The Troublesome Imperial Exam Journey of a Concubine's Son

This novel will be available as a paid read this Friday.

As a concubine-born son, Ye Jujing had always been suppressed by his father and his legal mother. They feared that he would outshine his eldest legitimate brother and take resources away from him. He had diligently studied for half his life before finally escaping the suffocating Marquis's residence.

After transmigrating, Ye Jujing became a concubine-born son in a Duke's household. He had a legal mother from an aristocratic family, as well as two legitimate elder brothers. Ye Jujing assumed his future would be just like in his previous life: he would either be suppressed or made into a stepping stone for his brothers.

But gradually, Ye Jujing realized that things were quite different from what he had imagined.

His path through the imperial examinations really was incredibly difficult.

After all, his father and his two brothers were simply too good at offending people.

"Third Young Master, something terrible has happened! The Duke got into a fight with Grand Tutor Zhang at court!"

Grand Tutor Zhang was a literary giant with students all across the land.

"Third Young Master, something terrible has happened! Eldest Young Master cursed the Minister of Revenue until he coughed up blood!"

The Minister of Revenue was the chief examiner for this year's metropolitan examination.

"Third Young Master, something terrible has happened! Second Young Master took Hanlin Scholar Wu's only son to the military camp for training. They say Young Master Wu is now half-dead!"

Hanlin Scholar Wu was Ye Jujing's immediate superior.

Ye Jujing: Forget it. Let it all burn.

Later, after constantly cleaning up after his father and elder brothers, Ye Jujing decided he would have been better off being suppressed by them and serving as their stepping stone.

Bonus scene:

Eldest Brother: Little brother, I got into trouble again. Come bail me out.

Ye Jujing: I'm not your father. Go find him.

Eldest Brother: Well, that's the thing. Dad got into trouble two days before I did. Little brother, after you bail me out, could you bail Dad out too?

Theme: Family bonds are indispensable.