A Complete Explanation of the Negative Examples in Imperial Examinations

Your father joined the army and became a marquis, but the hostess wasn’t your mother. What to do? Your stepmother seemed to be a transmigrator, gentle and virtuous but actually wanted to spoil you rotten. What to do? Your grandmother was biased and opportunistic, wanting you to give up your position as the eldest legitimate son. What to do? While preparing for the imperial exams, relatives caused all sorts of trouble, hoping you would fail. What to do? — All these answers could be found in “A Complete Explanation of the Negative Textbooks for the Imperial Examinations.” This book covered modules on family disputes, imperial exam difficulties, official career troubles, and rules for powerful officials. It was suitable for exam candidates aspiring to become villainous high-ranking officials. With this book in hand, you would conquer the exams. If it didn’t teach you, we offered a full refund! Later, when noble families educated their children, they always used Xiao Jingduo as an example: “Study hard and don’t go astray. Don’t be like him; don’t disgrace the words of the sages.” People’s opinions of Xiao Jingduo were mixed. His most criticized trait was his apparent lack of scholarly integrity, willingly serving as the Regent Princess’s blade and dedicating his life to her. Later, Xiao Jingduo married the Regent Princess. Court officials: “… no wonder!”

Original Publisher

jjwxc

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on A Complete Explanation of the Negative Examples in Imperial Examinations This novel, "A Complete Explanation of the Negative Examples in Imperial Examinations," certainly took me on a journey! It's a blend of historical drama, fantasy, romance, and slice-of-life, set in ancient China. While I found some aspects incredibly engaging, others left me a bit wanting. ### First Impressions Initially, I was drawn in by the premise: a gender-flipped historical romance where the male lead is the underdog and the female lead is the powerful one. This twist on the usual dynamic was refreshing. I also appreciated that the story follows the ML from childhood to his eventual rise as a prime minister, offering a sweeping view of his life and career. ### What Works Well The dynamic between the male and female leads is a definite highlight. I loved how they supported each other, each strong in their own right and willing to be the other's strength when needed. The female lead, in particular, is a standout character – cool, competent, and consistent throughout the story. The later half of the book, focusing on kingdom building and political intrigue, really grabbed my attention. The author does a solid job of crafting a world with complex relationships and power struggles. The author's portrayal of the struggles of women was also sympathetic and even-handed. It's a refreshing read from the male lead's perspective. ### Areas of Concern One issue I noticed was the male lead's almost unbelievable level of intelligence and foresight from a young age. It felt a bit unrealistic for a child raised on a rural farm to possess such innate knowledge of court politics and complex schemes. This precociousness, while perhaps necessary for the plot, did strain my suspension of disbelief at times. The pacing in the first half felt a bit slow, and some found the side characters to be a bit two-dimensional, serving primarily as plot devices. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Some readers have pointed out potential spoilers regarding the female lead's actions towards the end of the novel, specifically related to an attack she faces and its impact on her brother's reign. There's debate on whether this constitutes a mistake on her part, given the circumstances and betrayals involved. Additionally, some found the introduction of reincarnated or transmigrated side characters a bit jarring and unnecessary, feeling it didn't quite fit the overall tone of the story. ### Final Verdict Despite its flaws, "A Complete Explanation of the Negative Examples in Imperial Examinations" is a worthwhile read, especially if you enjoy historical dramas with a focus on political intrigue and character development. The strong female lead, the unique power dynamic between the leads, and the kingdom-building aspects make it stand out. Just be prepared to overlook some early inconsistencies and perhaps a bit of plot armor along the way. I'd recommend it, but with a slight caveat: power through the initial chapters, and you'll likely find yourself engrossed in the world and the characters.