Chapter 14 Blocked Path
I wanted to take the Women's Examination.
I sent my registration letter.
The gatekeeper intercepted it and delivered it straight to Xie Chengzong.
The Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery finally remembered he had a daughter.
He summoned me to his study and tore the letter to pieces in front of me.
“Yaohua, you grow more outrageous by the day.”
“Men rule outside, women inside. Instead of reflecting in Xiaoxiang Courtyard, you want to disgrace us at the Women's Examination?”
“The daughters of this house obey the virtues. We will not tolerate you shaming the family.”
I stared at the scraps on the floor, fists clenching and unclenching.
“Father, the Long Princess decreed that any woman who wishes to take the examination must be allowed, noble or common.”
“She leads by example, a model for all women.”
“We eat the emperor’s grain; we serve the emperor’s will. This benefits the realm. As a proud official, shouldn’t you support it?”
He slammed the desk and stood.
“Insolent! Is this how you speak to me?”
“The Long Princess has been misled by petty men—that decree upends heaven and earth.”
“Select talents? Women have no talents to select.”
In his eyes, women belonged only in the inner quarters.
I bit my lip until it bled. “If a woman has ability, why should gender stop her?”
“Father, since Mother left, I have asked nothing of you.”
“I beg you—let me take the examination.”
I knelt.
This was my only way out of the marquis mansion, out of the plot.
I had to seize it.
Xie Chengzong’s anger did not cool.
“Delusional. You think a few years of study with your mother makes you ready?”
“If you want to make a fool of yourself, do it without dragging this house down. You will not take that examination.”
My heart turned to ice.
Pleading was useless.
I stood and left.
Was there truly no way?
I still had some silver and jewelry.
Could I bribe someone trustworthy to register for me?
But who in this mansion could I trust?
I wandered aimlessly until I saw Xie Yunting hurrying toward the study.
He should have been on duty.
Why was he home?
I turned and quietly followed.