Transmigrated as the Male Lead's Original Wife in an Imperial Exam Novel

Jiang Wanyun transmigrates into a civil-service-exam novel as the male lead's original wife.

According to the original plot, the male lead comes from a poor family and is hailed as a reincarnation of the Star of Literature. Just as everyone expects him to pass all six imperial exams with top honors, he falls gravely ill and is close to death.

His new wife, full of resentment and grievance, steals the money he needs to save his life and runs off with her lover, leaving him to eke out an existence amid poverty and illness.

But only Jiang Wanyun knows that the male lead will soon meet the kind-hearted heroine and gradually pull himself together. Once he recovers, he will place first in the highest imperial exam and eventually rise to the highest official rank.

Her role is to make way for the heroine.

Jiang Wanyun: ...

She wants to make way as soon as possible too, but the male lead looks so pitiful and even calls her his wife.

Besides, even if she leaves, she'll do it openly and honorably, taking a fortune with her. Is there anything more important in this world than making money?

Everyone praises Jiang Wanyun as the perfect wife who brings good fortune. After marrying her, her husband's illness clears up, the family becomes wealthy, and his career in the imperial exams takes off.

People also praise Lu Yufeng for being devoted. Even after becoming a powerful official, he never abandons his wife from humble beginnings.

But only Lu Yufeng knows that without Jiang Wanyun lighting a beacon in the darkest days of his life, he would never have made it this far. Jiang Wanyun is the only warmth he has ever known.

Even though he's composed and restrained outside the home, keeping everyone at arm's length, once he gets home he still has to obediently sample all sorts of strange dishes his wife makes.

Lu Yufeng, his eyes red from the spice: Wife, this fermented tofu really won't make me sick, will it?

Advance Preview: The Bandit Stronghold's Little Chef. Please add it to your collection!

Blurb:

Jiang Dongxue transmigrates into a book,

becoming the male lead Lu Xiao's ill-fated bandit wife, who dies young.

Looking at the rough, unkempt bandit in front of her, she can't accept this. Besides, as a disposable character, surely she doesn't have to follow the plot?

Having noticed Jiang Dongxue's disdain for him, Lu Xiao says, "I'm a man who respects women, but look at how delicate and weak you are. If you don't become the bandit chief's wife, what else can you do?"

Jiang Dongxue picks up a spatula. "I can cook."

*

The bandits drink heartily and eat their fill, but the stronghold's cook is so bad that the food is too salty, bland, bitter, tough, undercooked, and sometimes even poisoned...

But lately, a young and beautiful cook has joined the stronghold.

She makes Dongpo pork so delicious it makes your mouth water, along with braised pork knuckles, red-braised pork, lion's head meatballs, and pork belly with preserved vegetables. The aroma can knock out half the mountain, and the bandits are practically drooling.

Lu Xiao says sternly, "All you do all day is eat, is that it? ... Move aside, give me a bowl first."

The bandits: "..."

*

As a bandit chief, Lu Xiao has principles.

He's chivalrous and generous, robbing the rich to help the poor. He only targets wealthy men and corrupt officials who bully the weak and prey on the people.

At first, he looks down on Jiang Dongxue.

She's a delicate young woman from a wealthy family, aloof and seemingly useless at everything. Her father is a crooked businessman, too.

He'd marry a sow before he'd marry her.

But later, the entire bandit stronghold is left speechless.

Their chief, who picks fights with anyone who dares defy him and never cares about his appearance, has actually started grooming himself and looking respectable.

"Dongxue, I shaved and took a bath. Feel me, smell me, if you don't believe me. Don't ignore me, waah..."

*

[Extra Scene]

Lu Xiao joins the army, and Jiang Dongxue unwillingly follows him to the border, where she has to put up with all the sand. She opens a restaurant in a small town outside the military camp.

The other soldiers' wives like bragging that their husbands are strong, skilled, favored by their commanders, and have bright futures.

"Dongxue, what special talent does your man have?"

Jiang Dongxue's mouth twitches. "He... can eat a lot."

That night, Lu Xiao sits in a huff and refuses to eat.

Jiang Dongxue is baffled. "What's wrong with you?"

Lu Xiao: "You ruined my image! Now they all laugh at me and call me a glutton. How am I supposed to lead my men? I'll starve myself to death and make you feel bad!"

Jiang Dongxue: "Oh... So you're not eating the roast lamb chops tonight?"

Lu Xiao: "...I'll eat."

Reading Guide:

In the original story, the male lead did not force the original girl to become the bandit chief's wife. She chose to do so willingly.

Theme: Strive to improve yourself in the face of adversity