Xia Pu, a legendary figure hailed in his previous life as a man of exceptional national talent, wakes up to find himself the live-in son-in-law of the Marquis of Ding’an’s household in the Great Yong Kingdom.
On their wedding night, his wife tosses him a contract. “Three years. You study for the exams, and I’ll make sure you have food and clothing. Once you’ve made a name for yourself, we’ll part on good terms.”
Xia Pu looks at the contract and smiles with satisfaction. This is practically his dream job: food, drink, and books, no work and no rat race, and a wife who doesn’t meddle in his private life.
And so begins his blissful life of taking it easy: fishing in the morning, listening to opera in the afternoon, and flirting in the evening (in his imagination), with the occasional story written for a little pocket money.
But the good times don’t last...
His wife, Shen Qinghuan, hits a dead end investigating a case. “Husband, help me!”
His father-in-law is framed in the political arena. “Dear son-in-law, help me!”
A courtesan turns out to be a spy. “Young master, save me!”
In the end, the female emperor of Yong shows up at his door in the middle of the night. “My dear subject, my kingdom is in trouble. Please help me!”
Xia Pu sighs and sets down his fishing rod. Very well, very well. It seems I’m the one who has to protect this realm after all.
And so he solves cold cases, cleans up the bureaucracy, quells rebellions, opens up the seas, and secures the borders...
Years later, the female emperor holds a baby in her arms, blushing as she asks, “My dear subject, what should we name our prince?”
Xia Pu waves his hands frantically. “Your Majesty, please don’t make things up. I did nothing, absolutely nothing!”
