The Prince Does Not Compete for the Throne

Fu Xuechen, a modern woman who transmigrated into the body of a twelve-year-old noble girl in the Great Rong Empire, finds her quiet life disrupted when her twin brother, Fu Yuchen, breaks his leg days before the selection for imperial study companions. The position is a critical opportunity for the Jingbei Marquis family to secure political protection in the unstable succession landscape. With Fu Yuchen incapacitated and unable to compete, Lady Xie devises a plan to have Fu Xuechen impersonate her brother. Despite the risk of treason, the family agrees, and Fu Xuechen, seeing the chance to escape her confined life as a noblewoman, accepts the role.

Disguised as Fu Yuchen, she navigates the rigorous selection process at the imperial palace. The examination consists of literary and martial components. In the literary test, Fu Xuechen utilizes her knowledge of classical poetry and prose from her previous life, submitting works that astonish the examiners and earn top marks. Her performance draws the attention of the imperial princes, particularly the Sixth Prince, Yunzuo, who is intrigued by the apparent transformation in Fu Yuchen’s character and intellect. During the martial examination, her archery skills are mediocre, but she compensates by choosing a striking white horse for the equestrian event, ensuring she remains visually memorable despite not securing first place.

Throughout the process, Fu Xuechen must maintain her disguise while managing the expectations of her family and the suspicions of her peers. She interacts with Fu Yuchen’s friends, including the loyal Zhang Chuyang and the rival Cheng Defang, navigating their dynamics with careful deception. Her brother, confined to recovery, relies on her to bring him storybooks, highlighting the stark contrast between their experiences. Fu Xuechen’s dual life allows her to explore the capital and engage in activities previously forbidden to her, while simultaneously dealing with the political intricacies of the imperial court.

The story follows Fu Xuechen as she balances her identity between the inner courtyard and the outer world, leveraging her modern perspective and literary talents to succeed in a traditional society. Her actions during the selection not only secure her position as a study companion but also set the stage for future political alliances and personal growth within the complex hierarchy of the Great Rong Empire.