The Fake Young Master Is Taking the Imperial Exams Too

Ying Xiangyi transmigrated into the legitimate second son of a prefect in some southwestern province. He lived in luxury and spent several years as a respectable layabout.

That was, until the real young master showed up.

He rubbed his nose, thinking, “I took his place, so I should have some backbone.” He mustered his courage and volunteered to return to the village with his birth parents to work the fields.

He thought country life would be like “Picking chrysanthemums beneath the eastern fence, gazing at the southern mountain in leisure.”

Instead, it was “Facing the dirt with your back to the sky, while leeches crawl between your legs.”

In half a month, Ying Xiangyi lost eight pounds, was sunburned black, and his hands were covered in calluses.

He squatted on the field ridge, once again doubting his decision.

“How did I not make myself a little more spineless back then? A little thicker-skinned? Why didn’t I cling on and refuse to leave?!”

Then a carriage appeared at the village entrance.

The real young master, Ying Xishan, found him and immediately said, “Brother, please come back and study.”

“Father says if I can’t memorize my books this time, he’ll break my legs.”

“Brother, I think farm work is pretty fun. How about we switch?”

Ying Xiangyi looked at him, then glanced back at the leeches, water snakes, and endlessly growing weeds waiting for him in the rice paddy. He bolted for the carriage.

“Let’s go!”

Over the next ten years, Ying Xiangyi overcame one hurdle after another, passing the county, provincial, and palace examinations, eventually writing a masterpiece that would be remembered for generations.

He became the top scholar, rose rapidly through the ranks, and earned the emperor’s attention.

Those who had once accused him of taking the real young master’s place now all gave him a thumbs-up. “Lord Ying really is a son of the Ying family!”

Ying Xiangyi: “...”

Fine. Call it whatever you like.

And Ying Xishan?

He really wasn’t any good at writing, but he was a brilliant martial artist.

At seventeen, he joined the army and took an enemy general’s head a thousand miles away. He rose through the ranks and was eventually made a marquis.

The civil and military officials at court were all afraid of the two Lords Ying joining forces. Would this realm belong to the He family or the Ying family?

Theme: Don’t let your identity hold you back. Look beyond appearances to see the truth