Any Good Imperial Exam Novels? The More, the Better 有没有好看的科举文，多一点的

1. 201 科 The Imperial Exams: A Country Boy Becomes a Pillar of the Nation 科举：农村娃成了国家顶梁柱 Ji Gu Ha叽咕哈Historical1.0M WordsCompleted (Imperial examinations + farming + cuisine + infrastructure) Wang Xue'an wakes up in an ancient farming village, forced to chew wild greens day after day. He finally flips the table in a rage: this is no way to live! So he puts the knowledge he learned in another world to use, taking the imperial exams, building infrastructure, and creating delicious food... He cultivates superior seeds, boosts productivity, and builds an agricultural powerhouse. He develops new military technologies, expands th 2kReads7.4Score172Shelves

   Reader note

   The male protagonist leads his family from wealth to becoming a pillar of the nation through scientific research.

2. 202 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!! 1.7kReads6.5Score101Shelves

   Reader note

   Imperial examination novels really can't be mindless, otherwise you won't be able to finish reading them. I recommend those with rigorous logic.

3. 203 女 A Woman in a Man’s Body: Reborn as the Legitimate Second Son, I Rule the Court 女穿男：穿成嫡次子，我权倾朝野 Tao Shi桃十Ancient Romance916k WordsCompleted [Female transmigrates into a male body + born into a new life + doted on by everyone] [Chronicles of the Legitimate Second Son] Zhou Yan died, then came back to life, only this time as a boy. Unfortunately, when he was born, his grandfather was still a down-and-out Marquis of Anding. His father had only just managed to marry a princess through sheer shamelessness, and his princess mother was a pitiful little thing with a burden from her previous marriage in tow 3.7kReads6.4Score242Shelves
4. 204 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 43.2kReads9.2Score3.5kShelves

   Reader note

   ✨No cheat codes. Although the book is titled "Dream of the Red Chamber: Daiyu's Child Husband", it actually leans more towards the imperial examination and political intrigue. The pace is relatively slow and it doesn't deviate much from the original story. I think it's quite good.

5. 205 他 That Country Bumpkin Fool Turned Out to Be the Top Scholar 他一个农家傻子，竟是科举状元 A Gentle Half-Tael半两的温柔Historical500k WordsCompleted [Imperial Examinations + Political Intrigue + Farming + Court Politics + Rebirth into the Same Dynasty] Overnight, the entire Li household, home to a first-rank minister, is slaughtered. From an eighty-year-old elder to a baby still nursing, more than two hundred people are cut down. Not one survives, and the ground runs red with blood... Li Qingyun wakes up to discover that he has been reborn as a farmer’s son. A mother who cries easily, a father with a second wife, a shrewish aunt, a cousi 968Reads8.3Score100Shelves
6. 206 山 The Mountain Village Boy's Coming-of-Age Story 山村少年成长记 Pi Xiaobai皮小白Ancient Romance625k WordsCompleted A life-simulation novel, not a xianxia simulation story. Told from the male lead’s perspective, it follows his transmigration to ancient times and focuses on a simulator for everyday life and personal growth. Li He transmigrated without warning. He had no idea which deity he’d offended to land him in this godforsaken place, especially since it was ancient times. Other transmigrators became princes and noblemen, but he’d ended up somewhere even worse than a slum. He had transmigrated as a baby, 114Reads6.6Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   I recommend this book, it's pretty good.

7. 207 穿 Reborn as a Little Girl, I Use Three Years of Exam Prep and Five Years of Mock Tests to Teach Dad the Imperial Exams 穿成小奶团后，用三年高考五年模拟教爹考科举 Xia Yiyao夏一爻Ancient Romance587k WordsCompleted Ning Xin, a veteran high school homeroom teacher, transmigrates into the body of an adorable six-year-old girl in ancient times. At home, the family has nothing; outside, they’re surrounded by hungry wolves. The only way out is to push her father to take the imperial examinations. Bad grades? Then do a mountain of practice problems! Hates studying? Then it’s time for counseling! Young love?? No way! Anyone who lays a hand on my dad will have to go through me! At last, with her guidance in every 191Reads8.7Score107Shelves

   Reader note

   A modern-day top-student teacher dresses up as an adorable little kid and transforms his father into a top scholar who achieved the highest honors in the imperial examinations. It's quite fun and entertaining.

8. 208 侯 The Marquis's Son Fails at Lying Flat 侯府郎君躺平失败记 Pi Xiaobai皮小白Historical791k WordsOngoing Just after Feng Yanchu transmigrates, he hears a series of smacks before feeling a stinging pain on his butt. How embarrassing! His pants have been pulled down and he’s being spanked! Then he hears several children wailing. Three other kids are getting beaten nearby, too. Looks like they got into trouble. At least he isn’t the only one being punished, which makes it a little less embarrassing. The male lead transmigrates into the body of an illegitimate son in a marquis’s household. He expects t 63.5kReads8.5Score4.9kShelves

   Reader note

   Feng Yanchu transmigrated into the body of the second son of a noble family, taking the imperial examinations. The story begins in his childhood; he's mischievous but intelligent, a very engaging read with no awful characters, and his family is united.

9. 209 开 From the Start, Just One Dilapidated House, Then I Sweep the Imperial Exams 开局破屋一间，科举连中三元 Lu Tiantian陆天天Historical400k WordsCompleted [Imperial exam comeback + face-slapping satisfaction + farming + System + max-level expert stomps the novice village + industrial powerhouse] Xu Yan'an opened his eyes to find himself a sickly young man in Dongliu Village. The thatched hut was full of ragged bedding, and a bitter wind howled outside. In the original owner's memories, his whole family scraped by on rough steamed buns, supporting his cousin, a licentiate, as he splurged on fine clothes and food at the county academy. Then, after t 3.9kReads8.0Score475Shelves

   Reader note

   Of course, some remained calm, waiting for the top spot. Fourth place: Jiang Changshou, Changshou County, Xuanzhong Prefecture. "Heavens! The old master is fourth! Oh my god, I must be seeing things! Our old master, it's our old master!" "No, no, you didn't see wrong, it really is our old master!" A Niu and Li Mo's voices drowned out everyone else's. Those who were thinking of finding a son-in-law from the list immediately broke into a wide grin upon hearing the words "old master." Old... Old master? How old is he? Probably over sixty! Oh dear, he's twenty or thirty years older than his future father-in-law, forget it! Several people who had been considering it immediately gave up and turned their hopes to the third place, hoping it was a young scholar, not in his teens or twenties, under thirty would be acceptable! Third place: Meng Ziyuan Second place: Ding Changfei First place: ... When the first place was written, the entire audience fell silent. As the last lamp was lit, the name of the top scholar was solemnly written. The bright lights illuminated the entire area where the results were posted, and the crowd erupted in excitement once more. The powerful figures, who had been sitting idly by, could no longer contain themselves and sent their trusted men to vie for the top spot in the provincial examination—the top scholar! Meanwhile, Li Qiusheng, whose name was on the list of successful candidates from another province, widened his eyes in disbelief. His third brother! His third brother! The top scholar! The top scholar! He covered his mouth to stifle his cries and ran all the way back to the inn, losing a pair of shoes in the process. By the time he arrived, his feet were bleeding. "Brother! Brother! Huff... Huff..." Li Qiusheng forced himself to catch his breath. Li Chunsheng quickly handed him a cup of warm tea, which Li Qiusheng took and gulped down. "Don't worry, don't worry, did third brother pass?" Judging from his second brother's expression, he knew his third brother hadn't failed, but Li Chunsheng still asked as required. "Yes, yes!" Li Qiusheng, slightly recovered, nodded vigorously, holding up one finger. "First, first place! Third brother, third brother, he, he's the top scholar!" The official slowly picked up his brush, dipped it in ink...

10. 210 我 I'm Already the Top Scholar, and the Poor Scholar's Comeback System Shows Up Now? 我都状元了，寒门逆袭系统才来？ The Little Rabbit Who Sells Carrots卖萝卜的小兔子Historical140k WordsCompleted [Court Intrigue]+ [Lighthearted]+ [Empress] After transmigrating to the Great Zhou dynasty, Shen An spent twelve years with no golden finger and no powerful family to rely on. He had to depend on himself, studying hard from the basics of reading and writing all the way to the imperial examinations. Step by step, he made it to the palace exam, where the Empress personally named him the top scholar. Just when he thought he had reached the peak of his life, his late-arriving golden finger finally s 50Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    I wrote this while I was off work, and I tried my best. I hope you guys can read it. Thanks! It's kind of a satisfying read, I guess. [Full]

11. 211 女 After Reincarnating as a Man, She Studies Her Way to Restore Her Family's Honor 女穿男后，靠读书为家族改换门楣 Little Meatball Is Super Skinny小肉丸子超级瘦Ancient Romance1.6M WordsCompleted A 38-year-old office drone transmigrates into the body of a little boy, working hard to act cute by day and studying himself to death by night. He, Jiang Mingfei, is the sole heir in four generations of the Jiang family, and he’s determined to lead them all to a better life. “Grandpa, your fifties are the perfect age to strive for success. How about taking a look at past provincial examination questions?” “Father, I heard that passing the provincial-level imperial exam qualifies you for an offic 3.3kReads8.6Score362Shelves

    Reader note

    These are all imperial examination essays.

12. 212 落 You Broke Off Our Engagement When I Failed the Exams. Now I've Topped Them, So Why Are You Crying? 落榜你提退婚，我高中状元你哭啥 Broken Eggplant, Bright Moon断茄明月Historical220k WordsCompleted Imperial examination story + fallen child prodigy + good-for-nothing’s rise to success + no System + nonstop thrills! The child prodigy Fang Zhongyong could write poetry at five and passed the county-level exam at eight, earning fame far and wide! The wealthy Zhou family came to curry favor with him, arranging for their daughter Zhou Liuliu to be betrothed to Fang Zhongyong. Under the pretext that their family had a private tutor to teach him, they tricked him into moving to their home. But they 879Reads6.9Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This is a must-have! A masterpiece of imperial examination literature.

13. 213 大 The Great Traitor Is Reborn: What’s the Point of Becoming the Top Scholar in the Imperial Exams? 大奸臣重生后，科举当状元算什么 Shi Yuhuan时渝欢Historical274k WordsOngoing [Alternate Universe] [No Female Lead] [Book Transmigration] [Reborn] [Villain] [Slow Burn] [Not a Wish-Fulfillment Novel] [Light Ensemble Cast] [Early: Imperial Exams] [Middle: Infrastructure] [Late: Political Intrigue] Content warning: There is no female lead, but there is a political marriage. It involves no romantic entanglement, only an alliance of interests, and the person I marry will die. (For details, see the author’s note at the end of Chapter One.) [The blurb is in first person; the 37Reads8.2Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    These three books are ones I've read before (they should be quite good; I generally don't keep books that aren't good). It's been so long since I've read them that I've forgotten what they were about.

14. 214 斩 Executed from the Start? One Poem Made Me a God! Defying Heaven to Change My Fate! 斩首开局？一诗封神！逆天改命！ Hua Nuo Huajingxuan花诺花靖轩Eastern Fantasy1.5M WordsOngoing In the Great Qian Dynasty, the literary path reigns supreme, and poetry can manifest the divine! From condemned prisoner to supreme Literary Sage, Lin Fan uses modern knowledge to reshape the literary path! “Let the literary path serve the people, and let all under heaven live as one! I will change this world with my poetry!” 1.6kReads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Highly recommend it, it's a really good book [smirk]

15. 215 乡 The Real Heiress from the Countryside Is Actually a Feudal Ancestor 乡下来的真千金，竟是封建老祖宗 Bright, Gentle Laughter笑语晏晏Modern Romance541k WordsCompleted Originally titled The True Heiress from the Countryside Is Actually a Feudal Ancestor When Sang Ning opened her eyes again, she found herself the real heiress who had been left behind in the countryside by a wealthy family. She had been born the legitimate eldest daughter of a distinguished family, raised from childhood to become its matriarch. But when she opened her eyes, she had arrived in a strange new era. Fortunately, she was still the legitimate eldest daughter. Her fake sister thought 30.5kReads9.3Score3.6kShelves

    Reader note

    The first book is a traditional Chinese novel about passing the imperial examinations, not the "feel-good" type. It's a step-by-step process of preparing for the exams, with a slow pace in the early stages, but it's very engaging. The second book is a female-oriented novel 😂 It's rare to find a topic to discuss, so let's recommend them together. The female lead is a transmigrator from ancient times to the modern era. In the ancient era, she was a legitimate daughter who was a champion of family power struggles. She transmigrates to the modern world and becomes a real heiress.

16. 216 寒 Rising from Poverty: From the Imperial Exams to the Officialdom 寒门崛起，从科举入仕开始 Xing Mumu杏木木Historical346k WordsCompleted (The rating just came out, so it's normal for it to be a little low. Don't worry, enjoy!) [Farming + Imperial Examinations + Alternate History + Ancient Setting] After an accident, Wang Bo, a farmer's son in ancient times, absorbed the memories of his previous life. The good news: His mind held thousands of books from the twenty-first century, and he had a photographic memory. The bad news: His family was so poor they lived on bran, and they still had to scrape together every last bit to fund hi 2.1kReads8.5Score185Shelves
17. 217 在 Life as a Kept Man in Ancient Times 在古代吃软饭的日子 Uncle Chen Who Loves Honeycomb Egg Yolk Pastries爱吃蜂巢蛋黄角的陈伯Ancient Romance529k WordsCompleted Someone asked Lu Chao how he became the youngest Minister of Works in the empire. What was the secret to his success? Lu Chao glanced at the person beside him and smiled. “First, you need to have a general for a wife.” The story of Lu Chao, a modern-day corporate drone who accidentally transmigrates to ancient times. He originally plans to lie flat, but ultimately becomes a wise minister of his generation. 5.4kReads8.8Score415Shelves

    Reader note

    The author's writing is fluent, capturing the child's endearing and adorable side while also conveying a touch of maturity and a hint of adulthood—truly a masterful portrayal!

18. 218 穿 Transmigrating into a Chaotic Age, the Mad Princess Builds a Nation Through Robbery 穿乱世，疯癫公主她靠抢劫建国了 Turning Ink into Ink点墨成墨Ancient Romance2.7M WordsCompleted [Transmigrate + Struggle for Supremacy + Chaotic Era + Powerful Female Lead + Fleeing Famine + Infrastructure Building + No Romantic Pairing + Portable Space] Original title: Transmigrating Through Chaotic Times, the Mad Princess Builds a Nation by Robbing Others When Jiang Jin awoke, she discovered that she had become a princess of a fallen kingdom and was being sent to Liang City to become a plaything for the barbarian Jiao Liang. She thought about it and decided it would be better for others 147.3kReads9.5Score18.2kShelves

    Reader note

    Every single one of them is absolutely amazing!!! You should all read them; trust me, I don't have any low ratings. There are also two where the protagonist is an empress (quite good, but not related to the imperial examination system). Most of the others involve women transmigrating into men or women disguising themselves as men, and they don't make the characters seem less intelligent. But overall, the first one is the best; the writing style and plot are more in line with the imperial examination system and officialdom (male protagonist).

19. 219 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 14.6kReads9.5Score1.6kShelves
20. 220 农 A Farmer's Son's Road to the Imperial Exams, His Achievements Shining Across the Land 农家儿郎科举路，勋名耀山河！ August in July七月的八月Historical852k WordsCompleted [Imperial Examinations] [A Farmer’s Son Changes His Fate Through the Exams] Zhou Xu opens his eyes and finds himself in another era! Determined to make his mark in this new age, he looks down at his patched trousers and the endless fields stretching to the horizon. Zhou Xu decides he’d better study. Education can change your fate! His eldest aunt spits and says, “A country bumpkin thinks he can study?” Zhou Xu passes the county-level examination. His second aunt says enviously, “That’s as far as 28kReads8.5Score2.5kShelves

    Reader note

    I highly recommend a few imperial examination novels that get more and more addictive as you read! They're all stories of poor people rising to prominence through the imperial examinations, complete or ongoing series. They all start as commoners and rise to high positions, slapping down snobbish relatives and leading their families to immortality. The novels are packed with satisfying moments and don't feel stifled. If you're looking for something to read, just jump right in!

21. 221 乱 After Fleeing the Chaotic Era, I Became the Founding Empress 乱世逃亡后，我成了开国女帝 Nan Wanxu南婉徐Ancient Romance4.1M WordsCompleted [Publication rights signed] [Strong heroine + political intrigue + turbulent times + power struggles + ensemble cast] She’s fleeing from the start, a female warlord in a chaotic age. Lin Zhihuang, originally named Lin Zhihuan, transmigrates as a county magistrate’s daughter, only to find tens of thousands of refugees attacking the city from the start! While others transmigrate into palace or household intrigue, she transmigrates straight into a chaotic age and a desperate flight from famine. The 93.2kReads9.4Score12.8kShelves
22. 222 科 The Imperial Exams: From Commoner to Red-Robed Official 科举，从布衣到朱袍 Running on a Snail骑着蜗牛跑步Historical466k WordsOngoing (Imperial examinations, with a slice-of-life focus.) Xu Changge was reborn in another world, awakening the wisdom of his past life from the moment he was born. This was a dynasty never mentioned in the official or unofficial histories of his previous life. Born to commoners, Xu Changge wanted to make sure the money he earned could not be easily taken from him by the powerful and privileged. Thus began his long journey through the imperial examinations. He also learned a little martial arts, so p 173Reads—Score—Shelves
23. 223 寒 After Years of Hard Study, I Rise Ninety Thousand Miles Into the Sky 寒窗苦读多年，扶摇直上九万里 Tiger of the Year of the Tiger虎年的老虎Ancient Romance1.5M WordsOngoing [Male POV, born into a new life as a baby, farming, imperial examinations, court politics] When the second son of the Chen family died unexpectedly, he left behind an unborn child. Zhao, who had already given birth to three daughters in a row, hoped this time for a son. The day she gave birth, the baby arrived prematurely, and there were twins. The villagers all said the children wouldn't survive. They waited and waited, and the child grew up. They named him Dongsheng. Dongsheng went to school. 42.7kReads6.5Score3.4kShelves
24. 224 科 The Imperial Exams Are No Easy Feat, So I’ll Take My Whole Family to the Azure Sky 科举不易，我携全家共青云 Ye Jizi of Cangmang City苍忙城的叶姬子Historical870k WordsCompleted Lin Shu opened his eyes and found himself reborn as a newborn in a farming family in Xiaolin Village, Great Yong. In his previous life, he was alone, bedridden and sick. In this life, his family gathered around him, their home warm with lamplight. His frail mother embroidered money for books by lamplight. His silent father used his own back to open the way for him to study. His gentle older sister poured her girlhood into the soup she made for him. Even the eggs his grandparents secretly slipped 17kReads8.8Score1.6kShelves
25. 225 大 The Great Poet of Dayin: From the Start, I Made the Entire Literary World Weep 大胤诗圣：开局抄哭整个文坛 Shuangmu Feilin双目非林Historical816k WordsCompleted (Some readers may not enjoy the early plot. Please be patient and read on. The rating is gradually rising. Thanks for the support, Yan Zu and Yi Fei.) Zhou Mo, a literature PhD, wakes up as an impoverished scholar from a humble family in the Great Yin Dynasty. The original owner has nothing to his name and no hope of passing the imperial exams? Zhou Mo smiles. This world is starved of poetry. Where is the grandeur of the High Tang? Where has the elegance of the Song gone? With the treasury of fi 34Reads6.5Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Copy imperial examination essays, I guarantee you'll be satisfied.

26. 226 开 From the Start, I Was Sentenced to Death After My Family Was Seized, but Poetry Let Me Rise to the Top 开局抄家问斩，我靠诗词平步青云 Shuangmu Feilin双目非林Historical573k WordsCompleted Lin Mobai, a top graduate student in literary studies, dies unexpectedly in a fire at an ancient-text archive. When he opens his eyes again, he has become another Lin Mobai, a poor scholar in the Great Xia dynasty. He is trapped in the Ministry of Justice’s death row, covered in wounds, with his execution set for three days later! The original owner had studied for ten years and just passed the first imperial examination, only to be framed for cheating by Zhao Wenxuan, a powerful local clansman. 177Reads—Score—Shelves
27. 227 带 Bringing Poetry to the Tang Dynasty 带着诗词闯大唐 Piao Feng Zhi飘风知Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Transmigration + Poetry-Based Face-Slapping + Power-Play Wish Fulfillment + Romance Between Two Strong Leads] The moment he opens his eyes, office worker Wang Zhishun has a Jinwu Guard's blade at his throat and has become the Tang Dynasty's most wanted criminal! At death's door, he blurts out Xin Qiji's line, “I searched for her thousands of times in the crowd,” and the princess takes him back to her residence: “This poem is yours to give me, and your life belongs to me!” From then on, Chang'an 1.7kReads8.1Score115Shelves

    Reader note

    I recommend "Traveling Through the Tang Dynasty with Poetry." The story begins with the protagonist reciting Song Dynasty poetry in the Tang Dynasty, and all problems are solved through poetry! It has both humorous and touching moments, the protagonist is intelligent, and the villains are not foolish! The romance between the male and female leads is also very moving! It's a very good watch!

28. 228 庶 A Concubine-Born Son’s Road to the Imperial Exams 庶子科举路 Lu Xun's Transmigration Journey陆寻的穿越之旅Historical653k WordsCompleted Gu Yan, an illegitimate son of the Marquis of Yongning’s household, lost his birth mother at an early age and was treated as a thorn in his stepmother’s side. From the start, he was kicked awake and made to kneel before his marquis father. In a military family, having a scholar for a son was a joke. His stepmother sneered, “You’re not cut out for studying,” while his legitimate elder brother mocked him: “Can a bookworm put food on the table?” Gu Yan didn’t argue. He simply went from the marqui 2.2kReads6.9Score157Shelves

    Reader note

    The path of the imperial examination was too difficult.

29. 229 北 A Northern Song Dynasty Guide to Climbing the Official Ladder 北宋升官手册 Retired Artist 04退役艺术家04Historical516k WordsOngoing The ratings just opened. They'll go up later. [Historical Transmigration] [Imperial Examinations] [Officialdom] [Political Intrigue] [Farming] [No System] What were the regrets of the Northern Song Dynasty? Was it that Liu Yong's lyrics were sung throughout the land, while he himself spent half his life in disappointment? Was it that Fan Zhongyan cared deeply for the realm, yet his Qingli Reforms were abandoned halfway through? Or was it the unfulfilled ambition to pacify the Rong, amid the nort 1.3kReads7.2Score117Shelves

    Reader note

    I'm recommending a new book. It's a time-travel story set in the Northern Song Dynasty. It's not the typical "face-slapping and showing off" type; the protagonist starts as the son of a tenant farmer, first solving his family's livelihood, then getting involved in a murder case, and using the power struggles between influential figures in the county government to survive. Afterwards, he studies, takes the imperial examinations, and gradually climbs the ranks of officialdom. The story is generally slow-paced, with smooth writing, meticulous historical research, and adherence to the logic of the era. The supporting characters are not unintelligent, and the political intrigue is portrayed with subtlety and restraint. If you enjoy stories about growth through the imperial examinations, underdog stories, and political intrigue, you might want to check it out.

30. 230 科 The Imperial Exams: From Three-Year-Old Farm Boy to Imperial Tutor 科举：从三岁农家子到一代帝师 Flower Shadows Beneath the Lamp灯下花影Rural Life502k WordsOngoing Shen Hengzhi, a modern graduate student in history, died suddenly and was reborn as Shen Shitou, a farmer’s son. In this Great Qi, social rank was rigid, and it was difficult for those from humble backgrounds to rise above their station. The Shen family had barely enough to get by, surviving on three mu of poor farmland. They could not even afford paper and ink for practicing calligraphy. When he was three, Shen Shitou used a dry branch to write in the dirt beneath the old locust tree. He caught 62Reads—Score148Shelves

    Reader note

    The portrayal of rural life is well done, featuring both honest and simple villagers and those who are envious and eager to seize resources. The complexity of human nature is not as simple as black and white.

31. 231 侯 The Marquis's Estate Honors Class 侯府重点班 Passion Fruit百香果果Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted The print edition of The Marquis’s Elite Class is now available [adorable children + parenting + doting in-laws + lighthearted + healing] Xu Wan becomes a widow the moment she marries into the family. All she wants is to keep her head down and enjoy the freedom of being a marquis’s wife. But on the very day she arrives, her stepson, a notorious little menace throughout the capital, gives her two nasty surprises in a row. Xu Wan grabs a knife and charges out, making a name for herself across the 58.7kReads9.6Score8.3kShelves

    Reader note

    The female lead immediately starts raising the child, transforming a little tyrant into a scholar, turning four (playboys) into four (talented scholars). Hahaha, it's quite interesting.

32. 232 被 After My Eldest Sister Swapped Our Marriages 被长姐换亲之后 Ink Brush Mints Gold墨笔生金Ancient Romance1.1M WordsOngoing [Farming + marriage first, love later + switched betrothals + contrast couple + business + transmigration] [Available as a full-cast audiobook and comic drama] Song He dies in an accident while saving someone and transmigrates to ancient times as an ordinary farm girl. Life is hard, and even having enough to eat and warm clothes is a struggle. As the second daughter in her family, the original owner is ignored by her father and scolded by her mother. Her eldest sister is fiercely competitive, an 52.5kReads8.7Score6.5kShelves

    Reader note

    A farming novel where the male protagonist takes the imperial examinations, the female protagonist goes into business, and the male protagonist goes from a lowly student to the top scholar in the imperial examinations, eventually becoming an official in the court. [Top Post]

33. 233 天 Oh My God! It's Story of Minglan! 天爷！居然是知否 Catcat888猫猫888Female-Channel Fanfiction607k WordsOngoing Li Xinghe never imagined he would transmigrate, but it was a good thing he did. Here, he had a family who loved him, and he met someone he was attracted to. Heaven had treated him kindly after all. Though life in this incarnation was a little hard and daily life wasn’t very convenient, he believed that with hard work, he could build a better life. Still, as he looked at the person he had fallen for, he felt grateful. Thank you, Heaven. 182Reads6.3Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This is a good book. Although it's based on a TV series, it still includes the imperial examination system.

34. 234 寒 Poor Scholar, Grand Secretary: My Teacher Is Xu Jie 寒门首辅：家师徐阶 Jiangcheng🔥江城🔥Historical446k WordsCompleted The early pacing is fast, with a focus on court politics. The protagonist is poor and under pressure at first, and that part has a few issues. If you find it hard to read, you can skip ahead to chapter 80 for the career-focused storyline. “Before the steps of the Golden Hall, half are the bones of scholars. The other half are the people's marrow, congealed. The alchemical furnace swallows every soaring ambition, then exhales it as frozen lines in the history books.” “By dawn, a farmhand; by dusk 372Reads6.4Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is good. Although it has some minor flaws, the overall direction is fine. The author's writing style is excellent; even the exam descriptions are detailed. The beginning is a bit depressing, but it gets enjoyable later on.

35. 235 红 Dream of the Red Chamber: Jia Cong's Road to the Imperial Exams 红楼：庶子贾琮登科路 Noierton诺伊尔顿Historical391k WordsOngoing [Imperial examinations + Dream of the Red Chamber spin-off + Transmigration + No golden finger + Not a wish-fulfillment story + One female lead, romance develops later] The rating has only just opened. Everyone is welcome to give it a try. He was once a young history professor. One night, while staying up to write a grant proposal for the National Natural Science Foundation of China, he worked himself to death. Who could have guessed he would transmigrate into the body of nine-year-old Jia Cong 418Reads8.0Score109Shelves

    Reader note

    I'd like to recommend myself; I'm currently serializing this quickly. The imperial examination storyline starts from chapter 29, and I'll focus on it more in later chapters. [Sending hearts][Sending hearts]

36. 236 穿 The Laid-Back Life of a Marquis’s Bastard Son 穿成侯府庶子的摆烂生活 April Thirty-Three四月三三Historical600k WordsCompleted [Transmigration + historical setting + non-virgin male lead + ordinary protagonist with no golden finger] Chen Heyu, a fine young man of the modern age, transmigrates into the body of a good-for-nothing ancient playboy. He is a middle-aged widower with children, a low-ranking son born to a concubine, and not a single money-making skill to his name. He does, however, have plenty of ways to spend money and a mountain of debts from his romantic escapades. To avoid another beating from his father, 34.4kReads9.3Score3.6kShelves

    Reader note

    These are good, worth reading 😍

37. 237 全 The Whole Family Transmigrates: My Scholar Dad Revives the Family Through the Imperial Exams 全家穿越：学霸老爸靠科举兴家 Today, I'm a Pretty Flower Again今天也是花花呀Ancient Romance1.4M WordsCompleted What’s it like when your whole family transmigrates to ancient times? Jiaojiao raises her little hand. She knows! Hua Tao and Shen Heqing, an older couple who thrived in the twenty-first century, transmigrate to ancient times together with their only daughter, Hua Jiaojiao. History professor Hua Tao has no choice but to study day and night for the imperial exams. Shen Heqing, a leading beauty-industry entrepreneur, starts from scratch and builds a business to make money. As for Jiaojiao, she’s 2.5kReads8.9Score240Shelves
38. 238 农 The Noble Son of a Farming Family 农门贵子 Orchid Seed兰花子Historical1.5M WordsCompleted He never imagined that one day he would transmigrate into the body of a fifteen-year-old peasant boy who had died in an examination hall. To take control of his own fate in this dynasty, all he can do is study hard. Studying changes one's fate, and can pave the way to success… 52Reads7.4Score103Shelves
39. 239 被 Driven from My Ancestral Home, I Feast with My Family 被逼出祖宅我带家人大鱼大肉 Let Go of the Promise放下了诺言Historical1.3M WordsCompleted Li Yongsheng wakes from a deep sleep to discover that he has transmigrated. Still dazed, he hears people arguing. His uncle, a scholar who had passed the first imperial exam, stole someone's jade pendant and was confronted over it. The family hurriedly held a discussion and made Li Yongsheng's honest, simple father take the blame. His mother was utterly unwilling, but she couldn't withstand the barrage of pressure. Fortunately, after the pendant was returned, the other party didn't pursue the ma 10.3kReads8.7Score874Shelves

    Reader note

    These are all the imperial examination novels I've read. [Admiration][Admiration][Admiration]

40. 240 穿 Transmigrating to the Great Song: A Guide to the Civil Service Exam 穿越大宋之考公指南 It's Raining Hard, Bring in the Laundry!下大雨收衣服啦Historical643k WordsCompleted A serious historical novel featuring the imperial examinations, officialdom, a mix of classical and vernacular Chinese, a slow pace, political intrigue, highly intelligent characters, and military campaigns. This novel contains extensive classical Chinese, poetry, and archaic language. If that is not to your taste, please do not read it. Huang Zhongsi, a modern young man preparing for the civil service exams, transmigrates to a parallel world during the reign of Emperor Shenzong of the Northern 185Reads6.7Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This novel, set during the reign of Emperor Shenzong of the Northern Song Dynasty, is a highly recommended read. It features a well-developed storyline, a chivalrous yet intelligent protagonist, a clear pace, and a compelling narrative.

41. 241 山 Peace Across the Land 山河无恙 Minced Meat and Fried Egg肉沫跑蛋Ancient Romance511k WordsCompleted A companion volume to The Alluring Minister, also known as The Female Emperor’s Tutor. Political intrigue + a woman disguised as a man + battles of wits at court! He was a dashing, romantic top scorer in the imperial examinations, famous throughout the land! He was also a brilliant strategist who stepped up when the nation was in peril, planning far ahead. A master of both letters and arms, his genius astonished the world, and his elegance was unmatched. He left countless legends and stories beh 480Reads8.9Score101Shelves

    Reader note

    "The Mountains and Rivers Remain Safe" and "The Alluring Minister" are two separate works, essentially sister films.

42. 242 乡 A Country Boy's Road to the Imperial Examinations 乡下小子的科举路 Guidance指教Historical940k WordsCompleted (Transmigration + Farming + Imperial Examinations) Wu Wei is an art student in the modern world. He never expected that an accident on the day of his art school entrance exam would send him back to ancient times, where he becomes the second son of the third branch of the Wu family in Wu Family Village. His name is still Wu Wei, just like in his previous life. He figures that wherever he lives, he can make the best of it, but life in ancient times is nothing like he imagined. The entire Wu family 1.9kReads8.1Score155Shelves
43. 243 我 I Conquer the Imperial Exams in a Male-Oriented Novel 我在男频科举文里大杀四方 A Little Fish Roe一只鱼籽Ancient Romance341k WordsCompleted After dying, Lin Muwei transmigrates from her former life as an office worker into the body of the youngest daughter of the Marquis of Wu’an. With powerful enemies outside and schemers within, the beautiful young woman has to pass herself off as a man, disguising her gender to fool everyone! Pampered beyond measure, Lin Muwei sets her sights on becoming the capital’s number-one wastrel! Who could have guessed that the marquis’s household would suddenly fall from favor, and Lin Muwei would turn t 245Reads6.2Score—Shelves
44. 244 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
45. 245 农 A Farmer's Daughter Disguises Herself as a Boy to Take the Imperial Exams 农家子女扮男装考科举 Love Good Food好稀饭Ancient Romance187k WordsCompleted Zhao Jingsong transmigrated and became the only child in the third branch of the Zhao family. The head of the Zhao family's third branch had died. If she hadn't transmigrated in time, the first and second branches would have gobbled up the entire inheritance. 270Reads6.1Score—Shelves
46. 246 女 A Female Chancellor's Rise Through the Imperial Exams 女宰相的科举逆袭 Cherry Tomatoes with Pork樱桃炒肉Ancient Romance315k WordsCompleted [Woman Disguised as a Man + No Romance + No Male Lead + Imperial Exam Comeback + Female Awakening] After fighting her way up from the bottom, Jiang Chuheng opened her eyes to find herself in the body of a twelve-year-old girl in ancient times, disguised as a boy and prone to tears. At home, she has an elderly grandmother, a timid mother, and two beautiful older sisters. Her eldest sister has been set up and faces the prospect of becoming a concubine. Things are going badly from the start! After 139Reads6.6Score—Shelves
47. 247 开 From the Start as a Caveman: Survive Evil Spirits by Reading 开局山顶洞人，遇邪祟要读书保命 Xu Da虚大Eastern Fantasy1.0M WordsCompleted [Genius protagonist + invincible protagonist + imperial examinations + dragon-like fortune + super genius + no System + talismans that suppress evil + lawless aristocratic clans] After transmigrating to a world overrun by evil spirits, Liu Ci discovers that studying is his only way to survive. Other people take the imperial exams to earn fame and rank. He takes them to stay alive. Others rely on their families and connections. He relies on the study techniques he remembers from his past life as 1.8kReads8.5Score158Shelves

    Reader note

    This is a 9/10 imperial examination novel by Tomato, and I won't go into too much detail about the ratings given by readers who have read it. If you're interested, you can click to read it!

48. 248 夫 A Couple Transmigrates: My Easygoing Husband Takes the Exams While I Raise the Kids 夫妻穿越：咸鱼老公科举我养娃 A Little Ball of Rice一团小丸子Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted [Completed] [No pocket dimension, no System + lighthearted comedy + everyday family life + slow pace] A modern couple transmigrates to ancient times and finally fulfills their dream of having a son and a daughter. Their daughter, reborn into a new life, wants nothing more than a loving father and mother. Professor Zhang: “Even though I transmigrated, I don't want to take the imperial exams. I just want to laze around.” Manager Li: “Even though I came along too, I can't exactly make my husband wo 4.5kReads9.2Score499Shelves
49. 249 女 A Woman in a Man's Body: A Country Boy's Road to the Imperial Exams 女穿男：极品农家小子的科举 Hei Ma黑吗Ancient Romance531k WordsOngoing [Female-to-male transmigration + farming + imperial examinations + changing her fate + everyday family life] Liu Shu was on his deathbed when he transmigrated into the body of a little boy. His father was crafty, his mother slippery, his older brother simple-minded, and his older sister fiery. He was both lazy and greedy, so he had two flaws to his name. By chance, he learned that his family was the eldest branch's human ATM, the kind they would grind to the bone and still squeeze dry. This... T 4Reads6.5Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    These books are all super good.

50. 250 科 I Came First in the Imperial Exams and Became a Just Official in Ancient Times 科举成状元，我在古代当青天 The Crown Prince Who Loves Radish Meatballs爱吃萝卜肉圆的王储Historical1.2M WordsCompleted An ordinary female college student is reborn in an imaginary ancient dynasty, where she becomes a man. As he struggles to adapt to this era, he sees the hardships of the common people, the extravagance of the powerful elite, the integrity of scholars, and the opportunism of politicians. This is a society ruled by a brutal class system. Unluckily for him, he has been reborn here, and all he wants is to live with dignity. Study, take the imperial examinations, become an official. At first, he only 1.2kReads8.5Score101Shelves

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