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

Fang Xiaoqi gritted her teeth, "We're not even married yet, and you're already using the Marquis's mansion to pressure me..."

“That’s true. I should resolve my own problems in my own way.” Fang Xiaoran smiled slightly, increasing the pressure in her hand. Fang Xiaoqi’s face turned blue and purple, making it difficult for her to breathe. Her eyes rolled back, and her face showed terror. “You, what do you want to do?”

"What do you say?"

As the force increased, Fang Xiaoqi nearly suffocated. Just as she was about to faint, Fang Xiaoran suddenly threw her aside. At the same time, her fingertips twitched, and a cold light flashed across Fang Xiaoqi's neck. Fang Xiaoqi immediately felt a sharp pain and quickly covered her neck with her hands, looking at the person in front of her in disbelief.

Although Fang Xiaoran had a bad temper before, she never dared to treat her like this. Wasn't she afraid that Fang Xiaoran would tell her father and grandmother?

Although Fang Xiaoran was the legitimate daughter of the Fang family, Fang Zhengyong and the old lady had many grievances against her. She was treated worse in the Fang family than Fang Xiaoqi, the adopted daughter, so Fang Xiaoqi naturally dared to bully her.

Sensing the murderous aura emanating from Fang Xiaoran, Fang Xiaoqi hurriedly uttered, "You just wait!" and then fled in a disheveled state.

"She's probably going to tell the old lady. Miss, let's not take it to heart. The old lady is already biased, and if she instigates you, you'll probably get a beating." Ziju looked worried.

Fang Xiaoran chuckled and said, "Don't worry, she won't have a chance to speak."

In her hasty escape, Fang Xiaoqi encountered her maid, Cuixin, and immediately grabbed Cuixin's sleeve, saying urgently, "Quick, come with me..."

"Young lady, your face..."

"Lucky... uh..."

Her voice...

Fang Xiaoqi hurriedly covered her neck and tried to make a sound, but her throat felt like it was being cut by tiny blades, her tongue was burning, her whole face was swollen and painful, and even her hands quickly swelled up, her skin turned purplish-black and the veins were clearly visible, making her look very frightening.

"This servant will go find the old lady right away!" Cui Xin turned and ran. Fang Xiaoqi grabbed her clothes helplessly, shook her head in despair, and gestured with her hands that were swollen like steamed buns. Tears streamed down her face, but Cui Xin couldn't understand what she was saying at all. She could only help her to see the old lady.

Fang Xiaoqi was in so much pain that she had no strength in her legs. She took one step forward and then collapsed to the ground.

"girl!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"What did you mean when you said that Fifth Sister didn't have a chance to speak?" Ziju was worried all the way, but finally couldn't help but ask.

Fang Xiaoran glanced at her and said calmly, "You'll find out later."

Since Fang Xiaoran was unwilling to talk about Ziju, she didn't dare to ask any more questions. She silently lowered her eyes and suddenly saw a splash of orange-yellow. Then she heard Fang Yunyao's voice.

"She only attended the Ninth Princess's tea party, so why is Sixth Sister so hostile after returning? Could it be that she was wronged at the tea party?"

It's strange today; I've run into all the people I rarely see on weekdays, which shows how much they value this so-called tea party.

Fang Xiaoran didn't particularly dislike her fourth sister, who was born out of wedlock, but she didn't particularly like her either. She was always the type to stab you in the back while pretending to be very close to you on the surface.

Fang Xiaoran raised an eyebrow. "A lot has happened. If Fourth Sister is interested, I can tell you about it."

These words were undoubtedly a slap in the face to Fang Yunyao. Looking at the entire Fang family, she was the only one who didn't attend the Ninth Princess's tea party. Although Fang Xiaoqi was turned away, at least she went to the door and made a fuss. But what about her? She could only stay in the mansion and wallow in self-pity.

"Sixth Sister, there's no need to mock me like that. If we're talking about who in this mansion is least hostile towards you, it's probably only Mother and me."

"Fourth Sister's words are true, so Aunt came here to curry favor with me?" Fang Xiaoran turned her head to look at the corner of the pebble path, where she saw a woman dressed in a royal blue brocade robe walking slowly towards her. She had a beautiful face and graceful demeanor.

As she approached, the woman covered her face and chuckled, "Sixth Miss, you flatter me. I've come here today simply to have a chat with you."

Fang Xiaoran's lips curled up slightly, revealing a barely perceptible smile.

She never used to come and chat with him, especially when he was bedridden, she never asked him a single question. Now she's taking the initiative to be friendly, probably because she sees that he's showing his talent and still has some use to her.

However, Fang Xiaoran was not opposed to it, since it was still unknown who was using whom.

"What does Auntie want to talk about? Like taking control of the household?" Fang Xiaoran narrowed her eyes.

Upon hearing this, Madam Liu's expression changed drastically. "What are you saying? The Fang family has always been managed by the concubine. I dare not overstep my bounds."

"They are all concubines, so how can you say they overstep their bounds?"

"At least she has the title of concubine, while I am just a lowly concubine. We are not comparable at all."

"What difference is there between the main wife and the concubine? If Aunt Wang can manage the household, why can't you?"

Fang Xiaoran spoke with a firm and resolute tone, her voice carrying an indescribable determination and confidence. For some reason, Liu Shi, who initially did not think highly of Fang Xiaoran and only wanted to use her, was indeed persuaded by her words.

Liu sighed and said, "Anyone can say it, but it depends on whether they can do it."

It seemed she was tempted. Fang Xiaoran smiled, slowly approached, and said to her in a voice only the two of them could hear, "If you help me, I will naturally help you."

After saying that, Fang Xiaoran took a step and brushed past Liu Shi. It took Liu Shi a while to come to her senses, but by then Fang Xiaoran had already gone far away.

Fang Yunyao asked, "Mother, do you believe her?"

Liu's expression turned serious, and she replied with absolute certainty, "I believe you. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. She is isolated and helpless in the Fang family and naturally needs someone to help her."

"But she's far too confident, daring to tempt us with the power to manage the family. Does she really think the Fang family is under her control?"

Whether she can do it or not is her business, but if she can, then we won't lose out.

Having been suppressed by Wang for too long, Liu was already dissatisfied. She believed that her children would never have a chance to rise up unless she brought Wang down. This tea party incident was enough to prove her point.

On the way back to Beiju, Ziju silently followed behind Fang Xiaoran. Looking at the figure so close to her, she felt extremely unfamiliar with her. She and Fang Xiaoran had only known each other for a short time, roughly a few months.

When Fang Xiaoran first returned to the manor, she was like a wounded little animal. Even though her body was covered in sharp thorns, she would still expose her soft belly. Unfortunately, the people in the manor would not be kind to her because of her weakness. On the contrary, they bullied her even more unscrupulously.

Ziju didn't know what she thought of Fang Xiaoran now, but she knew that if she wanted to survive here, she had to show all her sharp thorns, even if it hurt her, she absolutely couldn't let others look down on her.

"Ziju, soon no one in this manor will be able to bully us anymore."

Perhaps sensing something was wrong with Ziju, Fang Xiaoran, who was walking ahead, suddenly said those words. Ziju's eyes immediately welled up with tears. She held back her tears and nodded, choking back sobs, "Yes."

They quickly returned to the North Residence. As soon as they entered, Qinglan rushed over, looking flustered, and said, "Miss, Master is here..."