Chapter 1: The Notorious Villainess

"Young lady, the Duke has summoned you."

Liang Lin sat with her legs propped up on the wooden desk, a book in her hands and golden-framed glasses perched on her nose. Her thick, dark hair fell casually over her shoulders. She remained motionless, not even lifting her head, as if she hadn't heard the maid's words.

"Young lady."

"Young lady, the Duke has summoned you."

"Young lady?"

Liang Lin slowly closed her book, her gaze dark and penetrating as she looked at the servant before her.

"Rude creature, who are you?"

The maid bowed in terror.

"Miss, I am Lady Miranda's maid."

Liang Lin raised an eyebrow.

"Lady? Don't let that lowly, filthy maid Miranda taint such a noble word. Moreover, didn't Miranda teach you that after knocking, you cannot enter until I give you permission?"

Thud!

She slammed the book in her hand onto the table and stood up.

The maid trembled, stealing a glance at Liang Lin, only to find her staring back expressionlessly. Her dark red eyes held no light, like a stagnant pool of blood.

Thump.

The maid fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face.

"Miss! I was wrong! Miss! I was wrong!"

Liang Lin blinked, bewildered by the intensity of the reaction.

"Never mind. Get out, and tell Miranda to discipline her servants properly."

The maid scrambled out of the room in a panic.

As she fled, other servants saw Lady Miranda's personal maid weeping and running from Liang Lin's room. They shook their heads, sighing at the young lady's cruelty. Some secretly rejoiced, grateful they weren't serving Miss Liang Lin.

"How strange. Why do these women cry at the sight of me?"

Liang Lin muttered in frustration, smoothing her long hair before leaving the room.

She was accustomed to the tone she used with soldiers and rough men on the battlefield.

Military discipline was strict, and she always followed the rules. War was no game. If she wasn't ruthless, the enemy would kill her. 

Pushing open the ornate doors of the drawing room, Liang Lin glanced around and spotted an unfamiliar face in a wheelchair among the familiar ones.

At the same time, the girl in the wheelchair lifted her head, and their eyes met.

Silver-white hair cascaded loosely behind her, and her sapphire-like eyes sparkled. Her pale complexion made her lipsticked lips appear even redder. Dressed in a water-blue gown with puffed sleeves, her full bust accentuated, she sat with her hands crossed on her lap, as docile as a pet cat. 

What a beautiful girl. 

Liang Lin averted her gaze and turned to the frowning Duke Auston. 

"I'm here, father." 

"You haven't greeted your mother yet." 

"The difference between some maids and prostitutes, I suppose, is that one works in the courtyards of nobles, while the other is in filthy brothels." Liang Lin touched her chin. "As long as they're pretty enough and spread their legs, they can get what they want. Hmm- And men just happen to love that." 

"Am I right, Miranda... Lady?" 

"You...!" 

Miranda's face turned ashen as she gripped her husband's arm. 

Auston's expression darkened as well. He opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted. 

"Pfft!"

An abrupt laugh broke the tense atmosphere. Liang Lin followed the sound and saw the girl in the wheelchair covering her mouth with a white lace-gloved hand, her eyes crinkling with laughter. 

"Miss Liang Lin truly lives up to her reputation." 

The girl clapped her hands softly. "I like it." 

"Thank you." 

Liang Lin nodded politely. "I merely spoke the truth." 

The girl spoke again, "I am Liang Di Langwendi, ... the sole heir of the Langwendi family." 

Liang Lin clearly hadn't processed it yet. 

Her gaze was intense. 

"Duke Auston, no, father, please tell my dear sister Liang Lin the truth." 

Auston sighed. 

"Liang Lin, I called you here today to announce something very serious. You, Liang Lin Langwendi, are not of our bloodline. You were merely a decoy... to protect Liang Di Langwendi." 

Though shocked inwardly, Liang Lin showed no expression on her face, remaining as calm as still water. 

"So, I should leave the Langwendi family now, right?" 

Auston looked with difficulty toward Liang Di.

Though Liang Lin wasn't related to him by blood, she was still a daughter he had raised for sixteen years... and most importantly, she was so obedient and had recently become useful.

As for Liang Di, if no one could keep her in check...

Come to think of it, this fake daughter of his, Liang Lin, had indeed become useful. 

Just a month ago, she had stopped a nationally renowned swordsman on the street, challenged him to a duel, and unexpectedly emerged victorious, becoming the youngest female swordsman in the Soteland Empire.

If she truly became a skilled swordmaster... perhaps she could somewhat restrain Liang Di? After all, Liang Lin was still that obedient child who listened to him... 

"If sister is willing to stay, you will always be one of us Langwendi." Liang Di turned her wheelchair to face Liang Lin, smiling gently. "Sister, would you like to stay?" 

Looking at the gentle girl smiling before her, Liang Lin remained silent. 

If she proudly declared she would leave now, what could she, as a woman, do without the protection of noble status?

Work as a waitress in dirty, chaotic underground taverns?

Or open a clothing store designing evening gowns for noble ladies?

She didn't know how to do any of those things. The only things she was good at were commanding battles and swordsmanship - but the Soteland Empire never allowed women on the battlefield. 

Could it be that she would have to find a man and depend on him for survival?

Liang Lin shuddered at the thought. She still preferred women - even if her gender had changed, her attraction to women was something that couldn't be altered. 

"I'm willing." 

Though humiliating, this was the optimal solution. 

Liang Di seemed to have known the answer all along, nodding with satisfaction. She turned her wheelchair, preparing to return. 

"I have a question for you." 

Liang Lin gripped the handles at the back of the wheelchair, bending down so her dark long hair draped over the backrest as she leaned close to Liang Di.

"Would you come outside with me to talk?" 

"I never knew you were such a gentleman, sister Liang Lin."

Liang Di tilted her head slightly, bringing her face closer to Liang Lin's cheek. "Of course I'm willing, sister." 

The two girls completely ignored everyone else in the reception room. Liang Lin directly pushed Liang Di's wheelchair out the door. 

As they left, Liang Lin caught a glimpse from the corner of her eye of Auston's grave expression. It wasn't directed at her, but at Liang Di sitting in the wheelchair. 

Was this old fool really considering others, not her, as the biggest threat? How irritating. 

When they reached the stairway, Liang Lin suddenly stopped. 

"Miss Liang Di, aren't you afraid I might push you and your wheelchair down these stairs?" 

Liang Lin widened her eyes, a creepy smile curling at the corners of her mouth as she stared straight at Liang Di. 

"After all, I am the notorious wicked woman everyone knows." 

"A wicked woman?" 

Liang Di's voice was light and cheerful as she slowly turned her head back.