, Prince," Jiang Rufeng smiled upon him when Xie Jianshen stepped out of the cloud carriage.

Xie Jianshen narrowed his eyes and looked Jiang Rufeng up and down several times before he deigned to answer, "You are a lot shorter than I remember."

The servants standing behind Jiang Rufeng gaped, their faces ashen from the discourteous remark.

Meanwhile, the chaperone beside Xie Jianshen let out a strangled gasp, the air seemingly stolen from her lungs.

But Jiang Rufeng broke into a chuckle.

"That’s probably because you grew a lot taller from the last time we stood face-to-face."

"Hmph, spoken like an old man."

Jiang Rufeng offered his arm to Xie Jianshen with a charming smile.

"I’ll do my best to speak like someone your age then."

"No need."

Xie Jianshen flicked with his sleeves and walked past Jiang Rufeng, ignoring the latter’s outstretched arm.

"I am sick of the childish alphas my age."

Jiang Rufeng grinned at Xie Jianshen’s back.

So Prince Xie disliked both elder and younger alphas. In other words, he despised all alphas.

Oh well. As expected of the Heavenly Emperor’s eldest son, he surely lived up to his reputation.

"Prince Xie, over here."

Jiang Rufeng pointed at a direction.

"If you want to enjoy the entirety of the Lion Parade, it’s best if we start here."

It turned out that the Lion Parade was quite different from the Dragon Awakening Festival. It did not commemorate any event in the past but glorified the current achievements of the lion clan.

Shuiran City thrummed with a festive energy unlike any other. Acrobatic feats unfolded across plazas and rooftops, drawing gasps and cheers from the throngs below.

The most striking spectacle, however, was the city itself. Many lion clan members, young and old, opted to embrace their heritage by parading in their magnificent lion forms.

The streets became a kaleidoscope of fur, mane and fangs, a particularly breathtaking view for those who never joined the parade before.

Xie Jianshen had just finished watching a marathon competition among the lions when a shower of flower poured from the sky, catching him by surprise.

"What’s this?"

Xie Jianshen held his palm upward and caught a white camellia flower.

"Oh, that’s not the right one for you," Jiang Rufeng remarked. He swiped the camellia flower off Xie Jianshen’s hand and replaced it with a flower the omega had never before seen in his life. It boasted a profusion of golden petals, densely packed to resemble a fluffy, sunlit orb.

"What’s this?" Xie Jianshen furrowed his brows in confusion.

Reacting swiftly, Jiang Rufeng snatched Xie Jianshen’s wrist and hoisted it high, the exotic flower held aloft for all to see.

"Someone has caught the Lion’s Roar Flower!" He announced.

Before another word could escape Xie Jianshen, a flurry of hands descended and grabbed his arms and legs. A moment later, Xie Jianshen found himself hoisted aloft by a multitude of people. His chaperone’s shriek of shock pierced the sudden commotion.

"Palace Master Jiang, what is the meaning of this???"

"What are you doing???" Xie Jianshen snapped at the lion clan members who were cheerfully dragging him away.

"Relax, Prince Xie," Jiang Rufeng chuckled. "Just enjoy."

Enjoy what, exactly???

Xie Jianshen glared after Jiang Rufeng, whose figure receded with every bounding stride. Distance stretched between them, mirroring the widening chasm in Xie Jianshen’s temper.

The dragon prince was placed on top of a brightly decorated palanquin.

A heavy golden crown, adorned with glittering jewels, was lowered onto his head. Two lion maids with large fans woven from palm leaves took their positions beside him. They fanned the air around Xie Jianshen vigorously in a futile attempt to cool the fuming omega.

"The Lion Queen has been selected!" A man wearing a lion mask and a ceremonial robe announced while performing an eerie tribal dance in front of the palanquin. He was the High Priest reigning over the Lion Parade’s most famous spectacle -- the coronation of the Lion King and Queen.

"Now, it is time to select the Lion King!"

"..."

What the hell?

"All prospective grooms, please transform into your lion forms and enter the arena!"

The massive red cloth was pulled away with a flourish, revealing an elevated stone platform at the center of the city.

In response to the High Priest’s invitation, around sixty to seventy members of the lion clan emerged from the crowd and took their place in the arena in their lion forms.

Xie Jianshen’s gaze darted through the crowd of spectators, his eyes locking with Jiang Rufeng’s in a chance encounter. A shameless grin stretched across the alpha’s face as he shrugged off his outer robe in a single, fluid motion.

With a daring leap, the Shuiran Palace Master launched himself towards the arena. Before he even touched the ground, a magnificent transformation overtook him. Mid-air, his form rippled and shifted.

Jiang Rufeng transformed into a majestic golden lion and landed at the arena with a thunderous thud, his roar echoing through the crowd of lions.