To Be the Male Lead’s Deceased First Wife in a Historical Chinese Exam-focused Novel

Summary

Yan An transmigrates into a historical Chinese novel about the imperial examinations. However, she doesn’t become the heroine—she becomes the heroine’s ex-wife, who is fated to die early.

The original owner of the body was a xiucai (a low-level scholar). Just before their elders passed away, they borrowed money to help the original owner marry a wife. But the original owner looked down on this wife, finding her clumsy and unrefined, unworthy of a scholar. The original owner treated her coldly, ignoring her existence.

The original owner, however, was lazy and couldn’t handle even basic household tasks. The family depended entirely on the heroine, Wen Ying, who earned money by doing odd jobs for others—even the rice that the original owner ate was bought with Wen Ying’s earnings. Despite this, the original owner was conceited, thinking only of making a name for himself through the imperial examinations.

His efforts were in vain. After failing the exam, the original owner drank his sorrows away, accidentally fell into a pond, and drowned. The heroine, Wen Ying, then used the books the original owner left behind to teach herself. She rose through the ranks and became the first female zhuangyuan (top scholar) in Heyun County.

Yan An thinks to herself: What a great character, this “moocher” who makes it big. What a powerful heroine…

…

Looking at the empty house, the mounting debt, and two mouths to feed, Yan An clutches her chest in pain, unwilling to accept this terrible starting point.

Becoming a juren (a successful candidate at the provincial level of the imperial exams) would solve everything. But when Yan An opens the books and sees the content, she immediately closes them. With a sincere look, she hands the books to the heroine.

“You do it. As a dumb person, all I need to be is your support.”

“You focus on studying and taking the exams. I’ll be in charge of earning money and running the household!”

Wen Ying, who had never been treated kindly by the original owner, is stunned by her change.

…

Yan An knows that her new wife is a cunning person. In the novel, the original owner was a shackle holding the heroine back. It was only after she died and Wen Ying was free that the heroine’s career took off.

Yan An decides to do her best to improve their family situation, be a good person, and support Wen Ying’s studies. Then, at the right time, she plans to let her go and pursue her own path.

…

Yan An gives up on her scholarly pursuits and becomes a merchant, which is seen as a low-class, money-grubbing occupation by scholars. This becomes a significant stain on the new top scholar, Wen Ying. Yan An knows it’s time for them to part ways.

On the day they are to divorce, Yan An looks at the divorce papers on the table. Wen Ying, who is usually composed and calm, has a twisted expression in her eyes. She grabs Yan An’s arm and asks through gritted teeth, “Are you divorcing me because you can’t let go of that person? Do you want me to make way for her?”

Wen Ying tears off her mask of calmness, holding Yan An in a firm grip, revealing her true, possessive, and jealous nature.

“Yan An, I’m telling you, don’t ever think about it. The only one by your side can be me!”