My Little Substitute Husband

After her family dies and their property is seized, Ran Yutong is forced to take her cousin's place as a bride, marrying her cousin's gravely ill fiancé to bring him good fortune.

Unexpectedly, on the wedding day, the dying scholar wakes up.

Not only does he not send Yutong away, he supports Yutong's love of carpentry and teaches him how to draw designs.

From the first shop to the second, and then to many more.

From the village to the county, and then to the imperial capital.

From scholar to provincial graduate to presented scholar.

From commoner to government official, he never strays from his original aspirations.

But, well...

"Huh? What? You're going out again? How long has it been since we last saw each other? Do you even care about me?"

"It's business, business, all you ever think about is business. Why don't you look at me for once?"

Ran Yutong: My husband is wonderful in every way. He just cares too much about everyone else.

Fang Xiaodong transmigrates into the body of an ancient scholar who fell into the water and died of illness. The original owner's fiancée refuses to marry him to bring him good fortune, and forces her male cousin to take her place as the bride.

When Fang Xiaodong opens his eyes, he finds himself with a husband given to him for the wedding, only that husband is a man, a ge'er?

Fang Xiaodong blushes. Maybe that's not so bad after all.

Reading notes:

The seme is a lovesick romantic; the uke is career-minded.

The story later features the imperial examinations and court politics.

But the seme won't become a powerful minister, just an ordinary ancient civil servant.

This is really just a sweet slice-of-life story.

Theme: Build a family and a career, and love life.