Dream of the Red Chamber: Young Marquis Shi

Shi Mian transmigrates as Shi Xiangyun’s cousin.

His scumbag father, Second Master Shi, had him, an illegitimate eldest son, before he married. Afraid the child would jeopardize his marriage prospects, he dumped him in a little courtyard to be raised by Old Madam Shi. Now ten years old, the boy still has no proper name and is bullied every day by wicked servants.

Shi Mian transmigrates into a book and saves himself by giving childlike advice to his soon-to-be-widowed aunt.

Why should she let her brother-in-law inherit the title left behind by her husband, the Marquis of Baoling?

She could adopt a well-behaved, considerate nephew as her heir. He could inherit the title and become a marquis, while she became the Dowager Lady. They’d have a loving mother-son relationship and enjoy long, happy lives.

The First Madam Shi suddenly saw the light and grabbed Shi Mian.

"Dear nephew, you’re the perfect choice to be my heir!"

Shi Mian escapes his cage and inherits the title, becoming a young marquis. He resolves to stay away from his scumbag father and from the troublemaking Jia, Wang, Xue, and Zhen families, and watch from the sidelines as they build their mansions, see them collapse, and watch their homes be confiscated. He’ll enjoy the show, keep out of the mess, and play no saint.

While the court is in turmoil, he lies low, then seizes an opportunity to earn military merit by saving the emperor. He is promoted to a higher noble rank and appointed Minister of War. His entire family moves into the newly renovated former Rongguo Mansion, now bestowed by imperial decree as the Duke of Yanguo’s residence.

He listens to music at Pear Fragrance Court,

Watches the snow in the Grand View Garden,

Discusses Zen at the Bamboo Monastery,

Wears the Soul-Calling Jade as a fan pendant, and has the once-aristocratic young masters lead his horse. On this vast, snow-white land, he stands like a pine enduring the cold, evergreen and unfading.

Theme: Win step by step, and grow toward the sun.