After a Little Thief Became the Imperial Censor's Substitute Bride

The main story is complete~

Reborn in the womb, she spent ten years as a thief.

When she was sixteen, the Qiao family finally found their eldest daughter. They wanted her back so she could fulfill the marriage contract meant for her younger sister.

The Qiao family of Jiangzhou had once arranged a marriage with the Xie family. With the wedding date fast approaching, Xie Tinglian angered the emperor by impeaching officials at court and was demoted.

The Qiaos couldn't bear to send their pampered young lady off to marry him, so they did everything they could to find her, cleaned her up, and shipped her off to the Xie residence.

Xie Tinglian glanced at her, then gave her a cold smile, his eyes full of disdain. “Fine. The journey ahead is long and difficult. Think of it as gaining a maid.”

Clutching her little bundle, she put on a timid act. “But I came to be your wife, not your maid.”

Xie Tinglian said, “You think you're worthy?” He tossed her four words: “A fake in place of the real thing.”

She rolled her eyes, her knuckles cracking as she clenched her fists. He was just some lowly civil official. She could put up with him for now, before she accidentally punched him to death.

The journey was indeed difficult, and they were attacked by bandits. All of Xie Tinglian's belongings were looted.

She gave a little gasp. “Looks like I have to go back to my old profession.”

Xie Tinglian was a man of high principles and wouldn't let her steal or rob, so she went begging instead. But Xie Tinglian was too proud to accept charity.

She sighed. “Then just starve to death.”

After that, Xie Tinglian relied on her stealing and begging to get by, and they eventually reached his assigned post. Before long, he used his abilities to return to court.

Xie Tinglian sent her back to the Qiao family, prepared betrothal gifts, and made a grand entrance to ask for her hand. But the Qiaos brought out their delicate young lady, not the little thief they'd once packed off to him.

P.S. Both leads are virgins, and it has a happy ending. A fictional Song-inspired setting.

Theme: Love can overcome prejudice