The Concubine-Born Son's Road to Success: Don't Make Me Become a Treacherous Minister

Historical setting, imperial examinations, illegitimate son, face-slapping, political intrigue, pure love, one-on-one romance.

A romance between a scheming man and a merchant’s daughter.

Zhang family illegitimate son Zhang Chengjin fights his way through household rivalries, officialdom, romantic rivals, and every other challenge, all while winning the favor of the God of Wealth.

His mother died when he was young, and Zhang Chengjin grew up enduring cold looks in a remote courtyard.

After years of hard study, he finally passes the examinations, only to be constantly schemed against and framed by his elder half-brother and his family.

His stepmother is selfish, his half-brother is despicable, and the entire household wants to grind him into the dirt.

If the world insists on driving him into a corner at every turn, then he’ll stop holding back.

He throws in his lot with the unassuming Ninth Prince, rises through the examinations, stirs up the court, sees through the schemes of the great families, and climbs step by step to the very top.

My half-brother tries to ruin me?

Then I’ll rise above you and surpass you.

You won’t let me inherit the family title? Then I’ll establish my own branch in the clan genealogy and become a powerful minister no one can hope to rival.

The world calls me a treacherous schemer who abuses power?

Standing in the Golden Throne Hall, Zhang Chengjin looks down over the assembled officials.

“You’re the ones who forced me to become this treacherous minister who holds the court in the palm of his hand!”

Household battles in the early chapters, court power struggles later on, a satisfying dual plotline, and a nonstop rise to success through the imperial examinations.