Yaoye

"Why? Is little Yaoye interested in the Xiao Family's genius too?"

Jia Xingtian paused, then teased her.

"Yes. I'm going to become the Empress, so Great-Grandfather shouldn't underestimate me."

In response to Jia Xingtian's teasing, little Yaoye merely chuckled. As a member of the Royal Family, she was naturally far more mature than others her age.

Besides, the Royal Family was full of suspicion and intrigue. Without enough strength, she would never be able to sit securely on the Empress's throne.

"It seems our little Yaoye has plans of her own. Fine, then. Great-Grandfather will accompany you to the Xiao Family."

Jia Xingtian rose to his feet and lovingly stroked Yaoye's head. As an elder, it was only natural for him to safeguard the younger generation's growth.

"However, one of the Xiao Family's two geniuses is already engaged." As though recalling something, Jia Xingtian frowned.

"Engaged?"

Hearing little Yaoye's question, Jia Xingtian smiled. "Yes. You know the girl he is engaged to as well—Nalan Yanran of the Nalan Family."

"What? Then the Xiao Family must have quite a good relationship with the Nalan Family. What's more, Nalan Yanran has already entered the Misty Cloud Sect." Yaoye was startled. Even with her composure, she was somewhat shaken.

"If, fifty years from now, the Xiao Family produces two Dou Huang experts, together with the Misty Cloud Sect and the Nalan Family, our Royal Family will exist in name only."

Hearing Yaoye's speculation, Jia Xingtian laughed loudly. Then he swept his sleeve, and his voice became firm.

"As long as Great-Grandfather is here, the Royal Family will forever remain the Royal Family. There are many geniuses, but not every genius gets to grow up smoothly!"

"Great-Grandfather is right. Still, this time, I want to personally make contact with that Xiao Family genius."

Yaoye's long eyelashes fluttered lightly. This was her decision. For some reason, she had a feeling that what she gained this time might exceed her expectations.

"Very well. The one from the Xiao Family with a marriage contract is called Xiao Yan, while the other is called Xiao Shuang. Make him the one you approach." Jia Xingtian nodded. He was not a rigid old man; the younger generation naturally needed ideas of their own. All he had to do was support the Jia Ma Empire's future Empress!

"Boss, how much is this?"

Xiao Yan casually picked up a finely crafted little dagger. It seemed men of any age could not resist the allure of such weapons.

Xiao Shuang and Xun'er stood behind him, their expressions starkly different. Xun'er gazed gently at Xiao Yan, while Xiao Shuang stood to one side with a taut face and no expression.

"Young Master, this dagger is a fine item. It has a first-tier magic core embedded in it. If used in battle, it can greatly increase your Dou Qi..."

Seeing that Xiao Yan and the others were dressed extravagantly, the mercenary introduced the dagger with a flattering smile while secretly calculating which family these young masters might belong to.

This was a Marketplace managed by the Xiao Family, so they were most likely members of the Xiao Family. Anyone who could buy a dagger embedded with a magic core without batting an eye definitely held no low status within the family.

"Just tell me the price." Xiao Yan waved a hand, cutting off the mercenary's useless flattery.

Having already formed some guesses, the mercenary grinned and held up four fingers. "Hehe, if Young Master wants it, just four hundred Gold Coins."

Xiao Yan frowned at those words. Something was off about that price. It was not particularly expensive—if anything, it was suspiciously cheap.

"You know me?"

"Young Master jests. This is the Xiao Family's Marketplace, and as a Xiao Family Young Master, you naturally receive special discounts." The mercenary looked quite honest as he scratched the back of his head, as though the fawning demeanor from before had never come from him.

"I see. In that case, I can hardly refuse your kindness." Xiao Yan nodded. He did not dislike such treatment; or rather, he had already grown accustomed to others currying favor with him.

"Let's go. I've been hungry for ages." Xiao Shuang stepped forward and casually tossed out a bag of Gold Coins.

"Hey, how can I let you pay? I said I was treating you to a meal."

Xiao Yan reached out to stop him, but Xiao Shuang swiftly grabbed his wrist, his expression utterly helpless.

"Little Yanzi, we've been shopping for so long. I'm afraid that before long, you won't even have enough money left for food."

Xiao Yan smiled sheepishly and did not argue. He had indeed bought quite a few things he had no immediate use for, but it was not so serious that he could not afford a meal...

"How could that be? I..."

Listening to the two bicker, Xun'er covered her mouth and giggled. "If Brother Xiao Yan didn't bring enough money, Xun'er has some too."

Xiao Yan helplessly rubbed Xun'er's head for a while, until her hair was thoroughly mussed.

"Honestly, why would I need to use your money? Remember, Brother Xiao Yan is the one who's supposed to protect you."

Xiao Shuang knocked Xiao Yan on the forehead. Strictly speaking, he was a few months older than Xiao Yan, so calling him Little Yanzi was not inappropriate.

"Hey, what are you trying to look so cool for? We're going to eat right now!"

The three left the Marketplace together. The guards following and protecting them remained scattered throughout the crowd, keeping neither too near nor too far away. They would not disturb the three's outing, yet could act in time if anything unexpected happened.

"Tsk, Father really worries about us." Xiao Yan walked at the front and glanced at Xiao Shuang beside him. He could sense those guards, and Xiao Shuang certainly could too.

Sure enough, Xiao Shuang did not disappoint him and nodded in agreement. "It can't be helped. We are the Xiao Family's future, so naturally they have to be cautious."

"I know that. Forget it—aren't you tired of looking so cold all day? And that white hair of yours really is pretty strange."

"I don't know. I have a natural affinity for Ice Attribute Dou Qi. Maybe that's the reason." Xiao Shuang shook his head. He also found his white hair strange.

Xiao Yan was not wrong to say so. It had not been too noticeable when he was young, but from the time Xiao Shuang began cultivating Qi, his appearance had changed greatly. Most noticeably, his hair had turned frost-white.

Frost-white hair was not too bad. Xiao Shuang did not care much about it. After all, as far as he was concerned, having hair was enough...

Those pale blue eyes of his were even more like magic. Much of the aloofness written across his face came from those eyes.

"What? Do you like me? Sorry, you're a good person, but I can't accept you." Xiao Shuang spoke quickly, finishing the sentence in two seconds, leaving Xiao Yan and Xun'er with nothing to do but helplessly shake their heads.

"You really are..." Xiao Yan shrugged and did not take the joke to heart. Instead, he asked seriously, "How do you feel about your life now? Other than me and Xun'er, none of the other clan members are willing to interact with you. This..."