Immortal Travel of Longevity

Tong Nianyi still could not understand.

No matter whom she asked, she received no answer. Even the Mister at the academy could not give her a clear explanation.

Yet through this constant questioning, she did confirm one thing.

Even if she did not know why she had to study, studying was definitely useful.

She did not need much of an explanation.

Actually, simply knowing it was useful was enough.

Later, she returned to the academy. After that, she was no longer as inattentive as before, slowly absorbing everything taught in the books one by one.

Perhaps because of her studies, in just over a year, Tong Nianyi gave off an entirely different impression. Her speech had lost much of its childishness and she behaved with far more propriety, though she still retained her childlike innocence.

She was slowly growing up.

But when speaking with Tong Zhihuan, Mister Xiucai expressed a deep sense of helplessness about one matter.

"She has a great talent for her studies, but it is a pity she was born into a chaotic world where she cannot put it to use. Given the current circumstances, however, the imperial examinations will likely resume in a few years. It is just... she is a girl," he said.

Hearing this, Tong Zhihuan could not help but sigh.

It was true.

Since ancient times, when had a female official ever been seen in the Imperial Court?

Tong Nianyi had been listening. The Mister had also said this to her before.

She relayed his words to Big Cat.

"Big Cat."

"The Mister at the academy says I am very good at my studies, but he also said I shouldn't read too much. He told me to read less, saying that the better I study and the more I read, the more helpless I will feel in the future. I asked the Mister why, but before he just kept telling me..."

"Today I heard Daddy chatting with the Mister, and they said women cannot take the imperial examinations. Is that true?"

Lihua leaped down from the top of the wall and landed beside Tong Nianyi. "I think so. I've heard that before."

Tong Nianyi paused and lowered her head. "Why won't they let women take the imperial examinations?"

Lihua shook its head. It did not understand that either.

Tong Nianyi reached out and threw a pebble into the river, splashing up a little water.

She sighed softly, suddenly seeming to realize why the Mister had said those things.

She had been confused at the time. What could be bad about reading more?

What was wrong with studying well?

So this was the reason.

All because she was a girl.

Tong Nianyi suddenly paused, then asked, "If I dressed up as a man, would I be able to participate?"

Lihua blinked at those words, thinking Tong Nianyi's idea was rather brilliant.

"I guess you could."

"That won't work."

A voice carried over.

Tong Nianyi looked back and hurriedly called out.

"Grandpa Jin."

Master Jin San tossed a dried fish to Lihua.

He walked over, sat down, and said, "The imperial examinations are not a joke, nor can just anyone participate. To take the local county examination, you need someone to vouch for you, to prevent those of lowly status from sneaking in. The guarantor must also hold a licentiate degree. Furthermore, you must be searched before entering the examination hall, and your identity will be verified. If they discover you are a woman dressed as a man, forget about your teacher losing his degree because of you—your entire family would likely suffer the consequences."

Tong Nianyi paled upon hearing this. "Then... is there no other way?"

Master Jin San said, "It is extremely dangerous, and completely unnecessary. Could it be that you want to take the imperial examinations to become an official?"

Tong Nianyi was stunned. "An... an official?"

"Yes, an official."

Master Jin San explained, "The imperial examinations are a path to becoming an official. Students take them to make a name for themselves in the future, to become official lords and gain renown. Your Aunt Ruyi's younger brother went all the way through the imperial examinations, swept first place in all three rounds, entered the Hanlin Academy, and eventually took the seat of Metropolitan Governor."

"So you need to understand, the imperial examinations are purely for becoming an official. If you do not want to be an official, you do not need to dwell on this."

Tong Nianyi sighed softly. "Grandpa Jin, I don't want to be an official either. I just do not understand why it is so unfair. Is the difference between women and men really that huge?"

Hearing this, Master Jin San smiled, but he did not speak to that.

The child was still young. What was the point of saying so much?

He merely offered a perfunctory reply: "You will have to find that answer yourself."

After a moment's thought, Master Jin San added, "But Nianyi, you must never entertain any thoughts of seeking justice for women. That is Grandpa Jin's solemn advice to you."

"Why?"

"In years past, your Grandpa Jin has seen many such things. Back then, there was a woman who dressed as a man and was not discovered until she actually passed as a presented scholar. She delivered a grand, impassioned speech, speaking up for women. Eventually, her words reached His Majesty. His Majesty was especially interested in this woman and wanted to summon her into the palace. But when the palace servants went to invite her, they found she had already hanged herself from a beam."

"Why?!" Tong Nianyi cried out in shock. "Even if some people did not want to reform, they shouldn't have forced someone to their death!"

"You are mistaken," Master Jin San said with a smile. "It wasn't those who opposed reform who did it. To them, although this woman made a bold spectacle, it did not warrant taking her life. What truly killed her was the gossip and rumors in the streets."

"In traditional understanding, it has long been believed that a woman's virtue lies in having no talent. Past ideologies taught that women should honor the three obediences and four virtues: obey her father before marriage, her husband after marriage, and her son after her husband's death. The four virtues refer to feminine morality, proper speech, modest appearance, and diligent work—demands placed on a woman's looks, character, and behavior. This is also how the vast majority of women think."

"When the women and wives in the streets heard such a speech, they only felt this young woman was making a disgraceful spectacle of herself, forgetting the three obediences and four virtues she was supposed to follow. Therefore, they hurled curses, insults, and pointed fingers at her."

"Perhaps even she never expected that while she was speaking up for all the women in the world, it would ultimately be those very women who would belittle and humiliate her. Not only did they not appreciate her efforts, but they cursed her, even wishing for her to die a miserable death. That was why, completely crushed by disappointment, she hanged herself in her room."

Tong Nianyi fell silent. Still so young, she simply could not comprehend why.

Her own home had never held any rules about the three obediences and four virtues, so she understood it even less.

Her gaze was vacant, as if she were completely uncomprehending of all this.

Master Jin San sighed and said, "In truth, His Majesty had intentions of instituting a system for female officials back then. But after such a tragedy occurred, he was greatly disappointed, and he realized that such reforms could not be accomplished overnight. Thus, the matter was shelved and never brought up again."

"His Majesty is a wise ruler; emperors like him have been exceptionally rare throughout history. It was precisely because of this that the woman could return home safely after making such bold claims that day. If it had been the Grand Ancestor of Xiang or Emperor Jing in the past, they might have had her beaten to death with staves right then and there for the crime of deceiving the sovereign."

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