Entering the Proper Path Through the Imperial Examinations

This story goes VIP on the 14th, starting with Chapter 26. If you've already read it, please don't buy it.

The Scholar's Wife Keeps the Household Running is now underway. Please add A Family of Three Talented Candidates to your reading list!

From last place in the county exam to top scorer in the palace exam, Jiang Lai becomes a role model to everyone, all because he once went astray.

The little hooligan has given up his bad ways and started studying?! The Jiang family courtyard is suddenly as crowded as a marketplace. The neighbors Jiang Lai used to torment come in groups to see if he's been possessed. Even the county magistrate's daughter joins in.

Jiang Lai holds a book in one hand and points to the sign by the gate. "Admission charged by the hour. One coin to take a look, ten coins for the time it takes to burn an incense stick!"

Onlookers of all kinds: Hah! A leopard can't change its spots...

Qi Moyu sees that Jiang Lai hasn't changed his old ways and sneers, "A petty man who loves money will take it by any means."

Jiang Lai glares. Young Master Qi immediately backs down. "Big Brother! I was wrong."

Later, Jiang Lai calls him "Brother Qi!" Qi Moyu is so moved he nearly cries.

Eventually, the two become close friends and travel together along the road to the imperial examinations...

This is a male-led story about the imperial examinations, focused on entering government through the exams. The romance comes later.

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A Family of Three Talented Candidates

Shen Moxuan transmigrates as the legitimate son of a fallen noble family. As soon as he opens his eyes, his father tells him, "Study, study! My son must study."

Forget studying, I was just born! Later, after hearing his father's endless chatter, he learns the truth: the Shen family's title is about to expire. Unless a scholar comes along to uphold the family name, they'll become commoners and have to return to the countryside to farm.

At his one-year birthday ceremony, he grabs a silver ingot. It hurts his teeth, so they take it away. He reaches for a sword. It's dangerous, so they move it out of reach. They force a copy of the Analects into his hands, and baby Shen Moxuan simply lies down and gives up.

His eldest half-brother, Shen Moyan, spends all day practicing with weapons and knows nothing about literature. His second brother, Shen Mowen, is determined to be a wastrel and ranks at the bottom of his academy. Little Xuan sighs, picks up a book, and decides to handle things himself.

Then he discovers that both his brothers have untapped potential. Shen Moxuan: Hmph, let's all work hard together!

His eldest brother wants to join the frontier army. Shen Moxuan: "No, you're going to take the military exam."

His second brother wants to live off everyone else. Shen Moxuan: "Not happening. You're going to take the civil service exam."

His brothers: "And what are you going to do?"

Shen Moxuan: "Supervise you."

Shen Moyan is a doting older brother, and Shen Mowen fears neither their father nor their eldest brother, but he is terrified of his little brother.

Years later, three outstanding talents emerge from the Shen family. The emperor personally bestows a plaque on them, and Father Shen walks around with a spring in his step.

Yang Yunshu: "I have a good eye, don't I? I picked you out early!"

Shen Moxuan replies fondly, "Yes, yes. You're even more impressive than the top scorer."

Theme: Studying can change your fate.