Su An'an furrowed her brows, was she supposed to use drugs to excite the sickly man?
Just seeing his coughing today, it's likely he wouldn't withstand even a little bit. Talking about worrying about offspring, wasn't it just wanting him dead?
She already knew before that her aunt probably didn't like him, otherwise, she wouldn't have let him grow up in the countryside for years. Just didn't expect her aunt to be so intolerant of him.
She pursed her lips, squeezed the medicine bottle and pushed it outward, pretending to be fearful, saying, "No way, what if an accident happens? They will think I want to harm the young master, it's not right, not right."
Qing He coaxed, "No, you just need to use a little, just a tiny bit, it won't be found out. It's just a natural emotional arousal, and this is only to spice things up. Besides, isn't this a tradition on wedding nights? The main worry is about your first meeting, the bridal chamber awkwardness, it's not a bad thing, rest assured."
Qing He described a ploy as the elder's worry, and indeed, on the night of the wedding, some families fear the new couple being shy, so they add a little spice to the wine for excitement. But that's for normal people, not the sickly.
Does she really think that An'an couldn't see through the scheme?
If she naively believed it, and an accident happened midway, the first to be blamed would be her.
Her aunt could find any reason to sever her ties with the Su Family, after all, she was just a distant relative.
Seeing An'an silent, Qing He thought she was persuaded and then patted Su An'an's hand, "Don't be afraid, Madam wants you to serve the young master well. If you obediently do so, Madam will recommend your Su Family's silk business to the Capital. Your father has always wanted to make a name there."
Qing He brought up her father, under the guise of promotion, actually implying that if she didn't do it, her father's career would suffer too.
Su Family's business essentially still depends on her aunt. Why wouldn't the Su Family thrive by clinging to power? When her aunt's family is powerful, Su Family developed because of alliance.
Su Sheng dared not offend her for anything.
Qing He understood the logic well, certain that An'an would agree.
Su An'an glanced at Qing He's shoe tops, realizing she had no choice but to relent.
She pretended to hesitate and said, "Is Aunt's statement true?"
Qing He said, "Wouldn't deceive you, quickly put it away, don't let anyone find it."
Su An'an hurriedly hid it in her sleeve in panic, after Qing He said a few polite words and departed.
As soon as she left, Cui Yan returned.
Su An'an's gaze darkened and instructed Cui Yan to dispose of the medicine bottle.
Cui Yan paused, knowing it's a difficult choice, worriedly said, "What if…"
"Don't worry, I have my plans."
~~~
An hour later, the maid reported that the young master had awakened.
Madam Liu went over with concern, "Cheng'er, you finally woke up; you just scared Aunt to death."
Under the maid's assistance, Shen Juncheng slowly sat up, the red veil covering his eyes hiding his emotions.
Drawing a sickly smile, he said, "Old ailment, troubled Aunt, I am unworthy. Now everything's okay."
"Well, as long as you're okay, that's good, that's good."
Madam Liu's voice sounded sincere and worrying, but her expression was so faint.
Since he's a blind man, just putting on a pretense was enough; she wouldn't truly invest her heart in a blind man.
Through the veil, Shen Juncheng looked at the "loving" aunt before him, a fleeting smile crossed his lips.
So back and forth, they played the act of "aunt's benevolence for the nephew's filial piety," Madam Liu planned to leave.
As she prepared to go, she tried probing, "Cheng'er, this bride is Aunt's cousin's daughter. Aunt carefully selected her and had a master calculate; she has the face of one who brings prosperity to her husband and is perfectly matched to your birth date, truly your good match."
"Just she came from a merchant family, a bit wronged for you, but if it can ward off your misfortunes and benefits your health, we shouldn't mind, right?"
Shen Juncheng bowed his eyebrows, with the red veil concealing the indifference in his eyes, smiling gently, "Yes, Aunt's kind intention, I understand."
Madam Liu feigned gratitude and said, "Mm, as long as you understand, Aunt feared you might overthink, thinking the Shen Family doesn't care for you, don't think such things. Your second uncle has always valued you deeply; he would have attended your wedding if not delayed on the return journey."
Shen Junwen smiled kindly, showing comprehension.
Looking at his submissive demeanor, Madam Liu's lips curled, then she said, "Then, later after taking medicine, if there's no issue, go see the bride; she's been waiting for you."
After Madam Liu left, Chao Sheng came and reported Qing He's actions.
Shen Juncheng sneered slightly; indeed, as usual, the foolish strategy; no wonder she specifically hinted for him to see the bride, afraid he'd feign illness to avoid entering the bridal chamber.
Chao Sheng respectfully asked, "Master, should it be dealt with?"
Shen Juncheng paused, a smile forming on his lips, "No, counter it with counter moves."
"Yes."
Under the initial watch-hour, the night slowly cloaked its veil.
Red lanterns hung along the corridors, swaying slightly in the wind, solitary red ribbons fluttering, the daylight's liveliness vanished, leaving only boundless quiet and solitude.
Coughing every few steps, Shen Juncheng, under the maid's assistance, passed through the corridor to arrive at the bridal chamber door.
The other two maids quickly opened the doors, creaking, shutting again, blocking all sight.
On the red bed, Su An'an covered with a bridal veil, hands clasped, sitting in a highly standard lady-like posture.
Even though the opposite person couldn't see, the necessary etiquette was not neglected by Su An'an.
Shen Juncheng glanced at the bride, his eyes indifferent, revealing no emotion.
The cane in his hand lightly tapped the ground, emitting a dull sound; Su An'an could only see his shoe tops, slowly moving forward.
Just when she thought he was about to lift the veil, suddenly he spun around, saying warmly, "Please lift the veil yourself, Madam; I cannot see, even if lifted, I cannot see you."
Su An'an slightly surprised, thinking the more disabled one is, they more often have taboos, unexpectedly he spoke so calmly.
Softly responding, "Yes," she lifted the veil, her vision cleared, and finally saw the groom's appearance.
Pale complexion, very black hair, thin lips, straight nose, smooth chin contour, eyes were masked by the red veil, unclear in full view, but the vibrant red candles matched his frail form, looking at once like a beautiful but sickly image.
Examining for a moment, her gaze settled on the red veil covering his eyes.
Heard this young master incurred eye ailments, light caused tears; therefore, even blinded, the daytime traditionally with white veil, over time becoming habit, those around him too became accustomed.
Perhaps radiant for today's joy, the white veil was replaced with red.
Retracting her gaze, she slowly walked forward, seeing the jug on the table, lifting it to pour the wedding wine.
Originally a task for the groom, yet his eyes inconvenienced, she could only pour herself.
Shen Juncheng silent, glanced from the corner as she poured, then watched her sleeve, waiting for her to add the potion.