Chapter 438 The Women Who Failed the Interview
The two men stared intently at Daiyu, awaiting her decision.
Daiyu put down her pen, pondered for a moment, and said, "The prince's suggestion is good, but it is indeed a bit hasty. However, what Brother Bao said is not entirely correct—why can't women learn riding and archery?"
She stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the students playing on the playground: "How about this, we first invite a female instructor to teach some basic riding skills. Those who want to learn can learn, without forcing them. Once everyone has adapted, we can consider adding archery courses."
This compromise left both of them speechless.
The Tenth Prince glanced at Baoyu triumphantly, as if he had won. Baoyu also raised an eyebrow, not feeling that he had lost.
After the two men left, Daiyu shook her head helplessly. Yinduo laughed from the side, "These two gentlemen have been treating the academy like their own home lately."
Daiyu remained noncommittal.
With the help of these two, the affairs of the academy indeed went much more smoothly.
The Tenth Prince, with his royal status, resolved many official procedures; Baoyu, with the Jia family's influence in Jiangnan, also cultivated many connections.
Although Daiyu was a princess and the daughter of the Governor-General of Liangjiang, she would not encounter any obstacles in doing these things based solely on her own status.
However, she was happy to have someone share the burden.
This gave her a lot more free time, allowing her to read more books and prepare for next year's imperial examinations.
Time flies, and the end of the year is approaching. Under Daiyu's leadership, Suzhou Women's Academy is thriving, with the number of students increasing to more than two hundred, and even branch campuses are beginning to enroll students.
Although the branch school currently only offers practical courses, officials transferred from the capital to Suzhou have already inquired whether women trained at the branch school can become stewardesses.
That day, Daiyu was grading her students' assignments when she suddenly heard a commotion outside. Xueyan rushed in to report, "Miss, more than a dozen women have come outside, demanding an explanation as to why the academy has not accepted them."
Daiyu put down her pen and frowned slightly: "Have you found out which group of students it is?"
"They said they failed the exam this fall," Xueyan said in a low voice. "The leaders don't seem very easy to deal with."
Daiyu straightened her dress and said, "Please invite them to the front hall to talk."
In the front hall, more than a dozen women were talking amongst themselves. When they saw Daiyu enter, they immediately fell silent, but their eyes showed obvious dissatisfaction.
A brightly dressed woman spoke first: "Princess Lin, we are all daughters of respectable families, why does the academy refuse to accept us? Is it because they think our background is not noble enough?"
Daiyu calmly took her seat, her gaze sweeping over everyone: "The academy's admission criteria prioritize character first, followed by academic talent. There are reasons why none of you were selected."
Another tall, thin woman sneered, "What's the reason? Could it be because we didn't give the princess a gift?"
These words were harsh, and even the Tenth Prince, who was listening in, frowned. Baoyu was about to speak when Daiyu stopped him with a look.
"Since you all asked, I'll be frank," Daiyu said in a cool voice. "However, some things can only be said in private. If I were to say them in public, I'm afraid your lives would become difficult. So, one by one, please speak!"
Daiyu was the first to enter the soundproof room. The room was very well soundproofed; no one outside could hear her talking inside.
The first person to enter was a woman dressed in bright colors.
“Miss Zhang,” Daiyu glanced at her, “your father is the Vice Prefect of Suzhou, and you were originally eligible to enroll. However, the academy has found that you frequently abuse your maids at home, and last month you even beat one maid so badly that she was bedridden for half a month. Is that true?”
Miss Zhang's face turned deathly pale, her lips trembled, and she was unable to speak. Without uttering a word, she bowed and left.
Seeing her come out so quickly, the other women all turned to look at her.
But Miss Zhang came out without saying hello and left with her maid.
Next, a tall, thin woman went in.
Daiyu glanced at her.
"Miss Li, your father owns a silk shop and your family is quite wealthy. However, in order to seize the family fortune, you secretly poisoned your half-brother, causing him to be bedridden to this day. Would you like to invite your father to confront you?"
Miss Li staggered backward, nearly falling...
One by one, the women waiting outside were called in, and none of them uttered a single word before leaving.
“Miss Wang, you have been caught in the act by a married man by his wife.”
“Miss Zhao, you’ve driven someone to their death by lending money at exorbitant interest rates.”
"Miss Sun, you forged land deeds and forcibly seized your neighbor's land..."
Until the very end, no one dared to look Daiyu in the eye.
Every woman who came out was arrogant when she went in, but came out looking ashen-faced.
After a long while, a woman in blue, who had been keeping her head down, suddenly came from behind and entered the soundproof room, bursting into tears: "Your Highness is wise and discerning, I know I was wrong... I was just confused for a moment, that's why I stole my stepmother's bracelet..."
Daiyu looked at her and said in a slightly gentler tone, "To know one's mistakes and correct them is the greatest virtue. If you are truly willing to do good, you can first go to the Ciji Hall to do volunteer work for half a year. After you have corrected your mistakes and started anew, you can come and try again when the academy enrolls students next year."
The woman kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Thank you for your mercy, Your Highness! I will definitely repent!"
After the women outside had all left, Daiyu came in and whispered to Xueyan, "Have someone investigate the woman in green who apologized earlier. If she really went to Ciji Hall to do volunteer work, give her a chance to take an exam in six months."
The snow goose responded and flew away.
The Tenth Prince asked in bewilderment, "Since my sister has given her a chance, why not just admit her to school?"
"One exam doesn't mean anything. If she really wants to come to the girls' academy, it doesn't matter if she waits half a year," Daiyu thought to herself.
“The academy can accept students like this, but she needs to prove that she can really pass the interview. Opportunities that come easily are not cherished.”
Upon hearing this, Baoyu looked at Daiyu as if he had understood something.
Just then, a voice came from outside the door: "Princess, Miaopu requests an audience."
Miao Pu pushed in a specially made wheelchair. Although she had difficulty moving around, she had a rosy complexion and her eyes were bright.
She was holding a thick stack of manuscripts in her hands:
"Princess, I have organized all my notes from the medical class. I have also compiled a set of exercises suitable for women to strengthen their bodies based on the prescriptions given by the imperial physician."
Daiyu took a look and saw that the notes were neat and detailed, and the techniques were illustrated. She was pleasantly surprised and said, "Miaopu, you have really been a great help!"
Miao Pu smiled shyly: "If it weren't for the princess saving me, I would have lost my life long ago. It is my blessing to be able to do my part for the academy."
The Tenth Prince and Baoyu were both deeply moved as they looked at Miaopu. This girl, who had once been trapped in a porcelain vase, was now able to make such a contribution.
Daiyu, holding Miaopu's hand, said to everyone, "This is my original intention in establishing the academy—to enable every woman to find her own value, regardless of her background or what she has experienced."
Outside the window, the sun was shining brightly. On the playground, female students were practicing their newly learned Tai Chi. Although their movements were not perfect, they were all very serious.
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