A Woman Disguised as a Man Takes the Imperial Exam

Don’t think that just because this is an alternate ancient world without the poets and lyricists of the Tang and Song dynasties, you can copy a couple of Li Bai and Du Fu’s poems, steal the show at poetry gatherings, crush the other candidates in the imperial examinations, and become the top scholar.

Lu An listened carefully, nodded seriously, and asked earnestly:

“What if I can identify the tonal patterns, allusions, and rhymes in a poem, then compose one on the spot that meets the requirements of the given rhyme scheme?”

“What if, on top of that, I can debate the classics and write policy essays? What if I’ve studied Zhu Xi’s commentaries on the Analects, understand Cheng Yi’s interpretation of the Book of Changes, and remember Lu Jiuyuan, Chen Liang, Ye Shi, and Wang Shouren?”

“Oh, and if I answer the exam questions in the calligraphy of the Sage of Calligraphy, my handwriting should earn me a decent score, right?”

“And one more thing…”

Lu An smiled faintly.

“I’ve studied the essays of top scholars throughout history.”

As a Chinese Language and Literature major, she might not be able to handle other subjects, but when it came to literature, she had five thousand years of Chinese culture behind her.

*

The imperial examination of the first year of Chongxian would later be hailed as a clash of dragons and tigers, the likes of which came once in a millennium.

One runner-up became renowned as a master of poetry; another served as prime minister three times. Among the candidates who placed in the second tier, seven were posthumously granted the title of duke, nine rose to become prime minister, and eleven shaped the times and controlled the political arena. There was also a reformer, a founder of a new school of Confucian thought, a celebrated general who fought Japanese pirates, an imperial tutor of a generation, and a legendary traitor…

The person who outshone them all and claimed the title of top scholar, winning their wholehearted respect, was Lu An, hailed as “a pillar of literature” and “so brilliant that even Wenqu retreats,” and revered by the world as “Master Lu.”

With the line, “The interests of gentlemen and petty men differ; it all comes down to the distinction between public and private,” she reinterpreted “Li Ren” from the Analects, moving scholars across the land to tears. They declared that these were the true words of Confucius.

With “Rhapsody on the Epang Palace,” and the line, “Later generations mourned them without taking warning, only to make later generations mourn them in turn,” she admonished the emperor, who was trying to build a magnificent palace, so sharply that he flushed and covered his face as he left. The remonstrating officials at court rushed to pass the rhapsody around, and spent three lessons a day studying its biting critique.

She also presented a method for preventing and treating smallpox, along with countless policies that benefited the people. Commoners throughout the land built temples in her honor and lit longevity lamps, offering incense to her while she was still alive.

It all began when Lu An unexpectedly transmigrated into this alternate dynasty and discovered that her new self was being escorted into exile.

*

A story about a woman disguising herself as a man to take the imperial examinations and rising to the highest ranks of government.

Content warning: There will be scenes where the protagonist copies works from her past life.

Theme: Even when trapped in desperate circumstances, never give up hope. Study hard, and one day your future will shine brightly.