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

The content of Zhang Mama's conversation with Fang Zhengyong and the old lady was not revealed, and the rest of the Fang family were unaware of it, all assuming that the Xue family had come to discuss the marriage between the two families.

As for why only a servant was sent to visit in a hurry late at night, it was probably because they did not want the matter to be publicized.

After Zhang Mama left the mansion, the news quickly reached Liu Shi's ears. Although she didn't know the details, she was extremely anxious, but she dared not go to Fang Zhengyong to ask. At this time, Fang Zhengyong's anger towards her and her daughter had not yet subsided, and going to him now would undoubtedly be asking for trouble.

"Mother, I really don't want to marry Xue Zhiming, please think of a way." Fang Yunyao was finally released, and she tightly grasped Liu's hand, pleading bitterly.

The Xue family was like a pit of fire, and she was unwilling to jump into it. Moreover, she was unwilling to marry down. Even if she was born out of wedlock, she still longed to marry into a prestigious family in a grand manner.

Liu shook her head helplessly, "What else can we do? They set this up, so they were obviously prepared. Your father values ​​the family's reputation the most, so naturally he wants to resolve this matter quickly. The only way to appease them is for you to marry Xue Zhiming."

"What scheme? It was Fang Xiaoran who framed me! She should have been there, not me!" Fang Yunyao was furious at the thought. If she hadn't followed Fang Xiaoran, this wouldn't have happened. In her opinion, she had taken the blame for Fang Xiaoran, and she was naturally filled with resentment.

"Regardless of the reason, this is a fait accompli. It is already a great blessing that the Xue family is willing to marry you. If they deliberately use this to threaten the Fang family, have you thought about the consequences? At that time, in order to protect the family's reputation, your father may very well abandon you. Yao'er, we have no family to rely on, and your brother is not as successful as your eldest brother. He has also married a girl from the Zhou family. At that time, no one can protect you."

Fang Yunyao's eyes were filled with tears, and her voice choked as she said, "But Mother, I really don't want to marry him..."

Madam Liu looked at her daughter with heartache, but there was nothing she could do. "This is already the best way. If Sixth Miss doesn't agree, you'll still be in great danger. Yao'er, you're still young. You can't ruin yourself like this. Besides, if your father chooses to sacrifice you to save face for the Fang family, your reputation will be ruined, and you won't have peace even after death. At that time, your brother, me, and the Liu family will all be affected. Furthermore, I carried you for ten months and almost lost my life to give birth to you. You are a piece of my flesh and blood. How can I just watch you die..."

As she spoke, tears streamed down Liu's face. The thought of her daughter's impending predicament tugged at her heartstrings. Between sobs, she said, "It's my fault for being useless and unable to protect you. But Yao'er, as long as you're alive, you'll have a chance. The Xue family isn't a perfect match, but they're not bad either. Xue Zhiming is a scholar, after all. If he passes the imperial examination, you'll be the wife of a top scholar. That would be much better than what you're experiencing now."

“But what if he doesn’t make it to high school?” Fang Yunyao asked.

For Fang Yunyao, what she cared about most was that her sisters in the Fang family would marry better than her and live more glamorous lives. The thought of this made her extremely uncomfortable, and she couldn't muster any interest in the Xue family at all.

Madam Liu said earnestly, "You are still a scholar's wife. Yao'er, you are only born out of wedlock. Even if your father doesn't stop you, you will at most be a member of a family of scholars. At least the Xue family has the Lin family behind them."

Fang Yunyao pouted, "But the Lin family is already in dire straits, how can they become the Xue family's protector?"

"What can we do? Do you want to die?" Liu stared at her intently, her voice tinged with anger. Fang Yunyao froze, shaking her head in anguish, "I don't want to die... Mother, I don't want to..."

Seeing her daughter in such pain, Liu hugged her with guilt and whispered to comfort her, "Don't worry, I will do my best to protect you even if it costs me my life. No matter what, you will be the legal wife when you marry into the Xue family. At least you won't be like me, being bullied by Wang Zhiyu, who is also a concubine."

"Mother..." Fang Yunyao could no longer hold back her tears and hugged Liu Shi, crying bitterly.

Three days later, the Lin family arrived at the Fang family with betrothal gifts. However, just as they entered the Fang family's gate and before they could even put down their gifts, the Xue family also rushed over, bringing their own gifts.

Because the leaders knew each other well, they still exchanged a few pleasantries upon seeing what the other was carrying.

The Lin family asked, "Have you come here to propose marriage to the Fourth Miss?"

Unexpectedly, the Xue family replied, "No, we have come to propose marriage to the Sixth Miss."

Upon hearing this, the Lin family members' expressions changed drastically. They looked at the Xue family members with suspicion and began to whisper among themselves. The leader of the group frowned, but maintained his composure on the surface and said with a faint smile, "That is not true. You should be proposing marriage to the Fourth Miss. Young Master Xue and the Fourth Miss are in love. How could he betray her?"

"No, I didn't misspoke. It is indeed the Sixth Miss. I heard that the Sixth Miss's mother likes Mr. Zou's 'Landscape and Secluded Dwelling' painting, so my wife specially sought it out as a gift. This shows her thoughtfulness. How could there be any mistake?" The Xue family member said calmly, his tone very certain.

The Lin family members were very puzzled, thinking that this did not match what they had discussed before. Why was the Xue family also betrothing their sixth daughter? It was impossible for one woman to marry into two families at the same time. There must be something wrong. So the Lin family members started arguing with the Xue family members.

The argument nearly escalated into a physical fight, but fortunately Fang Zhengyong arrived in time with his men. He was quite troubled to see that the two had come to propose marriage at the same time. However, the Xue family's hasty message that night clearly indicated that they had some ulterior motives and wanted to secure the marriage with the Lin family first.

But no one expected that the two parties would coincidentally clash.

Upon seeing Fang Zhengyong arrive, both families cast questioning glances at him, saying, "Lord Fang, what is the meaning of your actions? Since you have already promised the old lady, why are you betrothing the sixth young lady to Young Master Xue? Wasn't it previously agreed that the sixth young lady would marry our young master and the fourth young lady would marry Young Master Xue?"

The Xue family also said, "We know nothing about this matter, so how can we talk about discussing it? Besides, the Fang family originally intended to marry their sixth daughter to my young master. They even sent their aunt to propose marriage. Do they want to go back on their word now?"

"There is indeed a marriage proposal, but Young Master Xue and Fourth Miss are already in love. Does he intend to marry both of them?"

"Why not? The sixth young lady is the legitimate daughter, so she should be married with formal betrothal and a grand wedding procession. As for the fourth young lady, since she is interested in my young master, she can be taken as a concubine."

"The Xue family has quite the arrogance, daring to speak so recklessly in front of Lord Fang. Do they have even the slightest respect?" The two sides argued endlessly. Hearing what they were saying, Fang Zhengyong's face grew increasingly gloomy. He roared angrily, his voice booming and deafening, which immediately silenced both sides.

As a martial artist, his aura was naturally extraordinary. These servants, who were usually inexperienced, had assumed that Fang Zhengyong was merely a civil official and should be refined and gentle. Seeing him in anger now was truly chilling.

"When did it become your place to interfere in the affairs of my family? Even if my daughter is to marry, it is none of your business. If you truly wish to marry her, then show sufficient sincerity instead of making a scene here."

Having said that, he roared, "Men, throw them out!"