The hall quieted slightly after she spoke.
But the atmosphere remained uncomfortable.
Nobody truly welcomed this marriage.
Most of them had already decided they disliked Su Yueqing before even meeting her.
Then—
Footsteps finally sounded from outside the hall.
The servants immediately straightened their backs.
"The young madam has arrived!"
At once, everyone turned toward the entrance.
A slender figure dressed in bright red wedding robes slowly walked into the hall.
The golden phoenix embroidery on her robes shimmered softly beneath the lantern light as her long sleeves brushed elegantly against the floor with every step she took. Her posture was straight, calm, and proud beneath the red bridal veil covering her face.
The entire hall fell silent for a brief moment.
Xi Qianqian narrowed her eyes slightly.
"She already walks around like she owns the manor."
Gu Yue whispered quietly, "At least she looks graceful..."
Xi Ronghua snorted immediately.
"Pretty faces are useless if the personality is rotten."
Meanwhile—
Su Yueqing calmly walked toward the center of the hall while silently observing everything around her beneath the veil.
[Hmm.]
[The family lineup is complete.]
[Old Madam Xi looks exactly like the type who secretly controls the household finances.]
[The Duchess looks elegant, but she definitely has the aura of someone who can slap people without blinking.]
[The second sister already looks like she hates me.]
[And the lazy twin brother looks like comic relief.]
The Xi family froze.
Xi Yunchen slowly stopped spinning his teacup.
"...What?"
Xi Qianqian blinked.
"...Did someone speak?"
Gu Yue looked around in confusion.
But before anyone could react properly—
Su Yueqing continued walking calmly as though nothing had happened.
[Ah, right.]
[This should be the part where the villainous wife makes a terrible first impression.]
[Probably an accidental trip scene or tea-spilling scene.]
[These novels love overused openings.]
At that exact moment—
A maid suddenly stepped on the long flowing robe behind Su Yueqing.
The fabric pulled sharply.
Su Yueqing lost balance slightly and stumbled half a step forward.
Gasps immediately sounded throughout the hall.
The maid’s face turned deathly pale before she instantly dropped to her knees.
"This servant deserves punishment! This servant did not do it intentionally!"
The hall instantly became silent.
Su Yueqing slowly steadied herself before turning around.
Beneath the bridal veil, her expression remained cold and unreadable.
Then—
Smack!
The sound of the slap echoed loudly throughout the hall.