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

On the fourteenth day of the third month, the peach blossoms in Yancheng were in full bloom, and a grand wedding procession slowly entered through the city gate, attracting much attention.

The procession consisted of dozens of horses and a magnificent carriage decorated with red silk and gold ornaments, creating a festive atmosphere.

Walking at the head of the procession, riding a magnificent horse and dressed in a bright red wedding robe, was Fang Huaihong. He was tall and straight, elegant and dignified, with a solemn expression that also conveyed a sense of determination and confidence.

The journey from Lin'an to Yancheng takes six days. To prevent any unforeseen events along the way, Fang Huaihong set off eight days earlier and arrived in Lin'an a day ahead of schedule. He stayed at an inn and only welcomed Zhou Qin, the daughter of the Zhou family, into the wedding sedan chair the next day.

The journey had been arduous, and he should have been exhausted, but he showed no signs of fatigue, which shows how much he valued this marriage.

Fang Huaihong married Zhou Qin not because he particularly liked her, but because Madam Wang valued the Zhou family's prominence and their close relationship with the Empress Dowager. She believed that Zhou could potentially promote Fang Huaihong in the future, and at that time, she might be able to rise in status as the Fang family's principal wife through her son.

Although the Zhou family is far away in Lin'an, it is actually because Zhou Qin's grandfather intended to stay in Lin'an to help the local people. Therefore, he did not go to the capital to take up a high-ranking official position. Moreover, Zhou Qin's father and brother will be promoted to important positions in Yancheng next year, and at that time, they will be able to help the Fang family.

Therefore, Fang Huaihong naturally dared not be negligent.

Hearing the deafening drums and gongs outside, Wang Shi, trapped in Manchun Garden, clutched her handkerchief tightly in anxiety, occasionally getting up and running to the door to look out, "Have they arrived yet?"

"As you just asked, our young lady has already sent people to guard the door. She will definitely come back to tell you as soon as she has any news. Don't worry, the Zhou family's young lady won't run away."

Teasing from the maid, Madam Wang sighed helplessly, "Of course I'm anxious. What mother doesn't want to see her son get married and have children? But I'm stuck here. No, I have to go and see. Meng'er is always unreliable; maybe she's forgotten."

"You're still under house arrest; if you go out, the master will definitely be angry..."

"Master will surely understand me, Xia Lian, come with me." Madam Wang was extremely anxious, to the point of being restless, and she was unwilling to wait here.

Xia Lian was not an old woman like Granny Qian, and dared not disobey Madam Wang's orders.

As soon as she reached the door, Madam Wang was stopped by a servant. "You are still under house arrest. The master said that no one can let you out without his permission."

"Times have changed! Today is my son's wedding day, and you won't even let me see him? Get out of my way! If you insist on holding me accountable, I'll take full responsibility!" Madam Wang shouted angrily.

The servants exchanged glances, but ultimately decided to stop her, saying apologetically, "Please don't make things difficult for me. This is an order from the master, and I cannot let you pass."

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang became extremely anxious and shouted at the top of her lungs, "This is Manchun Garden! When did it become your place to make decisions? Get out of my way, or you should know what will happen to you when the eldest young master returns!"

"Sister, what a big mouth you have! You're under house arrest and you're still so arrogant." Suddenly, a voice that made Wang extremely unhappy came. She looked up and saw Liu leading a group of people towards them.

Madam Wang's heart tightened, knowing that the visitor was up to no good. She glared at the person and asked, "What are you doing here? On such an important occasion, instead of keeping an eye on things, you have the leisure to come here. It seems that you are truly unfit to be the head of the household!"

“I have already made arrangements for the wedding banquet, there will be no problems. But what are you doing out of your confinement at Manchun Garden, sister? Could it be that you want to rush to the hall to drink a cup of tea served by your daughter-in-law?” As she said this, Liu’s eyes turned icy cold, and she said coldly, “Don’t forget, you are just a concubine, you have no right to sit in the main hall.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang's expression changed, and she said loudly, "Even if I'm a concubine, I'll still be superior to you. Don't think that just because you have that lowly girl helping you now, you can ride on my head. Liu Aoyun, let me tell you, as long as I'm still in the Fang family, you will always be trampled under my feet!"

However, Liu didn't care at all. A sinister smile crept onto her lips. Then, she approached Wang step by step, threatening, "Is that so? Then let's see if you can still get your way today."

"You!" Knowing that Liu was deliberately trying to stop her from witnessing Fang Huaihong's wedding, Wang was so angry that her teeth itched. She and Liu had always been at odds. Strictly speaking, Liu had always been dependent on her. Now that Liu was actually climbing over her, how could Wang tolerate it? She would never lower herself to beg Liu.

So she gritted her teeth and said, "Liu Aoyun, my son is a fifth-rank general. As long as he makes meritorious contributions on the battlefield, he will have the opportunity to be promoted, ennobled, and appointed as prime minister. I might even be granted an imperial title. You know very well what will happen to you then."

Liu chuckled lightly, unconvinced. "A title of nobility? Sister, you're joking. You haven't even been made a proper wife yet. If you were to be granted a title, it would be a posthumous honor for a deceased lady. What does it have to do with you?"

"A mother's status depends on her son. How do you know I can't be the principal wife? Oh, it's you who can't be, because your son is absurd and incompetent, and can't be your help. Now my son has a military position and has married the legitimate daughter of the Zhou family. In the future, the entire Fang family will have to rely on him. You are nothing but a rat that can't see the light of day. You think you can trample me down just because you're in a moment of glory?"

"If it weren't for your interference, causing the master to neglect my De'er and never personally teach him since he was a child, how could he be inferior to your son, Wang Zhiyu? Whether your son is noble or not is unknown, but you will never have the chance to turn your life around through him. Guards, take Wang Zhiyu inside. Without my permission, no one is allowed to let her step out of Manchun Garden!"

As soon as she finished speaking, the servants behind Liu immediately stepped forward and grabbed Wang. Wang was so angry that she roared, but it was no use. Now that Liu was in charge, she was no longer someone Liu could easily control.

"Liu Aoyun, you just wait! I will repay you tenfold in the future!" Wang roared angrily, her eyes red.

Looking at her like this, Liu said with a smile, "Do you still remember when my son was sick and had a high fever that wouldn't go down? I wanted to ask a doctor to treat him, but you obstructed him many times, which almost caused him to lose his life. Wang Zhiyu, you deserve all of this."

After saying this, Liu turned and left, while Wang was taken back to Manchun Garden amidst angry curses.

The Fang residence was unusually lively at the moment, and even the old lady, who had not appeared for a long time, was dressed up and waiting in the main hall early.

Fang Menghe looked at the empty seat next to Fang Zhengyong and felt very bitter. Originally, her mother should have been sitting here, waiting for the new bride to enter the family and serve tea, but instead she could only be confined to Manchun Garden and not allowed to come or go.

Seated high in the hall, Fang Zhengyong's expression was solemn, devoid of any excitement or joy. He first surveyed his surroundings, his gaze sweeping over Fang Meng and Fang Yunyao. Even Fang Xiaoqi, who had just recovered, was present, but Fang Xiaoran was nowhere to be seen. He frowned and asked, "Where is Ran'er? Why didn't she come?"