Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)
Chapter 86: What was your motive?

Chapter 86: What was your motive?

Xiang Yu struggled, his movements fierce. He didn’t know what this man ate today making him this brazen. He hadn’t laid eyes on Han Xin for a few days and this ugly bastard had turned manic. He finally wrenched himself free, his voice rising in anger. "What the hell are you doing? ... What? Did you take the wrong medicine?"

Han Xin’s aura was overpowering, his presence almost suffocating. It was just as overbearing as the moment they first met. "Is this what you do?" he asked, his voice low and accusing. "Write letters to men while peeping on others? Why are you so frivolous?"

Xiang Yu, "..." Who was this asshole calling a peeping tom? He was not going to allow that pot to fall over his head. He was not a pervert. Xiang Yu was about to defend himself when he recalled who he was disguised as. This wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. This was what he wanted, to ruin Peng Xiu’s reputation and scar this man for life.

He suddenly laughed bitterly before his expression hardened. "And what does it matter to you, General? Are you my father? No. Are you my brother? No. So why do you care who I watch? Leave me the hell alone."

He turned on his heel and stormed away in a rage. Han Xin was lucky that the old man instructed him not to kill him, otherwise, he would have done it right here. Xiang Yu was generous enough to walk away but Han Xin was not appreciative. He relentlessly followed close behind unwilling to let it go. "Then why," he demanded, "for years did you send me letters telling me you admire me, that you love me? What was your motive?"

Xiang Yu’s steps faltered, his brow arching in surprise. He turned to face him only to almost bump into him. Han Xin’s brows furrowed as he took a step back but Xiang Yu grabbed his lapel and pulled him closer. Han Xin’s expression remained stern, but his heart pounded in his chest, the scent of plumeria intense. He wanted to pull away from her but he was curious to see what she wanted to do.

Xiang Yu took everything he had learnt from the brothel and smiled coyly, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Do you really want to know what is my motive?... It was actually quite simple," he said, his voice soft but firm. "I wanted to marry the most powerful general in Yige so he could help me take revenge for my mother. That person turned out to be you but after years of writing you letters you never responded."

His fingers stopped playing with the fabric of Han Xin’s lapel, and he pushed him away, his demeanour shifting to one of indifference. "So why should I hang myself on this one tree? I don’t like you anymore. What’s wrong with me moving on? Jun De looks quite good... he would probably make a good husband."

Han Xin’s jaw tightened, but he kept his composure. He had expected that her reasons for pursuing him were along those lines, but hearing her say it still pissed him off. It was unreasonable to think that she would genuinely fall in love with someone she had never met.

It was all to lure him into marriage and use him to get what she wanted. He couldn’t help but wonder if that was what she did to Xiang Yu. She made him think that she loved him, but when he came to find her, she played the victim. This was a very important piece of the puzzle but it wasn’t the one to complete the entire picture.

"If that’s the case then I should give you back something that you sent me," he said, his voice low and controlled. Without another word, he turned and led the way, the tension between them thick and palpable.

Xiang Yu was a little confused by what Han Xin meant by "something that she sent him," but he was quite curious. He wanted to know what Peng Xiu was sending Han Xin and how different it was from what she was sending the original Xiang Yu.

He followed him back to the camp wondering if she was more poetic with the general. She probably kissed his feet and told him he was the love of her life. When they reached the camp, Han Xin climbed into his carriage.

Xiang Yu followed behind him but Han Xin turned back and told him to wait outside. Xiang Yu wanted to refuse. He was curious to see inside the great general’s carriage but he didn’t push it. He smirked before stepping back. "Okay, don’t make me wait for long," he said and walked away.

Han Xin bit his lower lip staring at her for a moment before turning into the carriage to look for the velvet box. He needed to keep all the letters as evidence thus he only picked one in particular. The envelope was even thicker than the others. Inside was not only a letter but an inappropriate portrait.

Xiang Yu leaned against the carriage, his leg pressed carelessly against the wheel waiting for Han Xin to come out. After some time, Han Xin emerged, holding a letter with its seal broken. He handed it to her while saying, "Here, take it."

"What is this?" Xiang Yu asked as she began to open it.

Recalling what was inside, Han Xin had to stop her. "Not here," he said firmly.

Xiang Yu took a step away, just in case he tried to take the letter from him. He unfolded it and found a letter Peng Xiu had written to Han Xin, along with a portrait of herself. His brow arched in interest as he stared at the sensual portrait of Peng Xiu.

Wow, the crown prince got a simple portrait showing not even a little skin but the general got an erotic one. All the key parts were covered but her ankles, cleavage and belly were all out for the general’s enjoyment. Her pose was alluring and her gaze enchanting. This portrait reminded him of the portrait books of the women in the brothel that he was forced to sell in the streets by the madam to lure more customers.

"You should stop sending such portraits to men," Han Xin said his tone stern. "It’s very inappropriate and it will affect your reputation."

He was seriously educating her, but Xiang Yu was busy glancing at the portrait, noting the exaggerated depiction of Peng Xiu’s chest. He then looked down at himself and swore under his breath. When he raised his head, he was startled, having met Han Xin’s scrutinising gaze.

"Yes yes, it’s inappropriate. General Han is such a gentleman," he said, turning to walk away. His hair whipped in the air, leaving behind the sweet scent of plumeria.