After I Defied the Imperial Decree and Rejected the Arranged Marriage, My Half-Sister Panicked

After I lost the entire betrothal gift from the prince's estate, I wept until I fainted in front of the emperor, begging him to revoke the imperial decree arranging my marriage. My half-sister panicked.

On the eighth day of the fourth month, the emperor decreed that the Worthy Prince would marry the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Wu's household. I should have been married off in glory, but instead I was locked in the woodshed. By the time I reached the marquis's residence in my wedding dress, my half-sister had already married the Worthy Prince in my place, using my identity.

I rushed forward and declared that I was the marquis's legitimate daughter, but the household steward blocked my way. The steward, who had watched me grow up, slapped me across the face. "You bastard child, how dare you come here and make trouble at the young lady's wedding!" Before I could prove who I was,...