Chapter 23: Provocation 2
Liang Mingyu raised an eyebrow, acknowledging that she was aware enough to know she wasn't worthy of calling her 'cousin'.
She smiled, "Sister, you can just call me Yu'er."
She stepped forward, curiously looking at the tray in Cui Yan's hands, and asked, "What is sister carrying?"
Cui Yan replied, "Miss, this is Arhat Fruit Snow Pear Tea. The Master had two coughing fits yesterday, and Miss was worried. So as soon as she could get out of bed early this morning, she personally brewed this tea, hoping it would be helpful to the Master."
The Arhat Fruit has the function of moistening the lungs and relieving coughs and phlegm, and pear also has the effect of moistening the lungs and relieving coughs. Both boiled together and drunk as tea can treat coughs, coughing up phlegm, achieving the effect of moistening the lungs.
Yesterday, Shen Juncheng had two consecutive coughing fits and fainted again. Su An'an, having seen off Madam Liu early in the morning, thought to come and see him.
Being unwelcome is one thing, but keeping up appearances is another. Hence, she instructed Cui Yan to brew this tea to show her concern.
Upon hearing that the tea was personally brewed, Liang Mingyu instantly felt it was an unsolicited act of kindness, suspecting it might be poisoned for her cousin.
She said, "Sister is really considerate, but at this time, I'm sure cousin is discussing matters with father. Even if sister goes over, she will still have to wait. Why not stay and chat with Yu'er, and let the maid send over the tea instead?"
After speaking, she signaled for Yue Luo to step forward.
Su An'an noticed the brief suspicion in her eyes. Indeed, being a relative of Madam Liu, no explanation was sufficient.
Giving her this soup meant it would never reach Shen Juncheng.
Though she was aware that sending it herself was futile, she felt compelled to go through the motions; otherwise, Cui Yan's half-hour of brewing would be for naught.
She smiled, "No matter, I'll deliver it myself later. After all, I need to see how my husband's health is. If I don't see him, I'm worried."
Husband!!
Liang Mingyu genuinely found the term 'husband' grating to the ears. Fine, go ahead and deliver it.
She glanced at the pristine soup cup and sneered silently; even if you deliver it, cousin certainly won't drink it.
She showed an innocent smile, saying, "Then, sister, send it later. I feel we've hit it off at first meeting, let's chat a bit."
Hit it off at first meeting?
Su An'an dared not agree, though having exchanged a few words, despite her seeming enthusiasm, Su An'an keenly sensed her dislike.
Oh well, it's no big deal, let's chat.
The two sat in the Tingyu Pavilion.
The maids served tea and seeds, and Liang Mingyu chatted away merrily.
To be precise, she was the only one enjoying the conversation, while Su An'an was merely a listener.
She mostly spoke of Shen Juncheng, saying he had childhood illness, talking about years of recuperating in the countryside, how she accompanied him every year, and such.
They had grown up together like childhood sweethearts, with a deep bond.
The implication of her words was no more than two meanings: cousin cherishes me, and cousin cares for me deeply.
Who are you to meddle? Best to recognize your place and not act rashly.
Her tone unconsciously rose, carrying an unignorable arrogance.
Su An'an curled her lips, thinking so, this first meeting she's eager to chat because she wants to show off.
Well, boast away, no matter how close your relationship is, I won't be jealous.
If you can bond well enough for Shen Juncheng to accept you, I would applaud with both hands.
Liang Mingyu talked for quite a while, and her counterpart remained composed, then smiled and said, "Yu'er said so much, you must be thirsty, here, have a cup of tea."
Liang Mingyu: "..."
A punch hitting cotton.
She stopped talking, quietly drinking tea, her peripheral vision caught Su An'an sipping hers gracefully, with elegant demeanor, indeed pleasing to the eye.
Sadly, upon encountering a beauty more attractive than herself, Liang Mingyu felt only irritation, her eyes sore.
She suddenly praised with a smile, "It's said that sister is the most beautiful woman in Luocheng, and today I see, truly deserving, sister is the most beautiful lady Yu'er has ever seen, even more beautiful than the performers I've watched."
Su An'an paused in her tea drinking.
The young girl appeared innocent and charming, yet bluntly compared her to a performer.
Is she disparaging her lowly status?
She was not angry, rather she smiled, "Really? Yu'er doesn't fall short either, lively and adorable, with a crisp voice more pleasant than Yuefang Pavilion's Ning Yan."
Yuefang Pavilion's Ning Yan, is a singer.
In Luocheng, Ning Yan's melodious and sweet singing was known to all.
Liang Mingyu's face darkened instantly, this woman, dared to compare her to a lowly singer.
Vile, vile!
Yue Luo noticed the discord, hastily interjected, "Madam, I believe young master and uncle must have almost finished their talk. If the tea is not delivered soon, it will grow cold."
Liang Mingyu rolled her eyes, suppressed her impatience, feigned with a smile, kindly took Su An'an's hand, saying, "Without Yue Luo's reminder, I would've forgotten sister needs to deliver tea. Go ahead, Yu'er won't delay sister."
A chill instantly ran across her hand, Su An'an was surprised, not expecting the young girl's hand to be so cold.
Not quite accustomed to such intimate gestures, likely influenced by Su Pingping's habits, who always affectionately held her; yet in her heart, was plotting against her.
She glanced down, discreetly brushed off her hand, gave a slight smile, and took her leave.
Liang Mingyu watched her departing figure, a hint of cunning flashed in her eyes.
You'll suffer tonight.
Exiting Tingyu Pavilion, Cui Yan angrily said, "That Yu'er is a bit too much."
Apparently so innocent and simple-minded, yet surprisingly likened the Miss to a performer.
Miss did not offend her.
Su An'an calmly said, "Who says I didn't offend her, I must have truly offended her."
Given that Yu'er's first address was 'sister', rather than 'cousin-in-law', coupled with subsequent boasts, how could Su An'an not understand, this girl likely favors Shen Juncheng.
Putting aside her own identity, just marrying Shen Juncheng already greatly offended her.
"Let's go, there's no need to dwell on this. Anyway, she only occasionally visits, just avoid her later." Su An'an paid it no mind, it's merely a young girl's momentary thoughts, she hadn't considered it much.
Miss was not angry, so Cui Yan wouldn't chatter anymore, and master-servant headed to Qingjing Pavilion.
Upon arrival, Chao Sheng stopped them, saying that young master was still talking with uncle and shouldn't be disturbed.
Su An'an glanced at the sky, was it noon already?
Apparently, the chatting was a pretense, and not seeing her was the reality.
Fine, it's just going through the motions, really, on the first day of the marriage, it's unwise to be too cold; it's enough to show intentions.
She left the cup of tea, inquired after her husband's health briefly, then quietly departed.
In the shadows, Liang Guangwen and Shen Juncheng watched the departing figure, then turned their gaze away.
Liang Guangwen said, "She appears well-behaved, yet she's sharp-tongued. This mind...is even harder to fathom."
The recent exchange in Tingyu Pavilion was already relayed to Qingjing Pavilion, her retort to Yu'er's remarks; she didn't yield even a little.
Shen Juncheng said softly, "No matter, whether she's well-behaved or sharp-tongued, or harboring malicious intent, as long as she is restless, Cheng'er will remove her."