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

With Fang Xiaoran's internal strength, she would not be affected at all even if she played the entire score. During the performance, she also deliberately changed the deceptive notes in the score so that others would not be misled.

Of course, when her murderous intent was aroused, all the music became killing sounds, and some people could not resist and were injured by the music.

A scream rang out at that moment. Although Fang Xiaoran's eyes were filled with killing intent, she did not actually make a move. Instead, she pressed down on the strings of the zither, and the music stopped playing.

As if waking from a dream, everyone looked around in surprise. The melodious yet sorrowful zither music still echoed in their ears. At that moment, unable to distinguish between dream and reality, they all looked at Fang Xiaoran, who was playing the zither, their eyes full of admiration.

This performance was enough to leave everyone in awe; even words of praise could not express their astonishment.

However, a strange look flickered in the eyes of one of them, a look of surprise, confusion, but mostly regret and pity.

Zhao Jin actually felt regret because she played the entire piece? Did he want her to lose face here?

Indeed, if she could have escaped unscathed on her own and even gained fame as a result, there would have been no opportunity for him to step in and help her out, let alone allow her to become dependent on him and thus increase her affection for him.

So that's what he really wanted; he'd always only ever schemed against her.

The Ninth Princess turned her head and glanced at the palace maid who was covering her ears and looking pained. Her eyes were slightly cold. Although she was angry, she could not show it in public. Besides, she had said it herself and could not go back on her word. So she lazily clapped her hands three times. "As expected of a girl from the Fang family, your zither skills are indeed remarkable. In that case, this Peach Blossom Zither is yours."

As she said this, she deliberately glanced at Zhao Jin, who at that moment had already returned to normal, calmly picking up his teacup and taking a sip.

"She's really amazing. Many people can't even play this piece completely, but she did it with ease. Even her playing is superb. I've never heard such moving music before."

"They say that a great teacher produces great students, and I've certainly seen it for myself this time."

"What is so special about the princess's score? Why couldn't even the Zhang family girl finish playing it? I remember her piano skills were top-notch."

"Who knows? Maybe there are always people more capable than you, and the sky is always higher than the sky."

"..."

Praises poured in, a stark contrast to the situation in his previous life. It must be said that he was truly isolated and helpless back then, which explains why he was attracted to Zhao Jin.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Fang Xiaoran stood up and bowed to the Ninth Princess, her tone neither humble nor arrogant, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but I really cannot bear such a fine zither. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."

It wasn't that Fang Xiaoran was being humble, but rather that she remembered how the Ninth Princess had almost lost her life in her previous life, and she didn't want to keep such a dangerous thing by her side.

Upon hearing her words, the Ninth Princess immediately flew into a rage. "What? You don't think I'm reluctant to part with a guqin, do you? Even if it's extremely rare, I won't be stingy. You can keep it."

Since she couldn't refuse, Fang Xiaoran had no choice but to agree, "This humble woman thanks Your Highness."

"Hypocrite." Fang Menghe's face turned ashen with anger, her hands gripping the handkerchief tightly. She had originally intended to embarrass Fang Xiaoran in public, but who knew she could play the zither? Could someone with those clumsy hands really play the zither? What a joke.

After the tea party ended, Fang Xiaoran not only became famous throughout Yancheng, but also won a famous zither, which made others envious.

Before leaving, many young men became interested in her and came to visit her. Fang Xiaoran chatted with them calmly and eloquently, showing no signs of being a rough person who had just returned from the countryside. She was the epitome of a noble lady from a high-class family.

Fang Menghe watched from a distance as she was surrounded by a group of people, feeling very uncomfortable. She should have been the one standing there.

"What a cunning scheme! She said she was here to make me the boss, but look how smug she's become."

“She is just like the Fifth Sister. We should be more careful of her in the future. This kind of thing must never happen again.”

"Of course, I'll deal with her as soon as I get back."

After saying their piece, the master and servant strode away. Fang Xiaoran had also finished speaking with the group of people. She bowed and said goodbye before turning around through a side path, intending to return to the Fang residence first. However, she was stopped by Zhao Jin halfway there.

He appeared alone without any attendants, which immediately aroused Fang Xiaoran's murderous intent. However, she then thought that this was the Ninth Princess's territory, and Zhao Jin was a prince. If something really happened to him, no one could escape.

She suppressed her anger and bowed slightly to him, "Your Highness."

"I had no idea you could play the zither?" Zhao Jin's voice was soft and his eyes were indifferent, revealing no emotion. He was not one to wear his emotions on his sleeve.

Fang Xiaoran smiled and replied, "You didn't ask either."

"Then it was my fault?"

"I dare not. It was because I did not make it clear. Since there is nothing else, I will take my leave."

After speaking, Fang Xiaoran bowed again and quickened her pace to pass by him.

"You seem hostile towards me."

Zhao Jin's voice came from behind her. Although he spoke softly, it was very imposing. However, Fang Xiaoran was not afraid of him. She paused slightly and replied with a faint smile, "Your Highness is joking."

It was more than just hostility; they had a blood feud between them.

As he watched her departing figure, Zhao Jin's eyes darkened. She seemed different, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Only after turning around and losing sight of Zhao Jin did Ziju whisper, "Miss, weren't you quite familiar with the Third Prince before? Why are you so distant this time? I always feel like you..."

Fang Xiaoran interrupted her, "Don't talk nonsense. How could I be acquainted with the Third Prince?"

As soon as they left the Peach Garden and stepped out of the gate, Ziju's expression changed drastically. "Oh no! The carriage isn't here. Third Miss must have deliberately abandoned us. Miss, should I go and call a carriage?"

"Taoyuan is too remote, where are you going to call a horse-drawn carriage?"

"Then let's..."

"Just walk back."

"Let's go... that might take two hours to get there, sigh, young lady..."

While Ziju was grumbling, Fang Xiaoran had already left with her zither. It was indeed quite a distance from Taoyuan to Fang Mansion, but she was not a pampered young lady. When she fled famine, she had traveled a much longer distance.

Seeing this, Ziju quickly chased after them. After walking for a while, they suddenly heard the sound of hooves behind them. Fang Xiaoran turned around suspiciously and saw Xiaoshitou suddenly pull the reins. With a neigh from the horse, the carriage stopped exactly fifty paces in front of Fang Xiaoran.

The fact that it stopped so perfectly shows that Little Stone is skilled at controlling horses.

However, it did startle Ziju so much that she broke out in a cold sweat. She trembled as she reached out to protect Fang Xiaoran behind her, her face deathly pale.

Little Stone touched his nose and grinned at Fang Xiaoran, "My young master said that since it's a chance encounter, it means we're destined to meet. I wonder if Miss Fang would like to come along?"