Holding the Famous Minister System, I Cross-Dressed as a Man in Ancient Times to Reach the Top

Xu Yue transmigrates into the body of a three-year-old child in an ancient Chinese setting, bound to a Famous Minister System. Originally a woman in modern times, she finds herself reborn as Xu Yue, the granddaughter of Landlord Xu, a wealthy landowner in Jiangnan. The system had deceived Landlord Xu into believing she is the Reincarnated Star of Literature, a celestial being destined for scholarly glory, prompting the grandfather to raise her as a grandson to secure the family's future status. However, Xu Yue is biologically female, a fact that creates significant internal conflict given the severe restrictions placed on women in this era. She is determined not to accept a life of dependence and resolves to pursue the imperial examinations to gain power and autonomy.

The core conflict arises within the Xu household, where family dynamics are strained by rivalry between the main branch and the second branch. Xu Yue’s mother died shortly after giving birth, and her father, Master Xu, is often absent, engaged in silk trading. The second branch, led by the ambitious Second Madam Li Shi and her son Hao Ge, views Xu Yue as a threat to their inheritance and status. Li Shi attempts to sabotage Xu Yue’s education by causing her to fall ill before a crucial meeting with a renowned teacher, but Xu Yue outmaneuvers her by feigning weakness and manipulating the household servants, leading to Li Shi’s temporary loss of authority.

A key turning point occurs when Xu Yue is introduced to Scholar Feng Yi, a Jinshi degree holder who has retired from officialdom due to a poor examination ranking. Feng Yi, known for his eccentric and free-spirited nature, accepts Xu Yue as his disciple after a chance encounter where Landlord Xu had previously saved him from a pit. Xu Yue demonstrates exceptional intellectual prowess, having mastered the foundational texts at a remarkably young age, which impresses Feng Yi and solidifies her position as his favorite student. This mentorship is crucial for her goal of becoming a renowned minister, as Feng Yi provides the scholarly guidance she needs.

Complications arise with the return of Xu Yue’s father, Master Xu, who brings back a mistress, Li Niang, and her two children, Yuan Ge and Tian Jie. Li Niang, a former concubine from another family, seeks to elevate her son’s status within the Xu household, posing a new threat to Xu Yue’s position. Landlord Xu, protective of his grandson, rejects Li Niang’s claims to legitimacy, creating further tension. Meanwhile, Xu Yue navigates these familial politics with calculated caution, maintaining her facade as the beloved grandson while secretly planning her future.

As Xu Yue begins her studies under Feng Yi, she faces the challenges of rigorous academic training and the social expectations of her disguised gender. The system rewards her progress with skills such as the ability to discern fortune and calamity, which she uses to navigate potential dangers. The story follows her journey as she balances her scholarly ambitions with the intricate web of family rivalries and societal constraints, striving to achieve success in the imperial examinations and secure her independence in a world that offers little freedom for women.