Recommend Good Imperial Exam Fics With a Morally Upright Male Lead, Whether He Comes From a Poor or Aristocratic Family 求好看的科举文，男主三观很正，寒门，士族，都可

1. 1 此 This Road Leads Straight to the Azure Clouds 此去直上青云路 Qing Suisui卿岁岁Historical603k WordsCompleted Li Yu, courtesy name Zixuan, originally named Shen Dakui, was from Shunqing Prefecture, Sichuan, and his ancestral home was Huangzhou Prefecture, Huguang. He ranked twenty-sixth in the second-tier examination in the second year of Xing'an. A politician, financier, firearms expert, hydraulic engineer, military strategist, educator, and more in the early years of the Dayong dynasty... Li Yu lost his father at an early age and followed his mother when she remarried Li Gang, the patrol inspector of 24.8kReads8.6Score2.3kShelves

   Reader note

   These books all have high ratings; they're enjoyable, with fast-paced plots, engaging storylines, and novelty. They also avoid any incongruous historical settings or overly dramatic or pretentious scenes, maintaining a gentle tone. The first book tells the story of Li Yu, who lost his father at a young age and whose mother remarried Li Gang, the inspector of Yingshan County. Li Gang treated him like his own son, personally attending to his needs and showing genuine concern. Li Yu, in turn, worked hard and rose to a high-ranking official position. The second book features a protagonist from a peasant family who improves his family's circumstances through his own efforts and diligent study. After becoming an official, he is known for his diligence and service to the people. The third book features the son of a fallen duke, whose mother is extremely wealthy. The fourth book features a father who is a scholar.

2. 2 首 The Chief Minister's Road to the Imperial Examinations 首辅的科举之路 Adoring You at Dawn and Dusk朝暮倾卿Historical1.0M WordsCompleted [No golden finger + No pocket dimension + Heartwarming family + No ridiculous characters] [The male lead works hard and climbs the ranks one step at a time through his own efforts] [The male lead is devoted; the female lead appears fairly late. The story begins with the imperial examinations and later moves into officialdom] [No forced stupidity, no self-righteous saint, and no fake innocent heroine] Xu Xingfeng, a county-level civil servant in a twenty-first-century town, suddenly finds himself 6.9kReads8.9Score656Shelves
3. 3 科 The Imperial Exams: From a Duke’s Bastard Son to a Powerful Official 科举！从公府庶子到权臣的青云路 Zhou Shusen周树森Historical4.2M WordsOngoing [Not a BL novel! Not a male-male romance! One male lead, little to no romance, and a plot-focused story.] [Transmigration + Illegitimate Son of a Duke’s Estate + No System + Imperial Exams + Political Intrigue] He transmigrates, and the good news is that he’s now an illegitimate son of the Duke of Wei’s household, with food and clothes taken care of and no need to worry about making a living. The bad news is that he’s not only unloved, but also mocked and looked down upon. Heh. Never look down o 49kReads8.9Score4.4kShelves
4. 4 农 The Imperial Tutor's Road to the Civil Service Exams 农门帝师的科举之路 Ju He雎禾Historical1.0M WordsCompleted Imperial Examination, One-on-One Romance After an accident, a young man from the modern era transmigrated into the Great Qian Dynasty. Looking at his family’s dilapidated brick house, Qi Wenyu wondered how he would make a living from then on... 21kReads9.2Score1.9kShelves
5. 5 官 Raising Daiyu as a High-Ranking Official 官居一品养黛玉 Xiao Yuanning笑苑宁Female-Channel Fanfiction2.3M WordsCompleted I transmigrated into Dream of the Red Chamber as someone never mentioned in the original novel. My only golden finger is the ability to choose one person to visit in a dream every ten years. After years of diligent study, Lin Dan, a humanities student, finally saves Daiyu and rises from a commoner to the highest rank of official. P.S. The male lead is Lin Dan, and the female lead is my adorable little Daiyu. But they are not a couple!!!! He’s just an uncle raising his niece!! The male lead will 12.6kReads8.5Score866Shelves

   Reader note

   I highly recommend tracks 3, 4, 5, and 6—they're all ones I listened to and couldn't bear

6. 6 全 My Clan Raised Me to Greatness, So I Gifted Them Purple Robes 全族扶我青云志，我赠族人朱紫袍 Uncle Jianghe江河大爷Historical2.2M WordsOngoing After dying suddenly from overwork, workaholic Chen Yan is reborn as the only son of a newly born provincial graduate in the Great Liang Dynasty. His father is successful, so Chen Yan promptly decides to lie flat and enjoy the good life, with food brought to him and clothes laid out for him. But when he learns at the age of six that he was switched at birth with a farmer's child, his life takes a turn. The day the fake young master returns to the Chen family, he goes out to work in the fields an 213.5kReads9.3Score21kShelves

   Reader note

   Having read so many imperial examination novels, there's no shortage of favorites. The first one was absolutely amazing; I didn't skip a single chapter. I love how fast-paced and engaging the plot is, with its twists and turns. The later parts are all about becoming an official, which is incredibly exciting!

7. 7 为 To Avoid Planting Rice, I Work Hard to Pass the Imperial Exams 为了不插秧，努力考科举 Three Layers of Belly Fat三层肚腩Historical1.0M WordsCompleted [The short drama adaptation is now streaming] A modern SSS-rank researcher dies suddenly and transmigrates to the Great Xing Dynasty. His health is so poor that he's not allowed to pick rice in the fields until he's six. Sunstruck and light-headed, Li Jing decides that farming with this body is a risky business, so he immediately resolves to study for the imperial examinations. That's what he's good at; the transplanting can be left to the professionals! The following year, now named Li Yiqing, 23kReads9.3Score2.3kShelves
8. 8 红 Dream of the Red Chamber: A Chancellor of Unmatched Grace 红楼：风华首辅 Painted Bridge by the Willow Smoke烟柳画桥Historical1.0M WordsCompleted [No System + intellectual battles + political intrigue + everyday life] Every line is stained with bitter tears, every page filled with absurdity. You might think this is merely a tale of infatuated, indulged young men and women behind closed doors, but who could know that the rise and fall of the world are all intertwined? Are the fortunes of the four great families destined to change? Is the dynasty beset by internal and external threats destined to fall? Must the path to a noble title and hig 44.1kReads9.2Score3.6kShelves
9. 9 努 I Strive for the Imperial Exams, But My Slacker Dreams Never Change 努力考科举，咸鱼梦想从未改变 A Little Green Ear一只绿耳Historical1.8M WordsCompleted [Imperial exams + everyday life + lighthearted] Lu Yang, a rich second-generation heir, wakes up one day as the youngest and most cherished son of the Lu family. This youngest son is a scholar, yet selfish and self-centered, turning a blind eye to his family's sacrifices and caring only about his own future. Lu Yang may be a slacker with little conscience, but he knows who's good to him. He keeps his dream of being a slacker tucked away and works hard to pass the imperial exams, hoping to become 17.9kReads9.1Score1.8kShelves
10. 10 大 Great Qin: My Frail and Delicate Worthy Minister 大秦：我那身娇体弱的贤臣 White Clouds, White Clouds白云朵朵白Ancient Romance460k WordsCompleted Female transmigrates as a man + no romance + focused on building a career Zhang Yuanqing transmigrates into the body of a down-on-his-luck noble from the State of Chu during the Warring States period. “System for Great Ministers of the Ages activated. Host, work hard to become one of history's greatest ministers!” Wait, wait, wait. Having a System is a good thing, but what does it mean to become one of history's greatest ministers? It's a given that King Zheng of Qin will unite the six states. A 14.2kReads9.5Score1.6kShelves
11. 11 全 My Entire Clan! Supports My Imperial Exams 全族！供我科举 Yang Chan Who Loves Braised Yellow Mutton爱吃焖黄羊肉的杨婵Historical1.2M WordsCompleted Imperial exams + transmigration + imperial exams + no golden finger, no System. The story draws on the privileges enjoyed by scholars in the Ming dynasty! The clan elder was a licentiate, and that was the only reason Baihu Village was protected. Now the elder is gone, and no new licentiate has appeared. The entire clan can only pool its strength to support one child. Just one licentiate can improve life in the village, give the children a future, boost the village economy, and make officials thi 13.6kReads8.5Score1.1kShelves
12. 12 从 From Little Kid to Top Scholar, I Cheat My Way to the Top 从幼童到状元，我一路开挂 Dreaming Back to Childhood Songs梦回童歌Historical2.1M WordsOngoing [Alternate-history fiction + imperial examinations + slice of life + no golden finger] Here, clan ties are more important than life itself, and clan rules take precedence over the law. When Qin Haoran was three, his father was killed in a bloody fight over water rights. According to clan rules, the entire clan was supposed to raise the family that had lost its breadwinner. But fate's cruelty was far from over. Three years later, his young mother, unable to bear a life of loneliness and widowhood 59.2kReads8.6Score4.4kShelves
13. 13 都 Since I've Been Reborn, I'll Master Both the Pen and the Sword 都重来了，我当然要文武双全 Ximen Kun西门坤Historical1.6M WordsOngoing Set in an alternate early Ming Dynasty, this is a story about a science student who transmigrates. Simple middle-school physics experiments are enough to amaze everyone. He sparks a scientific awakening, founds a new school of thought, and brings materialism into Confucianism to accelerate social progress. You just need a little scientific knowledge. You can do it too, and there’s no golden finger!! 1.6kReads6.5Score101Shelves

    Reader note

    It has strong moral values, rigorous logic, and doesn't involve killing someone for not understanding. It uses a lot of real ancient imperial examination data, so it's a bit difficult; those below high school level might not be able to get into it.

14. 14 卷 An Ordinary Life for a Workaholic in Ancient Times 卷王在古代的普通人生 Chi Chi, Keep It Up尺尺加油Historical525k WordsCompleted Chen Rui, an agriculture student in the modern era, transmigrates to the fictional Great Xia Dynasty and becomes the great-grandson of Chen Wang, a former company commander who has retired from military service to farm. With his family’s help, he enters officialdom through the imperial examinations and uses his knowledge to make sure the people under his jurisdiction have enough to eat. A heads-up: this isn’t a conventional power fantasy. It has a laid-back, slice-of-life feel, and the male lead 1.9kReads8.3Score144Shelves

    Reader note

    The protagonist was the first grandson in his family, breaking the family's precedent of having no sons. Therefore, he was born with ten acres of land and was raised by his grandfather. Later, everyone else had sons, but the eldest son remained childless. This led to the idea of ​​adopting the protagonist into the eldest son's family. The ten acres of land were given to the protagonist's biological parents. Since the protagonist had been living with his grandfather, his biological parents, having a new son, gradually neglected him. Therefore, the grandfather's desire to adopt the protagonist into the eldest son's family intensified, though he never explicitly stated it. Finally, the eldest son, due to his old age and the fact that he had gone into the water to save the protagonist's father, nearly died. The grandfather then spoke up, fearing the eldest son's family line would end, and the protagonist's family agreed to the adoption. The eldest son, overjoyed at having a son, gradually recovered and showered all his love on the protagonist. The protagonist could then focus on his studies and eventually passed the imperial examination.

15. 15 理 A Top Science Student Takes the Imperial Exams? His Majesty Is Stunned by His Brilliance 理科状元考科举？强到朕傻眼 Lucky Lin招财林Historical2.2M WordsOngoing [Imperial examinations + court politics + farming + alternate history + daily life + lighthearted + no romance] Li Su had barely had time to savor becoming the top scorer in the national college entrance exam when he transmigrated as the youngest son of the Li family. His whole family doted on him, even though they lived on coarse grain and vegetables, and supported his studies. The original owner had been led astray by his classmates. Selfish and only interested in having fun, he had ruined him 91.8kReads8.9Score9.1kShelves

    Reader note

    A novel about the imperial examination system, starting from the protagonist's childhood; he's a genius at the imperial examinations.

16. 16 女 A Woman in a Man’s Body: Lord Fuguang Goes on a Killing Spree 女穿男：扶光君他杀疯了 Shi Yi蒔宜Ancient Romance814k WordsOngoing [Female-to-Male Transmigration + No Romance + Literary Plagiarism + Jinx + Aristocratic Scion’s Exam Success Story] Also known as: The Azure Luan Chronicles Song Hezhen was a brilliant academic in the 22nd century, a top student who graduated from Cambridge with two doctorates. After completing her studies, she was just about to return home and contribute to her country’s development. But life is unpredictable: the plane she was on crashed, and just like that, Song Hezhen kicked the bucket! When 4.7kReads7.4Score525Shelves
17. 17 书 Master Calligrapher? Poet Immortal? Chief Minister? That's Right, I'm All of Them 书圣？诗仙？首辅？没错，都是我 Sunlight on the River日照前川Historical834k WordsOngoing In his previous life, Cui Xian was a PhD in Chinese Language and Literature at a top-tier university. In this life, he transmigrated to ancient times, into a poor family with no connections: A destitute home, a pregnant mother, young siblings, an uncle who had failed the exams six times and was hopeless at studying, a grandmother so obsessed with imagining her son placing high in the imperial examinations that she had become delusional, and Cui Xian, who was only eight years old. Cui Xian: This 28.3kReads9.4Score2.7kShelves

    Reader note

    Book 1: Super good! Cui Xian, a PhD in Chinese Language and Literature from a top-tier university, transmigrates to ancient times into a poor family. To change his fate, he works as a page to a wealthy young master. He begins his studies at eight, composes "Ode to the Goose" at eight, "Sympathy for the Peasants" at eight and a half, and more at nine… Countless great poets were shattered by his work and forced to give up their writing. Book 2: Wang Xuezhou transmigrates just as he's about to reach the pinnacle of his life. Good news: In this life, his parents are loving, and his siblings are harmonious. Bad news: The whole family is tightening their belts to support his uncle's education; they are destitute and eat only coarse food. However, before he can even complain, his parents complain first. Wang Xuezhou: "Grandpa, when I pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, our family will even have its own page in the genealogy! You'll be the first in our village to be included!" Both are great reads! ^O^

18. 18 举 Your Whole Family Hopes You'll Pass the Scholar Exam, but You Top All Six? 举家盼你中秀才，你六元连中？ A Little Green Ear一只绿耳Historical1.5M WordsCompleted [Imperial examinations in the early chapters + farming + everyday life + lighthearted + court politics later on] In his previous life, Shen Zhou was in poor health and cultivated himself through a quiet, disciplined lifestyle, becoming rather indifferent by nature. Then he transmigrated to an ancient peasant family. The entire Shen family pooled their resources to support the original owner’s studies, hoping only that he would pass the county-level examination and become a licentiate. Sadly, the 14.6kReads8.7Score1.4kShelves

    Reader note

    Both of these books are incredibly good!!! They'll make you feel relaxed and happy. There's no system involved, the clan is very united, and the whole family works together to advance in the imperial examinations. In the first book, the changing level of trust between the emperor and the male protagonist gradually drives the plot forward; friendship and trust are very precious. The second book follows the journey from the imperial examinations to serving the people, family, and country, making it a truly heartwarming read.

19. 19 开 From the Start, I Was a Lowly Illegitimate Son, but the Imperial Exams Carried Me to Success 开局低贱庶子，我靠科举步步青云 Big Inkstone大砚子Historical1.5M WordsOngoing Transmigration, imperial examinations, illegitimate son, political intrigue, court politics, play the pig to eat the tiger, male-oriented, historical, one female lead When Lin Yan transmigrated, he became an inconspicuous illegitimate son of the Lin family. He harbored no deep-seated hatred and had never endured relentless bullying. All he knew was how to keep his talents hidden, guard his heart, and live quietly. While others studied hard for the imperial examinations, he already had a firm gr 17.3kReads6.7Score1.5kShelves

    Reader note

    These three books look pretty good, you guys can check them out. The main characters have strong moral values ​​and don't get into a lot of messy or ridiculous situations. Plus, two of them are quite long, and one is already finished!

20. 20 穿 Transmigrate as a Poor Scholar, Then Rise to the Top Through the Imperial Exams 穿越穷书生，靠科举逆袭一路倾天 Li Yunzi李运子Historical117k WordsOngoing What’s it like to become a wastrel mocked by the entire internet? Shen An is dumbfounded as soon as he arrives. The original owner was a drunk and a spendthrift who beat his wife and children, was buried in debt, and had become the butt of everyone’s jokes. From the start, he has nothing but a straw bed, a wife he once beat, Chen Yueyao, and a younger brother and daughter who are so terrified of him they tremble. The family’s rice jar is emptier than a face without features, a crack as wide as a 2Reads—Score—Shelves
21. 21 科 The Imperial Exam: A Transmigrator's Road to Reversal 科举，穿越人的逆袭之路 Li Yunzi李运子Historical1.8M WordsCompleted [Everyday Farm Life | Exam-System Comeback | Court Intrigue | No System] After a car accident, a modern soul is reborn as Sun Dingyun, a two-year-old boy in an ordinary farming family in ancient times. The only grandson in the family, he is cherished by his parents and protected by his elders. His family is well-off, and there are no nasty relatives stirring up trouble. He has no System, no photographic memory, and no golden finger. He is just an ordinary person. With his whole family backing 3.4kReads7.8Score223Shelves
22. 22 文 A Literature Professor Taking the Imperial Exams? Let’s Crush the Competition! 文学系教授考科举？卷死众人吧！ Fei Cheng非程Historical194k WordsOngoing [Farming + imperial examinations + court politics + heartwarming everyday life + fictional setting + marriage and children, though they play a small part] Xu Heng had just been appointed a professor in the Literature Department of A University. Before he could celebrate, he transmigrated into the eldest grandson of the Xu family's main branch in the Great Xia dynasty. The Xu family is a harmonious one, where parents are kind and children filial. Though they live in poverty, they pool all their r 440Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is pretty good, I recommend it... It's just still being serialized.

23. 23 这 This Top Scholar Plays by His Own Rules 这个状元路子有点野 The Foundation of One's Life立身之本Historical2.3M WordsCompleted [Farming + imperial examinations + alternate history + lighthearted] My Parents Flipped the Table and Quit, So I Want to Take the Imperial Exams Too Just as Wang Xuezhou was about to reach the peak of his life, he transmigrated. The good news: in this life, his parents were loving, and his siblings got along. The bad news: the whole family was pinching pennies to fund his eldest uncle's studies. They had next to nothing and were living on coarse grain and wild greens. But before he could flip t 52.4kReads8.9Score6.5kShelves

    Reader note

    🍀Book 1️⃣: The whole family tightens their belts to support the eldest uncle's education? His parents are already furious! Wang Xuezhou, while promising his grandfather grandpas a rosy picture, rises from a life of poverty to one of immense power—confiscating wealth, enriching himself, and using technology to revitalize the nation. Princes and the new emperor are vying to acknowledge him as family, and his life is now unstoppable! The male lead has strong morals but isn't a saint. 🤩

24. 24 全 My Clan Funded My Exams, So I Won My Dog an Imperial Title 全族供我科举路，我赠族犬诰命身 Househusband煮夫Historical2.9M WordsOngoing In her previous life, Fang Ziqi was a PhD in science at one of China’s top five universities. In this life, she transmigrates into a farming family in the Great Liang dynasty! A poor household, a father who secretly studies, a biased grandfather, and an uncle who has failed the exams ten times… In an age when everything is inferior to studying, Fang Ziqi has no choice but to tighten her belt and embark on the imperial examination path! She begins her studies at six! Takes the exams at eight! Pas 22.6kReads7.8Score2.3kShelves
25. 25 我 I Made My Way to Prosperity Through the Imperial Exams 我靠科举奔小康 Lemon Loves Milk柠檬爱吃奶Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted There are awful people. No golden finger (Though being a modern person who transmigrates might be the biggest golden finger of all!) After transmigrating, Song Zhixue wants only to change his life of toiling in the fields from dawn till dusk. 20kReads8.2Score1.9kShelves

    Reader note

    This is a novel about the imperial examination system. The male protagonist has strong moral values ​​and starts from childhood, studying hard to pass the imperial examinations. ① The male protagonist, Song Zhixue, is a civil servant who transmigrates to an ancient farming family and embarks on the path of the imperial examinations. He has no special abilities; he's a hardworking scholar, not a genius. ② In his previous life, Song Zhixue was born into an extremely poor farming family. He wanted to make money and become a merchant, but his family controlled him, confining him to the village for his entire life, toiling away every day. Reborn, this time, Song Zhixue embarks on the path of studying hard to pass the imperial examinations. (The male protagonist will marry in the early stages, but they will separate later; there is no romantic pairing.) ③ The male protagonist, Gu Yuanshan, [is talented but cannot succeed without hard work, climbing the ranks step by step]. A recent graduate, a top student, transmigrates into an ancient farming family. Not wanting to spend his life farming, he embarks on the long road of the imperial examinations. He doesn't seek high office or a high salary, only a comfortable life. After ten years of hard study, he successfully passes the imperial examinations and becomes a magistrate in a remote mountain county. A construction enthusiast, he works hard to build a prosperous and peaceful society, gradually rising to the highest ranks of officialdom. 📖④ Protagonist Shen Huai: [Studying can change destiny, the imperial examination will make me famous throughout history] Shen Huai, a non-material cultural heritage blogger, is reborn into ancient times as the only son of a farming family. To escape a lifetime of farming and corvée labor, he resolutely embarks on the path of the imperial examination, without a system or cheat codes. 📖⑤ Protagonist Su Yan: Su Yan is reborn as an infant, premature and sickly, in abject poverty. He is critically ill time and again, narrowly escaping death each time. He changes his mind; he hasn't died because his fate is not yet sealed! But when he looks up, the scorching sun beats down; when he looks down, the solid earth lies beneath his feet. If nothing unexpected happens, this land, which cannot be extinguished by wildfire and will spring back to life with the spring breeze, will bear his entire life. But recalling the hardships of farming, Su Yan grits his teeth: I want to study! I want to take the imperial examination! Hoeing the fields under the midday sun, I choose the path of the imperial examination.

26. 26 种 Farming Didn’t Work Out, So I Made My Fortune Through the Imperial Examinations 种田不成，只好科举发家 Artemisia蒿菜Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted After being transmigrated into a womb, Song Yingzhi was reborn too. In his previous life, Song Yingzhi had been born into the body of a child in a dirt-poor farming family. During the day, he worked in the fields with the men of the household. At night, he slept in the pigsty. When he was sixteen, his grandmother decided to sell the family’s pigs so Song Yingzhi could marry a wife, then cleaned out the pigsty and turned it into his bridal chamber… After getting married, Song Yingzhi became even 3.9kReads7.4Score458Shelves
27. 27 科 Rising Through the Imperial Exams: Changing My Family's Fate 科举兴家：带着全家改换门庭 Fei Tu斐涂Ancient Romance2.4M WordsOngoing [Imperial examinations + transmigration + farming + no golden finger] [Romance included. The male lead is devoted to one woman. The heroine appears less often, and romance is not the main plot.] [The male lead is talented, but he still has to work hard. He climbs the ranks one step at a time.] A top student who had just graduated suddenly transmigrates into the body of a farmer’s son in ancient times. Determined not to spend his whole life farming, he embarks on the long road to the imperial exa 10.4kReads6.9Score784Shelves
28. 28 农 A Farmer's Son, the Imperial Exams, and Officialdom 农家子，科举，做官 Jiang He姜禾Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Born into the womb + imperial examinations + farming + daily life + public works and infrastructure, with a couple, little romance] [No pocket dimension, no System, no golden finger] [He starts looking for a teacher in Chapter 38. If you’re short on patience, you can start reading there.] Shen Huai is born into an ancient world and becomes the only boy in his family. The good news: he can take the imperial examinations. The bad news: they’re poor, very poor, desperately poor. Born into a 5.1kReads8.5Score397Shelves
29. 29 锄 At Hoeing Time Beneath the Midday Sun, I Fell for the Imperial Exams 锄禾日当午我和科举处 Clouds Have Liuliu云有六六Historical247k WordsOngoing [Imperial examinations + daily life + romance, with a male-female pairing; the protagonist is still a child at this stage] Su Yan transmigrates into a new life as an infant in swaddling clothes, born premature and frail into a family with nothing but four bare walls. He’d already lived freely enough in his previous life, and now, everything goes black before his eyes. He just wants to give up and be reborn as soon as possible. But each time he’s on the brink of death, he narrowly survives. He ch 2Reads8.0Score—Shelves
30. 30 过 With a Photographic Memory, Isn’t It Only Natural I Came First in the Imperial Exam? 过目不忘，我中状元正常吧？ Mountaineer登山客Historical1.3M WordsCompleted Lu Chengan forgot to drink Granny Meng’s soup. One day, he transmigrates to a remote mountain village in the Great Zhou dynasty and becomes the second son of the Lu family’s second son. To take the imperial examinations, Lu Chengan has no choice but to urge his father to better himself. Before he knows it, his father becomes an official. Lu Chengan: Does he still need to work hard? 48.7kReads8.6Score5.3kShelves

    Reader note

    In the ancient imperial examinations, if you didn't change the world, could you really call yourself a time traveler? After all, if you didn't change your living environment in the past, could you have endured that terrible living environment?

31. 31 阿 Sister, I Passed the Imperial Examination! 阿姐，我中举了！ The Mantis Loves to Dance螳螂爱跳舞Historical647k WordsCompleted Scholar Chen studied hard all his life but never passed the provincial examination. Before he died, he told his eldest daughter, “You must make sure your younger brother studies and earns an official title. Otherwise, I won’t be able to rest in peace!” An elder brother is like a father, and an elder sister is like a mother. Bearing her father’s final wish, Chen Zhaodi resolutely laid down her terms: “If you want to marry me, you must send my little brother to school.” While everyone else in the 4.9kReads8.6Score348Shelves
32. 32 科 The Imperial Exams: The Best in the Land Is a Woman! 科举：天下第一是女郎！ Where Is the North Wind Blowing? X北风呼呼往哪吹XAncient Romance134k WordsOngoing [Disguised as a Man | Imperial Examinations and Officialdom | A Genius's Growth | Court Intrigue | Slow-Burn Romance] On the night Xie Mingze was born, two cries rang out in the delivery room, one after the other, yet the Xie family reported only one boy. Her twin brother didn't survive the night. The girl who lived was entered into the male register by her grandmother. Inside the family home, she was her mother's daughter; outside, she became the Xie family's only young master. She has complet 410Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This book I recently discovered feels like a prodigy's early work! It's incredibly meticulous, rigorous, and elegant—the quality is ridiculously high. Whether you're learning characters, looking up words, or reading history, it feels like watching a real ancient genius go through the imperial examinations. Crucially, the author doesn't use a few lines of classical Chinese to make it seem profound. Which lines are from the classics, which are commentaries, and where the female protagonist's judgments come from—the author manages to keep even those unfamiliar with classical texts engaged. It's truly remarkable! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it!

33. 33 学 The Way of Learning: A Transmigrator's Unconventional Path to the Imperial Examinations 学而致道：穿越之非主流科举路 Light Rain Soaking the High City细雨湿高城Historical752k WordsCompleted A high school student transmigrates into the household of a gentry family in an imaginary dynasty, studies under his father and tutors, and takes the imperial examinations. The teachings of Song Learning and Han Learning, the schools of Cheng-Zhu and Lu-Wang, the essays of Su and Han, and the histories of Ban and Ma gradually seep into a young man’s heart. He studies from childhood through adolescence, taking in ideas that will never change for the rest of his life. Across a thousand years, he m 1.3kReads8.4Score134Shelves

    Reader note

    The first book is a new one, and not many people have read it yet. However, I prefer books that depict a stable and realistic life and the imperial examination system in line with the times. I also quite like the first book's focus on the learning process of the imperial examination. If anyone shares my opinion, I recommend the first book. I've already read most of the other books that I like, but I still recommend them to those who haven't read them yet (speaking of which, I envy those who haven't read them [frustrated]).

34. 34 宋 The Struggles of a Poor Family in the Song Dynasty 宋代寒门的奋斗史 De Boerba德波尔巴Historical1.1M WordsCompleted In the blink of an eye, a history PhD from the 21st century becomes the second son of a farming family outside Bianliang City. His family is dirt poor, the elders are shortsighted, and they even have a “precious heir” whom the whole family must support. As the second son of a branch family whom no one takes seriously, watch how Chen He works his way up, crosses class boundaries, and leaps from the farm into a new life. 2.1kReads7.6Score144Shelves
35. 35 我 I, Sun Shan, and the Imperial Examinations 我，孙山，科举 Ximen Qizi西门七仔Ancient Romance4.7M WordsOngoing “Imperial exams + transmigration + farming + exams + no space System” “Romance included, devoted male lead. The female lead is his childhood sweetheart, but she appears infrequently. Romance is not the main plot.” “The male lead rises step by step through hard work and good luck.” “The male lead is no good at scheming, but he gets things done and has technical skills.” “The imperial examination system is based on the Ming and Qing dynasties.” After an accident, he is transmigrated into the womb 48.3kReads8.8Score3.2kShelves
36. 36 寒 The Imperial Exam Routine of a Poor Butcher's Son 寒门屠户之子的科举日常 Diki DaddyDiki粑粑Historical3.3M WordsOngoing The Wang butcher family is full of burly men, all tall, broad, and muscular, like a whole den of reincarnated black bears! But their youngest son, Wang Sanniu, is the odd one out: frail, delicate, and liable to fall over in a breeze. Standing beside his family, he looks like a little fox that wandered into a bear’s den. Butchering pigs? The moment pig’s blood splashes over him, he faints! Farming? The hoe is taller than he is! With the family fearing he’ll become a good-for-nothing, his mother m 187.4kReads9.0Score24kShelves

    Reader note

    The male protagonist is a character who grows and focuses on his career. There are no awful characters. His whole family are like human bears, except for him, who is weak and frail. He carries a butcher's knife with him wherever he goes. The supporting characters are well-developed, and the plot is well-paced and doesn't drag. You won't regret watching it.

37. 37 被 Cast Out of the Marquis's Residence, I Rise from Poverty to Become the Top Scholar 被逐出侯府，我寒门崛起成状元 Yu Youxia鱼又夏Historical1.0M WordsCompleted The score was just posted, so it’ll gradually go up as the story progresses. [Imperial exams and farming] + [Fictional ancient setting] Jiang Huai unexpectedly transmigrated into a book and became the second young master of the Marquis of Yongning’s household. Unfortunately, he wasn’t the Marquis’s biological son, so Jiang Huai was sent along with the original owner to live in the impoverished countryside. His new home had nothing but bare walls. They were dirt poor. No matter. He wrote popular 2.4kReads7.8Score165Shelves

    Reader note

    "He has already achieved the highest rank in five consecutive examinations! As long as he doesn't make any mistakes in the palace examination, and the Emperor is willing to grant him this honor, the top spot in the palace examination will definitely belong to Jiang Huai!"

38. 38 穿 Reborn as a Cannon-Fodder Man in a Broken Engagement Face-Slapping Story 穿成退婚打脸文里的炮灰男 Empty Mountain Fish空山鱼Ancient Romance263k WordsOngoing [Imperial Exams, One-on-One Romance] [Not a Power Fantasy] (The rating just came out, so it might go up later?) At first, Lu Heming thought he had transmigrated, or perhaps there had been water in Granny Meng’s soup, allowing him to be reborn with memories of his past life. It wasn’t until he turned six that he realized he had transmigrated into a women’s novel about a broken engagement and face-slapping revenge. But he was neither the male lead who would join hands with the heroine and reach th 664Reads8.4Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    [Drooling][Masterpiece by Sparrow] The male protagonist transmigrates into a book and, in order to change his cannon fodder fate, wins six imperial examinations in a row! [Cool][Cool] He turns his life around and embarks on the path of a powerful minister! [Admiration][Admiration]

39. 39 魏EN The Wei Clan's Cursed Son Becomes Grand Secretary—Now They Beg Me to Return 魏家孽种成首辅，全族跪求我认祖 A Salted Fish in Everyday Life生活中的咸鱼Historical1.6M WordsOngoing (Also known as The Wei Fox) [Political Schemes][One Female Lead][Ensemble Cast][The Wei Faction] Condemned from birth, I was given the name Niesheng. On the day I was born, my mother died in childbirth, and my grandfather mourned before the ancestral hall. The whole household looked at me askance, all calling me a disaster star who had stolen another's fate. My biological father hated me like an enemy, my elder half-brother regarded me as an omen of bad luck, and my stepmother hid a knife behind 645kReads9.2Score90.3kShelves

    Reader note

    I just finished reading these three novels. Overall, the content was pretty good and quite enjoyable.

40. 40 科 The Imperial Exams: A Bookish Son in a Clan of Illiterates 科举：九族文盲出了个读书郎 I'm a Pighead我是猪头Historical1.3M WordsCompleted [Complete] [Imperial Examinations] [Transmigration + No System] [No heroine in the early story; there may or may not be one later, and if there is, she won't get much page time] Not a single person in the Gu clan, spanning nine generations, could read or write. Even the family genealogy had been written by the clan chief through a mixture of guesswork and asking around. Then, all of a sudden, this family produced a scholar. At first, the villagers and the Gu clan relatives had little faith in Gu 81.7kReads8.7Score9.3kShelves

    Reader note

    The male protagonist transmigrates to another world, born into a peasant family. He doesn't have any special advantages; he relies on his own hard work to pass the imperial examinations. The main reason I like this story is that his family dotes on him. They might have their own little schemes and minor disagreements, but there aren't any truly awful characters in his family. Overall, it's a very warm and loving family. The only truly problematic family is his second sister-in-law's family, though they aren't very prominent, the harm they cause is real, but it's all resolved in the end.

41. 41 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 115.9kReads9.6Score11.3kShelves

    Reader note

    The first book is a female protagonist's story about taking the imperial examinations, and the second is a male protagonist's story; neither has a romantic pairing. Both are worth reading.

42. 42 胎 Born into a Farmer's Family as Their Late-Born Son, I Change Our Fortunes Through the Imperial Exams 胎穿农家老来子，靠科举改换门庭 Tu Yi凃扆Historical1.1M WordsCompleted [Imperial Examinations + Daily Life + No Golden Finger] Just after passing the civil service exam, Song Xi was sent by a cement truck trying to meet its quota to an ancient dynasty called Great Qi. He was reborn as a farmer's son, and his mother gave birth to him at an advanced age, drawing plenty of ridicule from those around them. His family owned nothing but four bare walls, and they could afford meat only once or twice a year. Fortunately, his family loved him, and he had something to look f 19.5kReads8.3Score1.8kShelves

    Reader note

    🎁 Song Xi, who had just passed the civil service exam, was unexpectedly transported to the Great Qi Dynasty by a cement truck and became a peasant's son! His family was destitute, rarely tasting meat, and his mother, who gave birth to him at an advanced age, was ridiculed. Yet, he was supported by the warmth of his loving family. Knowing that "all other professions are inferior," he clung to the path of the imperial examination to change his fate, relying on his family to gather medicinal herbs to raise money to attend a private school. The hardships of fleeing famine, the difficulties of poverty, and the warmth of family intertwine, each step revealing the realities of life. Watch as he transforms from a modern civil servant into a poor scholar in ancient times, how he carves out a smooth path to the imperial examination amidst adversity. The more you read, the more you empathize, and you won't be able to stop reading!

43. 43 西 Xi Shi Meets a Thousand-Year-Old White Fox 西施遇上千年白狐 Yan Er Xi Xi燕儿夕夕Modern Romance426k WordsCompleted The Fox Spirit of a Thousand Years Meets Xi Shi tells the story of Xi Shi, the beauty of ancient Yue. Fan, a subordinate of the King of Yue, brings her to the palace, where she undergoes rigorous training before being sent to Wu to seduce and subdue its king. With Fan's help, she is to bring down the state of Wu in one fell swoop. But on the way to Wu, Xi Shi's boat capsizes. After she falls into the water, a cargo ship rescues her. When she opens her eyes, she finds herself in a world she doesn 26Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    If Xi Shi, from a poor family, hadn't gone to the Wu King's palace, could she have accomplished the crucial task of destroying Wu? Who could have conceived such a unique new version of Xi Shi? And with such positive values!

44. 44 百 The Centurion's Qilin Son 百夫长的麒麟子 Bamboo Bay Bay竹湾湾Historical599k WordsCompleted Chen Zhan, a newly graduated PhD in chemistry, was enjoying a vacation before starting work at a university when a glass walkway suddenly shattered. He then found himself occupying the body of Chen Zhan, the frail son of a centurion stationed at a border camp. From then on, a military family that could never find the right words and always lost arguments finally had someone who could speak for them. To stop his father from actually punching a civil official's head clean off, Chen Zhan swore: I'l 1.7kReads7.8Score204Shelves

    Reader note

    A very realistic imperial examination text, with positive values; everyone passed the exams through their own efforts.

45. 45 农 A Country Boy’s Ups and Downs in the Imperial Exams 农家小子科举浮沉记 Bamboo Bay Bay竹湾湾Historical394k WordsCompleted By a stroke of bad luck, he transmigrates into the cherished child of a man from the northwest, with a mysterious, aloof first stepmother, a hardworking second stepmother, and a sister who might be sold off at the drop of a hat. He studies late into the night, vowing to climb the ladder to success. (The protagonist is no saint or god. He can be selfish, and he’ll have his share of heartache over love.) (The female lead is neither sweet and cute nor gentle and soft-spoken. She’s a talkative, conf 938Reads8.2Score100Shelves
46. 46 改 Changing My Family's Status, I Aim to Top the Imperial Exams 改换门庭，我要科举高中 Bamboo Bay Bay竹湾湾Historical160k WordsCompleted A programmer from the 21st century had a happy family and a fulfilling life, but then he transmigrated into the family of a feudal-era small landowner. Seeing the tenants’ lives, his simple-minded cousin, and his family desperately guarding their farmland, he declared, “I’ll take the imperial examinations! I’m going to climb into the clouds and see what’s up there!” 75Reads—Score—Shelves
47. 47 只 I Just Want a Bite of Meat, So Why Make Me Take the Imperial Exam? 只想吃口肉，非要让我考科举 Luoluo Feathers洛洛羽毛Ancient Romance835k WordsOngoing A lighthearted, humorous slice-of-life story. Shen Qingyun transmigrates into the body of a poor farm boy in Qingshan Village, Great Qian, whose family can barely keep food on the table. Instead of using his adult wisdom to turn his life around, he devotes it all to figuring out how to get meat to eat. He tricks his cousin and schemes with the neighbor kids. Other people get beaten up, while he gets to satisfy his cravings. When Grandpa suggests sending a grandson to school, Grandma shows her “k 45kReads8.5Score4.1kShelves

    Reader note

    A modern soul transmigrates to a poor mountain village in the Great Qian Dynasty, where food and clothing are scarce. The protagonist, Shen Qingyun, possesses the wisdom of an adult, but instead of engaging in ruthless violence, his primary goal in life is: to eat meat! He spends his days tricking his cousin, manipulating the neighborhood kids, getting into trouble while others take the blame, and reaping all the benefits. A rare, unconventional family life without any melodrama! His grandfather is enlightened, and his grandmother is insightful, sending him directly to a private school to begin his journey to the imperial examinations. The entire story focuses on lighthearted and humorous daily life, brimming with the atmosphere of rural life. There's no scheming or intrigue; watching the protagonist eat, drink, study, and strive for success is increasingly enjoyable—perfect for watching while eating!

48. 48 迎 After Marrying a Sweet Young Wife, I Worked Hard and Took the Imperial Exam 迎娶小娇妻后，我奋发图强考科举 Flying Cow 98会飞的牛98Historical1.1M WordsCompleted One heroine + no System + lighthearted pacing A thorough understanding of the world is knowledge, and social savvy is good writing. Ren Junjie, a history graduate, suddenly finds himself in an unfamiliar world as the eldest legitimate son of the richest family in Xinchang County. A former wastrel, he turns over a new leaf and marries a lovely young wife. He rests every other day and works on the days in between, studying harder and striving to improve. With his deep knowledge of history, he purs 8.8kReads8.8Score688Shelves

    Reader note

    The only imperial examination text I've ever read

49. 49 拜 I Took a Master, Then Rose to the Highest Office Through the Imperial Exams 拜了个师父，我靠科举位极人臣 Flying Cow 98会飞的牛98Historical645k WordsCompleted Ma Chengli was born into the Ma family, a clan of veterinarians, and grew up in the womb before being born into this world. Then, one day, the newly founded Great Ying dynasty suddenly announced that it would resume the imperial examinations, just eight years after its founding. His father, Ma Dawei, suddenly discovered: “Could my son really have the makings of a child prodigy?” His mother, Lady Zhang, declared with confidence: “My son has been clever and bright since he was little. He should ta 432Reads7.5Score—Shelves
50. 50 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. 41.3kReads9.2Score3.1kShelves

    Reader note

    This is a novel about the imperial examination system that I've been following. After the protagonist becomes an official through the imperial examination, he tends to focus on reasoning and solving cases. It's very good.

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