Chapter 591

Chapter 591: Selfish and Self-Serving

Xu Shi Yun and Zhou Shu Yao worked tirelessly through the night.

They understood better than anyone what the Women’s Academy represented.

At dawn the next day, Zhou Shu Yao barely had time to rest. After taking just two sips of tea, she gathered her silver and set off.

She was determined to establish Women’s Academies across all of Northern Zhao.

With a total of 250,000 taels, she was ready to make great strides.

Leaving 130,000 taels for Xu Shi Yun, she ensured that academies could be built in the capital and its surrounding areas.

“Establishing these academies is not difficult, but finding suitable teachers to instruct the students will be a challenge,” Xu Shi Yun said.

“The capital is filled with scholars, but they are proud and aloof. Getting them to teach women may prove difficult…” Xu Shi Yun rubbed her temples, understanding the arrogance of scholars. If she could not recruit good teachers, everything would be in vain.

“Madam, you have not slept all night. How can your body endure this? Please, take some rest…” Deng Zhi, worried about Xu Shi Yun, brought her a calming tonic in hopes that she would sleep.

“Forget it. Have the kitchen bring me some strong tea instead.”

“Chao Chao is setting out today. I cannot afford to rest yet,” Xu Shi Yun waved her hand, drinking a bowl of strong tea to clear her mind.

“Since the imperial examinations have just concluded, the scholars have not yet left the capital. We should recruit teachers now.”

“Speaking of which, Chao Chao may be young, but she has organized the Women’s Academy to perfection. It includes a dining hall, dormitories, and even allows students to work to pay off their tuition,” Xu Shi Yun mused. Even students who needed lodging and meals could earn their keep through labor.

Deng Zhi’s eyes glimmered with admiration. “If one can change their fate through education, they no longer have to serve as slaves or maids.”

Most maids in noble families, except those born into servitude, were sold into service by their parents.

Xu Shi Yun gently patted Deng Zhi’s hand. “I have already erased your servant status. If you wish to study, you may do so at any time.”

Deng Zhi blushed. “Madam, I have no such intention. I only wish to remain by your side. Besides, how could someone my age become a student?”

“One is never too old to learn. If you desire knowledge, it is never too late. When the academy is built, you should attend daily.”

Xu Shi Yun never believed that a maid should feel inferior.

The greater the hardship, the more one must fight against fate.

Deng Zhi was momentarily stunned before bowing deeply. “Thank you, Madam. If so, I shall study for half the day. You are used to my service, and I would worry if someone else were to take my place.”

She had never thought of leaving her mistress. Even when Xu Shi Yun offered her freedom years ago, she had refused to depart.

“Alright, alright. As long as you are willing to study, I will allow it. Even if you do not aim for official titles, literacy alone is a great advantage.” Upon hearing Xu Shi Yun’s words, the maids of the estate were overjoyed.

In these times, literacy meant better opportunities for employment.

“Still, recruiting teachers will be difficult,” Xu Shi Yun sighed.

“The academy offers generous salaries,” Deng Zhi noted, having reviewed the recruitment list. The pay was exceptional, but societal biases remained a barrier.

“Spread word that we are hiring teachers. Post notices on Xiang Yun Street as well.”

There was a bulletin board on Xiang Yun Street where all job postings were displayed.

It was the fastest way to disseminate information.

“I will personally handle it,” Deng Zhi promised. The academy required a large number of teachers, and she planned to cover the entire bulletin board with notices.

A good teacher could produce excellent students.

“I have some classmates who are highly knowledgeable but come from poor backgrounds. They may be willing to teach,” Lu Yuan Xiao said. Among the poor scholars, he was well-respected, and his influence was strong among the younger generation.

“Good, but ensure that none of them look down upon women,” Xu Shi Yun warned.

Lu Yuan Xiao chuckled. “Mother, I am not so blind.”

“List my and my brother’s names as well. We will give lectures from time to time to help elevate the academy’s reputation.” Having two top scholars associated with the academy might attract more teachers.

Xu Shi Yun smiled. “Good.”

By the time Lu Chao Chao awoke, the sun had already risen.

Deng Zhi had just returned from Xiang Yun Street, looking visibly upset, her expression dark and stormy.

Noticing Chao Chao and Shan Shan having breakfast, she remained silent and stood behind Xu Shi Yun.

Xu Shi Yun immediately noticed the grievance in Deng Zhi’s eyes.

“Deng Zhi-jie, why are your eyes red? Who bullied you?” Lu Chao Chao put down her bowl, looking puzzled.

Deng Zhi did not want to burden Chao Chao. The princess was leaving the capital today, and she did not wish to add to her worries.

“Is it about the academy?” Chao Chao guessed accurately.

Given the Lu family’s current status, no one would dare trouble them—except for matters related to the Women’s Academy.

Tears welled up in Deng Zhi’s eyes as she knelt before Xu Shi Yun. “Madam, I have failed you.”

“I posted the recruitment notices on Xiang Yun Street, but before long…” Deng Zhi clenched her fists, her face filled with suppressed rage and humiliation.

“The notices were torn down completely.”

“Even now, people are guarding the street, preventing me from putting up new ones.” Deng Zhi had tried to argue, but the scholars had responded with mocking poetry, belittling her until her chest ached with fury.

Lu Chao Chao wiped her mouth. “I’ll go see.”

“Princess, please don’t go. Establishing the academy threatens male privilege, and the scholars are fiercely resisting.”

“Ungrateful wretches,” Deng Zhi spat. “When you built academies for them, they called you righteous and benevolent. But now that you are building schools for women, they claim women are unworthy of education, that it defiles the sages and desecrates the academy!”

“So, only they are entitled to benefits?!”

Lu Chao Chao said nothing. She simply picked up Shan Shan and walked out.

Deng Zhi stomped her foot in frustration, fearing that Chao Chao would be exposed to vile insults. She immediately followed.

When their carriage reached the entrance of Xiang Yun Street, it could go no further.

From afar, a large crowd of scholars had gathered, their faces filled with righteous indignation as they debated fiercely.

“Stop the carriage. Let’s walk,” Lu Chao Chao handed Shan Shan to Zhu Mo.

Zhu Mo hoisted Shan Shan onto his shoulders, the boy gripping his neck tightly as Zhu Mo led the way.

“Women studying? Preposterous!”

“Do they even know what the sages look like? Do they know who the sages are?”

“Women should focus on embroidery, serving their husbands, and raising children. Studying is a man’s duty! What can women understand? All they do is gossip and sow discord. If women enter schools, the entire system will be corrupted!”

“If women gain knowledge, will they still be willing to stay in the inner chambers and bear children? Society will be in chaos!”

“Princess Sunshine’s efforts to educate women go against all morals and traditions!”

“Education and government service are men’s roles! What do women understand?!” The scholars knew one thing for certain—men were born superior, simply because they had access to education.

As long as they could read, they could change their fate. Women, on the other hand, had to depend on men.

If women could alter their own destinies, would they still be content to sacrifice their lives for the benefit of men?