Pei Bingzhi transmigrates into the body of a spoiled, good-for-nothing heir in a wealthy merchant family. His father is so furious that he kicks him out to a run-down country estate, where he leaves him to fend for himself.
The original owner still refuses to mend his ways and becomes a notorious village hooligan.
Pei Bingzhi, a top student from a province known for its grueling college entrance exams: Am I supposed to put up with this?
The good news: After studying day and night, he makes rapid progress, and everyone says the village hooligan has turned over a new leaf!
The bad news: Without his father's support, his family really is on the verge of going hungry. Every day, it's either watery porridge or steamed buns.
Who would have thought that a pretty young man from a neighboring village would secretly bring him food, along with a few reference books?
The young man's face is cold, but the hand passing over the food is warm. "The village teacher recommended these books. I don't know much about them, so you can have them."
Then he turns his face away and gives a light cough. "I'm not giving you these things for free. If you pass the county-level imperial exam and become a licentiate someday, you have to marry me."
Pei Bingzhi: There's a deal like that?
*
Wen Lianxi is a famously fiery-tempered young man in the village. Eight feet tall, he is criticized for not acting like a proper young man, and no one has married him even though he's past eighteen.
His family accepts a bride price of one cow and promises him to an old student who is nearly twenty years older than he is and still taking the licentiate exams.
Wen Lianxi immediately goes to a private school in town and secretly peeks at the students through a window.
He'll choose for himself. If he's going to marry, he wants the best!
Just then, the teacher calls on Pei Bingzhi to answer a question. The young man stands tall and graceful, answering fluently. Wen Lianxi is captivated.
He asks around and the scene described above follows.
Everyone says that with Wen Lianxi's temper, Pei Bingzhi will be terribly unlucky to marry him!
Only Pei Bingzhi knows that his husband is sharp-tongued but soft-hearted, and a good person through and through. Without his generous help back then, Pei Bingzhi would never have made it this far.
Pei Bingzhi rises smoothly through the imperial examination system. Even after placing first in the palace exam and bringing honor to his family, he marries no one but Wen Lianxi for the rest of his life, making theirs a celebrated love story.
Theme: For love and peace
