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

The Xue family arrived with a grand procession of betrothal gifts. Upon seeing this, Fang Zhengyong frowned, and Liu Shi was also filled with doubts.

No one could fathom who the Xue family had prepared this betrothal gift for. If it wasn't for Fang Yunyao, it meant that Fang Xiaoran had failed or deceived them, and in that case, Fang Yunyao might have no way out.

Liu had no time to cry. She hurriedly got up and ran over with unsteady steps, but she could not be impolite. She quickly straightened her clothes and headdress, forced a smile on her face, and nodded slightly to the Xue family.

Looking at the mountain of betrothal gifts, Fang Zhengyong's face darkened. Having learned from his previous experience, Fang Zhengyong had no goodwill towards the Xue family. He asked with a stern face, "What exactly is the Xue family's intention in doing this? I have already stated that the Fang family's daughter is not worried about marriage. Don't try to use coercive or enticement tactics. Our Fang family is not a soft persimmon to be squeezed."

"Lord Fang, you misunderstand. Our Xue family has come to propose marriage to our fourth daughter. The fourth daughter and our young master have been in love for a long time. How can such a good match be broken up? We hope that Lord Fang will grant our request." The person who came to propose marriage was Xue Zhiming's second uncle, whose words and deeds were much more dignified and proper than those of the servants.

Upon hearing that the person had come to propose to Fang Yunyao, Liu Shi finally felt relieved. It seemed that Fang Xiaoran was indeed capable, managing to change Madam Xue's mind. However, she wondered what methods she had used.

Fang Zhengyong was filled with suspicion. The Xue family had previously risked breaking with the Lin family to marry Fang Xiaoran, so why did they suddenly change their minds and instead propose to Fang Yunyao, whom they had previously looked down upon? Could it be due to pressure from the Lin family?

He didn't think the matter had anything to do with the Liu family. At most, the Liu family had received some information, but they weren't sure, which was why they pleaded desperately at the last minute.

If the Lin family has gone to such lengths, they are probably determined to win Fang Xiaoran's hand in marriage, and no matter how Fang Xiaoran refuses, it will be to no avail.

"Is the Xue family certain that they are seeking the hand of my Fang family's fourth daughter?" Fang Zhengyong asked sternly, his expression unreadable. Xue Tao bowed respectfully and replied with certainty, "Indeed."

They didn't mention a word about their previous attempt to marry Fang Xiaoran, as if it had never happened, which made it inconvenient for Fang Zhengyong to speak about it again.

Normally, Fang Zhengyong would not easily agree, but given what happened before, all problems would be solved if Fang Yunyao married Xue Zhiming.

Fang Zhengyong's expression softened slightly, and he gestured, saying, "Let's go inside and talk in detail."

He did not immediately accept the betrothal gifts, but said that they should go inside to talk. Xue Tao understood his intention, and without saying much, she smiled and followed him into the house.

Liu wanted to follow, but the steward stopped her, saying, "It would be better if you waited here for news. You must not lose your composure in front of the master and the Xue family at this time."

"Very well, you wait here. If anything important happens, report to me immediately." After that, Fang Zhengyong talked with Xue Tao for a long time, and did not leave until noon.

Fang Zhengyong originally wanted to invite her to stay for a meal, but Xue Tao politely declined, saying that she needed to bring the good news back as soon as possible. This was just a polite remark, and Fang Zhengyong naturally wouldn't insist on keeping her.

No one knows what the two of them talked about, but since that day, the rumors about Fang Yunyao have gradually dissipated, and the storm has finally subsided.

However, this matter really made Fang Zhengyong suspicious. He had previously tried to get some information from Xue Tao, but Xue Tao was very shrewd and kept silent.

Fortunately, the storm has subsided, and the Xue family's affairs have finally come to an end.

Seeing the Xue family's rapid change of attitude, Old Madam Lin also felt something was amiss. She knew her daughter best, and how could she not know what Lin Cuilan was planning? She certainly wouldn't change her mind at this time unless the Xue family gained even greater benefits.

Logically speaking, this should be impossible. But if it is not, then what is the reason? A few days later, the person that Madam Lin sent to inquire about the situation returned and reported that there was nothing unusual about the Xue family, but they had heard that Young Master Xue was about to take up a post at Wenbao Pavilion.

"He's just a mere scholar, how could he be appointed to a position at the Wenbao Pavilion?" Old Madam Lin was momentarily bewildered, wondering if some powerful figure had promoted him? But what abilities did Xue Zhiming possess that would attract the attention of such a powerful person?

The servant replied, "I don't know, but it seems to be just a nominal position with no official rank."

"As long as he can enter the Wenbao Pavilion, it means he has one foot in the officialdom. What does it matter if it's just an empty title? Besides, if he is clever enough, he can accumulate a lot of connections, which will definitely be of great benefit to him in the future. No wonder Lan'er gave up on marrying Fang's sixth daughter." Madam Lin shook her head helplessly, still finding the matter hard to believe.

Of course, Lin Cuilan was just as shocked as Madam Lin. When Xue Zhiming told her about it, she almost fainted. At first, she was skeptical, but she was relieved after the news was confirmed.

Xue Zhiming was extremely excited, repeatedly saying that he had the opportunity to enter the Wenbao Pavilion because of the Third Prince's appreciation, which showed that the Third Prince valued him highly. He would definitely do his best to live up to the Third Prince's expectations.

Upon hearing this, Lin Cuilan turned deathly pale and looked at him in disbelief, asking, "What did you say? The Third Prince appreciates you? What exactly happened?"

How could she be involved with the Third Prince? Lin Cuilan was shocked and suddenly realized that this matter was definitely not simple.

"Because it was Lord Zheng Yan who found me. He said that Wenbaoge was short of people, and the Third Prince specially asked him to promote me to a position in Wenbaoge. He told me to work hard and not to let down the Third Prince's good intentions."

Xue Zhiming was smug, believing that his talent had been appreciated by the Third Prince. He was beaming with pride, but Lin Cuilan stood there shaking her head, saying, "Impossible, how could it be such a coincidence..."

"What are you talking about?" Xue Zhiming looked at Lin Cuilan in confusion.

Unexpectedly, Lin Cuilan grabbed his sleeve, her face full of anxiety, and said, "We almost caused a terrible disaster!"

Xue Zhiming became increasingly puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Do you know why the Third Prince chose you to go to the Wenbao Pavilion?

Xue Zhiming originally intended to say it was because of his own talent, but seeing Lin Cuilan's solemn face, he sensed something was amiss and stammered, "Why, why?"

"Not long ago, Miss Fang came to my residence to see me, saying that she wanted you to take a position at the Wenbao Pavilion. She said it was just a nominal position with no rank, but it would be of great benefit to you. At first, I didn't believe it, wondering how she could have such ability. Surely she couldn't ask the Empress Dowager to intervene. But when you said that this matter was related to the Third Prince, I remembered the rumors that the Third Prince valued her highly, and that she was able to return to the Fang family because of the Third Prince. Their relationship must be extraordinary."

Lin Cuilan's voice was deep and serious, and every word she spoke shocked Xue Zhiming. "What did you say? The Third Prince didn't appreciate me because of my talent?"

"Why did he have to bring you up at this particular time, of all times, to appreciate you? It's obvious he's doing this because of Miss Fang. For the Third Prince to do something like this so easily, do you think their relationship is just ordinary? Luckily, the Fang family has always opposed your marriage, otherwise, it's hard to imagine what kind of crisis our Xue family would face."

"You mean the Third Prince and Miss Fang, they..."

When Xue Zhiming mentioned this, Lin Cuilan suddenly covered his mouth and lowered her voice, saying, "Don't mention this matter again. How can we discuss royal matters so casually? Remember, pretend this never happened. Go to the Wenbao Pavilion to be on duty and make sure you don't make any mistakes. Also, go and prepare the betrothal gifts immediately and send someone to the Fang family to propose marriage first thing tomorrow morning."

Just now, it was said that Fang Xiaoran had a close relationship with the Third Prince, but now she was proposing marriage. Xue Zhiming was very puzzled. "With this, she still dares to propose marriage to Miss Fang?"

“Of course it’s not Miss Fang Liu. The matter between you and Miss Fang Si has already spread, and we can’t really break ties with the Fang family. Now that Miss Fang Liu is involved, it would be best if both families became in-laws to settle this matter. That would be the best course of action, so that you can stay in Wenbao Pavilion for a long time.” After saying this, Lin Cuilan immediately prepared the betrothal gifts and was able to go to the Fang family to propose marriage the next day.

Only after Xue Tao returned and told her the result did Lin Cuilan truly feel relieved.

In any case, the Xue family must not make enemies with the Fang family now. As for the Lin family, since they are determined to marry Fang Xiaoran, let's see if they can withstand the Third Prince's wrath.

Lin Cuilan was naturally pleased to see the Lin family suffer a setback, hoping they would never live as well as the Xue family in the future, which would be a way for her to vent her anger.