Confidence and Method
Zhao Ruxi smiled slightly, "If Your Highness really wants to vent your anger, it's not too late to come to the palace and say something after the results of the county examination are announced and the essays on the exam papers are circulated."
Grand Princess Shangde's eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands, saying, "Yes, yes, that's exactly what I was thinking."
She could go after the county examination was over, and no one could accuse her of interfering with the imperial examination. She wouldn't fight for Zhao Ruxi to be the top scholar; there was plenty of time, and talent would eventually be recognized. But it wouldn't be a problem to put a bad word to Zhang Li in front of the emperor.
After the exams, the top-scoring essays are always copied. She'll then take these essays to the palace for the Emperor to judge. If the Emperor also thinks Zhao Ruxi's essays are good, then this "eye-poisoning" will be even more effective.
Seeing that the two of them had shaken off their earlier dejection, Zhao Ruxi's mood improved as well.
She was confident that Xiao Ge would clear her name after reading her article because her article addressed the current social situation.
After all, she came from the future and was a highly educated office worker. She could see the political ills that the people of the Great Jin Dynasty could not see clearly because they were in the midst of the situation, and she could offer some solutions.
Because it was a county-level exam, her essay didn't focus on the big picture, but rather on the details, avoiding any abruptness or feeling of overdoing it. However, she was confident that she was stronger than many other candidates in terms of both theme and depth.
Six months ago, her only obstacle to this era in terms of culture and literature was the difference in expression. In modern times, whether it's a high school argumentative essay or a university thesis, it's all about presenting a viewpoint, arguing for that viewpoint, and drawing a conclusion; the methods of argumentation are exactly the same. The only difference is that one is expressed in vernacular Chinese and the other in classical Chinese.
After she memorized and understood dozens or even hundreds of classical Chinese texts, and after consistently writing articles in classical Chinese over the past six months, she has become proficient in using classical Chinese and can write eloquent classical Chinese articles.
Her Jianling perspective, political acumen, and novel and unique perspectives are qualities that are lacking in today's test takers.
This was the source of her confidence and assurance in taking the imperial examinations.
If we compare her writing to those of officials who passed the imperial examinations and had some experience in government, she wouldn't dare say she's better. But compared to those who weren't even scholars (xiucai), she's still quite confident.
With that matter resolved, she still had other things to say.
She lowered her head slightly, her face full of shame. "However, even if I pass the imperial examinations and become a Juren or Jinshi, in the end I'm afraid I will still fail His Highness's protection and Teacher Cui's high hopes and expectations."
She raised her head, her beautiful eyes filled with apology and sincerity. "Because I can't guarantee that I'll actually pass the imperial examinations and become a scholar, a provincial graduate, or a metropolitan graduate, and that I can serve the court for my entire life like those male candidates, even unto death. I'm not suited for officialdom; I only want to simply paint and pursue scholarship. So even if I pass the metropolitan examination, I might serve as an official for a while, but in the end, I'll go back to the life I want to live."
She glanced at Madam Cui: "I said these same things to Teacher Cui when I agreed to take the imperial examination."
Even under modern social systems, she wouldn't want to pursue an official career. In ancient times, where imperial power and privilege were paramount and one had to be obsequious at every turn, it was even less likely that she could succeed in the officialdom.
In her past life, she led a life of toil and died a violent death. Having barely escaped with her life, in this life she only wants to paint, earn some money, and do whatever she wants.
She cannot live for others, nor can she bear the burden for the greater good.
She agreed to participate in the imperial examinations for Madam Cui, and if possible, she might even serve as an official for a period of time, but not indefinitely. Once the situation stabilized, she would return to her own life and live the life she desired.
Upon hearing this, Madam Cui sighed.
However, she couldn't say anything to Zhao Ruxi.
If Zhao Ruxi were merely intelligent and only good at studying, she could still offer some advice. But now, Zhao Ruxi has clearly reached a level in painting that is unattainable for ordinary people, and her achievements in painting are far greater.
She couldn't bring herself to persuade Zhao Ruxi to give up painting and become an official, to abandon the broad road and take a thorny path that women had never walked before, which might end in her being smashed to pieces.
Who should be the sacrifice, giving up everything for those who come after?
Even if Zhao Ruxi herself was willing, Madam Cui could not agree.
Is it not selfish to ask a great painter, whose name will be remembered for eternity, to sacrifice himself for women, sacrificing the greater good for the lesser good?
Furthermore, will women be grateful for Zhao Ruxi's sacrifice? No, not only will they not be grateful or understanding, but they will also spit on her, despise her for showing her face in public, and for not being a virtuous woman. In the end, the people who will attack her the most will probably be women.
Thinking of this, Madam Cui couldn't help but smile bitterly.
She said, "Zhiwei, you made the right choice. Although I really want to change the situation of women, it's not something you can change by pursuing an official career. There are countless paths in life, not just becoming an official. If you paint well and become a great painter whose name will be remembered for generations, you can set a good example for women. I am already very moved that you can still participate in the imperial examinations with your current achievements."
"Moreover, you gave us the idea of starting a newspaper, allowing women to see more articles that change their thinking. You've already done a better job than I have in changing women's circumstances. How can I possibly feel ashamed?"
Grand Princess Shangde laughed from the side, "Alright, stop refusing, you're both excellent."
She looked at Zhao Ruxi, her eyes sparkling. "Zhiwei, your idea for starting a newspaper is excellent. Do you have any other ideas?"
Madam Cui perked up and looked at Zhao Ruxi expectantly.
Zhao Ruxi also had something to say to them about this issue.
She said, "The economic base determines the superstructure. I believe that only when women have a certain source of income, can support themselves and their children, and even earn more money than men in the family, becoming the economic pillar of the family, can they stand tall and have a voice in the family. This is the real way to improve women's social status."
"You're absolutely right!" Madam Cui exclaimed, clapping her hands in delight.
She managed the Women's Academy for so many years, initially with great enthusiasm, believing that she could improve women's knowledge and change their destiny through the academy's education.
But she discovered that Women's Academy couldn't change the women's situation. Those who could enter Women's Academy only saw them as bargaining chips for marriage and tools for advancement. Those who truly wanted to change their fate couldn't get into the Women's Academy. It was an unsolvable contradiction.
Over the years, she has become increasingly skeptical of the purpose of the Women's Academy.
But when asked to come up with a better method, she couldn't think of one.
Zhao Ruxi's words were a wake-up call.
"Then what should we do?" she asked eagerly. "Just publishing a newspaper isn't enough. How can we help more women earn money?"