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

Wen Nanwan snorted coldly and said disdainfully, "I am not like some people who, relying on their parents being officials of the imperial court, do all sorts of bad things. Even if they are ugly, they still do not change their nature."

Fan Cong'an's face immediately turned extremely ugly. Although he could not be called handsome, he was still quite dashing. How could he be called ugly?

Fan Cong'an was furious, but because she was the daughter of Grand Commandant Wen, he could only suppress his anger and said to Wen Nanwan with a forced smile, "Miss Wen, this teahouse is a quiet place. Why should we argue here and affect other people's appetites? Why don't I invite you to have a cup of tea to calm down?"

"No need," Wen Nanwan refused directly.

Wen Nanwan turned her head and asked Chen Xianlin with a smile, "Xianlin, shall we change to a private room? We keep running into some shady people here."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xianlin immediately nodded. She was already hungry, and Fan Cong'an didn't seem like a good person. In any case, she didn't want to stay in this kind of argumentative situation any longer.

So Wen Nanwan left with Chen Xianlin.

Fan Cong'an watched Wen Nanwan and Chen Xianlin's departing figures, his teeth itching with anger. He glared hatefully at the exquisite pastries on the table before leaving the teahouse.

After Wen Nanwan walked away, she said to Chen Xianlin with a serious expression, "Xianlin, let me tell you, Fan Cong'an is no good. Stay away from him in the future."

"Never have anything to do with him," Wen Nanwan solemnly warned.

Chen Xianlin nodded in agreement, knowing full well that Wen Nanwan wouldn't say such a thing without a reason.

"But Nanwan, weren't you afraid of offending Fan Cong'an by what you just said?" Chen Xianlin asked with some concern.

Wen Nanwan smiled confidently and said with a slight upturn of her lips, "Don't worry, I'm just stating the facts. Besides, he can't do anything to me. He dares to mess with me, but he doesn't even know who my father is. He wouldn't dare to do anything to me even if he had ten lives."

Chen Xianlin thought about it and felt that she was right. The Wen family was a noble family, and the Grand Commandant held a lot of military power, not to mention a mere censor of the Censorate.

Chen Xianlin and Wen Nanwan chatted for a while longer before leaving separately.

When Chen Xianlin got home, it was already late afternoon, but it was still not completely dark.

As soon as Chen Xianlin stepped into the courtyard, she saw the steward who served her father waiting at the door. Upon seeing her return, the steward quickly stepped forward and bowed, "Miss, Master has asked this old servant to wait for you here, saying he has something to discuss with you." Chen Xianlin nodded and followed the steward into the house.

Chen Tongyu was sitting at the table, his brows slightly furrowed. Chen Xianlin stepped forward and asked softly, "Father, what brings you here?"

Chen Tongyu glanced at her and slowly said, "Are you interested in entering the palace?"

Chen Xianlin was startled. "Enter the palace? I have never had such an idea."

Chen Tongyu sighed, "I only called you here to ask for your opinion. As for the Emperor, I don't know the specifics. I only know that the Emperor seems to be quite interested in you, which is why I had this idea. But how things will turn out depends on the Emperor."

Chen Xianlin's mood instantly turned heavy; she understood that this meant she would no longer be able to control her own marriage.

"If the Emperor treats my daughter differently, what do you think I should do, Father?"

“If the Emperor views you differently, you can choose your own marriage. If the Emperor makes no indication, then you just need to wait and see. After all, in the royal family, being swayed is the most taboo thing,” Chen Tongyu said with a complicated expression.

At this time, Chen Xianlin had no idea what fate awaited her.

.................

Lin Mansion

Ever since Lin Qianning met Zheng Luoqi, she had been sullen, especially after learning Zheng Luoqi's identity. Lin Wanwan noticed that Lin Qianning was in a bad mood, so she asked Lin Qianning what was wrong. Lin Qianning just kept shaking her head and sighing.

Seeing that she couldn't get any information from her, Lin Wanwan suggested taking her out for a walk to clear her head.

Lin Wanwan hugged Lin Qianning's arm and gently comforted her, "Alright, alright, don't be so gloomy anymore. Look at you, you always have such a sad face, like someone owes you hundreds of taels of silver! I have some good news for you, Yuexin Pavilion has launched a new play recently! Come on, let me take you to see a play, and you can relax and clear your mind."

Lin Qianning was already in a bad mood and really couldn't muster any enthusiasm, but she couldn't resist Lin Wanwan's persistent pleading and persuasion, and finally agreed to go together.

Upon arriving at Yuexin Pavilion, the two found that there weren't many customers that day. They chose a seat by the window, ordered some tea and snacks, and began to attentively enjoy the opera.

The lyrics sung on the stage were beautiful, and the harmonious sounds of the instruments, along with the melodious strains of the zither and lute, gradually calmed Lin Qianning down.

Lin Wanwan was also captivated by the performance, occasionally glancing up at the stage with a hint of infatuation in her eyes.

At this moment, a beautifully dressed girl entered Yuexin Pavilion. She wore a peach-colored dress, had her hair styled in a flying fairy bun, and was adorned with a head full of pearls and jade. Her face was delicate and beautiful, and her demeanor was charming and captivating.

As soon as she entered, she attracted everyone's attention.

After recognizing the person, Lin Wanwan asked in confusion, "Isn't this Chen Ruoyao, my little sister? What brings her here today?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Qianning replied nonchalantly, "Perhaps you're here to see the new play, just like you and me."

Chen Ruoyao looked around, and when her gaze swept over Lin Wanwan and Wen Nanwan, she noticed that it was the Lin sisters and excitedly came over to greet them: "Sister Wanwan, Sister Lin, you're here to watch the play today too, what a coincidence!"

Lin Wanwan's eyes were teasing as she looked Chen Ruoyao up and down and joked, "Ruoyao, you look as beautiful as an angel today, tsk tsk tsk, did you have an appointment with someone today?"

"What are you saying, Sister Wanwan? Ruoyao is not such a casual person," Chen Ruoyao said coquettishly.

Lin Wanwan covered her mouth and smiled, teasingly saying, "Oh, Ruoyao, you have a date? Hurry up and invite your 'lover' out."

Chen Ruoyao blushed slightly: "Sister Wanwan, you..." Chen Ruoyao stomped her foot shyly and hurriedly reached out as if to cover Lin Wanwan's mouth. Chen Ruoyao simply turned her head away angrily, indicating that she did not want to talk to her.

Lin Wanwan stopped teasing her and comforted her, "Alright, alright, I was wrong, I was wrong. Ruoyao, please forgive me. I'll pay for the opera today."

Lin Qianning, watching the two of them from the side, couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Hearing Lin Qianning laugh out loud beside her, Chen Ruoyao pretended to hit Lin Qianning and said, "Oh, even you're making fun of me now."

Lin Qianning giggled and dodged, and the group of them made a ruckus.

The three of them were playfully bickering, forgetting the unpleasantness that had just occurred.

Soon after, a man strolled in slowly from outside. Lin Qianning immediately stopped smiling and adopted a serious and dignified demeanor.