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

Xue Wen gently patted his daughter and son-in-law's hands to indicate that he was alright, then turned to the village chief and said, "Sister Cuihua, I want a divorce. Could you please help me write a divorce agreement?"

"Don't even think about it." Lin Dafeng looked furious; if Lin Yue hadn't been holding her back, she probably would have jumped over and attacked Xue Wen.

"Are you sure?" Lin Shu stood in front of Xue Wen, but looked at Lin Yue with a mocking gaze.

Lin Yue was startled by the stare and quickly pulled Lin Dafeng even tighter, lowering her head and saying, "Mother, you have to think about my future. That scoundrel Lin Shu said she'd report it to the authorities, and she definitely wasn't just saying it. We'll get our revenge when I'm successful in the future."

After her daughter spoke, Lin Dafeng realized what was going on and agreed to give her the divorce papers, but she had to give her five taels of silver, saying that she had raised Lin Shu for more than ten years and this was what she deserved. Lin Shu did not want to make a fuss, so she took the money, the divorce papers and household registration from Xue Wen, and then took her family to go home.

"Sister Shu, do you know how difficult it is without the support of your clan?" The village chief's sinister voice rang in my ears.

Lin Shu paused for a moment, then walked away without replying.

For a moment, the village chief was dazed as he watched her departing figure, as if some opportunity had vanished before his eyes.

Years later, when she learned that Lin Shu had risen to a high position in the government, she realized what she had lost.

......

The Lin family's thatched cottage.

"Shu'er, we may have already been abandoned by the clan, and things may get even harder in the future. I'm sorry, Father..." Xue Wen felt guilty because his impulsive actions today might have harmed his daughter.

"Father, it's alright. I never intended to live in Peach Blossom Village for long anyway," Lin Shu said noncommittally.

"This village chief is going too far. It's clearly Lin Dafeng's family's fault, but they're all biased and believe them." Song Yun complained, puffing out her cheeks.

Su Mu: "Actually, they weren't unaware of the truth; it's just that Lin Yue was a scholar, and she was about to take the imperial examination..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone understood what he meant.

“It’s alright. All other professions are inferior, only studying is superior.” Lin Shu pondered for a moment and continued, “In that case, I will also try my luck in this official career.”

The three men in the Lin family each had their own thoughts.

Xue Wen: My daughter has grown up and has ambitions.

Su Mu: Although I trust my wife, the imperial examination is not so simple. My mother took the exam for more than 30 years before she became a Xiucai (a lower-level scholar) and could not break through any further.

Song Yun: My wife can definitely do it.

The next morning.

Lin Shu arrived in town just as dawn broke, ate a bowl of wontons at a wonton stall, and then inquired about brokerage services from the stall owner.

"There are many, such as Granny Sun on East Street and Granny Ma on West Street, but the fairest one is Granny Hu, the official matchmaker next to the county government office."

"Okay, thank you, Auntie." Lin Shu thanked her and walked towards the official brokerage.

When the matchmaker heard that Lin Shu wanted to buy a house, and seeing her appearance, which clearly indicated she was no ordinary person, her eyes lit up. Their official matchmaking service was different from other matchmaking services; their procedures were all formal and there would be no disputes, but they were also much more expensive than other matchmaking services, so their business had always been poor.

He hurriedly took Lin Shu to see the house:

“Miss Lin, I currently have two properties for sale. One is in the east of the city, a wealthy merchant’s residence, with two courtyards and two entrances; the other is a single-courtyard property near our local government office, but the price will be higher.”

"Let me give you a more detailed introduction." Lin Shu actually preferred the courtyard with the first entrance, as it was closer to the government office and relatively safer.

"My lady, you may not know this, but this one-courtyard house is backed by the county government office and is also close to Qingfeng Academy, so it is naturally more expensive. It is two hundred taels more expensive than the other one, costing four hundred and eighty taels of silver. However, if my lady does not plan to attend school, the other one is more cost-effective."

After listening, Lin Shu's expression remained unchanged: "May I ask what Qingfeng Academy is like? And how should one enter it?"

The matchmaker secretly sized up Lin Shu and said:

"Qingfeng Academy is the best academy in our Dongshan Town. Its reputation is comparable to that of the county school. Many people in the county are willing to send their children here."

"The dean here, Mr. Han Shuang, is a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations). After years of ups and downs in officialdom, he returned to his hometown and opened a private school, which is this Qingfeng Academy."

If you want to go in, then it's too late; you'll have to wait until after the children's examination next year. However, if you're truly talented and can solve the three questions at the academy's entrance, you can go in whenever you want..."

After listening to the introduction and seeing the house, Lin Shu was quite satisfied and readily paid the money. She then went to the county government office to complete the transfer of ownership, and the transaction was settled.

It's getting dark.

She first went to the bookstore and bought some books and the Four Treasures of the Study, which cost more than twenty taels of silver. Scholars really do spend money.

In my memory, the original owner had studied these things and remembered them clearly. Now, the most important thing is to study. Since I have decided to take the path of the imperial examination, I can't just talk about it.

He then went to the carpenter's shop and bought the tables, chairs, benches, and wooden beds that had been made in advance, spending 18 taels of silver.

I went to the same grain and oil shop as last time and bought some rice, flour, and cooking oil. This time there was no discount, and it cost a total of 11 taels of silver. I had it delivered to my house in town.

They also bought pots and pans, and then a few bolts of light-colored fabric, which would be convenient if I went to school in the future.

After putting everything into the new house, Lin Shu saw that it was getting late, so she bought 20 meat buns in town, carried the books in her basket on her back, and since there were no oxcarts available now, and even if there were, the villagers wouldn't wait for her, she could only use her supernatural abilities to speed back to Peach Blossom Village.

By the time they reached the door, it was already completely dark. From afar, they could see Su Mu standing at the door. Lin Shu asked in confusion, "Why aren't you coming inside?"

"..."

“My lady, my elder brother is waiting for you. He’s worried because it’s getting dark and you haven’t come back yet.” Before Su Mu could answer, Song Yun hopped and skipped to reply for him.

"Don't worry, you don't need to wait next time, it'll be cold." Seeing Su Mu's uncomfortable expression, Lin Shu felt a surge of comfort and softened her tone as she spoke to him.

"Yes, my lady." Su Mu's voice was deep and pleasant to hear.

Lin Shu thought for a moment, then grabbed one of her husbands by the hand and headed towards the kitchen. The two men blushed immediately at her pull, even the usually carefree Song Yun seemed stunned.

"Shu'er is back." Xue Wen looked back while tending the fire and saw Lin Shu interacting with her two husbands, which was quite a sight to behold. He smiled so broadly that his eyes disappeared.

"Yes, I was in town on business today and came back late. I'm sorry to have worried you." Lin Shu didn't feel embarrassed at all when she heard her father's teasing tone. Instead, she held her husbands' hands even tighter when they tried to pull away.

"Dinner will be ready soon, Shu'er, go and rest first." Father Lin quickly prepared the meal.

"Dad, no need. I bought meat buns, let's have those tonight." Yesterday, because Lin Dafeng and her group had affected their mood, the whole family didn't eat well.

Upon hearing that there were meat buns, Song Yun was practically drooling. He was extremely attentive, serving tea and water to Lin Shu, which made Lin Shu's perpetually icy expression crack.

Su Mu and Xue Wen were trying not to laugh.

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