Hongmen was small, more like a village than a town, and even smaller in the late Qin era, with only a sparse population.
Roy led Liu Ji by the hand into Hongmen, arriving at the largest estate commandeered by the Chu army.
At a glance, Liu Ji and Zhang Liang saw that Hongmen had practically become a military camp. The Chu forces had occupied the entire area, with soldiers even quartered in civilian homes. Yet, judging by the expressions of the few remaining residents, they seemed positively delighted, showing no resentment at having their homes taken over.
This observation sent a chill down Zhang Liang's spine. Since rising to prominence, the Overlord of Western Chu had been known for his brutality—burying Qin soldiers alive, slaughtering entire cities—earning a reputation as a demon king who inspired fear and silent fury. But now, it seemed that while the Overlord was merciless to his enemies, he treated commoners with kindness. The joy in the eyes of Hongmen's residents suggested that despite the occupation, the Chu army had compensated them handsomely, hence their excitement.
Their expressions mirrored those of modern city dwellers celebrating a lucrative demolition and relocation payout.
Zhang Liang grew even more wary of Roy, but Liu Ji remained calm, unfazed by the scene.
Having spent so much time with Roy, she knew well that beneath his outwardly ruthless demeanor lay no true cruelty. He sympathized deeply with the suffering of commoners in these turbulent times, once lamenting, "Prosperity brings hardship to the people; collapse brings hardship to the people." How could such a man truly be a demon?
In fact, many of his seemingly brutal actions were calculated to bolster Liu Ji's own cause.
To this day, Liu Ji still didn't understand why Roy would do such a thing—practically offering the entire world to her—but she was deeply moved nonetheless. What could be more romantic than presenting a kingdom as a betrothal gift?
Because of this, she cherished him even more, convinced that he must be harboring some unspeakable pain in his heart to have done something so seemingly irrational. She longed to embrace him, to let him rest in her arms while she gently stroked his head to comfort him and listen to his troubles.
"King of Han, please take a seat."
Entering the residence, Roy led Liu Ji by the hand to the table, where they sat facing each other.
"Hongmen is a remote place, and there isn't much of value here. I had some fine ingredients rushed over from a nearby major city. I hope you won't find this hospitality lacking."
"Even the simplest fare would be a feast to me when hosted by the Hegemon King," Liu Ji replied politely. With so many people around, she couldn't speak more intimately. Seeing Zhang Liang, Xiao He, and Fan Kuai by her side, along with numerous Chu soldiers in the vicinity, she felt a pang of regret. She wished all of them would leave the residence so she could have the place to herself and Roy.
Hmm? Wait—Xiao He hadn't come in and was waiting outside. At this realization, Liu Ji's opinion of Xiao He improved; she thought him quite considerate.
"Haha! It hasn't been that long since we last met, King of Han. Why so formal? This refined speech doesn't sound like you at all."
Roy laughed heartily and clapped his hands. Immediately, a group of beautiful maids entered, carrying an array of exquisite dishes.
Though Roy had no personal attendants due to Yu Ji's presence, he had still assembled a team of maids who remained on standby, ready to serve when needed.
'It's not that I'm being polite—it's just that there are too many people here. If we were alone, I... I wouldn't mind sitting in your lap.'
Liu Ji muttered inwardly, her fair, jade-like cheeks flushing at the thought. She didn't understand why she was suddenly feeling so... spring-like.
Seeing the beautiful maids enter, Liu Ji's heart stirred, and she asked, seemingly offhandedly, "...Where is Lady Yu? And I heard the Hegemon King has also acquired another peerless beauty called 'Jade Beauty.' Truly, your fortune in love knows no bounds."
Her words stemmed from a twinge of jealousy, but to others, they sounded audacious beyond belief. Zhang Liang nearly dropped to his knees in fright, his heart pounding. Only now did he truly believe the rumors that the King of Han had once been a rogue from Pei County. Asking a man about the whereabouts of his concubines right to his face—what was she implying? Was she trying to cuckold him?!
And the man she was addressing was none other than the Hegemon King of Western Chu. If Roy were to fly into a rage and cut her down with his sword the next second, Zhang Liang would have thought she deserved it.
Zhang Liang inwardly lamented his misfortune.
Had Liu Ji been a man, Roy might have refrained from killing her for the sake of greater plans—but he certainly would have sought revenge by cuckolding her in return. However, knowing Liu Ji was a woman, Roy could easily recognize this as the jealousy of the future Empress Gaozu.
Roy certainly wouldn't be angry about a woman being jealous for him. With a hearty laugh, he said, "...The King of Han also knows my beloved wife dislikes noise and prefers tranquility. She's currently in the rear courtyard. As for the 'Jade Beauty,' how about we have her perform a dance for the King of Han after we've had three rounds of drinks?"
Liu Ji wasn't listening to any of this at the moment. Her mind was in a daze, completely occupied by the two words "beloved wife" from Roy's mouth and the tenderness in his voice when he mentioned Yu Ji.
At this moment, Liu Ji made a firm resolution. Originally just an idle ruffian from Pei County who wanted to muddle through what remained of her life drinking and amusing herself, occasionally teasing widows for fun—yet fate had played its tricks, placing her in this high position. Bearing the title of King of Han, having conquered the impregnable Qin heartland, she had grown considerably in the years since leaving Pei County...
Now, little remained of Liu Ji's former rogue demeanor. She had developed the bearing of a monarch and the aura of a hegemon. The cold authority of someone long accustomed to power was enough to make others tremble in fear.
'Since you won't submit, then I'll take you for myself. That's what you taught me.'
With this thought, Liu Ji felt much more at ease. Her beautiful eyes, fixed on Roy, now held determination. Suddenly, a realization dawned in her heart: "Under the vast heaven, all is the king's land; within the sea's bounds, all are the king's subjects."
If the entire realm belongs to me, doesn't that mean you belong to me too?
A seed of ambition took root in her heart, growing vigorously.
"Since the Overlord of Western Chu says so, Ji cannot refuse. Attendants!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
With a loud command and a flourish of her long sleeves, Liu Ji stood proud and spirited. Clad in fiery red robes, her brows naturally exuded majesty, while her phoenix eyes carried a dragon's might that made people prostrate and tremble.
This was genuine draconic majesty, not mere metaphor. Liu Ji possessed the bloodline of the Crimson Dragon. Roy even suspected that if she were to achieve Imaginary Ascension in the future and manifest as a Heroic Spirit, she might truly transform into the legendary Crimson Dragon through her own dragon veins.
This was not the evil symbol of Western dragons, but the sacred imperial authority of Eastern dragons.
Ever since Liu Ji breached the Hangu Pass and, in her Crimson Dragon form, slew the 0.9 Black Dragon of Qin, she had been poised to soar into the heavens.
Seeing Liu Ji no longer displaying girlish affectations in front of him, but gradually embodying the natural authority of a ruler—where her words became law, her decrees absolute, as if none in the world dared disobey—Roy found this a beauty entirely different from Yu Ji's. This was the true grace of an empress.
Roy's eyes brightened, and an unconscious smile of delight appeared at his lips. This founding emperor, Gaozu of Han, was truly dazzling, beautiful beyond dreams.
A Han soldier entered, kneeling before Liu Ji with a wooden box in his hands. Liu Ji gently took the box and walked over to Roy, placing it before him.
"This is meant as an offering to the Overlord of Western Chu!"
She lightly opened the box to reveal its contents—a flawless piece of jade, none other than the Imperial Seal crafted by Li Si under the First Emperor's orders!!