Transmigrated as a Cannon-Fodder Concubine's Son in an Imperial Exam Novel

Right after taking the gaokao, Lin Su transmigrated into a minor background character. The original owner was a wastrel from a marquis's household, a political fence-sitter who loved tripping up his friends. He indirectly caused the Lin family to be arrested and their home confiscated by the male lead. Imprisoned and tortured, he eventually died.

When Lin Su arrived, the original owner was five years old and had already made the whole family despise him. His mother was a concubine who had risen from being a maid. She was flamboyant and just as disliked. Now she was gravely ill, lying in bed and barely clinging to life...

Lin Su: If I want to change my fate, I have to start with my mother.

If she loves courting disaster, I'll get her to stop. How about becoming a laid-back concubine?

Concubine Yang loves fighting for power in the household? Let her handle it herself.

No money? I'll make a living growing medicinal herbs and become a herb-growing magnate.

Most importantly, there's the imperial exams.

Lin Su works hard and studies diligently, climbing all the way to the highest ranks of court.

A poor student? No such thing... I'm a study god.

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Lin Su has one person he absolutely has to beat in the exams. Only by beating him can he return to the real world. That person is the male lead, Xie Shijing.

The eldest legitimate grandson of the Duke's household, adored by everyone and born into wealth. His grandfather is a Grand Secretary, his grandmother is the legitimate daughter of the capital's leading jade merchant and a titled lady, his father is a first-rank general, his mother is a princess, and his uncle is a high official of the Court of Judicial Review... He's been diligent and ambitious since childhood, blessed with extraordinary talent, a genius among geniuses. He later reaches the highest rank and becomes the dynasty's foremost chief councilor.

Lin Su: "...I, I'll give it everything I've got."

Xie Shijing: Why does that Lin Su person always manage to get ahead of me?

When Xie Shijing comes in second, Lin Su comes in first.

When Xie Shijing is the deputy, Lin Su is in charge.

When Xie Shijing joins the old faction, Lin Su joins the new faction.

Xie Shijing: I'm resigning. I'm done. I'm going home to farm.

In Ming'an City, where every household is wealthy and everyone is caught up in the rat race, the already outstanding Lin Su pushes everyone to their limits.

Lin Su: Brother Xie, competing isn't the goal. It's a win-win. Let's build a prosperous dynasty together!

Notes:

1. Important, important: a woman transmigrates into a man's body. A woman transmigrates into a man's body. The male lead is adored by everyone.

2. No BL, but there will be a couple... A heartwarming story about two friends pushing each other to excel.

3. There'll be some business, farming, and household power struggles in the beginning, but not too much.

Theme: Leave the rat race behind and work together for a win-win.