Meeting the Zhangsun Siblings

"Hmm? What did you just say, little sister?"

"Nothing! Hmph!"

Displeased, the younger sister left her brother behind and walked ahead. But as her older brother, he couldn't let her go off alone, so he hurried after her.

"Little sister! Don't run off!"

And so the siblings chased one another until, before they knew it, they arrived at the snack street. The aroma of food instantly filled their nostrils, and they began swallowing their saliva without realizing it.

"Brother! Come quickly! It smells so good here! There are so many tasty things! I want to try them!"

Her brother was taken aback by the snack street too. He hadn't expected a place like this to exist, but he didn't dare linger over the thought and immediately followed his sister.

There were so many people here that a few were lined up at every food stall, making those waiting anxious.

"Why isn't it our turn yet? I'm hungry!"

"..."

Seeing how utterly unlike a proper young lady his sister was behaving, he wore a helpless expression. At any rate, he could see it now:

In the less than an hour since they had arrived, his sister seemed to have become a different person.

She had thrown all her former poise and elegance to the back of her mind and was acting like a wild girl.

"Hello, young master!"

"Uh! Hello!"

The brother was standing in line behind his sister, looking helpless, when he suddenly felt someone pat his shoulder and greet him. He hurriedly turned around and returned the greeting.

"Is this your first time here, young master?"

"It is! I came with my sister to help her take her mind off things. I never expected there to be such a wondrous place here."

"Haha! For this era, this place really is a little different. The common people can live and work here in peace, spared the suffering of certain disasters."

The person who had struck up the conversation was Zhang Sheng. He had been strolling along the snack street himself.

The two young people who had appeared suddenly caught his attention, so he followed them out of curiosity, leading to the encounter just now.

"Mmm! Delicious! I've never eaten anything this good before. Brother! Come over here! What are you doing?"

"Oh! Coming! Brother, excuse me for a moment!"

The sister handed her brother a fried cake she had bought, then puffed out her little cheeks as she ate her own. She looked quite adorable.

"This must be your sister! I didn't expect her to be so beautiful and adorable!"

"You flatter her, brother. My sister is very mischievous! Little sister, why don't you greet this young master?"

"Hello, young master!"

When the sister saw Zhang Sheng, she was also taken aback. She hadn't expected to find someone so handsome and extraordinary.

She quickly stepped forward and bowed. Her movements were so graceful that she was clearly from a distinguished family.

"Hello, young lady! Greetings!

Brother, fate brought us together today, but this isn't the place to talk. Why don't we go to the teahouse up ahead, sit down, and have a leisurely chat? What do you think?"

"Well... all right! Then it would be more respectful to accept than decline!"

The group soon arrived at the teahouse. When the shopkeeper saw Zhang Sheng, he immediately put down what he was doing and hurried over to greet him.

"Boss! What brings you here?"

"Uncle Zheng! Prepare a private room for me. I'm entertaining a few friends. Bring us some snacks as well."

"Yes, boss!"

Zhang Sheng and the others followed the shopkeeper into a comfortable, brightly lit room, then seated themselves wherever they pleased.

"Brother, we've been chatting for a while, but I still don't know your surname."

"Oh! Look at me! My surname is Zhang, and my given name is Sheng. Just call me Zhang Sheng. May I ask which family has been blessed with a qilin son like you?"

"Young Master Zhang, you flatter me! My surname is Zhangsun, my given name is Wuji, and my courtesy name is Fuji. This is your younger sister, Wugou."

"What! You're Zhangsun Wuji! And this is your sister, Zhangsun Wugou!"

As soon as Zhangsun Wuji gave his surname, Zhang Sheng lost some of his composure.

These were the future empress of the Great Tang and the emperor's brother-in-law, yet here they were in this remote mountain village.

"Young Master Zhang! Why such a strong reaction? Could we have met before?"

"No... no! I've just heard about Lord Zhangsun's heroic deeds, so it occurred to me that you might be his children, and I got a little excited."

How could Zhang Sheng not know the two people before him? They were people who would one day influence the entire empire, though for now they were both still young.

"Oh!"

Zhangsun Wuji and Zhangsun Wugou were no fools; both were clever.

They could plainly sense that Zhang Sheng wasn't telling the truth, but they couldn't very well ask him outright. After all, they had only just met.

Just as things were growing awkward, a waiter arrived with tea, giving them a chance to ease the atmosphere.

"Brother Zhangsun! These tea leaves were just roasted this year. They have a fresh, natural quality when you drink them. Do give them a try."

"Roasted? Tea can be roasted?"

This was the first time Zhangsun Wuji had heard of tea being roasted. Wasn't tea always boiled?

"Please!"

Zhang Sheng didn't explain further, merely indicating that he would understand once he tasted it. Still a little puzzled, Zhangsun Wuji

poured himself a cup. The fragrance of tea instantly wafted into his nose, and his eyes couldn't help lighting up.

He raised the cup and slowly took a sip. Sure enough, a fresh, natural sensation unlike anything he had ever experienced

spread from his mouth to his stomach, and from his stomach throughout his body.

"Good tea! Little sister, try some too. It really is different from the tea we've had before!"

Hearing her brother describe it in such marvelous terms, Zhangsun Wugou poured herself a cup as well.

It was just as her brother had said: a comfortable, refreshing sensation spread through her whole body.

With such a good start, the atmosphere became very harmonious. They talked about everything under the sun, and for a time, they felt a sense of mutual appreciation.

Time passed quickly, and the sky gradually darkened. Seeing that it was nearly time for dinner, Zhang Sheng warmly invited them to his home as guests.

Zhangsun Wuji didn't decline. Thus, he brought his sister Zhangsun Wugou along and followed Zhang Sheng home.

Little did he know that, because of this meeting and the bond they formed, Zhangsun Wuji would leave his sister's heart here,

and that the Great Tang of the future would have one less virtuous empress and one more Madam Zhang.

Over the next few days, the Zhangsun siblings visited nearly every corner of Blue Silver Village with Zhang Sheng as their guide, experiencing a happiness they had never known before.

"Brother Zhang Sheng! I'll come back again. Will you welcome me?"

"Sister Wugou! You can come whenever you like. My door will always be open to you!"

"Brother Zhang Sheng! Thank you for your generous hospitality these past few days. If you come to Luoyang in the future, you must visit my home so I can return your hospitality."

"Brother Fuji! You're too polite! It's getting late, so take care on the road!"

"Take care!"

"Goodbye, Brother Zhang Sheng!"

Zhang Sheng watched the Zhangsun siblings' carriage depart, a thousand thoughts and feelings welling up in him.

He hadn't expected to meet historical figures so soon, much less ones who would be among the most influential figures in the future Great Tang.

"I wonder if I, this butterfly, have flapped my wings yet, and whether they'll affect the course of history."