A Stroll Through the Marketplace

This outing was different from the past. Yaoye, the Princess of the Royal Family, held an exalted status, so the Xiao Family naturally had to show how seriously they took her visit. At the very least, her safety had to be absolutely guaranteed.

For the guards, the Great Elder personally led the party, accompanied by several dozen fierce-looking Xiao Family members. From their auras alone, it was clear that they were all people who had truly experienced battle.

One Da Dou Shi leading several dozen Dou Shi—this was already considered the Xiao Family's top-tier strength.

The Great Elder had originally been in the main hall. When he heard that Xiao Shuang was taking the Princess to stroll through the Marketplace, he immediately volunteered to serve as their guard.

The Royal Family members had also sent a burly middle-aged man. He looked honest and simple, but there was a hint of shrewdness in his eyes.

Such an escort had never appeared in Wutan City before. For a time, many factions grew somewhat nervous, unsure whether the Xiao Family was about to make some major move.

All the Xiao Family guards in that Marketplace had been mobilized, clearing out every potential danger in advance. Quite a few pickpockets were caught because of it, and inwardly cursed, wondering what madness had seized the Xiao Family this time...

Sitting in the Xiao Family carriage, Xiao Shuang and Yaoye glanced at the spectacle outside and could not help laughing.

The vendors in the Marketplace had originally planned to close for the day, and the various shops had wanted to lie low as well. Yet, under the polite persuasion of the wolf-like Xiao Family guards, they not only put out all their finest goods, but even thoughtfully offered discounts.

While everyone was still puzzled, they saw the Xiao Family's Great Elder leading a group inside with an imposing air.

Behind them, a luxurious carriage rolled forward slowly.

There was no need to be this nervous, but Wutan City had two other great families. The Jia Lie Family, in particular, had long coveted the Xiao Family's Marketplace and would send people over from time to time to cause trouble...

To prevent any mishap, the Great Elder carefully inspected the area. Only after he had finished did Xiao Shuang and Yaoye step down from the carriage.

"How is it? Is it like you imagined?"

Hearing Xiao Shuang's question, Yaoye smiled softly and nodded.

"Not bad."

She was a Princess, so it was hardly strange for the Xiao Family to treat her with such solemnity. In truth, she was not particularly interested in these shops and vendors.

She had only come to wander through the Marketplace to experience a feeling she had never possessed before.

With such a grand display, how could the people in the Marketplace not understand what was happening? The Xiao Family's Great Elder had personally come, which meant this was far beyond anyone they could afford to provoke.

Displaying all the good items in their shops was a fine opportunity. Perhaps they could make a handsome profit.

If that noble person took a fancy to their goods, would the Xiao Family really refuse to pay?

As for whether this might offend the Xiao Family, they were not worried in the slightest. Since this distinguished guest wished to stroll through the Marketplace, the Xiao Family certainly would not begrudge spending money. On the contrary, the Xiao Family might even worry that there was nothing here worthy of catching her eye.

Naturally, there were people from the Jia Lie Family among them. They anxiously sent word back to their family, for if the Xiao Family gained the support of another faction, the Jia Lie Family would be at a disadvantage in the struggle over the Marketplace.

This ostentatious display had long since drawn the attention of the other two great families.

The Ao Ba Family did not particularly care. Their main source of income had little to do with the Marketplace, so their conflict of interest was not especially significant.

But the Jia Lie Family was different. If the balance between the Marketplaces was broken, they would be beneath the Xiao Family, and that was not something Jia Lie Bi wanted to see.

Seated at the head of the hall, Jia Lie Bi wore an ugly expression. Or rather, he was afraid. If the Xiao Family truly won over another faction, the balance between the Marketplaces would definitely be disrupted.

He smashed his teacup to the floor with a slap, his eyes flashing with ferocity.

"Damn it, we absolutely cannot let the Xiao Family get their way!"

Seeing the clan leader's agitation, Jia Lie Nu rose from his seat, his face darkening as he said, "Damn the Xiao Family. Clan Leader, let me take some men there. As long as I keep it discreet..."

"Foolish! That old bastard from the Xiao Family is there too. How could you possibly be his match?" Jia Lie Bi was equally helpless. If it were truly that simple, he would have done it long ago.

Discussion soon broke out in Jia Lie Bi's council hall as well. The clamor was grating and unsettling.

"If we make a large-scale move, we would be openly tearing apart all pretense. In the end, we would only benefit others."

"But the Marketplace is our clan's most important source of funds. If the Xiao Family takes it away, the consequences will be unimaginable!"

"That does not necessarily mean the Xiao Family will move against our Jia Lie Family. They would not dare risk mutual destruction either!"

"Exactly. At a time like this, we can wait and see. If the Xiao Family truly goes too far, the Ao Ba Family will not simply stand by!"

Listening to the elders, Jia Lie Bi grew increasingly irritated. He waved a hand, and a maid beside him immediately served him another cup of tea.

After moistening his somewhat dry throat, Jia Lie Bi felt his mood settle considerably. He pondered for a moment, then rose from his seat.

"Jia Lie Nu, come with me to pay a visit to the Ao Ba Family. I believe they are also quite interested in the Xiao Family's Marketplace."

Seeking allies was Jia Lie Bi's decision. If the Xiao Family made a move, he would join forces with the Ao Ba Family to strike back and never give the Xiao Family a chance to grow stronger.

Because of this trip to the Marketplace, many factions in Wutan City began to act. Some prepared to curry favor with the Xiao Family, some planned to join forces against them, while others chose to wait and watch.

Most of them, however, were won over by the Jia Lie Family. After all, the Xiao Family's actions had indeed made people uneasy.

Meanwhile, Xiao Shuang and Yaoye in the Marketplace knew nothing of this. They stopped and wandered about, buying many exquisite little trinkets. The Great Elder followed far behind them, always ready to pay. Although the Marketplace was managed by the Xiao Family, they could not withhold even a single coin. Otherwise, these people would turn around and take their business to the Jia Lie Family's Marketplace.

As evening approached, Yaoye began to feel a trace of fatigue. She stretched lazily, revealing her alluring curves.

Xiao Shuang glanced at the somewhat tired Yaoye and said, "It is already late. Let us call it a day."

Yaoye nodded and turned to return to the carriage, with Xiao Shuang naturally following behind her.

The Great Elder and the others split into two groups, guarding the carriage between them.

Inside the carriage, Yaoye placed her legs across Xiao Shuang's lap, then leaned back against the side and looked at him with a bright smile.

How could Xiao Shuang fail to understand the Princess's meaning? He could only extend his hands and massage Yaoye's sore calves after a day of walking.

Under the Great Elder's protection, they returned to the Xiao Family. Xiao Zhan and the others had nearly finished their discussions, and every one of them wore a pleased expression, looking thoroughly jubilant.