It's best to leave it at that. Lin Menghuai has martial arts skills and a good family background. If she can't even fight for a little bit, then who can?
Lin Menghuai bowed respectfully, straightened up, and looked at Sheng Ping's back with a furrowed brow.
After thinking for a long time, her gaze became increasingly firm.
Before speaking with Princess Shengping today, she felt like an oddball, as many women around her dreamed of marrying a good husband in the future.
She was the only one who didn't want to get married, but after what he said today, she felt like she had seen the path she would take in the future.
She wanted to be like General Sun Lan, gritting her teeth and moving forward, so that those who followed could follow her and have a direction in mind!
Sheng Ping then encountered Jiang Zhouxue, the granddaughter of Scholar Jiang.
She was tidying up her writing and practicing calligraphy; she had bright eyes and white teeth, and was as beautiful as an angel.
The Jiang family members all share a common trait: a deep love for calligraphy.
"Go and invite Miss Jiang for a chat."
Upon hearing the maid's words, Jiang Zhouxue calmly and carefully put the pen down before getting up.
As they approached, they bowed respectfully once more.
"Jiang Zhouxue greets Your Highness."
Her etiquette was impeccable; even she, a princess, could not find any fault with it.
"Zhou Xue is becoming more and more composed."
Jiang Zhouxue smiled faintly, "Practicing calligraphy day after day, though it may not bring perfect tranquility, it is generally without ripples."
"That's good. I wonder what Zhou Xue thinks of Di Yunxin?" Sheng Ping asked casually.
Di Yunxin was the granddaughter of Di Yushu, a woman whose talent rivaled that of a female scholar who had passed the imperial examinations.
Jiang Zhouxue paused slightly, "Yunxin and I have been close friends since childhood, and Yunxin's talent far surpasses mine."
"Then why didn't she come to the Imperial Academy?"
Jiang Zhouxue sighed softly, "Minister Di is very strict. I want to come, but I can't even leave the house."
Sheng Ping's opinion of this female scholar had changed somewhat. As long as she didn't pick up her father's old-fashioned ways and used the title of female scholar, things would be much easier.
"Does Zhou Xue aspire to become a Grand Scholar like your grandfather?"
Jiang Zhouxue shook her head. "The Hanlin Academy has a vast collection of books, known as the one that holds all the books in the world. I just want to be able to go in and look at the books."
People like her, who have read books since childhood, naturally have a great interest in books.
Sheng Ping looked at her, "Zhou Xue didn't ask your grandfather to take you?"
"Grandpa said it's against the rules."
Sheng Ping smiled. "Zhou Xue is knowledgeable about the past and present, so she understands that rules are meant to be broken. I have something I'd like Zhou Xue to do."
Jiang Zhouxue immediately bowed and said, "Your Highness, I will obey all your orders."
She had known Sheng Ping since she was a child, and was one of his study companions; the two were already well acquainted.
“Go and talk to Yunxin. Why is the path to success in the imperial examinations only for men? If the court can accommodate me, it can accommodate everyone else. But relying solely on me is too slow.” Sheng Ping clasped his hands behind his back and spoke eloquently.
She understood this from reading Pan Jiu's letter: first, select a group of women who want to compete, those who don't want to be obedient, but want to be the ones who speak.
Then, through their words, a seed is planted in the backyards of countless homes—a seed that will not remain confined to the inner quarters.
Let these seeds drift on the wind, grow strong with the awakening of thought, and develop into a fairness far greater than it is today.
Jiang Zhouxue had just bowed but did not get up.
Her heart was filled with turmoil, and she had reached the age to discuss marriage.
She wasn't against getting married and having children, but the thought of spending her life first in her own family's inner quarters and later in her husband's family's inner quarters, with the sky always hanging over her head, made her feel suffocated.
At home, one obeys one's father; after marriage, one obeys one's husband.
Why should she follow that path? After studying diligently for over a decade, doesn't she have any insights of her own?
Why can't she have property that is absolutely her own? Why must she always depend on others and take it from them?
Even the dowry, if one commits one of the seven grounds for divorce, will be taken away by the husband's family.
On what grounds?
Going back to the beginning, all she wanted was to spend her life with books. How could the vast collection of books in the Hanlin Academy not accommodate the small figure of a woman?
Her thoughts were churning. She heard her own voice, "This humble woman will certainly not fail in her mission. Thank you, Your Highness, for allowing me to enter the Imperial Academy and read more books."
Sheng Ping turned to look at her, smiled and patted her shoulder, "Zhou Xue is no less than your father or your brother. The Hanlin Academy is very suitable for you. Don't let this day wait too long."
After saying that, she turned and left.
This raging flood shouldn't have been faced by her alone; it was indeed as Pan Jiu wrote.
Just shine, and you will illuminate others, attracting others who also want to shine.
A single firefly may be faint, but a multitude of fireflies are enough to dispel the darkness.
Since Princess Shengping left, Jiang Zhouxue has been somewhat restless.
This once tranquil lake of the heart is now constantly turbulent.
After returning home, she met her father.
She bowed and greeted him, "Father."
Jiang Honglun nodded. "Just got back from the Imperial Academy?"
Jiang Zhouxue nodded.
Jiang Honglun flicked his sleeve and put one hand behind his back. "After thinking it over, I still feel it's inappropriate. A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent. Now that you've passed the Imperial Academy exam, your future husband's family will surely be unhappy."
Jiang Zhouxue lowered her head and remained silent.
In the past, she would have followed her father's words and replied that she would do whatever her father arranged.
She asked her grandfather to let her enter the Imperial Academy. Her grandfather tested her and thought that if she could pass the Imperial Academy exam, it would bring honor to the Jiang family.
However, after only three days, her father couldn't stand it anymore and wanted her to stop going out.
Besides marrying my mother, my father also took three concubines, and he was unwilling to settle down and do scholarship in the Hanlin Academy like my grandfather.
Instead, he focused on his studies, hoping to climb the ranks in the officialdom.
And she was his most useful tool.
The eldest daughter of a noble family, renowned throughout the capital, has been a companion to the princess since childhood, and has now passed the Imperial Academy examinations that many men cannot pass.
With these accolades, he felt it was enough, enough to climb the social ladder.
He didn't think there was anything wrong with confining his daughter to the inner quarters like her mother.
He would only think that this was a blessing for her.
Jiang Honglun was displeased that she didn't reply. "I'll go talk to Father. How can you act recklessly like this! You're not allowed to leave the room without my permission!"
Jiang Zhouxue's heart burned with endless flames, yet she only bowed respectfully.
He lifted his foot and walked towards his own yard.
My mother was literate from a young age and was exceptionally talented. How did she manage to survive the days in the inner quarters of the house?
After returning to her own Xiexiang Garden, she went into the house by herself, without letting any wet nurses or maids follow her.
She quietly ground the ink, trying her best to be as steady as ever.
But they were still moving a little too fast.
Finally, unable to wait any longer, he picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote rapidly.
A quarter of an hour later, she wrapped the letter up and handed it to her head maid, Lanyun.
"Quickly, make sure to hand it over to Yunxin personally."
Yunxin is smarter than her; she'll definitely come up with a good solution.
The next morning court session arrived in the blink of an eye.
As usual, Su Yan offered his advice.
Ning Xuan was clearly angry. In the past, he would lightly punish and let go of minor impeachments such as riding a horse recklessly in the street, out of consideration for the face of the old minister.
Today, however, he was severely punished: "If Minister Shen cannot even manage his son, he should resign as soon as possible. Riding his horse in the street, it is fortunate that no one was injured; if anyone had been injured, he would have been executed!"
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