The Regent Keeps Flirting With Me - Chapter 16

“Ever since I decided to do one thing… not only you, but the entire world has been hindering me. Shen Lingyan was born noble in this imperial palace, and now, having ascended the throne, she is above ten thousand people…” Shen Lingyan’s words were heartbreaking, shouted from the perspective of the original owner, and expressing her unwillingness to accept it.

All her strength vanished the moment Zhou Jin embraced her.

Zhou Jin watched her with a heavy heart, not daring to say anything flippant, and because she had just been pushed away, she didn’t dare to hug her again. She stood rooted to the spot, looking at Shen Lingyan, completely at a loss. After what felt like an eternity, Shen Lingyan cried herself out and walked out of the room as if her soul had left her body.

“Where are you going?” Zhou Jin frowned.

Shen Lingyan didn’t answer her, simply pushing the door open and walking out into the rain without an umbrella.

Zhou Jin knew that nothing she could say would work now, so she simply sat down on the ground, her voice weak: “Your Majesty Sister… Ah Jin doesn’t feel well…”

This familiar, sickly sweet plea made Shen Lingyan, who was already walking in the rain, pause. She slowly turned around and indeed saw Zhou Jin sitting on the ground, looking utterly miserable and tearful—appearing even more wretched than herself.

Weren’t she just fine and lively a moment ago? Although a doubt surfaced in Shen Lingyan’s mind, she ultimately felt that Zhou Jin wouldn’t be childish enough to use this to deceive her, so she reluctantly walked back. At this point, only Shen Lingyan’s cloak and hair were wet. Yun zhu quickly followed to help Shen Lingyan dry off.

Shen Lingyan’s eyes were now filled with Zhou Jin’s weak appearance. She rushed to her side with some anxiety, slowly crouched down, and asked, “You were fine a moment ago, what’s wrong now?”

Shen Lingyan still harbored some suspicion, but looking at Zhou Jin’s pale face, she swallowed the questioning words she was about to utter.

Reaching out to check, she found Zhou Jin’s forehead was burning hot, and her clothes were completely soaked.

“You were also in the rain?” Only now did Shen Lingyan realize that Zhou Jin had rushed back through the rain. She quickly wiped away the rain and tears from her own face and instructed Yun zhu to hurry and summon the imperial physician.

She then helped the staggering Zhou Jin up and walked toward the side hall. Zhou Jin was still not behaving, tugging at Shen Lingyan’s sleeve.

Shen Lingyan thought she wanted to return to Zhaohui Palace, so she patiently explained, “I’m worried you’ll get rained on again, so let’s rest in the side hall first, and we’ll go back to Zhaohui Palace when the rain stops.”

Having cried earlier, Shen Lingyan’s voice was hoarse, making her sound gentle.

Zhou Jin was momentarily stunned by this gentle Shen Lingyan. Already slightly feverish, she became even more clingy, wanting to be fussed over by Shen Lingyan like an old mother.

After finally making it onto the couch with a sigh of exhaustion, Shen Lingyan wiped the sweat from her own brow.

Zhou Jin’s forehead was even hotter.

How can this person be running a fever and still have such strength to hold me?

Thinking back to the worried look Zhou Jin had earlier, and now seeing her pale face. The person who was usually the most high-spirited was now curled up on the bed—it was a sight that tugged at one’s heartstrings.

“The imperial physician will be here soon. Can you bear it for a while?” Shen Lingyan sat down by the bed, gently wiping Zhou Jin’s forehead with a damp cloth, and continuously tucking the blanket around her. “You are not allowed to kick it off! Didn’t you say you weren’t feeling well? If you’re unwell, then listen to me.”

With these words, it was clear that Shen Lingyan was genuinely treating Zhou Jin like her own child and worrying over her.

Just as Shen Lingyan was about to reach out to cover her again, Zhou Jin’s hand grasped hers. She looked at Shen Lingyan pitifully: “It’s cold. Your Majesty, can you get on the couch and hold Ah Jin for a while?”

As if sensing Shen Lingyan’s hesitation, Zhou Jin added fuel to the fire: “We are both women, Your Majesty Sister, what are you being shy about?”

Shen Lingyan’s face instantly flushed. She quickly took off her outer robe and slipped under the covers. “I’m certainly not being shy…”