Disguised as a man, she became the biggest villain in the book.

Inside the Chen residence, Chen Tongyu had just returned home from the morning court session and hadn't even had a moment to rest when he heard his wife, Madam Fan, wanted to discuss something with him. He went to the hall and saw Madam Fan sitting there deep in thought. After a while, Madam Fan looked up, a hint of worry in her eyes.

“My lord, Xianlin has grown up. Although she has only recently returned to our side, it is time to consider her marriage. I remember that when she was little, Xianlin seemed to have been engaged…” Madam Fan said softly, her tone tinged with hesitation and worry.

Chen Tongyu frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and then replied, "That's true, but that was many years ago. Whether this marriage still counts now, we need to find out the details first. After all, Xianlin's happiness is the most important thing, and we can't make a hasty decision."

Madam Fan nodded in agreement, then added, "What you say is quite right, sir. However, this marriage was originally arranged by Xianlin's maternal grandparents, and we don't know much about their family background yet..."

Chen Tongyu pondered for a moment before speaking, "Does Madam mean that we send someone to Jiangnan to investigate and see if the other party still intends to renew the engagement? If not, then let it be dissolved, and we can find her a more suitable match."

“Hmm, that’s a good idea. What do you think, sir?” Madam Fan nodded and asked, her beautiful eyes fixed on her husband.

“However, we still need to ask Xianlin whether she has that intention or not,” Chen Tongyu said after a moment of contemplation.

Chen Tongyu immediately turned to his men and ordered them to summon Chen Xianlin.

Before long, Chen Xianlin arrived in the hall. She bowed and asked, "I wonder what business Father has with me?"

"Sit down," Chen Tongyu gestured for Chen Xianlin to find a seat.

Chen Tongyu pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "You should remember that your maternal grandfather arranged a marriage for you when you were little. However, so many years have passed, and we don't know if that engagement is still valid. So your mother and I just discussed it and decided to send someone to ask if the other party still wants to arrange the marriage. If not, we'll break it off. Of course, the most important thing is your opinion. If you don't want to renew the engagement, we can help you break it off and find a better match in the capital."

After listening, Chen Xianlin pondered for a moment and said, "This marriage was arranged when I was young, and we have had no contact for many years, so my daughter does not wish to continue this marriage."

Chen Tongyu nodded, indicating that he understood Chen Xianlin's meaning: "Then let's find a time to help you cancel this engagement."

Chen Xianlin thanked her father, then stood up, intending to take her leave. Chen Tongyu suddenly called out to her, "Wait, I have something else to tell you."

"Father, please speak."

"Your grandmother's birthday is approaching soon, and I plan to host a banquet for guests from all over. I will invite the Pei family to attend. The Pei family is your mother's side of the family, and they have had very little contact with you since you were sent away from the capital, so you must attend."

"Your son obeys." Chen Xianlin bowed and took his leave.

On the way back, Chen Xianlin's thoughts drifted back to a long, long time ago, before she was sent away. She vaguely remembered that during her pregnancy, her mother would occasionally write to her maternal grandfather mentioning her father. She said he was a scholar, well-versed in classical texts, poetry, and prose, a renowned figure in the capital, and highly respected by the imperial family. She assured her grandfather that she was doing well there. But the truth was different; she always remembered her mother complaining about her father.

“Xianlin, your father said he would protect your mother for the rest of his life, but he broke his promise.” When Chen Xianlin was very young, her mother was always filled with sadness and resentment whenever she mentioned her father.

Later, she became depressed every day, fell ill, and died. Everyone said it was because of my birth, because my mother only became like that after I was born. But only my mother herself knew that it was because she loved my father too much, and his indifference made her disappointed and desperate, ultimately leading to her depression until her death.

Chen Xianlin closed her eyes, and scenes flashed through her mind.

That winter, the weather was bitterly cold. She watched her mother lying weakly in bed, and Chen Xianlin huddled in her mother's warm embrace, shivering from the cold. But her mother no longer had the strength to hold her: "Xianlin, my daughter. You must take good care of yourself. I really wanted to watch you grow up, but I can no longer be with you!"

Then, Lady Pei shed her last tears and left with resentment.

"Mother, Mother, get up and look at your daughter, don't leave your daughter alone," Chen Xianlin cried out loudly, shaking Pei's body repeatedly in an attempt to wake her up, but Pei was no longer able to respond.

“Mother… Waaah,” Chen Xianlin cried out in anguish.

Not long after Pei's death, Chen Xianlin was sent away, and Chen Tongyu's official position in the capital rose higher and higher, gradually fading into obscurity. Over the years, although he often thought of Pei, he never set foot in the Pei residence, let alone visit her.

Chen Xianlin stopped thinking when she reached this point in her memory. She opened her eyes and stared blankly out the window.

Several plum blossoms are carved on the window frame, with graceful branches and lush leaves.

Chen Xianlin reached out and stroked the window frame, her face calm as she murmured to herself, "So many years have passed."

A few days later, the Chen family held a banquet to celebrate Madam Chen's 60th birthday. All the powerful and influential people in the capital were invited to attend, and the event was extremely grand.

Early in the morning, Chen Xianlin got up to prepare.

"Chunxiao, let them all come in and help me with my washing and grooming," Chen Xianlin instructed softly.

Upon hearing this, the maids hurriedly pushed open the door and knelt in a row.

Chen Xianlin looked around and gestured for them to get up and help her wash up, but her thoughts drifted to the distance: "When I was four years old, someone from my maternal grandparents' family sent an invitation to my mother to a banquet. But my mother politely declined."

Chen Xianlin recalled the events of that year and felt a surge of emotion. Looking at herself in the mirror, she saw that she was now a grown woman, graceful and elegant, but a faint sadness lingered in her eyes.

Suddenly, a commotion outside the door interrupted her thoughts. Chen Xianlin frowned and asked Chunxiao what had happened. Chunxiao rushed in and reported that a distinguished guest had arrived and was waiting in the front hall.

Chen Xianlin was puzzled; she hadn't expected any distinguished guest to arrive at this hour. Filled with curiosity, she straightened her clothes and walked towards the front hall. Upon reaching the hall, she saw a young man standing with his hands behind his back, his back to her. The man was tall and possessed an outstanding presence; even just his back view stirred a strange feeling within Chen Xianlin.

"Cousin, cousin?" Chen Xianlin exclaimed in surprise.

"My cousin, it's been so many years since I last saw you, you've grown into such a beautiful young woman," Pei Wenyu said with a smile, seeing Chen Xianlin's surprised expression.