The heat surged, attacking her senses. This feeling was unpleasant, like... like being drugged.
In her previous life, in the back alley of the Qingyu Building, she saw many women who had been drugged like this.
Thinking of this, Su An'an suddenly widened her eyes.
Could it be that Qing He didn't trust her, and added something to the food in secret?
But it didn't make sense. Qing He's purpose in seeking her out was to completely disassociate herself, showing her prudence. She shouldn't be so reckless.
Moreover, with the turmoil inside her, if this was really meant for Shen Juncheng, it would likely kill him immediately. Any doctor could easily identify the problem, so Madam Liu shouldn't be so foolish.
So, who administered this drug, and when, and for what purpose?
Perhaps someone else wanted to harm Shen Juncheng?
She suddenly turned her head, looking at the closed bed curtains. The candlelight only cast a blurred and quiet silhouette; he seemed to be in a deep sleep...
She had a string of questions, but her body grew hotter and hotter.
This drug was extremely potent.
So potent that Su An'an collapsed in front of the couch, curling up in discomfort.
The heat of her blood felt like it could scorch her lungs, and her throat was so dry it felt like it could catch fire. She yearned for something cold...
She looked again towards the curtains. The sleeping person was unaware, the entire room filled only with her rapid breathing.
No, she couldn't do anything to Shen Juncheng.
She had to get out and call for help.
She tried to get up, supporting herself on the couch, but her legs wouldn't cooperate. Not only that, her vision became increasingly blurry, and the initial heat became nauseatingly uncomfortable.
Help... help...
She called out in distress, her voice weak like a young beast, whimpering, with no one to hear.
Unable to crawl out or shout, she didn't know how long she lay there. In her hazy state, she seemed to see the bed curtains being lifted.
Someone groped their way over, a cool palm covered her forehead, and her vision suddenly went black as she lost consciousness.
Shen Juncheng looked at her flushed face and withdrew his palm.
She could endure.
In the dead of night, all was silent.
Suddenly, a maid's urgent cry shattered the quiet, "Something's wrong, something's wrong, Young Madam has fainted, hurry, get Doctor Lu."
In an instant, the East Garden became a hubbub, maids rushing in and out.
The maid's voice was quite loud, instantly alerting the guests resting in the side courtyard and the West Garden.
Shen Juncheng lived in the countryside, somewhat remote. Many guests couldn't return promptly and had to stay the night.
Now, hearing the commotion in the East Garden, and the need for a doctor, everyone thought Shen Juncheng was in trouble, and quickly got up to see the spectacle.
In the side courtyard, Madam Liu hadn't gone to bed, waiting for the drama to unfold. Sure enough, it was about to begin.
The master and servant exchanged a glance, and Madam Liu quickly got up, changing into a violet skirt with horse-faced pleats, her finely woven corners of her eyes filled with anticipation.
Before leaving, Qing He thoughtfully tousled the topknot of the first wife to make it look like she hastily got up without having time to tidy after sleeping out of concern.
Madam Liu raised her eyebrows, praising Qing He for her attention to detail.
Qing He gave a sycophantic smile; it seemed the benefits were almost guaranteed.
With an issue in the East Garden, maids and servants were shuttling back and forth. Suddenly, someone bumped into the hurried Qing He, hastily apologizing in fear. Madam Liu wasn't concerned and went straight ahead, and Qing He didn't bother to argue, quickly following.
Upon entering the room, without clearly seeing who was lying there, Madam Liu cried out in anguish, "Cheng'er, Cheng'er, what's wrong? Don't scare your aunt."
As she wailed, she intended to squeeze out two tears, but before they could appear, she suddenly heard a warm voice, "Aunt, I'm here. Cheng'er is fine, don't worry."