The emperor decreed that the Qiao family's legitimate daughter marry the Third Prince.
My legitimate older sister, who had eyes only for the top scorer in the imperial examinations, refused at any cost. My stepmother had no choice but to make me, the former legitimate daughter, take her place in the bridal sedan.
But then the top scorer became embroiled in a case involving the Crown Prince's secret minting of silver. His entire estate was confiscated, and his family was sentenced to exile.
Meanwhile, the Third Prince regained his sight and earned a fine reputation for his work investigating the case.
My sister couldn't accept it. She set a fire, and we died together.
When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day the marriage decree was issued.
This time, my older sister put on the bridal gown without hesitation and climbed into the Third Prince's sedan.
I was delighted.
So my older sister really did love that deadly den of vipers: the imperial family.
