After being sentenced to death, she came to her senses.

After Liu left, Qinglan whispered, "Do you really have a way to quell this storm? The Xue family's goal is for you to marry into their family. Even if you meet Madam Xue, she may not agree. Besides, will Miss Liu really be willing to return Madam Xue's dowry? Where will the Fang family's expenses come from then?"

"What, are you starting to worry like Ziju too? Since I agreed, I naturally have a way to deal with it. As for returning Mother's dowry, I think Liu Shi has no other choice. Father won't give her any extra time, so she can only take the risk and try." Fang Xiaoran smiled slightly and slowly sat down in the chair.

Qinglan was still somewhat puzzled after hearing this, so she leaned closer and asked curiously, "Miss, in this way, although you have resolved the issues with the Xue family and the Fourth Miss, what about your own situation? At that time, you will probably only have the option of marrying into the Lin family, right?"

"Don't worry, things will work themselves out in the end."

"Mm." Qinglan nodded slightly.

When she returned to Cuiwei Pavilion, it was completely dark, but the pitch-black night could not hide her ashen face.

"Mother, did you see Fang Xiaoran? What did she say? Is she willing to help?" Fang Yunyao asked anxiously, feeling very uneasy.

Liu told Fang Yunyao about her conversation with Fang Xiaoran. After listening, Fang Yunyao was furious. "She is clearly deliberately making things difficult for us. If she wants to get back Madam's dowry, she can go directly to Father. Isn't she always very capable? Why doesn't she dare to take any action now?"

“Whether she’s deliberately making things difficult or just venting, we need her help, and we’ve even offended her before. If she can help us without holding a grudge, that’s already commendable. Why ask for more?” Exhausted, Liu sat weakly in her chair and shook her head gently.

That makes sense, Fang Yunyao knew it in her heart; she was just unwilling to beg Fang Xiaoran.

Fang Yunyao's expression was solemn. "However, can you really hand over the nearly empty dowry in the storeroom? If Grandmother or Father finds out, you will surely be punished, and your hard-won power to manage the household will probably be taken back..."

Having been controlled by the Fang family for many years, Fang Yunyao was naturally unwilling to let everything slip through her fingers now that things had finally started to look up.

"What can we do if we don't hand it over? She has already made it clear that she will only help after seeing the item. Besides, your father never interferes in the affairs of the inner quarters, so he will basically not find out. As for the old lady, she is too busy taking care of herself to have the energy to worry about so many things. As long as we keep an eye on Wang Zhiyu's people, there won't be any major problems."

"Then where will the funds for the subsequent expenses come from? And what if you are deceived by Fang Xiaoran? Wouldn't we be losing more than we gain?"

“Then we have no choice but to take the risk, Yao’er. We have no other option. As for the expenses… I have my own way of dealing with them.” After saying this, Madam Liu immediately summoned the steward and discussed with him the matter of sending the lady’s dowry to the North Residence overnight. The steward was now her man, so things went smoothly.

Anyway, it was just a change of storage room and she didn't leave the Fang family. Even if something really happened, she could say that she was forced by Fang Xiaoran. After all, Fang Zhengyong knew Fang Xiaoran's personality best.

That very night, Bai Qiqi's dowry was delivered to the North Residence's storeroom. Fang Xiaoran and her men carefully checked the accounts, and only after confirming that everything was correct did they send Liu's people back.

Looking at the few remaining treasures, Fang Xiaoran felt a mix of emotions. When her mother came, she brought a dazzling array of treasures that others envied, and she was in great glory. But when she left, she was met with cold stares and criticism. Even her remains were reduced to ashes in that fire.

Whenever she thought of this, Fang Xiaoran's hatred for the Fang family grew stronger. She was determined to gradually take back what belonged to her mother, and then leave this place forever, severing all ties with it.

Fang Zhengyong gave Liu three days, but Fang Xiaoran only took action on the last day. The people in Cuiwei Pavilion were already on tenterhooks, extremely anxious, and repeatedly sent messages to her, but she turned a deaf ear and continued to do as she pleased.

Fang Yunyao spent her days in tears, repeatedly trying to go directly to the North Residence to find Fang Xiaoran, but was always stopped by Liu Shi. Only on the last day did Fang Xiaoran finally travel by carriage to the Xue family. Upon hearing the news of her departure, Liu Shi was still filled with anxiety, fearing something might have happened.

Soon, Fang Xiaoran arrived at the Xue family. When the maid told Lin Cuilan about it, Lin Cuilan was quite curious and asked, "What brings her here? Did she explain why?"

"Miss Fang only said she wanted to see you," the maid replied. Without giving a reason, only saying she wanted to see her, it was clear she had something to discuss privately.

It seems that the Fang family could no longer hold back due to Fang Yunyao's recent affairs. But why would they send Fang Xiaoran here in person? Could it be that the Fang family has already made a decision, but Fang Xiaoran herself is dissatisfied with it, so she came to find her in the hope of finding a way to change things?

Thinking of this, Lin Cuilan couldn't help but sneer, "Things have come to this point, and she still wants to refuse the marriage. She really doesn't take our Xue family seriously. Since she's asking me for a favor, then let her wait."

Lin Cuilan intended to use this opportunity to make things difficult for Fang Xiaoran, and also to deflate her arrogance to prevent her from being disrespectful to her after marriage. However, when Lin Cuilan finished speaking, the maid looked troubled, as if she had something to hide.

This aroused Lin Cuilan's suspicion. She asked with a stern face, "What's wrong?" The maid stammered, "Miss Fang also said that she came because there is something concerning the young master's future. If you don't see her, she will go back immediately. I hope you won't regret it..."

"Then why didn't you say so sooner? You're so hesitant even when delivering a message; how can you accomplish anything significant?" Lin Cuilan said sternly, frightening the maid so much that her face turned pale. The maid quickly knelt down and whispered, "I was afraid of angering you, so... so I dared not speak, but I was also afraid of delaying important matters..."

"Forget it, they're all useless people. I wonder what this girl is plotting." Upon hearing this, Lin Cuilan was torn between leaving and staying. There seemed to be a knot in her heart. As the saying goes, no one visits the temple without a reason. Fang Xiaoran certainly wouldn't have just said it casually. After all, she had already said such words. If she went to ask, it couldn't be just to see her.

After careful consideration, Lin Cuilan decided to go see Fang Xiaoran. She wanted to see what Fang Xiaoran was capable of, daring to speak so arrogantly.

After waiting for a while in the side hall, having drunk half a cup of tea, and still not seeing Lin Cuilan appear, Fang Xiaoran simply put down her teacup, got up, and left.

The maid standing nearby almost didn't react in time. Seeing that the person was about to step out the door, she hurriedly rushed forward and asked in a low voice, "Miss Fang, are you leaving? Perhaps Madam is held up by something. Why don't you wait a little longer?"

"No need. Since Madam Xue is so busy, she probably has no time to talk to me, so why should I stay here any longer?" Fang Xiaoran did not stop walking as she spoke, and in the blink of an eye, she had already walked down the steps. The maid anxiously chased after her, trying to buy some time, but fortunately, Lin Cuilan arrived at this moment.

Seeing Fang Xiaoran about to leave without saying a word, she couldn't help but wonder if the girl was really serious. She thought it was just talk, and Lin Cuilan wanted to delay a bit, at least not to appear too eager. She never expected that the two of them would almost miss each other and nearly ruin something important.

"Why did this person leave so soon after arriving? Come on in, let's sit down and talk about it." Lin Cuilan smiled, showing a hint of enthusiasm.

Fang Xiaoran simply said, "I noticed that Madam Xue hasn't appeared for a long time, so she must be very busy. Therefore, I didn't want to bother you. Are you done with your work?"

“There are some things that need to be taken care of. These servants are really something. I clearly told them to inform you a long time ago, but they didn’t pass on the message.” Lin Cuilan pretended to scold the servants while pulling Fang Xiaoran toward the side hall.

Upon arriving at the side hall, the two chatted briefly. Lin Cuilan casually mentioned the marriage, while Fang Xiaoran responded calmly and without hesitation. After speaking, she stated directly, "My presence here today is indeed related to the marriage between the Fang and Xue families."

"You've finally figured it out." Upon hearing this, Lin Cuilan showed a relieved smile, but Fang Xiaoran's next words instantly froze her smile.

Fang Xiaoran's tone was calm and firm, "I will not marry Young Master Xue. The Xue family must formally marry my fourth sister. After all, everything has a cause and effect. We are both people who meet in secret, so why is it that only my fourth sister is criticized, while Young Master Xue is unharmed? Since it is a matter between two people, they should solve it together. Marriage is the best solution."