Xiang Yu, "..." What self-esteem when it couldn’t even understand him? This venerable demon king had no patience for such tactics. He struggled to keep the horse in line, but it moved at a snail’s pace as though agreeing with his words. He could almost imagine the horse mockingly saying, ’You think I am a snail? Then let me show you a snail’s pace.’
"Keep this up and I will turn you into stew," he said and the horse neighed as though challenging him. While he was busy arguing with the stubborn animal, Han Xin glanced back and saw that she was lagging behind the group. At this pace, they would reach the camp mid-morning.
With a sigh of exasperation, he turned his reddish-brown stallion around and rode back to her. Xiang Yu glared at him, his eyes glinting with a cold light. "What do you want?" he snapped.
Without a word, Han Xin gently used a horsewhip on the horse. The animal that was moving like an old horse on the brink of death shot off like lightning, surprising Xiang Yu. He held onto the reins tightly, cursing the general and the Han ancestors under his breath as he tried to regain control. Han Xin wasn’t heartless. He watched her for a moment, ensuring she was managing, before turning his horse back to the front of the group.
As dawn broke, a cloud of dust appeared on the horizon, catching the attention of the soldiers guarding the makeshift entrance to the Northern regiment military camp. They squinted into the distance, ready to shout for the rider to stop, but then they recognised the general’s horse right behind the leading one.
Xiang Yu’s horse raced into the camp, finally slowing to a stop. He dismounted on his own, his expression dark and forbidding, clearly signalling his anger and warning others to keep their distance. The last person he wanted to kill this badly was his father. Now Han Xin was top on his hit list.
Han Xin dismounted his horse as well, his eyes narrowing as he noticed she was no longer limping on her injured foot. With a sarcastic tone, he pointed at her foot and remarked, "It’s a miracle. It seems to be cured."
Xiang Yu who had realised that he had broken character, pressed the tip of his tongue against his cheek, struggling to restrain his temper. Their eyes locked, the tension between them almost tangible. His hand instinctively moved to the hilt of the dagger hidden behind him, as if he was getting ready to attack at the slightest provocation.
Just then, Lian and Mei arrived, dismounting quickly and positioning themselves in front of Xiang Yu in an attempt to calm their master down. Lian tugged at Xiang Yu’s sleeve, calling out, "Master," while Mei addressed the general, "General Han, could you please provide a place for Her Highness to freshen up? She has been through a lot in the past few days."
Han Xin’s gaze shifted from Xiang Yu to Mei, his expression softening slightly. He called over one of the female lieutenants. "Take Her Highness Xiu to her tent," he instructed before turning slightly preventing them from hearing what he was saying. "The furthest the better. No need for special treatment."
The lieutenant nodded her head and walked towards the three of them. When she laid eyes on the princess her heart jerked. She was just as gorgeous as the deposed Empress but even more imposing.
She bowed and gently said, "This way your highness." Xiang Yu was pulled away by the twins but his gaze remained fixed on Han Xin like he wanted to tear him to pieces.
Han Xin ignored her searing gaze as he issued a command. "We will rest for a day before moving on."
Xiang Yu was led to a tent on the other end of the regiment camp. They were small and uniform but it didn’t bother him. The space inside was just as cramped. It was so small that he could spread his legs apart and touch each end with his feet. The only furnishings were two foldable cloth and bamboo beds. The space gave Xiang Yu a sense of nostalgia. It was almost the same size as the room he slept in at the brothel.
The female lieutenant expected her to complain, but she was surprised when the princess remained silent. They had hosted a family of nobles before and they would complain ceaselessly about everything. Yet the princess didn’t even throw a tantrum after realising where she would be spending the night.
Instead of complaining he heard her ask, "Is there somewhere I can clean up?"
The lieutenant hesitated before replying, "There isn’t a river or stream nearby, but we have a well where we draw water and a makeshift tent for washing up. Let me show you the way your highness." She led the three of them to the well. This was the section of the camp designated for the small number of female soldiers in the regiment. It was much quieter than the rest of the camp.
"Lieutenant... my apologies. What is your name?" he asked and the lieutenant was rightfully surprised. She was just an insignificant person the princess would forget overnight, so she didn’t expect her to ask for her name.
"I am so sorry, Your Highness. My name is Yi Nuo," she said, her head bowed slightly.
"What a nice name. Would you mind if I call you sister Nuo?" he asked and the twins’ alarm bells rang. Their master was flirting with women now? Since when?
The lieutenant blushed and shyly said, "I don’t mind your highness."
Lian and Mei, "..." Aaaahhhh, their master was dangerous. This lieutenant was about to fall at his feet.
"Okay, may I trouble you to find clothes for us? I am kind of filthy and embarrassed. Sister Nuo must think I look ugly," he said and Yi Nuo shook her hands frantically.
"Your Highness looks pretty, I mean beautiful," she stammered, and Mei slapped her forehead. It was as though an incubus had been unleashed, and his master was suddenly collecting a harem. "I will... I will go and get some clothes for you, your Highness."
She assumed that the princess would instruct her twin maidservants to fetch the water but what she said next was surprising. "Lian, Mei, follow sister Nuo to get some clothes for us," he ordered. "I will fetch the water." Yi Nuo’s eyes widened in surprise but she quickly masked it. Wasn’t she a princess?
Long lost or not, she was still part of Yige royalty. Xiang Yu had no idea how a princess should act. He had on more than one occasion, gone out of character but he didn’t care. He just wanted to get out of these dirty clothes and clean the grime off his body.