Until the wine cup was handed to him, Su An'an gently said, "Husband, let's drink the wedding wine," Shen Juncheng didn't even notice Su An'an poisoning it.
Strange, didn't Qing He remind her?
Why didn't she do it?
Or did she already put it in the wine jug?
His fingers rubbed the wine cup slightly, and he smiled faintly, toasting with Su An'an.
Let's see if she drinks it and find out.
The cup touched his lips, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Su An'an appear completely unbothered, without a hint of hesitation.
Shen Juncheng frowned, immediately pretending to cough, then naturally put down the wine cup and said, "Apologies, my health is poor, and my old illness has relapsed, I fear I cannot drink the wedding wine with Madam."
Upon hearing this, Su An'an also put down her wine cup and quickly said, "I overlooked something, forgetting about Husband's illness, please drink some tea to soothe your throat."
She poured a cup of pear tea and handed it over. In this season, the house often had pear tea prepared for the young master to moisten his lungs and stop his cough.
Shen Juncheng watched again to see if she would poison the pear tea, but she didn't.
He took a sip; it was the usual sweet and flavorful pear tea.
Could it be in the food?
"Madam must be hungry, please eat something."
Su An'an wasn't really hungry; she had had some pastries to comfort her stomach earlier. She picked up the chopsticks and said, "Yes, Husband, would you like some food? Shall I serve you?"
Shen Juncheng waved his hand, "I'm not hungry, please eat, Madam, eat more."
Su An'an nodded and picked some food into her bowl.
The dishes were cold, and the taste was compromised, but Su An'an's mind was no longer on the food but on the person beside her.
The ceremony was unfinished, the veil remained untouched, and the wedding wine was not drunk. It could be said his poor health was the cause. Could it also be understood that he didn't want to marry?
Suddenly, she recalled the previous life, after she secretly fled, Shen Juncheng did not pursue it excessively, perhaps that indifferent attitude was because he was unwilling, too?
Thinking of this, she withdrew her gaze, shaking her head gently, it seemed they were both helpless in the face of fate.
Shen Juncheng lowered his brows; she looked over here, what was she thinking?
Lowering his eyelashes, he saw her eating those dishes without any reaction, he thought to himself, could it be that she didn't plan to poison?
But…
His thoughts shifted slightly; he raised his hand, pretending to miss, and swept off two wine cups with a clatter, startling Su An'an, who looked down.
In a flash, he slightly lifted his palm, flicked his fingertip, and a white pill landed snugly in the mouth of the wine jug.
The cup was broken, and he acted apologetic, expressing he only wished to toast with her to apologize.
Not drinking the wedding wine on the wedding night was difficult for him, so he thought of using tea as wine to toast with her.
Su An'an smiled, instructing the maids to clean up the broken cup, replacing it with two new cups. She poured a cup of pear tea for him and a cup of wine for herself, lightly toasting and drinking it all at once.
The wine was not strong, perhaps the groom's health was considered from the start.
After the meal, Shen Juncheng tapped his index finger twice on the table.
The little maid outside immediately came in, sensibly clearing the dishes and bringing another pot of pear tea.
Then they should bathe and sleep, the maids went to prepare the water, and the two sat in silence for a while.
Su An'an twisted the handkerchief, thinking about the bridal chamber later.
Judging by his previous performance, he probably wouldn't want the bridal chamber, right?
But, what if he really wants it?
It's not that Su An'an was unwilling; since she was married, it was her duty, but…
She subconsciously glanced at Shen Juncheng's thin figure, wondering if he could handle it.
He coughs with every step, what if halfway through…
As she pondered, the maid came to report that the water was ready, and Su An'an realized her thoughts had wandered far, coughing a little, feeling slightly embarrassed.
Shen Juncheng rose and went to another room to bathe, his sleeves brushing and a slightly chilly breeze caressing Su An'an's ear.
She turned to glance at his back, feeling that for a moment, he seemed displeased.
An illusion, perhaps.
Forget it, take one step at a time.
She bathed in the side room.
Cui Yan helped her remove all of the phoenix crown and hairpins, letting down a headful of ink-black hair that draped down to her waist.
After washing off the exaggerated makeup, her fair little face was revealed.
An oval face, affectionate eyes, fair skin as smooth as porcelain, at sixteen she had developed well, with a curvaceous figure.
The other serving maid was momentarily dazed by the Young Madam's beauty, then showered her with praise.
Cui Yan took pride in this; her young lady was indeed beautiful, renowned in Luocheng.
Su An'an saw her proud look, smiled lightly, and her gaze fell on the bronze mirror, momentarily dazed, involuntarily reaching out to touch her face.
In her previous life, this fair face had eventually turned sallow and dark, covered with scars like hideous centipedes that frightened people away.
The beauty of Luocheng ultimately became its first ugliness, despised by all.
On countless lonely nights, she caressed the scars, crying in pain.
Everyone loves beauty; how could she be willing to ruin her looks, how could she not yearn for it?
Finally, heaven showed mercy, she saw this unblemished face again.
Cui Yan saw the young lady's daydreaming in the mirror and couldn't help but chuckle; the young lady's vanity was acting up again, frequently looking in the mirror to check her appearance, fearing she was not beautiful enough.
She shook her head, smiling, and urged, "Alright, young lady, stop preening, the young master is here, quickly go and meet him."
Su An'an snapped back to reality, glancing at Cui Yan with feigned anger, then stood up to greet him at the door.
In the next moment, she was stunned.
Shen Juncheng appeared in a bright red silk robe, draped with an outer garment, his black hair loose, and the red veil that covered his eyes was now the usual white.
The candlelight elongated his thin figure; his cold white skin made the red on his body even more striking. With the cumbersome wedding clothes removed, he appeared more slender, and his sickly beauty became more evident.
Suddenly, she thought of the women in Qingyu Building talking about bone structure.
Such delicate bone structure usually bodes ill fate for beauties.
And indeed, he did not live long…
Shen Juncheng noticed the woman's stunned expression, initially displeased, but saw sympathy in her eyes the next second.
He hated seeing that look of sympathy.
He never needed it; his brows slightly furrowed, his voice pitched low, "It's late, let's rest early, Madam."
Su An'an came to her senses, realizing she had been rude, quickly stepping forward, "Then let me help you to rest."
She came over to support his arm, but Shen Juncheng stopped, pretending to unintentionally brush off her hand, looking troubled, "My cough is acting up today, the doctor said it might be contagious, so tonight…"
Su An'an looked up; she guessed right, he didn't want the bridal chamber, just as well.
So she smiled faintly, "I understand, I can sleep on the couch tonight, you should rest well, Husband."
Shen Juncheng raised an eyebrow, quick to react indeed.