The anti-Qin rebellion had initially surged with overwhelming momentum. Everyone believed the Qin dynasty was doomed, yet no one expected its momentum to be abruptly severed at the most critical moment. Panic spread among the rebel leaders, many lying awake at night in fear.
Just as Roy had predicted, Xiang Liang's repeated victories had led him to underestimate the Qin army—until he finally tasted bitter defeat.
The massive Chu forces had alarmed Zhang Han, the Qin general then conquering Qi. However, as the campaign against Qi was at a crucial stage, Zhang Han initially ignored them. Once Qi fell, Zhang Han's army was freed to gather the main Qin forces at Dingtao, where they clashed with Xiang Liang's Chu troops.
It was said that Song Yi, former prime minister of Chu, had warned Lord Wuxin Xiang Liang: "The Qin army is formidable, while our Chu commanders grow arrogant from victories and our soldiers lax. Meanwhile, Qin reinforcements keep arriving—this is perilous. We should wait for General Xiang to bring reinforcements from Pengcheng before engaging."
The ex-prime minister had recognized Xiang Liang's hubris and hoped to remind him of their original purpose. Unfortunately, Xiang Liang, intoxicated by continuous victories—and further irritated when Song Yi mentioned Roy—angrily dispatched Song Yi on a dangerous mission to liaise with remnants of the defeated Qi resistance.
Song Yi, shrewd enough to realize that staying under Xiang Liang's command at Dingtao meant certain death, gladly accepted the risky assignment.
Though the Second Emperor of Qin was dissolute and incompetent, his conspiracy with Zhao Gao to murder all his siblings proved he wasn't entirely useless. Even Zhao Gao understood that unchecked rebellions threatened their rule. At Zhang Han's request, they deployed all available Qin forces to Dingtao, aiming to crush the largest rebel army—the Chu—in one decisive battle to stabilize the empire.
Zhang Han's overwhelming attack at Dingtao annihilated Xiang Liang's hastily assembled 200,000 troops. Xiang Liang himself perished in the battle, sending shockwaves across the land. The flames of rebellion that had swept through China showed signs of flickering out.
When Liu Ji received this news, she was so startled that she immediately dropped everything and rushed to Roy's general's mansion in Pengcheng.
Previously, she had sent troops to attack Chenliu, but unexpectedly, the city resisted so fiercely that it couldn't be taken quickly. At the time, Liu Ji found it strange—why wasn't Chenliu afraid of being massacred by Roy if the city fell? After all, the Qin army was stationed in Qi territory and couldn't possibly return to reinforce Chenliu.
It wasn't until news arrived of Xiang Liang's defeat and death that Liu Ji realized the defenders of Chenliu had received orders to fight to the last, making the city such a tough nut to crack.
When Liu Ji arrived at the general's residence, she was announced by the guards and entered the inner courtyard. Before she even reached the inner chambers, she heard the faint strains of music.
Though it was called "decadent music," it wasn't Roy indulging in a life of luxury with singing and dancing beauties. Liu Ji knew the zither was being played by Yu Meiren alone. In fact, aside from the guards outside, the entire vast estate housed only Roy and Yu Meiren.
Liu Ji felt a pang of envy—though she wasn't sure whether she envied Roy or Yu Meiren more.
Truthfully, she was a lazy person who preferred pleasure over duty. If given the choice, who would willingly rebel? Wouldn't it be far better to live like Roy, enjoying himself daily in his mansion, with a beauty in his arms?
But then she remembered Roy's words about righteousness for the realm and his concern for the people. At that thought, she felt this wasn't the time for indulgence—only after fulfilling this responsibility could she freely revel in song and dance.
She also envied Yu Ji. Though she seemed like a caged canary, Liu Ji knew she was actually free. And given Roy's status, it would be natural for him to have many concubines, yet he favored only Yu Ji. For an entire year, he hadn't touched another woman, spending all his free time by her side.
"Now that's true favor," Liu Ji sighed.
After a moment's thought, she removed the jade pendant from her waist and tucked it away. The strange, hazy sensation faded, revealing her true feminine form.
Since there was no one else in the Xiang residence anyway—and both Roy and Yu Ji already knew her real gender—Liu Ji didn't mind.
But whether that was truly the reason, she knew deep down she had some selfish motives.
Adjusting her collar to accentuate the full, snow-white curves of her bosom, Liu Ji nodded in satisfaction. She took two steps forward and called out in her distinctive, mature voice, "…Ji pays her respects to General Xiang!"
"If it's the Duke of Pei, come right in."
Hearing this, Liu Ji didn't hesitate and strode into the courtyard. Upon reflection, she realized she, too, enjoyed Roy's favor—after all, this inner courtyard was his private domain, forbidden to all, not even announced visitors. Only Liu Ji had the privilege to enter.
At this thought, her displeasure vanished, replaced by sheer delight.
Inside the courtyard, she saw Yu Meiren seated on a cushioned chair beneath a tree, her head bowed as she gently plucked the strings of a guzheng. Her jade-like features were delicate, her brows like distant mountains, exuding the misty charm of the Jiangnan region. Her fair hands danced lightly over the strings, producing melodies like murmuring streams. Under the sunlight, her flawless skin gleamed, and her bare feet were as pale as frost—so mesmerizing that even Liu Ji, a woman herself, couldn't help but swallow hard.
'No wonder the general always stares at Yu Meiren's beautiful feet. Even I can't help but want to caress them—Daji and Baosi were no different.'
With such thoughts running through her mind, Liu Ji glanced to the side and saw Roy leaning casually against a post. He held a jade cup in one hand, occasionally sipping fine wine, his demeanor effortlessly graceful. The sight made Liu Ji's heart flutter, yet his gaze wasn't directed at her—instead, it lingered on Yu Meiren, his eyes brimming with tender affection. A pang of bitterness and jealousy surged within her.
"General, how can you still indulge in pleasure at a time like this? Don't you know the world is in chaos?"
She spoke with righteous indignation. Normally, it was she who lounged lazily while her subordinates urged her with earnest words. Liu Ji never imagined she would one day be the one lecturing someone else this way.
Roy lifted his head and looked at Liu Ji. She wore a fiery red robe, her tall figure exuding a mix of languid charm and passionate intensity, showcasing the beauty of a woman in full bloom.
He smiled faintly. "...Why such words, Duke of Pei?"
"Lord Xiang has been killed by the Qin army at Dingtao!"
Liu Ji's expression was grave. She didn't believe Roy was unaware of this news.
"Hmm, I know. King Huai is already frightened and is rushing to Pengcheng."
Roy replied leisurely, his gaze fixed on her as he added calmly, "...The Qin empire is descending into its final chaos, but it will soon be over. Duke of Pei, let me ask you again—do you wish to become emperor?"