Chapter 1: As the Provincial Examination Approaches, Information Is Hard to Find

Chapter One: The Provincial Examination Approaches, Materials Are Hard to Find

“A woman taking the imperial examination? Utter nonsense!” Master Lin’s furious roar echoed through the Lin family study, making the paintings on the walls tremble.

Lin Shiya knelt upright, her back straight as a pine, unmoved by her father’s wrath.

She knew this path would be strewn with thorns, but she would not retreat.

The provincial exams were fast approaching, and time was running out.

Lin Shiya had been clever since childhood, passionate about reading, versed in classics and poetry, her talent no less than any man’s.

Yet in this era, where women were praised for having no talent, her learning found no outlet.

No one in her family supported her aspiration for the examination, and there wasn’t even a complete set of materials at home.

The air in the study was so stifling it felt frozen, pressing down until Lin Shiya could barely breathe.

She needed to find study materials quickly if she was to have any hope of success.

At dawn the next day, Lin Shiya, accompanied by Butler Chen, made her way to the largest bookstore in town—Brush and Ink Pavilion.

She pushed open the heavy wooden door, and the fragrance of ink greeted her, rows upon rows of books filling her with a glimmer of hope.

From classics and histories to poetry and essays, every genre was neatly arranged upon the shelves.

The bookstore was bustling, the sounds of customers flipping through pages, the proprietor’s calls, and children’s laughter mingling into a vivid tapestry of city life.

Lin Shiya approached the counter, took a deep breath, and bowed respectfully: “Proprietor, may I ask if your store has past provincial examination questions and relevant study materials?”

Master Wang, the bookstore owner, scrutinized Lin Shiya, his gaze lingering a moment, a sly smile curling at his lips.

“You’re a stranger here, aren’t you, young master?” He stroked his chin, eyes shrewd, and the surrounding din seemed to grow harsher.

Lin Shiya felt a chill—things were not going well.

“Good eye, young master. Of course we have materials for the provincial exam,” Master Wang said, squinting, his plump face wreathed in a smile that was anything but honest. “But… these are unique copies. Priceless, really.” He deliberately stretched the words, and his beady eyes flashed with calculation.

Lin Shiya’s heart sank—just as she expected.

She had known it wouldn’t go smoothly.

Suppressing her displeasure, she replied calmly, “Name your price, proprietor.”

Master Wang held up two fingers, looking smug: “Two hundred taels, per volume. Fair for everyone!”

Lin Shiya’s almond eyes widened, anger flaring. Two hundred taels?

She was being fleeced!

With a cold laugh, she retorted, “Your price is absurd. However rare these exam papers may be, they can’t possibly be worth that much!”

Master Wang sneered, his bulk shifting as he spoke with disdain, “Ah, young master, you don’t know the market! These are genuine past exam papers—many would beg for them! And some materials are so rare, I keep them for myself.”

“Not for sale?” Lin Shiya laughed in exasperation, her icy gaze fixed on Master Wang. “You’re deliberately making things difficult! I only want a set of exam materials, yet you treat me as an easy mark.”

Master Wang, surprised at her boldness, let his smile fade, replaced by a dark impatience.

“Buy or don’t buy! I’ve plenty of customers!” His voice rose, asserting his dominance.

Nearby customers paused, curiosity piqued.

The atmosphere grew tense, the boisterous noise dying down.

Lin Shiya drew a deep breath, striving for calm.

She glanced around, then smiled with quiet confidence, her clear voice ringing through the bookstore: “Since you claim these materials are so precious, why not let us compete? If I win, you sell me the materials at a fair price; if I lose, I’ll leave without another word.”

A stir swept the crowd. All eyes turned to Lin Shiya, surprised that this delicate-looking youth would make such a bold proposal. Even Master Wang was taken aback, his jowls quivering, eyes darkening.

“Oh? A contest of scholarship?” Master Wang’s eyes turned, speaking slowly.

Lin Shiya ignored his hesitation, stepping to the center of the room, her gaze sweeping every onlooker: “Let us debate poetry and the classics. Do you accept, Master Wang?”

She stood tall, like a lone bamboo, drawing all eyes.

Master Wang’s mind worked quickly.

He’d thought Lin Shiya was just a naive youth to be exploited, but hadn’t expected such daring.

He wasn’t well-read himself but knew the provincial exam was difficult. Could this youth really be so confident?

If he won, all was well. If he lost, his reputation would suffer.

“Fine! As you wish!” Master Wang gritted his teeth, accepting the challenge.

He refused to believe a mere boy could best him.

Excitement rippled through the crowd; people whispered and watched eagerly.

Brush and Ink Pavilion was famed for Master Wang’s debates on the classics. Now, a young challenger drew even greater interest.

The contest began. Lin Shiya answered calmly, fluently.

Whether poetry or philosophy, she responded with ease, citing classics, eloquent and unceasing.

Master Wang’s face grew darker, sweat beading on his brow.

He’d expected an easy victory, but faced a formidable opponent.

The crowd listened, spellbound, murmuring praise.

Lin Shiya’s brilliance astonished them.

Some even wondered if this delicate youth was truly a girl.

As the contest continued, Lin Shiya grew more confident, her words sharp and dazzling, leaving Master Wang speechless.

In the end, Master Wang had to admit defeat.

“Well! Well! Well!” He forced a smile, “Young master, your talent is remarkable. I am impressed! I will prepare the exam materials at once—though they must be fetched from the storeroom, sorted and bound, which will take several days.”

Though displeased, Lin Shiya knew she could not rush matters, and nodded.

“Thank you, proprietor. I shall return in a few days.”

With that, Lin Shiya and Butler Chen left Brush and Ink Pavilion.

Outside, sunlight bathed the bustling street.

But Lin Shiya’s mood was heavy.

She did not know if Master Wang would keep his word, nor if she would obtain the exam materials.

Shops lined the street, merchants cried their wares, but all seemed bleak to Lin Shiya.

Lost in thought, she wandered home, finding herself at a quiet alleyway.

Suddenly, a group of scholars in robes approached, laughing and boasting, full of self-importance.

Lin Shiya wished only to return home, but trouble found her.

“Well, if it isn’t Miss Lin! What brings you to Brush and Ink Pavilion? Shopping for rouge and powder?” scoffed a weasel-faced scholar named Li Si, his tone dripping with mockery.

He’d long disapproved of Lin Shiya, believing women belonged at home, serving husbands—what use was book learning?

Lin Shiya recognized him as a notorious pedant, always criticizing women, and felt a surge of disgust.

She snorted coldly, retorting, “I come to buy books. Unlike some, who only talk big but are empty inside.”

Li Si flushed, stung by her words, and snapped, “Empty inside? I am a scholar! How dare a woman speak so rudely!”

“A scholar? You?” Lin Shiya met his gaze fearlessly, contempt in her eyes. “I’ve read more books than you’ve eaten rice! What right have you to mock me?”

Passersby paused at the dispute, curiosity mounting.

Their eyes pricked at Lin Shiya, making her uncomfortable.

“You… you…” Li Si trembled with rage, pointing at her, “A woman dreaming of the imperial exams—pure fantasy! A woman’s virtue is lack of talent. What use is reading? In the end, you’ll just marry and serve your husband!”

Lin Shiya laughed coldly. “A woman's virtue is lack of talent? Who said so? Confucius never did! I read the classics to understand reason, to cultivate myself, to manage my home and govern the nation—not just to marry and serve a husband!”

Her voice was resolute, echoing through the alley, aweing all present.

Onlookers nodded in admiration, praising Lin Shiya’s courage and talent.

Li Si and his companions, shamed, slunk away.

Returning home, Lin Shiya recounted the events to Master Lin.

He sighed deeply, speaking with concern, “Shiya, I know you are clever and support your studies, but the path of the imperial exam is no trifling matter. You are a woman, and it is improper for you to be so public. I hope you understand my intentions and give up the exam, stay home, and await your future.”

Lin Shiya’s feelings were mixed.

She knew her father meant well, but she could not abandon her dream.

Steadfast, she replied, “Father, my mind is made up. I will not give up! I believe women can hold up half the sky!”

Master Lin, exasperated by her stubbornness, left in anger, leaving Lin Shiya alone in the study.

Outside, darkness gathered, the study silent save for the flickering candlelight.

Lin Shiya gazed at the night sky, filled with confusion and anxiety.

The road ahead was long—how should she continue preparing for the exam?

She went to her desk, picked up a poetry anthology, and began to read.

The words on the page seemed alive, dancing before her eyes, shining with wisdom.

Drawing a deep breath, her resolve ignited.

No matter how rough the path ahead, she would not give up!

She would prove that women could make their mark on the imperial examination!

She gently set down the poetry book, her gaze falling upon the inkstone on her desk...