I Quit This Official Post

Song Zhaoqing passed the imperial examinations in the twenty-eighth year of the Taihe era. From an official in the Censorate to Grand Secretary, she did a few things right:

1. Work hard, and slack off diligently.

2. Never interfere in what wasn’t her responsibility, but do her very best when it was.

3. Always keep track of how many days were left until retirement.

Entering officialdom disguised as a man was not Song Zhaoqing’s intention. After the age of ten, she was simply pushed along through life without realizing it.

After her mother died of illness, she and her father depended on each other.

When her father suddenly died, she became an orphan with neither father nor mother. She thought her life would have no more twists and turns.

Unexpectedly, someone suddenly told her, “Your grandfather is the Minister of Rites.”

From then on, Song Zhaoqing spent her days studying in the morning, studying at noon, and studying at night.

She was always extremely cautious and never opened her heart to anyone, because she had to keep her biggest secret hidden.

Until that person appeared

To Song Zhaoqing, Zeng Qingya was her teacher, her friend, her political rival, and someone much like herself.

They were both pushed forward by the political tide, trapped in a mire and unable to save themselves, yet foolishly hoping to save the world.

When she was still an obscure figure, Zeng Qingya promoted Song Zhaoqing and taught her the ways of officialdom.

As fellow officials at court, Song Zhaoqing asked him countless times:

“Your way or mine, whose way is truly right?”

In autumn, before Zeng Qingya was executed, he asked to see Song Zhaoqing one last time.

He said to her:

“Zhaozhao, you won this game.”

“But I didn’t lose, either.”

1. Happy ending.

2. The female protagonist disguises herself as a man and is very good at keeping her secret. She won’t give herself away at the drop of a hat.

3. Some settings are inspired by the Ming dynasty, but the world is otherwise fictional, so please don’t scrutinize the historical details.

4. The female protagonist isn’t a genius, but a clever person who works very hard.

Coming soon in the author’s collection: Becoming the Secretary to a Convenient County Magistrate

[Quirky, emotionally detached real young wife * scheming, resourceful fake son]

[Both the male and female leads have their own career arcs]

For five taels of silver, Lang Ruo became the new young wife of an old county magistrate, brought in to bring him good luck.

She served him tea and water every day and helped him wash and dress.

Two months later, the old magistrate died, just as she had hoped.

At the funeral, Lang Ruo realized for the first time that the Wu family had so many people.

This old Wu’s son was incredibly handsome, and didn’t look at all like his father.

“Young Madam, by my father’s dying wish, I’ve come to take you to the capital.”

Only then did Lang Ruo learn that Magistrate Wu had a son who had passed the imperial examinations.

But wait, hadn’t they agreed that she’d be free to leave once Magistrate Wu died? What was this supposed to mean?

Where was his own mother?

Lang Ruo refused. She packed her things in the middle of the night and secretly ran away.

Her bundle was stolen, and she had no travel permit. To survive, Lang Ruo had no choice but to work as an undocumented person.

Thanks to her quick wits, she managed to get herself a government job as a laborer at the county yamen.

She ate the government’s food and used the government’s things every day. Life was simply wonderful.

Until one day, the new county magistrate arrived to take office.

Lang Ruo stood in the crowd to welcome him from afar, then froze at the sight of his face

Isn’t that one of my bargain-bin sons?

This is bad. I have to run, fast.

“I’m short a personal attendant. You’ll do.”

Magistrate Wu pointed at her, and Lang Ruo could no longer escape.

Theme: To serve the world.