Chapter 379 Extra Chapter: Song Erniang (Twenty-One)

Song Erniang had also spent a considerable amount of time in the capital, and was far more sensitive to certain policies of the imperial court than Long Hanshi.

In addition, since her two daughters started school, she also picked up her books again after many years and started associating more with the teachers.

Suzhou was never short of talented men and women, and with more contact with them, Song Erniang's horizons broadened considerably.

Nanqing Academy suddenly reduced its enrollment by forty students, and now only those recommended by prominent local families are eligible...

There's also the long-rumored news that women will be allowed to participate in the imperial examinations...

"Are there age requirements for female students?" Song Erniang suddenly asked.

Long Fangwu nodded immediately.

"Hmm, Mother is so smart, she guessed it all."

Previously, Nanqing Academy did not have an age limit for admitting students, but this year there is a restriction that students must be under the age of eighteen.

Mother, do you know what's going on here?

“Yes, Mother, will it be even harder to get into Nanqing Academy in the future?” Song Moyan looked at Song Erniang curiously.

Song Erniang immediately understood what was going on.

What else could it be? The matter of women participating in the imperial examinations will be resolved in about a year at most.

It has always been an extremely difficult thing for women to participate in the imperial examinations. Even when the Great Yu had an empress, she still put a lot of effort into this matter.

To ensure that women could participate in the imperial examinations, the empress began making arrangements from the day she ascended the throne.

finally……

Eighty percent of the forty-eight students enrolled by Nanqing Academy this time are children from noble families.

Moreover, this recruitment drive was definitely at the behest of some influential figures in the capital...

"Fang Wu, Mo Yan, do your best in the exam. Don't worry about getting recommendations from prominent families!" Song Erniang said excitedly.

"Mother, we will definitely study hard and take the exam, but is it possible to get a recommendation from a prominent family?" Long Fangwu and Song Moyan were both a little worried.

"Don't worry, if Mother says it can be done, then it definitely can be done!"

Alright, you two go back to your room and study. If there's anything you don't understand, be sure to tell your mother, and she'll find you a tutor!

"Hanshi, go about your business these next two days, don't delay your two daughters' schooling." Song Erniang said, pulling Long Hanshi away.

...

After Long Hanshi followed Song Erniang into their room, he immediately made a promise to her.

"My wife, don't worry! I'll go back and find my brothers to see which family has good relations with some prominent clans."

If all else fails, I'll go to Master Ye. I've heard that Master Ye's in-laws are a prominent family in Jinling. I'll ask Master Ye to help me..."

Song Erniang, however, opened the door of a wardrobe.

She has no interest in paying attention to Long Hanshi right now.

The future of my two daughters is the most important thing...

"Wife? Wife? What are you looking for? Tell me, and I'll help you find it." After waiting for a long time without getting a response from Song Erniang, Long Hanshi quickly bent down as well.

Song Erniang rummaged through the cabinet for a while but couldn't find what she wanted.

After thinking for a moment, Song Erniang finally looked at the large chest containing her two daughters' dowries.

"Move that box down for me." Song Erniang pointed to the highest cabinet.

Long Hanshi quickly stepped forward and moved the cabinet that Song Erniang pointed to down.

Song Erniang rummaged through the cabinet for a while and finally found a plaque in the innermost box.

Holding the sign tightly in her hand, Song Erniang breathed a long sigh of relief.

"Go to the small kitchen later and cook something for the two girls. I'm going out for a bit!"

As she spoke, Song Erniang carefully put away the plaque and turned to walk outside.

Long Hanshi quickly pressed on with more questions.

"What...what were you looking for just now?!"

"Your daughter's future! Stay home and cook, I'll be back after I finish my errands!" Song Erniang said as she left the courtyard.

Long Hanshi...

My daughter's future?

Wait a minute! Didn't my wife say before that the chest was filled with dowries for our two daughters? How did it become our daughters' future?

Oh, actually, saying it's about future prospects is also correct. Sometimes, if the dowry is large, then the future prospects are good, right?

As if he had figured something out, Long Hanshi immediately went to the kitchen to cook for his two daughters and wife.

Although his cooking is just average, not as good as his wife's, his daughter and wife always enjoy their meals very much.

He loves cooking!

...

Song Erniang left her own courtyard and went straight to Chun Buwan.

The shopkeeper of Chunbuwan is still the same Lianniang from before. So many years have passed, and Lianniang is still as charming as ever.

"Song Erniang? You want to see me!" Lianniang smiled and waved her fan as she ushered Song Erniang into a private room.

"Manager Lianniang!" Song Erniang bowed respectfully to Manager Lianniang.

Lian Niang quickly dodged away.

"Song Erniang, just say what you need to say! We're already quite familiar with each other!" Lianniang said with a smile.

Without wasting any words, Song Erniang took out the plaque that her elder sister had sent when she left Suzhou.

"Back then... someone said that if I encountered any trouble, I should take this sign to Chunbuwan and find the shopkeeper. Does it still count now?" Song Erniang asked nervously.

Lianniang glanced at the sign and immediately nodded.

"Of course it counts. With this sign, I can do anything for you, except for things that violate the law."

"I...I would like to ask you to help my two daughters find two prestigious families to provide letters of recommendation..."

"I want those two children to go to Nanqing Academy! Is that... possible? If not, just pretend I didn't say anything, okay?" Song Erniang's voice was still tense.

Lian Niang didn't say anything, but got up and walked outside the private room. She whispered something to a maid waiting outside.

Soon, the maid brought a letter from Lianniang's room.

"Here, take the sign back. This is a small matter, you don't need that sign."

Someone prepared this a long time ago; you can take it back!

The esteemed person said that now that the letter of recommendation is in hand, the next step is to see if your daughter's talent and learning will pass the test.

"Song Erniang, seize this opportunity!" Lianniang said softly.

Song Erniang stared at the envelope in surprise. Was this really a letter of recommendation from two prominent families?

Eldest sister... how did you know you needed this?

"this……"

“Song Erniang, go back! The Ye family has invited the young lady from the Daru Academy this time. When you go back, the Ye family should send someone to your house. Your two young ladies can go to the Ye family's school to study recently,” Lianniang continued.

After Song Erniang returned home, she indeed heard Long Hanshi tell her about the Ye family's visit to invite her two daughters to study together at the Ye family home.

...

Two months later, both Long Fangwu and Song Moyan appeared on the recruitment list of Nanqing Academy.

Ye Songyun, the sixth young lady of the Ye family, was also recruited at the same time!

A year later, the imperial court issued a decree that female students under the age of eighteen could participate in the imperial examinations.

The women of Da Yu have finally taken a big step forward in what they have been fighting for for a century!