A Woman Disguised as a Man Takes the Imperial Exams and Looks Just Like the Emperor!

Shen Nanjue died unexpectedly and was reborn in the womb as the daughter of a modest family in Jiangnan. Though she has to disguise herself as a boy, she is very happy with her life. Her mother dotes on her, her older sister is gentle, she has plenty to eat and drink, and life is leisurely. She gave the imperial examinations a try and even became the top candidate in her prefecture. Across the land, worthy and talented people abound. On the eve of her departure for the capital, her mother advised her, “My child, you’re already so capable. Don’t work too hard. If you fail the exams, just come home and inherit the family business.” Others also gave her heartfelt advice: “Eat and drink well. The metropolitan exam isn’t important. Don’t come back having starved yourself thin.” Shen Nanjue obediently agreed. And yet. There were plenty of strange incidents along the way. When she arrived in the capital, the guards at the gate inexplicably fell to their knees before her. When she entered the examination hall, the officials looked at her with undisguised astonishment. Shen Nanjue was baffled. Fortunately, the metropolitan examination went smoothly. It was only when she stood in the Golden Hall and saw the emperor’s face, identical to her own, that Shen Nanjue went, “!!!” Wait? Wasn’t her father supposed to have died long ago?! - Reader’s Guide: 1. Everyday life during the imperial exams; slow burn. Not a strong female lead story, nor a story centered on a great heroine. 2. An entirely fictional setting. The examination system and other institutions blend elements from the Song and Ming dynasties. Please don’t nitpick the historical details. - 【Pre-release: “Things Have Come to This, I Can Only Become a Treacherous Minister!” Please add it to your collection~】 Song Huaizhu transmigrated to ancient times and became an Imperial Recorder. Not only is she disguised as a man, she is also deceiving those above and below her, secretly passing information to Prince Yu and helping him seize the throne. More importantly, Prince Yu’s coup failed! The clash of swords and blades during the palace coup came to an end. The new emperor, Prince Jing, entered the hall, his body still spattered with bright red blood, and met her eyes. In the book, he is a moody, brutal, murderous tyrant and villain. And now, the tyrant who murdered his father and imprisoned his brother tossed his sword in front of her. “Imperial Recorder, how do you think today’s events should be written?” Song Huaizhu swallowed. She quietly pulled out her little notebook. “The late emperor was slain, the crown prince imprisoned, and the two turned against each other. Their other brothers were useless, leaving Prince Jing alone to shoulder the burden of his lonely, broken family.” Prince Jing: “...Heh.” - She managed to save her life. But working beside a tyrant was truly enough to give anyone a headache. Whenever he was displeased, he ordered an old duke buried alive. Song Huaizhu wrote: “The emperor values agriculture and enjoys growing ginseng in the fields.” Censors risked their lives to remonstrate, but the tyrant turned a deaf ear. Song Huaizhu wrote: “Great Zhou is brimming with martial virtue. At the morning court, officials attempted to pit their heads against the pillars of the Golden Hall.” The day after forming an alliance with the Khitans, the tyrant sent troops to the border. Song Huaizhu wrote: “The Khitans have placed their border inside Great Zhou’s territory. This is improper; let us engage in friendly discussion.” Until someone abducted her and brought her to the emperor’s bed. Wait! When did my identity get exposed? And don’t you dare write nonsense in the imperial records! - “The emperor and his minister, as inseparable as a low hill and foul waters, found kindred spirits in each other and talked late into the night.” Yue Shen considered it for a moment, then crossed out the line. He wrote: “The tyrant and the treacherous minister were made for each other.” Theme: Keep growing through hard work!