Volume 1, Chapter 9: I Will Not Go Easy on You

His eyes were clear and serene as he gazed at her quietly.

Shen Qingdai whispered a word of thanks, took the book, and looked at the student with a gentle smile. "You say I cannot understand this book, but you have never met me before. How can you be so certain?"

The student suddenly grew agitated, his face flushing red. "You are a woman! Women should not read the books of sages; learning a few characters is enough! How could you possibly understand this?"

Shen Qingdai let out a long "Oh," her smile remaining gentle. "And yet, Mr. Sima Guang clearly stated, 'If we teach sons but not daughters, are we not blinded by mutual prejudice? ...Since they are human beings, all must learn; how can there be a difference between men and women? Therefore, women at home must read the *Classic of Filial Piety*, the *Analects*, the *Book of Poetry*, and the *Book of Rites* to grasp the general principles. As for women's work, it is nothing more than sericulture, weaving, sewing, and preparing food and drink. As for embroidery, fine arts, music, and poetry, these are not suitable for women to study.' This means that women, too, must read to understand reason. Embroidery and music are less important than reading. So, why should a woman be denied the right to read simply because she cannot take the imperial examinations?"

The student stammered, seemingly unable to find a rebuttal, though Shen Qingdai had not intended to wait for one.

"Since you are so certain that I cannot understand this book, shall I prove it to you now?"

Shen Qingdai glanced at Pei Jingzhu and said softly, "This gentleman is likely your fellow student. Why not let him choose any passage from the *Lunheng* and see if I can comprehend it?"

The student, appearing confident that she would fail, seemed to relax and replied, "Fine! If you cannot understand it, you must apologize to me!"

Pei Jingzhu frowned, about to speak.

Seeing this, Shen Qingdai quickly added, "Agreed. But if I answer correctly, you must apologize to me for what you just said and admit that your prejudice is unfounded!"

The student scoffed, "I accept your terms!"

Shen Qingdai turned and held out the copy of the *Lunheng* he had just handed her. As her sleeves pulled back, they revealed her fair, slender wrists, clear as fine jade.

Pei Jingzhu lowered his gaze, no longer looking at her hands. He took the *Lunheng*, his voice cool and detached, sounding as if it came from across a vast distance. "I will not go easy on you."

Shen Qingdai offered him a gentle smile, her eyes sparkling with a brilliance that was almost scorching. "Then I thank you, sir."

Pei Jingzhu opened the *Lunheng*, paused for a moment, and his voice, smooth and resonant like flowing water, reached everyone's ears: "If a person does not read widely, they will not know of the past or present, will not perceive the nature of events, and will not distinguish right from wrong; it is as if they were blind, deaf, or had a blocked nose."

He finished and looked at Shen Qingdai quietly, as if waiting for her response.

Shen Qingdai looked back with soft clarity. "The meaning of this passage, I believe, is that if one does not read extensively, one cannot understand the circumstances of the past and present, cannot distinguish the nature of the world, and cannot judge right from wrong. They are like those who are blind, deaf, or have a blocked nose. Is that not so, sir?"

Pei Jingzhu’s eyes flashed with a hint of surprise. He had thought she might be able to explain it, but he had not expected her to answer so well. He nodded slightly. "Yes."

Shen Qingdai’s smile deepened. She looked at the student and asked, "Did you hear that?"

The student’s face turned bright red, but he was not a stubborn man unwilling to admit defeat. He stepped forward and bowed. "My vision was narrow. I apologize for the words I spoke just now."

With that, he turned and fled the shop as if escaping.

Shen Qingdai looked at Pei Jingzhu and bowed slightly. "Thank you, sir, for speaking up for justice. May I ask your name so that I may prepare a gift of thanks another day?"

Pei Jingzhu maintained his cold, distant expression and shook his head lightly. "There is no need for thanks."

Shen Qingdai smiled faintly, though she felt a touch of disappointment. His knowledge was so vast; it was only natural that he would not wish to reveal his name. She was about to take her leave when she heard that cool, clear voice again.

"Pei Jingzhu."

Shen Qingdai blinked in surprise and blurted out, "Ah?"

His gentle gaze rested on her again. "My name is Pei Jingzhu."

Shen Qingdai finally came to her senses and beamed a soft, graceful smile. "I have noted it. It is getting late, so I shall return now. Please excuse me, Master Pei. I hope we meet again by chance."

He did not reply, merely nodding with his usual cool composure before heading into the bookstore to browse other volumes.

Shen Qingdai paid for the books and left with Pingchun.

He was the one who had copied this volume of *Lunheng*. It seemed he, like those other students, studied at the Huaiyang Academy. Shen Qingdai couldn't help but smile; sometimes, fate was truly ingenious. She wondered if the passage he had chosen was selected on purpose, just to support her... Otherwise, with so many volumes of *Lunheng*, why had he chosen that exact one?

Back at the manor, she delivered the books to Shen Manxuan. As she had expected, she did not even get to see Shen Manxuan; she simply handed the books to the maid and was dismissed.

She felt it was of no consequence, but Pingchun was furious on her behalf. "Miss, aren't you angry? On such a cold day, you went out to buy these books for her, and she wouldn't even let you into her room!"

Shen Qingdai looked at her with a smile and shook her head. "You, why should I be angry? That is simply how she is. She won't read those books anyway. As for how she treats me, it’s not as if it hasn't been this way for a long time. Why bother caring?"

Pingchun stared at Shen Qingdai, dumbfounded. She had been prepared for her mistress to be heartbroken and dejected, as she had been in the past, but this time, Shen Qingdai said she didn't care. Pingchun looked at her with a sense of relief. "Miss... you have finally come to understand."

Shen Qingdai smiled without answering, patted her hand, and returned to her courtyard.

Just as she entered, she saw Fang Qiuxin standing by the doorframe, waiting for her. Shen Qingdai sighed, walked up to her, and took her hand. "Why are you waiting here again?"

Fang Qiuxin smiled faintly. "I had nothing to do, and I figured you would be back soon."

As soon as Shen Qingdai stepped onto the threshold, Fang Qiuxin asked, "You haven't been gone long, but the Master sent over quite a lot of silk and jewelry. Did something happen yesterday?"

Shen Qingdai paused. Her mother was surprisingly sharp, but she did not want her to be drawn into these matters. She smiled with an air of innocence. "What could have happened? Perhaps after keeping vigil yesterday and paying my respects this morning, Father simply remembered that he has a daughter like me."

Fang Qiuxin breathed a sigh of relief and said softly, "That is good, too. You should try to be closer to your father. You will come of age in two years, and I cannot help you with your marriage arrangements. If you can win your father's favor, your prospects may be better."

Shen Qingdai disagreed in her heart, but she nodded anyway, not wanting to worry her maid-mother. "Mother, I know. I will try my best to make Father treat us better."

Fang Qiuxin was amused and stroked her hair. "If you can marry into a good family, I will be at ease. As for the rest, there is no need to hope for more."

She finished and gazed at the crabapple tree outside the window, appearing lost in thought.