A modern history graduate working 996 hours a week drops dead, then transmigrates into Zhu Yuanzhang’s fifth son, Zhu Su. The moment he wakes up, he runs his mouth in front of the entire court: "My father is Zhu Yuanzhang, and I’m his fifth son!" Zhu Yuanzhang knocks him senseless with a flick to the forehead. "I’m not dead yet!"
Zhu Su snaps to his senses and makes himself a promise: keep his head down, stay alive, eat and wait for death, and never compete for the throne!
But his kindhearted eldest brother, Zhu Biao, dotes on him; his calculating fourth brother, Zhu Di, protects him; and his second and third brothers treat him like a treasure. The brothers get along wonderfully, with not the slightest hint of infighting. The only ones with their own schemes are the consorts in the harem, other than Empress Ma, who keep using him to stir up trouble and play political games.
His plans to coast through life fall apart, and he’s forced into action: he uses modern knowledge to improve the food, helps Empress Ma keep the harem in order, warns Xu Da and Chang Yuchun away from danger, governs his fief and reforms its administration after being sent there, then protects his brothers and the empire during the Jingnan Campaign.
Zhu Yuanzhang is both exasperated and delighted. "You’re clearly capable, so why pretend to be mad and stupid?" Zhu Su protests, "Father, I really do want to take it easy!"
