Soon, everything proceeded smoothly.
With the addition of a girls' academy in Xinghe County, the news that girls could attend school for free spread like wildfire to villages around Xinghe County.
When they learned that the academy only admitted female students, with no age or social status restrictions, and that anyone who wanted to learn and truly wanted to change their destiny was welcome to come, the founders of other private schools raised their eyebrows, feeling that someone was going to take away their livelihood.
He instantly felt a sense of crisis and immediately sent people to investigate who was behind it all.
However, opinions among the people were mixed. Many initially dismissed it, completely disbelieving it, and their words were full of disdain and sarcasm.
After all, they didn't believe that anyone could be so selfless and generous.
But soon, when the truth came true, they were all shocked, thinking that their confidant had gone mad, that he had nothing better to do than do things that harm others and himself.
Of course, some people were unhappy, while others were excited. For a time, the local people who heard the news were discussing it enthusiastically.
"Where did this academy come from? Why can girls attend for free? Is this discrimination against men?"
"That's right, it's a joke. Women should stay in the inner quarters. They say a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent. Why learn so much? In the end, she still has to get married."
"Tch, just wait and see. What kind of future can a woman with such low standards have?"
"Hey, I'm not trying to be mean, but we didn't spend your money, so why are you all so defensive?"
"That's right! Are you saying our Emperor is incompetent? He himself said that women can stand tall and have the same right to education!"
…
As the incident continued to unfold, many women who had been listlessly spending their days feeding chickens and cows, washing dishes, cooking, and doing housework suddenly heard about it, and their previously desolate and numb expressions vanished.
Even though they didn't know if it was true or not, they still bit their lips and clenched their hands, their hearts filled with anticipation, determined to find an opportunity to go to the county to see for themselves.
Wang Xiaoya was one of them. When she heard about this and that she could sign up, her eyes lit up. She dropped the vegetable leaves in her hand and couldn't wait to run to the county.
"Hey, you brat, where are you going? Aren't you going to come back and cook? Trying to starve me? I'll beat you to death!!"
When her mother saw her leaving, she instantly became furious and chased after her while cursing.
"Hehe, Mom, someone is teaching us to read for free. I want to go check it out."
Her eyes shone brightly. No matter how the people behind her shouted and cursed, she just smiled and ran forward resolutely, determined not to look back, just to run towards a better future.
This scene is almost a common occurrence near many Xinghe Villages. There are countless women like them who all yearn to learn, to read and write, and to change their own destiny!
Even many beggars along the way were stunned when they heard the news; it was utterly unbelievable.
…
The girls' academy was officially opened and entered the public eye.
At first, not many people signed up, since not every woman has the courage to defy her family and give it a try.
Not only that, many people are also afraid that it is fake, and that there is some kind of trick involved. After all, it is hard for them to imagine why someone would be willing to let them learn to read and write for free and give them books.
Are there really no traps inside?
Therefore, most people are just observing and dare not make any rash moves.
Many girls who had initially hoped for a lucky break looked up at the spacious, serious-looking academy, then glanced at their own patched and even messy clothes, feeling extremely awkward and out of place.
Some were even hesitant to enter, filled with fear and tension. Although they had really wanted to come before, they felt lost and even wanted to back out when they actually arrived.
"Come in, are you all students here to register?"
Since it was the first day of registration, Zhiyin naturally had to come in person.
At this moment, she looked at the girls who were arriving one after another, dressed in rags, their foreheads covered in sweat, their eyes filled with amazement, but even more so with helplessness.
Smelling the sweat on their noses, she showed no disgust, only heartache. With a kind smile, she stepped forward, took out a handkerchief to wipe their foreheads, and comforted them, saying with a smile.
"I'm sorry, I...we're late..."
The young girl in front of her confidante smelled the fragrance on the tip of her nose and felt the warm touch. Her heart trembled, and she quickly lowered her head in embarrassment and apologized.
She was very nervous as she spoke, clutching her sleeves tightly, afraid of being disliked or kicked out for being late.
This is a rare opportunity, and she absolutely cannot miss it!
Zhiyin smiled gently and softly, "It's alright!"
She lifted the little girl's head, making her look directly into her eyes, and gently touched her face. "Don't be afraid, this is where you'll live from now on. Come in and have a look!"
After saying that, she gently took the little girl's hand and led her inside.
Other girls who arrived one after another, and even many older women who came to watch the spectacle, all watched with curiosity.
Soon the teachers smiled and welcomed them in.
When they actually stepped into the clean and magnificent college, sat in the classroom, touched the fresh books, and smelled the fresh fragrance of the books and the ink of the pens, many girls felt it was incredible.
They carefully and tenderly turned the pages of the book, their hands trembling, as if they were in a dream, in paradise.
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