After Passing the Imperial Exams in Disguise as a Man, I Made My Nemesis Fall for Me

[Brilliant, forthright woman in men's clothing, top scholar x nobleman as graceful as the moon]

1.

Yay, I passed the exam!

Not yay, I went too far. I'm the top scholar.

Wei Rongzhao: I only wanted to scrape by and land some random government post. How did I end up as the top scholar?!

Especially since I'm missing something between my legs.

That's a capital offense for deceiving the emperor!

What do I do? Asking online, urgently...

From then on, Wei Rongzhao lived in constant anxiety, keeping her secret identity under wraps.

2.

Wei Rongzhao is the first top scholar in the dynasty's history. Not only is she clever, she's also incredibly good-looking.

The emperor is delighted. Smiling, he says, “I shall arrange a marriage between the top scholar and the princess.”

Wei Rongzhao is on the verge of tears: I'm a woman! How can I marry a princess?

Then she gets an idea, pinches her thigh, and sobs, “Your Majesty, I... I have never stopped thinking of my late wife. I would not want to stand in the way of the princess's happiness!”

As tears and snot stream down her face, she reminisces (makes up lies) about her past with her late wife.

The emperor is deeply moved and abandons the idea of arranging the marriage.

After court, Xie Huaixuan says with a cold laugh, “I have never heard that Lord Wei had a late wife.”

Wei Rongzhao shoots back, “I never imagined Lord Xie would be so interested in my private affairs. Could it be that you're taken with me?”

Xie Huaixuan: ...

3.

One day, they walk side by side.

As Wei Rongzhao walks along, she suddenly feels warmth at her lower back. Looking down, she sees a dark red stain spreading over the seat of her robe. Her heart sinks. Damn, her period has come without warning.

Xie Huaixuan has always been a neat freak. Seeing the dark red stain on Wei Rongzhao's robe, he can't help frowning.

As he wonders what injury the fellow has gotten into this time, the person beside him leans in, speaking in a frivolous, deliberately provocative tone: “My hemorrhoids are acting up again. Just sprang a leak. It's a chronic problem. Maybe you have them too. Why are you making such a fuss, Lord Xie?”

Xie Huaixuan's usually cool face darkens instantly. He says in a low voice, each word distinct, “Find somewhere at once and change into clean clothes.”

Before walking away, Wei Rongzhao can't resist adding, “If you have hemorrhoids too, Lord Xie, there's no need to hide it. Feel free to tell me. I'll keep it a secret!”

Xie Huaixuan: ...

4.

Xie Huaixuan comes from the Xie clan, a prominent noble family. He is the very picture of graceful refinement and elegant manners.

Wei Rongzhao and Xie Huaixuan are famous rivals: one has commoners from humble backgrounds at her back, while the other is backed by a powerful aristocratic clan.

Who would have thought that one day after court, Xie Huaixuan would corner Wei Rongzhao against a wall, beside himself with anguish, and ask in a wounded voice, “Wei Rongzhao, why do you never look me in the eye? Are you still thinking of your late wife?”

Wei Rongzhao: ???

Onlookers: Young Master Xie is actually into men!!!

Please note:

1. Both leads are each other's first and only partners!

2. HE! HE! HE!

3. The heroine's secret identity will be revealed later, but she'll remain in office and won't give up her career!

4. Historical fantasy. Don't take the details too seriously.

5. The political intrigue is a little farcical. Don't take it too seriously.

6. It's a woman-in-men's-clothing trope, so please go easy on me.

7. The leads are two years apart in age.

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A little preview of my next planned story, My Rival Regrets It After I Fake My Death Upon Completing My Mission

Synopsis:

Everyone in the capital knows one thing: Wen Yunqian and Gu Fengyu are sworn enemies.

Gu Fengyu is a notorious, smooth-talking, sycophantic official who curries favor on all sides, with the oily manner of a streetwise rogue. The upright officials across the court despise him.

Wen Yunqian, meanwhile, holds an honored and lofty position. A model gentleman, he stays out of factional struggles and has always looked down on those who grovel to the powerful and lack integrity.

The person he hates most in this life is Gu Fengyu.

But Gu Fengyu is dead.

For some reason, Wen Yunqian's heart aches.

Still... something about it feels wrong.

After spending years at court disguised as a man, Gu Fengyu dies in a hail of arrows during a palace coup while protecting the new emperor's ascension to the throne.

After the new emperor takes the throne, he announces to the world that Gu Fengyu was a woman and establishes a shrine to the loyal and righteous in her honor, celebrating her achievements.

The news sends shockwaves through the court.

The treacherous villain everyone once cursed has died and, overnight, become a loyal subject.

Meanwhile, in a residence in Jiangnan thousands of miles away, Gu Fengyu slowly unwraps the chest binding she's worn for more than a decade, crosses her legs, and leans back beneath the veranda.

Looking at the grand estate, she grins from ear to ear. After faking her death, her family's unjust case has been cleared, she's received an enormous reward, and she's gained a reputation that will last for the ages.

By any measure, this was worth it!

I'm coming for the carefree life of retirement!

The days are warm in Jiangnan, the breeze soft and the tea fragrant.

Gu Fengyu reclines on a couch, listening to music and enjoying her peaceful life.

Suddenly, the courtyard gate opens, and a familiar, aloof figure steps inside.

The moment Gu Fengyu recognizes him, she spits out her tea.

You've got to be kidding!

She faked her death and fled all the way to Jiangnan. How has her sworn enemy, Wen Yunqian, still managed to track her down?

Please note:

1. HE! HE! HE!

2. Both leads are each other's first and only partners.

3. It's a woman-in-men's-clothing trope, so please go easy on me.

Theme: Be self-reliant and never stop striving.