I'm competing with the male lead for a woman[GL]

Chapter 148: Do you think I am beautiful?

Chu Shao gazed at the sunset hanging between the sky and the peaks through the window lattice of the room. If it were any other day, she wouldn't have paid attention to how time silently changed the colors of the sky, as such things were too ordinary to catch her interest.

But today, with Xiao Jin not by her side, Chu Shao, unusually, had the leisure to look at that patch of sky. She observed how the sunset struggled boringly, putting up futile resistance, only to achieve the most exquisite beauty in the last moments before dying.

Chu Shao used to think that both people and things were only truly captivating when they were on the verge of death, about to turn into ashes—a kind of beauty that was broken, filled with torment, and etched into one's memory.

But now, as she watched the sunset wavering between life and death, she furrowed her brows.

Because Xiao Jin was not here, it seemed that she had temporarily lost interest in patiently watching.

On the contrary, a different emotion arose within Chu Shao. Based on her self-awareness, she figured it was probably irritation. However, it was alright; it was just a minor annoyance.

However, Yin Zhu, who stayed in the room with Chu Shao, was not doing well at all. She watched as the Princess admired the hazy dusk and absentmindedly picked up the nameless sword hanging on the wall, playing with it casually in her hand.

The slender and fair fingers gripping the hilt, and the smile on her lips, were extremely graceful. Yet, that hand that seemed incapable of lifting heavy objects effortlessly drew out the silver sword from its sheath, producing a crisp and pleasant ring.

"Zheng—"

Hearing this sword ring, Yin Zhu's heart trembled, and she didn't dare to take a breath.

Chu Shao, as the instigator, didn't lower her head to look at the nameless sword in her hand. She continued to admire the sunset at the Dali Temple with a smile.

After a while, she gently asked, "Is Her Highness still discussing important matters with Princess Zhao Yang?"

Replying truthfully, Yin Zhu said, "According to Your Highness's orders, this servant only escorted you to the room. As for other matters... this servant is truly unaware."

Yin Zhu spoke the truth, yet for some reason, even though she was speaking the truth in front of Chu Shao, she still felt a sense of trepidation.

"I see." Chu Shao responded and continued playing with the sword.

In her hand, this peerless famous sword seemed like a somewhat unsatisfactory toy.

Sometimes she unsheathed it, and sometimes she returned it to its sheath, all at the whim of Chu Shao's thoughts.

After several repetitions, it finally settled in a half-unsheathed state.

Through the engraved silver-blue patterns on the blade, Chu Shao saw her own face and the deliberately lifted curve of her lips.

She stared at that face for a long time, slightly tilted her head, and asked Yin Zhu beside her, "Do you think I am beautiful?"

Yin Zhu froze.

After a moment of daze, she finally gave an affirmative answer, "Princess, of course, you are beautiful."

"How beautiful am I?" Chu Shao asked again.

Yin Zhu honestly said, "Princess, you are the most beautiful person I have seen in over twenty years of serving."

Chu Shao stared at her reflection in the curved surface of the sword, still frowning.