Looking for Imperial Exam Stories with No Romance! Absolutely No Romance!!! 求无cp科举文！一定要无cp！！！

1. 1 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 214.1kReads9.3Score21.3kShelves

   Reader note

   I'm just saying, these three books are all about academics, political intrigue, and no romance—who wouldn't offer them a cigarette? I'm also suffering from a reading slump.

2. 2 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
3. 3 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
4. 4 冒EN Impostor of the Langya Clan 冒姓琅琊 Eastern Zhou Young Master Nan东周公子南Historical1.6M WordsOngoing (Also known as “The Matter of Me Pretending to Be a Nobleman of the Southern Dynasties”) To transmigrate isn’t a dinner party. It’s a deadly game at every turn. The south is beautiful, yet lofty ambitions often fade away. Since ancient times, the Southern Dynasties have been weak, their heroes short-lived. No golden finger, no System, and no second chance at life. Everything starts from zero! Original owner’s memories: none! Identity: none! Supplies: none! When transmigration becomes reality, ho 493.7kReads9.7Score71.7kShelves
5. 5 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 88.6kReads8.9Score8.7kShelves

   Reader note

   The first book is a wish-fulfillment novel, while the second is more realistic; the male protagonist doesn't have any special abilities and has to navigate a tough path.

6. 6 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 13.8kReads8.5Score1.1kShelves
7. 7 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 42.2kReads8.5Score3.7kShelves

   Reader note

   This is amazing! It's a no-romance story, and I personally think it's a bit like an ensemble piece.

8. 8 拼 I Worked My Way to the Top Scholar in the Imperial Exams, and Now You Say I Have a Powerful Identity 拼命科举成状元，你才说我有身份 This Fish Wants to Eat Cats Now这鱼想吃猫了Historical1.6M WordsCompleted (A cathartic power fantasy: the protagonist never takes anything lying down, and never lets a grudge wait until tomorrow!) No romance + nation-building + imperial examinations + farming + alternate history + court intrigue A no-holds-barred power fantasy, with a decisive, ruthless protagonist!! If there's no justice in this world, then I'll carve it out with blood! If the great clans leave everyone with nowhere to turn, then I'll cut a path through them. The county magistrate's son toys with peo 33.7kReads9.0Score4.1kShelves

   Reader note

   Ber, where's our young Marquis Song? Imperial examination + no romance + ensemble cast + court reform + family purge + ruthless + popular support + author's masterful emotional manipulation, mainly manifested in making readers cry one minute, laugh the next, be caught between laughter and tears, want to cry and laugh and laugh at the same time, tense one minute, relaxed the next… This book is good, not easy to read, lives up to its title, a life of hard work!

9. 9 我 My Emperor Father Can Read Minds 我的皇帝父亲会读心 Bone-Leak Gua Wen骨漏呱闻Historical1.3M WordsCompleted [Infrastructure Building Focus ✚ Mostly Comedy ✚ Not Historically Accurate ✚ No Romance] Emperor Wei prided himself on being a wise ruler. His ministers served him well, his harem was harmonious, and his children were clever and filial. That is, until he was struck by lightning. Afterward, he gained the ability to read minds, and finally learned that everyone around him was two-faced, saying one thing while thinking another! Emperor Wei was devastated. So he had been such a failure as an emperor 57.1kReads9.3Score5.3kShelves

   Reader note

   If you're looking for a satisfying, fast-paced novel about the imperial examination system, you absolutely must read this one! The protagonist is incredibly intelligent and emotionally intelligent. So far, there's no romantic pairing, and the author has explicitly stated it's non-romantic. It's absolutely fantastic! Just go for it! You can also check out the later parts. It has a high rating and is completed, but I read it a long time ago, so I don't remember the specifics.

10. 10 选 You Chose Me as Censor, Li Shimin, So Why Are You Crying? 选我当御史，李世民你哭什么 Zhang Invincible张无敌Historical4.1M WordsOngoing [Hilarious, satisfying, lighthearted, historical, ancient China] Cheng Jun transmigrated to the third year of the Zhenguan era in the Tang Dynasty, becoming the son of the military officer Cheng Yaojin. As it happened, Li Shimin was recruiting imperial censors! Years later, Li Shimin said to the Crown Prince, “Cheng Jun is a peerless sword of our Great Tang. Only a virtuous person can wield him. You're young, so I'll leave him to you.” The Crown Prince burst into tears. “I don't want it anymore! 45.3kReads9.0Score3.1kShelves

    Reader note

    Except for the last two books which are uncertain, the rest are all without a romantic pairing.

11. 11 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 48kReads8.9Score4.3kShelves
12. 12 被 The Abandoned Heir Places First in the Imperial Exam, and Ten Thousand Riders Storm the Marquis’s Mansion 被弃世子中状元，万骑踏平侯府门 Jun Moyu君陌玉Historical1.8M WordsCompleted [Imperial Examinations + Reborn in the Womb + Court Politics + Revenge + System] Shen Shufan was reborn in the womb as the heir to a marquis’s estate, only to be knocked unconscious and thrown into a river. No problem: ever heard of the Proficiency System? The impoverished Shen family, a humble family of scholars, found a poor child in a freezing river. Little did they know he was an imperial-examination genius! Other families considered it a blessing from their ancestors if even one person pass 22.6kReads8.7Score2.6kShelves
13. 13 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? 47.9kReads8.6Score5.1kShelves
14. 14 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 14.7kReads8.7Score1.4kShelves
15. 15 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 188.1kReads9.0Score24.1kShelves

    Reader note

    These two books, especially the second one, tell the story of Mingyue Lang. Mingyue was never truly possessed by anyone, and until her death, no one except her grandfather knew she was a woman. It was only later, through archaeological research, that they discovered this.

16. 16 卖 Selling Vegetables and Studying, Then Becoming the Top Scholar 卖菜读书，结果高中状元 Three Layers of Belly Fat三层肚腩Historical1.1M WordsCompleted After Shen Qingfeng dies alongside the Zombie Emperor in the apocalypse, he transmigrates to an alternate dynasty called Great Chu and becomes a child in Ning'an Village. The boy, nicknamed Dog Egg, is frail from birth, suffers from heart disease, and has a lowly name. Luckily, his proper name is Shen Yu'an. After studying for a few months with the elders, Shen Yu'an decides to take the imperial examinations, only to discover that his ancestors were exiles, and the descendants of exiles for thre 5.5kReads8.9Score573Shelves

    Reader note

    A time-travel, ancient setting, imperial examination, and official career novel featuring a male protagonist. It's incredibly good! Shen Yu'an, a top scholar who achieved the highest rank in the imperial examinations at sixteen [a masterpiece by Que Shi]. He inherited his mother's superhuman strength and is extremely handsome [heart emoji]. He doesn't have many cheat abilities; his wood-type superpowers mainly involve farming and healing (not many). He relies entirely on himself for his imperial examinations and official career. It feels like no one is worthy of him. He rises to the highest position—Prime Minister Shen—serving four emperors. There's no romantic pairing or female lead, as it's only mentioned in the ending that Shen Yu'an got married and had children, but the identities of the children aren't revealed [laughing emoji]. Just consider it a novel without a female lead.

17. 17 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

    Reader note

    Both books are romance-free and feature female students taking the imperial examinations. Both protagonists work to improve the lives of women while simultaneously raising the social status of women, striving alongside their companions. They're both enjoyable and highly recommended! (*´·V·)

18. 18 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
19. 19 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 3.3kReads8.6Score359Shelves

    Reader note

    This is also a no-romance story, and the protagonist transmigrates into a merchant and landlord family. He also possesses the "Scroll King System," so naturally, he'll be taking the imperial examinations.

20. 20 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

    Reader note

    This book is on par with Xu Yue's and The Strongest Female Prime Minister, but it focuses more on court politics while the protagonist dedicates herself to developing agriculture and improving people's livelihoods. There's no romantic pairing or ambiguity, very few truly awful characters, and all the main and minor characters are well-developed. Furthermore, the female protagonist's work is grounded in the historical context, promoting reform and improving women's status, unlike some novels that merely wave the banner of women's equality while the protagonist stubbornly ignores reality. This book's strength lies in its generally logical and smooth narrative; it's definitely worth reading.

21. 21 名 You Abandoned Me When I Failed the Imperial Exam, So Who Are You Now That I’ve Swept the Boards? 名落孙山你不陪，连中六元你是谁 Dragon in the Wind龙行风Historical1.3M WordsCompleted [The short drama is now available, and the print edition is in publication.][Slow-burn, warm, and humorous][Alternate history + business + imperial examinations + one female lead + no System] Su Run transmigrates into the body of a disgraced scholar who has lost both his parents, failed the imperial exams, and earned a notorious reputation as a lovesick doormat. When he opens his eyes, his fiancée is publicly putting him down and emotionally manipulating him, even threatening to break off their 18.3kReads8.8Score1.6kShelves

    Reader note

    All four books are rated 9.0 Or higher!!! [Admiration][Admiration][Admiration] They're packed with useful information [Attention], the authors have done their research diligently [Inquiry], they don't try to fool readers like they're Japanese [Salute], the plots are logical and exciting [Got it], and most importantly, each one is hilarious [Learned it], the first three don't have female leads, the fourth one does but has a small role and appears late! But all of them are unfinished! [Staring]

22. 22 苏 Su Chen'an's Journey Through the Imperial Exams 苏辰安的科举之路 Dream of Nine Hundred Million Girls九亿少女的梦梦Historical1.1M WordsCompleted Su Chen'an, a master of Chinese painting, had finally wrapped up an exhibition. Just as he walked out of the building, a flowerpot full of sunflowers came flying at him. He died on the spot. When he woke up again, he was almost starved to death inside his mother's womb. Every day, he teetered on the brink of starvation. He felt that if he absorbed even a little more nourishment from the amniotic fluid, his mother might die. But if he absorbed even a little less, the embryo that was him would pro 10.2kReads8.3Score877Shelves

    Reader note

    🍉🍉At the start, the protagonist's mother has already given birth to two girls and is pregnant with another. She can't have any more children after this one. Luckily, it's a boy. The protagonist's family is poor, but he's been quite talkative and clever since childhood, recognizing herbs so his family can sell them. At five, he goes to study in another village and is noticed by a teacher. He formally becomes an apprentice with his friends. After that, he takes the imperial examinations, writes poems, and helps his family with their business. The story is still ongoing.

23. 23 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 80.6kReads8.7Score9.1kShelves

    Reader note

    These are all things I've seen before, and none of them featured any couples when I watched them.

24. 24 农 The Lazy Little One from a Farming Family Takes the Imperial Exams 农门懒娃娃考科举 Black Tofu豆腐黑Historical352k WordsOngoing Dogwa had terrible luck in his previous life. He worked hard all his life and had nothing to show for it. It was all for nothing. In this life, he just wants enough to eat and drink, and to lie flat until the end. Who knew the Lai family already had a layabout: Dogwa's own father. There was no room for a second one. So Dogwa can only be pushed into improving himself and working hard. (Original title: The Lazy Farm Boy Takes the Imperial Examinations) 680Reads8.5Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    No romance, a civil service exam story! The protagonist, Lai Gou, is extremely lazy, but since there's already a lazy man in his family (Gou Wa's dad), he has no choice but to study hard for the civil service exam. It's a really good read! The second book is also great; it recently resumed updates and is super good! [Kissing emoji]

25. 25 科 The Imperial Exams: A Genius by Day, Studying Myself to Death by Night 科举：白天装天才，夜里卷到猝死 Golden Broth Beef Rice Noodles金汤肥牛米线丫Historical496k WordsCompleted (Imperial examinations + ensemble cast + political intrigue + showing off + lighthearted comedy) After transmigrating into the lowest-ranked student at the Imperial Academy, he spends the day pretending to be a born genius who “just glances at the books and comes first,” then studies till he nearly goes bald by night. He'll grit his teeth and walk this show-off's path through the imperial examinations all the way to the palace exam. 392Reads5.9Score106Shelves
26. 26 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 22.3kReads7.8Score2.2kShelves
27. 27 手 With AI in Hand, I Take the Imperial Exams. Who Can Outdo Me? 手握AI考科举，谁润得过我？ Clear Breeze Fish Balls清风鱼丸Historical1.2M WordsCompleted [Imperial examinations + court politics + farming + alternate history + daily life...] Wu Di, courtesy name Yanzu, was a transmigrator and the top scholar of the literary path in the second year of Jinghe, the best in the land! At sixteen, he became the top scholar, achieving the highest honors in all six examinations. Riding high on his success, he galloped through Chang'an, taking in all its flowers in a single day. His brilliant essays seemed heaven-sent, his deft brushwork blossomed across t 10.8kReads8.1Score850Shelves
28. 28 启 Your Majesty, the Top Scholar Is Slacking Off Again and Again 启禀陛下，状元郎他又又又开摆了 Fang Jinxi方锦溪Historical2.8M WordsOngoing [Imperial Exams and Farming]+ [Family Matters]+ [Building Wealth]+ [Scheming]+ [Alternate Ancient Setting] Lu Qilin, a modern enthusiast of intangible cultural heritage, unexpectedly transmigrated. When he woke up, he had become an eight-year-old village boy with a dim mind, whose mother had died young and whose father had disappeared. Fortunately, his grandparents and uncle and aunt truly loved him, and his two older cousins genuinely cared for him. It wasn't the worst start imaginable. Unfortu 13kReads8.5Score1.4kShelves

    Reader note

    These two books currently have no romantic pairing. ① Chen Qilin transmigrated, and was still a farmer's son. Originally intending to lie down and do nothing, Lu Qilin decided to stop and slammed his fist on the table. "I want to study!" Clothes, to wear clothes, to wear fine clothes. Food, to eat, to eat a good meal. Residence, to live in a mansion.

29. 29 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

    Why isn't anyone recommending this book? Although it's about a girl transmigrating into a boy, it's not a major problem. In fact, because the male lead was once the female lead, he's very kind to his sisters and understands the hardships women face in the modern era. Also, unlike most transmigration novels that use poems by Li Bai and Du Fu, the male lead writes all his own poems, and the book focuses on how he learned to write poetry. There's no romantic pairing yet.

30. 30 状 The Top Scholar Becomes a County Magistrate: An Unusual Road to Success 状元当县令，不一样的青云路 Luo Wuwu落五五Ancient Romance2.1M WordsOngoing [Alternate History + Nation-Building + Farming + Court Politics + No Romance] The main story is complete, and bonus chapters are still being updated~ The rating is low because so few people have rated it. Come give it a look! ₍˄·͈༝·͈˄*₎◞ ̑̑ Warnings: This is a brainless power fantasy!!! Please don't post opinions like how modern people would act, how ancient people would act, or how the protagonist's actions make no sense. If you think a modern person sent back in time couldn't do anything, feel 14.3kReads8.8Score1.8kShelves

    Reader note

    It's a good watch, no romantic pairing, logically sound, and all the characters are normal people.

31. 31 大 My Big Brother Is a Celebrated Minister, So Who's Afraid of the Imperial Exams? 大哥是名臣，科举路上我怕谁 Shanshan Laichi山山徕池Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted [Tags: No Romance, Ancient Imperial Examinations, System, Beloved by All] [Content warning: The protagonist grows up from infancy, with a slow-paced, everyday child-rearing story. This is not a traditional imperial-examination novel.] [The bonus chapters include a romance subplot for Xiao Lu. If that bothers you, please don’t read them!] Yang Buhuo is reborn, and should have been delighted to receive a “win by doing nothing” System and rise to the top. Instead, System Xiao Ba gets the wrong pers 1.6kReads8.1Score140Shelves

    Reader note

    I highly recommend the first book.

32. 32 心 I Couldn't Bear to See My Parents Taken Advantage Of, So I Became the Top Scholar 心疼爹娘太老实，科举考个状元郎 Liangliang樑梁Historical927k WordsCompleted Male lead: Shen Qingshi The male lead has no System or pocket dimension, but comes with PUA skills. Even the most arrogant can be turned into a lackey. In his previous life, Shen Qingshi had just achieved financial freedom when his soul transmigrated into the body of a peasant boy in ancient times. His grandparents doted on no one, his parents were both doormats, and his third uncle was a leech who couldn't even pass the examination to become a scholar. Fine, whoever wants to be a doormat can be 1.8kReads7.6Score162Shelves

    Reader note

    Shen Qingshi, financially independent, transmigrates into a poor, bullied peasant family? No way! He immediately paints a rosy picture for his awful family: "Grandpa and Grandma, wait till I let you sit on a grand chair and throw silver around!" His freeloading third uncle? He'll manipulate him into becoming his lackey! His father too cowardly? He'll lead him to wealth and riches! The story revolves around a modern mindset that allows him to dominate the ancient world, eventually becoming the top scholar in the imperial examinations—but little does he know how deep the political intrigue is in the court!

33. 33 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 14.3kReads9.5Score1.6kShelves

    Reader note

    This book has a similar theme: no romantic pairing, female protagonist transmigrates into a male character, and it features a system, but the assistance provided by the system isn't overpowered, similar to the "Famous Minister System."

34. 34 状 The Top Scholar Is Real, and So Is the Beggar 状元是真的，乞丐也是真的 Half a Steamed Bun半片馒头Historical171k WordsOngoing Shen Mo, a Peking University history professor, wakes up one day as a nameless beggar. No household registration, no food, no shoes, and only a yellow dog so thin its skin clings to its bones. He spent thirty years studying the imperial examinations in his previous life, yet in this one he cannot even get near an exam hall. From a ruined temple to the Golden Throne Hall, from eating tree bark to earning top honors. The top scholar is real, and so is the beggar. 9Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The top scholar is real, and so is the beggar. No system, a real beggar, hardcore imperial examination. This is the only one to read among Tomato's imperial examination novels.

35. 35 魔 The Demon Venerable Is Reborn as a Baby and Helps His Father Pass the Imperial Exams 魔尊胎穿崽，陪爹考科举 Show-Off with the Hazard Lights On显眼包开双闪Ancient Romance663k WordsOngoing [Reborn and reincarnated from infancy; farming in the early stages; imperial exams in the middle; officialdom later on; warm family bonds; no romance; adored by everyone] The Demon Lord Shen Yan got a fresh start one day, only to be reborn by mistake as a child born to a cuckold. His cheap father had been cuckolded so badly that his head was practically green-black. So what? At least he had a father now! His father was in poor health? No problem. Three-year-old Shen Yan dragged over a big stool, 1.3kReads9.0Score104Shelves

    Reader note

    This is a novel about imperial examinations, with no romantic pairing. It features rebirth/reincarnation, early farming, mid-stage imperial examinations, late-stage officialdom, a heartwarming family story, and the protagonist being the beloved Demon Lord Shen Yan. Shen Yan fails his tribulation and is reborn as a cuckold. His cheap father is undeniably cuckolded, but so what? He has a father now. His father is in poor health, so he cooks for him and provides acupuncture. He takes care of his father and takes the imperial examinations with him. Though not blood-related, their bond is stronger than blood; father and son depend on each other, and the villagers are kind to them. However, one day, Shen Yan notices that his father looks strangely familiar. His father is also bewildered: why does his son look more and more like him? Father and son stumble and struggle together, eventually rising from a small mountain village to the capital for the imperial examinations. After more than a decade of arduous study, they both achieve top honors in the examinations, riding horses together through the imperial streets. The theme is relatively novel, the author's writing is good, and there is some cultivation element, though not much. It's worth reading. "What I seek is not what you desire. Knowing it is wrong, yet you do not change your greed." "We should encourage each other and go to the palace together on the same day."

36. 36 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 51.6kReads8.9Score6.4kShelves

    Reader note

    The first book doesn't have a romantic pairing yet, but the protagonist has already reached the level of becoming an official. The author hasn't mentioned it, but I'll probably drop it once that happens; it's quite good so far. The second book doesn't have an author bio, but the protagonist has already reached the position of Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, wielding considerable power. All the emperors he's encountered are good emperors, enjoying immense trust in him (it's even said that he single-handedly put the second emperor on the throne). Although it's a bit far-fetched at times, it's really excellent. The third book, I've read over 100 chapters and still no romance. The highest rank so far seems to be either a Juren or a Xiucai.

37. 37 朝 A Farmer's Son at Dawn, an Emperor's Courtier by Dusk 朝为农家郎，暮登天子堂 Lantern Festival Revelry闹花灯Historical2.6M WordsOngoing (There's family drama, petty squabbles, rural life, outrageous oddballs, life in government, and much more.) After spending nearly ten years in a daze as an idiot, Tang Wenfeng fell into the water one day and finally came to his senses, now with a modern mind inside him. To avoid taxes, make a fortune, lie flat and enjoy himself, and secure a carefree life for the future, Tang Wenfeng decided to sit the imperial examinations. Who knew that an unexpected turn of events would put him on the 6.4kReads8.4Score437Shelves
38. 38 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 2kReads7.4Score173Shelves
39. 39 穿 Transmigrated to the Countryside: A Young Farmer's Road to the Imperial Exams 穿越之农家独苗苗的科举之路 Zhang Rubai张如白Ancient Romance2.5M WordsCompleted [Born into the Past + Farming + Imperial Exams + Fleeing Famine + Warfare] The slow-paced everyday life of a boy from a rural family in ancient times! Zhang Ping'an gets a new lease on life when he transmigrates to an ancient farming family. Fortunately, they are fairly well-off, so no one has to go hungry. He has six older sisters, and he is the only boy his parents had long hoped for. His parents favor sons over daughters, and all six sisters are fierce. He thought he was in for a story about 29kReads8.7Score2.8kShelves

    Reader note

    The first one is about a woman disguised as a man; it's high-quality and super enjoyable. The second one is about a male protagonist taking the imperial examinations; it's also very good. Go read both, you'll see!

40. 40 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

    All three books are non-romanced imperial examination novels. I think the first one, "Bright Moon and Bright Sky," is simply unsurpassable. I've already read it four times ദ്ദി˶•̀֊•́)✧. Many of the characters in the book are vividly portrayed, the writing is excellent and flows smoothly, making it a very easy read. The female protagonist has a great love in her heart and is not bound by petty romances. She is always striving to climb to a high position, step by step reaching the pinnacle of power. Moreover, the protagonist is also quietly improving the status of women. She is calm, composed, shrewd, and handles matters appropriately. Furthermore, she can disguise herself as a man without being discovered until later generations. The system in the story only plays a supporting role; the protagonist always relies on herself. I can only say that this book has a grand scope, which no other book can compare to (words are inadequate, please go to the main text). The second and third books are about the same person, Du Wanfeng. I personally think they are also good. However, in the second book, the protagonist's ninth sister might be a bit too naive. If you can't accept that, you can skip it. The third book is a sequel, and the story takes place after the protagonist becomes a courtier.

41. 41 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 485Reads8.9Score101Shelves
42. 42 胎 Born into the 1970s: I Make My Whole Family Rich Through Studying 胎穿七零：我靠读书带全家致富 Mao Mao猫芼Modern Romance2.6M WordsOngoing (I Just Want to Slack Off, but They Call Me a Genius) (Period Piece + Academic Prodigy + Strengthening the Nation + System + No Romance + Cozy Daily Life + Lighthearted Comedy + Pure Wish Fulfillment) After Chen Wang died, he was reborn as the Chen family's only dim-witted grandson. With four older female cousins, the two elders of the Chen family doted on him like a precious treasure, giving him the best of everything. Chen Wang thought he could spend this life slacking off. Who could have gues 158.3kReads9.0Score15.1kShelves

    Reader note

    🌈💕The following are all imperial examination novels I've read. Some are still ongoing. Currently, they are all without romantic pairings, and all are well-written and not mindless.✨ (I've forgotten some of them after reading them, but I remember they are all without romantic pairings or harems.) 🌈🎋If you're interested, check out the synopsis yourself. I think the synopsis is quite detailed. It's about a male protagonist who transmigrates, and the imperial examinations change his life, leading to mutual help among his clansmen...( ˘͈ ᵕ ˘͈ )

43. 43 七 The 1970s: I Just Want to Slack Off, Not Study 七零：我只想摆烂不想学习 A Little Eight Hundred一只八百Modern Romance300k WordsCompleted [No CP + Academic Prodigy + Growth-Oriented Heroine (Imperfect Character) + Science for the Nation] In her previous life, Xu Zhen worked herself to death with endless overtime. After transmigrating to the 1970s, all she wanted was to split off from the family as soon as possible and happily coast through life like a salted fish. She never expected a study System to come knocking. Eight hours of studying a day was the minimum, and now she had to work overtime too? Xu Zhen: I refuse! But refusing 7.2kReads9.1Score593Shelves

    Reader note

    All are educational stories! 🎉 Imperial examinations, no romance~ Countdown. New book, hence the low rating. Female transmigrates into a male body. Reincarnated in the womb. Born at an auspicious time. Pampered by parents + a system, truly a chosen one of heaven.

44. 44 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 4.7kReads8.6Score350Shelves
45. 45 科 The Chosen One of an Imperial Exam Novel 科举文里的天之骄子 Years of Rivers and Mountains江山岁月Ancient Romance238k WordsOngoing [New novel! The rating is low for now, so read the bonus chapters first] [Serious historical drama + woman transmigrates into a man + everyone’s darling + no romance + Mary Sue + imperial examinations + household intrigue + struggle for the throne + unifying the realm] [Note: This is a romance story with no CP. The protagonist, Jin Yu (Sun Wei), is a woman transmigrated into a man, adored by everyone, and, so to speak, incapable of falling in love with anyone. It’s perfectly normal for male and 17Reads7.2Score—Shelves
46. 46 穿 I Became the Beloved Grandson of a Terrible Grandma 穿成极品奶奶的宝贝孙子 Luo Qingcheng洛倾城Ancient Romance360k WordsCompleted After transmigrating, he becomes the beloved grandson of a farm grandmother who favors one child over another, and a top-tier cannon fodder character to boot! His grandmother is a sucker for handsome faces and dotes on him with all her heart. In the original story, his antics ultimately leave the whole family ruined. He’s the foil to his cousin, who excels at everything and, after demanding the family split, leads the eldest branch to a good life. During the famine, the cousin even drives away t 9.1kReads9.0Score885Shelves
47. 47 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

    Reader note

    This female-oriented novel, featuring the imperial examination system and no romantic pairing, is a rare find among female-oriented works. It incorporates elements of intellect, court politics, officialdom, and power struggles, and its scope extends from the general populace to the plight of women in different eras.

48. 48 别 While Others Take the Official Exam, I Farm: Saving Myself Decades of Detours 别人考官我种田，少走弯路几十年 Chi Zhaozhao池朝朝Historical1.2M WordsCompleted Song Buci transmigrated, but he wasn’t born into a wealthy family or a high-ranking household. Instead, he became Song Fuyu, a nine-year-old farm boy and young scholar from Songjia Village! He thought his journey would take him into the cutthroat world of court politics, full of intrigue and betrayal. But before he could even set out, consumption laid him low, his family was destitute, and he was going hungry. Did all of them want him dead? Thunder boomed beneath a moonless sky, and a wild boar 3.5kReads8.9Score292Shelves
49. 49 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
50. 50 拒 After Refusing to Rejoin My Clan, I Became a Great Scholar Through the Imperial Exams 拒绝认祖归宗后，我靠科举成文圣 Lonely Lamp in the Night Rain夜雨孤灯Historical482k WordsCompleted (Transmigration + wish fulfillment + imperial examinations + court politics + face-slapping + no System) He transmigrates to ancient times, only to find himself an illegitimate son who has never been acknowledged by his family. Su Shijin wants to change his fate through knowledge, but despite having mastered high school Chinese and graduated in applied mathematics, he can barely make sense of classical Chinese. Then he obtains a writing brush. From that day on, he earns the red mark on his foreh 2.3kReads9.0Score185Shelves

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