Who Are You Calling a Feudal Patriarch? (Transmigrate)

[Updates will be regular from now on. Check out the author’s profile; almost all the stories there are complete.] ＊ Yan Chi was an orphan who grew up in a welfare home. He devoted himself to his studies and worked hard, finally passing the civil service exam. Everyone who met him praised him as courteous, polite, and self-reliant. Later, Yan Chi drowned while saving someone and transmigrated into the body of a poor farmer’s son in ancient times. Three generations lived under one roof, with more than a dozen people in the family. His grandfather played favorites, his own father was still childish and unreliable, and Yan Chi also had to look after his younger brother and sister. Yet he never complained. The family was too poor to afford his schooling, so he made his own way. He worked at a teahouse and served as a rich man’s son’s study companion, seizing every opportunity that came his way. Yan Chi had no one to help him. All he had was an adult’s mindset and perspective. Still, he managed to stand out, passing the entry-level imperial exam at twelve while juggling his studies and all the chores of daily life. After that, he passed the autumn provincial exam, traveled to the capital to take the imperial examinations, and entered the imperial court. No matter how tough each hurdle was, he made it through. Yan Chi was gentle and steadfast. He married a spoiled, headstrong young lady, and even when they quarreled, he appealed to her feelings and reasoned with her. They were a loving, harmonious couple. When a friend lost his way and went astray, Yan Chi visited him three times, patiently persuading him and bringing him back to the right path. Later, when the young emperor ascended the throne, Yan Chi remained scrupulous and humble, always observing the duties of a minister. Every court official admired him, and he became part of a celebrated story of a ruler and his loyal subject. After achieving fame and success, Yan Chi remarked with feeling, “I really am an inspiring little white flower.” His spoiled young wife flushed with anger. “Liar! You big liar. I married you because you seemed so easygoing! Who knew you were a control freak?” The Yan family tried to soothe her. “Oh dear, it’s a misunderstanding. How could he be a control freak? He just keeps everything perfectly organized. He’s doing it for your own good.” His friend wore a numb expression. “That’s right, for my own good. When he found out I’d gone astray, he gave me three huge slaps. If I wouldn’t turn back, he’d beat me to death.” The young emperor wiped his little tears. “Stop talking. Teacher will be unhappy if he hears you, and then he’ll make me memorize another essay.” ＊ Thousands of years later, historians studying Yan Chi’s life couldn’t help but marvel: What a textbook feudal patriarch. Fortunately, Yan Chi had long since turned to dust by then. Otherwise, he would surely have shouted, “Who are you calling a feudal patriarch? I’m obviously a virtuous young man who embodies the five Confucian virtues!” A gentle, scholarly man on the outside, a feudal patriarch on the inside X a spoiled, innocent, extremely easy-to-placate young lady Reading guide and warnings: A feudal patriarch is a term that’s neutral to somewhat derogatory in general, but has a neutral-to-positive sense in this story. It refers to someone who is stern and unyielding to outsiders but takes charge of everything for his family. With that in mind, the male lead will handle all kinds of matters. He takes responsibility for everything, which is why he has the authority to make decisions and the credibility to command respect. Also, the male lead starts from nothing and steadily rises through the ranks. Readers who want a male lead who’s domineering and impressive from the very first chapter should read with caution. Here are some of the author’s completed novels with male leads: “The Road to the Imperial Examinations in Ancient Times”: a gentle, refined male lead “Taking the Imperial Examinations After Traveling to Ancient Times”: a calm, composed male lead “Raising Kids While Preparing for the Imperial Examinations”: a male lead who seems unreliable but is actually incredibly dependable “I’m a Good Person (Quick Transmigration)”: check the blurb; the male lead is hard to describe “An Expert at Max Level Raises Kids (Quick Transmigration)”: the male lead is always putting on a show and never breaks character Theme: Be flexible on the outside and principled within.