A woman in her forties or fifties spoke amiably as she led the way to Songshan Academy.
As the imperial examination was at the end of February, Songshan Academy was already bustling with students studying.
Songshan Academy had been established for two or three hundred years, and it had produced over a dozen top scholars called "First Degree Scholars," as well as many Third Place Scholars.
Yun Qi and Yun Bi were among those who studied at Songshan Academy.
The woman brought them to a place with two doors, "On one side are the assessments for music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and poetry; on the other are medical skills, swordsmanship, and Martial Arts. We also teach music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and poetry, but they’re not the main focus. Pick what you’re good at and like!"
Most people chose the door to music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and poetry. Yun Jinnian contemplated for a moment, then entered the door for medical skills, swordsmanship, and Martial Arts, attracting many surprised and astonished looks.
"Why is she going there?"
"Yes, that Master Songzhu is very strict!"
"Strict is an understatement; he’s outright mean!"
Yun Jinnian, upon hearing these words, walked even more determinedly.
Music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and poetry couldn’t be used to fill one’s stomach. If one fell on hard times, one could only sink to becoming the most despised sort of performer. But medical skills were different; to heal the world could earn one respect and Silver at the same time.
Martial Arts and swordsmanship could be used to defend oneself and escape during times of danger.
She entered the room.
There were only two tables inside, on which writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones were arranged. Yun Jinnian just stood there as time ticked by, while outside some people were overjoyed, others were downcast, and some even burst into tears.
Yun Jinnian kept standing until almost everyone in the neighboring room had left.
An old man finally came in from outside and looked at Yun Jinnian with a slight frown, "You...?"
"Yun Family’s Jinnian greets the Master!" Yun Jinnian quickly turned around to bow.
Songzhu was momentarily taken aback, "The Yun Family?"
"Lift your head so I can have a look at you!"
Yun Jinnian looked up and observed Songzhu carefully. He wore a blue robe, his hair and beard were white, but his face was ruddy, and his eyes were bright. His feet were muddy, indicating he had probably just come from the herbal garden.
Songzhu looked at Yun Jinnian and recognized her by her appearance. He smiled and asked, "Why haven’t you gone to your maternal grandfather to learn? Why have you run off to my place instead?"
"Don’t you know who I am?" Songzhu asked.
Yun Jinnian shook her head.
"I’m your maternal grandfather’s senior brother, by seniority, you should call me ’Grand Master’!" Songzhu explained, puzzled, "Why are you not learning from your maternal grandfather?"
"My grandfather has gone out, and I wish to learn not just medical skills but also Martial Arts and swordsmanship!"
Because she was the granddaughter of his junior brother Han Xuzi, Songzhu was quite kind to Yun Jinnian.
"Have you started learning about medical skills?"
"I have, I recognize some herbs and can recite some prescriptions!"
In front of an elder, Yun Jinnian didn’t dare to come off as arrogant.
"Then stay, but since you’re learning with me, you’ll have to live at the academy. Go home and tell your mother, bring two maids and an old woman to the academy before the 15th of February. You can’t go home on ordinary days either!"
Yun Jinnian nodded, "Understood, Jinnian has got it!"
Songzhu nodded and left the room.
When Yun Jinnian followed him out, many people had already left. The remaining ones stared at Yun Jinnian.
Yun Jinnian let them look her over and walked slowly towards where the carriage was parked.
"Miss!" Hemei came forward to greet her.
"I passed, and before the 15th of February, we’ll move to the academy, and I will be living at the academy from then on!"