The Regent Keeps Flirting With Me - Chapter 50

The forces brought by Zhou Jin were not to be trifled with; after only a few neighs and shrieks from the horses, there was silence again. The passionate kiss between the two finally paused due to Shen Lingyan’s coughing. The trail of silver saliva was broken by the pouring rain. Shen Lingyan’s eyes were slightly narrowed, wet and shimmering, her lowered lashes concealing her emotions.

But Zhou Jin, of course, knew what this meant. A flame ignited in her lower abdomen, and she wanted to take Shen Lingyan right then and there. However, each cough felt like a small awl piercing Zhou Jin’s heart, making her face soften with distress.

Tonight, their relationship was finally clear. Zhou Jin immediately kissed Shen Lingyan’s neck, and amidst a few muffled groans, she caressed Shen Lingyan’s back. With every cough, she moved an inch lower, until she reached her thigh, at which point Shen Lingyan finally remembered to resist.

“Zhou Jin, no… don’t…” Due to the coughing, Shen Lingyan’s voice was both hoarse and heartbreaking. Zhou Jin gradually tightened her arm around Shen Lingyan’s waist, her gaze filled with concern. The youthful spirit of old was long gone.

Soon after, a few figures in black arrived on horseback through the rain. The weapons in their hands gleamed with cold light. Shen Lingyan saw them clearly and instinctively used her weak body to shield Zhou Jin: “I am the Emperor. If you want to capture someone, take me. Don’t touch her.”

These words caused Zhou Jin’s eyes to redden slightly. She stepped forward to support the already tottering Shen Lingyan. Seeing that the black-clad figures were her own people, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. She quickly composed herself in the darkness, regaining the presence expected of the Regent.

“Return to the palace immediately. Summon the best imperial physician.”

Within the Imperial City, rumors were rife that the current Empress was gravely ill, yet the Regent remained in her sleeping quarters, diligently attending to her.

Autumn had arrived, and the war on the border was deadlocked. Shen Lingyan insisted that Zhou Jin not dispatch troops. The exotic flowers and rare plants in Chaohui Hall still bloomed as brightly and vividly as in spring, yet they couldn’t conceal the sound of suppressed coughing.

“Yan yan, you’re coughing again.” Zhou Jin held Shen Lingyan, who was wrapped in multiple layers of clothing. Shen Lingyan rested her head on Zhou Jin’s shoulder, very weak. “It’s alright. You’ve wrapped me up so much, aren’t you afraid I’ll suffocate…”

Zhou Jin smiled genuinely, but there was a hint of bitterness in the corners of her mouth. Shen Lingyan was becoming increasingly sensitive to the cold. Even in the slightly muggy autumn, she felt as if it were mid-winter. Zhou Jin observed these signs with growing anxiety, but there was nothing she could do.

Shen Lingyan was also clear about her own illness—it was almost certainly beyond medical help. Now, all she knew was to cling to Zhou Jin and act spoiled. She had abandoned all sense of propriety. She even insisted on staying by Zhou Jin’s side during court sessions. The ministers also vaguely noticed the unusual relationship between the two, but since Shen Lingyan was not expected to live long, no one voiced any objections.

The imperial edict she had drafted that day had also been annulled by Zhou Jin. Shen Lingyan could roughly guess her intentions. She had initially decided to live one day at a time, until today, when someone arrived at the palace bringing news that could aid the war effort.

Receiving the news, Dai Sulan excitedly pushed open the door of Chaohui Hall. Seeing both women sitting on the bed, she subconsciously wanted to turn away. But as the matter was too important, she steeled herself and said, “Reporting to Your Majesty, we have a distinguished guest.”

A distinguished guest? Shen Lingyan and Zhou Jin exchanged puzzled glances. They quickly rose, changed into their clothes, and took the sedan chair toward the main hall for the court session.

Shen Lingyan didn’t even bother to pin up her hair. Zhou Jin simply tied her black hair into a casual bun. The two rode in the same sedan chair, with Shen Lingyan nestled in Zhou Jin’s embrace, though weariness soon began to cloud her brow.

That pale complexion only stung Zhou Jin’s eyes. She could only hold this person who grew thinner by the day.

The sedan chair moved slowly. Dai Sulan walked alongside it, chattering about the border war but not mentioning the “distinguished guest” who had arrived today.

Shen Lingyan was truly curious. She coaxed the information out of her: the legitimate eldest princess of the Jun’an Kingdom, a country whose power was completely comparable to Yongning’s, had arrived with news of support and assistance…

The Princess of Jun’an Kingdom? Shen Lingyan did not know why, but a bad premonition arose in her heart.

The sedan chair arrived in front of the main hall and came to a steady stop. Shen Lingyan, supported by Zhou Jin, walked in and saw only one girl, who looked about the same age as Dai Sulan, standing in the middle of the large court hall.

The girl’s clothing was somewhat revealing, with large areas of her stomach and arms exposed. However, she wore many bells and various ornaments on her head, so that with every step she took, a jingling sound could be heard.

Shen Lingyan slowly walked up and sat on the Dragon Throne. Only then did she get a clear look at the princess’s face. The princess had the most standard beautiful features. Her eyes were even narrower than Zhou Jin’s phoenix eyes, and it seemed that with a slight squint, her subtly upturned outer corners could captivatingly draw in a person’s soul.

“An Wanran, the legitimate eldest princess of the Jun’an Kingdom, greets the Empress.”

Shen Lingyan only noticed a faint, unfamiliar fragrance in the air, which she presumed came from An Wanran. Perhaps due to the scent’s effect, she wasn’t coughing much.

“Rise, grant her a seat.” Shen Lingyan sat up straight, quite proper, and felt slightly happy because she was finally more comfortable. Zhou Jin stood beside her, her expression unfriendly.

“I didn’t come for nothing today. Since I came, I certainly brought great sincerity, but we only have one small request.” An Wanran did not beat around the bush. After sitting down openly, she immediately began to discuss terms.

But Shen Lingyan was confused; she hadn’t even fully grasped what was happening before An Wanran started negotiating.

An Wanran was in no rush to state her request. She picked up her tea cup, intentionally and unintentionally observing everyone standing in the hall. Everyone waited for An Wanran to speak.

“Due to our carelessness, we allowed this cherished princess to wander in your esteemed country for many years. A sudden recall would undoubtedly lead to unfavorable comments from the common people towards the Royal Family. Therefore, we need a reasonable excuse, which is to send the princess to your country. In exchange, we also require your country’s cooperation in sending an important woman to live in our Jun’an Kingdom for a few years.” An Wanran spoke without blushing or a racing heart.

Dai Sulan was the first to get angry. She shouted loudly, and the waiting guards outside the door rushed in with drawn swords, surrounding An Wanran.

An Wanran, however, showed no fear. She remained perfectly composed and calm, walking directly through the crowd and staring at Shen Lingyan on the Dragon Throne: “I wonder if Your Majesty can afford the price of provoking another country’s hostility. If I die here, my Father will surely use all his power to flatten your esteemed country.”

An Wanran was about to say more, but Zhou Jin’s fierce glare silenced her.

“Since you still know that you are on our territory, you should remember your tone when speaking.” After Zhou Jin said this, she gently began putting a cloak around Shen Lingyan.

An Wanran was a bit embarrassed. Shen Lingyan ordered the guards to put away their weapons, then asked her, “Who do you want?”

An Wanran finally perked up. She looked with interest at Zhou Jin, who moments ago had appeared fierce but was now incomparably gentle, and smiled: “Well… her.”

Shen Lingyan followed her finger and looked at the person next to her—it was Zhou Jin.

“Impossible!” Shen Lingyan and Zhou Jin said simultaneously, their voices sharper than the other. Shen Lingyan disregarded her physical condition and was just short of rushing down to attack.

An Wanran showed no anger at all. She stood up with a smile, looped her arm through Ji Xi’s, and, before leaving, turned back to say provocatively: “I will be staying in the Imperial City. If you change your minds someday, you will naturally come to find me.”

As An Wanran left, the scent she carried also dissipated. Zhou Jin had noticed and was about to point out that something was amiss when she heard Shen Lingyan start coughing again.

Could the scent be the problem? Zhou Jin exchanged a meaningful look, and Qi Mian, who had lost all her martial arts skills, followed them out.