I am born a beauty, and I am supreme

Chapter 9

"Hmph..." Hearing his own displeased voice and sensing the surprised looks of the eunuchs around him, the emperor finally realized: What am I doing? Why did I suddenly...?

He paused, taken aback.

Just then, in the Golden Palace, someone who had been standing motionless next to Le Yan suddenly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the newly appointed top scholar was late for his first audience with the Emperor and did not offer any apology. I beg Your Majesty to punish him!"

Chu Zhen.

The emperor's gaze shifted, and he understood slightly: Haha, it seems that there are quite a few people who, like me, don't quite like this new top scholar.

The First-Class Duke clasped his hands in a fist salute, showing neither anger nor displeasure, his face devoid of any expression.

Upon hearing this, Le Yan turned her head and looked at the first-rank minister who was so close to her.

After Chu Zhen finished speaking, he turned his head slightly and looked over.

Their eyes met.

Both of them felt a surge of emotion welling up inside them, as if a powerful force had struck their tender hearts.

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Chu Zhen's handwritten note:

"In the fourth year of the Chengjia era, a certain person won the title of the top martial arts champion. The next day, he was late to the Golden Palace to meet the emperor. When he arrived, he was dressed in red and holding a folding fan, which displeased people."

On that day, Chu Zhen met her for the first time.

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Chapter Seven: Stunning

Tang Leyan first noticed Chu Zhen at the Golden Palace, where Chu Zhen was late because she had fallen asleep.

Just as the radiant emperor before him seemed to have almost forgotten that he was late, an uninvited guest suddenly appeared beside him, making a discordant noise.

Le Yan then turned her head to look at her.

Just then, that person turned around to look at her.

For some reason, when she met this person's gaze, Le Yan felt a stinging pain in her eyes.

It felt like something had hit my heart, and it hurt a little.

What a strange feeling.

However, she had strong self-control. Although she frowned slightly, she quickly readjusted to her original calm and composed state.

Ignore him, ignore him! A voice inside my head cried out.

But the question involuntarily slipped out: "Who is this gentleman...?"

She noticed that the seemingly young boy's brows furrowed, a discovery that struck her as odd. But he said in a deep voice, "Chu Zhen."

——Chu Zhen.

Two words: pure and innocent, simple and unadorned.

Tang Leyan really wanted to shout, "It's so famous! It's so famous!"

Whether in Shundu or back at home, the name Chu Zhen is truly outstanding.

When Daddy and Mommy argued, he would often say sourly, "I knew you were especially good to that boy, hmph, hmph."

The Empress was furious: "So what if I'm good to Chu Zhen? He's good to me too!"

Then……

The ending was utterly tragic.

Of course, the one who screamed the loudest was mercilessly overwhelmed.

Then came a whole night of... tossing and turning. Daddy is truly incredibly brave. I'm impressed.

Tang Leyan couldn't help but smile.

In the imperial palace, she suddenly thought of the two people at home.

I wonder if they've been arguing lately, or if their affection remains as strong as ever?

and……

In that instant, Tang Leyan thought to herself: Your Majesty, do you know that I have already seen him... and also that "Chu Zhen".

But Your Majesty, are you sure you're saying he was about my age back then?

Why do I still feel that... he's about my age?

And surprisingly... how should I put it, she's not bad looking, um, I don't admit I'm jealous, absolutely not, but... could this be the legendary natural beauty?

And then there's the one on the throne... just as you said.

Two words: Stunning!

Haha, I'm so happy. I might as well stay here and never leave.

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"That Chu Zhen" is right in front of me.

The little boy's expression changed drastically as he watched.

He even smiled. Though it was just a soft chuckle. Chu Zhen swore she had never seen anyone smile so beautifully before.

Chu Zhen began to re-examine the person in front of him.

The tenderness contained in that smile was so intense that it made him wary.

Noticing two cold gazes shooting at her from the side, Tang Leyan suddenly woke up: Oh dear, this is the Golden Palace, I should have chosen a more suitable place for my zodiac sign!

"I have long admired Lord Chu's reputation; I am truly impressed."

Tang Leyan cupped her hands in a gesture of respect.

In truth, she thought to herself: "I have long admired Lord Chu's beauty and I am naturally impressed by your grace. It would be even better if you could teach me the secrets of beauty preservation someday."

"I wouldn't presume to offer such admiration," Chu Zhen said, his gaze sharp as he stared at the man who remained unfazed by the smile. He pressed on relentlessly, "I wonder if the newly appointed top scholar has any explanation for his lateness?"

Tang Leyan lowered her eyelids: Are you deliberately trying to pick a fight?

So she smiled and said, "This... Le Yan is very sorry, it's just..."

Before he could finish speaking, another voice said unhappily, "Is the new top scholar overslept again?" The voice was loud and full of energy; I had never heard it before.

LOL.

Who knows me so well?

Tang Leyan turned around and met Chu Gexun's unusually smiling face.

The other person, with their head slightly bowed, stepped out of the line.

Tang Leyan is in the middle, Chu Zhen is on her left, and Chu Gexun is on her right.

Now, a three-way balance of power has been established.

The three exchanged glances, and the air seemed to freeze for a moment.

The civil and military officials watched this scene without showing any emotion. The deep resentment they had felt towards the late top scholar vanished without them realizing it, replaced by an excited and thrilled feeling of watching the spectacle.

Who says courtiers don't gossip?

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The emperor watched this scene from his high vantage point.

I thought to myself, this newly crowned champion is really lovable.

In such a short period of time, Chu Zhen and Chu Gexun were both disgusted with each other.

But this is the Imperial Palace after all. If these people cause trouble, won't it be me who has to step in and mediate in the end?

Tang Shaoxuan sighed and was about to speak.

At the entrance of the Golden Palace, a cold yet gentle voice suddenly rang out: "The newly appointed top scholar certainly has quite the airs! On his first audience with the Emperor, he dares to keep His Majesty and all the officials waiting for so long. Does he think our laws are not strict enough and the swords and axes at the Meridian Gate are not sharp enough?!"

The voice was arrogant and rude, carrying a distinctly swaggering murderous intent.

Upon hearing this voice, all the civil and military officials in the court involuntarily shrank back, yet their hearts grew even more excited: what a spectacle!

Chu Zhen frowned slightly.

A smile appeared on Chu Gexun's face.

In the silence, a tall, slender figure took a long stride, flicked his robe at the side of his leg, and stepped into the high threshold of the Golden Palace in black boots.

A face flashed briefly in the sunlight at the doorway.

Blue robe, black boots, black belt around the waist. It was a slightly slender face with long, narrow eyes and long, curled eyelashes. The corners of her eyes curved slightly, giving her a look that was both aloof and indifferent. The tips of her eyes had a faint pink tinge, making them look like a lightly stained peach petal.

His eyes flashed and landed directly on the person dressed in bright red in the center of the Golden Palace.

His gaze was naturally dreamy, as if he were drunk but not quite.

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Chapter Eight: Song

A pair of eyes, naturally dreamy, seemingly intoxicated yet not so.

Peach blossom eyes stared straight at the person dressed in bright red in the center of the Golden Palace.

This is really going to be interesting.

On his throne, the supreme ruler had no choice but to speak, saying, "Commander of the Nine Gates, you must not threaten the newly appointed top scholar."

“Your Majesty!” the man replied, but continued walking forward.

Chu Ge Xun, Tang Le Yan, and Chu Zhen turned around to look.

Chu Ge Xun noticed that Tang Le Yan turned around and her expression darkened when she saw Chu Ge Xing.

Upon seeing this, General Huwei was overjoyed.

Meanwhile, the man said, “I heard that the civil and military officials and Your Majesty have been waiting for a long time, but the newly appointed top scholar has been putting on airs and not showing up. I was so angry that I did this. I apologize.” He strode over to Chu Gexun, Tang Leyan and Chu Zhen, clasped his hands together, knelt on one knee, but kept his upper body straight.

"No need for formalities. I know you are loyal and devoted. There is no need for such grand gestures. ... Quickly help up the Commander of the Nine Gates."

Immediately, eunuchs from both sides stepped forward and helped the Commander of the Nine Gates to his feet.