The Regent Keeps Flirting With Me - Chapter 9

It was inevitable that something would happen at the Flower Appreciation Banquet. Shen Lingyan hated the unknown, especially when it involved Zhou Jin. The string in her mind tightened again, and her heart sank. She remained silent, which in turn surprised Zhou Jin.

“What’s wrong? You don’t want to hold the flower appreciation banquet?”

Shen Lingyan shook her head. After Yunzhu finished dressing her up, she stood up. Yunzhu held up her long phoenix robe, and the two of them, escorted by eunuchs and maids, walked out, completely ignoring Zhou Jin.

“This little Lingyan… changes her mood faster than flipping a book.” Zhou Jin rested her chin in her hand, watching Shen Lingyan’s retreating figure, her eyes full of amusement. She increasingly wanted to tease this little Empress. In the midst of the tedious power struggle, helping the little Empress grow bit by bit, and occasionally taking advantage of her, seemed to be Zhou Jin’s only source of fun. But… what was this inexplicable feeling in her heart?

After a moment of thought, Zhou Jin also took a step to follow, laughing freely. She wondered what would happen on the imperial court today.

Shen Lingyan sat in the sedan chair on the way to court, with Zhou Jin behind her. But the two did not speak or even look at each other, as unfamiliar as if they had never known each other… if one ignored Zhou Jin’s affectionate gaze.

Shen Lingyan was oblivious in the sedan chair, only troubled about how to discuss the Flower Appreciation Banquet with the ministers. Originally, as the Empress, she could simply refuse to hold the banquet with a single word. But Shen Lingyan was also ambitious.

“If I can use the flower appreciation banquet to embarrass Zhou Jin or pay her back in her own coin, wouldn’t I regain political power effortlessly?” Shen Lingyan’s eyes began to shine. She looked back with ill intentions to see Zhou Jin, but was startled by Zhou Jin’s loving gaze and shivered.

From then on, she dared not look back again.

Just like yesterday, the eunuch first announced her in a sharp voice, and then Shen Lingyan walked slowly up the steps. The simultaneous appearance of Zhou Jin and Shen Lingyan added a touch of splendor to the magnificent golden court.

After the unchanging ritual of bowing, Shen Lingyan sat on the dragon throne. Things were different now; she was already capable of handling minor, harmless affairs. Although Zhou Jin was not a good minister, she was considered a good teacher. Seeing Shen Lingyan’s noticeable progress, General Dai Junwu was also very pleased.

While Shen Lingyan was smugly accepting the ministers’ extravagant flattery, she was also planning to rehire Zhou Jin as a teacher to instruct her on handling government affairs until she could manage things herself, at which point she would reclaim political power.

Thinking this, her gaze fell upon Zhou Jin. She originally thought Zhou Jin was very busy, surrounded by ministers asking her about recovering lost territories, and wouldn’t possibly notice her.

Who knew that Zhou Jin, through the gaps between many people, saw the look Shen Lingyan cast her way.

“Does Your Majesty have an instruction?” Zhou Jin raised her voice, afraid others wouldn’t hear. The court instantly fell silent, and the ministers’ eyes unanimously focused on Shen Lingyan.

Seeing this situation, Shen Lingyan was so angry she clenched her teeth, yet still had to force a smile for the ministers. She had originally looked radiant, but this situation caused by Zhou Jin made her feel awkward, as if she was back to square one.

She managed to say a few words praising Zhou Jin in front of all the ministers, praising her with a “smile.” Watching from below, Zhou Jin’s beautiful eyes curved with a satisfied smile, having gotten her way again.

Seeing that the ministers’ attention finally returned to the issue of recovering lost territories, Shen Lingyan quickly gestured to Zhou Jin, urging her to come over.

Zhou Jin stopped fooling around. After perfunctorily dismissing the few ministers, she walked towards Shen Lingyan, stepping up the stairs one by one with such imposing momentum that even the surrounding guards thought Zhou Jin was attempting a coup.

Shen Lingyan raised her hand and waved, signaling the guards to lower their swords, then pulled Zhou Jin over with a fake smile.

“Why were you so loud just now!” As soon as Shen Lingyan asked this, she met Zhou Jin’s smiling eyes, and her face flushed involuntarily. The words she wanted to say were abruptly swallowed.

Zhou Jin played with the pearl string on Shen Lingyan’s gown and asked casually, “Then… does Your Majesty have something inconvenient to say?”

Shen Lingyan choked on her words, quickly looking around. Seeing that no one was paying attention to them, she relaxed. She snatched back the pearl string from Zhou Jin’s hand, smoothed it back onto her dress, and then leaned close to Zhou Jin’s ear to speak: “I want you to continue teaching me how to read memorials. If it’s inconvenient, then…”

Halfway through, Shen Lingyan began to regret it. She was the mortal enemy who needed to reclaim power, so wouldn’t getting too close be inappropriate?

Before Shen Lingyan could say “never mind,” Zhou Jin had already taken hold of Shen Lingyan’s hands, which were still twisting a handkerchief, and said sincerely with a genuine look in her eyes: “A-Jin is willing… it’s convenient anytime.”

Shen Lingyan instantly froze. She didn’t even dare to move. If she let Zhou Jin continue holding her hand, the ministers would certainly be stunned. But if she pulled her hand away from Zhou Jin’s grip… what if she hurt the feelings of her future teacher?

Zhou Jin held her hand for a while before letting go. Shen Lingyan also felt guilty and, by a strange impulse, decided to grant Zhou Jin one condition as a form of repayment.

After all, although Shen Lingyan was obsessed with reclaiming power, she was not heartless. She felt she should make some contribution.

And so… the contribution was the Flower Appreciation Banquet.

This was the longest court session since Shen Lingyan’s enthronement, and it was finally nearing the end of the Empress’s patience. At the last moment, Shen Lingyan, under Zhou Jin’s watchful eye, announced the event.

“My dear ministers, if you are free three days from now, you may come to my imperial garden for a night banquet to appreciate the flowers. I also hope General Dai and Chancellor Wei will not decline…” After saying this, Shen Lingyan left without looking back. The order to adjourn court was actually conveyed by Zhou Jin.

Wei Kangsheng and Dai Junwu, who were named, stood below in confusion, unable to recover their senses for a long time.

Weren’t they supposed to be preparing to recover lost territories? Weren’t they supposed to be holding a proper court session? Why suddenly organize a flower appreciation banquet?

The ministers were all puzzled and unsure whether they should attend the banquet.

Having already run out of the court, Shen Lingyan felt her face burning, not only from the nervousness of announcing something in front of so many people but also from Zhou Jin’s gaze. This was the first time Shen Lingyan felt pressured. She suddenly realized that the person in front of her was not someone to be trifled with. Had she already forgotten this nemesis just because of a few words of concern?

Seizing power, slandering the original owner—which of these things wasn’t done by Zhou Jin? Now, a flower appreciation banquet, right? Shen Lingyan clenched her fist. She would let Zhou Jin see why the flowers are so red.

Just as she made up her mind, she saw Zhou Jin following her from behind. Guilt instantly softened Shen Lingyan’s expression. She smiled at Zhou Jin and asked if she was satisfied. Zhou Jin simply walked over, lightly put her arm around Shen Lingyan’s waist, and nodded in great satisfaction: “Empress sister is very obedient…”