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

Upon being reminded by Eunuch Liu, Fang Xiaoran immediately bowed.

However, the palanquin did not continue forward, but stopped at Shang Linglan's signal.

Then, Shang Linglan's light gaze fell on Fang Xiaoran, carefully examining her from head to toe.

Perhaps sensing her intention, Eunuch Liu hurriedly bowed and reported, "Your Highness, Miss Fang is the one who entered the palace to treat the Empress Dowager's heart ailment." Eunuch Liu intentionally mentioned the Empress Dowager to inform Shang Linglan that this woman was the Empress Dowager's person, hoping that she would not harbor any evil thoughts.

Upon hearing this, Shang Linglan said in a deep voice, "I haven't even asked yet, but Eunuch Liu is already showing concern. Do you think I would do something to her?"

"Your Highness is kind and benevolent, and would never do such a thing. However, it is already late, and Miss Fang must be tired. This old servant will take Miss Fang away from the palace now. I will need to return to report to the Empress Dowager later. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."

As an old servant in the Empress Dowager's palace, she dared to directly protect even the Imperial Concubine. Although she was just a palace servant, one must consider the owner before beating a dog. Naturally, Shang Linglan would not touch the people of Cining Palace. Instead, she looked at Fang Xiaoran with interest and smiled, "It seems that the Empress Dowager is very protective of you. Your medical skills must be excellent. I have been having some headaches lately. Since you are so skilled, why don't you come to Chengqian Palace and take a look at me?"

Within the palace walls, human nature is unpredictable, especially towards this Imperial Concubine. Fang Xiaoran, with her keen understanding of the grudges and entanglements of her past life, naturally didn't want to easily step into the vortex of power struggles again. However, a direct refusal would undoubtedly offend the Imperial Concubine in public and invite unnecessary trouble.

Fang Xiaoran pondered inwardly, but remained outwardly composed. She simply gave a gentle curtsy, her words revealing humility and caution: "I am honored by Your Highness's kindness, but my medical skills are shallow and I am afraid I am not up to the task. Moreover, it is already late and the palace gates will soon be closed, so I would naturally not dare to stay overnight in the palace."

Shang Linglan looked up at the sky, a faint and elegant smile appearing on her lips. She parted her red lips slightly, her voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable authority: "It is indeed getting late, and I am also feeling somewhat sleepy."

Her words carried an undeniable air of composure and nobility, as if even the evening glow seemed to turn its head in admiration. Then, she continued casually, "As for what we haven't finished today, let's leave it for another day. I am quite curious to see how your medical skills compare to your mother's, and to see who is superior."

After speaking, the palace attendants gently lifted the carved palanquin, their steps steady and solemn, and slowly departed.

As they brushed past each other, Shang Linglan's cold gaze swept over them, her eyes as sharp as ice blades, piercing through the surrounding tranquility and shooting straight towards Fang Xiaoran's direction.

That smile, faint yet complex, seemed to hold a thousand words, yet also seemed to convey everything without being spoken, sending a chill down Fang Xiaoran's spine.

"Miss Fang, among the many concubines in the palace, there is one you must never provoke, lest you bring about your own death," Eunuch Liu whispered, watching the procession gradually disappear into the distance.

What he said was true; no one understood the implications better than Fang Xiaoran. She nodded slightly and said, "Thank you for reminding me, Father-in-law."

After leaving the palace, Fang Xiaoran was preoccupied with her thoughts. She couldn't understand where Shang Linglan's unwarranted hostility towards her came from. In her previous life, she thought it was because of Zhao Jin, but now she and Zhao Jin were not together, and she was meeting Shang Linglan for the first time. There was no reason for her to be hostile.

Is there some hidden story she doesn't know about?

Fang Xiaoran was puzzled, especially since she had no way of knowing the answer yet.

Making enemies for no reason was a real headache for her.

The North Residence has been completely renovated. On the day of its completion, Fang Xiaoran personally cooked a table full of dishes. Although the presentation was average, the taste was absolutely delicious. When she was a wanderer, she didn't care about the appearance; as long as she could fill her stomach, that was enough. This time, after all, it was to thank Lin Shuo, so she tried her best to make it better, but it was still somewhat unsatisfactory.

Fortunately, she had instructed Ziju and the others to bring back some specialty dishes and pastries from Millennium Restaurant in advance, so that even if her cooking was not up to par, there were other options.

However, Lin Shuo had no interest in the food at Millennium Restaurant. On the contrary, he highly praised the dishes that Fang Xiaoran had made, which were not very visually appealing, saying, "They have a unique flavor. It's quite nice to eat them once in a while."

After the meal, Fang Xiaoran personally saw Lin Shuo and the others off. After watching them get into the carriage and leave, Fang Xiaoran turned around to enter the mansion, only to find Fang Zhengyong standing in the courtyard looking at her.

It had been several days since she had seen her father. Although she had many grievances against him, she still had to show basic courtesy. Fang Xiaoran slowly walked over, bowed slightly, and said, "Father, are you going out?"

"I was just visiting my mother and happened to pass by here. Were those Master Lin and his apprentices just now?"

Fang Zhengyong couldn't see it clearly, but he had heard about it before and knew that Master Lin was helping with the repairs at the North Residence. Just now, he saw Master Lin and Fang Xiaoran chatting and laughing as they came out of the North Residence. The two were so relaxed and at ease, as if they were old friends who had known each other for many years, which really surprised him.

When he asked about Master Lin, Fang Xiaoran didn't intend to hide it and replied calmly, "It is indeed them."

"You are quite familiar with Master Lin?"

"We're not exactly familiar with each other, but we met when we were renovating the North Residence."

"If that's the case, how did you manage to get him here?"

"Is there somewhere else in the Fang residence that needs repair?" Seeing his detailed question, Fang Xiaoran couldn't help but raise her eyes, her words tinged with doubt.

Fang Zhengyong realized Fang Xiaoran's intention, so he put on a stern face and said in a deep voice, "I'm just curious. If you don't want to say it, then forget it."

Fang Xiaoran stared intently at him with her bright eyes. "Father, are you curious about how your daughter met Master Lin, or are you curious about whether someone is helping you behind the scenes? Or perhaps, I am now out of your control, making you uneasy?"

"How did you become so suspicious? I was just showing you some concern, and you've become so distrustful of me. Now that you're in such a difficult situation, have you ever considered that it's precisely because of your suspicious nature?" Fang Zhengyong's face was gloomy, and his tone was heavy.

However, Fang Xiaoran smiled brightly and said, "Is it that my daughter is too suspicious, or that my father is too ruthless?"

Fang Zhengyong snorted coldly and left with a flick of his sleeve. "I never expected that my daughter and I would end up like this. You have certainly inherited your mother's talents."

Watching him walk away, Fang Xiaoran turned around and bowed slightly to him, saying, "My mother and I are biological mother and daughter, so it's normal for us to have similarities. Thank you for your praise, Father."

Upon hearing this, Fang Zhengyong quickened his pace, clearly angered by Fang Xiaoran.

As soon as Fang Zhengyong left, a maid from Ci'an Hall approached and bowed to Fang Xiaoran, saying, "Greetings, Sixth Miss. Since you are here, there is no need for me to go to the North Residence to inform you. In a few days, it will be Old Madam Lin's eightieth birthday. Our Old Madam and Old Madam Lin have been close friends since childhood, so the Old Madam wishes to take you and your sons to celebrate her birthday. The Old Madam knows that you are always busy, and hopes that you can make time for that day."