Chapter 738 A Dream of Youth 270
"Lord Xie, I wish to join the literary society to exchange ideas and read books together. If we have any questions, we can discuss them together. However, the requirements for the literary society are too high; we simply cannot pass the exams..."
As she spoke, her eyes reddened. The girl knew she shouldn't blame Xie Ning for this, nor should she nag him about it, but she just couldn't help it. Perhaps she secretly felt that Xie Ning was reliable, so when she saw him, she couldn't help but come over to complain.
She also had a faint expectation in her heart, but she didn't know what she was expecting, she was just a little confused.
Xie Ningjing waited quietly for the girl to finish speaking, and then saw a look of annoyance flash across her face before glancing at the others who were secretly looking over.
Then, holding the umbrella, he approached a little closer. "What you say makes sense, young lady. The threshold for this literary society is indeed a bit too high, and the number of members is limited. But there are other literary societies in this world besides this one, aren't there?"
The girl's eyes widened. "But, but there's only one..."
Xie Ning sighed. The child was too slow to grasp her meaning, so she had to be more explicit. "If the He family can establish a literary society, then other families can too. So why get hung up on this one literary society?"
Regarding the exchange you mentioned, the literary association has no entry requirements. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to raise them within the association for discussion.
Of course, there is a difference between a literary gathering and a literary society.
She wasn't bold enough; she had to push her a bit.
Raindrops fell on their faces, and the young girl was somewhat stunned, as were the other noble ladies. In the cold wind and dense rain, a blazing fire suddenly rose in their hearts.
Yes, if they can't get into the He family's literary society, they'll just start their own!
After discussing it for a while, the group glanced at Xie Ning and mustered their courage to ask her, "Lady Xie, would you be willing to join our literary society?"
Xie Ning thought for a moment, then shook his head, "I'm too busy with official duties to participate in some literary and art activities."
"The He family's literary society..."
"I didn't participate either."
Everyone was surprised. They thought Xie Ning had joined the He family's literary society, but they didn't expect it to be like this. In that case, their literary society might not be any worse than the He family's.
The young girls straightened their backs, their faces full of excitement, which made the more composed lady shake her head repeatedly.
"Can we only run a literary club?" A girl asked hesitantly. She didn't really like poetry, but her parents forced her to join, saying it would help her make connections.
"I think this club is kind of interesting. Anyway, you can run it yourself, get a few girlfriends together to set it up. It doesn't have to be a literature club, right?"
I'd like to open a teahouse. Anyone who enjoys tea is welcome to join me!
"My cousin and I both love burning incense. Let's start an incense appreciation club. Who wants to join us?"
"I!"
"Me too."
......
"Isn't this a bit too unproductive?" A woman in her thirties looked at Xie Ning, wanting to ask for her opinion.
"Madam is overthinking it. Even a literary society is just a place for people with similar interests to exchange ideas. The same goes for other tea houses, incense appreciation societies, and the like. As long as people share similar interests, what's wrong with that?"
Music, chess, calligraphy, painting, tea brewing, incense burning, and so on are all skills and abilities they possess. The club can provide them with a better place to communicate and give them a little more courage.
Writing books is not limited to poetry and songs; it can also include writing about how to play the zither, play chess, write calligraphy, make tea, burn incense, and so on. Whatever it is, their colors will remain in the scroll of history.
Xie Ning nodded slightly, then stepped onto the carriage.
Before leaving, Xie Ning peeked through the curtains at their faces. Her eyes softened slightly. The female official position was simply a choice she was given: whether to stay home to be a wife and mother, or to go out to work, run a business, or become an official. These were all choices.
It cannot be said that just because someone chose one path, those who choose another path are wrong and need to be criticized.
One's own choices are different from those made under societal pressure or by others.
The carriage rolled over the bluestone slabs, and the drizzle pattered on the carriage canopy, creating an irregular melody. Xie Ning took out a piece of white paper from the compartment next to him, then ground ink and began to ponder.
The literary society established by the He family and the spontaneous writing by women deeply moved her, but this was something that was basically only accessible to women from the upper cultural elite.
But can this trend reach the lower classes? And how can it be popularized comprehensively?
Seeing Xie Ning pick up the brush, Qingxu quickly took the inkstone and continued grinding ink, while Qingle lit a lamp to make the carriage brighter.
Although it was daytime, it was raining outside, and it got a bit dark after the curtains were drawn.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
