Lin Yan was the youngest tong sheng of the Lin family in this generation, and the most talented student in the teacher's eyes.
When Lin Yan returned this time, he also attracted everyone's attention. Some people suggested that Lin Yan's family hold a banquet, after all, this was the first happy event in Lin Yan's family since Lin's father passed away.
But this was rejected by Old Madam Lin, "He is just a child, holding a grand event for just becoming a tong sheng, won't his tail curl up to the sky? Wait until he passes the xiucai exam first."
Although Lin Yan's grandmother said so, the joy on her face could not be faked. wΑp.kanshu伍.net
"However, we have prepared tea and snacks at home. If you don't mind, please come to my old woman's house for a cup of tea."
"We don't mind, we don't mind, Auntie's family always has good tea!" The Lin family patriarch spoke first.
Everyone agreed and walked towards Lin Yan's house.
After those who came to congratulate had left, Lin Yan's grandmother looked at Lin Mu, whose thoughts were all on her face, with disappointment, "You go back and rest first. I have something to say to Yan'er."
Lin Mu reluctantly glanced at Lin Yan, who was standing there, then bade farewell to Lin Yan's grandmother.
"Yan'er, come with me." Lin Yan's grandmother took her to a side room next to her bedroom.
She sat down at the table in the middle of the room, and Lin Yan immediately walked over and poured her a cup of tea.
Although called an old woman, her grandmother was only in her early forties. At this age, she would be considered very young in modern times.
However, having lost her husband and son, and with the burdens of the family on her shoulders, her face was full of vicissitudes.
"Yan'er, you sit too."
"Yes, Grandmother." Lin Yan sat on a stool next to her grandmother.
"You have passed the tong sheng exam, tell me your plans for the future! According to the current laws, scholars above the xiucai level are exempt from taxes and conscription. My intention is also for you to pass the xiucai exam.
But I don't think you will be satisfied with just the title of xiucai." Her grandmother's eyes were very bright in the dim light.
Her expression was serious, her gaze sharp, as if Lin Yan's every little thought could not be hidden from her.
"Yes, grandson wants to continue the exam, wants to try and see what kind of position I can achieve."
"But you should know that you are different from others." Her grandmother was not surprised by this answer. This granddaughter she raised like a grandson had long had a wild heart.
Having tasted the freedom, it was impossible to restrain her within the confines of a square inner courtyard!
If you have never seen the sky outside, you will not yearn for it. People fear the unknown, and will not care about things they have tried.
But once you have enjoyed such freedom, it is very difficult to restrain them again.
"There is nothing different, Grandmother. Am I not the same, able to take the imperial examinations and pass the tong sheng?" Lin Yan knew she could not back down now.
In the memory of the original body, there was such a conversation. Two people who did not choose to compromise, and neither would she.
To do a man's work as a woman, which seemed like great rebellion in this era, was the most common thing in modern times.
In the previous world, Lin Yan still clearly remembered the envy in Sister Wei's eyes when she saw girls who could go to school.
In this era, there were thousands upon thousands of Sister Weis, and Lin Yan felt that she should do something to give girls more choices.
She had also lived in ancient societies before, but the constraints in those two worlds were not particularly significant for her.
The unrestrained heroes and heroines of the martial arts world were well-received, and there were no constraints at all.
Although there were some restrictions in the world that followed, Lin Yan's seniority was high enough, she married well, and lived relatively freely.
In the current world, she was burdened with a male second lead's script. Although Lin Yan did not want to get involved in the story between the male lead and the female lead.
But she still wanted to take this imperial examination.
Not for anything else, but solely for the original body's more than ten years of hard study, and her desperate desire to prove that she was no worse than others, Lin Yan wanted to help her fulfill it.
What's more, there was no law stating that women could not take the imperial examinations. Not only did she want to take the examinations, but she also wanted more women to be able to take them.
However, it was best not to tell Lin Mu and her grandmother about this.
"Do you think the imperial examinations are that simple? If it were that simple, the Lin family wouldn't have been without a juren for so many years," her grandmother directly poured cold water on Lin Yan.
"Grandson knows that the imperial examinations are difficult, but grandson wants to try." Fortunately, the current imperial examinations were not strictly checked. If they were searched like in some dynasties, Lin Yan would have no way to sneak in.
"You, I don't know who you take after." Her grandmother shook her head, somewhat helplessly.
She thought of her late father, Lin. His health was not good, and he didn't want him to take the provincial examination.
But he didn't want to miss it, who would have thought he would be gone like that.
Looking at Lin Yan's face, which so resembled her father, her grandmother found it difficult to say the scolding words.
"But Yan'er, have you ever thought about your future? You will eventually..."
"Since grandson is already a man, there will be no more talk of marriage. Grandson is willing to be a man for his entire life. Please grant your grandmother's permission!" Lin Yan spoke the words the original body had said at that time.
She stood up from her seat, then knelt before her grandmother.
"Have you made up your mind?" Her grandmother stared at Lin Yan's face, trying to see hesitation or worry, but she was disappointed.
Lin Yan's face was full of determination, a resolute determination.
"Grandson has made up his mind."
"Will you not regret it? You must know that once you step on this path, there is no room for regret."
"Grandson understands."
"Your identity means that you cannot have a normal life, cannot have children, and cannot even be too close to friends."
"Grandson has considered all the consequences, but grandson wants to live as a man. Grandson has been a man for more than ten years, and it is difficult to return to being a woman now.
Grandson only knows how to read, and does not know needlework. No family would want a daughter-in-law like grandson."
"It is my fault for letting you grow up as a man, but if you want to restore your female identity..."
"Grandson does not want to, grandson only wants to live on as a man." Lin Yan interrupted her grandmother.
"Grandmother, please have pity. Grandson only wants to live freely and unrestrainedly, and does not want to live as a woman dependent on a man." Lin Yan bowed deeply, touching the ground with her forehead.
Her grandmother thought of Lin Mu. Her Yan'er probably wouldn't learn gentleness, respect, obedience, and deference. Moreover, she disdained women like Lin Mu, and would never want Lin Yan to become such a person.