Like old friends at first sight

Had the Princes of Qi and Shu sent gifts, it would have been alarming, and Su Ziji would have suspected a conspiracy. But it would not have left him as bewildered as this unexpected gift from Prince Lu.

"What does this mean? Why would Prince Lu send me a gift?" Su Ziji murmured in puzzlement.

Wild Daoist was also wondering whether he had overlooked some piece of information. But Prince Lu was a newly invested prince in Capital City and kept a low profile, so Wild Daoist had little intelligence on him.

Just then, laughter suddenly rang out behind them. A man emerged from the nearby privy and, as Su Ziji and Wild Daoist turned toward him, said with a laugh, "What's so hard to understand? The Princes of Qi and Shu already hold rival courts. Prince Lu may have received his title, but they've squeezed him so hard he can barely breathe."

"Since I've eaten a free meal at your expense, here's a word of warning: don't get drawn into the struggle between the princes!"

The familiarity with the princes revealed in those words made Su Ziji's eyes light up.

Although the man struck him as arrogant and unrestrained, Su Ziji could sense no ill will toward him—only curiosity and an appraising interest.

The man started walking out as soon as he finished speaking, without pausing at all. Watching him, Su Ziji felt that letting him leave like this might mean losing a talented man. He immediately hurried after him and asked, "May I ask your name, sir?"

"Cen Rubai!" the man replied without looking back.

As the man approached the main gate, Su Ziji stopped following him.

If he was determined to leave, there was no need to force him to stay.

A few words alone were not