Chapter 3: The First Meeting with Wu Zixu (Third Watch)

  Before meeting Wu Zixu, Luo Xiqi asked Tang Xiaoxia how much she knew about Wu Zixu. Tang Xiaoxia said: "I only know that we have arrived in the Spring and Autumn period, you know 'lying on thorns and hiding one's talent', Goujian did so because Wu Zixu made Wu State stronger, but I don't know what period of Wu Zixu it is now."

  The maidens brought ancient clothes for them to change into. Chunjing said that she was afraid Wu Xiu would be frightened by their appearance, so Luosike and Tang Xiaoxia changed into the clothes. The maidens used a comb with a curved back and symmetrical patterns on its body to style Luosike's hair. Luosike thought it looked very interesting but refused when the maidens tried to insert it into her hair as an ornament.

  The two of them were dressed to the nines, with pearls and jade adorning their waists. Their shoes, made from deerskin, were embroidered with silk threads, giving off an air of extraordinary refinement. Losie's sleeves even had a trim of fur at the cuffs, which added a touch of elegance without being too showy.

  The maidens also brought necklaces made of pearls and agate for Rosalie to choose from. Rosalie chose a string of pearls to wear around her neck, which truly made her shine even more brightly. As for the rings, Rosalie didn't want any, but Tang Xiaoxiao chose a silver one with a gemstone on it, and didn't choose a gold one.

  When the two were dressed, Xiao Di also came to inform them that it was time to meet the guests. The wine and dishes were placed on a stone table by the small river. From afar, Luosiqi saw a young man wearing dark green clothes with his back to the stone table, gazing at the flowing water in the river. He seemed to be deep in thought, with a long sword hanging from his waist, giving off an air of heroism. Chunzhen walked forward and said: "Wu Gong, don't worry, come, I'll introduce you to my two beloved disciples!"

  Tang Xiaxia looked at Chunzhen with disdain, seemingly not acknowledging her as his apprentice. Luosiqi wasn't willing to do it either, but the clothes and accessories were just too good-looking, making her feel like she was acting in a movie when she wore them. She remembered the "Seeking Qin" series starring Louis Koo, wasn't that from this era? Back then, she had thought that if only she could come to the Spring and Autumn period and Warring States period to see Qin Shi Huang, it would be great. Now she finally came, but it seemed like it was much earlier than Qin Shi Huang's time.

  When Wu Xū turned around, she found that this was another handsome guy. This handsome guy looked almost twenty-seven or eight years old, with a melancholy look in his eyes, and it was unclear what he was worried about. However, he quickly smiled and listened to Chun Zhen's introduction, bowing to the two of them separately.

  Luoshiqi and Tang Xiaxia also hurriedly returned the courtesy, and the four of them sat down in their respective positions. Chunzhen then asked him: "Are you still worried about national affairs?"

  "Woe is me, sir! Ever since Wei Wuji presented the beautiful Qin girl to the king in order to curry favor with him, he has been afraid that if Ta were to ascend to the throne, he would take revenge on him. So, day and night, he has been speaking ill of Ta before the king, forcing Ta to leave the capital and guard the border at Chengfu. But even so, I fear his slander will only grow more vicious by the day!"

  Luosha looked at Tang Xiaoxia, she heard Tang Xiaoxia sighing, Wu Xu hurriedly asked: "Brother Tang, why are you sighing?" Tang Xiaoxia slightly shook his head and said to Wu Xu: "I'm not talented, I know some divination techniques, let me divine a hexagram for Brother Wu."

  Luosiqi found it strange that Tang Xiaxia suddenly knew how to tell fortunes. On the other hand, Wu Xu had a look of seeking something he couldn't get enough of and said: "The beloved disciple of Qingyuan is indeed a superior person, I am honored to meet him."

  Tang Xiaxia then asked Wu Xu for seven copper coins. During the Spring and Autumn period, Chu State had a lot of money, including knife-shaped currency and shell-shaped currency. Wu Xu was taken aback and said that he only had knife-shaped currency. He took out seven silver knife-shaped coins and handed them over to Tang Xiaxia, who felt a bit awkward but nodded in agreement. He then took the seven knife-shaped coins and rubbed them together with both hands, muttering something under his breath. However, his voice was very soft, and Luo Sicong couldn't hear what he was saying even when she listened carefully. Suddenly, Tang Xiaxia threw the coins onto the table and said to Wu Xu, "You see, five of the seven knives are pointing south, indicating that there will be war and unrest in the south. For your safety, I advise you not to travel south for the next few months!"

  "South, south." Wu Xu muttered softly in his mouth, and suddenly asked: "Are you referring to the capital?"

  At this time, Tang Xiaxia pretended to be mysterious and said to him: "The heavenly machine cannot be revealed, I can only say that it is in the south, Brother Wu, you think about it yourself!"

  Wu Xū knew it was pointless to ask again, so he thanked him and finished his meal, but his worries only deepened.

  Xie Jianluo couldn't help but ask him: "Wu Dage, looking at your heavy heart, you must have a lot of troubles to solve. What is your ambition?"

  Wu Xu heard this and suddenly a light appeared in his eyes, Luo Siqi heard him say: "I've been learning military books and swordsmanship with my father since I was young, and as I grew up, I helped my father with some national affairs and gained a deeper understanding of governance. In the future, I will naturally become a pillar of the country like my grandfather and father, opening up territory for the great king and alleviating the worries of the people!"

  "Good, good, good, good intentions! Come on, let's have a drink to Wu Yuan's words!" Chun Zhen heard this and immediately poured water wine for everyone to drink. Luo Siqi never drank alcohol, so the maid gave her a sugar water made from wild honey, she followed suit and had a bowl. She heard Tang Xiaohai sigh again after finishing his water wine.

  Wu Xu didn't understand and asked: "Tang brother, is there something wrong with my ambition?"

  Tang Xiaoxia smiled wryly and said: "No, no, just hope you don't forget what I said today!"

  "How can a man forget his ambition!" Wu Xiu's words became spirited and enthusiastic when he spoke of his ambition, his previous melancholy was swept away, he drank another bowl, saying: "Even if there are great difficulties, Wu will certainly repay the king, assist the crown prince, and make Chu strong and dominant!"

  Lucy couldn't help but sigh inwardly when she heard this.

  After Wu Xiu left, Luo Siqi asked Tang Xiao Xia why he had divined the matter. Tang Xiao Xia saw that there were only two people and told her: "Today I talked to Wu Xiu and knew that he has not yet encountered great difficulties. You see him now, still thinking of dedicating himself to the state of Chu. We suddenly came here and don't know how to return. He had a strong momentum before meeting Gou Jian, and now telling him that there is danger in the south, making him believe me, maybe it will be useful later."

  Luosi felt very unbelievable, and she said to Tang Xiaoxia: "You think too much!" Just as she was about to say something else, her younger brother came over and said to her and Tang Xiaoxia: "Elder brother and sister, Master has something to find you!"

  Luosiqi then went with Tang Xiaoxia to see Qingyuan, because of the relationship with Wu Xiu, she still had many things that she hadn't asked this old man. She also didn't know if this old man could tell her and Tang Xiaoxia how to return, but it seemed that since he had suddenly brought them here, he probably wouldn't let them leave easily either.

  After seeing Qingyuan, Tang Xiaoxia asked him about the way back. Qingyuan's bitter face was quite amusing. He almost begged Tang Xiaoxia, saying: "You see, I'm an old man who has gone through so much trouble to bring you here, and now you want to leave so soon? You're going to abandon me, a helpless old man, to those people? How can you be so heartless?"

  Tang Xiaxia thought for a moment and sat down. He said to Qing Yuan, "Are you talking about the two people who wanted to kill you in my dream? You tell me what's going on with them, and after I help you deal with them, you must send me and Luosi Qi back!"