Female Supremacy and Rise to Power: Lin Shu's Imperial Examination Adventures

"Grain? What grain? What grain could a petty thug like you possibly have? Everyone come and see! This is outrageous! This thug is about to kill someone!"

When Du Ruo heard that they needed grain, she was furious and started making a fuss.

The commotion was so loud that the villagers of Peach Blossom Village spontaneously gathered around, pointing and whispering about Lin Shu.

Villager: "What's wrong with Lin Shu? Wasn't she supposed to be getting better?"

Villager: "Yes, I just heard Chen Shitou praising her."

"Who knows? It's just hearsay. But her face is undeniably beautiful, like a fairy," a village widow chimed in.

Su Mu, who had just invited the village chief and clan elders over, frowned upon hearing this, and then said loudly, "Village chief, clan elders, please do us justice."

Upon hearing this, everyone quickly made way, and only after the village chief and clan elders had entered the courtyard and stood still did Su Mu continue:

“Today my wife bought 100 catties of rice and 100 catties of flour, but her family broke into our house while she was away, stole the grain, and injured my father. That’s why my wife was so angry just now.”

Knowing that Lin Shu was not good with words, Su Mu explained on her behalf why she kicked the door.

"You're talking nonsense, you little bitch! Where would your family get money? How could that little hoodlum Lin Shu possibly afford so many things? And you call yourself the mistress of the house? She's about to sell you off, and you're still clinging to her. You're shameless." Du Ruo's voice grew louder as she became more guilty.

“You… were bought by my wife. She picked a ginseng on the mountain and sold it for some money. She said she wouldn’t sell it to us.” Su Mu came from a scholarly family and was embarrassed that Du Ruo would curse like that.

Du Ruo was about to speak when Lin Shu interrupted her: "Bring the grain, or I'll report you to the authorities."

She now automatically considers Su Mu as one of her own, and she can't stand seeing others bully her.

One word stirred up a thousand waves.

Not only Lin Dafeng's family, but even the village chief and villagers were somewhat surprised. Whenever there was a conflict in the village, it was always resolved by the village chief, without involving the government. After all, the people don't fight against the officials, and ordinary people are naturally afraid of officials.

"You little beast, what did you say? I am your mother, and you want to take your mother to the authorities?" Lin Dafeng was furious and rushed over to hit Lin Shu.

Before he could even touch anyone, he was kicked away and lay on the ground for a long time.

“She’s not my mother, we’re no longer related.” Lin Shu said succinctly.

Everyone around Lin Shu was bewildered by her actions, but for some reason, they felt a strange sense of satisfaction watching her.

Lin Dafeng, relying on having a scholar in her family, always looks down on everyone and everything, and many of the older women in the village have a problem with her.

Regardless of what others said, Lin Shu went straight to the kitchen, grabbed the two bags of grain they hadn't had time to harvest, called Su Mu, and after saying goodbye to the village chief and group leader, prepared to go home. But then…

"Don't leave, this is my family's food." Du Ruo desperately tried to stop Lin Shu.

"Are you sure?" Lin Shu's eyes were cold and narrowed, as if she would kill him if he dared to say yes. "There are many people who can testify when I buy things."

Du Ruo was startled and remained silent for a long time. At this moment, Lin Dafeng, who had struggled to get up, said in a low voice, "Lin Shu, don't forget, your father's household registration is still in my hands. You probably don't want your father to be sold off, do you?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Shu turned to face him, her face expressionless. After a moment, she suddenly burst into a furious laugh. In an instant, everyone around gasped. Lin Shu was truly beautiful...

"How are you doing?"

"Leave the things behind and give me another fifty taels, and I might consider not selling your father," Lin Dafeng said smugly, thinking her eldest daughter was scared.

"Tch~ Very well! Go ahead and report this to the authorities!" He hadn't intended to argue with them, but they were stubborn and turned to the village chief, uttering the longest sentence of his life:

"Aunt Cuihua, I remember that according to the laws of our dynasty, burglary is punishable by three years of exile, and causing injury or disability is punishable by exile three thousand li away and ten years of forced labor, and three generations of the offender will be barred from taking the imperial examinations for life. Is this true?"

“...Yes.” The village chief wanted to say that there was no such thing, but when he was stared at by Lin Shu’s emotionless eyes, he couldn’t help but feel a little scared.

The people around were also waiting for the village chief's answer. When they received a positive reply, they immediately erupted in chatter, each one offering their own opinion, afraid of being implicated by Lin Dafeng.

"That's good. I'll go and ask Lady Guan to make the decision."

Lin Shu turned to leave, and Lin Yue panicked. If she reported it to the authorities, her life would be ruined.

"Sister, please take the things. We won't discuss the truth of the matter anymore. We just ask that you calm down and not ruin Peach Blossom Village's reputation because of us."

Lin Yue's words were full of grievances, and she was willing to yield to Lin Shu in order to protect the interests of the whole village.

Villager: "It's really not a big deal, there's no need to take it to the authorities."

Villager: "Exactly, we don't even know the truth yet. Let's not make things worse for ourselves..."

"..."

Hearing public opinion shift in her favor, Lin Yue smiled and bowed respectfully towards the village chief.

"Village Chief, Clan Chief, this concerns our Peach Blossom Village. Moreover, Yue'er will be taking the exam in a few months. I implore you two elders to persuade my sister."

The village chief and clan chief exchanged a glance and agreed that what she said made sense. Moreover, Lin Yue was the most promising person in Peach Blossom Village to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar. After she changed her ways, she would definitely give back to the clan.

"Sigh, Lin Shu, let's be lenient when we can, let's just let this matter go." The village chief sighed.

“Okay, but we need a divorce agreement and household registration.” Lin Shu knew that the village chief and the others were on Lin Dafeng’s side, but she wasn’t one to suffer a loss. If she had the chance, she would cut ties completely and eliminate any potential threats.

"Don't even think about it." This was the only thing Lin Dafeng had that she could use to control Lin Shu, so naturally she wouldn't give it to her.

"Then there's no point in discussing it. Report this to the authorities."

"You..." Lin Dafeng was about to speak when Lin Yue pulled her back, shook her head, and clearly meant to leave it to the village chief to handle.

"Sister Shu, since you've already taken the things, please give this old woman some face. After all, you still have to live in the village." The village chief felt he had lost face when he saw that Lin Shu was unyielding.

Lin Shu: [Is this a threat to me?]

Seeing that Lin Shu didn't respond, he continued, "Besides, this is only your own idea. Your father won't go against the clan, and he might not be willing to divorce."

Lin Shu was momentarily stunned; she truly didn't know Xue Wen's opinion.

"I want a divorce." As soon as she finished speaking, Xue Wen walked over with Song Yun's help. Blood was still seeping from the gauze on her forehead, and her face was pale, which made her bright face lose some of its beauty and look more weak and pitiful.

"Father, why did you come out?"

"Why aren't you resting properly?" Su Mu and Lin Shu hurriedly went up to help him and said in unison.

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