In his previous life, Qi Chong inherited his father's throne but made a complete mess of ruling. The history books recorded that during his reign, he imposed exorbitant taxes and lived a life of debauchery. He wreaked havoc until a vassal prince usurped his throne and he lost his life.
When he awoke again, he had become the son of a farming family that valued education. His father was an elderly scholar who had never passed the county-level exam. He supported the whole family on the meager wages he earned keeping accounts for wealthy households, making ends meet through constant scrimping. Even in his thirties, he still hoped that one day luck would be on his side and he would pass the provincial-level exam, earning a monthly stipend of two taels of silver from the county government so he could buy white rice and flour for the family.
At four years old, he stared at the steamed corn bun and asked his parents, "This bun tastes awful. Why don't we eat meat porridge?" His father carried him to the county school and, before the image of Confucius, solemnly instructed him: "Chong'er, you must study hard. If you pass the imperial examinations and become a Presented Scholar in this life, you'll have all the meat porridge you could ever eat..."
Qi Chong remembered how, in his previous life, a single memorial could knock over a whole group of mediocre officials who had earned their degrees through the imperial examinations. He thought, Are Presented Scholars really anything special? They all managed to pass!
I can do even better!
So, at seven years old, he strode confidently into the schoolroom, planning to first become the top graduate in the provincial exam, then the top graduate in the metropolitan exam, and finally take first place in the palace exam. After that, he would join the Hanlin Academy and enter the Grand Secretariat. Becoming a powerful minister in this life was certainly within reach.
And if possible, he would also set the record straight about some of the history the court historians had distorted in his previous life, and clear his name.
1. An alternate world modeled after the Song and Ming dynasties.
2. At first, the male lead is rather arrogant. He'll be taught a lesson.
3. The female lead won't have much page time.
Blurb captured on February 4, 2026
Theme: To dedicate oneself to the people's livelihood.
My Husband Is Quite Capable
The Young Master [Warring States]
Transmigrated as the Beloved Consort's Younger Sister
The Imperial Exam Journey of a Poor Son-in-Law from a Noble Family
A Farming Path to Success for a Nobleman's Daughter
A Military Officer's Son Rises to Success Through the Imperial Exams