Reborn as the Legitimate Eldest Grandson in an Imperial Exam Novel

Li Nian unexpectedly transmigrates into an imperial-examination novel called The Charming Son of a Concubine, becoming Pei Shaohuai, the legitimate eldest grandson of the Earl of Jingchuan. In the original story: The male lead, Pei Shaojin, is born to a concubine, but he is brilliant and diligent. He rises steadily through the imperial examinations and places first in the palace examination, winning unmatched glory. By contrast, the legitimate eldest grandson, Pei Shaohuai, is a playboy who squanders his wealth and, out of jealousy for his half-brother’s talent, does one ridiculous thing after another, becoming a wastrel who spends every day drinking himself into a stupor. Faced with this baffling plot, Pei Shaohuai is left speechless: ??? His younger brother is kind, learned, lucky, and upright. Why would I be jealous of him? Pei Shaohuai decides to live an honest, steady life, study hard like his brother, take the imperial examinations, and restore the family’s former glory together. Later, during the imperial examinations: Everyone: The two Pei brothers are on a rampage, topping the lists every time! At court, the brothers support each other and repeatedly distinguish themselves. The ministers: We’re so envious of Earl Jingchuan. He’s got two wonderful grandsons at once! The emperor: Two shining stars in one family. Reward them. [Things to know before adding this to your favorites]: 1. The original male and female leads will not be put through angst. The concubine-born son remains outstanding. 2. A slow burn, with some business and farming. 3. This is a male-oriented novel about the imperial examinations and court politics (!!!). There is a female lead, a romance, and married life, but they are not the focus. The story centers on the examinations and official career. 4. The text includes some interchangeable characters and expressions, such as using “play” where “stubborn” is intended, and “what” in an older form. These are habits of the author’s input method. [End of this blurb. The following is a forthcoming novel] Nephew, Why Don’t You Take the Throne? Yuwen Feng transmigrates to another world and becomes a farm boy, living with his widowed mother in a few thatched huts. He thinks his story will go like this: make money, study, take the imperial examinations, and enter government service. Just as life finally starts getting better, an old emperor appears out of nowhere and cries, “My eldest grandson, you’ve suffered out here among the people!” It turns out he is the long-lost eldest grandson of the Liang royal family. While neighboring countries fight tooth and nail over their thrones, the palace of Liang is a picture of “harmony.” His second uncle practices Daoism: “I cast a divination myself. I’m fated to be a ruler who loses his kingdom, so I can’t take the throne.” His third uncle loves raising animals: “I can barely look after all the cats and dogs in the palace. What makes me worthy of caring for the people of Liang? No, no.” His fourth uncle loves poetry and music: “Fame and fortune are but clouds to me. Clouds carry me to the heavens.” His fifth uncle simply lies down and lazily says, “Second Brother also cast a divination for me…” Yuwen Feng is brought into the palace, and his four uncles sing and dance: At last, someone’s sitting on this scorching-hot dragon throne! [End of the forthcoming novel blurb] Theme: Working together, two shining stars in one family