Did I Think That Out Loud?

Joel Harper loses his parents at an early age and drops out of middle school to raise his younger siblings. He devotes his whole life like an overworked ox, but when he falls seriously ill, no one stays by his bedside. He swears that if he has another life, he will never live like a self-sacrificing workhorse again. Unexpectedly, he travels to an ancient imperial court. He plans to stay away from conflicts and enjoy a quiet life, but he discovers that the empress can overhear his inner thoughts. As a result, he is rapidly promoted to nobility and high office, rising all the way to the peak of power and success in life.