The Gu Family Daughter's Diary of Imperial Exams and Revenge

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What does it feel like when my husband's debts turn into twice as much wealth for me?

Zuo Yu raises her hand: I know this one!

Zuo Yu transmigrates into a strange world. She doesn't get a randomly assigned System, but she does get a treasure bowl that can't make money. Looking at the original owner's situation, with bare walls, deceased parents, and a host of relatives at the door demanding repayment, Zuo Yu wails: This start is way too hard!

Then she sees the orphaned mother and child next door, who are even poorer than she is, and the little boy, only seven, already showing the backbone of a grown man. Zuo Yu's heart softens: Fine, supporting one person is supporting one person, and two more won't make much difference. If I have something dry to eat, I won't let you drink gruel. Us poor folk should all band together and make a life together!

But who could have guessed that good deeds would be rewarded, and she'd actually pick up a real "treasure bowl"?

Ever since he was old enough to understand, Song Xiyuan knew his family was struggling. His father had abandoned the mother and son early on, taking his mother's dowry and running off with someone else. His mother was descended from a fallen clan, elegant and well-read, so trouble was always brewing at their doorstep.

As soon as he was old enough, he knew he had to shoulder the burden of the family. But his mother was often ill, and his uncles coveted the little courtyard they lived in. The frail young boy often worried in secret, wondering what the point of life was.

Then a bright, graceful girl climbed over his wall. "Hey, little fool, here's ten coins. Hurry and buy medicine for your mother!"

As he grew older, he heard the villagers gossiping: "That little girl from the Zuo family is such a miser, a stingy old soul reincarnated!"

Song Xiyuan blinked. Were they talking about the young lady next door, who spent all day leaning over the wall to toss him money, then cried, threw tantrums, and threatened to hang herself whenever he refused it?

Later, the young man placed first in the imperial examinations and rode through the streets in triumph. Amid all the glory, countless girls tossed their purses into his arms.

The top scholar was so frightened that he fell off his horse. "Don't get me in trouble! I have a shrew at home. Please let me live a couple more days!"

That night, outside Zuo Yu's window, the dignified young man pleaded softly: "Wife, don't be angry. I'm a male lion and you're a lioness. Aren't we a perfect match? If I don't get a reputation for being henpecked early on, how can I turn down all the gifts and favors from my superiors and colleagues?"

Zuo Yu snorted. "Everyone knows I'm a lioness, but nobody knows you're a male lion."

And so later generations of historians all recorded that Song Xiyuan, a three-dynasty veteran official who wielded great power and was famous through the ages, had one well-known quirk: he called himself a Suanni.

"The Suanni is like a leopard cat and eats tigers and leopards" is an ancient name for the lion.

Novel Blurb:

Gu Yutan transmigrates, going from an experienced teacher to a poor young girl. The System that comes with her gently reminds her: Congratulations, you've arrived in an era where women can take the imperial examinations too!

Gu Yutan: This is amazing! I'm going to take the exams!

System: But your family is poor. You don't have the money to study!

Gu Yutan: ...

System: Your father was a young prodigy who nearly passed all three levels of the examinations with top honors!

Gu Yutan: I'm so lucky? My father was incredible. Doesn't that mean I can lie flat? Wait, why "nearly"?

System: Because he died on the eve of the palace examination, and he's been dead for over ten years!

Gu Yutan: ... (Being a poor girl wasn't enough. Now I'm an orphan with a widowed mother too?)

System: Many benefactors will appear in your life!

Gu Yutan: Just say what you mean.

System: ...Some will give you a hand, while others will be waiting to push you into the abyss.

Gu Yutan: ...I think you need to run a self-check and fix a bug. Is that what "benefactor" means?

Later, Gu Yutan really does meet the first benefactor of her life: Xie Chongliang, who placed second in the imperial examinations.

When she takes the examinations, he devotes himself to tutoring her. When she encounters bandits, he risks his life to protect her. When she seeks revenge for her father's murder, he cheerfully passes her a knife.

As time goes by, Gu Yutan finds herself secretly conflicted: We both serve in the same court. Does that count as an office romance? Will the boss fire us?

The jade-faced Bodhisattva smiles, his eyes crinkling. "Why don't I resign, and you support me, wife?"

Former title: "Five Years of Exams, Three Years of Practice"

Premise: Men and women are equal.