Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT) novel Chapter 143

Chapter 143: "The resemblance is uncanny."

Xiang Yu arrived at the grand doors of the opulent palace. The head eunuch, with a voice that echoed through the marble halls, announced, "Your Majesty, Princess Xiu has arrived." The emperor, seated on his gilded throne, beckoned them inside with a wave of his hand. _{freewёbnoνel.com}

Xiang Yu entered, his beauty and imposing aura unmistakable. He moved with a grace and elegance that commanded attention. As he approached the throne, he kowtowed deeply before the emperor. The emperor’s eyes narrowed as he scrutinized her figure, searching for any sign that this was not his estranged daughter who had arrived just a day earlier.

"Come closer, child. Let me see you," the emperor commanded, his voice laced with curiosity and suspicion. He was curious as to what sorcery they used to create such an uncanny resemblance. If he didn’t know better, he would think the deposed empress had given birth to identical twins.

Xiang Yu rose with the poise of royalty and stepped forward. The old emperor studied her intently, his eyes filled with a mix of doubt and intrigue. He reached out and touched her face, his fingers tracing the contours of her features. From a distance, Han Xin’s hand twitched, his instinct to protect Yu Yu overwhelming.

He didn’t want anyone, not even the emperor to touch his beloved. But before he could move his cousin gripped his arm firmly, warning him to stay calm. Han Xin’s veins throbbed with suppressed anger as he forced himself to remain still.

Xiang Yu sensed the tension but remained composed, his mind prepared for anything. He smiled at the emperor, a gesture that seemed to momentarily disarm him. Just as he was about to speak, a palace guard burst into the room, breathless and alarmed.

"Your Majesty, outside the capital gates, an entire army from Zhen country has arrived with their banners raised!" he shouted.

Han Xin’s brows furrowed as he glanced at Yu Yu, the room erupting into gasps from the maidservants and eunuchs. His hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his sword, ready for any sudden move from her. If she made a move on the emperor, he would disarm her and take her away. He would have to fake her death if he had to. But he watched as Yu Yu stepped back, making no attempt to harm the emperor. The old emperor’s brows knitted together in confusion and suspicion.

Before he could question her further, the real Princess Xiu appeared at the entrance, her voice ringing with authority. "Arrest that imposter!" she commanded.

Several palace guards rushed forward, pinning Xiang Yu to the ground. But Xiang Yu’s eyes were not on the emperor or Peng Xiu. They were locked onto Han Xin. Han Xin’s grip tightened on his sword unwilling to see the love of his life trampled upon. His foot inched forward, but he saw her shake her head slightly, silently telling him to stand down. Reluctantly, Han Xin loosened his grip, and she smiled at him, a gesture of reassurance.

Peng Xiu noticed the exchange and felt a pang of jealousy, her eyes narrowing as she signalled to a palace guard. The guard stepped forward and punched Xiang Yu in the face, knocking him out cold. Han Xin’s chest heaved with suppressed rage, his anger seething beneath the surface as he was forced to hold back, his eyes never leaving his beloved’s unconscious form.

After Xiang Yu was dragged out of the hall, the emperor’s voice boomed through the chamber, summoning Han Xin. "General Han, step forward! How is the Zhen army right at our doorstep?! How could you let this happen?!" he commanded, his tone sharp and unforgiving.