After a broken heart, I traveled through time and space and became an abandoned concubine. My fate i

Chapter 111: The excitement of the school

As the morning wore on, the sun grew stronger, mercilessly piercing the clouds and casting its rays freely upon every corner of the various universities. Within the lecture halls, the atmosphere was so heavy it seemed as if water could drip from them; within the courtyards, a stifling silence reigned.

Some conservative scholars firmly opposed women's admission. Their faces were solemn, their brows furrowed, their eyes burning with stubbornness. One white-haired, stooped old scholar, his hands clasped behind his back, his graying beard trembling with anger. He shouted passionately, "Women's admission to school is against etiquette and will disrupt social order! Since ancient times, women have been confined to their homes, supporting their husbands and raising their children. This is the proper path! How can they meddle in matters of learning?"

Teachers and students who supported the reform were fervent and unyielding. A young and energetic gentleman, his face flushed, his voice resonating like a bell, waved his arms and shouted, "Times are changing, and so too must our values! Women should have the right to study, so they can contribute more to their families and country! If women are well-educated and talented, they can guide their children with wisdom, helping them grow strong; they can assist their husbands with understanding, helping them succeed in their careers; they can contribute their talents to society, helping it prosper! They can also be more effective in supporting their husbands and raising their children, benefiting both their families and their country!"

The two sides exchanged sharp words, arguing endlessly. The conservative scholars spoke fiercely, each sentence harkening back to ancient teachings and moral principles. One of them stood up, shaking his head and saying, "Your Highness, there's an old saying, 'A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent,' and another, 'A hen crowing at dawn brings trouble to her family.' For a woman to go to school is truly against heaven's will and will be punished by heaven!"

However, Concubine Su's heart was filled with turmoil. Initially, she felt anger at these conservative remarks, then frustration at their stubbornness, and finally a resolute determination to change everything. She remained calm, her lips curling slightly upwards in a relaxed smile. But behind that smile, she sneered at these pedantic people.

Her gaze was firm, and her voice was gentle yet forceful. "What you all say is truly pedantic and conservative. Look at Shang Yang's reforms, which transformed Qin from a weak state into a strong one; King Wuling of Zhao's adoption of Hu clothing and horseback archery, which greatly increased Zhao's national strength; and Emperor Xiaowen's reforms, which integrated the Xianbei into the Central Plains. These are all examples of prosperity due to innovation! The current admission of girls to school is also an innovative move. If girls are well-educated and talented, they can educate their children with their rich knowledge and build the future of their families; they can influence their families with their elegant temperament and create an atmosphere of harmony; they can serve the country with their outstanding talents and promote social progress. Sticking to the old ways will only lead to stagnation; only by daring to innovate can we create a prosperous era!"

Concubine Su became increasingly agitated as she spoke, her emotions rising. "In this new era, you still cling to those outdated and decadent ideas. Isn't that ridiculous? The world is changing rapidly. If women's wisdom and talents are restricted, how can our country progress? How can it prosper?"

At this point, while those who opposed the idea still harbored resentment, their confidence was clearly weakened by Concubine Su's righteous rebuttal. The conservative scholars were torn. On the one hand, they knew Concubine Su's noble status and powerful position. If they continued to oppose her, they would likely anger her and face disaster for themselves and their families. On the other hand, they found it difficult to accept the unconventional idea of ​​women's schooling, seeing it as a huge blow to centuries of Confucian ethics. They were filled with anxiety and resistance. Their faces shifted, their eyes flickered, and they exchanged uneasy glances.

One of the scholars secretly wiped the sweat from his forehead, thinking to himself, "The Imperial Concubine's words are sharp and her reasoning is sound. If I insist, I'm afraid I'll get into trouble. But if I give up now, how can I justify my years of upholding tradition?" Another scholar clutched the corner of his clothes tightly, gritted his teeth, and felt unwilling: "Are we really going to allow women to enroll and break this long-standing rule? But if I offend the Imperial Concubine..."

As they hesitated and struggled, Concubine Su continued to list many examples from ancient and modern times of women who, through their profound knowledge, had helped their husbands and children and benefited the local community. Her words were sincere and clear, and every word she said was like a hammer, hammering on everyone's hearts.

Everyone was impressed by Concubine Su's perspective, and the initially fierce opposition gradually faded. A brief silence fell in the courtyard, followed by thunderous applause. Support for reform grew louder, and those who had been hesitant gradually changed their stance.

This turmoil in the academy ended with Concubine Su's victory, which opened up a new situation for the reform of women's enrollment and brought a hopeful dawn to the academy.