580: Chapter 580 Deep Affection Over a Cup of Wine

Su Yunniang watched this scene with a gentle smile, then turned to the table and picked up the wine flask to fill everyone's cups one by one.

The wine was top-quality Nu'er Hong, specially brewed for the City Lord's wedding by the oldest winery in Northern Frontier City. It had been buried underground for twenty years, and now that it was unsealed, its aroma filled the room with a mellow fragrance.

She walked back holding a wine cup, handed the first one to Situ Jun, then distributed them to the other women. Finally, she took a cup herself, raised it toward Situ Jun, and with eyes curved in a smile as gentle as water, she said:

“Husband, this cup is to our love at first sight, to the new life you gave me, and even more to the lifetime of stability you promised me, shielding me from the wind and rain.”

Situ Jun reached out to take the cup. Their eyes met, and his gaze was deep and fiery, hiding endless indulgence and cherish. Without a moment's hesitation, he raised the cup and drained it in one gulp.

The spicy liquid slid down his throat, turning into a hint of sweetness in an instant that lingered between his lips and teeth. It was just like the years he and Su Yunniang had traveled together; they had experienced storms and hardships, bitterness and difficulties, but after all was said and done, what remained in his heart was only an endless, lingering sweetness that would never fade.

To the side, Xia Wei also raised her cup, her eyes red as she looked at Situ Jun:

“This cup is to you, Husband, for leading me out of that cage-like Apocalypse Palace, for letting me see the vastness of the world beyond the palace walls, and for letting me know—that the feeling of being truly cared for and treated with devotion is so warm and grounding.”

After speaking, she tilted her head back and finished the wine. The tears she had been holding back finally fell, sliding slowly down her fair cheeks, yet she looked at Situ Jun and smiled through her tears.

That smile was bright and moving, like a crabapple blossom blooming after the rain, shedding all past miseries, leaving only a heart and eyes full of joy and attachment, dazzling the flickering candlelight in the room.

When Hua Hanxiang raised her cup, her slender fingers trembled slightly, causing the clear wine inside to ripple gently. The candlelight reflected in the liquid like scattered gold, shimmering with waves of light.

She lowered her eyelids, her voice as soft as willow catkins in the wind, yet carrying an irrepressible sob and deep affection:

“Husband, my long-frozen heart was awakened by your warmth. This cup of wine is to you, and also to myself—to my good fortune in this life to meet you and fall in love with you, so that my heart finally has a home and no more distractions.”

Draining the cup, she slowly closed her eyes. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and crystal teardrops hung on the tips, ready to fall. The warm yellow candlelight fell upon them, making them as clear as morning dew and as lustrous as pearls, hiding a heart full of gratitude and tender affection.

Widow Ya quietly raised her cup, her cool eyes fixed on Situ Jun. Deep within her gaze lay an unknown fiery passion, yet when she spoke, her voice was surprisingly calm, though tinged with threads of tenderness:

“I am older now and cannot say those lingering sweet words. This cup is to you, Husband, and also to myself—to the fact that I didn't miss out on you back then.”

With that, she tilted her head and drained the strong wine. As the spicy liquid entered her throat, a hint of intoxication appeared, and a crimson flush spread from her cheeks to her ears. It added a rare touch of seductive softness to her cool and transcendent features, giving her a uniquely soul-stirring charm.

Jiang Ya was already smiling with her eyes curved, her heart filled with joy and cheer. She raised her wine cup, her voice bright and hearty, breaking the somewhat somber atmosphere:

“I don't have so many fancy principles; I just toast to Husband's health, peace through the years, and a life of ten thousand years; to us sisters, to staying together with one heart in harmony and well-being; and even more to our home, may it be perfect from now on, year after year, never to be parted!”

After speaking, she heroically downed the wine in one gulp. After drinking, she smacked her little mouth and wrinkled her nose, muttering:

“This wine is so spicy, but it really is fragrant. This is so satisfying!”

Her frank and cute manner instantly made the women unable to help but laugh. The faint sadness that had lingered at the table dissipated, and the atmosphere became increasingly relaxed and happy, filled with warmth and affection.

When Wan Xiangyu raised her cup, her hands couldn't stop trembling. Her heart was filled with nervousness and excitement. She opened her mouth, but for a long time, she couldn't say a complete sentence, stammering:

“This commoner... This servant... I...”

After hesitating for a long while, she still couldn't find the words. Her fair cheeks turned bright red, filled with embarrassment.

She simply stopped trying to speak, closed her eyes, and tilted her head to drain the wine. Because she drank too hurriedly, she suddenly began to cough, her face turning red and tears being forced out, looking piteous and endearing.

Seeing this, Situ Jun's heart tightened. He quickly walked to her side, his palm resting gently on her back, patting her softly to help her breathe. His voice was warm and mellow, full of heartache and indulgence:

“No rush, take your time.”

After a good while, Wan Xiangyu finally stopped coughing and slowly looked up. Her eyes were red, though it was unclear if it was from the wine or from being moved.

Her voice carried a lingering sob, every word as sincere as if written in blood:

“Husband... I have experienced many hardships in the past and married the wrong person. After the divorce, I never dared to hope that I could wear a wedding dress again in this life, or that I could honorably marry the one I love. I am of lowly birth and ordinary appearance. I originally thought that being able to stay by Husband's side as an ordinary Servant Girl would be the greatest blessing. I never expected... I never expected that Husband would be willing to give me a status, give me a wedding, and give me... a home.”

By the end, she was sobbing uncontrollably, tears falling like broken pearls, soaking her collar, full of both past grievances and present gratitude.

Situ Jun's heart ached. He reached out and gently pulled her into his warm embrace, his fingertips tenderly wiping away the tear stains on her cheeks. His forehead pressed lightly against hers, their warm breaths mingling, as he spoke in a firm and gentle tone:

“You are worthy. All of you are worthy of the best things in this world, worthy of me giving everything to protect you.”

Wan Xiangyu huddled in his warm embrace and cried for a long time before her emotions finally settled. She raised her tear-stained face, looked at the man before her, and smiled through her tears.

That smile carried a bit of lingering silliness, but it was pure and sincere, striking directly into Situ Jun's heart and softening his entire soul.

Liu Xuaner held her wine cup and moved with lotus steps, walking over slowly with a thousand charms.

Her bright red wedding dress trailed on the ground. As she walked, her waist swayed, her figure enchanting and seductive, every step like a blooming flower.

She gently brought the wine cup to Situ Jun's lips, her eyes full of shifting light and brilliance. Her voice was soft and moving, carrying a hint of mock-blame and deep-seated affection:

“Husband, I toast to you. You once owed me a grand wedding, and now you have finally repaid it. But you still owe me a child, you owe me my wish to be a mother. If you can't finish paying this debt in this life, then in the next life, and the life after that, you must keep paying. Don't even think of escaping for all eternity.”

Situ Jun smiled. Following her hand, he drained the wine in the cup. The liquid slightly moistened the rim and also touched her fingertips.

He reached out and tightly grasped her hand, giving it a gentle pull to bring her to his side. He lowered his head and promised into her ear, his tone indulgent and firm, his breath brushing against her ear and making her heart tremble:

“In the next life, I will still marry you. I will certainly let you bear me a healthy and cute big boy, fulfilling all your wishes and pampering you for all eternity.”

Hearing this, Liu Xuaner smiled with her eyes curved. Her fingertip lightly poked his chest as she said coquettishly:

“In that case, won't you owe me for all eternity?”

Situ Jun's gaze was gentle yet incredibly firm as he looked at her. Every word he spoke was powerful and full of deep affection:

“Then for all eternity, you shall marry me, and I shall marry you, never to be parted.”

The rest of the women also raised their cups one after another.

Some spoke soft, intimate words from their hearts, slowly expressing their full devotion.

Others needed no words, simply gazing quietly into Situ Jun's eyes with lingering looks, draining their wine and swallowing all their deep affection and attachment into their bellies, carving it into their marrow and hiding it in the deepest part of their hearts.

Unknowingly, after more than twenty cups of wine, a faint blush appeared on Situ Jun's cheeks. A hint of intoxication entered his eyes, and his gaze became increasingly blurred, yet also deeper and more fiery.

His gaze slowly swept over every woman before him, tender and lingering, as if he wanted to deeply brand every one of their frowns and smiles into his eyes and carve them into his heart, never to be forgotten in this life.