Looking at the behavior of everyone in the room, Zhen Wanwan secretly guessed that, judging from their self-reproachful expressions, they didn't seem to be lying.
It seems that those students were expressing their own opinions, rather than listening to the Master's words.
Zhen Wanwan felt a little better, otherwise she would have been so angry that she would have vomited blood.
She didn't want the tutor she had spent money, energy, and effort to hire to take her money and then secretly criticize her.
After calming himself down, Chu Shanzhang stood up and apologized to Zhen Wanwan: "Your Highness, this matter is due to my lax discipline. Please wait a moment while I investigate and find these people."
Zhen Wanwan didn't respond, just nodded and hummed in agreement, letting them investigate.
She quietly drank tea and waited. The other teachers who had classes went to teach, while the male teachers who didn't have classes went with Headmaster Chu to investigate the case, and the female teachers stayed behind to talk with Zhen Wanwan.
Zhen Wanwan inquired about the recent academic progress of the female students from the female teacher.
The female tutor paused slightly and sighed, "Your Highness, the students are diligent and hardworking, and they do well in their studies, but... but the students are unwilling to study the Four Books and Five Classics like the men. They only ask that I teach them to read."
Zhen Wanwan frowned slightly upon hearing this; this was not the effect she wanted.
She went to great lengths and faced immense pressure to ensure that women could also attend Rende Academy, not just to teach them to read and write.
The female tutor was someone she had searched for across most of the country before finding a woman who was well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics and possessed outstanding literary talent.
I never expected these people to be so hopeless!
"Master, have you read the books I gave you to them?"
The female teacher nodded: "I will tell the students the story from that book in class every other day."
The female teacher paused for a moment, then continued, "When I was telling the story, I clearly saw the longing and yearning on their faces, but they did not take any action to fulfill it."
Zhen Wanwan's brows remained tightly furrowed; she couldn't understand why this was happening!
"Does the Master know the reason behind this?"
The female teacher pursed her lips and secretly glanced at Zhen Wanwan several times, but still couldn't bring herself to speak.
Zhen Wanwan noticed her hesitation and changed her expression, saying calmly, "The teacher should know my expectations for these girls. If there's more to the story, why hide it from me?"
Seeing Zhen Wanwan's anger, the female tutor knelt down in fear and apologized: "I hope Your Highness will forgive me. I did not mean to hide it, but this matter is complicated."
Zhen Wanwan said calmly, "Then tell me slowly! Get up and sit down."
The female teacher breathed a sigh of relief and sat down again. She carefully chose her words and slowly began to speak: "This matter really cannot be blamed on them. Now that the world is in disarray, it is unknown how many years it will take to pass the imperial examinations and enter officialdom. A woman's youth is short; she has to start arranging marriages at the age of thirteen or fourteen, and then she has to prepare for marriage..."
"Not to mention how many years it will take to pass the imperial examinations, even when the time comes, women may not be able to enter officialdom like men!"
"Throughout history, I have never seen a case of a woman serving as an official in the court. It is normal for students to lack confidence."
Zhen Wanwan remained silent, only thinking about the difficulties women faced in accessing education, and thus she provided a platform for women to study.
But they forgot that societal constraints placed on women were too heavy; a woman was to be married at the age of fifteen, when she reached the age of marriage.
She started studying at the age of seven and only studied for eight years until she reached marriageable age.
Many people study hard for ten years and still may not succeed in the exam. After marriage, women can only focus on their husbands' families and have children.
After marriage, a woman is no longer herself, but becomes an appendage of her husband's family. Some women who marry poorly already suffer greatly from dealing with their mothers-in-law's daily difficulties.
How could the husband's family be willing to let their wives and daughters-in-law continue to show their faces in public while studying at the academy, and how could they be willing to support them in taking the imperial examinations?
"I understand! I will find a way to resolve this matter, but please trust me, Master. I will make sure that all women in the world can take the imperial examinations and enter officialdom just like men, changing their destiny through education!"
Zhen Wanwan's determination shocked the female teacher. Although she had been well-versed in the classics since childhood, she had never dared to dream of entering officialdom through the imperial examinations like a man!
Unbeknownst to her, the female teacher was moved by Zhen Wanwan's firm belief, and her original unease of having nowhere to settle down finally came to a head.
She truly believed in Zhen Wanwan!
"I believe in Your Highness!"
Zhen Wanwan felt a warmth in her heart. She took the female teacher's hand and said, "Your willingness to come to the academy to teach has already broken through the shackles and prejudices of the world. I am very grateful. Please rest assured that I will definitely fulfill my promise!"
The two looked at each other, each seeing a certain belief in the other's eyes.
Outside, in the corner of the wall.
The little boy stood there stunned, never expecting his mother to have such a grand ambition.
He clenched his fists and secretly vowed that if he ever rose to a high position, he would help his mother realize her wish!
Sweetie's flushed face revealed how excited she was!
At the same time, a belief was slowly taking root in her heart. She secretly vowed that if one day, if women could also become officials, she would definitely hold a high position and fulfill her mother's ideal!
The two little ones both wanted to fulfill their mother's dream.
After waiting for a while, Headmaster Chu and his group finally returned.
Behind him were several students wearing the unique uniform of Rende Academy.
They followed the teachers nervously, hunched over, their expressions full of resistance.
Headmaster Chu bowed respectfully to Zhen Wanwan, then ordered the students to kneel.
"Your Highness, I have found the people. They are the very same people who were spreading rumors."
Zhen Wanwan glanced at the students a few times and saw several different emotions in them.
Some were unwilling, some were ashamed and indignant, some were afraid, and some were disdainful.
She snorted coldly and sneered, "What? I'm right here. You can voice your grievances about me so we can communicate. It's better than gossiping about me behind my back and then letting me hear it, isn't it?"
"Aren't you ashamed of such despicable behavior? Aren't you afraid of disgracing the reputation of scholars!"
Headmaster Chu glared at the people below, clearly displeased and angry that his students could be so disrespectful to the school!
The student who had been disdainful saw Zhen Wanwan, a young woman, riding on the heads of the headmaster and the other teachers, and he said indignantly, "I and my fellow students have not said anything wrong!"
"You!" Upon seeing this, one of the teachers was so angry that he took off his shoes, stood up, and was about to beat the student.
Midway through, the student was stopped by Headmaster Chu. Zhen Wanwan nodded in satisfaction, signaling the student to continue.
The students were surprised that their teacher, who was always concerned about his reputation, would be so reckless, and they began to feel uneasy.
But then he saw Zhen Wanwan smiling and looking very calm, and that feeling of resentment rose up again.
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