Xiang Yu was adamant. "If not, then what is this, huh? What chewed on my body pillow? Check your surveillance."
While Hex was checking, Xiang Yu called Lian and Mei. Both were still in bed but picked up the video call. Lian rubbed her eyes and said, "Good morning, Master," while Mei turned over and said, "Master, did you sleep well?"
Xiang Yu, holding up the torn pillow, exclaimed, "Look, look! I think there’s a rat in this room. It bit through my pillow."
Lian, trying to stifle a yawn, said, "That must have been a big rat."
Mei added, "There are mutated rats that big."
Xiang Yu, frustrated, said, "Either that or the pillow is poor quality. I am going to give the seller a negative review."
Mei was about to convince Xiang Yu to wait until they saw what happened last night in the surveillance when she noticed Lian in the video call wearing her gold pyjamas. Mei yelled, "You little scoundrel!"
Lian, suddenly scolded, said, "What did I do?"
Mei, fuming, said, "You said you hated that colour, and Grandpa bought it for me. You chose pink, and now you’re wearing them."
Lian replied, "But you aren’t wearing them now."
Mei turned to Xiang Yu to complain, "Master, look, she stole my pyjamas."
Lian defended herself, "It’s not stealing, it’s borrowing."
Mei retorted, "Then let me borrow your plasma sword."
Lian outrightly refused, "No, that’s not the same thing."
The two of them continued arguing, and Xiang Yu mumbled, "Great, we already stopped talking about my thing now." He cut the call and turned to Hex. "Who did it?"
Hex replied, "Tha is strange. Apart from you throwing the pillow, there were no strange occurrences."
Xiang Yu, exasperated, said, "Buy rat traps, ten of them. I will catch this rat and skin it."
AN: Han Xin, the big rat, "..."
The steam from the shower clung to Xiang Yu’s skin like a soft embrace, the warmth wrapping around him as he stepped out into the coolness of his lavish bedroom. The air was thick with the lingering scent of plumeria, mingling with the faint trace of his citrus-infused shower gel.
He ran a towel through his damp hair, droplets cascading down his neck as he slipped into a plush robe, its fabric a soft barrier against the chill that had settled in the room.
A sharp knock on the door shattered the quiet. "Come in," he commanded, his voice steady and authoritative.
The door creaked open, revealing Xiao He, who shuffled inside like a ghost. His complexion was ashen, the pallor of sickness clinging to him like a shroud. He had a bandage wrapped around his hand, stark against his skin, and in his trembling grasp was the very uniform Xiang Yu had asked the steward to send with Xiao He. The young man’s eyes were cast downward, avoiding the piercing gaze of his highness, as if the mere act of looking up might invite reprisal again.
"Greetings, Your Highness. I brought your uniform," Xiao He stammered, the words tumbling out in a rush, laced with anxiety.
Xiang Yu, however, remained unfazed. "Hang it over there," he replied, his tone cold and dismissive, not sparing a glance at the man who stood before him.
With an unsteady nod, Xiao He approached the designated hook, his legs feeling as if they might buckle beneath him. The oppressive aura emanating from Xiang Yu was suffocating, each breath a reminder of the power imbalance between them. He nearly stumbled twice, his heart racing with the fear that Xiang Yu might lash out for his incompetence.
As he hung the uniform, Xiao He’s fingers nervously picked at his nails, the silence stretching uncomfortably between them. "Your Highness, I have messaged Her Highness as instructed, but..." He hesitated, the words catching in his throat. "She ignored me."
At this, a sly smile crept across Xiang Yu’s lips, a predatory glint igniting his eyes. He turned toward Xiao He, his presence looming like a storm cloud. As he closed the distance, the air grew heavier, charged with an unsettling energy.
Xiang Yu pinched Xiao He’s chin, forcing him to meet his gaze. The strangulation marks were visible on the man’s neck, and Xiang Yu savoured the sight, a twisted sense of pride swelling within him.
"Send the pictures of your injuries to her," he instructed his voice a low whisper of authority. "Then give the steward your communicator. You will be confined to the underground palace for now."
Xiao He’s heart sank, realization dawning upon him. Xiang Yu intended to stage a scene, to make it appear as if he had met a grim fate, all to bait Peng Xiu. The implications of such a ruse weighed heavily on him, and he felt compelled to voice his concern. "But your Highness..." his voice trembled.
"Shh," Xiang Yu interjected, his gaze unwavering. "Just do as told."
Defeated, Xiao He lowered his head, the weight of the command settling in the pit of his stomach. "Yes, Your Highness."
"You may leave," Xiang Yu commanded, his tone brooking no argument.
Xiao He bowed deeply, relief flooding through him as he turned on his heels and exited the room, the door clicking shut behind him. The moment the latch engaged, Hex piped up. "Won’t she use this to splash dirty water on you? Those people on StarNet already hate you."
Xiang Yu chuckled darkly. "Yes, but I can finally tear her mask off and reveal her true face to the entire Republic. I just need her to take the bait."
Hex hesitated, grappling with the implications. Before it could voice its concerns, Xiang Yu interrupted. "Have you bought the rat traps?"
Hex exclaimed in disbelief, "Yu Yu, you were serious about that? You were the one who threw away the body pillow while sleeping."
"I am not joking. Get me ten of them. Oh, and get yourself the skin you wanted," Xiang Yu replied, his patience wearing thin. Hex had been pestering him about buying it skins which were appearance modifications for assistant AIs and they weren’t cheap. Xiang Yu had heard this chorus so many times that he was finally tired of Hex asking. Sure enough, after that, Hex didn’t argue anymore.
"Whohoo! Thanks, Yu Yu! You are the best! I will get the best rat traps for you," Hex gushed, excitement bubbling through its tone
A genuine smile broke across Xiang Yu’s face as he slipped into his uniform jacket,