Han Xin’s stern expression didn’t waver as he stood before her looking like a head teacher reprimanding a delinquent. Unfortunately for him, the delinquent Xiang Yu found his request utterly ridiculous.
This was like asking the casino to pay back their customers who had lost a lot of money. That wasn’t how capitalism worked. They were fully made aware of what they were getting themselves into before they sat down opposite him and challenged him.
"I am serious. You need to return the money you won from them," he insisted, his voice firm.
Xiang Yu chuckled, trying to restrain himself from picking a fight with Han Xin. Not because he was chickening out but because if he went too far and killed him the divine emperor might smite him and not even his soul would be spared.
"Oh, come on, Xin-ge. They knew what they were signing for. They are grown men."
Han Xin’s eyes narrowed slightly his entire body covered in goosebumps. Being called Xin-ge by her reminded him of the dream he had. He couldn’t stand being addressed like such, especially by her. "Don’t call me that, ever," he warned his tone serious.
Xiang Yu had called him that so many times but this was the first time Han Xin tone was extremely harsh. It was as though he had stepped on a landmine field, and if he pursued it further, he would really punish him. Not in the mood to mess with him he said,
"Okay, sure. I will address you as General Han from now on. There, are you happy General Han?" obviously stirring the pot. Han Xin had gotten what he wanted but he felt annoyed for some reason. He pushed his feelings down and said,
"The soldiers work hard for their earnings, and gambling for money is prohibited in my army. They have families that they are meant to take care of, and if the money was lost through gambling, it would stain the army’s spotless reputation."
For entertainment and as a pastime, he always allowed them to gamble for snacks or chores, but never for money. He also knew that they had been using secret codes to gamble for money when he wasn’t looking. He wanted to crack down on gambling but he had other important matters to deal with. He would only ban it if there was ever a fight.
But today they openly gambled for money with the princess. As punishment, he was going to ban gambling altogether. Xiang Yu touched the tip of his nose, a playful glint in his eyes. "Fine, but I want to be compensated."
Han Xin sighed, knowing she wouldn’t back down easily. It would have been better if he had given her the money directly and did not waste time arguing with her. "Sure, this should be more than the money you swindled." He reached into his robe and pulled out an embroidered gold and white coin purse, tossing it to her.
Xiang Yu caught it with a bright smile, the coins inside jingling softly. He couldn’t help but notice he was a little more complacent today. "Wow, the general is so generous... Your wife will be spoilt in the future," he said feeling the weight in his palm. He was complimenting him. Some clients in the brothel loved when the courtesans praised them this way and they would even blush while playfully swatting the courtesans away. He was stroking his ego as a man but why was Han Xin wearing a cold face like he owed him money?
Han Xin was indeed wearing a dark face. That’s because he didn’t want to have a wife, but his mother was shoving it down his throat, and now the person who robbed him of his first kiss was making a mockery out of him too. He was about to storm off and stay as far away from her as possible when Xiang Yu stretched out his hand, blocking his path. Han Xin’s footsteps abruptly stopped and his eyes narrowed wondering what she was going to do. "General, how about this? Let’s make a wager. A game of your choosing. If I win, you double the silver coins you just gave me."
"Why do you need more money?" he asked. This was a valid question that he probably shouldn’t have asked a princess.
Xiang Yu didn’t like the feeling of owing someone money. He could only blame Peng Xiu for being broke. Zhen’s currency was useless in Yige plus it would only disclose his identity. What he didn’t know was that Xiang Wei had a chest full of silver and gold ingots from Yige, all he had to do was tell him where he was going. He rubbed the back of his head and said, "I have very expensive habits. So how about it? Care to wager or are you too scared that I will make you lose face in front of your subordinates."
Han Xin could have just given her more money but Peng Xiu wasn’t to be trusted. He lowered his head, his gaze unconsciously drifting to her chest before he quickly corrected himself. He suddenly had an even better idea. "And if I win?"
Xiang Yu playfully tossed the coin purse, the jiggling of the coins soothing. "If you win, you can mention what you want."
Han Xin’s eyes met hers, a challenge sparking between them. "Deal," he said, his voice low and determined. "But you pick which game you want, just not a dice game."
Xiang Yu, who didn’t expect Han Xin to be this naïve, smiled with a sinister glint in his eye. "Even better. Don’t cry later when you lose." Just as he was about to leave his curiosity got the better of him. He had noticed the cut on Han Xin’s lip and from the looks of it, it was fresh.
"What happened to your lip?" he asked genuinely curious. Han Xin had been gone all day, maybe whatever this was, happened while he was there.
Han Xin’s muscles tensed visibly. The memory of her biting him flashed through his mind, igniting a spark of anger. She had the audacity to ask, yet she was the culprit. It was like getting beaten by a bully, and then they proceed to ask you what happened. "Respect my distance," he said coldly, stepping back as Xiang Yu moved closer to inspect the wound.
It was already too late. Having seen such a common injury on the courtesans after serving an enthusiastic inexperienced customer, Xiang Yu could easily recognise it.