The Regent Keeps Flirting With Me - Chapter 12

Turning to look at the distracted Shen Lingyan, Zhou Jin found it a little funny and pulled her closer, asking softly what she was thinking. Shen Lingyan subconsciously pushed Zhou Jin away, her eyes full of vigilance.

“No… nothing… Let’s go back,” she said, bypassing Zhou Jin and walking forward. The summer evening breeze tousled her hair, and the dark hair at her temples looked beautiful in the golden light of the sunset. Zhou Jin was slightly lost in thought, and a little flustered inside—why had she suddenly become distant?

Thinking alone would not solve anything, so Zhou Jin shook her head and followed her. They walked side by side, but did not exchange another word. As soon as they returned to the sleeping quarters, Shen Lingyan sat alone, staring blankly at the menu for the Flower Viewing Banquet presented by the Imperial Household Department. These trivial matters should not have been brought to the Empress, but Shen Lingyan had her own small plan, so she insisted on reviewing every single detail of their work.

Her eyes were fixed on the menu, but her mind was elsewhere. After a long silence in the room, she finally asked Zhou Jin softly, “Can you eat spicy food?”

Zhou Jin was puzzled by the question. After pondering for a while, she answered truthfully, “I really can’t eat spicy food. Why do you ask?”

Zhou Jin looked over and saw Shen Lingyan directly picking up a brush and adding a few dishes to the menu, each starting with the phrase “spicy and numbing.”

Zhou Jin: …?

Looking at the childish Shen Lingyan, Zhou Jin was almost amused—was this the Empress’s little plan? Her heart wasn’t ruthless enough, it seemed.

Shen Lingyan completely failed to notice Zhou Jin’s gaze, immersed in her own world. She seemed to be imagining Zhou Jin crying tears from the spiciness. The more she thought about it, the funnier it became, and she couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Realizing Zhou Jin was nearby, she covered her mouth to stop herself.

Zhou Jin pretended not to hear, focusing intently on handling the matters concerning Tang Quan. The “white lotus” aura vanished completely, replaced by intense seriousness.

Shen Lingyan couldn’t smile when she thought of Tang Quan’s affair. Besides the bloody scenes, all she could see in her mind was Zhou Jin’s somber expression. She shook her head hard, deciding she needed to learn to handle state affairs herself as soon as possible and draw a clear line with this Zhou Jin.

So, she stopped researching the Flower Viewing Banquet. She had Yun zhu return the menu and picked up the memorials that Zhou Jin had used as templates to continue reading.

When Zhou Jin looked up from her work, Shen Lingyan had already re-annotated and approved all those memorials herself, without a single mistake.

“This…” Zhou Jin could not hide her surprise. This Empress looked a bit silly, so why was she so perceptive, understanding everything with just a hint?

Zhou Jin became increasingly interested in her, even wanting to understand her more deeply. Both of them had missed the dinner hour. Since it was getting late and neither had much appetite, Shen Lingyan told Yun zhu not to prepare any more food. She then pulled Zhou Jin out to the courtyard of the sleeping quarters.

Shen Lingyan turned to look at the plaque and finally realized the name of the place she had been living in for the past few days—Zhaohui Palace. The original “Chaohui” Morning Radiance had been changed to “Zhaohui” (Brilliant Radiance), which also had a unique charm.

In front of Zhaohui Palace, there was a long, covered walkway with a pavilion, complete with stone tables and stools. Flowers twined around the pillars of the walkway. The summer heat was made comfortable by the coolness here, but Shen Lingyan did not enter the pavilion to sit down. She asked Yunzhu to bring a small, exquisite water jar and place it in the center of the courtyard, which left Zhou Jin completely bewildered.

Shen Lingyan looked mysterious and beckoned Zhou Jin over. They both leaned in to look. Inside the water jar, they saw a single lotus flower and the reflection of the moon in the sky.

The lotus and the moon shone against each other, as if the lotus was vying with the moon for brilliance. For the first time, Zhou Jin felt that the moon, which appeared almost every night, could look so beautiful.

“This is the bright moon I want to give you,” Shen Lingyan smiled, her eyes crescent-shaped. Tonight’s moon was cooperating perfectly; it was a full moon. Zhou Jin turned her head to look at Shen Lingyan and said, “There are two moons tonight.”

Shen Lingyan was surprised and looked up for a long time, then playfully thumped Zhou Jin. “Where are the two!”

Zhou Jin’s fingertip gently touched Shen Lingyan’s eyes, very tenderly. “The one in the sky is the full moon, and this… is the crescent moon.”

The fingertip was slightly cool. Shen Lingyan froze for a moment. She did not flinch, but also placed her hand on Zhou Jin’s eyes, feeling her eyelashes flutter slightly, which seemed to indicate a touch of nervousness.

“Sister!” Zhou Jin rarely displayed such a charming side. She was the first to pull away, then pulled Shen Lingyan to look at the moon in the water jar. A gentle breeze blew, stirring ripples. Did it also stir ripples in Zhou Jin’s heart…?

Life in the Imperial Palace was novel at first, but after a few days, it felt boring.

Shen Lingyan had to get up before dawn every day for court and face the various degrees of doubt from the ministers.

The only thing that made life somewhat interesting for Shen Lingyan was that “white lotus” Regent.

Today, after court was adjourned, it was time for the Flower Viewing Banquet. Sitting on the Dragon Throne, Shen Lingyan felt a mixture of fear and slight excitement. She quickly dismissed the court and was then led by Zhou Jin to the Imperial Garden.

The Flower Viewing Banquet, which Shen Lingyan had been looking forward to for so long, finally did not disappoint her. With a large pool of natural lotus flowers as the backdrop, the banquet was set up in the pavilions. Ministers and their families arrived one after another, taking shelter from the scorching sun under the pavilions. Many maids and eunuchs busied themselves serving dishes and wine, and some were specifically assigned to fan the guests. A massive ice basin was placed right in the center, providing a touch of coolness to everyone.

“This is truly worthy of the Imperial Garden. The scenery is first-rate, especially that golden lotus in the center of the pond. It’s carved so lifelike that one can’t take their eyes off it,” Dai Sulan said as she walked beside Dai Junwu. The child’s eyes sparkled with appreciation for new things. No one thought she was being rustic; instead, everyone seemed happy that Zhou Jin’s thoughtful arrangements were praised this way.

However, perhaps influenced by the Tang Quan incident, the attending ministers barely spoke. After respectfully saluting Shen Lingyan and Zhou Jin, they pretended to be deaf and mute. The banquet, which should have been lively, was now only filled with the sound of Dai Sulan’s innocent voice.

Dai Junwu noticed Shen Lingyan’s awkwardness and did not restrain Dai Sulan from talking, knowing that if Dai Sulan kept quiet, the situation would be like a stalemate.

Zhou Jin was indifferent; even if only one person praised it, it was still a credit to her, Zhou Jin. But Shen Lingyan was feeling down.

This was the first time she had put her full effort into hosting a banquet since arriving here, and probably the original owner’s first time as well. To have the first one turn out like this was simply too demoralizing.

The ministers’ families were all wearing the formal court robes they had received upon being granted their titles, which also contributed to the gloomy atmosphere. Only Zhou Jin was unconventional, wearing a light purple gauze over her body, an undeniable suggestion of sensuality and definite coolness.

Shen Lingyan’s face darkened even more. She was just short of grabbing a large cloak to cover Zhou Jin again. Forcibly shifting her attention, she stiffly announced that the meal could begin. A few people ate in silence, quiet as chickens. Shen Lingyan was almost choked by the atmosphere.

Was this a Flower Viewing Banquet or a funeral wake?!

Suddenly, the sound of chopsticks dropping echoed through the seating area. The owner of the dropped chopsticks was quite aggressive: “Your Majesty must give an explanation, otherwise, this banquet, your subject cannot eat…”

Shen Lingyan clenched her fist.