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

The atmosphere became unusually heavy. After a long while, Old Madam Lin sighed helplessly, "You are indeed eloquent, girl. I can't argue with you, but our Lin family is not as bad as you say. Among your options, the Lin family is definitely the best choice. Or are you still waiting for the Marquis's Mansion to make a statement?"

At this point, Madam Lin's empty eyes suddenly became incredibly sharp, and a faint smile appeared on her lips. "Not to mention that the Marquis's mansion has not mentioned the engagement yet, just considering the gap between your Fang family and the Marquis's mansion, you might not be better off marrying into the Fang family than staying in the Lin family."

"I hadn't considered things that far ahead; I simply thought that Young Master Lin was not a good match." Fang Xiaoran smiled slightly, showing no mercy to Old Madam Lin.

However, Madam Lin was not angry. Instead, she asked curiously, "Is Zhiming a good match?"

"Of course." Fang Xiaoran said bluntly. She didn't even look down on the Lin family, let alone the Xue family. Of course, Fang Xiaoran didn't care about family background. If she were to get married, what she valued most was her future husband's character.

As expected, Madam Lin smiled and said, "You married into the Lin family this time to quell your fourth sister's transgression. Since the matter has not yet spread, it will naturally not have any impact on you. But if it becomes a public knowledge one day, although the Xue and Lin families will be affected to some extent, it will be far less than the Fang family. If you were thinking of the Fang family, you shouldn't have refused so decisively."

Fang Xiaoran remained resolute and unmoved. "What does Fourth Sister's matter have to do with me? It's one thing for you to use this matter to blackmail my father and grandmother, but if you want me to give in because of this, then don't waste your time."

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Lin's eyes changed slightly, and her tone became more composed, "Aren't you afraid that your reputation will be damaged because of this, and no one will dare to marry you in the future?"

"I'm not afraid. I have all my limbs and can support myself. If it really comes to that, I don't care about those empty titles."

There was no point in saying more at this point. Madam Lin understood Fang Xiaoran's determination, but she would not give up easily either. After all, someone with such a personality was more likely to be able to keep order in the Lin family and could also help to reorganize the Lin family.

Madam Lin smiled and said, "Your personality is becoming more and more to my liking. After chatting with you for so long, I'm even less likely to give up on you. Whether you like it or not, the conditions I offer will definitely satisfy you. Now you can go back."

"Then it depends on Madam Lin's sincerity." With that, Fang Xiaoran left the warm pavilion.

The maid then entered again and saw that Madam Lin's cough was getting worse. She quickly stepped forward to help her catch her breath and asked, "Did Sixth Miss anger you?"

"No, it's just that my body is failing me. That's why I'm so worried. The Lin family must not be ruined in my hands, otherwise how can I face him..." Old Madam Lin shook her head slightly, tears glistening in her eyes.

The "he" in this context naturally refers to Lin Xuechen, whom she greatly admired and who eventually married her. They should have grown old together, but fate is fickle, leaving her alone in the world.

She had no children and originally intended to follow him in death, but remembering his attachment to the Lin family, she wanted to find a way for him to survive, which is why the Lin family has managed to survive until now. If it weren't for Old Madam Lin's strenuous efforts, the Lin family would probably not even be as good as the Xue family now.

That is why, even knowing Fang Xiaoran's temperament and being rudely rejected by her, Old Madam Lin still refused to give up.

"The doctor said that your excessive worry has worsened your condition. You must not think about such things in the future. If the Sixth Miss is wise enough, she will know how to make a choice. As for the young lady, she is still your mother and daughter. How could she really break off relations?" the maid comforted her, but her words had no effect whatsoever.

Madam Lin smiled bitterly and said self-deprecatingly, "It is precisely because she is intelligent that she has so many thoughts. However, whether she is willing or not is not important. For the sake of the Lin family, even if I have to use some ruthless means, I will make her the daughter-in-law of the Lin family. As for Cuilan, she is not my biological daughter, so how can we be of one mind? Go and call Sun Liao here. I have something to say to him."

After leaving the warm pavilion, Fang Xiaoran headed towards the main gate of the Lin residence. She had been to the Lin residence once before, so she was quite familiar with the place and could find the way without any trouble.

However, if it weren't for the formation last time, she wouldn't have lost her way. The Lin family has someone so skilled at setting up formations; she must be more cautious in the future.

Fang Xiaoran originally intended to ask Old Madam Lin about Tao An's whereabouts, but after talking with her, she gave up the idea.

If she were to ask, Old Madam Lin would surely use Tao An's whereabouts to blackmail her. Although she was indeed eager to find this person, she did not want to be blackmailed.

Before she knew it, Fang Xiaoran had been walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Although the warm pavilion was not far from the main gate of the Lin residence, and she could reach the front yard by walking straight from the corridor, she still could not see the front yard after walking for a long time.

Could it be that we've stepped into the formation again?

Fang Xiaoran inwardly cried out in alarm. Although she possessed martial arts skills, she knew nothing about setting up formations. Once she accidentally entered one, the only way out would be to break the formation.

However, breaking through the formation was no easy task. Even with her superior martial arts skills, she couldn't guarantee a safe escape. So Fang Xiaoran stopped and carefully observed the changes around her. The placement of all the items in the formation had a deeper meaning, and she needed to pay extra attention to anything unusual.

This is a moderately sized bamboo forest, next to which is a lake filled with water lilies. It is springtime, and only the round leaves of the water lilies float on the surface. Occasionally, a few koi swim by, causing ripples to spread across the water.

I didn't see any bamboo forest when I arrived, let alone a lake. I have obviously stumbled into a formation. I just don't know what this person's purpose is in setting up this formation in the Lin residence.

Just then, a flute melody drifted over, its pitch rising and falling, sometimes melodious and gentle, sometimes sorrowful and desolate. Despite Fang Xiaoran's resolute will, she was still moved by it.

Unbeknownst to her, she walked in the direction from which the flute music came, and in the blink of an eye she saw a woman in a light blue dress standing in a pavilion by the lake, playing a long flute.

As Fang Xiaoran approached, the flute music stopped abruptly. She slowly raised her eyes, gazing at Fang Xiaoran as she walked towards her, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Sixth Miss Fang truly lives up to her reputation; with her delicate eyebrows and pearly white teeth, she is radiantly beautiful."

The woman's voice was clear and melodious, like a babbling brook in the mountains, refreshing and gentle, yet with a hint of chill in it.

Fang Xiaoran did not recognize this person, but since she knew her, she must not have been here by chance, but rather waited here on purpose.

Thinking of this, she nodded politely and said solemnly, "I did not mean to intrude, please forgive me. From what you said, it seems you know me. May I ask your name?"