Madam Cui's Invitation
After Yicui lit the lamp, Xu Xi focused intently on practicing calligraphy, and to her delight, heard the announcement, "Congratulations, host, Wisdom Points +4." Without Xu Xi needing to ask, the system readily displayed a screen before her, showing her the score as "150."
"Host, I'll investigate for you right away. However, because the scope is too vast and the time period is too distant, it will take me a while, perhaps a day, perhaps a month. Please be patient and prepared," the system said.
"Okay, fine." Xu Xi understood. No matter how the system investigated, such old stories were not easy to uncover.
"Furthermore, if the person cannot be found, or if the person is found to be dead, the deducted points will not be refunded." The system said, and with a "whoosh," the points on the screen turned to "0," the action was so fast that Xu Xi didn't even have time to react.
Xu Xi was speechless for a moment. "Fine, I won't back down, but you have to do your best. If I find out you're trying to pull a fast one, I'm really going to be a couch potato. You know I keep my word."
"No, no. I also hope you can resolve your family matters so you can focus on your studies. Besides, if it's really as you suspect, and you are the First Madam's daughter, then wouldn't you be the eldest daughter of the Marquis's main branch, the Marquis's own daughter? How could Zhao Ruyu compare to that status? Even if she gets into the Capital Women's Academy, so what? How can an adopted daughter from a concubine's branch compare to you, the eldest daughter of the main branch? Even if she marries the second son of the Marquis of Pingnan, so what? You can definitely marry someone better than her."
Xu Xi was speechless again. Who set up this system? How could it be so full of feudal remnants? Do women really have to get married? And comparing a woman's worth based on the status of her husband—how ridiculous! You cry in a BMW, I laugh on the back of a bicycle—who's truly happier?
"Fine. If you want to think that way, then think that way," she said helplessly. As long as they can seriously investigate his background, that's enough.
Seeing the screen display a zero, Xu Xi still wrote two more pieces of text, changing the number back to "8" before washing up and going to bed. It was only the hour of Xu (7-9 PM) in modern time, but the entire Marquis's residence was already quiet, and everyone was asleep.
Early to bed, early to rise. Xu Xi woke up naturally, ran to the old lady to pay her respects, had breakfast with her, and then took a carriage to the academy. Just like yesterday, she arrived half an hour early for class.
"Miss Xu, why have you arrived so early?"
The old women guarding the gate were none other than Nanny Jiang and Nanny Tao, who had chatted with Xu Xi the other day. Xu Xi had given them two packets of pastries when she came yesterday, so they were especially enthusiastic when they saw Xu Xi now.
"I came over when I had nothing to do at home. It's quite peaceful to practice calligraphy in the classroom," Xu Xi said with a smile.
She deliberately didn't bring any snacks for these old women today. It's not good to make it a habit. A little kindness is appreciated, but too much will breed resentment. Giving them a little occasionally, just as a token, is enough.
Upon entering the academy, she found the classrooms empty, but she wasn't afraid. She spread out paper, ground ink, and began practicing calligraphy.
Xu Xi didn't know how long she had been practicing when there was a knock at the door. She came to her senses and looked towards the door, where she saw Madam Cui standing there.
She quickly put down her pen, stood up, and called out, "Teacher Cui."
Madam Cui walked in, looked at the calligraphy she had practiced, and nodded. "Yesterday, Madam Xiao praised your calligraphy, and it seems she was right. You've put in a lot of effort; not bad at all." Her serious face softened.
"Thank you for your encouragement, Master." Xu Xi bowed.
Seeing Xu Xi's calm and composed demeanor, Madam Cui's expression softened even more.
"I heard from the patrolling old woman that you arrived early, so I came specifically to find you."
Xu Xi looked puzzled.
Looking for her? What's up?
Madam Cui glanced outside. "Someone will probably be here soon. Why don't we go to my place and talk?"
"Okay." Xu Xi readily agreed.
After following Madam Cui out of the schoolhouse, she saw Nanny Yun and Xiaoru standing outside. The group walked a short distance before Madam Cui led the way into a courtyard.
There isn't just one courtyard here, but a whole complex of three courtyards arranged in a triangular shape. These courtyards aren't adjacent; they're all several meters apart.
"This is where Madam Chen and I conduct our business," Madam Cui explained.
Grand Princess Shangde only visits occasionally; the specific affairs are handled by her and Madam Chen, among others. These places are for their offices and rest areas.
Upon entering the main room, the two sat down according to their social status, and a maid immediately served them tea.
"I called you here because you got top marks on your Four Books and Five Classics exam yesterday," Madam Cui said bluntly.
The so-called "A-A" means a perfect score.
Seeing that Xu Xi did not show any surprise and seemed to have everything under control, Madam Cui was slightly surprised, but her eyes showed admiration.
"Do you know anything about the fact that women can participate in the imperial examinations?" Madam Cui asked.
Xu Xi quickly shook his head, stood up, and bowed. "Please tell me, Master."
When she read the novel, all she knew was that the time-traveling empress created such a system, but she didn't know the specifics.
"Do you know how many women participated in the imperial examinations in the past, how many passed, and what official positions they held?" Madam Cui asked again.
The student does not know.
Madam Cui nodded, gesturing for her to sit down. "The reason I called you here today is to tell you that ever since Empress Shengyao fought against all the men in the world to win this opportunity for women, in all these years, only twenty-three women have participated in the imperial examinations, with two ultimately passing as Xiucai and one as Juren."
Because that time-traveling empress made great contributions to this era, she was posthumously given the title of "Holy Radiance," meaning that she was like holy light shining on the earth.
Xu Xi was surprised. "Only this much?" But after thinking about it again, she could understand.
Changing traditional ideas doesn't happen overnight. In modern times, from the Republic of China era to before she time-traveled, for over a century, many families in rural areas still believed that sending girls to school was a waste of money, because they would eventually belong to someone else's family. It was only because the country implemented nine-year compulsory education and mandated that all school-age children in every village attend school, with village officials and schools constantly visiting families to persuade them, that those parents who were unwilling to send their girls to school finally succumbed to reality and had no choice but to do so.
In ancient times, the cost of education was already expensive. The Xu Family was relatively well-off; Xu Yongyi ran a small business, and the family also had leased land. They could barely afford to send Xu Chongwen to school. Given how much the Xu Family doted on their daughter, it was impossible for Xu Xue to study like Xu Chongwen.
Therefore, those who had the means to study were not allowed by their families to participate in the imperial examinations, and they lacked the motivation to strive for it; while those from impoverished families who wanted to change their fate through their own efforts couldn't even afford writing materials and the "Three Character Classic," let alone the means to participate in the imperial examinations.
While the Women's Academy seemed to have secured educational opportunities for women, in reality, it was merely a bargaining chip for women in that era to increase their social standing and marry into a good family. Girls from poor families couldn't get in, and the fees were prohibitive—just look at Xu Xue to see why.