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

By early March, Wei Mingyue and Xie Changge's marriage was already arranged.

The two families had frequent interactions, but Wei Mingyue wasn't particularly interested in marriage, only occasionally visiting Fang Xiaoran for tea and casual conversation.

The fact that the two of them had inexplicably become friends was something Fang Xiaoran had never expected.

However, compared to others, Wei Mingyue's temperament was indeed very much to her liking.

The fifteenth day was an auspicious day, so the wedding was set for that day.

Fang Xiaoran and Gu Yuqing received invitations from Wei Mingyue and Xie Changge, and set off early in the morning.

Xie Changge, having inherited the title of Duke of Rongguo, specially built a new mansion for him, named the New Duke of Rongguo Mansion, where the two also got married.

Duke Rongguo loved his daughter dearly and knew her temperament. He didn't want her to suffer in the inner quarters, nor did he want her to face conflicts with her mother-in-law in the future. Therefore, the location of this new mansion was very close to the old Duke Rongguo mansion. The Xie family had also promised that Wei Mingyue would not need to go to the Xie mansion to fulfill her filial duties to her parents-in-law. She only needed to go to pay her respects on the first and fifteenth of each month.

Such an enlightened arrangement is truly rare among the prominent families of Yancheng.

The new Rongguo Mansion was originally the residence of the Rongguo Duke. In order for the two of them to live there in the future, he specially ordered people to renovate and refurbish it and add new furniture, showing his love for his daughter in every way.

The pavilions and towers in the mansion were all rebuilt according to Wei Mingyue's preferences. Even the century-old crabapple tree in the courtyard was specially preserved, because she often practiced martial arts under the tree when she was young.

As Fang Xiaoran stepped into the mansion, she immediately recognized whose handiwork it was.

Previously, Wei Mingyue had come to her about the repairs, so Fang Xiaoran introduced Lin Shuo to her. Lin Shuo was not someone that could be hired by just anyone, but out of respect for Fang Xiaoran, Lin Shuo agreed to repair and renovate the house.

Now that the mansion has been renovated, it has a unique charm, which shows that Lin Shuo's work is truly remarkable.

Many guests had already gone along, and the Xie family members were already waiting to greet them at the gate, their faces beaming with eager smiles.

Among the many guests, Fang Xiaoran recognized a few familiar faces, including Princess Changping and Miss Zhang. She greeted them with a smile.

They were also surprised to find that even the Ninth Princess had come in person, which showed that the royal family attached great importance to this marriage. Fang Xiaoran bowed to the Ninth Princess, but the Ninth Princess ignored her and turned to talk to Zhao Junning beside her. Only after Zhao Junning reminded her did she reluctantly nod in acknowledgment.

Fang Xiaoran didn't mind and sat down with Gu Yuqing.

This time, someone from the Fang family also came to present a congratulatory gift. The person who came was none other than Fang Huaihong.

He is in a bad situation. Although he is a general, the border war has stopped, which means he can no longer make military achievements. Although the Zhou family has lost power, their connections are still there. He is not having an easy time and is often suppressed.

Although the old lady asked him to go to Fang Xiaoran and use her connections to pay a visit to Gu Yuming, hoping for a promotion, Fang Huaihong refused.

Firstly, he was unwilling to rely on Fang Xiaoran's strength. Secondly, he had always looked down on Fang Xiaoran and had often criticized her, but now he realized that he couldn't catch up with her even if he tried, so how could he lower himself to ask for her help?

Fang Xiaoran noticed him immediately. He stood alone in the corner, dressed in a worn brocade robe, looking out of place among the elegantly dressed guests. She smiled slightly, picked up her wine glass and took a sip, but did not intend to greet him.

Fang Huaihong felt a pang of disappointment. Avoiding the strange looks that were being cast his way for no reason, he found a corner to sit down.

As soon as he sat down, his gaze unconsciously drifted towards Fang Xiaoran, only to find her chatting happily with Gu Yuqing beside her, completely unaware of him. Fang Huaihong secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The auspicious hour had arrived, and Wei Mingyue was brought in by a sedan chair carried by eight men. Joyful music filled the air, and all the guests in the hall stood up to look around.

After a simple ceremony, Wei Mingyue was led to the bridal chamber, while Xie Changge was pulled away to drink. The newly established Rongguo Duke's Mansion was quite lively.

Gu Yuqing had only gone to join in the fun, but unexpectedly, Xie Changge grabbed him and made him drink with him.

"It's really lively here. Xie Changge is indeed a prodigy. He has many friends in his private life, and even the Second Young Master Gu has a close relationship with him." Zhao Junning walked over with a smile and sat down next to Fang Xiaoran as if nothing had happened.

She must have come for something else, Fang Xiaoran didn't ask, but just smiled in response.

"Princess Jiu wants to see you." Upon hearing this, Fang Xiaoran's expression remained unchanged, and she asked curiously, "Why doesn't she come to see me herself?"

"With so many people around, there are some things that are best left unsaid. Head southeast, and you'll find Crescent Lake there. She'll be waiting for you in the pavilion by the lake."

"The Ninth Princess is truly mysterious." Fang Xiaoran smiled, but did not act immediately. Instead, she drank half a cup of wine before getting up and leaving.

As Zhao Junning said, there really was a crescent-shaped lake if you kept going southeast. Although Wei Mingyue had invited her to visit before, she hadn't gone in this direction. The new mansion was too big, and it took her most of the day just to visit half of it.

Upon arriving at Crescent Lake, Fang Xiaoran walked towards the pavilion. The lake surface shimmered, reflecting the deepening twilight on the horizon, like scattered gold dust.

Fang Xiaoran's footsteps made a soft sound on the cobblestone path. The pavilion was right in front of her, but the Ninth Princess was nowhere to be seen.

Didn't you say you were waiting for her here? Why isn't she here?

Although she was puzzled, Fang Xiaoran did not show it. Instead, she walked casually toward the pavilion. Suddenly, she heard light footsteps behind her. She turned around in confusion, intending to greet them, but found that the person was not the Ninth Princess, but Zhao Jin.

It has been a long time since she last saw Zhao Jin. Due to the matter involving Consort Ning and the Seventh Prince, Zhao Jin was also affected. Emperor Zhao was suspicious of him, and he should not show his face recently, so he has been lying low.

His appearance here was a complete surprise to Fang Xiaoran.

It seems that the Ninth Princess was just a decoy; the person who wanted to see her was him.

"Greetings, Third Prince." Fang Xiaoran bowed slightly, her expression indifferent and aloof.

She has always treated him this way, and she will never repeat the same mistake.

"It's really not easy to see you." Zhao Jin was still the same as always, looking calm and collected, but there was a strange hint of sourness in her voice when she said this.

Upon hearing this, Fang Xiaoran was quite surprised. "What does Your Highness mean by that? I don't understand."

"You rejected all the visiting cards I sent you. Are you avoiding me to prevent suspicion and to prevent Gu Yuqing from misunderstanding?"

Zhao Jin walked slowly closer, her fingertips gently stroking the carvings on the pavilion railing, but her gaze remained fixed on Fang Xiaoran's face.

The faint sunlight cast an indistinct shadow over half of his face, adding to his unfathomable appearance.

"Avoid suspicion?" Fang Xiaoran chuckled lightly and said casually, "The Third Prince and I have always been upright and honest, so how can we talk about avoiding suspicion? Besides, my husband is not such a petty person."

Fang Xiaoran had never called Gu Yuqing "husband" before, but now it seemed like she was doing it on purpose.

Upon hearing the word "husband," Zhao Jin's eyes darkened, and her fingers unconsciously tightened.

"He's quite capable, to make you care so much." He chuckled softly, a chill in his eyes.

"That's still not as capable as the Third Prince, who managed to trick my wife out by using someone else's name. This new residence is full of people and eyes." Gu Yuqing's voice suddenly came from behind the rockery. He walked slowly closer, gently waving his folding fan, but his eyes were icy cold. "Isn't Your Highness afraid of being seen and having gossip spread?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Jin's lips curled into a cold smile. "Young Master Gu is keeping a close eye on things. So you do have moments when you lack confidence."

Gu Yuqing's captivating peach blossom eyes held a smile as he shook his head slightly, "I don't understand."

As he spoke, he strode toward Fang Xiaoran, gently took her hand, and said with a smile, "There are people here who are talking nonsense, Madam, let's ignore them."

Fang Xiaoran clearly saw that Zhao Jin's face turned extremely ugly, but she did not stop him and let Gu Yuqing pull her away.

At this moment, Zhao Jin suddenly spoke up: "What you've been investigating is actually the wrong person."

Fang Xiaoran paused, but did not turn around. Her fingers tightened slightly. Gu Yuqing noticed her unusual behavior and squeezed her palm reassuringly.

"Is that so?" Fang Xiaoran's eyes flickered slightly, but a faint smile remained at the corners of her eyes. "Then thank you for reminding me, Third Prince."

Zhao Jin was very purposeful; she didn't trust this person and didn't want to be misled by him.

After saying those words, the two of them walked away.

Watching them leave, the chill in Zhao Jin's eyes intensified.