This Miss Has Taken a Fancy to You

"Pfft." Perhaps the phrase "Miss Yaoye" had struck her as funny. Thinking about it carefully, perhaps no one had ever called her that before. What she heard most often was "Princess Yaoye"; being called "Miss" was indeed rather novel.

"You're quite clever. Aren't you going to guess what our purpose is?" Yaoye clasped her hands behind her back and leaned forward slightly. If Xiao Shuang lowered his head now, he would be able to glimpse a touch of spring scenery. But for the sake of his temporary safety, he could only stare straight into Yaoye's eyes.

"Guess? We had no grievances or grudges before this, so it's not easy to guess. And the Xiao Family hasn't offended you, has it, Miss?" After thinking for a moment, Xiao Shuang spoke tentatively.

"Is that so? No grievances or grudges? Are you so sure?" Yaoye narrowed her eyes, rose onto her toes, and tapped Xiao Shuang's forehead with a finger.

Xiao Shuang spread his hands, then sat down on the stone platform. In his own words, he was simply giving up!

"Then there's nothing I can do. If Miss is determined to make things difficult for me, I can only surrender without resistance."

"Uh..." Startled by Xiao Shuang's reaction, Yaoye froze for a moment before covering her mouth and laughing.

"You... you really are an interesting fellow."

The elderly man in hemp robes said nothing. He sat cross-legged on the stone platform and closed his eyes, looking entirely unconcerned.

Yet not a trace of Dou Qi leaked from the old man's body. He looked no different from an ordinary elderly man.

Xiao Shuang knew that this was a true powerhouse. This old man in hemp robes could probably wipe out the entire Xiao Family by himself.

"Miss, your food is truly delicious. It must have cost quite a bit, right?" While they had been speaking, Xiao Shuang had already eaten quite a lot. This was a heartfelt sigh from him.

Even the most expensive restaurant in Wutan City could not make food this delicious.

"You're a clever one too, so I'll be direct. I think very highly of your talent."

Yaoye tucked the hair at her forehead behind her ear, inadvertently revealing a charming air. As soon as she spoke those words, the atmosphere in the cave grew a little tense.

Xiao Shuang froze for a moment. He understood that he was no longer in much danger, then chuckled. "What? Does Miss wish to take me as her disciple?"

"Or has this old gentleman developed an appreciation for talent?"

Jia Xingtian opened his eyes and answered Xiao Shuang's second question. "This old man doesn't have the ability to teach disciples."

Xiao Shuang's mind was racing as well. Naturally, he knew the name Yaoye—the Grand Princess of the Royal Family, the future mistress of the Jia Ma Empire. And that old man was clearly Jia Xingtian, a Dou Emperor-level powerhouse.

Was this the butterfly effect I had caused? Why would people from the Royal Family come to the Xiao Family?

"Hmph. What if This Miss says she has taken a fancy to you?" Yaoye placed her hands on her hips and raised her chin slightly, looking like a proud peacock.

Those words were half true and half false. Yaoye really had taken a liking to Xiao Shuang's face. Even she, who had seen countless outstanding young talents, had been stunned by his appearance for quite some time.

In Yaoye's eyes, Xiao Shuang was exceedingly handsome. His long white hair made her want to reach out and play with it, while his pale blue eyes drew her gaze even more strongly, giving her the urge to claim those eyes for herself.

Suddenly realizing what she was thinking, Yaoye was greatly startled. Such a loss of composure should not have appeared on her.

Even Jia Xingtian was somewhat surprised upon hearing this. He had never seen Yaoye act like this before. It seemed the boy from the Xiao Family was quite charming. Unfortunately, this old man did not know how to appreciate such things.

"If I have received Miss's favor, it is naturally Xiao's honor." Xiao Shuang cupped his hands. Being noticed by Yaoye was far beyond his expectations, but he had to admit that his face truly possessed that kind of charm.

Whenever he cultivated, his Ice Attribute Dou Qi continually cleared impurities from his body. This made his face exceptionally fresh and clean. Without all those impurities, did he not naturally look clean and handsome?

Perhaps this was one of the benefits of cultivating Dou Qi. It was far more effective than all sorts of supplements and medicines; even extending one's life was perfectly normal.

"Then... are you willing to let This Miss abduct you?"

Expectation filled Yaoye's eyes, as though she could immediately do it if Xiao Shuang agreed.

"Uh... Miss, you must be joking. I..." Before Xiao Shuang could finish, Jia Xingtian interrupted him.

Jia Xingtian stepped down from the stone platform, and an aura immediately locked onto him. If Xiao Shuang made any unusual move, he would likely draw an attack from Jia Xingtian's Mountain Breaking Dou Qi.

"Yaoye, you haven't thought this through!" Jia Xingtian spoke sternly. If he continued watching from the sidelines, who knew what might happen.

"Great-Grandfather, I want to decide this matter for myself!" Yaoye did not avoid his gaze in the slightest. She looked directly at Jia Xingtian. Though she was still young, the majesty of an Empress had already begun to take shape.

Great-Grandfather was powerful, but his personality was too steady. Investments in a genius like this had to begin as early as possible. Otherwise, once he became powerful, would trying to curry favor with him still have any use?

Yaoye had a premonition that if she missed Xiao Shuang, this "genius," today, she would regret it for the rest of her life. That was why she had defied her Great-Grandfather.

The two stared at each other for a while, until Jia Xingtian finally looked away.

Jia Xingtian sighed, and the aura locking onto Xiao Shuang gradually dispersed. It seemed he truly was old. He no longer possessed even this kind of boldness. He really had let down his overbearing Mountain Breaking Dou Qi. This era ultimately belonged to the young.

Seeing this, Yaoye linked her arm through Jia Xingtian's, helped him to the side of the stone platform, then picked up some food from the platform and brought it to his lips.

"Great-Grandfather, trust my judgment."

"Very well. I'll be there to back you up anyway, so do as you wish."

Xiao Shuang stood where he was. More accurately, he did not know what he should do either. But upon seeing the scene before him, even the slowest person could understand that what happened next would depend on Princess Yaoye's wishes.

"Hehe, seeing Miss's words and actions, Xiao has indeed formed a few guesses." Xiao Shuang laughed twice. It would not hurt to say a few words at this time.

"Oh? Then tell me what your guess is. I'm quite curious." Yaoye turned around and stared at Xiao Shuang with great interest. She had an urge—an urge to keep Xiao Shuang by her side!

"Miss's every word and gesture is noble and elegant. Looking across the entire Jia Ma Empire, I fear only a family from the Imperial Capital could raise someone so outstanding, correct?" Xiao Shuang paused, then added, "And this old gentleman's strength is unfathomable. He does not seem to belong to some family faction from a small place."

"Clap, clap, clap." Yaoye nodded approvingly and applauded Xiao Shuang.

"Have you been to the Imperial Capital?"