Chapter 37: The Youth Xiang Yu

Wu Guang, however, paid no mind and walked straight toward the group of men. He cupped his hands and said, "I am Xiang Guang from Chu. I fled here due to the famine and have lost my way."

"I ask that you please give me a ride."

After saying this, a smile appeared on Wu Guang's face. As long as these men were not soldiers, there was no need to worry about being arrested. Furthermore, he reasoned that since they had just mentioned a "Master Xiang," appearing before them as a descendant of the Xiang clan meant that even if they did not trust him, they would likely not harm him. After all, the bond of kinship still held significant weight in this era.

But Wu Guang had calculated wrong.

The moment he emerged, the retainers' expressions changed drastically, and they looked around nervously. In the next second, three or four of them rushed toward Wu Guang, pinned him to the ground, and declared, "Take him back and let Master Xiang deal with him!"

Soon after, Wu Guang was trussed up and tossed onto a carriage.

*Clang!*

Wu Guang bumped into something metallic and froze. He instinctively turned his head to look at the carriage, which was loaded with iron ore and a significant number of standard-issue weapons. His eyes widened in shock.

*Damn it...*

He suddenly realized that this group was not merely transporting cargo or acting as ordinary merchants; they were likely criminals who were secretly forging or trafficking weapons!

*I was careless!* Wu Guang felt a surge of regret.

In the distance, Chen Sheng watched this scene, his fists clenching tight as he hid himself once more. After the group departed, Chen Sheng remained motionless, cautiously tucked beneath a large rock. It was not until the sky was fully bright and he was certain no one else would appear that he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

But just as he prepared to leave, a hulking figure appeared before him and reached out to drag him from beneath the rock. Chen Sheng shuddered, instinctively looking up at the man.

It was a dashing young man of noble bearing, who frowned as he looked at Chen Sheng and asked, "Are you also a descendant of the Xiang clan?"

Chen Sheng was stunned. Feeling the immense strength in the youth's arm, he didn't even stop to think before nodding frantically. "Yes, yes, I am! My name is Xiang Sheng!"

The youth then released him and nodded to the retainers nearby. "It must be him."

The youth extended a hand, wearing a bright, sunny smile. "I am Xiang Yu, a descendant of the Xiang clan, sent here by my uncle to find you!"

Chen Sheng, still unable to process what was happening, stared at the young Xiang Yu, frozen in his tracks.

...

In Fusu's residence.

Chen Sheng, Wu Guang, Liu Bang, Xiang Yu...

Fusu wrote down a long list of names on a sheet of paper, recording everyone he could remember from his previous life. As the eldest son of Great Qin, and with his impending exile to the frontier, it was highly likely he would cross paths with these people.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to Fusu. He quickly took out another sheet of paper and wrote: "Donghai Commandery, Huaiyin County..."

"Han Xin!"

"Bai Shao!" Fusu called out toward the door.

Bai Shao, the Commander of the Imperial Guard, entered immediately. "Your Highness, what are your orders?"

Fusu handed the paper to him and said, "Find a trusted man and send him to this location to invite this person here for me."

"Remember, you must be humble and show him the utmost respect. If you cannot find him immediately, search near Nanchang Pavilion..."

Bai Shao took the paper and looked at its contents. After a slight pause, he carefully put it away and said, "Your Highness, I have already spoken to Minister Meng regarding the purchase of guards for your estate."

"Minister Meng has already informed His Majesty that you are permitted to leave the estate to purchase servants, provided you are accompanied by the Imperial Guard."

Fusu nodded immediately upon hearing this. "Good, very good!"

Bai Shao withdrew, though he felt bitter inside. To think that he, a dignified commander under the Office of the Weiwei, was spending his days doing the work of a butler. Even his men were acting as servants and guards. That was why, when Fusu suggested purchasing servants, he had immediately reported it to Meng Yi. It wasn't because he was eager to help, but because he had been wanting to do this for a long time. If Minister Meng had not agreed, he would have bought some servants himself just to maintain the household's daily needs.

In the afternoon, Wang Ruonan arrived at Fusu's residence with two personal maids. Upon seeing Fusu, she waved dismissively, which served as her greeting.

Fusu nodded and, after glancing at the three women dressed in fine silks and satins, said with some reluctance, "Why are you dressed so brightly?"

"We are going to select servants, not to parade through the streets!"

Hearing this, Wang Ruonan exploded. She glared with her beautiful eyes and retorted, "Do you think I want to go out with you!"

"If you don't want to, then go back!" Fusu replied testily.

Wang Ruonan was filled with resentment and was just about to turn and leave, but she stopped herself. *Is he deliberately trying to provoke me so he can go and pick out maids by himself?*

*Er...*

Fusu was slightly taken aback; this woman wasn't stupid! However, he did not show it on the surface. "No, look at what I'm wearing. Low-key, one must be low-key!"

Wang Ruonan looked at Fusu's coarse cloth robe, then at his guards, who were also dressed in plain clothes. She couldn't help but feel a bit self-conscious. Although she didn't want to marry Fusu, she had dressed carefully before coming out today. After all, this counted as their first date in the traditional sense, so her outfit and grooming had been chosen with great deliberation.

Seeing that she didn't know how to respond, Fusu waved his hand. "Never mind, just wear your veils. That will keep things low-key enough."

Wang Ruonan glanced at her two maids, and they all donned their veils.

And so, the group of seven or eight headed toward the East Market of Xianyang City.

On the way, Fusu bought several meat buns and distributed them to everyone. He walked over to Wang Ruonan and handed her one. "There are no servants in the house, and we haven't had lunch yet. Would you like one?"

Wang Ruonan wanted to turn her head and refuse, but recalling the advice Huayang had given her, she took the bun.

Seeing this, Fusu smiled. "I know that no matter how much I say, it will only annoy you."

"Since we are both caught in this situation, if we cannot be loving and affectionate, being respectful to one another is not a bad alternative."

Wang Ruonan said nothing. She followed the methods Huayang had taught her, eating in small, dainty bites, appearing poised and ladylike. Seeing her silence, Fusu stopped talking as well.

In this manner, the group passed through several streets, left the residential district of the nobility, and arrived at the bustling marketplace. Bai Shao had conducted reconnaissance and planning in advance, so he led them with practiced ease to the area dedicated to the slave trade.

Some of these slaves had been driven by poverty and hopelessness to sell themselves to find a way to survive. Others were the remnants of the nobility of the six conquered states, whose utility had been drained, leading them to be captured and tossed here for sale.