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

These startling words left Ziju speechless. She stood there for a long time, staring blankly at Qinglan, unable to utter a word.

Fang Xiaoran, however, didn't see anything wrong with it. Although her words were harsh, they were indeed true. As far as she was concerned, she would never have made such a choice unless she was forced to.

"Alright, it's not like you're really getting married. Why are you arguing so heatedly?" Fang Xiaoran smiled slightly, leisurely ate a piece of pastry, and the atmosphere gradually eased.

Although Ziju's complexion had recovered slightly, she was still worried about Fang Xiaoran. After all, marriage is a very important matter for a woman, and the slightest mistake could lead to lifelong regret.

Moreover, given Bai Qiqi's precedent, Ziju was truly unwilling for Fang Xiaoran to repeat her mother's mistakes.

Inside Ci'an Hall, the old lady had just returned and was about to wash up and rest when she heard Wang Mama report that someone from the Xue family had arrived and had been settled in a side room, waiting for her and Fang Zhengyong to go there.

"What brings the Xue family here at this time? Didn't Sister Lin already reach an agreement with me? Could it be that they've come to probe the truth, or perhaps they have other plans?" The old lady was annoyed and puzzled by the Xue family's arrival. Since Fang Xiaoran hadn't yet given her consent, their visit was nothing more than adding fuel to the fire.

Granny Wang shook her head and said, "This servant does not know, but the person who came was just an old woman from the Xue family. I guess she just came to deliver a message."

The old lady grew increasingly puzzled. "To deliver a message? If it's just a message, why do I need to go there in person?"

"Perhaps there is something important to inform you and the master. What do you think? If you are unwilling to go, I will go and refuse her right away. How dare a mere servant trouble you?" Granny Wang said sternly.

The old lady waved her hand and said, "Alright, since you're here, let's see you. But I'm really tired and can't move. Call someone over, and we can talk about it at Ci'an Hall."

"Yes, should we invite the master over?"

"They came together."

After an incense stick had burned, Zhang, the old nanny from the Xue family, entered the Ci'an Hall. The old lady was already seated, and Fang Zhengyong had just arrived.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, the old lady first examined Zhang Mama for a moment, then looked surprised. "She looks unfamiliar to me. I have never met her before. She must not be Cuilan's dowry maid."

Given the relationship between the old lady and Madam Lin, she was quite familiar with the servants beside Madam Lin. This Zhang nanny was a complete stranger to her; she had never seen her before and guessed that she must be an old servant of the Xue family.

With a smile, Zhang Mama bowed to the old lady and Fang Zhengyong and said, "I am the wet nurse of Young Master Xue. I have come today only to convey a message to you, Madam."

"Pass on a message? What does Lin Cuilan take my Fang family for? How dare she be so arrogant?" The old lady was furious and slammed her hand on the table, almost overturning the teacup.

Sensing the old lady's anger, Zhang Mama showed no fear. Instead, she said with a resolute expression, "It's not that the lady doesn't respect you, but what happened at the Lin family made her too ashamed to leave the manor. Therefore, she specially sent me to discuss this with you two."

The old lady was well aware of this excuse, but since things had come to this point, she was too lazy to argue further and asked directly, "What are you discussing? Is it about the marriage of the two children?"

“That’s right.” Granny Zhang nodded.

The old lady frowned and said with a helpless expression, "Now that this matter has been agreed upon, we should proceed according to the established procedures. Does the Xue family have any objections?"

After all, the scandal had already occurred, and the old lady only wanted to get the person married off as soon as possible. As for the betrothal gifts and wedding ceremony, she was too embarrassed to make any further demands.

“Of course I dare not object, but Madam’s idea is that good things come in pairs. Since the Fang family has arranged a marriage between my young master and the sixth young lady of the Fang family, why not let the sixth young lady marry the young master as well? Since the sixth young lady is the legitimate daughter of the Fang family, she naturally cannot be a concubine. In that case, I’m afraid we can only wrong the fourth young lady.” Zhang Mama spoke these words with a solemn expression and utmost respect. Upon hearing this, both the old lady and Fang Zhengyong’s expressions changed.

Fang Zhengyong was furious and said in a stern voice, "One girl is not enough for you, but your Xue family actually dares to ask us to marry both of our daughters to you? Do you really think the Xue family is some kind of high-ranking family, and that our Fang family has to curry favor with your Xue family?"

“Lord Fang, please calm down. Madam’s actions are also for the Fang family’s sake. When the incident occurred, there were many people and many opinions, so rumors were bound to spread. If the Fang family is willing to help make this happen, Madam will definitely make everyone keep quiet and not reveal a single word.” Zhang Mama said calmly.

Upon hearing this, the old lady angrily rebuked, "You are threatening me!"

Zhang Mama responded neither humbly nor arrogantly: "If the old lady considers it a threat, then so be it. It all depends on whether you care about the Fang family's reputation. I have said all I have to say, and I urge the old lady and Lord Fang to consider this carefully."

After saying this, Granny Zhang turned and left. The old lady was so angry that she grabbed a teacup and smashed it on the ground, shouting, "The Xue family is really going too far! If this is agreed to, who knows how arrogant and domineering they will become in the future."

"We shouldn't have gotten involved with the Xue family in the first place. They have no scruples and naturally aren't afraid of us. Now we're entangled with them. Perhaps, as Fourth Sister said, she's been tricked." Fang Zhengyong sighed helplessly.

The old lady sighed deeply, her face extremely gloomy. "Whether she was framed or truly acted inappropriately, now that this has happened, we can't just try to silence her. If she doesn't marry Xue Zhiming, I'm afraid no one else will be willing to marry her. The truth will eventually come out, and this matter must be resolved as soon as possible. But why did it have to be Sixth Sister..."

Leaving aside the Xue family, the Lin family also specifically requested that Fang Xiaoran marry into their family. A daughter who was not favored in the Fang family, yet the two families fought over her so fiercely simply because she was the legitimate daughter.

The key point is that Lin Cuilan completely disregarded her mother's wishes and specially sent someone to deliver a message overnight, clearly indicating that she was determined to fight to the death.

The Lin family might still consider their reputation and not publicize the matter, but the Xue family might not be so. Although Xue Zhiming is a scholar, it is still unknown whether he will pass the imperial examination in the future. Lin Cuilan is doing this simply to plan ahead for him.

But what exactly can Fang Xiaoran do to help them?

Upon realizing this, the old lady's expression changed drastically. "Could it be that they are after the inheritance that Bai Qiqi left to Sixth Girl, which is why they did such a thing?"

“The Fang family was in dire straits back then. If it weren’t for Qi Qi’s dowry that relieved their immediate crisis, the Fang family would probably not exist today. Lin Cuilan is probably trying to use the same trick again. Moreover, Ran’er is now a favorite of the Empress Dowager and is highly regarded by her. They naturally want to take this opportunity to help Xue Zhiming rise to power.” Fang Zhengyong’s eyes were sharp, revealing a hint of coldness.

Upon hearing this, the old lady became even more furious, gritting her teeth as she said, "They have no right to dream, but how could my Fang family suffer such a loss? Originally, a marriage alliance between the two families was a wonderful thing, but now they dare to threaten us. Since that's the case, then we will not marry either of them!"

"If that's the case, the Xue family will definitely make a big fuss about it. Even if Xue Zhiming can't find a girl of equal social standing in the future, it will be easy for him to find a girl from an ordinary family. But my Fang family's daughter will suffer a loss of reputation and may find it difficult to find a good husband."

"What should we do now? I've already agreed to the Lin family's offer, and now the Xue family has appeared out of nowhere. The key issue is that Sixth Sister won't budge..."

"Since the two families want to fight over it, then let them fight over it," Fang Zhengyong said in a deep voice.