Xiang Yu emerged from the river, water streaming from his drenched robe. He walked past Han Xin oblivious to his gaze lingering on his chest, where the wet fabric clung to his frame. A slight chill crept into his bones as he made his way back to the camp.
Seeing her shiver slightly he did what he would do if it was anyone else which was to offer up his robe. Without a word, he removed his robe and draped it over her shoulders, hoping to offer some warmth to her shivering body. "Here," he said covering her up. He had so many questions, but in the end, he didn’t ask.
Xiang Yu paused, feeling the unexpected weight of the robe and the faint traces of cedarwood dancing at the tip of his nose. He glanced back at Han Xin, his expression unreadable, before shrugging his shoulders and letting the robe fall to the ground. Han Xin wasn’t surprised that she rejected his robe.
"No need," said Xiang Yu and Han Xin’s eyes narrowed as he noticed a fresh injury on her back. Earlier on, she was drenched in blood, and Han Xin thought that it all belonged to the wolf, but as it turns out, she had been hurt.
"You should see the physician as soon as you reach camp," he said, his voice firm as he bent down to pick up his fallen robe, shaking off the dirt. Xiang Yu ignored him his steps steady and his aura cold.
Han Xin watched her walk away her figure looking so pitiful from behind. It was a stark contrast to the fierce devil he had seen earlier. He wanted to dig further into her past and unveil her mysteries. Not only could she use poisons, but she fought with skilful precision like a trained mercenary.
He was sure she could fight as well as Lieutenant Yi Nuo. His brow furrowed as an idea crept up his head. He was thinking of baiting her into a fight with Yi Nuo under the guise of training for her safety to find out the level of her strength. Han Xin wasn’t the only one suspecting that something was off with Peng Xiu. A dark shadow vanished into the trees leaving no trace behind.
Xiang Yu had no idea that he was about to get exposed for being a fake. He approached the camp with the flickering fire casting long shadows. Lian and Mei, who had been frantically searching for him, spotted him first. Their faces lit up with relief, and they rushed over, calling out, "Master!"
"Master!" Lian called out again her voice tinged with panic. "Where have you been?" Xiang Yu’s knees softened but he managed to steady himself while the twins tried to help him walk.
Mei’s eyes widened at the sight of Xiang Yu’s soaked state and the injuries on his back and palm. Those were the only visible ones. She was pretty sure there were even more injuries. "What happened to you? You look terrible."
Yi Nuo, who had been assisting in the search, saw the princess and gasped. "Your Highness, you are completely drenched!" She quickly removed her outer robe, offering it to her. "Here, take this."
This was the second time he had been offered someone’s robe but his rejection was more courteous towards Yi Nuo. He gently shook his head, with a slight smile. "I am fine thank you, Sister Nuo," he said, his voice steady despite the chill. He climbed into the carriage, his movements deliberate and controlled.
Yi Nuo hesitated, then turned to the twins. "Get her highness in some dry clothes. I will call the physician," she said, her concern evident. Inside the carriage, Xiang Yu leaned back, closing his eyes for a moment.
He peeled off the wet garments, feeling the chill of the night air against his bare skin, creating goosebumps. He grabbed a towel and dried his body, the rough fabric a welcome relief against his cold, damp skin. He slipped into a set of dry inner garments, the warmth seeping into his bones. With an exhausted sigh, he collapsed onto the bed, lying on his belly to avoid aggravating the wounds on his back.
A soft knock came from outside the carriage. "Come in," he called out, his voice muffled by the quilt. Mei and Lian climbed into the carriage, their faces etched with worry. They had left the carriage earlier thinking that they didn’t want to disturb their master, but who would have thought that he would be in such a sorry state when they saw him again?
Mei crouched near him, her eyes scanning the visible bruises. "Master, what did you fight with, and why did you go alone?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Xiang Yu turned his head slightly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I had a run-in with a wolf. It was really nothing."
Lian hugged her knees, her eyes wide with fear. She reached out and tugged at his sleeve. "Is it painful?" she asked, her voice small and scared. Their anxiety ever since they reached this world had heightened especially when it came to their master. It seemed their master had forgotten that he didn’t heal easily anymore. It was extremely worrying.
Xiang Yu managed a comforting smile and ruffled their hair. "I will be fine," he assured them. "Your master was just taking revenge for you," he mumbled but that didn’t make the twins feel any better.
Just then, Yi Nuo returned, her voice carrying through the carriage. "The physician has arrived."
"Send him in," Xiang Yu said and Lian got up to open the curtain.
The old physician entered the carriage, his eyes immediately assessing the princess’ condition. He checked the wound on her palm, which had stopped bleeding, and then apologised for his rudeness before pulling back her robe to examine the deep gashes on her back from the wolf’s sharp claws.
"We need boiled water from the campfire and clean cloths," the physician instructed the twins.
Mei and Lian rushed out to fulfil the request. As they left, the physician made a light-hearted comment, trying to ease the tension. "Your Highness seems to have a knack for getting hurt."
Xiang Yu chuckled softly, wincing at the pain. "It seems so," he replied as he closed his eyes.
Meanwhile, Han Xin returned to the camp in large strides. Without a word, he tossed the bloodstained sword to Jun De, who was sitting by the campfire chatting with the others. The sword landed with a dull thud at Jun De’s feet, startling him. He looked down with confusion written all over his face. Clearly, he was unaware that his sword had been missing.