After My Elder Sister Broke Off the Engagement, I Took Her Place in the Palace, and Now She Regrets It

Ning Yao is the illegitimate daughter of the Duke of Ning's household. Her birth mother died early, leaving her lowly in status.

In this fictional ancient setting, noble families commonly arrange political marriages, and women's fates are controlled by their clans.

When her legitimate sister causes a scene and refuses her marriage, Ning Yao is forced to take her place and marry into the palace. Everyone mocks her for dreaming of rising above her station.

The Crown Prince feigns illness as he bides his time, while undercurrents churn at court. She keeps her cool and plans every move carefully.

With her intelligence, she resolves a crisis involving the medicine supply and the turmoil at a night banquet, then dazzles everyone by winning first place at a poetry gathering.

She sees through a plot to drug her and turns it against its masterminds. She exposes corruption in the accounts and wins the emperor's favor.

From a concubine-born daughter sent to marry in another's place to the woman who holds the imperial phoenix seal, she has no desire to cling to power. In the end, she disappears into the common world.

She helps the people and fights for justice, creating a legendary life and a world of her own.