Chapter 24 New Rules for the Literary Gathering: Women walk towards higher places, and along the way...

The next morning, Wen Yu went to a clothing shop in the city.

Having filmed numerous period dramas before, she was experienced and discerning. She quickly selected several well-fitting scholar's robes based on each person's physique, and paired them with appropriate headscarves.

When paying the bill, she suddenly remembered something and said to the shopkeeper, "Excuse me, could you please cut another bolt of fine white cotton cloth?"

The shopkeeper was a seasoned businessman; many customers would buy ready-made clothes and then take some fabric home to alter. Without asking any questions, he readily tore off a piece of white cloth, put it in his bundle, and replied, "Alright, miss, consider this scrap of cloth a bonus!"

Wen Yu knew perfectly well that the white cloth was intended for Wen Qingshi to bind her chest, since the figure of a young woman in her late teens needed to be concealed.

Fortunately, Lin Lan is still young, so her figure doesn't need to be concealed, which saves some trouble.

Back at the inn, she immediately busied herself changing the two girls into blue dresses and tying their headscarves, and the mirror instantly revealed two handsome and refined young "scholars".

The two girls stared blankly at their reflections in the bronze mirror.

The person in the mirror, dressed in blue with their hair tied up, had a strangely clear and bright look in their eyes.

It turns out that with just this outfit, they can break free from that invisible cage and reach those worlds that are unattainable for "women".

Then one can openly and legitimately pass the imperial examinations, enter the imperial court, and wield power with authority.

What an absurd world!

A single garment has become an insurmountable chasm separating heaven and earth.

Wearing it, you become "him," and you can stride confidently outside, realize your ambitions, and receive praise from countless people.

Take it off and return to "her". Even with extraordinary talent, one can only be confined to the small world of the inner quarters, hiding all the beauty and talent and stuffing it into the shell of a virtuous wife and loving mother.

That's just how things are in this world.

On one hand, it crushes countless brilliant women into the dust, smooths out their edges, breaks their wings, and makes them less likely to covet rights that do not belong to them.

On the one hand, they generously pave the way to success for many mediocre men, lifting them up high, while on the other hand, they turn around and judge women as less intelligent than them.

Wen Qingshi's gaze in the mirror gradually darkened.

She thought of that Lord Liang from back then, who held a high position but did not fulfill his duties. He clearly controlled the fate of the entire city, but instead of thinking about how to benefit the people, he took the opportunity to plunder for personal gain.

Instead of rebuking her, her biological father joined him in his corrupt practices.

This is because most men in the world are birds of a feather, accustomed to protecting each other and helping each other in evil.

It turns out that all those officials in high positions, with their noble robes and golden exteriors, were nothing but rotten cotton inside.

Wen Qingshi closed his eyes briefly to conceal his emotions, then turned to Wen Yu: "Sister, is there anything else we should be careful about?"

Wen Yu had experience dressing as a man in the story before, and she gave the two of them some detailed instructions: walk with your head held high and your steps steady; bow according to men's etiquette, with clasped hands and a deep bow; and speak in a low voice, trying to be natural.

At first, they were a little nervous, but the two children were very quick to learn and soon they were doing a pretty good job.

Next, you need to get used to walking in front of crowds.

"Let's go out and test our courage!" Wen Yu called out.

Wen Yue, who was next door, had also changed his clothes and was eager to go out for a stroll, but Ning Shengan pressed him back into the room: "You still need to review your books a few more times."

Seeing this, Lin Lan couldn't help but chuckle to herself.

Wen Qingshi's eyes flickered, and he gently tugged at Wen Yu's sleeve: "Sister, I heard there's a lantern festival before the literary gathering. Can we go and take a look?"

This lantern festival is an old custom that precedes the literary gathering in Luzhou Prefecture.

Legend has it that if students sincerely pray to the Goddess of Literature at the Lantern Festival, they will be blessed with good fortune in their studies and achieve academic success.

Although they knew that fame and fortune were within their own grasp, all the scholars in the city longed for such a grand event.

However, what Wen Qingshi was thinking about was not the vague and ethereal divine blessing.

She only remembered that her good-for-nothing brothers could openly go to the lantern festival and pray for good fortune in literature every year, while she could only stay at home by her father's words, "A woman should be well-behaved and obedient."

This time, she not only wants to go, but also wants to pray to the Goddess for herself to become a dignified leader!

----

The lantern market was bustling with people, shoulder to shoulder.

The city seemed to attach great importance to this grand event, and the lantern street was bustling like never before. The roadside stalls were crowded with people, and many people were carrying lanterns as they walked through the streets and alleys.

As the group struggled to squeeze through the crowd, they were suddenly drawn to a commotion by the roadside.

A group of people were gathered around a spot, shouting and betting.

"I'm betting on Young Master Gu. He's quick-witted and eloquent; he's sure to win first place at this literary competition!"

"But I think Young Master Lu's thinking is rigorous and flawless, and his article is undoubtedly the best!"

"Alas, Young Master Gu is a poet of great talent and elegance, while Young Master Lu is a seasoned strategist. This... is truly a difficult choice!"

"I've heard that the newly arrived Lord Su values ​​practical matters, so I'm betting on Young Master Lu!"

Immediately, everyone chimed in, discussing which company they wanted to bet on.

"What are they talking about?" Wen Yu asked, puzzled. She knew almost nothing about the big families in the city.

Wen Qingshi listened for a moment, then whispered to Wen Yu, "They're betting on tomorrow's champion."

"Gu and Lu refer to Gu Ming and Lu Chengzhou. Gu Ming is the son of a wealthy merchant, while Lu Chengzhou is the son of an official. At the last literary gathering, my elder brother was the champion, Gu Ming was second, and Lu Chengzhou was third."

"At that time, Lord Liang, who was in charge, was fond of extravagance, and he also liked works with ornate language when reading poetry and appreciating literature. Gu Ming just happened to cater to his tastes, so he ranked high."

"As for my elder brother's winning piece, it was a discarded exercise from my youth. It was full of flowery language and forced sentimentality. Even I thought it was pretentious after reading it. I never expected that my elder brother would pick it up and catch the eye of Lord Liang, who immediately named it the champion."

"Lu Chengzhou was indignant about this. He wrote a piece on the strategy of governing the city, but it was overshadowed by two frivolous poems. His father was an official in the court, and he was influenced by what he saw and heard. In that article, he emphasized severe punishments and harsh laws, believing that only under strong power can there be good people."

Wen Qingshi lowered his eyes: "I have also read his essay, but I disagree with him. I think that the education of the people should not be suppressed, but should be guided step by step, otherwise it will only backfire."

Wen Yu nodded in deep agreement.

"It is clear that who will win the top prize is entirely up to the examiner."

She changed the subject, turning her gaze to Wen Qingshi: "Qingshi, do you have a draft in mind for this literary gathering?"

Upon hearing this, Wen Qingshi frowned slightly, seemingly hesitant: "In previous years, the themes were somewhat predictable. If Lord Liang preferred ornate language, he would pile up literary works; if a certain lord valued practical matters, he would discuss statecraft... But this Lord Su's style of doing things is quite different from ordinary people."

"He is decisive in water conservancy projects, sends people to buy grain from the people at high prices, and now he has reopened literary gatherings. I really can't fathom his preferences."

She looked up: "I... don't know where to begin."

"Then write whatever you want to write," Lin Lan's voice rang out softly.

Wen Yu and Wen Qingshi turned to look at her at the same time.

Lin Lan looked back at them, her eyes clear: "There's no need to guess what the examiners are thinking. Just make sure you can be true to yourself when you write. That's my answer."

Her words were simple, yet they stirred something within Wen Qingshi.

yes.

Since the examiner's thoughts are shrouded in mystery, why should she waste her time trying to guess?

Rather than forcing yourself to conform to others' unknown preferences, it's better to write what you love.

The flowery language she had used to cater to readers and the forced sentimentality she had to express to fit the theme were not what she truly desired. Even if she managed to win first place with such a work, she would still feel resentful.

Only when her words, which truly come from her heart and are put into practice, are recognized by others can she fulfill the regret in her heart.

“Sister, I…” she was about to speak.

Before the words were finished, a man who looked like a constable suddenly appeared on the street, holding up a notice and running breathlessly towards them, shouting as he ran: "By order of Lord Su! New regulations for the Literary Society! New regulations for the Literary Society!"

The crowd was immediately drawn to him and surged toward the newly posted notice board.

The constable quickly posted the notice, finally catching his breath, and turned to announce loudly to the crowd: "Lord Su has said: 'The world's literature is not the private domain of any one family!' This literary gathering is open to the public from today onwards. Everyone, regardless of age or gender, is welcome to enter and appreciate it—"

"What?" The crowd gasped.

The bailiff raised his voice to quell the commotion: "Finally, all those present will vote to elect the champion of this literary gathering!"

This statement stunned everyone, causing them to pause for a few seconds as if pondering this unprecedented new rule.

The comments on the screen in front of Wen Yu also had mixed opinions on the matter.

[Isn't this just an ancient version of the live voting for Produce 101? Lord Su, you really understand talent shows (doge.jpg)]

[Such a modern approach. I'm starting to wonder if this Lord Su is a time traveler?]

[Sigh, I'm a little worried... Literacy rates were low in ancient times, I don't want to bury the refined arts and end up with a master of doggerel.]

[The upstairs view is too narrow-minded. What's wrong with popular culture? Good things are those that everyone can understand!]

[I'm about to start my conspiracy theories. As the saying goes, a new broom sweeps clean, and with Lord Liang having just fallen from power, Lord Su is trying to win over the people. This tactic should directly boost his approval ratings, right?]

[+1 to the comment above, this seems like an extremely clever political tactic...]

...

"How can this be?" A scholar-like man was the first to recover, his face full of disbelief. "Men, women, young and old? Doesn't this mean even someone with no literary knowledge can give pointers at the literary gathering?"

An elderly scholar with white hair and beard was so angry that his eyebrows furrowed: "Absurd! This is an insult to scholarship! How can a woman set foot in such a refined place? Isn't this a defilement of culture!"

"Hey old man, what's the rush? It's just letting them in for a 'viewing,' not sending them off to take the imperial examinations," someone joked. "Why don't you appreciate the beautiful women while you're enjoying the literature? Wouldn't that be more refined?"

Before he finished speaking, a burst of knowing laughter erupted around him.

"Who knows, if I win a prize at the literary competition, I might even win the favor of a beautiful woman!"

"Then a bunch of beauties will be vying for your attention..."

Wen Qingshi frowned, and his expression turned cold.

While the people around were still gossiping, Wen Yu suppressed her doubts, took the hands of the two girls, and composed herself.

"It's alright."

She glanced at the unwilling Wen Qingshi and the uneasy Lin Lan, her gaze calm as still water: "Let the storm rage outside, we only need to..."

"Write our own articles well."

When a woman walks towards higher ground, countless voices along the way tempt her to turn back and pull her down.

At this moment, there is no need to argue, no need to pay attention, and absolutely no need to look back.

All you need to do is cover your ears.

Straight,

Run forward.

Keep running, run through this deep night.

They ran until dawn broke.

A note from the author:

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This story will be available for purchase in the next chapter. [Heart]

Stay tuned for their moment of being proven wrong!