Xiang Yu sneered, placing his hand on her shoulder and forcing her to sit down. He sat on the table and leaned in, whispering a threat. "I know how hard it is to run such a place and not get a large cut of the profits... I also know that you are running a shady operation, and let me guess, you are cooking your books without the owner’s knowledge." The world was different but the formula was the same.
The madam stiffened but laughed nervously. "You shouldn’t say things you don’t know about, young miss."
Xiang Yu’s eyes narrowed. "I know enough. The only reason I am not shutting down your entire operation is because of that roasted duck my girls loved so much and that I don’t have enough time to deal with you. Now, how much?" He was giving her the impression that he would let this go, but just like the monk who now had termites in his temple, he would get his revenge.
Speaking of that matter, after being made to kneel in the sun, this demon king sent his minions, Lian and Mei, to attract termites at the temple as revenge. The head monk probably knew who did it, but what evidence did he have?
While waiting for her response the intricate blue and white porcelain cat on the table drew his attention. He toyed with the delicate figurine, his fingers tracing its smooth curves as he watched the madam with a calm, yet piercing gaze. The madam, a stout woman with a nervous twitch, eyed the porcelain cat with caution, her hands wringing her handkerchief.
"Does the owner of this establishment know that you force people who don’t want to be here to work and keep them off the books to pocket their earnings?" he said. His voice was soft, almost a whisper, but it carried a weight that made the madam’s heart race.
The madam’s eyes darted to the cat, then back to her. She swallowed hard, her mind racing. "You have a good thing going on here," Xiang Yu continued his fingers now gently rubbing the head of the porcelain cat. "Why ruin it all for an inexperienced host? He isn’t worth the trouble."
The madam’s face twisted in displeasure. She thought of Baihe, who had somehow spilt these secrets. But how could he know? He was new here. It had to be someone else who had betrayed her. "Fine," she said hurriedly, her voice trembling. "I want two thousand five hundred silver coins."
Xiang Yu’s eyes narrowed. He knew he couldn’t put monetary value on a human life but he didn’t expect her to be this greedy. His tone cold he said, "But I know you got Baihe for almost nothing." He tossed the porcelain cat into the air, catching it deftly, but making it look as if he might drop it. The madam lunged forward, her hands outstretched, a cry escaping her lips.
"Careful," Xiang Yu said, his voice mocking. "What is it worth?"
The madam’s face was pale. "Five hundred silver coins," she said, her voice barely a whisper.
"Then I will give you five hundred. Nothing more," his tone final.
The madam gritted her teeth, her mind filled with the secrets she had buried. If it was exposed, she would be skinned by the owner and fed to the dogs. She knew she had no choice. "Fine," she spat, her voice filled with venom. "I will get Baihe’s deed of sale." She turned and rushed out of the room, her footsteps echoing down the hallway.
As she hurried out, she bumped into Han Xin, who had been listening at the door. She apologised and ran off scared that this vile woman would change her mind.
Because Xiang Yu had his back to the door, he didn’t immediately notice Han Xin. It was only when he heard the door close behind him that he glanced over his shoulder and saw Han Xin standing there.
He placed the blue and white porcelain cat down gently, his fingers lingering on its smooth surface for a moment before he stood up. A sweet smile spread across his face, one that immediately made Han Xin suspicious. He knew that smile; it meant she wanted something from him.
Xiang Yu didn’t mind being shameless to achieve his goal. Its not like he wasn’t going to pay Han Xin back all the money he owed. "Good, I was about to look for you, general," he said, his voice light and cheerful.
Han Xin’s eyes narrowed. He couldn’t shake the intense feeling gnawing at him after what he heard. Why was Peng Xiu going out of her way to help Baihe? If it was out of her kind-heartedness, it was good, but Han Xin couldn’t help but think it was because she liked him. As Peng Xiu stepped closer, his emotions got the better of him. He pressed her against the wall, his palm flat and hard against the surface beside her head.
Xiang Yu’s eyes widened in surprise, but there was a spark of curiosity in them. He wondered what Han Xin was trying to do. However, Han Xin restrained himself, his jaw clenched as he fought the urge to confront her about the kiss they had shared and her apparent interest in Baihe. Instead, he asked, "What do you want?"
Xiang Yu raised his hand, showing five fingers. "Five hundred silver coins," he said calmly. "I will pay you back when I get my money."
Han Xin’s fist clenched, his aura turning cold. "So, you are going to use my money to get yourself a male concubine?" he asked, his voice dripping with bitterness. He didn’t even realise that he lost complete control of his emotions.
Xiang Yu, who hadn’t seen this side of Han Xin, was greatly amused. He was always the calm, aloof immortal with a clean aura that was unstained by worldly matters but now... He chuckled softly, finding his reaction interesting.
"Even if I were getting a male concubine, what does it have to do with you?" he teased. "General, do I look like I want to rob the cradle?" Han Xin looked away, having realised what he was doing. He reeled in his emotions, returning to his usual self, but this woman truly wanted to test his bottom line.
Xiang Yu was doing exactly that. He had finally got an interesting reaction so of course he would have fun with it. He reached out and gently pinched Han Xin’s chin, turning his face back to his. "General," he said, his voice soft and teasing, "I have a type and it’s not Baihe... Be careful, your ugly face is starting to look attractive to me."