A Hidden Heir's Road to the Imperial Exams

One day, he transmigrates into an examination-era novel and finds himself in a secluded clan full of siblings and cousins. His elder cousin, a future great scholar, could write poems at the age of three, while a younger clansman is making a name for himself at court. The clan is on the verge of rising to prominence, but as an invisible member of the family, even getting enough to eat and warm clothes is a struggle. If he wants to change his fate and make something of himself, Fan Yu can only set his sights on the imperial examinations too. With the same tenacity he had when preparing for civil service exams in his previous life, he refuses to believe he can't carve out a future for himself. Reading Guide: 1. Told from the male lead's perspective, focused on court intrigue and the imperial examinations. The male lead has every skill maxed out and is a calculating, strategic man. My favorite kind. 2. There is a female lead, but she appears rarely and enters the story later. 1v1. 3. The examination system is based on the Ming dynasty; everything else is fictional. Historical accuracy enthusiasts, beware. 4. This story is a little different from other examination-era novels, so it may not suit your tastes. It's very niche, extremely niche. Feel free to stay or go. Reading should be fun, and if it's not for you, there's no need to tell me. Theme: Keep improving yourself and become someone useful to your country.