Xiang Yu arrived at the grand doors of the opulent palace. The head eunuch, with a voice that echoed through the marble halls, announced, "Your Majesty, Princess Xiu has arrived." The emperor, seated on his gilded throne, beckoned them inside with a wave of his hand.
Xiang Yu entered, his beauty and imposing aura unmistakable. He moved with a grace and elegance that commanded attention. As he approached the throne, he kowtowed deeply before the emperor. The emperor’s eyes narrowed as he scrutinized her figure, searching for any sign that this was not his estranged daughter who had arrived just a day earlier.
"Come closer, child. Let me see you," the emperor commanded, his voice laced with curiosity and suspicion. He was curious as to what sorcery they used to create such an uncanny resemblance. If he didn’t know better, he would think the deposed empress had given birth to identical twins.
Xiang Yu rose with the poise of royalty and stepped forward. The old emperor studied her intently, his eyes filled with a mix of doubt and intrigue. He reached out and touched her face, his fingers tracing the contours of her features. From a distance, Han Xin’s hand twitched, his instinct to protect Yu Yu overwhelming.
He didn’t want anyone, not even the emperor to touch his beloved. But before he could move his cousin gripped his arm firmly, warning him to stay calm. Han Xin’s veins throbbed with suppressed anger as he forced himself to remain still.
Xiang Yu sensed the tension but remained composed, his mind prepared for anything. He smiled at the emperor, a gesture that seemed to momentarily disarm him. Just as he was about to speak, a palace guard burst into the room, breathless and alarmed.
"Your Majesty, outside the capital gates, an entire army from Zhen country has arrived with their banners raised!" he shouted.
Han Xin’s brows furrowed as he glanced at Yu Yu, the room erupting into gasps from the maidservants and eunuchs. His hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his sword, ready for any sudden move from her. If she made a move on the emperor, he would disarm her and take her away. He would have to fake her death if he had to. But he watched as Yu Yu stepped back, making no attempt to harm the emperor. The old emperor’s brows knitted together in confusion and suspicion.
Before he could question her further, the real Princess Xiu appeared at the entrance, her voice ringing with authority. "Arrest that imposter!" she commanded.
Several palace guards rushed forward, pinning Xiang Yu to the ground. But Xiang Yu’s eyes were not on the emperor or Peng Xiu. They were locked onto Han Xin. Han Xin’s grip tightened on his sword unwilling to see the love of his life trampled upon. His foot inched forward, but he saw her shake her head slightly, silently telling him to stand down. Reluctantly, Han Xin loosened his grip, and she smiled at him, a gesture of reassurance.
Peng Xiu noticed the exchange and felt a pang of jealousy, her eyes narrowing as she signalled to a palace guard. The guard stepped forward and punched Xiang Yu in the face, knocking him out cold. Han Xin’s chest heaved with suppressed rage, his anger seething beneath the surface as he was forced to hold back, his eyes never leaving his beloved’s unconscious form.
After Xiang Yu was dragged out of the hall, the emperor’s voice boomed through the chamber, summoning Han Xin. "General Han, step forward! How is the Zhen army right at our doorstep?! How could you let this happen?!" he commanded, his tone sharp and unforgiving.
It seemed the emperor had forgotten that for an entire year, he had been sounding the alarm about Zhen country requesting more troops, but all his memorandums were ignored.
They all thought that Zhen country’s army was still under the leadership of corrupt prime ministers and generals, but he knew very well that ever since the crown prince of Zhen took over, their army was more organised and their movements purposeful. In their ears, he sounded like a madman full of conspiracies.
Han Xin walked forward with measured steps and kowtowed deeply before the emperor. "Your Majesty," he began, his voice steady, "this servant is as astounded as you. This servant knew that the Crown Prince of Zhen was plotting something, but did not expect it to be this."
The emperor’s face twisted in fury. "Useless!" he bellowed, grabbing a vase and hurling it to the floor. The porcelain shattered into countless pieces, but Han Xin remained unmoved, his expression stoic.
Princess Xiu, standing to the side, felt a surge of anger watching Han Xin being treated so harshly. Her fists clenched at her sides, her desire to kill her father growing stronger with each passing moment. She composed herself, but a deadly glint remained in her eyes.
The emperor’s voice cut through the tension. "We are not pleased. Go and find out what is happening. If it is war they want, we will give it to them."
Han Xin bowed his head. "This servant understands," he replied, rising to his feet and saluting the emperor. His figure was imposing and cold as he turned to leave the hall. Han Zhan and the rest of his men followed closely behind.
Outside the palace, Han Zhan caught up with him and whispered urgently, "I will make sure no one touches her in prison."
Han Xin nodded, his expression remaining impassive. His mind, however, was a whirlwind of thoughts, wondering what Yu Yu was thinking and what Xiang Yu was plotting. As he walked through the palace grounds, the weight of his mission pressed heavily on him, the fate of their country hanging in the balance.
Xiang Yu was locked up in a prison right outside the palace gates, his wrists cuffed and his body forced to stand. He remained unconscious, his head hanging low as blood dripped from his nose. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the chill of night set in. Suddenly, a splash of cold water jolted him awake. Gasping for air, he blinked rapidly, trying to regain his bearings. When his vision cleared, he saw Peng Xiu standing before him, her expression menacing.
She gripped his jaw with a force that threatened to break it. "The resemblance is uncanny," she hissed. "How did you do it?" She paused, her eyes narrowing. "It’s impeccable, but did you think you could impersonate me? How naive."
With a swift motion, she slapped him across the face. Xiang Yu’s ears rang, and blood dripped from the corner of his mouth. "Show me your true face," she demanded with a twisted expression. But he only chuckled, further enraging her. She began to hit him repeatedly, her fists landing with brutal force. The guards nearby tried to intervene, but Peng Xiu’s glare, eyes burning with a devilish intensity, made them step back in fear.