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

It is evident that the Lin family members are united, and they are willing to do so much for the sake of the Lin family.

Fang Xiaoran had no interest in the secrets of anti-aging. As for formations, she had some interest in studying them, but if the price was marrying into the Lin family, then so be it. She disliked being coerced and believed that once something was done, there would be a second time. Once a precedent was set, there would be no turning back.

Therefore, Fang Xiaoran resolutely said, "You don't need to say anything more. I will never agree to this marriage. If you really want to save the Lin family, this is not the way. Don't waste your time on me. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."

After saying that, Fang Xiaoran turned and left. Even though Shen Qianqian still had something to say, considering Fang Xiaoran's decisive action just now, she was afraid that Lin Ziheng would have to come to her rescue. At that time, there would definitely be a rift between the two of them, which would be a loss for them.

Shen Qianqian had no other choice but to give up.

Seeing Fang Xiaoran walking further and further away, Lin Ziheng glanced at Shen Qianqian and then chased after her.

"Does Young Master Lin intend to follow me all the way?" After stepping out of the Lin residence, Fang Xiaoran walked to the carriage, her eyes narrowing slightly. Without turning around, she raised her eyebrows and asked.

After leaving the pavilion, this person followed her all the way, but never showed himself. Fang Xiaoran thought that Lin Ziheng was just feeling guilty and afraid that she would fall into the trap again, but he did not stop even when they reached the door, so he probably had other ideas.

That's why she stopped and asked.

Upon hearing this, Lin Ziheng immediately appeared, standing beside the stone pillar at the entrance, maintaining a proper distance from Fang Xiaoran. His lips trembled slightly, and he said with a hint of timidity, "I only want to apologize to you, but I don't know how to gain your understanding, so..."

Fang Xiaoran turned around, her eyes as cold as ice. "Do you think that by following behind me, I will forgive you? Young Master Lin, how is your behavior any different from that of a lecherous man?"

Seeing this, Lin Ziheng hurriedly said, "I, I didn't mean that, I just..."

"There's no need to apologize to me. You weren't the one who did that, and I didn't want to harm the innocent. Young Master Lin, please leave. Let's settle things here." With that, Fang Xiaoran boarded the carriage. As Wu Guicheng lashed the horse's back with his whip, a long neigh pierced the sky, and then the magnificent horse pulled the carriage away at breakneck speed, disappearing without a trace in an instant.

Lin Ziheng stared blankly at Fang Xiaoran as she walked away, his lips moving, but he ultimately remained silent.

As the carriage passed through the bustling city and reached a side street, Wu Guicheng lowered his voice and said, "Miss, he is still following us. I wonder what his intentions are. This man's martial arts are unfathomable, perhaps even surpassing mine. I wonder if you can handle him?"

Wu Guicheng was worried that the other party was highly skilled in martial arts, and if the other party forced Fang Xiaoran to attack, he might not be able to protect her. Therefore, he was somewhat concerned. Of course, he still had a lot of faith in Fang Xiaoran's martial arts skills, but if the other party had other intentions, he would not only be unable to protect Fang Xiaoran, but might also become a burden to her.

"Don't worry, he means no harm. Besides, he's alone, so he won't act rashly." Fang Xiaoran said calmly. Lin Ziheng hadn't deliberately concealed his whereabouts, so it was understandable that he had been discovered.

He possessed profound internal strength; if he wanted to conceal his aura or suppress his internal energy, Wu Guicheng would be completely unaware of it. As for why he chose to expose himself, perhaps he intended to test Fang Xiaoran's capabilities, but Fang Xiaoran had no intention of hiding this from him.

"Then what should we do? Should we get rid of him?" Wu Guicheng asked curiously. He had no good feelings towards this man. After all, the man had harbored ill intentions towards his daughter as soon as he arrived, and even pursued her relentlessly. The current chaotic situation in the Fang family was also thanks to him.

Wu Guicheng didn't care about the Fang family's life or death, but he truly loathed that they would make things difficult for his daughter because of this matter. In any case, he would never allow anyone to harbor ill intentions towards Fang Xiaoran.

"Since they've followed us this far, how could we easily shake them off? Turn around up ahead and head to Moon Lake."

Upon hearing that Fang Xiaoran was going to Moon Lake, Wu Guicheng, though worried, dared not voice any objection. He simply asked in a low voice, "What are you going to Moon Lake for? That place is rarely visited. If he intends to harm you, I'm afraid..."

"What's there to fear? Does he dare to lay a hand on me?" Fang Xiaoran smiled slightly, unconcerned. Seeing her confidence, Wu Guicheng had no choice but to give up and drive the carriage to Moon Lake as she suggested.

Moon Lake is not far from here, and we arrived in no time. This place is indeed rarely visited, with only the occasional small boat drifting on the lake, which from a distance looks like young men and women enjoying a leisurely boat trip and reciting poetry.

The reason for choosing this place is that Moon Lake is located in a remote area, so there won't be too many rumors. In addition, the scenery is pleasant, which will make people feel more peaceful.

Just as Wu Guicheng alighted from the carriage and was about to tie it to a tree, he suddenly noticed a man standing by the lake. The man was dressed in a light blue robe with bamboo patterns printed on it, and a moon-white jade pendant hung at his waist. He stood with his hands behind his back, his long, flowing hair dancing in the wind, revealing his handsome profile.

For some reason, Fang Xiaoran suddenly felt that this person was very unfamiliar, completely different from the one she had just met. Could it be that Lin Ziheng had two faces?

Just as she was wondering, Lin Ziheng, who was standing by the lake, suddenly turned around, smiled honestly at Fang Xiaoran, and bowed with his hands clasped, saying, "Miss Fang."

Only then did Fang Xiaoran notice that he was also carrying two bags of hibiscus cakes from Millennium Pavilion and osmanthus wine from Bright Moon Winery in his right hand. Although the bags were unopened, a fragrant aroma of osmanthus wafted out. As expected of Bright Moon Winery's osmanthus wine, its fragrance was truly captivating.

“Just now at the Lin residence, I made my point clear. Why did Young Master Lin still follow me until now? Could it be that you share the same thoughts as Old Madam Lin? However, you yourself clearly stated that you do not like to force others. What is the meaning of this?” Fang Xiaoran said coldly, her tone containing a hint of icyness.

Lin Ziheng paused slightly, then approached Fang Xiaoran, awkwardly offering her the pastries and osmanthus wine with both hands. After hesitating for a long time, he finally said, "I have thought it over carefully and felt ashamed of myself, so I went to Millennium Tower and Bright Moon Wine House to buy pastries and osmanthus wine. I heard that many women love these two items, so I think Miss Fang will not dislike them either."

Fang Xiaoran was quite surprised by these words, and she looked at the man in front of her with a strange expression. "So you came here only to apologize to me?"

He was quite capable, acquiring these two items in a short time. It should be noted that they belonged to Millennium Pavilion and Bright Moon Wine House, and their prices were naturally high. More importantly, they were not items that could be purchased easily; he had to do favors with the owners to buy them.

Is it really necessary to just apologize? Besides, that was something Shen Qianqian did alone. If she wasn't involved, there's really no need for this.

"Does the young lady not like it?" Lin Ziheng glanced at Fang Xiaoran cautiously, trying to observe her expression. Seeing that she was calm and showed no emotion, he became worried, fearing that he might displease her.

“Not really.” Fang Xiaoran sighed helplessly, walked slowly to him, tilted her head to examine him carefully, and asked with a puzzled look, “Young Master Lin is skilled in martial arts. Since the Lin family wants to make a comeback, why don’t you join the army? If you make meritorious contributions in the future, you can also support the Lin family.”

"Well..." Lin Ziheng touched his nose with a slightly embarrassed look and said with a simple smile, "I did have that thought, but when I arrived at the military camp, the general persuaded me to leave."

Fang Xiaoran raised her eyes and said in a deep voice, "Persuade them to retreat? Why? On the battlefield, there should be no exclusion of someone with the ability to kill enemies."

Lin Ziheng replied, "Your elder brother said that I am too thin and weak to be able to fight on the battlefield. My fancy but ineffective skills may be enough to deal with three or four people, but if I were on the battlefield, I would probably not even be able to lift a gun." After saying this, he scratched his head and added, "Besides, I really have no talent for command. If I only rely on my own courage, I am afraid I will not be able to achieve any merit."

Was he persuaded to resign by Fang Huaihong? That makes sense; most likely, Fang was worried that Fang Huaihong would achieve too much merit and eventually surpass Fang Huaihong in military achievements, thus replacing Fang Huaihong's position.

"Judging from your profound inner strength, how could you not even be able to lift a gun? Did you not reveal your full strength when you entered the army?" Fang Xiaoran said calmly.

Lin Ziheng lowered his eyes and said, "I learned my skills from my aunt's master, Qingya Zi. I am not proficient in them. They are enough to strengthen my body. The situation on the battlefield is unpredictable and it is hard to predict what will happen. Moreover, my grandmother does not want me to join the army. She said that the Lin family has few members and if something happens to me, the Lin family may have no successor."

To put it bluntly, even if he had the talent of a commander, the Lin family would not let him take such a risk. As a result, the Lin family missed a golden opportunity, and it is no wonder that they are so persistent in their pursuit of her.

Just as she was pondering, Lin Ziheng suddenly stuffed the pastries and osmanthus wine into her hands, hurriedly ran a hundred paces away, and transmitted his voice: "I have offended you a lot today, and I hope you will forgive me. When I return, I will persuade my grandmother not to force you."

As a gentle breeze swept by, Lin Ziheng's voice also drifted away. Looking at the object in her hand, Fang Xiaoran couldn't help but shake her head and chuckle. He really was a strange person, but compared to the other members of the Lin family, he was much more normal.