The Powerful Minister Is Sick

Xu Huai was gifted and intelligent. He passed the prefectural examination at fourteen, but fate had other plans. A terrible fire left his left leg disabled and cut short his path to success.

Two years later, Xu Huai married Zhang Sanniang, the daughter of a butcher, at his mother's arrangement. The following year, they had a son named Jin, with the childhood name Ping'an.

Xu Ping'an was born with an air of wealth and good fortune. He was as delicate as a doll, fair-skinned and adorable. By the age of three, he was clever, lively, and exceptionally bright. His entire family cherished him.

But as the New Year approached, Zhang Sanniang was busy working at the butcher shop while Xu Huai stayed home to care for their child. The boy came down with a high fever that lasted seven days. He was lucky to survive, but at such a young age, he was left with a limp. From then on...

Xu Huai's daily routine:

Ping'an, the ground is cold. Don't go barefoot.

Ping'an, don't run. You'll get all sweaty and catch a chill.

Ping'an, don't stand around for too long.

Ping'an, don't...

Zhang Sanniang's daily routine:

Xu Ping'an, is your butt itching again?!

Xu Ping'an, stop right there! Don't you dare come back if you run off!

Xu Ping'an, I've been too nice to you, haven't I?

Xu Ping'an's daily routine:

Another day of Dad keeping me in line.

Another day of Mom yelling at me.

I sneaked out to catch loaches in the river today. That was so much fun.

I tore a huge hole in the new clothes Mom made me. I'd better get Dad to sew it up before she finds out and yells at me.

I pooped in Granny Wang's vegetable patch today. She calls Mom a tigress behind her back. But Grandma says poop is fertilizer, and it's wasteful not to use it. I'll have to figure out how to get her Tiedan to step in it.

The village head's son is getting married tomorrow. Remember to go to the banquet. The food there is good.

Xu Ping'an has known since childhood that he is different from everyone else. He's better-looking, smarter, and more loved than the others. He just walks a tiny bit slower.

Hmph! The ones who fall are the ones who run fast.

Xu Ping'an becomes a xiucai at twelve and the top imperial graduate at eighteen. A prodigy who makes his name at a young age, he moves too fast and gets caught up in a factional struggle. His official career is ruined, and he narrowly escapes death...

Years later, Xu Jin, a celebrated statesman, becomes a legendary figure often discussed in the history books. Tales about him, both historical and fanciful, appear one after another, especially the stories about how he loved to cry.

Xu Jin's descendant: My charming great-great-great...grandfather was the family's darling. No wonder he loved to cry. Crying really does work!

Reader information:

1. The childhood arc won't be short.

2. The male lead is born into this world from the womb and only awakens his modern memories when he reaches adulthood.

3. Ensemble cast, plot-focused.

4. The characters are idealized, but their human nature is realistic. This isn't a story about flawless paragons, so please don't read if that's not your thing.

Theme: There is always something beautiful in life.