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

What is he here to do?

Is it because she replaced Fang Xiaoqi that they've come to question her?

That's something he's capable of doing.

Fang Xiaoran walked into the North Residence with a normal expression. Sure enough, as soon as she entered the hall, she saw Fang Zhengyong standing with his hands behind his back, his back looking solemn and dignified.

Hearing footsteps, Fang Zhengyong turned around and looked at Fang Xiaoran with a cold gaze.

"You still know how to come back? Look at the mess you've made!" Fang Zhengyong's voice was tinged with anger.

Fang Xiaoran's eyes were indifferent. "Daughter doesn't understand what Father means."

"Hmph! Don't you understand? I clearly told your third and fifth sisters to go to the Ninth Princess's tea party. Why are you, with your weak health, going to join in the fun?" Fang Zhengyong flicked his sleeve. "Going is one thing, but you even tried to stand out. You think you're something special just because you know a little bit of music? Out of so many noble ladies and gentlemen, you're the only one who loves to show off. Do you think you're worthy of owning the princess's famous zither? Hurry up and return it so you don't cause trouble for the Fang family."

“I wondered what it was. It turns out Father was angry about this. The Ninth Princess publicly sought a home for her famous zither, so how could she be stingy? Besides, I had already intended to return the zither, but the Ninth Princess refused.” A sly glint flashed in Fang Xiaoran’s eyes, her tone neither humble nor arrogant.

Fang Zhengyong immediately flew into a rage, "Even if you return the Ninth Princess in public, I will not agree to it for the sake of face."

"So what does Father mean? Does he want me to return it to the Ninth Princess now?"

In fact, Fang Xiaoran had no intention of keeping the guqin, but Fang Zhengyong's attitude towards her was too bad, which made the anger she had been holding in burst out.

"I don't care what method you use, get rid of this hot potato immediately. If the Fang family gets into trouble because of you, I will never forgive you." Fang Zhengyong's tone was sharp.

"What if I don't?" Fang Xiaoran looked directly into Fang Zhengyong's eyes, without any fear.

Fang Zhengyong's beard trembled with anger. "What did you say? You don't even listen to me?"

“Father, you once fought on the battlefield and killed the enemy, how did you become so timid and cowardly?” Fang Xiaoran’s sarcastic words were like sharp thorns, piercing Fang Zhengyong’s heart.

"You!" Fang Zhengyong's eyes widened and he raised his hand, about to slap Fang Xiaoran's face, when suddenly Granny Qian rushed in, exclaiming, "Master, something has happened to Fifth Miss!"

Fang Zhengyong was startled upon hearing this. He immediately put down his hand, turned around, and followed Granny Qian to the old lady's courtyard.

After they left, Ziju and Qinglan dared to step forward and ask, "Miss, are you alright?"

"It's okay, I'm used to it." Fang Xiaoran smiled, but Ziju saw tears welling up in her eyes, though she was holding back her tears.

Having been given a second chance at life, she shouldn't have had any expectations of this so-called father, but she still felt a little sad from time to time.

Fang Zhengyong rushed to Ci'an Hall and saw the old lady talking to the doctor as soon as he entered. The doctor looked helpless.

This made Fang Zhengyong's heart tighten, and he quickly stepped forward to ask, "Mother, what happened? What's wrong with Qi'er?" The old lady gently shook her head and sighed, "Go and see for yourself."

Fang Zhengyong frowned, turned and headed towards Fang Xiaoqi's room. Just as he was about to push open the door, a maid stopped him, "Master, it's best if you don't look. The young lady..."

The more the maid acted this way, the more worried Fang Zhengyong became. He ignored her advice and pushed open the door.

Upon seeing the person lying on the bed, Fang Zhengyong's expression changed drastically. "How could this be?"

Fang Xiaoqi's entire face is swollen and has even started to fester and ooze pus. Her hands and feet are in no better condition, and her neck is swollen to the same thickness as her face. For her now, even opening her eyes is quite difficult.

Seeing Fang Zhengyong walk in, Cuixin immediately knelt down in front of him, sobbing uncontrollably, "Master, please save the young lady, she, she's dying..."

"Nonsense! With me here, Qi'er will be fine. You stay here and take good care of her. If she feels unwell, be sure to tell me immediately." After saying this, Fang Zhengyong turned and left. Judging from his disheveled appearance, he was clearly frightened by Fang Xiaoqi's appearance.

Back in the inner room, the doctor had already picked up his medicine chest and was preparing to leave. Fang Zhengyong quickly came over and asked, "Doctor, what exactly is wrong with her?"

The doctor shook his head. "Your Honor, please forgive me. These symptoms are truly strange. I have never seen anything like them before and dare not make a judgment. Please consult another doctor."

After saying this, the doctor picked up his medicine box and stepped out of the room. Fang Zhengyong hurriedly followed, trying to stop him, but no matter how much he pleaded, it was no use.

The illness came on strangely, and the doctor really didn't have the ability to diagnose it. If he made a mistake, he might harm Fang Xiaoqi, and he couldn't bear that blame.

Left with no other choice, the old lady had to swallow her pride and ask her friend, the wife of the imperial physician Wang, for help. After examining the patient, Wang left with only one sentence: "There is no cure for this illness," and then turned and left. The old lady was so distressed that she immediately burst into tears.

She stumbled after him, pleading desperately, "Please, Imperial Physician, show me the way! Otherwise, that girl is truly doomed."

Seeing that she was still working so hard for this at the age of fifty, Imperial Physician Wang felt sorry for her and suggested, "Hasn't a miracle doctor recently appeared in Yancheng? She might have a solution."

So the old lady immediately sent someone to invite the legendary Doctor Qi, but Doctor Qi had stopped seeing patients and said he would come in a few days. No matter how the old lady's people asked, or even offered money, it was no use. The owner of Danxi Pharmacy refused to reveal a single word about Doctor Qi.

As Fang Xiaoqi's condition worsened, the old lady and Fang Zhengyong were extremely anxious, like ants on a hot pan.

These past few nights, the Fang residence has been brightly lit, because Fang Xiaoqi has been in severe pain every night. The old lady is so worried that she can't sleep and her health is deteriorating. Fang Zhengyong is concerned about the old lady's health and has used all his connections, but he just can't find the legendary Doctor Qi.

While they were anxiously waiting, Doctor Qi received medicinal herbs from Xiao Shitou, the guard of the second young master of the Gu family. After a quick count, the herbs matched her list, and their quality was even better than those on the market. Fang Xiaoran was very satisfied and immediately used these herbs to refine a Divine Strengthening Pill for Gu Yuqing.

"Master and Madam really care about Fifth Miss. She is just an adopted daughter, but they treat her better than their own children. When our young lady was sick, no one in the entire Fang family came to ask about her. They didn't even call a doctor. If it weren't for her strong constitution, how could she have survived until now?"

Seeing the Fang family running around for an adopted daughter, even the old lady fell ill, Qinglan couldn't bear it any longer and couldn't help but mock them.

Ziju, who was standing nearby, quickly interrupted her, "Don't bring up such unpleasant things in front of our young lady."

Ziju was afraid that Fang Xiaoran would be upset, after all, the contrast was just too stark.

"It's okay," Fang Xiaoran said with a smile. "They can care about whomever they want, anyway, I'm not the one who's worried."