As soon as Yu Luo finished speaking, even the sound of breathing disappeared in the cramped woodshed.
The smiles on the girls' faces froze, replaced by blank stares.
A moment later, a suppressed bitter laugh broke the silence.
Sister Mei tucked a stray hair behind her ear, and the light in her eyes dimmed.
"Qiqi, stop joking."
"Don't we know who we are?"
The other sister shook her head as well, her voice full of self-deprecation.
"Go on an scientific expedition? I'd probably be drowned in spittle before I even got to the exam hall."
“Our names are all recorded in the government’s register of lowly status, and we can never wash them off in this lifetime.”
Chunxue looked at them, then at Yu Luo who had a calm expression. Her lips moved, but she couldn't say anything to refute them.
Yes, they are girls from Chunfeng Tower.
They are the lowest of beings in the eyes of the world.
The imperial examinations were a sacred place for scholars, something they could not aspire to.
"Even if you're incredibly lucky and pass the exam, those scholars, officials, and dignitaries will all spit on you and condemn you to the pillory of shame. Then, we'll just become a laughingstock for the whole world." Sister Liu was the most clear-headed; she understood perfectly.
Regardless of their background, scholars have always been very proud, and they can come here to look at girls.
But those who couldn't stand it took the imperial examinations with these men and then served as officials in the same court.
"Won't people be cursing you behind your back then?"
Their eyes were filled with hesitation and inferiority.
Yu Luo's gaze swept over them, calm and resolute.
"As long as you stand high enough."
She said it word by word.
"No one will dare to laugh at you."
One sentence left everyone stunned.
Stand high enough?
How high do they have to be for people to forget their background?
The girls stared blankly at Yu Luo, at this little sister who was younger than them, yet seemed to see further than anyone else.
After a while, they forced a laugh.
"Qiqi, go ahead."
Chunxue was the first to speak. She reached out and gently patted Yu Luo's head.
“We’ve all had our edges smoothed out by this Spring Breeze Pavilion, and we’ve lost our courage. But you’re different.”
"You're new here, and nobody knows you. But you're so smart, you learn everything so quickly, you'll definitely succeed!"
"We have no hope."
"Qiqi, go ahead, you'll definitely succeed!"
Their eyes were filled with anticipation, as if they were placing all their hopes on Yu Luo.
Sister Mei gently held Yu Luo's hand; her palm was slightly damp.
"Qiqi, go ahead."
"We have some money saved here, all to support you!"
"We'll be overjoyed if you pass the exam!"
As she spoke, she pulled a small cloth bag from her bosom, which jingled softly.
The other girls followed suit, taking out all the loose silver and copper coins they had saved.
"Qiqi, here you go, buy some writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones!" A girl stuffed a small ingot of silver into Yu Luo's hand.
“I have a few books here, they’re a bit old, but they’re all good books!” Another girl pulled out a few yellowed books from under the bed.
"Besides, that Lord Zhang who often comes to my place has a vast collection of books, but he doesn't seem to value them much. I'll find an opportunity to ask him for a few; he won't mind!"
Seeing the rekindled flame in the eyes of these older women, Yu Luo nodded solemnly.
She returned the money, keeping only enough to buy writing brushes and ink.
"good."
Her voice was clear and firm.
"I will definitely take the exam."
"When the time comes, I will take you all away in a grand and glorious manner."
"At that time, no one will dare to speak ill of you behind your backs!"
The older women smiled but didn't say anything, instead gently ruffling her hair to comfort her.
But no one believed that a woman could do that.
…
As the days went by, besides studying with Sister Chunxue and the others, Yu Luo would quietly observe everything inside and outside the building in her spare time.
She always remembered those two names.
The Wang family.
County Magistrate Wang.
The bruises on Sister Mei's face still bothered her.
Magistrate Wang is a menace!
Finally, Yu Luo got her chance.
One morning, Magistrate Wang arrived at Chunfeng Tower. As soon as he arrived, he ordered a lot of delicious dishes and invited a group of girls over.
Upon receiving the five hundred taels of silver from Magistrate Wang, the madam was overjoyed. She immediately and respectfully arranged for someone to sit in the head seat and summoned all the beautiful girls over.
However, just as the magistrate was drinking with the girls, a cold voice came from outside.
The magistrate's wife angrily came over with a stick and started hitting the magistrate without saying a word. Before long, she had beaten the magistrate of the Wang family black and blue.
The onlookers seemed to have taken it all in stride, as if it were perfectly normal for Magistrate Wang to be beaten by his wife.
The round-faced older sister next to Yu Luo quietly explained, "Magistrate Wang's wife is a young lady from a prominent family in the capital. He is afraid of offending the powerful figures in the capital, which is why he dares not resist."
"But this Miss Cui is also unfortunate. She hasn't had a child in more than ten years and has no son or daughter to support her."
"It is said that he even made a wrong judgment this time, which angered the new emperor. If it weren't for the Cui family's sake, Magistrate Wang would have been dismissed long ago."
Sister Mei nodded in agreement: "After Magistrate Wang was released, he still couldn't control himself and came to Chunfeng Tower to rest, which angered the magistrate's wife. Qiqi, you must be careful and make sure you don't anger this lady."
Yu Luo naturally wouldn't provoke anyone, but from this brief information, she could deduce the immense power of the magistrate's wife's family.
Having gone over ten years without an heir, yet still able to beat Magistrate Wang with a stick, they must be no ordinary family.
After thinking for a moment, she asked quietly, "Hasn't Magistrate Wang checked?"
Hearing this, another woman peeked over and whispered, "Shh, I'll tell you something. Magistrate Wang is actually infertile. He told you this himself when he was drunk, and he didn't dare let his wife know!"
The other women around heard this and all shook their heads.
Sister Mei sighed, "It seems the magistrate's wife will never have children. Life is unpredictable. If something happens to the Cui family, the first person Magistrate Wang will abandon is his wife..."
The other women also sighed, as if they could see their own hopeless future.
Upon hearing this, a glint of inspiration flashed in Yu Luo's eyes; she already knew which way to go from here.
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