The Imperial Exam, Then a Rebellion

Song Zhi transmigrated into the role of Song Ning, a cannon-fodder character in an imperial examination novel.

The Song family were wealthy merchants. Because they refused to pay off the male lead's father, an official, he schemed against them, leaving the family ruined.

By the time Song Zhi arrived, the Song family had lost everything, her elder brother had died in prison, and her parents were bedridden with illness.

She decisively traded her skirts and hairpins for men's clothes and entered an academy disguised as a boy.

In the original story, the male lead always got lucky and passed the exam in last place, earning his jinshi degree and becoming an official.

So she set herself a small goal: come first in the county exams and knock the male lead out of the running!

Years later, Song Zhi came first in all six examinations, rose steadily through the ranks, and became a close adviser to the emperor, unrivaled in prestige.

Meanwhile, the male lead, who had entered government service in the same year as her, was still struggling in a low-ranking seventh-grade post.

When her identity was exposed, the officials collectively submitted a memorial demanding Song Zhi's execution.

The emperor stripped her of office and sentenced her to be executed after the autumn harvest.

Faced with everyone's condemnation, Song Zhi chose to slay the dragon.

"If this emperor won't let me serve as an official, I'll get a new emperor."

*

A new emperor ascended the throne and the dynasty changed, but few people ever saw the sovereign's face.

Learning that Song Zhi had repeatedly entered the palace and was likely a trusted confidante of the new emperor, the male lead and his father came to her home with lavish gifts, hoping to avoid being punished.

The male lead's father knelt at Song Zhi's feet, admitted his wrongdoing from years ago, and wept bitterly, every word brimming with remorse.

The male lead denounced his own father, repeatedly slapped him, and begged her to grant him an official post.

Song Zhi was deeply moved and decided to give them a surprise.

The next day, the father and son knelt at the execution ground in prison garb and cangues.

Song Zhi sat high on the platform, resplendent in her dragon robes.

The young empress lazily raised her eyes and smiled. "I'm here to send you both on your way."

The father and son: ?!

★2025.03.28★

Theme: Adversity creates strength