Becoming the Heartless Scholar
Author: Duan Yu
Blurb
A laid-back big shot top versus a worldly rich flower bottom
Liu Yingqu died and transmigrated into a novel, becoming a heartless scholar.
The heartless scholar came from the countryside and found a merchant son, Shen Qingwu, to be his husband. Because Shen Qingwu's family was wealthy, after Liu Yingqu became the second-ranked candidate in the imperial exam, he was sought after by the prime minister's household to marry their son. After killing his husband and marrying the prime minister's legitimate son, he rose to great prominence.
Later, he engaged in corruption, colluded with eunuchs, deceived the emperor, attacked and killed court officials, becoming the biggest cancer in the Great Zhao dynasty.
On the first day Liu Yingqu transmigrated, he wanted to live a lazy life, but his family couldn't even afford meals, and studying was terribly expensive.
Farming had no prospects, so he decided to live off others, at worst writing IOUs.
While Liu Yingqu was writing an IOU, a handsome young man kept staring at him.
After finishing, the man kindly called him "Liu Lang," a tone similar to "lover."
The pen in Liu Yingqu's hand stained the IOU black.
Had the original owner and that person already fallen for each other?
He began to feel scared because he wasn't very honest.
He felt that his days of wanting to be lazy probably wouldn't go smoothly.
Sure enough, later on, he couldn't escape the torment of endless exam questions wherever he went; he didn't want to study.
Shen Qingwu was handsome, came from a family with some property, and was pampered since childhood. He admired Liu Yingqu's knowledge and formed a good bond with him.
In Shen Qingwu's eyes, although Liu Yingqu was a poor scholar who failed the imperial exam three times and spent money recklessly, he was noble in character and kind to others.
Although some said he lacked knowledge and mingled with other young men, Shen Qingwu was somewhat convinced until he met Liu Yingqu, who came to write an IOU—something he had never done before!
Liu Yingqu's talent was widely known.
Liu Yingqu kept himself pure.
Liu Yingqu… was diligent (?), just occasionally a bit dishonest, always reluctant to study, but with him around, he had to pass the imperial exam.
He remembered his lover's dream was the imperial exam, and he would definitely help his lover achieve that dream! It would be even better if he could become the third-ranked candidate.
At the prime minister's residence, Shen Qingwu grabbed the prime minister's hand: "They say you will divorce me?"
Liu Yingqu: "I dare not… cough cough, where did this rumor come from? I love you so much, how could I divorce you? This is slander, pure slander."
In the original story, Liu Yingqu was the foil to the male lead. The male lead helped a wise ruler seize the throne, while Liu Yingqu was a villain before the fallen monarch. Liu Yingqu's husband Shen Qingwu was arrogant and domineering, while the male lead's widower was clever and capable.
Liu Yingqu was heartless and indifferent, while the male lead was loyal and righteous; Liu Yingqu failed the exam three times, while the male lead topped all three levels, completely overshadowing him.
Now Liu Yingqu has pushed the male lead aside and even become a great loyal minister!
Isn't that ridiculous!
Reading Guide
Tags: Parenthood, Transmigration, Imperial Exams, Court Politics
Keywords: Protagonists: Liu Yingqu, Shen Qingwu ┃ Supporting: Those at the morning court ┃ Others: "My Husband is a Playboy"
One-line summary: Laid-back big shot vs. worldly rich flower
Theme: Even in lowly positions, never forget the country's worries; even after matters settle, wait until the coffin is closed
