Chapter 357: Chapter 357 : Celebration (3)

Despite the adults’ unfortunate lapse in decorum, the birthday boys, thankfully, were too busy stuffing their mouths with all the delicacies to pay attention to them.

Weary of the petty squabbling between Lady Song and himself, Xie Jianshen chose to shift his attention to his adorable nephews. "Before everyone succumbs to the delicious feast," he declared, "shall we unveil the presents?"

His words instantly captivated Zhang Mingrui’s and Xie Junjie’s attention. Both boys abandoned their meals, eyes wide with excitement. "Gifts?" they exclaimed in unison, their heads swiveling left and right in eager anticipation. Zhang Mingrui, overcome with curiosity, even dove beneath the dining table in his search, only to be gently extracted by his chuckling father.

"Your gifts," Zhang Fengxi announced enigmatically, "await you outside."

Zhang Mingrui and Xie Junjie needed no further urging. Their legs pumped in unison as they raced outside, their excited gasps filling the air. For the second time that evening, their breath hitched in their throats.

A gasp escaped their lips in unison, morphing into a collective "WAAAHHHHH~!!!!"

In the front courtyard, Head Servant Zhou and a group of guards were cautiously overseeing two magnificent creatures. One, a young tiger barely half the size of Xiao Huang, prowled restlessly, its sleek, black-striped golden coat gleaming in the moonlight. Beside it, a young dragon with obsidian scales and piercing blue eyes surveyed the scene around him with regal indifference.

While the young tiger held a certain fascination, the gathering crowd was used to seeing Xiao Huang every day. It was the young dragon that truly captured everyone’s attention. After all, one didn’t simply stumble upon a live dragon every day, even with a household filled with members of the dragon clan.

Lady Song’s high-pitched shriek pierced the air as she sprinted after her grandsons. "Boys! Be careful! Don’t get too close to that dragon!"

Trailing behind her, Xie Jianshen let out a derisive snort. "Do you truly think I would endanger my nephews with such an untamed beast?" he remarked dryly. "This young dragon hails from the Southern Sea. It has been meticulously trained for months before being brought to Fuxi Palace."

"It is still amazing that you managed to get your hands on a live dragon," Zhang Fengxi remarked to Xie Jianshen. To his understanding, all dragons departed the Human Realm centuries ago to reside in the Heavenly Realm. Since then, all dragon clan members have taken human form at birth, capable of transformation yet primarily inhabiting their human bodies.

In response to Zhang Fengxi’s remark, Xie Jianshen offered a subtle correction. "While the majority of dragons indeed reside within the Heavenly Realm, a small number still dwell within the four seas of the Human Realm," he explained. "These dragons choose to forego their place in the Heavens in exchange for a longer, more peaceful life within the seas. Nevertheless, it is a long-running tradition to send eggs to the Heavenly Realm for hatching and raising.

The young dragons will stay with, ideally, future Fuxi Palace Masters until they grow into adult dragons and return to the four seas."

Zhang Fengxi nodded in acknowledgment. "Too bad that Jianyu didn’t have such a dragon to accompany him."

"Heh, it all boils down to luck. This young dragon, in fact, emerged from the first egg to grace the Human Realm in two centuries."

"Ah, Junjie is truly blessed then."

"He is," Xie Jianshen agreed. "Blessed in every aspect."

An ancient bond, stronger than words, drew those of the same clan together. As surely as tigers found solace in the company of their own, so too did dragons find kinship with their brethren.

"Mine!!!"

A joyful cry erupted from little Zhang Mingrui, his eyes sparkling with delight, when he embraced the young tiger around its neck. The majestic beast responded with an enthusiastic purr, its head rubbing against Mingrui’s in a gesture of acceptance.

On the other side, a silent exchange unfolded between Xie Junjie and the black-scaled dragon. Their eyes, pools of wisdom and curiosity, met in a moment of understanding. The dragon, regal and proud, tilted its head, its gaze seeming to assess the young boy before him.

Xie Jianshen, observing the scene with a smile, approached and gently lifted Junjie into his arms. "Junjie," he said, his voice warm, "this young dragon will be your companion until it is time for him to return to the Human Realm. What name shall you give him?"

Next to them, Zhang Mingrui had already made his decision. "Because Father’s tiger is called Xiao Huang*," he declared with childish pride, "I shall call mine Xiao Xiao**!"

Xie Junjie, lost in thought, lifted a finger to his lips, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Ummm..."

"There is no need for haste," Xie Jianshen consoled him, his lips brushing against Junjie’s temple in a loving gesture. "The right name will come to you."

Suddenly, a firm voice filled the air. "Lei Zhen," Junjie declared, his eyes filled with newfound certainty. "His name is Lei Zhen."

"Thunderous Quake?" Xie Jianshen echoed, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Junjie nodded, a resolute expression on his small face. "Yes," he confirmed with a rigorous nod.

"A fitting name indeed," Xie Jianshen commented. "Lei Zhen it is."

In response, the young dragon let out a soft rumble, its head bowing in acceptance of the chosen name.

As the last morsel of the birthday feast vanished, drowsiness crept over the little boys like a comforting fog. Their eyelids drooped, heavy with the day’s excitement, and their tiny feet stumbled with fatigue. They wandered aimlessly, searching for a haven to rest their weary heads.

Finally, Zhang Mingrui found solace in the familiar warmth of his grandmother’s arms, snuggling into her like a kitten seeking its mother. Xie Junjie, in turn, sought refuge in the comforting embrace of his Imperial Uncle, his small body finding solace in the steadiness and affection offered by the most powerful man across nine layers of heaven.

"Oh, look at them," Lady Song lamented, tears welling up in her eyes. "They’re five years old already."

Zhang Zhiyuan, attempting to comfort his wife, reached out to her, only to be met with a playful swat of her peacock fan.

"Zhang Zhiyuan, don’t touch me! What if you wake Mingrui up???" She hissed, as if her voice were not loud enough to startle the little boy in his arms awake.

"It is late," Xie Jianshen remarked. He shifted Xie Junjie in his arms and headed toward the boys’ bed chamber. "We should all go back for now. Zhang Fengxi, don’t forget to bring them to Golden Dragon Palace tomorrow."

Smiling, Zhang Fengxi tilted his head as a sign of reverence.

"Of course, Your Majesty."

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Author’s note :

*Xiao Huang = Little Yellow

**Xiao Xiao = Little Little xDDD

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay