Oops! My Inner Thoughts Are Ruining The Plot

Chapter 26: Chapter

Su Yueqing followed the maid through several winding corridors of the Xi Manor, her pace unhurried despite the fact that she was already running late for breakfast.

The morning sun had fully risen by now, casting warm golden light across the estate. Servants moved busily between courtyards carrying trays of food and fresh flowers, while guards stood quietly at their posts.

Su Yueqing, however, paid attention to none of it.

She was still thinking about the strange favorability points from earlier.

The more she thought about them, the less sense they made.

[This system is definitely broken.]

[There is no other explanation.]

[Yesterday I was accused of burning down a residence.]

[I was questioned in front of the entire family.]

[I almost got roasted alive.]

[And somehow people like me more now?]

[Who designed this nonsense?]

Soon, the maid stopped outside a large open courtyard.

Unlike the previous days where different branches of the family had eaten separately, today’s breakfast had been arranged in the central courtyard.

Several stone paths connected together around a beautiful pond filled with lotus flowers, while elegant tables had already been arranged beneath the shade of flowering trees.

The maid bowed respectfully.

"Young Madam, we have arrived."

Before Su Yueqing could respond—

A servant standing near the entrance immediately announced loudly,

"Young Madam has arrived!"

The entire courtyard became quiet.

Su Yueqing immediately felt several gazes land on her.

[Wonderful.]

[Everyone is staring again.]

[Maybe if I catch fire a second time they’ll stop.]

The moment she stepped inside, she noticed something strange.

Only the women were present.

Old Madam Xi was seated at the head table.

Beside her sat Lin Meiyun.

Xi Lanyin was nearby.

Xi Ronghua and Gu Zhen were seated together.

Xi Qianqian was present.

Gu Yue was present.

Xi Anran was present.

But none of the men were there.

Neither Xi Jianyu nor Xi Wenzhe nor the brothers had arrived yet.

Before Su Yueqing could think further—

"Sister-in-law!"

Xi Qianqian immediately stood up.

A bright smile appeared on her face as she hurried over.

At the same time, Gu Yue practically jumped out of her seat.

"Cousin In-Law!"

Even Xi Anran quickly approached from the other side.

Within seconds, the three young girls had completely surrounded Su Yueqing.

Su Yueqing froze.

[...]

[What is happening?]

Xi Qianqian gently held her arm.

"Sister-in-law, did you sleep well?"

Gu Yue nodded enthusiastically.

"Cousin In-law, are your injuries alright?"

Xi Anran added immediately,

"If anything hurts, you should tell us."

Su Yueqing stared at them.

Then stared some more.

[Yesterday these people looked like they wanted to interrogate me.]

[Today they look like they want to adopt me.]

[Should I be worried?]

The smiles on the girls’ faces almost cracked.

They quickly exchanged glances.

Clearly, none of them had expected her thoughts to be this suspicious.

The truth was that after hearing Su Yueqing’s thoughts yesterday, the entire family had secretly discussed one thing.

If they wanted to learn more about the future and avoid the disasters she kept mentioning...

Then the best solution was simple.

Treat Su Yueqing well.

Very well.

Unfortunately...

The person involved seemed to think everyone had suddenly lost their minds.

[Did they eat something strange this morning?]

[Or is this some new family torture method?]

[Smile at the target until they surrender?]

Xi Qianqian nearly choked.

Gu Yue immediately lowered her head to hide her expression.

Even Xi Anran’s shoulders trembled slightly.

At the main table, Old Madam Xi calmly sipped her tea.

Beside her, Lin Meiyun looked away while pretending not to hear anything.

Xi Ronghua, meanwhile, almost burst into laughter.

Only Gu Zhen quickly reached over and pinched her sleeve.

"Control yourself."

"I’m trying."

"No, you’re not." freewēbnoveℓ.com

"I really am."

Meanwhile, Su Yueqing was becoming increasingly uncomfortable.

The three girls continued hovering around her like protective guards.

Xi Qianqian personally guided her toward a seat.

Gu Yue immediately poured tea for her.

Xi Anran even pulled her chair out for her.

Su Yueqing sat down slowly.

[This is terrifying.]

[They definitely want something.]

[People are never this nice for free.]

Across the courtyard, several women instantly looked away before their expressions could betray them.

Even Old Madam Xi had to lower her teacup to hide the smile threatening to appear.

For the first time in many years, breakfast in the Xi Manor felt strangely lively.

And the most amusing part was that the person causing it all still had absolutely no idea what was going on.

The atmosphere in the courtyard gradually became more relaxed as servants began arriving one after another carrying trays filled with breakfast dishes.

Soon, the large table was covered with all kinds of delicacies, from steaming bowls of porridge and freshly made dumplings to sweet pastries, stir-fried vegetables, and fragrant soups that filled the air with a rich aroma.

The moment the food was placed down, Su Yueqing’s attention immediately shifted.

Whatever confusion she had been feeling about the favorability points was instantly forgotten.

Her eyes landed on the dishes.

Then landed on them again.

And suddenly, she realized just how hungry she actually was.

Yesterday had been nothing but one disaster after another. Between almost being roasted alive, being accused of arson, and listening to endless arguments, she had barely eaten anything.

Without wasting another second, she picked up her chopsticks and started eating.

The women around the table watched her for a moment.

Then watched her some more.

Unlike the noble ladies of the capital who would carefully maintain their elegant image while eating, Su Yueqing seemed completely uninterested in such things. She wasn’t being rude, but she certainly wasn’t pretending either. She simply ate whenever she wanted, whichever dish she liked, looking more focused on breakfast than on the dozens of eyes around her.

Xi Qianqian couldn’t help leaning slightly toward Xi Lanyin.

"Should we remind Sister-in-law about table etiquette?" she whispered quietly.

Xi Lanyin glanced at Su Yueqing, who was currently focused entirely on a plate of crystal dumplings.

After a moment, she shook her head.

"Let her be."

Considering everything that had happened yesterday, nobody really had the heart to criticize her.

Meanwhile, Su Yueqing remained blissfully unaware of the conversation.

Inside her mind, she was already evaluating the food.

[This is actually pretty good.]

[At least this family knows how to feed people.]

[That’s one point in their favor.]

Several people instantly lowered their heads.

Xi Ronghua nearly laughed into her tea.

Beside her, Gu Zhen silently looked away.

At the other end of the table, Gu Yue suddenly brightened as a mischievous idea entered her mind.

Since everyone was trying so hard to get closer to Su Yueqing, surely asking a harmless question wouldn’t hurt. freёwebnovel.com

Leaning forward slightly, she smiled sweetly.

"Cousin Sister-in-law, aren’t you curious where Wenzhe is this morning?"

The moment Xi Wenzhe’s name entered the conversation, Su Yueqing’s expression changed immediately.

The dumpling she had been enjoying suddenly seemed much less appealing.

She slowly lowered her chopsticks.

Inside her mind, however, her reaction was much more dramatic.

[Why would she suddenly mention that jerk?]

[Now I can’t even enjoy my breakfast properly.]

The smiles around the table froze.

Gu Yue blinked.

Xi Qianqian immediately lowered her head.

Even Lin Meiyun’s fingers paused slightly around her teacup.

Completely unaware of the reactions she was causing, Su Yueqing picked up another dumpling.

[I don’t care where he is.]

[He could be hanging off a cliff somewhere and I still wouldn’t care.]

[As long as nobody drags me along.]

[Just let me finish my food peacefully.]

An awkward silence spread across the table.

No one dared look directly at Gu Yue anymore.

Poor Gu Yue sat frozen in her seat.

She had only asked a simple question.

How had things turned out like this?

Unfortunately, Su Yueqing’s thoughts were far from finished.

She took a sip of soup and frowned slightly.

The more she thought about Xi Wenzhe, the more annoyed she became.

[And don’t even get me started on yesterday.]

[Who enters a bathing chamber without knocking?]

[What kind of person does that?]

Her chopsticks paused.

Then another thought followed.

[Then he had the nerve to tell me he wanted to bathe with me.]

[Jerk.]

Pfffft—

The sound echoed through the courtyard.

Old Madam Xi suddenly sprayed a mouthful of tea across the table.

"Cough! Cough! Cough!"

The entire breakfast gathering immediately descended into chaos.

"Grandmother!"

"Old Madam!"

"Quick, bring water!"

Xi Lanyin hurried to support her grandmother while Xi Qianqian quickly stood up from her seat. Several maids rushed forward carrying water as Lin Meiyun rose with concern written across her face.

For a moment, the courtyard became completely chaotic.

Only after drinking several mouthfuls of water did Old Madam Xi finally stop coughing.

Her face was slightly red.

Meanwhile, nobody dared speak.

Nobody dared explain why they looked so strange.

And nobody dared mention the real reason Old Madam Xi had nearly choked.

Across the table, Su Yueqing sat completely confused.

She looked at the crowd surrounding Old Madam Xi before glancing down at her own bowl.

Then back at the crowd.

Inside her mind, a single thought appeared.

[Did the tea attack her?]

The younger generation nearly broke down.

Xi Ronghua immediately covered her face as she pinched her husband.

Gu Zhen pressed his lips together so hard they almost disappeared... he was regretting not joining the fellow men for archery this morning.