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

"You're here really early. The whole family has been waiting for you. The food is getting cold." Fang Huaide said sarcastically as Zhou Qin walked over and sat down next to Liu. Hearing Liu turn her head and glare at him, he snorted and turned away.

Since she was someone from her own household, Madam Wang quickly came to Zhou Qin's rescue, saying, "Why are you so late? Go and apologize to your father."

However, Zhou Qin completely ignored her, not even glancing at her, and walked up to Fang Zhengyong, bowing slightly and saying, "I was delayed by something just now, please forgive me, Father."

"Alright, take a seat." Fang Zhengyong was too lazy to say anything more, he just wanted to finish the family dinner peacefully. Although he was also holding back his anger, he didn't vent it here.

Zhou Qin got up and walked straight to Fang Xiaoran, sitting down next to her.

This left Wang feeling incredibly embarrassed. She had just kindly helped Zhou Qin out of a predicament, but Zhou Qin showed no appreciation whatsoever. Now, she wouldn't even sit next to her. What would others think of this? Especially in front of so many people, she was showing her absolutely no respect.

Recalling what happened last night, Wang's face instantly darkened, and anger surged within her. However, with so many people around, she couldn't say anything and could only suppress it.

Although everyone had their own thoughts at the family dinner, no major disturbances occurred because Fang Zhengyong was in charge, but this also made the atmosphere particularly heavy.

Perhaps to ease the tension, Fang Menghe suddenly asked Zhou Qin with a smile, "Sister-in-law should be going back to her parents' home in a couple of days, right? Lin'an is so far from Yancheng, it will take at least half a month to go back and forth."

Upon hearing that Zhou Qin was going back to her parents' home, Madam Wang immediately sat up straight, thinking that it would be better for this troublesome girl to go back quickly so that she could have a few more days of peace and quiet.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Qin suddenly said, "No, I'm not going back to my parents' home. Anyway, my father and brothers will come to Yancheng next year, and our whole Zhou family will move here then. Why bother going through the trouble of going back?"

“I’m afraid this is not in accordance with etiquette. It might make the Zhou family think that our Fang family has been mistreating you, and that you’re not even allowed to return home for your wedding.” As she spoke, Madam Wang forced a smile, but she was very embarrassed and dissatisfied inside.

As a mother-in-law, she certainly didn't want to leave a bad impression on the Zhou family, otherwise they might not be on good terms with her if the Zhou family really moved to Yancheng.

Zhou Qin retorted without any politeness, "Do they even need to think that way?"

These words left Wang speechless, and her expression turned extremely unpleasant.

Clearly, Zhou Qin was alluding to what happened last night. Madam Wang was displeased. Originally, as the mother-in-law, she only wanted the new bride to serve her a cup of tea as a sign of respect. She did not expect Zhou Qin to have such a bad temper, and she almost lost control.

"What you're saying, sister-in-law..." Fang Menghe chuckled awkwardly, her face showing an embarrassed and helpless expression.

"Alright, let's eat." Fang Zhengyong's voice was deep and powerful, seemingly carrying a hint of authority and displeasure. Upon hearing his words, everyone fell silent.

After the meal, as Fang Zhengyong left the table, the others also dispersed. Fang Xiaoran was about to return to the North Residence when she saw Zhou Qin following her out of the courtyard. Zhou Qin looked her over sharply and chuckled, "Sister, this legitimate daughter of yours is really living a pathetic life. She actually sits at the same table with a bunch of illegitimate sons and daughters. Isn't that making people laugh?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Xiaoran raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly, "Didn't you also marry a son of a concubine in the Fang family? It seems you don't care about the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children, so why tease your sister?"

“Who says I don’t care? I’m just waiting for my mother-in-law to become the legal wife as soon as possible, so that Fang Huaihong will be the legitimate son.”

"Do you think she has a chance?" Fang Xiaoran's eyes were dark and unfathomable. Although she was smiling, there was a hint of coldness in them.

Zhou Qin was not afraid. Instead, she slowly approached her and shook her head slightly. "I don't think so. She's too stupid. I don't like dealing with stupid people."

"Does your sister-in-law think there are any clever people in the Fang family?"

"No, they're all a bunch of idiots. But I hope my sister will be a smart one, otherwise life in this manor will be too boring."

After saying this, Zhou Qin turned and left. Watching her receding figure, Fang Xiaoran couldn't help but shake her head slightly. She wasn't particularly intelligent; she was just from a prominent family and had grown up with a silver spoon in her mouth since childhood, never having suffered any grievances.

Moreover, it was precisely because someone always had things taken care of for her that she developed such a vicious nature, which was one of the reasons why Fang Xiaoran in her previous life did not want to deal with this person.

Upon returning to Manchun Garden, Madam Wang locked herself in her room. She was truly exasperated by Zhou Qin. She couldn't hit her, nor could she out-argue her. The worst part was that Zhou Qin was protected by the Zhou family, and she would have to rely on them in the future. Naturally, she could only sulk in silence.

As soon as Madam Wang sat down, a maid came to report that Zhou Qin complained that Manchun Garden was too small and wanted to expand it. Madam Wang rolled her eyes in anger, "If she has money, let her expand it. Let her do whatever she wants, as long as she doesn't burn this garden down."

“But the young mistress means that you, the concubine, should pay for the expansion, saying that this is the Fang family’s courtyard, so why should she pay for it?”

"What? Why? She's already married into our Fang family! Does she still think she's a member of the Zhou family? That little bitch, all she does is cause trouble. Fine, she wants a big courtyard? North Residence is big enough, isn't it? Let her live there. As long as she has the ability to kick Fang Xiaoran out, then we'll all move into North Residence together!"

Originally, Wang Shi was just saying it in anger, but Fang Menghe thought it was feasible and immediately went to find Zhou Qin, urging her to go to Beiju.

Zhou Qin could easily discern Fang Menghe's intentions, but in the Zhou family, Zhou Qin had always gotten whatever she wanted. She could simply take over a mere courtyard; after all, Fang's daughter would eventually marry, and the courtyard would be hers sooner or later.

However, before heading to Beiju, Zhou Qin said to Fang Menghe, "Since you are so kind, why don't you go in my place?"

"What do you mean by that, sister-in-law?" Fang Menghe wondered if Zhou Qin had suddenly changed her mind. But she had heard that this young lady of the Zhou family was fierce and shrewish, so how could she be afraid?

Zhou Qin said in a deep voice, "I just want you to go to Beiju first and persuade her for me. If she is willing to give up Beiju directly, it will save us a lot of trouble."

Having already suffered a loss in Beiju, Fang Menghe refused to go again under any circumstances. However, since it was her idea, if she didn't go, who would? At the same time, she was also afraid of angering Zhou Qin and causing further trouble.

Seeing Fang Menghe hesitate slightly, Zhou Qin frowned and asked, "What's wrong, little sister? Are you unwilling?"

The tone was full of threat, so Fang Menghe dared not refuse and hurriedly said, "How could I not? Then please wait a moment, sister-in-law. But I know her personality best, and I'm sure she will criticize me."

Unexpectedly, Zhou Qin smiled with interest. "Really? Wouldn't that be even more interesting?"