Inside the main garden pavilion, the banquet was now in full swing. The air was filled with the sweet smell of blooming flowers, warm tea, and expensive perfumes. Elegant noblewomen sat in small groups, exchanging polite smiles and soft laughter, though their words were sharp.

"Did you hear about the kitchen fire at the Xi Manor a day ago.. she just arrived and she is already burnt down a whole residence?" one minister’s wife whispered behind her silk fan. "They say the new Young Madam caused a massive scene. She truly has no manners at all."

"Hush, keep your voice down," another lady replied, glancing toward the head table. "But yes, everyone knows she is hot-tempered and completely unsuited for Master Wenzhe. It is a pity."

At the main table, Madame Zi sat next to Duchess Lin Meiyun. They were making casual conversation when a wealthy noblewoman nearby turned to the Duchess with a fake, curious smile.

"Duchess Lin, it has been quite a while since the party started," the lady asked loudly, drawing the attention of the surrounding tables. "Where is your new daughter-in-law? We have all been waiting to meet the bride of the young master."

Lin Meiyun’s smile turned slightly awkward. She knew the guests were only asking because they wanted to see Su Yueqing make a fool of herself. Before the Duchess could respond, the sound of footsteps drew everyone’s eyes toward the entrance of the pavilion.

Gu Yue walked in first, followed closely by Su Yueqing.

A collective murmur passed through the crowd. Su Yueqing was dressed beautifully. Her plum-colored silk robe was elegant and fit her perfectly, decorated with subtle silver embroidery that caught the sunlight. Her hair was pinned neatly with simple jade pieces. It was not too extravagant, but it was absolutely dressed to impress.

On the outside, Su Yueqing looked completely calm and graceful. But inside her head, she was incredibly tired.

[Ding!]

Nine’s sarcastic voice chimed in.

[Look at this, Host. This banquet is the perfect stage to earn villain points. Rumors of your terrible rudeness are already all over the empire. Why don’t you show them the tip of the iceberg and act like a proper villainess?]

[Nine, I told you I am exhausted,]

Su Yueqing snapped back in her mind.

[I just want to sit down and eat a pastry. If they leave me alone, I will leave them alone.]

Unfortunately, the guests had no intention of leaving her alone. As Su Yueqing walked toward the main table, a haughty young lady from a neighboring family giggled softly and spoke up. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"The Young Madam is finally here," the girl said, her tone dripping with fake sweetness. "We thought you were still hiding in your courtyard after this morning’s drama. I suppose it takes a very long time to fix oneself up when one lacks natural grace."

Su Yueqing stopped walking. She looked at the young lady with a bored expression.

"Natural grace can be hard to find," Su Yueqing replied smoothly, her voice calm but clear enough for everyone to hear. "But at least it can be learned. Unlike a good tongue, which seems completely missing in some noble families."

The girl’s face turned bright red in shock.

[Ding! Successfully insulted a minor character! Villain Points +10!]

An older noblewoman frowned and chimed in, trying to defend the girl. "Young Madam, you should watch your words. This is a polite gathering, not a marketplace where you can yell at your elders."

Su Yueqing turned her eyes to the older woman and gave a lazy, cold smile. "If Madame thinks this is a marketplace, then you must be the one trying to sell your uninvited opinions. I am simply answering a question."

"You—!" the older woman gasped, clutching her chest.

[Ding! Offending an elder with absolute disrespect! Villain Points +15!]

Another lady sneered from the side. "No wonder Master Wenzhe spends all his time in his study. Who would want to look at such a sharp, unpleasant face every day?"

Su Yueqing didn’t even blink. She tilted her head slightly. "My husband’s study is indeed very quiet. Perhaps you should spend some time there too, Madame. The books might finally teach you how to mind your own business."

The entire pavilion went dead silent. Nobody expected the new Young Madam to be this direct and unbothered by their insults.

[Ding! Annoying a whole group of noblewomen at once! Villain Points +20!]

[Current Total: 301 Points. Excellent work, Host. Your bad attitude is highly efficient.]

[Shut up, Nine. I told you I don’t give up without a fight.]*** Su Yueqing thought, finally walking to her seat.

Seeing that the atmosphere was getting tense and the situation might get out of hand, Lin Meiyun quickly stood up to control the room. She didn’t want a full riot in the middle of her banquet.

The Duchess turned to her daughters and niece. "Xi Qianqian, Xi Lanyin, Gu Yue,

..why don’t you take your Sister in law and the other young ladies for a stroll? The estate gardens are in full bloom, and it would be a shame not to give our guests a proper tour."

Gu Yue quickly understood her aunt’s signal. She stepped forward and bowed politely. "Yes, Aunt. We will take the young ladies to see the lotus pond."

Xi Qianqian and Xi Lanyin rose from their seats as well. They walked over to Su Yueqing, completely aware that this tour was just a way to separate the younger generation before Su Yueqing could roast anyone else at the main table.

The path leading away from the pavilion was lined with neatly trimmed hedges and stone lanterns, the loud chatter of the main banquet fading into the background.

Walking a few paces behind the group of young noblewomen was a small cluster of estate maids. Among them was Li Mei. Her expression was entirely composed, her hands folded neatly in front of her dress, but her eyes remained fixed on Su Yueqing’s back.

As the group walked further into the estate toward the lotus pond, one particular young lady deliberately slowed her pace, drifting toward the rear of the crowd.

This was Lady Pei.

Everyone in the capital’s high society knew that Lady Pei had harbored deep feelings for Xi Wenzhe for years. When the marriage to Su Yueqing was announced, she had been utterly humiliated and furious. Naturally, she absolutely detested the new Young Madam.

Lady Pei glanced back and noticed Li Mei walking nearby. Knowing that Li Mei was Wenzhe’s trusted personal maid, Lady Pei saw an opportunity. She deliberately adjusted her steps to walk closer to the maid, her eyes narrowing as she glared ahead at Su Yueqing’s elegant plum-colored robes.

"Your Young Master must be suffering terribly," Lady Pei said in a low, bitter whisper, loud enough only for Li Mei to hear. "To think he was forced to marry such a rude, uncultured woman who does nothing but cause disasters and embarrass the Xi family name."