My elder sister is the most talented woman in the capital. I’m its biggest wastrel. She and the Crown Prince are in love, while I’m betrothed to his archenemy, the Prince of Zhenbei. The whole capital is betting on when the Prince of Zhenbei will strangle me to death.
On the day I return to my parents’ home, my sister deliberately knocks over the tea I’ve brought her. “Little sister, a marriage forced upon you will never bring happiness.”
I slip and fall into the Prince of Zhenbei’s arms. He grips my waist and sneers, “Weren’t you complaining about a sore waist last night, Madam? And now you’re throwing yourself into my arms?”
As my sister turns deathly pale, I rise onto my toes and whisper in the prince’s ear, “Your Highness, I stole the Eastern Palace’s border defense map.”
