Su Yueqing lowered her gaze toward the tray.
And the moment she smelled the tea—
Her thoughts paused.
[Oh?]
[So this is the famous obedient bride tea.]
[Sleeping herbs mixed with calming medicine.]
[How thoughtful.]
The entire hall froze.
Xi Lanyin’s eyes widened slightly.
Xi Qianqian almost dropped the pastry in her hand.
Even Zhao Rui’s cold expression stiffened for half a second.
Because Su Yueqing was completely correct.
The tea truly contained calming herbs.
It was an old Xi family custom used on newly married brides to "settle their temperament" before entering married life properly.
Nobody outside the direct family should have known.
Yet Su Yueqing identified it instantly.
Inside her mind, Su Yueqing sounded deeply unimpressed.
[Honestly, ancient noble families are terrifying.]
[Drugging daughters-in-law on the first day and calling it family tradition.]
[At least modern companies only destroy your mental health.]
Xi Yunchen immediately coughed loudly to cover his laughter.
Xi Yunhao glared at him.
Lin Meiyun quietly observed Su Yueqing from her seat.
For the first time, her calm eyes carried a trace of seriousness.
This girl...
Was not simple.
Meanwhile, Zhao Rui coldly said, "The bride should drink."
Su Yueqing slowly lifted her head before speaking in a soft and respectful voice.
"My apologies, Grandmother, but before leaving my family residence today, the physician specially prepared medicine for my body."
She lightly lowered her gaze.
"He warned me not to consume unfamiliar herbal mixtures tonight. Otherwise, my body may react badly."
Her tone was gentle.
Respectful.
Without a single openly offensive word.
Yet in only one sentence—
She completely escaped the situation.
Xi Qianqian blinked.
Xi Yunhao’s expression changed slightly.
Even Zhao Rui paused for a brief moment.
Inside her mind, however—
Su Yueqing sounded extremely satisfied with herself.
[Thank you, nine worlds of experience.]
[No way am I drinking suspicious ceremonial tea again.]
[Last time I trusted a family banquet soup, I woke up buried alive.]
Xi Yunchen immediately bent his head lower against the table, shoulders shaking violently.
Gu Yue stared at him in confusion.
"What’s wrong with you?"
"Nothing," he answered weakly. "I just suddenly remembered something funny."
Nobody believed him.
The atmosphere inside the hall became stranger and stranger.