Female-Led Imperial Exam Stories 女主科举文

1. 1 权 The Alluring Powerful Minister 权臣妖娆 Minced Meat and Fried Egg肉沫跑蛋Ancient Romance960k WordsCompleted Also known as The Female Top Scorer and The Female Imperial Tutor. He was a celebrated, charmingly elegant top scorer, showered with every favor under the heavens. Only after the Du family was destroyed and he hanged himself in prison did the world learn that “he” was a woman! After her father's death, the family's good name was ruined. Dozens of loyal servants starved to death. The beautiful women of the household were either made into servants or reduced to playthings for officials. Reborn, Du 3.3kReads9.1Score435Shelves

   Reader note

   As you can tell from the titles, these are all books where the female protagonist disguises herself as a man and takes the imperial examinations. The authors' writing is quite good. I've read all three of them; they're on my bookshelf. You can read them with confidence.

2. 2 我 I Find the Top Scholar So Charming 我见探花多娇媚 Yi Ran怡然Ancient Romance1.8M WordsCompleted Jing Bao has three wishes: First, protect the family estate of the main branch; second, enter the Imperial College, place third in the palace examinations, and bring honor to the family; third, keep living as a man in disguise until the end. Lord Gu has three wishes too: First, help someone protect their family estate; second, help that someone place third in the palace examinations; third, bring the disguised top scorer home and make her the mistress of the household. 4.1kReads9.4Score756Shelves
3. 3 科 Imperial Exam Triumph: The Strongest Female Grand Secretary 科举逆袭：最强女首辅 Dressed in Splendor宝妆成Ancient Romance1.8M WordsCompleted After finally becoming the first female heir in her family, she opens her eyes and finds herself back before the revolution. Her father is dead from the start, leaving her with a frail mother and three beautiful older sisters. She is the only son who can carry on the Cheng family line... Cheng Qing looks down at her slightly developed chest, wondering what on earth went wrong. Surrounded by scheming wolves, Cheng Qing, now with a new soul in her body, sets herself two small goals: First, keep pr 8.5kReads9.5Score1.3kShelves
4. 4 谈 Explosives Under the Negotiation Table: The Young Lady Storms the Imperial Court 谈判桌下埋火药，大小姐入朝杀疯 Yu Fu余弗Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [The heroine’s creed: Power and money are what let a woman live freely and boldly!] [Strong heroine + satisfying story + vying for the finest men in the realm] Jiang Yu thought she’d be content with a modestly comfortable life. But when she turned eighteen, one ridiculous twist after another came her way. First, the husband she had supported with her own money for years passed the imperial exams at the top of his class, then demanded a divorce so he could marry a noblewoman. Then the Duke’s mans 37kReads9.2Score5.4kShelves

   Reader note

   The female protagonist enters the imperial court as a woman and becomes the heir to the Duke's mansion. The struggles between officials and political enemies are incredibly captivating. The female protagonist proposes many brilliant policies for the development of the country, making it a very engaging political intrigue novel!

5. 5 农 A Country Girl’s Daily Life of Preparing for the Imperial Exams 农家女的科举日常 Panda Loves Life胖达爱生活Ancient Romance780k WordsOngoing [System + No CP + Women's Imperial Exams + No Cross-Dressing as a Man + Academy Life + Slow Pace + Alternate World] In her previous life, as an orphan with no family to support, Zhuge Yunshu lived an utterly carefree, lazy life. Perhaps even Heaven couldn't stand to see it anymore. It killed her with a piece of falling debris, and she was reborn as a farmer's daughter in ancient times. In this agrarian society, men and women alike had no choice but to work in the fields once they reached the app 22.6kReads8.9Score2.7kShelves

   Reader note

   Fictional setting, featuring real women taking the imperial examinations, without women disguising themselves as men.

6. 6 开 My Ancestors’ Graves Started Smoking from the Start: Disguised as a Man, I Take the Imperial Exams 开局祖坟冒青烟，女扮男装科举忙 Jiang Suiwan江岁晚Ancient Romance1.3M WordsCompleted Xie Yuheng transmigrates from the Apocalypse to a farming household, where a tyrant rules the land. With no other choice, she disguises herself as a boy. As she grows older, everyone in the surrounding villages comes to know that the Xie family's prodigy has an exceptionally clever mind. Too bad he's a sickly weakling who can't lift a finger or carry a load. Bystander: “You're so noble, so impressive! Your sickly family member just kicked someone through a wall!” The Xie family: “Does the head o 12.1kReads9.2Score1.7kShelves

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   No romantic pairing. A cross-dressing, imperial examination novel featuring Xie Yuheng of the Xie family. She rises through the ranks of the imperial examinations, becoming the youngest top scholar in history. Using herself as the chessboard and the Xie family as the pieces, she elevates the status of women throughout the land. She aims to establish a moral compass for the world, secure a future for the people, continue the legacy of past sages, and usher in an era of peace for all generations. Recommended: 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (•̀ᴗ•́)و̑̑

7. 7 手 With the Notable Ministers System in Hand, I Disguise Myself as a Man in Ancient Times 手拿名臣系统，我在古代女扮男装 Tianyang Peak, Who Loves Handmade Wheat Dumplings爱吃手工麦饺的天阳峰Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted Xu Yue transmigrates into a book. She becomes the delicate, vulnerable cousin of the male lead in an examination-themed novel: her mother died young, she has no brothers and no one to rely on, and her family won't take her in, so she is awkwardly forced to live in the male lead's home. In her previous life, Xu Yue rose from being an orphan to earning a doctorate. She never believed in fate, and even though it was hard for women to get by in ancient times, she never stopped thinking about how to 118.2kReads9.6Score11.4kShelves

   Reader note

   The first book is completed. It's a female protagonist disguised as a man taking the imperial examinations. It has a system, no romantic pairing, and is purely a feel-good story. The female protagonist is clear-headed and independent, and there are no awful characters. (It's really worth reading!) The second book is ongoing. It's a female protagonist taking the imperial examinations, has a system, and no romantic pairing. All the women in it are clear-headed. The female protagonist's goal is to serve the country and its people. It emphasizes how education can change one's destiny and the importance of women's self-reliance.

8. 8 开 From the Start, Disguised as a Man, I Rose to First Rank Through the Imperial Exams 开局女扮男装，我靠科举官居一品 I Want to Make Money爷要赚钱Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Disguised as a man + imperial examinations and court intrigue + rises to the highest office + one heroine, focused on her career] When Xie Qingfeng opens her eyes, she's handed a nightmare of a life: a house with bare walls, and a woman forced to disguise herself as a man. In an age when everything is considered inferior to scholarship, if she doesn't fight for her place, she'll be crushed to pieces. Since she's here, she'll give it everything she's got! As a woman, she enters the imperial cour 48.9kReads9.3Score6kShelves

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   [Imperial Examination + Famous Official + Eternal Fame] Xie Qingfeng opened her eyes to find herself reborn in ancient times. As a science student, she was suddenly forced to take the imperial examinations!! And she was even disguised as a man! Fine, fine, it's all the same whether she faces the danger or not, so she decided to give it her all—who knew that this period of study would be so long and arduous! But alas, her talent shone through in the examination halls, and she finally achieved her goal of appearing on the imperial list. From then on, she soared to great heights, her ambitions reaching new heights! Warning: The female lead's disguise as a man will never be exposed; there is no romantic pairing.

9. 9 天 The Farm Girl Who Turned Things Around After a Terrible Start 天崩开局的农家女她逆袭了 Tang Qinghan唐轻寒Ancient Romance559k WordsCompleted [Native-Born + Everyday Family Life + Imperial Examinations + Court Politics + No Romance] Xia Jiang was born into a farming family. She has always loved reading and is gifted at it, too. With her uncle-in-law's help, she reads many books, copies them to earn money, and even invests in a shop owned by Xia Chan, a transmigrator. One day, Xia Chan brings her some news. There's actually a girls' school in the capital that teaches the Six Arts of the Confucian scholars. Xia Jiang packs her things an 1.4kReads8.4Score171Shelves

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   First book I highly recommend! ① A native peasant girl rises from the bottom of a feudal dynasty, taking the imperial examinations. It's not just about the female protagonist's awakening; it also features other women around her striving for their own advancement in different positions. It's a very good book; the only downside is that the new book is still being updated. ② A transmigrated woman disguises herself as a man, becoming a candidate for the imperial examinations. She becomes a prince's advisor, eventually securing a county magistrate position and embarking on her path to power. The pacing is fast, and the plot is clear. Highly recommended! ③, ④, And ⑤ are all set in dynasties where women could take the imperial examinations and enter officialdom through them.

10. 10 女 Disguised as a Man: I Started My Career as an Advisor 女扮男装：当官从幕僚做起 Zha Wei紮尾Ancient Romance460k WordsCompleted [Soul transmigration, alternate world, woman disguised as a man, rise to power and riches, no romance, political intrigue, no System] Wang Qian transmigrated to the Great Zhao Dynasty. To survive, she assumed the identity of a successful candidate in the imperial examinations named Wang Qingyun and entered a prince's residence as an adviser. Once there, she discovered that the prince was plotting to become heir to the throne. The risk was too great. She had to make a run for it. Wang Qingyun: As 1.5kReads9.0Score269Shelves
11. 11 科 The Road to the Top Scholar: A Farmer’s Daughter’s Imperial Exam Journey 科举之农家女的状元路 Tao Lulu陶陆陆Ancient Romance535k WordsCompleted This isn't a high-energy, over-the-top feel-good story, and the pacing is fairly slow. There are no dramatic showdowns with awful relatives or triumphant face-slapping moments. If that works for you, read on. On the eve of her graduate school graduation, young Liu Lu had just learned that her thesis had passed when a car accident sent her to the past. She woke up as a little farm girl. To make matters worse, her parents were out of favor and always did the most work for the least reward. What w 658Reads7.1Score102Shelves
12. 12 本 I Only Wanted to Pass the Civil Service Exams, but They Forced Her to Seize the Throne 本想科举做官，非逼她谋朝篡位 Autumn Farewell and the Lantern's Song秋辞与灯鸣Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted (The comic adaptation is now available) [No CP] [Strong Female Lead] [Female Empowerment] [Imperial Exams, No Disguise as a Man] [Political Scheming] [Reincarnated in the Womb] [A Light Ensemble Cast] Yu Zhao transmigrates. In her previous life, she grew up in an orphanage and worked herself to the bone, finally graduating at twenty with a bachelor's, master's, and doctorate. Just as she joined a research institute and was on the verge of a bright future, a sudden pebble struck her dead. When sh 7.6kReads8.9Score1.4kShelves
13. 13 苏 Has the Second Miss of the Su Family Killed Anyone Today? 苏家二小姐今天刀人了吗 Dove or Not, Ge or Not鸽不鸽不戈Ancient Romance417k WordsOngoing (Loves power and money, exceptionally strong, an incredible memory, chants Buddhist scriptures by day but kills without mercy. Su Wuyan) (Political intrigue + strong female lead + taking down scumbags + no idiocy + no vile relatives + imperial examinations for women) The Grand Chancellor of the Great Liang Dynasty has a granddaughter who ranks second among the family’s children. Everyone calls her the Su family’s second young miss, Su Wuyan. She is also the subject of the kind of rumors the comm 4kReads8.2Score413Shelves
14. 14 做 The First Thing I Did as a County Magistrate: Feed the Whole County 做女县令第一件事：让全县吃饱饭 Jasmine Milk Tea茉莉牛乳茶Ancient Romance3.0M WordsOngoing [Farming + infrastructure development + improving people’s livelihoods + System + a female magistrate’s rise to power] Shen Zheng opens her eyes to find she’s become a newly appointed female magistrate. The county office is so poor that plaster is crumbling off the walls, and the granary is so empty even the mice stay away. Everyone knows that the poorest county in all of Liuyang Prefecture is this very county, Tong’an. Just as she thinks she’ll have to waste three years in Tong’an before retiri 17.6kReads9.2Score1.8kShelves

    Reader note

    This is a must-read among novels about the imperial examination system. Although it features a cheat system (a cheat ability that grants unrealistic advantages), it's written very realistically and isn't just a mindless wish-fulfillment story. The characters are well-developed and the plot is exciting. I highly recommend reading it.

15. 15 科 The Imperial Examinations: The First Female Grand Chancellor 科举：第一女首辅 Rabbit Lord's Chitchat兔君闲谈Ancient Romance238k WordsCompleted Feng Xi transmigrates into the foolish fiancée of the male lead in an imperial-examination novel, an NPC on his path to greatness. According to the original plot, the male lead, who grew up in the countryside, is found by his family. The first thing he does after reclaiming his status as a scion of a prominent clan is send someone to erase the stain that is her. After that, the male lead displays his talents, places first in the imperial exams, rises through the ranks, and wins the hearts of a b 471Reads8.7Score100Shelves

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    🍀① Reborn as a peasant girl, she possesses a system dedicated to serving the country and its people. Instead of disguising herself as a man, she uses the system's help to change her fate of being confined to the fields, pretending to be a gifted child prodigy. To solidify her prodigy status, she diligently studies for the imperial examinations. 🍀② Reborn into a peasant family with unusual birthmarks, she finds herself in the midst of a tyrannical reign, forced to disguise herself as a man. To bring peace to the world, she rises through the ranks of the imperial examinations, becoming the youngest top scholar, leading her people to prosperity by establishing workshops and building a girls' school… 🍀③ The female lead consistently studies and passes the imperial examinations, achieving the highest rank (sixth-place finish), while the original male lead is always just a runner-up. 🤭

16. 16 科 Imperial Examinations: Reborn, She Took Her Ex-Husband's Steady Job 科举：重生后她抢了前夫的铁饭碗 Rabbit Lord's Chitchat兔君闲谈Ancient Romance1.7M WordsCompleted [Heroine Does Not Disguise Herself as a Man | Civil Service Exams and Government Career | A Name in the History Books | A Strong Heroine Who Grows] In her previous life, Jiang Ruchu was a fallen noblewoman. Her father was faithless, her mother weak. Carrying a keepsake, she married into the prominent local Huo family to repay a debt of gratitude. When her husband entered school, Jiang Ruchu quietly supported him through his studies... She kept a low profile and fulfilled her duties, hoping only 7.1kReads9.1Score1kShelves

    Reader note

    The female protagonist in this book is reborn. She doesn't disguise herself as a man, and her family isn't well-off. She breaks off her engagement right from the start. I watched her go from being looked down upon and ridiculed by everyone to passing the imperial examinations. It's amazing! Every step in the story feels real. Her efforts and hardships, the competition and pressure of the imperial examinations, the divisions and cliques within the aristocratic neighborhoods—every step feels very real and cruel. She can only rely on herself. Honestly, I hope she stays alone forever. None of the men in the story are worthy of her; they only overshadow her! Finally, I have to say, it's really good!

17. 17 不 After I Stopped Letting People Walk All Over Me, the Cold-Hearted Powerful Man Doted on Me 不当受气包后，被清冷权贵娇宠了 Confused Jingjing迷糊的静静Ancient Romance515k WordsCompleted Transmigration + Alternate World + Imperial Examinations... Shen Xiaoqing transmigrates to a village in an unknown era. It's poor, but that's no problem: she'll make money. This era is unlike any dynasty. Women can take the imperial examinations, too. First she encounters her awful grandparents, then her fourth uncle, who refuses to live an ordinary life and wants to take the crooked path. Deal with the scoundrels, and set those who stray back on the right track! Whatever happens, she can't let 55Reads6.5Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A female protagonist taking the imperial examination.

18. 18 女 A Woman Transmigrates as a Man: A Farmer’s Road to the Imperial Exams 女穿男：农家子的科举青云路 Shang Xinghe裳星河Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted [Female-to-male transmigration + imperial examinations + romance later on + remembered in history + founding the family tree] In her previous life, Qin Huan grew up in an orphanage and worked her way into a university degree. She landed a job at a major company and was on the verge of reaching the pinnacle of success. Her only regret was never having much family to speak of. When she opened her eyes again, she had traveled from modern times to the past, and from a woman to a man. She had become 9.6kReads9.0Score1kShelves

    Reader note

    A must-read female protagonist's imperial examination novel! ❤ Book 1: Low rating because it's a new book, not a cross-dressing story, but about taking the imperial examination to become an official, no romantic pairing. In her previous life, she was a fallen noblewoman who married into a wealthy family with a token of her favor. She silently supported her husband, but after he achieved high honors, he wanted to marry someone else and forced her to drink poison. Reborn, the first thing she did was to annul the engagement, and the second was to study! 😎 Follow Songhuadan for a companion while you study.

19. 19 叮 Ding! First Chancellor Achieved. Call Her Glory to the Ancestors 叮，成就第一宰相，请叫她耀祖 Lu Zhu麓竹Ancient Romance304k WordsCompleted Lin Lang was born into a wealthy family as a girl, but her father ordered her to disguise herself as a boy. Her uncle said, “What can a woman ever achieve? Her place is at home, serving her husband and raising children.” Her cousin said, “Women don’t need to spend money on their appearance. Any woman who asks her husband for money is shameless, just preparing to have an affair.” Lin Lang sneered. “Oh, go to hell with that bullshit!” She was a woman, and she was determined to be both rich and pow 349Reads6.6Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The female protagonist, disguised as a man, is implicated and her family's property is confiscated at the beginning of the story. She is intelligent and decisive. Utilizing her modern knowledge, she uses every means at her disposal to climb the social ladder step by step. She appears gentle and refined on the surface, but is actually quite cunning! Facing the reborn female supporting character, she remains cautious and calm (no rivalry!!! The female supporting character wants to marry the female protagonist). A virtuous and upright gentleman, she speaks out for the people. Ahhh, I love it! 😍

20. 20 穿 Reborn as a Wicked Foster Mother: I Raised the Villainous Tyrant All Wrong 穿成恶毒养母：把反派暴君养歪了 Blue Sky over Mountains and Rivers山水蔚蓝天Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [No romance + teaching + adorable kids + farming + building wealth + infrastructure] A warm, slice-of-life story Zhang Ziruo transmigrates into the role of the evil adoptive mother of a tyrannical villain, destined for a tragic end. She plans to win the villain’s favor while he is still young, only to discover that he has been reborn... Taking stock of her new circumstances, she decides to open a school and become a teacher! She’ll raise the villain to be a virtuous, capable, open-minded, and po 15.2kReads9.5Score2.1kShelves

    Reader note

    A female teacher of her generation, she not only imparted knowledge but also instilled moral character. She built a library, compiled modern and practical knowledge, and guided students to think, research, and invent from the basics. Her teaching was engaging and informative.

21. 21 真 The Real Heiress Crushes the Competition for Men 真千金她横扫雄竞 Lin Qingzhou林青昼Female-Channel Fanfiction1.5M WordsCompleted Overnight, she became the real heiress of the Chancellor’s household. All right, so the whole family would treat the fake heiress as their darling, and after she died… Wait a minute. Where were the melodramatic power struggles of the wealthy? Where was the vicious white-lotus villainess? What kind of place had she transmigrated into? Why was she fleeing famine? The feudal world battered Rong Yu over and over. There was nothing tender or springy about her life. What vicious female rival? The only 38Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A woman disguised as a man takes the imperial examinations; everyone knows Yue-ge'er. Different styles, same core: Rong-yu embodies female self-reliance.

22. 22 穿 Transmigrate to a Matriarchal World: Peach Blossoms Along the Imperial Exam Road 穿越女尊：科举路上桃花开 Yan Ruyan言如言言Ancient Romance252k WordsCompleted [Female-dominated world + no System + multiple male leads + everyday life + imperial examinations + male leads pure in both body and heart] (I’m humbly hoping for a book review. There are plenty of exciting parts that aren’t tame!) One moment, Jiang Li, a top modern history student, was attending an academic conference. The next, she had transmigrated to the Great Feng Kingdom, where women ruled, and become a poor wretch being hounded by creditors. She even had an elderly mother and a husband to 308Reads6.7Score105Shelves

    Reader note

    Lately, I've noticed that male-oriented imperial examination novels are quite popular, so I looked for a female-oriented, matriarchal novel. Does this one count? It seems to lean towards slice-of-life.

23. 23 我 I Passed the Imperial Exams and Made the Honor Roll in Ancient Times 我在古代考科举金榜题名了 Xuan Yan暄妍Ancient Romance681k WordsCompleted Zhao Qiaoyue, an ability-user from the apocalypse, transmigrates into a book as Zhao Qiaoyue, the ill-fated, illegitimate daughter of the Zhao family in the Great Rong Dynasty. She and her birth mother, Xia Niang, are banished by the Zhao family to a small village. Xia Niang loves her daughter and wants to secure her future, so she sends her to study for the imperial examinations. But when someone schemes against her, Zhao Qiaoyue fights back by giving them a taste of their own medicine! The Zha 140Reads8.5Score—Shelves

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    Since ancient times, there has been the saying "women are not inferior to men," but how many people truly understand its profound meaning? In the distant ancient society, men were regarded as pillars and rulers, while women were often confined to their boudoirs, their fate seemingly to manage household affairs and raise children. However, there were always some women who refused to be ordinary, who, with their wisdom and courage, broke through the shackles of convention and carved out their own niche in that male-dominated world.

24. 24 七 From Seventh-Rank Official to the Top: The Strongest Female Chief Minister 七品逆袭：最强女首辅 Fine Night良宵Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted (A woman disguised as a man in an ancient political intrigue story) Qin Yuan first met He Lin in the summer of Jingli Year 29. The cicadas shrilled in the trees, and the heat was suffocating. In a dark, filthy prison cell, she sat in a corner, her face smeared with blood. Without a word, he left her a handkerchief to wipe the blood from her forehead. When they met again outside the prison, she was no longer in such a wretched state. Dressed in a vivid red official robe, her bright eyes blazing, 3.6kReads9.1Score480Shelves

    Reader note

    🌿Female protagonist imperial examination novel

25. 25 我 I Played the Rat Race in Ancient Times and Rose to Marquis and Minister 我在古代搞内卷，一路封侯拜相 Yu Tiantian Ya遇田田呀Ancient Romance604k WordsCompleted [Strong heroine, no romance, nation-building, career-focused, light political intrigue, few top-quality men] After transmigrating into the backward Great Kang, a place where people slept on the floor and got nothing but soup for meals, Jiang Hui could only describe herself as numb. Completely numb. To make sure she could survive, she joined the army and earned distinction. Then the emperor sent her off to become magistrate of a godforsaken county. Luckily, she held two doctoral degrees. Building 1.4kReads9.2Score172Shelves

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    🔥① Cheng Qing, the female heir of a wealthy family, transmigrates to ancient times. 🍀 Becoming the only daughter of the Cheng family, facing a family crisis, she resolves to disguise herself as a man and take the imperial examination to enter officialdom. 🍀 Protecting her gender secret, she must both rise to a high position and die a natural death, becoming the most powerful female chief minister. 🔥② Carefully selected, take what you like!

26. 26 科 The Imperial Exam: The Top Scholar Empress Brings Prosperity to Her Country, Family, and Husband 科举：状元皇后她旺国旺家旺夫君 Rock-Candy Hawthorn Loves Grapes冰糖葫芦爱吃葡萄Ancient Romance1.8M WordsCompleted A modern math expert is reborn as an unborn child in the Shangbei Dynasty, becoming Fu Jinan. With her father dead, her step-grandmother making life difficult, and her uncle’s family scheming to seize the estate, Fu Jinan disguises herself as a boy to protect her mother and sister, and embarks on the path of the imperial exams. Fu Jinan takes stock of herself every day: Did I give away that I’m a girl today? No. Xia Yunqi is questioning everything. The more he looks at Fu Jinan, the more handsom 112Reads6.7Score—Shelves
27. 27 新 Jilted on My Wedding Night, I Bond with the Grand Agricultural Official System 新婚夜被鸽后我绑定了大司农系统 Zucchini Is on the Pumpkin Team西葫芦是南瓜派Ancient Romance1.4M WordsCompleted [Women in government + farming and infrastructure + satisfying revenge with light comedy + career-focused with a little romance + male lead in a supporting role + beloved by everyone + romance after an arranged marriage] Lin Ran transmigrates to a fictional dynasty and gains a grandmother obsessed with chanting sutras, a father who brings bad luck to his wives, a bookish second younger brother, a wastrel third younger brother, an influential family by marriage, and a misfit System that hounds he 9.4kReads9.4Score1.4kShelves

    Reader note

    🍑① The female lead disguises herself as a man to participate in the imperial examination. There is no romantic partner, but it's one-sided. She is exceptionally talented in literature from a young age, renowned far and wide, and becomes the top scholar at 18. Her personality is not tolerant or kind; she is somewhat selfish. 🍉② Why does her wealthy family still farm? Because if they don't, they'll be struck by lightning. Her family fully supports her as she takes the imperial examination and becomes an official. There are instances of revenge against villains, but no truly evil female supporting characters. 🍑③ The female lead is intelligent and quick-witted, outwardly calm, but actually has many inner emotions, making her quite adorable. The story is full of twists and turns. 🍓④ There is no romantic partner. Although the female lead has a system—more simply, a learning-monitoring machine—she is determined to become an official and fight against the old men in the court. 🍉

28. 28 世 The World Won't Let Me Go to School, but My Mother Insists I Do 世道不让我上学，我娘非要我上 Zhi Si织姒Ancient Romance687k WordsOngoing [Not a wish-fulfillment story] This story is mainly about the lives of ordinary people in a rural village in ancient times. Qiao Xiaoping is the heroine, and her character develops over the course of the story. In the early chapters, she is more of an observer; it is only later on that she becomes the true protagonist. The supporting characters all have lives of their own, and most are just passing through the heroine's life. There are no so-called good or bad people. Everyone is simply struggli 22Reads8.4Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The first book is a non-transmigration/rebirth story. It's about everyday family life. Ever since learning that women could take the imperial examinations, Qiao Xiaoping's mother has been planning for her daughter to go to school. Now Xiaoping is finally in school. The second book features a female protagonist who grows through experience. Born into a family that favors sons over daughters, she had to work in the fields at a young age. To avoid working in the fields, she went to school, pretending to be a genius. Pretending was easy, but establishing her persona required double the effort. Luckily, she had a system to accompany her.

29. 29 穿 After Reincarnating as an Abandoned Daughter, I Conquer the Realm with Poetry 穿成弃女后，我以诗词镇山河 Three Portions of Char Siu三块叉烧Fantastical Romance160k WordsOngoing Manual valve, manual valve, the answer is ten. Is it happening? Let it happen. Is it or isn't it? Scholars and officials, love, sex, Adolphe, Adolphe, soothe, soothe, soothe, Stephen, Stephen, love, sex, Adolphe, Iverson. 3Reads—Score102Shelves

    Reader note

    This one is good!

30. 30 盛 A Peaceful and Prosperous Age 盛世安稳 Luo Yu Qiu Han落雨秋寒Ancient Romance500k WordsCompleted In her previous life, Xie Yixin had been blind. Ignoring everyone’s warnings, she married Zhu Congyu, the heir to a marquis’s household. She thought he was a cold-faced man with a warm heart, but for the sake of the woman he loved, he disregarded the lives of their children. Only when news arrived that her family had been condemned and wiped out did she finally understand how foolishly she had lived. Her family was destroyed, her children were gone… She had so much hatred and resentment… If she 7.8kReads9.1Score645Shelves

    Reader note

    I think these three books are good! Firstly, it's different from the rebirth novels I've seen before. Secondly, this kind of love is quite enviable. Thirdly, the detailed and convincing information regarding the imperial examination system is compelling.

31. 31 春 Radiant Spring 春光艳 Not Yet Cool未凉Ancient Romance988k WordsCompleted In her previous life, Ye Baozhu had the worst luck imaginable. She married a scumbag who was a beast in human skin, and when she died, she made sure to take him down with her. At last, she had her revenge! So what was this business about being reborn? Perhaps Heaven had brought her back this time to repay her debts and return the kindness she had received? 1.6kReads8.7Score164Shelves
32. 32 寒 The Poor Scholar's Rise 寒门贵子 Beyond the Mountain山的那边Historical2.1M WordsCompleted After transmigrating into the body of a penniless scholar, Jiang Feng thought about how his computer science degree from his previous life was utterly useless here… Then it occurred to him: “Of all pursuits, studying is the noblest. I’ll just have to grit my teeth and take the imperial exams!” He kept going, and when he suddenly looked back, he had risen to the highest offices, expanded the empire’s borders, and built an unprecedented legacy! P.S. The new book, A Poor Scholar of the First Rank, 34.2kReads9.1Score3.4kShelves
33. 33 科 The Imperial Exam System: The First Female Chancellor 科举系统之第一女相 Yun Yao云夭Ancient Romance624k WordsCompleted At long last, she had finished her postgraduate entrance exams. Who knew she’d suddenly die and wake up bound to the imperial examination System? Her father was dead, her mother was weak, and she was sickly. From the very start, her clan bullied her. At least she was a man, so getting things done would be convenient. Wait, why was she a woman? Never mind. Dressing as a man wasn’t a problem. Just watch her outwork all her classmates! 142Reads5.9Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Various female protagonist novels about imperial examinations – highly recommended! 👍 [Please follow][Upvote]

34. 34 怒 Kicking Her Scumbag Husband to the Curb, the Matriarch Rises Through the Exams to Become Top Scholar 怒踹渣夫，主母科举逆袭成状元 Loves Potatoes爱吃土豆Ancient Romance367k WordsCompleted Jiang Jinyu, the daughter of a merchant, loved poetry and elegance from a young age. She married a poor scholar whose talents had gone unrecognized, bringing an enormous dowry with her. She spent every last coin of her dowry supporting his entire family, only to end up as their stepping stone. Her whole family was wiped out, and others were already eyeing their estate. Jiang Jinyu would no longer be a woman married into another family. He won’t agree to a divorce? Fine, then she’ll divorce him, 4Reads—Score—Shelves
35. 35 穿 Transmigrated 200 Years into the Future to Become the Top Female Scholar 穿越到两百年后当女状元 Autumn Comes with Falling Rain雨落秋至Ancient Romance107k WordsCompleted [Imperial Examinations + Farming + Top Student + Female Official + Devoted Couple + Transmigration] Shen Xinyu is an ancient woman who transmigrates to a dynasty two hundred years in the future. In this dynasty, women can take the imperial examinations just like men. In her previous life, she wanted to earn an official degree, but was forced into marriage and died young. Given a new life, how could Shen Xinyu give up such an opportunity? Unfortunately, the original owner of the body she transmig 7Reads—Score—Shelves
36. 36 考 The Imperial Exams? Sure, Watch Me Rise Straight to the Top 考科举？可以啊，看我青云直上 The Tree That Grew Fish长出鱼的树Ancient Romance123k WordsCompleted Beneath the great locust tree, a group of old men and women sat chatting. “Have you heard? The Zhao family just had another baby girl.” “Have you heard? The Zhao family’s seventh daughter has gone to school.” “Have you heard? The Zhao family’s seventh daughter is taking the examination to become a licentiate.” “Have you heard? The Zhao family’s seventh daughter is taking the examination to become a scholar.” “Have you heard? The Zhao family’s seventh daughter is taking the examination to become 19Reads—Score—Shelves
37. 37 首 The Lucky Wife of the Grand Secretary 首辅家的锦鲤妻 Cong Yue丛月Ancient Romance3.2M WordsCompleted Only after Su Jiuyue married into the Wu family did she discover that her husband was a fool. She thought she'd been swindled. But as soon as she entered the family, it was as if Heaven itself had blessed the Wus. One happy occasion followed another, and their lives kept getting better. She went up the mountain to gather wild greens and found a lingzhi mushroom; she went down to the river to fish and found a rare, ancient fungus. Even her foolish husband turned out not to be a fool, and he came 17.1kReads9.3Score2.7kShelves

    Reader note

    The first one is my top choice, it's incredibly good.

38. 38 无 The Shameless County Magistrate Shocks the Imperial Court 无耻女县令震惊朝野 Gan Tian Yiyi甘甜一一Ancient Romance1.6M WordsCompleted [Female Disguise + Farming + Infrastructure + Comedy + Adorable Child + Sweet Romance] There are no pocket dimensions or supernatural powers in this story. She relies on her wits alone! After transmigrating to impoverished Yinshan County, Yu Jiu'er disguises herself as a man and sits the imperial examinations. Unlucky enough to offend the wrong person, she flees after a night of passion. Using the money she brought back from the capital, she launches a major infrastructure drive. Then she d 7kReads9.1Score878Shelves

    Reader note

    🌸🍉① A science student is reborn into ancient times, disguised as a man, 🌟 and studies diligently to pass the imperial examinations. ② A woman from a fallen noble family 🧸, in her previous life, was virtuous and supported her husband through the imperial examinations. Unexpectedly, after passing the exams, her husband married another woman 🌆 and even forced her, his first wife, to her death. Reborn 🥠, she first breaks off the engagement, then studies hard to improve herself through the imperial examinations. 🔥😎

39. 39 农 An Ambitious Country Boy's Life in Ancient Times 农家小子的古代上进日常 The Hibernating Donkey冬眠中的驴Historical6.2M WordsOngoing After transmigrating into the body of a farmer's son in ancient times, a poor student had no choice but to embark on the long road of the imperial examinations to improve his family's life. He sought neither wealth and status nor a high salary or lofty office in this life. All he wanted was to protect his family and give them a peaceful life. 40.7kReads9.2Score3kShelves

    Reader note

    These books are really well written! 👏 Book 245 is about a woman disguised as a man, and book 13 is about a woman transmigrating into a man's body. 👍👍👍 The third book is about a woman transmigrating into a man's body and having a cheat ability, but it's just a minor feature of the system, only adding a little bit of intelligence each time. The plot doesn't lower intelligence and is very engaging.

40. 40 女 A Woman in a Man's Body: The Concubine-Born Heir's Rise to Power 女穿男，庶房嫡子的逆袭 Liu Jilian刘忌廉Ancient Romance1.3M WordsOngoing Now available as an audiobook with a full cast. [Alternate history] + [Woman transmigrates as a man] + [Born into this world] + [Imperial exams and business in the early story] + [Court politics later on] + [One female lead, with a relatively small role] + [A touch of ensemble cast] + [No golden finger] Xie Chengxi was born into another world as the sixth son of the Xie family, a minor family in Bianjing's Grain Transport Guild. His father was the clan's rejected son, kept under pressure for yea 33.9kReads8.3Score3.7kShelves

    Reader note

    I really like this book.

41. 41 悠 Youran’s Transmigrated Life 悠然的穿越生活 White Jade Cherry白玉樱桃Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted After transmigrating, she ended up in the body of a maid. The pay was good and the benefits were great, but what could she do about having no freedom? Fortunately, after carefully keeping her head down in the marquis's household for several years, the original owner's mother and younger brother came to buy out her contract. She returned home and spent two years living a peaceful country life before marrying a man from a family of equal standing. She thought life would remain calm and cozy like t 1.9kReads8.6Score139Shelves

    Reader note

    Book 1: A thrilling novel with a tightly woven plot. Book 2: Rarely enlightened and magnanimous, with exceptionally good luck, a sure-fire way to win. Book 3: The Empress's fate was to be abandoned by all her relatives and friends.

42. 42 锦 Return of the Swallow 锦堂归燕 Breezy and Bright风光霁月Ancient Romance3.2M WordsCompleted As the legitimate daughter of the prime minister, she was switched at birth and forced to struggle for survival among the common folk. At long last, she was reunited with her family, only to be caught up in endless domestic power struggles. She wanted to get along with her sisters, honor her elders, and live a peaceful life of her own, but every one of those awful people was determined to thwart her! So she faced reality: if she wanted a good life, she would have to scheme and fight within the h 2.3kReads8.4Score306Shelves
43. 43 我 I Changed Gender to Take the Civil Service Exam 我换性别考科举 Dwarf Lettuce矮脚生菜Ancient Romance889k WordsCompleted This novel has no CP, and the protagonist does not inherit the original owner's marriage or bratty stepchild; Disguised as a man + no CP + strong female lead + satisfying revenge + pocket dimension + treacherous official Cui Yu wakes up as a hapless woman whose stepson has bashed her over the head, while her in-laws are plotting to strip her of everything... Cui Yu: Soft on the outside, twisted on the inside, an enthusiast of violent aesthetics who loves watching blood spray over dinner and c 730Reads7.2Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is so addictive! The female lead dumps the scumbag boyfriend right from the start, quick and decisive, and then takes the imperial examination under a different identity. She speaks a foreign language and her dream is to become a treacherous minister in ancient times, building an intelligence network. The story is fantastic, the revenge is swift and satisfying, highly recommended! 😘😘😘

44. 44 素 The Physician with Healing Hands 素手医妃 Zhang Zhiyan张芷言Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted The land is in turmoil, the realm is on the brink of collapse, and the princes vie for the throne. A beauty named Ruyi throws herself into the fray and turns the game on its head. In public, she is a physician who saves lives, a bodhisattva of mercy. In private, she is an unconventional coroner, a living King of Hell who cuts open corpses. A dagger, a journey, a love song born of two souls entwined; a blue robe, a black cloak, and a legend of clearing the names of the wrongfully accused. 522Reads8.9Score106Shelves

    Reader note

    These are all pretty good. [1] ~The whole thing was quite enjoyable to read. [2] The description of the present intertwined with memories of the past life is very empathetic. Prince Qi [3] Decisive and ruthless at times, but indecisive and inexplicably soft-hearted at others.

45. 45 嫡 The Legitimate Daughter's Path to Splendor 嫡女锦途 Snowflake Pastry雪花酥Ancient Romance2.1M WordsCompleted Born to a noble family, she was reduced to a powerful man's concubine and ultimately died at the hands of her legitimate older sister. Reborn in a new life, Yu Jue is determined to make those who killed her pay in blood and reclaim the bright future that should have been hers. When a scoundrel humiliates her, she destroys his manhood. When her wicked sister bullies her, she ruins her future. She'll kill anyone who stands in her way, be they gods or Buddhas. But the path of rebirth is crawling wi 1.4kReads8.5Score165Shelves
46. 46 锦 A Beauty Adorned with Brocade 锦上娇 Yuan Xi垣溪Ancient Romance825k WordsCompleted The mighty General Dingbei commanded three armies at just twenty and made a name for himself on the battlefield. His enemies were so terrified of him that they kept their distance. Now that he’s married, he often leaves the house with scratch marks on his face and a rueful look. Everyone is stunned, but the general isn’t ashamed. He’s proud of it, declaring, “My wife is adorable no matter what she does. What do you know? You’re nothing...” 825Reads8.2Score100Shelves
47. 47 外 The Outer Wife 外室之妻 Every Inch Is Gold寸寸金Ancient Romance1.4M WordsCompleted Gu Zheng was at her wit’s end with the way her stepmother kept causing trouble. Even though the man looked down on her, she had no choice but to grit her teeth and marry him. She thought she was destined to be a supporting female character in this world, so she lived by the rules and knew her place. Then, in the blink of an eye, her husband turned out to be the Duke’s illegitimate son! He was about to be acknowledged by the family and become the young duke, but the ducal household looked down on 1.1kReads9.0Score361Shelves

    Reader note

    Take a look at these... ❶ Three men cared for her in different ways. ❷Life is a continuous process of growth and protection. ❸ The author portrays Chu Qiushui as constantly weeping and arguing with women.

48. 48 将 The General’s Maid 将军家的丫头 Big Carp鲤鱼大大Ancient Romance638k WordsCompleted Chu Suian transmigrates and sells herself to survive, only to discover that her master wants to make her his concubine. That simply won't do, so Chu Suian takes advantage of the chaos and runs away... Her master is having none of it and begins searching for her everywhere. This little maid from a general's household stirs up a huge storm without even realizing it, leaving the general to lament his hard luck at getting saddled with such a girl. 2kReads8.9Score203Shelves
49. 49 女 The Actress Goes on a Rampage in the Imperial Exams 女明星她科举杀疯了 The Sun Is Here曰光来啦Ancient Romance666k WordsOngoing Top-tier star Yang Lanming opens her eyes and discovers she's transmigrated. The good news is that she still has the same face, a beauty that appeals to everyone around the world. The bad news is that she's now a child who couldn't hurt a fly. System notification: Your profile has been automatically changed from [academic ace of the entertainment industry] to [ancient imperial-exam master] She disguises herself as a man to sit the imperial examinations, unexpectedly embarking on a path to succes 10Reads6.4Score—Shelves

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