The Concubine-Born Son Who Strove for Nothing (Keju)

Through a sudden transmigration, Shen Jianglin became a minor concubine-born son in the household of the Marquis of Rong’an. Even if merely a concubine-born son, he was born into an illustrious, aristocratic family of officials. His father and the legal mother favored only his elder, legitimate brother, harboring few expectations for him. Naturally endowed with a relaxed, easygoing temperament, Shen Jianglin was more than happy to settle into an obscure corner and enjoy a carefree life. After all, for a concubine-born son, as long as he did not vie for power, remained unassuming, and never crossed his legitimate brother, he could live quite comfortably. Shen Jianglin—who already enjoyed tending flowers, raising plants, watching birds, and playing chess—felt he had truly unlocked the secret to life. That was, until he learned that the future sister-in-law betrothed to his elder legitimate brother, Shen Jiangyun, was named Zhao Anning. Shen Jianglin was left entirely disoriented in the wind. Wasn’t this a character from that novel his little cousin had pushed on him, Reborn: My Husband is the Zhuangyuan? Unfortunately, his elder brother was not the male lead, but the cannon fodder male supporting character. In his past life, he had married the female lead and mistreated her. After her rebirth, the female lead went on to marry the Zhuangyuan, became a Gaoming Lady, brought down her former husband’s household, and lived a triumphantly satisfying life. And the Shen family happened to be that very “former husband’s household”…. Shen Jianglin still recalled the description in the original novel: the Shen family collapsed overnight, the entire clan was exiled three thousand miles away, and Shen Jiangyun caught a fatal chill along the arduous journey into exile! As for Shen Jianglin himself—a mere background extra among cannon fodder—he didn’t even merit a mention by name. He had simply blended into the exiled Shen family convoy, his fate unknown, dead or alive. Rely on Shen Jiangyun, who was already fifteen yet still only a Tongsheng, to compete against the male lead, who had become a provincial Jieyuan at the very same age of fifteen? Shen Jianglin suddenly felt a headache coming on. Lying flat was no longer an option. Perhaps he should pick up his books again and sit for the examinations! The path of the Keju was long and arduous. To prevent the female lead from achieving her vengeance and sending him to the underworld, the first step was ensuring the male lead never became the Zhuangyuan again. Yet, if he merely did that, how could he successfully step back and return to his life of leisure once fame and success were achieved? Shen Jianglin cast an “affectionate” gaze upon the people around him— Mmh. A father who accomplished nothing, a mother who was all bark and no bite, an older brother who spent his days drinking and womanizing, along with the ragtag rabble of the younger generation of the Shen clan… Count them all up, every single one of them was going to pull themselves together! The members of the Shen family: Would you believe us if we said we were forced onto the pinnacle of life? ① No bashing of the original novel’s male and female leads. ② The male lead carries the whole team, dragging an entire extended clan along in a frantic sprint toward glory (a clan narrative, not just an individual journey). ③ The female lead is a native of the ancient era, betrothed to the male lead since childhood. Marriage first, love later. 1v1. ④ Daily life in an ancient noble household, with subtle ensemble cast elements. ⑤ Alternate history dynasty modeled after the Ming dynasty system; please do not scrutinize against historical fact. Note: Please read with reason. If you do not like it, simply click away. Plot discussions are welcome, but please refrain from personal attacks, and please do not imagine endings for the characters before actually reading the story. Thank you. Tags: Meteoric Rise, Transmigration, Feel-Good Read, Keju Imperial Examinations, Court Politics, Growth Protagonist: Shen Jianglin | Supporting Characters: Shen Jiangyun, Xie Jingshu, Concubine Xu, Madam Wei One-sentence summary: I guess I’ll be the Zhuangyuan instead! Theme: Taking up a mantle in times of crisis, forging ahead with unyielding resilience. — Description from novelcodex.orgFull novel: The Concubine-Born Son Who Strove for Nothing (Keju) — read the rest free on N​o⁠v​e⁠l​C⁠o​d⁠e​x⁠.​o⁠r​g⁠