I Only Want to Clear My Name Through the Imperial Exams, but Dad Draped a Yellow Robe on Me

[Lighthearted comedy + outrageous misunderstandings + officialdom and farming + an unconventional take]

After transmigrating to the Ming Dynasty, Lu Chen discovers that he's the heir to the most notorious criminal family in the capital.

Looking at the courtyard full of killers sharpening their blades, then at the imperial court, which could have his whole family executed at any moment, Lu Chen decides, feeling desperately unsafe: I have to pass the civil service exam! I have to become an official! I'll give my whole family a legitimate reputation!

And so, an oddball appears in the Ming Dynasty.

At a gang fight, he clutches the Great Ming Code and recites it frantically. On the eve of a demonic cult rebellion, he drags the cult leader into a discussion about fermentation. To deal with corrupt officials, he even has his underworld father kidnap their entire families for a “legal audit.”

Lu Chen thinks he can keep his head down and survive safely like this, until one day...

“Dad! I became Minister of the Court of Judicial Review just to get our family legitimate government positions!” Lu Chen shouts in despair at the weapons filling the courtyard.

The crime boss Lu Zhenhai pats him on the shoulder, tears in his eyes. “Son, I understand! You're pulling off a reverse merger! First take control of the Six Ministries, then sideline the emperor! Since you've even taken over the Court of Judicial Review, should we force the palace to surrender tonight?”

Hongye, his personal maid, raises a bloodstained hammer and smiles sweetly. “Young master, does ‘restrain yourself and return to ritual’ mean overcoming yourself and restoring the old rites? I'll go smash the emperor awake right now!”

Lu Chen: “??? Don't come any closer!”