Royal Family Visit

Early in the morning, the air was exceptionally fresh. Xiao Shuang had just finished his morning cultivation when he heard a knock at the door.

"Young Master, someone sent by the Third Elder has arrived. He said there is an important matter and asked you to go to the main hall."

"I understand."

Xiao Shuang answered before changing into a fresh set of clothes. Ping'er tied up his hair for him, and anyone who saw him would have to praise him as a remarkably handsome young gentleman.

When he entered the main hall, he found many people inside, all elders with considerable authority within the family. Seated at the very front were the clan leader and the three elders.

When Xiao Zhan saw Xiao Shuang enter the hall, his eyes immediately lit up. Pointing to the empty seat beside Xiao Yan, he said, "Shuang'er is here? Come, sit!"

No matter what, they were both members of the Xiao Family. There was nothing wrong with Xiao Zhan, as clan leader, calling him Shuang'er.

"Alright." Xiao Shuang nodded. He had long known what would happen today, so after offering a salute, he sat beside Xiao Yan.

The moment Xiao Shuang sat down, Xiao Yan leaned close and whispered, "Hey, do you know what's going to happen today?"

Seeing Xiao Yan acting so mysteriously, Xiao Shuang felt like teasing him. He feigned surprise and said, "What? You know some inside information? This is my first time formally sitting in this main hall."

Behind them, Xun'er covered her forehead, looking as though she was trying not to laugh. How could she not know that Xiao Shuang was putting on an act? Yet she did not expose him, mainly because she wanted to see how Brother Xiao Yan would react.

"Heh heh, Father told me yesterday. The Royal Family is personally sending someone over. They're the rulers of the Jia Ma Empire. In their eyes, our Xiao Family is nothing more than a minor player."

Seeing the curious looks on both Xiao Shuang and Xun'er's faces, Xiao Yan's vanity was greatly satisfied. No matter how mature he might be, he was still only a ten-year-old child. It was perfectly normal for him to have a bit of vanity.

"And I heard that the Royal Family is coming to arrange a marriage alliance with our Xiao Family. I won't keep you guessing—the person is probably you!" Xiao Yan glanced around again and lowered his voice. "And your betrothed is very likely the Grand Princess of the Royal Family!"

Xiao Shuang played along perfectly. His usual coldness vanished in that instant as he widened his eyes and asked, "Then doesn't that mean I'm about to rise through the ranks?"

Xun'er could no longer hold it in and burst out laughing.

"Xun'er, what are you laughing at? My information is very accurate." Xiao Yan shot Xun'er a puzzled glance, then looked at Xiao Shuang, who seemed to be smiling without quite smiling. How could he not understand what had happened?

His face instantly turned red, and he said with some dissatisfaction, "Fine, you two teamed up to fool me! And here I was, telling you the moment I got the news!"

Xun'er gently tugged on Xiao Yan's sleeve, her autumn-water eyes looking at him with great sincerity. "Brother Xiao Yan, Xun'er never meant to fool you. This was all Brother Xiao Shuang's idea."

Naturally, Xiao Shuang had to defend himself. He widened his eyes and said in disbelief, "Xun'er, this was your idea. Otherwise, you would have exposed me the moment I said my first sentence, wouldn't you?"

Listening to the two of them, Xiao Yan gave a light snort. Just as he turned his head away, he saw the guests entering the main hall.

"Hey, stop messing around. Look, are those people from the Royal Family?"

The three immediately put away their playful moods. Xiao Shuang and Xiao Yan sat properly in their seats, while Xun'er lowered her gaze to the ancient book in her hands.

Jia Xingtian entered the main hall with Yaoye, followed by several middle-aged men dressed in luxurious robes. Xiao Zhan, seated at the front, personally led the three elders down to greet them, the smiles on their faces nearly impossible to contain.

Once the guests had taken their seats, tea was served, and then the group began chatting enthusiastically.

Yaoye swept her gaze around the main hall. Only after spotting Xiao Shuang did she nod in satisfaction.

Xiao Yan naturally noticed the Princess from the Royal Family as well. He nudged Xiao Shuang with his elbow and whispered, "Hey, what did you do, you ice block? The way that Royal Family Princess is looking at you doesn't seem right."

"Who knows? Maybe I'm just lucky." After saying that, Xiao Shuang glanced at Xun'er behind him and silently added in his heart, But your luck is pretty good too, Xiao Yan.

After a while, Yaoye rose from her seat and walked over to Xiao Shuang. She bent slightly, extended her hand, and said with a radiant smile, "What? Don't you want to show me around?"

"My honor." Under the gazes of many people, Xiao Shuang smiled calmly and took hold of her jade-white hand.

Xiao Yan was utterly dumbfounded. Well, this ice block was actually pretty good with words...

The younger generation in the main hall looked at Xiao Shuang with envy. He had a beauty by his side and had even formed ties with the Royal Family. Even the clan leader and elders attached great importance to this marriage alliance. Perhaps this was what it meant to be a winner in life.

However, the clan leader had issued a special order that the marriage alliance with the Royal Family was not to be publicized, leaving many people confused.

But on further thought, it was easy to understand. They had only agreed to a marriage alliance, not gotten married. If they publicized it and something changed later, it would not be only the Xiao Family that lost face.

Even if they could gain temporary benefits by borrowing the Royal Family's name, doing so would place the Xiao Family in a relatively weaker position in the alliance. Xiao Zhan would not allow that. He firmly believed that a powerful figure would emerge from the Xiao Family in the future and lead the family to its peak.

On the Dou Qi Continent, strength was the most important thing. The Xiao Family was currently only a small family in Wutan City, while the Royal Family was an enormous entity to them. They had to treat it with caution.

Xiao Shuang saluted the clan leader and the others. With a wave of Xiao Zhan's hand, he took Yaoye's hand and leisurely left the main hall.

Xiao Yan could only remain where he was, staring after them eagerly. He wanted to go out for some fresh air too.

Xiao Zhan looked thoroughly delighted, while the Third Elder beside him was beaming. Although this marriage alliance had only been agreed upon verbally, the person sent by the Royal Family was a Dou Huang expert. With such strength, he could wipe out the current Xiao Family with a wave of his hand. Yet he showed no dissatisfaction toward the alliance. On the contrary, Xiao Zhan had heard quite a few words of praise for Xiao Shuang from this Dou Huang expert.

This Dou Huang expert was naturally Jia Xingtian. Though this marriage alliance was only a verbal agreement, no one would question words spoken by a Dou Huang expert.

Outside the main hall, Xiao Shuang could smell the faint fragrance coming from the girl beside him with every breath, making his spirits rise.

As though she had suddenly remembered something, Yaoye cheerfully made a suggestion. "I haven't visited the Xiao Family's Marketplace yet."

"Alright, then let's take a look around. I'll arrange the guards first."