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Le Yan glanced at Chu Zhen, who was looking at her with concern.

Le Yan said, "Of course not. It's just that before I came to Shundu, I stayed in Danning for a while and heard some things."

What did you hear?

Tang Leyan smiled and said, "I have heard that His Highness the Crown Prince of Danning Kingdom is exceptionally handsome and is known as the 'Fine Tree of Ningdu.' He is a man of exceptional talent and elegance, and I once passed through Ningdu and heard on the street that women in Ningdu would wait patiently for three days in front of the Crown Prince's residence just to catch a glimpse of him."

Princess Yinyue was somewhat fascinated by the solemnity of the woman's words. She was slightly stunned but dared not believe her completely. She asked with a cold laugh, "Is what you're saying true? I'm afraid you're just making up lies to fool me."

“Oh dear, how could that be?” Tang Leyan said, “Actually, I didn’t believe it at first either. After all, who in this world can compare to me, so handsome and dashing… But that day, when the Emperor and Crown Prince were on tour, I caught a glimpse of them in the crowd…” She sniffed.

"What's wrong?" Princess Yinyue couldn't help but be moved.

"It's better not to talk about it; it's truly heartbreaking."

"Hurry up and continue!"

"Well... cough." Tang Leyan said, "Just as everyone says, her skin is as white as snow, her eyebrows and eyes are like paintings, and she also has an air of wealth and nobility. She is truly the envy of everyone."

"Is she really born beautiful? What does she look like?" Yin Yue asked.

"Yes, of course. There are few others in this world who can compare to her. Although she is on par with me, she is still..." He paused slightly and said, "She is much more beautiful and imposing than the Nine Gates Admiral."

"Really?" Yin Yue glared at her. "You look shifty-eyed. You're always talking nonsense. So, how does that person compare to A-Zhen?"

Tang Leyan glanced at Chu Zhen beside her, and thought he was getting more and more handsome... She replied, "Uh, almost."

"Compared to my brother, the emperor?"

"She is beautiful, but naturally she cannot compare to His Majesty's innate elegance."

"Those two sentences are fine, but humph, I heard that Xiao Di, who serves the Emperor, used to be one of your men. I think this kid is quite good. Tell me, how does he compare to this kid?"

"They're evenly matched," Tang Leyan said.

Yin Yue looked at her, a smile spreading across her face. Images of Chu Zhen, Chu Gexing, Xiao Di, and the Emperor flashed through her mind, finally forming a general impression of a handsome man. She nodded, then thought for a moment and said, "Hmm, that's more believable now. I'll believe you for now. If I married an ugly man, I'd cry my eyes out. If he's this kind of person, it's somewhat comforting. However, who knows if he's all show and no substance? Well then, Guard Yue, what you've said makes perfect sense. You'll come with me on this marriage alliance."

"Huh?" Le Yan looked at Princess Yin Yue in surprise, feeling as if a thunderbolt had struck her ear.

Chu Zhen glanced at her, thinking that this was just asking for trouble. She quickly tried to explain, "That's not right. Le Yan has been dismissed by the Emperor and has no position whatsoever. He's just a minor official in my Military Affairs Bureau. Even if she wanted to go, she couldn't. Don't worry, Yin Yue, the person who will accompany you is someone carefully selected."

Unexpectedly, Yin Yue glanced at him and said, "No need, Zhen. I just want him to come with me. Since Le Yan's explanation sounds so convincing, he has to be my witness. If that person is a scoundrel or truly corrupt, he must be responsible for bringing me back!"

Chu Zhen frowned: "These are childish words. You can't say these things to anyone again. The position of the bestowed marriage envoy is no ordinary one. It's not a game. The emperor will naturally make the selection and screening. How can you just say who should go? Besides, Le Yan is not suitable."

“This is my marriage, of course I have the right to make the decision. Zhen, if you are not at ease, I will go and talk to my brother the emperor. I don’t believe he will not agree to my request.” Yin Yue was very stubborn.

Chu Zhen became anxious, and Tang Leyan reached out and covered his shoulder, saying, "Your Highness thinks highly of Leyan, and Leyan is extremely grateful. However, if it is not in accordance with etiquette, it is not in accordance with etiquette. Moreover, Leyan is impulsive and lacks a sense of propriety. She has made mistakes in the palace in the past. Your Highness's marriage is no ordinary matter. Of course, you should choose a reliable, trustworthy person with no bad records. Sending Leyan would probably damage Your Highness's reputation."

Chu Zhen nodded in agreement: "That's right."

“Then really—you’ll come with me.” Yin Yue’s gaze swept over Tang Leyan’s face, then looked at Chu Zhen, and finally said.

Before Chu Zhen could even speak, Le Yan said, "No way!"

Yin Yue, however, became leisurely, picked up the teacup that had luckily not broken, held it in her hand, and said slowly, "This won't work, that won't work, so how can we go? Fine, if you don't go, Le Yan, then let A Zhen go; if A Zhen doesn't go, then Le Yan will go. Hmph, if you both want to go together, fine, but in short, neither of you can go!"

These words were spoken with absolute certainty. Seeing that this unruly princess was so difficult to reason with, Le Yan was about to argue with her again when Chu Zhen reached out and held her hand, signaling her not to act rashly.

At this moment, Princess Yinyue slowly stood up, glanced at Leyan sideways, and said, "Leyan, have you thought it through? Hmph, I'll listen to your answer. Or rather, the peaceful relationship between Danning and Shundu depends on your decision. You'd better think it over carefully."

As she spoke, a palace maid came forward. Princess Yinyue placed her hand on the maid's hand, and finally gave the stunned Leyan a triumphant look before swaying her hips and gracefully entering the inner palace.

"Uncle Zhen, I don't want to go." After leaving Princess Yinyue's palace, Tang Leyan grabbed Chu Zhen's arm, her face full of worry, and pleaded bitterly.

"I know, I know, I will definitely find a way." Chu Zhen reached out and patted her shoulder.

“I don’t want to leave you,” she said, looking at him.

Chu Zhen looked at her sulky expression and her heart softened: "Good girl."

“It wouldn’t hurt if we went together.” She suddenly perked up, as if she had thought of something good.

Chu Zhen chuckled: "You're being childish. You know perfectly well that Shun can't live without me. That's absolutely impossible."

"Never mind then, fine, I don't want to leave either." She tensed up again, holding his arm tightly as if she would be blown away by a strong wind if she let go at any moment.

Chu Zhen looked at her face and recalled Yin Yue's words. He felt heavy-hearted. As he walked past the Emperor's Palace, he stopped and thought: I need to discuss this matter with His Majesty.

Dragon and Tiger Fight in the Capital Chapter 137: Burning Body

Tang Leyan waited for Chu Zhen outside the palace gate. For some reason, even though the emperor told her not to be reserved, she still didn't want to go in.

After a while, while she was getting bored, someone slowly walked out. She thought it was Chu Zhen and was about to speak when she met Xiao Di's lazy expression.

"Hey, why did you come out?" Leyan asked.

"Can't I come out for some fresh air?" Xiao Di snorted.

"No, no..." she said, glancing inside, and asked, "How did the talks go in there?"

"I came here precisely for this matter. Does the princess want you to be the marriage envoy?" Xiao Di asked.

"Who knows what that unruly princess is up to now, or maybe she's taken a liking to me because I'm too dashing. Who knows, it might backfire on her."

Xiao Di frowned at her: "I knew it. You must have done something to anger the princess again, right?"

Tang Leyan thought to herself that Xiao Di was really smart. Although he wasn't there, he guessed pretty much right. So she smiled awkwardly and said, "Not at all, I was just trying to help the Grand Secretary out of an awkward situation."

"I think you're not trying to help us out, you're trying to cause trouble."

"Why do you say that?" she asked, puzzled.

"The Grand Secretary is currently inside arguing with the Emperor. The Emperor has agreed to the Princess's request, but the Grand Secretary is strongly opposing it. Don't you think that's causing trouble?" Xiao Di snorted coldly.

Le Yan was stunned for a moment: "Is that so?"

"Um."

Le Yan remained silent. Xiao Di looked at her: "You...you...sigh." In the end, he didn't say what he wanted to say, and it turned into a sigh.

Le Yan forced a smile: "What's wrong? You look unhappy. Do you have any suggestions?"

"My advice is... I hope you won't let your concern cloud your judgment."

"I am never chaotic."

"Whether it's chaotic or not, only you know. Hmph." Xiao Di turned his head. "It seems the conversation is over. I'm going back. Take care of yourself." He glanced at her again before returning to the Imperial Study.

As Le Yan watched him walk in, a strange feeling welled up in her heart.

Xiao Di is probably just concerned about himself.

Concern breeds confusion, that's certainly true. Who would have thought that someone as intelligent as her could do something so well-intentioned as to backfire? She listened to the heavy footsteps slowly disappearing from the imperial study. Sigh, what should she do now?

Leyan followed Chu Zhen back to the Zhongtang Mansion. All the way, Leyan wanted to ask about the outcome of the conversation, but Chu Zhen remained silent.

She was somewhat unhappy, not because she didn't want to go on the mission, but because in the past she would have rushed there long ago, since it was just a game anyway.

But now, I really don't want to leave Shundu, and I don't want to leave the person beside me.

She was filled with worry, and not wanting Chu Zhen to notice, she ran to the corridor. Alone, she took a deep breath in the empty courtyard.

Only after feeling better did Chu Zhen return, pen in hand, seemingly hesitant and unsure of what to write.

Le Yan looked at him, thinking that if he didn't bring it up, she shouldn't either, to avoid bothering him.

After thinking for a moment, she snuggled up to him, leaning against his back. "What are you thinking about?"

Chu Zhen tilted her head and saw her leaning against her: "It's nothing... Is Le Yan worried?"

“No…” Le Yan said sullenly when he finally asked, “It’s not that I’m afraid of going on a mission… If you’re really troubled and can’t find a solution, I can still go.”

Hearing her say that, Chu Zhen was touched and turned slightly to look at her: "Le Yan, I know this has been difficult for you..."

Hearing his tone, Le Yan knew he really had no way to change Yin Yue's mind. Looking at his face, so innocent and clueless, her heart ached, and her eyes couldn't help but redden.

Chu Zhen saw that although she didn't speak, she looked pitiful, and her eyes were red. She was clearly very wronged, but she was still holding back. Chu Zhen felt even more sorry for her and reached out to take her hand: "Le Yan, don't worry, I will think of another way. If all else fails, I will ask the Emperor to issue an order to allow me to go as well."

Hearing him say this, Le Yan felt slightly relieved. This was the biggest concession Chu Zhen could make, and the maximum he could do. Although she knew it was impossible for him to leave, she was already gratified to receive such a remark from him.

"It's okay, don't worry, and don't get upset about it. Don't worry, if you really want me to go, I'll go. Anyway, it won't take a year or two, at most a month or so..." As she said this, the thought of being separated from him for ten days or half a month made her heart ache again, but Chu Zhen was unaware of this.

Chu Zhen looked at her, hesitant to speak, and assumed that she was just a little girl who didn't want to do such a thing. Helpless, he gently reached out and hugged her waist: "Le Yan, be good."

Le Yan sniffled, reached out and hugged his shoulder, leaning against him. For a moment, she felt a mix of joy and sorrow, unsure of what to say.

Chu Zhen sat in the chair, but she stood beside him. She looked down at his face and liked it more and more the more she looked at it. But the thought of leaving him made her sad. It was like water and fire mingling, making contradictory sounds. It was really painful.

The room fell silent for a moment until she let go of his hand and said, "Uncle Zhen, I'm fine now. I'm going out for a bit."

Thinking that if things continued like this, she was afraid she would burst into tears, so she took advantage of his lack of reaction and ran outside.

Not long after Le Yan left, Chu Zhen frowned and thought for a long time at the table, finally coming up with an important idea.

Why does Leyan dislike leaving Shundu so much, and why does she look at me with such reluctance, with a shy and hesitant air about her?

After much thought, Chu Zhen finally came up with a key idea: Could this matter have originated from Chu Gexing?

Thinking of his nephew, Chu Zhen glanced at the sky outside and, feeling it was still early, got up and ordered a sedan chair to be prepared. He wanted to go to the Nine Gates Commander's Mansion.

Le Yan naturally seized the opportunity to squeeze in next to him, and he, feeling guilty, let her do as she pleased.

She smiled sweetly the whole way, teasing him or sharing her past experiences, while he just smiled and listened quietly.

For over a decade, no one had been so noisy in his ear, giving Chu Zhen the illusion that he already had a house full of children and grandchildren sitting on his knees.

When the two arrived at the Nine Gates Admiral's Mansion, they found it desolate and the servants looked somewhat panicked. Someone came forward, and Chu Zhen asked where Chu Gexing and Chu Gexun were, but no one could answer. Finally, Le Yan became impatient and grabbed someone to interrogate them. The person replied that the master had left early in the morning and no one knew where he had gone. The second master had waited for a long time and, out of concern, had also gone out to search for him. However, before leaving, the second master had instructed that no one was allowed to leak the news.

Upon hearing this, Chu Zhen's eyes flickered uncertainly. Le Yan, watching from the side, knew that he was worried, but she couldn't say anything. Chu Gexing's affairs were to be handled by Chu Gexun; all she had to do was stay by his side.

Chu Zhen waited in the hall for a long time, but no one returned. He became more anxious and tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

Looking at his concerned and anxious expression, Le Yan finally felt uneasy and thought for a moment before saying, "Uncle Zhen, you don't need to worry so much. Chu Gexing will be fine."

Chu Zhen glanced at her and asked, "Le Yan, do you really think so?"

Le Yan disagreed, saying, "Of course! That guy is as tough as a cockroach, an absolutely difficult person to deal with. As long as he doesn't harm others, why would he be harmed by others?"

Chu Zhen paused for a moment after hearing what she said, then said seriously, "Le Yan, I think you've misunderstood Ge Xing. He's not the kind of person you're describing."

Le Yan sneered, "Then who is he? Uncle Zhen, don't say he's the kind of person who's as kind as a little white rabbit." She then burst into laughter, finding the analogy utterly ridiculous.

Chu Zhen didn't laugh at all: "Le Yan, I thought... you and Ge Xing would understand each other, but it seems you have quite a misunderstanding about him."

"It's a misunderstanding. This is just hard-earned experience," Le Yan said.

She took it completely seriously. Chu Zhen, however, thought it was just playful bickering between lovers, and after thinking for a moment, said, "Actually, Ge Xing's background is quite pitiful."