The Regent Keeps Flirting With Me - Chapter 43

Condition Worsens

At that moment, Zhou Jin seemed to share a telepathic connection with Shen Lingyan. She pulled her warhorse to a stop, turned back while seated on the saddle, and saw a woman in a phoenix robe running towards her, followed by numerous palace maids. She quickly dismounted and rushed over to help support Shen Lingyan.

“Why did you run out here like this…” Zhou Jin’s voice held a note of anxiety. She quickly draped the cloak and other garments handed over by a palace maid onto Shen Lingyan. After Shen Lingyan finished coughing, Zhou Jin finally said, “Take good care of yourself. I will conquer this land for you, and then offer this empire as a betrothal gift, how does that sound?”

Shen Lingyan recognized the playful teasing in her tone and didn’t take it seriously: “The empire is mine. How can you use it as a betrothal gift…”

Zhou Jin laughed, rubbed Shen Lingyan’s head, and felt reassured when she saw the whip tucked into Shen Lingyan’s belt. She offered a carefree smile: “Just kidding, don’t take it to heart. I’m leaving…”

“Be careful, and may your journey be smooth.” Shen Lingyan held back her feelings for a long time, finally shouting this towards Zhou Jin’s retreating back. Although Zhou Jin didn’t turn around, she smiled more brightly than anyone else. She murmured to herself, facing the vast army before her: “I will.”

Watching Zhou Jin’s mighty army storm out of the city, Shen Lingyan stood frozen in place, feeling as if a piece was missing from her heart—empty and hollow.

Still standing there, Dai Sulan emerged from behind, blocking Shen Lingyan’s view. She whispered softly, “It’s a bit windy early in the morning, you’ll get cold.”

Shen Lingyan was pulled back from her thoughts by the sound of her voice. She looked at Dai Sulan, who was wearing the same dress. The person who, in her eyes, was still a child, now seemed so much more mature. Even when Zhou Jin intentionally made things difficult for her, she never seemed to lose her composure.

Shen Lingyan observed her for a long time, but eventually succumbed to the chilly morning wind. She tightened her cloak, looked up at the rising sun, and murmured, “Why is it still so cold even though it’s the middle of summer?”

Yun Zhu, standing nearby, wiped the sweat from her forehead and felt a lump in her throat. How was it cold? The sun had been scorching since morning, and standing for even a short while made one sweat profusely. Yet, Shen Lingyan was not only feeling cold, but she was shivering and tightening her cloak. All of this was because Shen Lingyan’s physical condition was rapidly deteriorating. The Imperial Hospital sent their finest medicines to Chaohui Palace every day. Zhou Jin had even authorized the use of the most precious medicinal herbs from the national treasury for Shen Lingyan’s treatment, but there was no sign of improvement.

This illness came suddenly and had plagued Shen Lingyan for a very long time. Zhou Jin didn’t allow her to speak disheartening words, but Shen Lingyan had long prepared herself for the worst. She just never thought that after her spectacular journey as a female emperor after transmigrating, she would end up dying from an ambiguous illness.

Yun Zhu didn’t speak, and neither did Dai Sulan. Shen Lingyan stood there for a long time before slowly turning around. However, her heart was still entirely engrossed in the army that had just departed.

Despite her poor health, Shen Lingyan still dealt with government affairs every day. A lot had accumulated due to the preparations for the expedition. As she walked back to Chaohui Palace alone, passing the long palace walkway, she inevitably thought of Zhou Jin.

Forcing herself to shake her head, Shen Lingyan compelled herself to stop thinking about her. She started coughing again and had to lean on Dai Sulan’s arm to steady herself. After taking a moment to recover, she continued walking.

The first time Dai Sulan cried in front of Shen Lingyan was at this moment. She cried miserably, constantly wiping away tears with her sleeve. Shen Lingyan watched her and felt a pang of pity. Clearly, she was the one who should be crying, yet everyone around her seemed even more heartbroken.

Shen Lingyan arrived at Zhaohui Palace, sat in the red wooden chair, and stared blankly for a long time before finally opening the first memorial. But she couldn’t focus on a single word.

Dai Sulan stood at the doorway, anxious for a long time. After a reminder from Yun Zhu, she thought of pulling Shen Lingyan to take a walk in the Imperial Garden.

“Your Majesty, Sulan is unable to dispel your worries, so perhaps you can join Sulan for a stroll in the Imperial Garden?” Dai Sulan stood at the doorway, not moving forward. She just looked at Shen Lingyan, the female emperor sitting in the wooden chair.

Shen Lingyan’s mind took a while to realize she was being addressed. She stood up, casually picked up her cloak, and headed outside. Since the last flower appreciation banquet, Shen Lingyan hadn’t genuinely looked at the flowers in the palace.

She followed Dai Sulan to the Imperial Garden. It was summer, and the trees were green and shady, yet Shen Lingyan only dared to walk in the sunlight. But as soon as she entered the garden, she sought a pavilion to sit down in.

Dai Sulan followed and stood beside her, noticing her dull expression and slight disappointment. For the first time, she actively sat down next to Shen Lingyan, her face full of caution. She slowly started inching her hand toward Shen Lingyan’s hand. Unfortunately, just as she was about to touch Shen Lingyan’s fingers, the Empress noticed.

“What’s wrong?” Her voice was still weak, but she tilted her head without any malicious intent to look at Dai Sulan. Dai Sulan instantly retracted her hand and picked up the teapot Yun Zhu had just brought to pour her tea, her expression highly unnatural.

Shen Lingyan looked at her, almost seeing her shy self when she was in Zhou Jin’s embrace, but she didn’t know why Dai Sulan was shy.

“I remember when I first saw you, your face was still childish, clearly the look of a child. How is it that now you’ve become so composed?” Shen Lingyan’s face was full of reminiscence. In truth, these events had only passed a few days ago, but she spoke with the same kind of melancholy a senior would use when recalling the childhood of a junior.

Dai Sulan didn’t want to extinguish her enthusiasm; she even leaned closer and cooperated: “Then, Your Majesty, look again. How is Sulan now?”

Shen Lingyan smiled and stroked her head. She picked up the teacup and drank a few sips, barely suppressing the metallic sweetness in her throat. She continued to rub Dai Sulan’s head, as kindly as a mother.

“Is Sulan worried about your father’s safety, seeing how dangerous the border situation is this time?” Shen Lingyan looked at Dai Sulan, finally changing the topic. Dai Sulan’s expression also changed immediately. How could she not be worried? The border forces were so rampant this time that they directly seized a city, clearly not a force to be easily dealt with. Yet, her own father, Dai Junwu, had volunteered to lead the troops this time.

Shen Lingyan felt the same way. Dai Junwu was her right-hand man, and Zhou Jin was also… Shen Lingyan did not want either of them to get into trouble, but there was no choice; not sending troops would only make the situation more difficult.

“It’s alright, let’s trust them…” Just as Shen Lingyan was about to speak, her vision went black, and the world spun around her. She sat on the stool for a long time, unable to stand up. When she tried to make another effort, she suddenly collapsed onto the ground, unconscious.

Dai Sulan was terrified and immediately stood up. She held Shen Lingyan in her arms, desperately calling for help. The palace maids and eunuchs rushed over, their cries and screams ringing out in a chaotic chorus. Those with quick legs immediately went to summon the Imperial Physicians.