Chapter 171: Chapter 171 : The Emperor’s Birthday Celebration (3)

As Zhou Guiying sat next to Zhang Fengxi opposite Xie Jianyu, he recalled a wide-spread proverb that went like this -- "The closest encounter to hell is a jealous alpha husband".

The proverb could not ring truer at this moment.

Mingyu and Qingyun, smart as hell, recognized the dangerous situation as soon as Zhang Fengxi showed up. They quickly fled to another table, leaving Zhou Guiying in this difficult predicament.

Perching happily on Xie Jianyu’s shoulder again, Caihong squealed in Zhou Guiying’s direction. For some reason, the bird looked mighty proud of himself. Stupid feathered animal...

Aaaaah, the prince of Qingyuan Palace sighed in his heart.

In his legendary, bountiful love escapades, he had ruined the marriages of several men and women -- some betas and some omegas. But usually, he was always mindful of the strength and character of his opponents.

He would never challenge someone who he could not win against.

Zhang Fengxi was for example someone he would not want to offend.

A while later, two waiters came with five trays of delicacies and five bowls of warm white rice for all five of them. There was a plate of spicy mutton skewers, a plate of sauteed vegetables with garlic, a tray of steamed fish with tofu, a plate of fried crab meatballs, and also a big bowl of chicken and potato soup.

"Esteemed guests, please enjoy your meal!" After they finished unloading the dishes onto the two tables, the two waiters bowed deeply and left.

"No need to stand on ceremony, please eat," Xie Jianyu said.

Zhang Fengxi crossed his arms in front of his chest, looking a lot like a rebellious child who refused to eat.

Zhou Guiying snickered. For some reason, he just had to pour oil into the blazing fire this time around.

The mermaid prince picked a piece of succulent steamed fish and put it into Xie Jianyu’s bowl.

"Crown Prince, do have some. This fish is very delicious."

"Oh, thank you."

Zhang Fengxi’s eyes were locked on that piece of fish in Xie Jianyu’s bowl. His gaze was so intense, as if the fish owed him some money. An indescribable sour feeling rose in Zhang Fengxi’s heart. He grabbed his chopsticks and dumped two crab meatballs into Xie Jianyu’s bowl in two quick movements.

"Here, Xie Jianyu, try some. These meatballs are excellent in flavor."

"... Thank you," Xie Jianyu said.

A naughty grin spread on Zhou Guiying’s face.

He took three spicy mutton skewers and placed them on an empty plate in front of Xie Jianyu.

"These mutton skewers are the best dish in the entire city. Crown Prince, have you tried them before?"

Zhou Guiying literally saw red flames blazing in Zhang Fengxi’s eyes.

What followed was rather predictable.

Xie Jianyu watched in bewilderment as Zhang Fengxi and Zhou Guiying engaged in an open competition to feed him. All the dishes were put into his bowl and plate, the amount increasing with every passing round.

More than one time, the two alphas fought over a piece of fish or vegetable, using their chopsticks as weapons.

In the end, when there was nothing else to shove in front of Xie Jianyu, Zhang Fengxi boldly barked at a nearby waiter, "Waiter! We need more!"

"Zhang Fengxi!" Xie Jianyu hissed in a low voice. "Will you stop already? What is with this embarrassing display of alpha superiority?"

"Why are you scolding me?" Zhang Fengxi asked in retaliation. He pointed a finger at the innocent-looking Zhou Guiying next to him and claimed, "He started it first!"

Zhou Guiying cleared his throat. Struggling hard to suppress his laughter, he then said in his defense, "All I did was put some food into the host’s bowl. Prince Zhang Fengxi, are you not taking things too far out of context?"

"You...!"

Zhou Guiying flashed him his sweetest smile. It was unbelievably fun to tease Zhang Fengxi, but he did not want the other party to beat him up as soon as Xie Jianyu was out of sight, so he had to stop now before it was too late.

Zhoy Guiying cleared his throat again and coughed a few times to prevent himself from laughing out loud.

"Sorry, sorry. I did not mean to aggravate Prince Zhang Fengxi. Let’s agree that I was wrong. Forgive me, both of you. Let’s not dwell on this small issue and drink on our chance meeting today."

Zhou Guiying poured them all a cup of wine and then lifted his cup for a toast. Begrudgingly, Zhang Fengxi also raised his cup. Xie Jianyu followed suit.

"Cheers," Zhang Fengxi said grumpily.

"To all of us," Xie Jianyu said.

"To drinking good wine and meeting good friends!" Zhou Guiying shouted cheerfully.

The three cups made a light clinking sound, and then all three of them finished their cups in one gulp.

Zhou Guiying put down his cup with a loud and satisfied "Ahhhhhhh". And then, eyes twinkling with interest, he grinned at his two meal companions and asked, "Sooooo... What is everyone up to these days?"

"Training," Zhang Fengxi replied curtly.

"Practicing swordsmanship," Xie Jianyu answered.

Zhou Guiying groaned like a wounded animal.

"You two are so boring. Life is not all about martial arts and cultivation. It is so much more."

Xie Jianyu raised an eyebrow at Zhou Guiying.

"Does this mean that you do not plan to join the competition in three months?"

"Oh, I will join," Zhou Guiying answered. "Otherwise, my elder brother is going to break my legs. Without my legs, I cannot take beautiful omegas out on beautiful dates."

"..."

"..."

In the end, he was more concerned about chasing omegas.

Zhou Guiying placed an elbow on the table and supported his cheek on his palm. He tried his best to ignore Zhang Fengxi’s side glared when he popped his next question.

"Sooo, Crown Prince, are you open for a romantic relationship anytime soon?"

Xie Jianyu scoffed.

"Don’t treat me like the omegas you chase regularly," he said while taking a bite at a crab meatball.

"What? Nooo, not at all. I am just wondering... what kind of alphas do you want as husband?"

Xie Jianyu paused for a moment, before he looked Zhang Fengxi straight in the eyes and said, "The kind that does not desire the Dragon Throne."

Zhou Guiying snickered. He took Xie Jianyu’s hand and pressed a kiss against the back of his hand.

"I guess that would be me."

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay