RWNEFE -Chapter 463 The First Batch of Students at the Women’s Academy

Afterwards, Shen Lanxi entrusted all the teaching arrangements to Ji Xiuran. From being an obscure court historian, Ji Xiuran suddenly transformed into the head of the capital’s first-ever women’s academy.

The next few days felt like a dream—he walked around feeling lightheaded, as if floating.

“Mr. Shen, surely no one will fail to show up to register today, right?” Ji Xiuran asked anxiously.

Shen Yuanxu smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry. Today the women’s academy is not only enrolling students, but also making a name for itself!”

Ji Xiuran hesitated. “Do you think our enrollment requirements might be a little too strict?”

Shen Yuanxu, unsure himself, said, “We’ll know soon enough.”

On the day of enrollment, Shen Lanxi personally arrived at the academy before the gates opened.

“Why are there so many people?” Ji Xiuran was stunned when the doors opened.

Even Shen Yuanxu hadn’t expected the crowds outside—elderly women carrying children, newlyweds, and young daughters from various households—all had come.

Shen Lanxi, dressed in her official robes, calmly walked out of the academy.

“Let’s begin!”

From the moment Shen Lanxi appeared, the crowd fell silent.

Shen Yuanxu raised his voice. “Today we are enrolling only twenty students. Requirements: female, seven years old, and healthy. Those wishing to register, please come forward here!”

As soon as he announced this, murmurs broke out among the crowd.

“Didn’t they say any girl could enroll? Why limit by age?”

“With such a large place, why only twenty girls? Isn’t that a waste of space?”

“Seven-year-old girls, what can they possibly understand? A women’s academy is absurd to begin with,” a man’s voice suddenly shouted.

Immediately, all the women around turned to glare at him.

“What are you looking at? Is there something wrong with what I said? Learning and understanding reason is a man’s business. Women need not concern themselves with it. Once married, their husbands will teach them at home—what use is an academy? It’s a waste of resources. That money would be better spent training promising young men for the imperial examinations rather than on ignorant little girls!”

Then someone suddenly shouted, “Hit him!”

“He clearly has no sisters at home, hasn’t married, and hasn’t raised a daughter. That’s why he dares to speak so lightly of women. He surely didn’t come from a household that values daughters.”

“His disdain for women must come from his mother. Their family is definitely no good. Ladies, be careful! Don’t marry someone so cold and selfish!”

A group of women, incited by the remarks, began chasing after the man to beat him.

Once the chaos was removed, Shen Yuanxu continued, “Today we are enrolling seven-year-old girls. Tomorrow, eight-year-olds will be enrolled. Those of appropriate age, prepare yourselves at home.”

“The women’s academy is just beginning operations and is currently in trial mode. Once running smoothly, enrollment will naturally expand, so there’s no need to rush.”

Someone shouted, “What exactly will the academy teach?”

Shen Yuanxu replied confidently, “Of course, we will teach women methods to protect themselves, literacy and moral reasoning, so that in the future, when managing family wealth and property, they won’t be deceived.”

“They will learn the laws of Great Zhou, so that when problems arise, they can handle them calmly and also guide the young men in their families to avoid risks.”

“They will learn martial arts to strengthen their bodies. In case someone harasses them or their in-laws mistreat them, they can defend themselves.”

“The women’s academy teaches only skills that will allow girls to live safely and stand independently in the future!”

The crowd buzzed with discussion.

“I’ll register! I’ll register my daughter!” A lady lifted her daughter and pushed through the crowd.

“Make way, make way! I’m registering my daughter!”

“I’ll register my daughter too…”

“I’ll register myself…”

Seeing so many people enrolling, those hesitating feared missing out on a spot and rushed forward.

Shen Yuanxu quickly ordered people to maintain order, and the twenty spots were soon filled.

“How come it’s full so fast? Just add one more spot for my daughter! One more won’t hurt—it’s like letting one sheep in, or a whole herd!”

“Yes, yes, add a few more spots. The academy is big; a few more won’t hurt!”

Shen Yuanxu glanced at Shen Lanxi. She spoke: “Quiet!”

The royal guards behind her drew their swords in unison, and the crowd immediately fell silent.

“Do you think you can enter the academy just because there are ten of you? There is also a qualification test. If you don’t pass, don’t even think about entering!”

Shen Yuanxu smiled. “The women’s academy has been officially recognized by Grand Minister Liu Mingxin. In the future, graduates of the academy will be talented young ladies proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—women whom even the sons of the highest officials would compete to marry.”

Some commoners began to worry, thinking, Does this mean only daughters from elite families will be accepted?

Shen Yuanxu continued, “I know some of you are thinking that the academy will only admit daughters from prominent families. Wrong. Our academy admits all who are genuinely willing to learn. If you only want to use the academy to marry into a wealthy family, you will not be accepted!”

For some, these words were a wake-up call.

If a girl from an ordinary family could gain favor through the academy and connect with a powerful household, could she not change her fate?

Shen Lanxi immediately presented a qualification question to the twenty girls.

“An elderly woman falls in front of you. Do you help her or not?”

Among the twenty girls, some looked confused, while others’ eyes were sharp and observant.

Shen Yuanxu pointed to the first girl and said with a smile, “You, start first.”

The girl glanced back at her mother for guidance, then calmly said, “I may be young, but if I go out, my family will send a maid with me. I will ask the maid to help the old lady up.”

Shen Lanxi nodded.

Shen Yuanxu said, “Pass!”

The second girl, dressed plainly, seemed less bold.

“My mother told me not to talk to strangers—they might all be liars.”

Shen Lanxi nodded.

Shen Yuanxu said, “Pass.”

The third girl pouted. “Why should I help? I’m too small—I can’t lift her!”

Shen Lanxi nodded. Shen Yuanxu hesitated. This girl, so young, was clearly not very kind. Could she pass?

“Pass!”

The fourth girl said, “I don’t know.”

Shen Lanxi replied, “Then go home, think carefully, and come back to register later.”

The girl burst into tears, and her mother quickly covered her mouth and carried her away.

The fifth girl…

Of the twenty, fifteen remained.

Some were dissatisfied but dared not speak.

Shen Yuanxu said, “Five spots remain. Who wants to register?”

Those previously hesitant immediately pushed forward with their daughters.

The twenty spots were successfully filled. Shen Lanxi explained the reasons why certain girls were kept.