A Joyous Rise to Success

The provincial civil service exam results are out, and Song Huaisu didn't make it to the interview stage. Great, just great. To hell with being ranked fourth for one opening...

To hell with those harsh essay scores!

Song Huaisu was on the verge of tears. She silently asked the heavens why they were being so cruel. Perhaps they were sick of her complaining, because a bolt of thunder crashed down, and she inexplicably transmigrated...

Since she was here, what else could she do? Of course she'd disguise herself as a man and take the imperial examination. After all, the one thing she feared least was competition.

She was a master's graduate in ancient Chinese history, after all, and had made her way through fierce competition. She had read countless history books and Confucian classics, and knew a thing or two about the essays written by top scholars throughout the dynasties. Her advisor had even praised her as bright and offered to take her on as a doctoral student. She refused to believe she couldn't outcompete the people of the past.

*

On the day the results were posted, she passed the exam as she'd hoped, ranking among the top three.

She was only the second-place scholar, wedged between the top scholar and the third-place scholar and easily overlooked, but she was already more than satisfied.

Just then, the third-place scholar quietly came over, smiling. "A Su, you came in second. What kind of betrothal gifts will I need to marry you now?"

Song Huaisu smiled brightly, clenched her fist, and lightly punched him in the waist. "Pei Xingzhi, have you lost your mind? You actually want to marry me?"

Pei Xingzhi blinked innocently. "Am I not allowed to want that?"

"No."

Song Huaisu turned her head away. "Stop acting like a devastating beauty. I worked so hard to become the second-place scholar. Don't even think about competing with me for the position of chief minister!"

Blurb written on April 10, 2025

Reader's Notes:

1. Both leads have only been with each other. Happy ending.

2. The official system is modeled on the Northern Song reforms under Yuanfeng.

Theme: Study hard and keep improving every day