Ouyang Nan achieved the highest rank in the provincial examination, causing a sensation in Shuixian Village. Most villagers did not know Ouyang Nan, and judging from the surname, Ouyang was an outsider, as no one in Shuixian Village had this surname.
When people mentioned that three years ago, Marquis Zhengyang took in two children, the Ouyang siblings, and after they came to Shuixian Village, Zhao Xian sent them to school.
It was only then that people remembered that there was indeed such a child in the village. Unexpectedly, three years later, he easily passed the imperial examination and became the top scholar.
Wufang Academy became famous after passing the provincial examination. Ten students from Wufang Academy participated in the examination, and four of them passed. Two of them were from Shuixian Village.
It should be noted that of the more than 3,000 people who participated in the provincial examination in Huizhou Prefecture, only a little over 100 passed. However, four students from Wufang Academy passed the examination, one of whom won first place.
Now it's impossible for Wufang Academy not to become famous. More students will come to study here in the future, and it seems that Wufang Academy, which was just built last year, will not be enough to meet the demand.
That day, Narcissus Village was bustling with activity. As evening approached, the guests invited by Zhao Xian arrived one after another. There were no outsiders tonight; most of them were family members and teachers from the academy. Of course, the village head was also invited.
The atmosphere at the banquet was very harmonious, with everyone toasting and enjoying themselves immensely.
The happiest people tonight were Ruan Fang and several gentlemen, while Mr. Lin was rather sullen.
Everyone knew that Master Lin taught in a girls' school, and no matter how talented his students were, they were not allowed to participate in the imperial examinations.
There was no way around it; that was reality. But Master Lin was a straightforward person, and there were some things he still had to say.
“In my school, there are many bright girls. In my opinion, they are no less talented than boys. If they were to participate in the provincial examination, I am sure some of them would pass.”
"There's nothing we can do about it. Throughout history, women have been barred from taking exams and serving as officials in the government."
Furthermore, how many families nowadays are willing to send their daughters to school?
"In our Narcissus Village, some villagers are well-off, and they realize the importance of girls knowing a few words, so they send their girls to school," an old man said.
Master Lin picked up his wine cup, took a big gulp, and continued speaking:
"Among my students, Zhao Lingling and Ouyang Xiaoyu are very intelligent. Ouyang Nan and Ouyang Xiaoyu are siblings. If the brother is so smart, the sister is not far behind. It is a pity that they cannot participate in the provincial examination. Otherwise, they would easily win the championship."
When Master Lin finished speaking, no one responded. They knew that if they said something wrong and displeased Master Lin, he would argue with them without hesitation.
Just then, Li Guang picked up his wine cup, walked up to Master Lin, and said:
"Master Lin, do not be discouraged. In our Great Northern Dynasty, women cannot participate in the imperial examinations or serve as officials. This only represents the current situation and does not represent the future."
In the future Great Northern Dynasty, as long as women are talented, virtuous, and capable, they can still enter the court and serve as officials.
Women are not allowed to participate in the imperial examinations, and this is unlikely to change in the short term, but the court may adopt a pilot program to change the status quo.
Perhaps in three years, the imperial court will use Master Lin's school as a pilot program to allow your students to participate in the imperial examinations.
Master Lin must not lose heart; he must teach diligently, and surely more women will pass the imperial examinations."
Li Guang's words shocked everyone present. Li Guang was the future emperor, and what he just said contained a great deal of information, which should be the direction of his governance after he ascended the throne.
Master Lin was very excited. He picked up his wine cup, stood up, and drank it all with Li Guang.
If a few of my students become female scholars who pass the imperial examinations, it will be the first time women have participated in the imperial examinations, and I will be remembered in history. I will have no regrets in this life.
In the following days, Ouyang Nan's success in the imperial examination, becoming the top scholar in the provincial examination, became the talk of the town. The fact that four students from Wufang Academy had passed the imperial examination shocked students all over the country, giving those who had studied hard for years more hope.
During this time, Master Qin went to the capital, and Zhao Xian was very busy. Fortunately, Li Xue helped him manage his business, so Zhao Xian did not feel too tired.
Master Qin has been in the capital for over a month and is expected to return to Shuixian Village in the next few days. Zhao Xian counts the days on his fingers, hoping for his swift return.
On this day, Master Qin finally returned, and not only that, Shen Yong also came along. Seeing the two of them smiling and amiable, Zhao Xian knew that his relationship with Li Xue was successful.
Although he knew that his relationship with Li Xue was a done deal, Zhao Xian still felt a little uneasy. Now he could finally relax completely.
Master Qin told Zhao Xian that after they went to the capital, Shen Yong took him to the Prince's mansion. Following the proper procedure for proposing marriage, Master Qin submitted a marriage proposal to the Fourth Prince, who took it very seriously.
The two parties then discussed the matter. Master Qin was very experienced in this matter and considered the issues very carefully.
They had originally planned to hold their wedding after the Lunar New Year, but Li Xue would be twenty-one years old after the New Year.
In folk tradition, a woman who is over twenty and still unmarried is considered an old maid. Of course, the Fourth Prince did not want his Xue'er to become an old maid before getting married.
Finally, both parties agreed to set their wedding date for the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. Since Zhao Xian owned a house in the capital, the Fourth Prince hoped that the two would get married in the capital. After the wedding, where the two would live would no longer be important.
The Fourth Prince's request was reasonable, and Master Qin immediately agreed. Next, the Fourth Prince asked Master Qin to stay in the capital for a few days. It just so happened that Shen Yong had a few important matters to attend to and also needed to stay in the capital for a few days.
Thus, during the few days that Master Qin stayed in the capital, the Fourth Prince treated him as an honored guest and took great care of him.
In the evening, Master Qin went to the Marquis's mansion to rest. The mansion was very large, and even though no one lived there, there were four servants who carried out daily maintenance.
Looking at the vast mansion, Master Qin was filled with emotion. His two daughters, Qin Shiyu and Qin Yingying, were both twenty years old, and Princess Li Xue was about the same age as them.
But Li Xue will be getting married and starting a family at the end of the year, while his two daughters are still unmarried. They will both be twenty-one after the New Year. How can he not be anxious?
After returning to Narcissus Village this time, I must put pressure on the two girls to make them take their life's most important matter seriously.
Over the past year, many people have come to propose marriage, some of whom are indeed well-off, but the couple refused without even asking any questions.
Several years ago, the Qin family suffered an unexpected disaster, which led to the separation of Qin Yuanwai's wife and children. Fortunately, Zhao Xian rescued the two sisters from the brokerage firm. Later, Li Guang also rescued the others from prison, thus saving the Qin family from annihilation.
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