Having practiced the Five Animal Exercises and thrown flying needles, while the maids were searching the courtyard for the lost needles, Lin Fang grabbed Lin Wen, who was gleefully watching the commotion, and extended her hand: “Second Brother, where is Fang’er’s book? Did you forget to buy it for me?”
Though her sister was usually good-tempered, she could sometimes become flustered and angry. Before his smile could fade, Lin Wen hurried toward his room, saying, “How could I forget such an important matter for my sister? I didn’t give it to you yesterday because I feared you’d stay up late reading, harming your health and eyes. Go rest in your room, and I’ll bring it to you now.”
Lin Wen attended school in Shengcheng, where the schedule was six days of study followed by one day of rest, one month of study followed by two days of rest, and two months of study followed by three days of rest, repeating this cycle. Summer vacation began on June 15th and lasted until July 20th, while winter break spanned the New Year period until the 15th of the first lunar month. During every three-day break, Lin Wen would return home. Lin Meng sometimes came back as well, though he occasionally went out with friends, while Qi Biao always followed Lin Wen’s lead. His medicinal baths were now scheduled for the first day of every two months.
Lin Fang read widely, with a particular fondness for legends, travelogues, and biographies. Naturally, as a food lover, she also adored books on cuisine. Though there was a bookstore in town, since her brother studied in Shengcheng, she made full use of this advantage, knowing the selection there would be far richer. Each time, she would remind him to bring her books. The texts were all in traditional characters, making them difficult for Lin Fang to read—she truly resembled a child just learning to recognize words, frequently asking others about the meaning of unfamiliar characters.
Lin Wu loved playing the teacher. Whenever his sister sought his help, he would straighten up with an air of patient instruction. Unfortunately, being only eight years old, his knowledge was limited. Out of every ten characters Lin Fang asked about, he would fail to recognize five. At such times, he would adopt a mysterious demeanor, declaring, “Knowledge is boundless, and among three people, one must be my teacher,” before dragging Lin Fang off to consult someone else, leaving her shaking her head in silent laughter.
Whenever she received a new book, Lin Fang would first ask Lin Wen about its origins, any related anecdotes, and its classification. For his intelligent sister, Lin Wen answered every question, often expanding on the topic with references and additional context. If he didn’t know something himself, he would seek answers until he was satisfied. After careful analysis, Lin Fang concluded that the dynasty’s classification of books resembled the categorization of ancient texts in the libraries of her past life, divided into four major categories: Classics, Histories, Masters, and Collections.
The Classics category included ten major subcategories: Yi (Divination), Shu (Documents), Shi (Poetry), Li (Rituals), Chunqiu (Spring and Autumn Annals), Xiaojing (Filial Piety), General Commentaries on the Five Classics, Four Books, Music, and Xiaoxue (Philology). Among these, the Rituals subcategory was further divided into Zhou Rituals, Ceremonial Rituals, Records of Rituals, General Commentaries on the Three Rituals, Comprehensive Rituals, and Miscellaneous Ritual Texts. The Philology subcategory was split into Exegesis, Character Studies, and Phonology.
“Xiaoxue” was also known as the study of characters. To read, one must first recognize characters—mastering their form, pronunciation, and meaning, and learning how to use them.
The Histories category encompassed historical works, including fifteen major subcategories: Standard Histories, Chronicles, Event-Based Histories, Miscellaneous Histories, Alternative Histories, Imperial Edicts and Memorials, Biographies, Historical Excerpts, Regional Records, Seasonal Records, Geography, Official Posts, Government Documents, Bibliographies, and Historical Criticism. Among these, Imperial Edicts and Memorials were divided into Edicts and Memorials, while Biographies were split into Sages and Worthies, Famous Figures, General Records, Miscellaneous Records, and Alternative Records. Geography was further divided into Palace Descriptions, General Gazetteers, Metropolitan and County Records, Waterways, Border Defense, Mountains and Rivers, Historical Sites, Miscellaneous Notes, Travelogues, and Foreign Accounts. Official Posts were split into Administrative Systems and Official Admonitions, while Government Documents were divided into General Systems, Ceremonies, State Economics, Military Affairs, Legal Codes, and Engineering. Bibliographies were split into Texts and Epigraphy.
The Masters category included the works of various philosophical schools and encyclopedias, covering fourteen major subcategories: Confucianism, Military Strategy, Legalism, Agriculture, Medicine, Astronomy and Mathematics, Divination, Arts, Manuals, Miscellaneous Schools, Encyclopedias, Fiction, Buddhism, and Daoism. Among these, Astronomy and Mathematics were divided into Calendrics and Mathematics, while Divination was split into Numerology, Astrology, Geomancy, Divination, Physiognomy, Yin-Yang and Five Elements, and Miscellaneous Techniques. Arts were divided into Calligraphy and Painting, Zither Manuals, Seal Carving, and Acrobatics. Manuals were split into Objects, Culinary Arts, and Flora and Fauna. Miscellaneous Schools were divided into Eclectic Studies, Miscellaneous Examinations, Miscellaneous Discourses, Miscellaneous Evaluations, Miscellaneous Compilations, and Miscellaneous Collections. Fiction was split into Miscellaneous Tales, Strange Stories, and Trivial Anecdotes.
The Collections category included anthologies and individual works of poetry and prose, divided into five major subcategories: Chu Ci (Songs of the South), Individual Collections, Anthologies, Literary Criticism, and Lyrics and Songs. Among these, Lyrics and Songs were further divided into Lyric Collections, Lyric Selections, Lyric Criticism, Lyric Manuals and Rhyme Books, and Northern and Southern Drama. Aside from chapter-based novels and theatrical works, these categories essentially encompassed all types of books circulating in society. In terms of authorship, they included works by women, monks, Daoists, eunuchs, soldiers, emperors, and foreigners.
As a science student, why was Lin Fang so familiar with this? It stemmed from her past life’s husband’s grandfather. The elderly man, already eighty years old, was a scholar of the old school, erudite and possessing a home library comparable to a small public one. Though Lin Fang came from a rural background, her maternal grandmother’s family had been a lineage of scholars for generations. Her mother, limited by the era, had not been educated for long, but the family’s intellectual atmosphere had left an indelible mark—even after the turbulence of those times, her refined and distinguished demeanor remained evident. Influenced by her mother, despite suffering from heart disease, Lin Fang still carried herself with extraordinary grace.
As the saying goes, where one thing wanes, another waxes. Though Lin Fang’s health was poor and her coordination lacking, her memory was exceptional—photographic, even. Her husband’s grandfather had taken a great liking to her. While he forbade even his own descendants from touching his treasured books, he granted Lin Fang unrestricted access, allowing her to read at will. Whenever she had questions, he patiently explained, even proactively sharing anecdotes and related knowledge, from which Lin Fang greatly benefited.
There were several ancient texts she particularly loved, and the grandfather unhesitatingly gifted them to her. For this, her husband’s uncles, aunts, siblings—even her husband himself—resented her deeply, mocking her openly and covertly. Truthfully, though Lin Fang loathed her husband and mother-in-law, she missed the grandfather dearly—the old man had treated her more kindly than his own grandchildren.
“Fang’er, Fang’er.” Her arm was shaken.
“Hmm? Second Brother, what is it?”
“It’s your brother asking—what were you thinking about so deeply? I called you several times, and you didn’t respond.”
“Oh, Second Brother, Fang’er was wondering if there are schools for girls in Shengcheng.”
“Why must you attend school, sister? Mother’s knowledge is no less than that of any teacher.”
“No matter how learned Mother is, she is confined to this household. Fang’er wishes to be like Second Brother.”
“Ah, you are so eager to learn and brighter than most girls. It truly would be a shame if you didn’t study.”
“Second Brother, Shengcheng is a provincial capital. You still haven’t answered—are there schools for girls?”
Lin Wen shook his head. “No.”
Lin Fang slumped onto the table, lamenting, “Why is life so unfair to women?”
Had outsiders heard this, they would have accused her of lacking propriety and virtue. But Lin Wen, raised under the influence of his parents and second grandmother, naturally didn’t think this way. Instead, he shared his sister’s sentiment, sighing in regret.
Suddenly, Lin Fang sat up straight, declaring with bold determination, “Second Brother, once Fang’er has mastered her skills, I will establish a school for women!”
“Ha, wonderful! If my sister has such ambition, your brother will surely support you. Though I wonder—will your school employ male teachers? If I ever fall on hard times, I might seek refuge there.”
“Ah, Second Brother, Fang’er is serious! This is no jest—don’t treat it like child’s play!”
“Very well. Your brother is serious too—this is no mere child’s play.”
“Good. Then your brother’s words are also sincere—not just teasing words to humor his little sister.”
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