Chapter 2: The Arduous Road to Learning, Fraught with Malice

Chapter 2: The Arduous Road of Study, Malice at Every Turn

The ink on the inkstone had yet to dry when Lin Shiya picked up her brush and wrote a few lines on the paper. Her handwriting was delicate, yet filled with resolve.

She handed the finished note to Steward Chen, instructing him, “Be sure to deliver this to Master Zhao.” Once Chen had left with his orders, Lin Shiya finally felt a hint of relief and continued reading into the night by lamplight.

After waiting at home for several days, Lin Shiya made her way once more to the bookshop.

With hope in her heart, she hurried along, eager to obtain the materials she needed. The autumn wind blew cold, rustling the plane tree leaves by the roadside as though cheering her on.

Upon entering the bookshop, a familiar fragrance of ink greeted her, though it was tinged with an uneasy undertone.

The shopkeeper, Mr. Wang, had shed his usual enthusiasm. He forced a false smile as he rubbed his hands together and said, “Young Master Lin, my apologies, but the materials you requested have already been bought by someone else for a high price.”

Lin Shiya’s heart sank at these words. Suppressing her anger, she asked coldly, “Who bought them?”

Mr. Wang’s eyes flickered evasively as he stammered, “I’m afraid I cannot say.”

A heavy silence filled the shop. Lin Shiya’s gaze was piercing as she stared at Mr. Wang, as if trying to see through his lies.

She knew he was not telling the truth.

Suddenly, a commotion arose outside. Several ruffians in tattered clothing burst in, led by none other than Zhang San.

He swaggered over to Lin Shiya, his face fierce and menacing. “Young Master Lin, my master requests your presence,” he announced arrogantly.

Alarm bells rang in Lin Shiya’s mind. She realized that someone was deliberately making things difficult for her.

She fixed Zhang San with an icy glare. “And who, pray tell, is your master?” she demanded.

Zhang San sneered. “You’ll find out soon enough,” he replied, reaching out to seize her.

But Lin Shiya was swift; she dodged his grasp with a sidestep, her eyes sweeping coldly over the group. Her voice was firm and unyielding. “How dare you behave so brazenly in broad daylight!”

“Hmph, you refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit!” Zhang San roared, swinging his fist at her.

Lin Shiya did not flinch. Agile and alert, she evaded his blows, all the while searching for an opportunity to strike back.

Chairs and tables crashed to the floor; the shop was thrown into chaos.

Just then, a commanding voice called from the doorway, “Enough!”

All heads turned. A venerable old man in a scholar’s robe entered—it was Master Zhao.

His expression was grim, his eyes sharp as lightning, exuding an aura of authority.

He strode to Lin Shiya’s side and asked with concern, “Are you all right, Young Master Lin?”

Lin Shiya shook her head. “Thank you for your concern, Master Zhao. I am unharmed.”

Master Zhao turned to Zhang San and his men, his voice stern. “Who are you people, causing trouble here?”

The ruffians fell silent, cowed by Master Zhao’s reputation as a highly respected scholar in the region.

Seeing their silence, Master Zhao addressed Mr. Wang, “Tell me, Mr. Wang, what is going on here?”

Mr. Wang paled with fright, stammering, “Master Zhao, this… this is all a misunderstanding…”

“A misunderstanding?” Master Zhao let out a cold laugh. “I doubt that. Young Master Lin came to buy books, yet you sent men to make trouble. Who is behind this?”

Mr. Wang faltered, unable to name the instigator.

Master Zhao understood. He sighed and said, “Very well, I will not make things difficult for you. Hand over the materials.”

Mr. Wang’s expression changed. “Master Zhao, I truly cannot—”

“Cannot?” Master Zhao’s tone darkened. “Are you certain?”

Terrified, Mr. Wang glanced from Master Zhao to Lin Shiya and finally relented. He fetched a bundle from behind the counter and handed it to Lin Shiya.

She opened it and saw the materials she had sought. Joy filled her heart, and she thanked Master Zhao gratefully.

He waved her thanks aside. “No need for courtesy. This is my duty.” After a pause, he added, “Young Master Lin, you are gifted and will achieve great things. But remember: study is not just for fame and fortune. More importantly, it is for self-cultivation and service to the nation and its people.”

Lin Shiya bowed respectfully. “I will remember your counsel, Master Zhao.”

Master Zhao smiled with satisfaction, then turned and left the bookshop.

Zhang San and his men, seeing this, slunk away in embarrassment.

Lin Shiya looked at the materials in her hands, her heart brimming with gratitude and admiration. She knew that Master Zhao was not only a learned scholar, but also a man of integrity and kindness.

She carefully put away the materials and left the shop.

As she walked along the street, her mind replayed the events that had just transpired, stirring deep emotion within her. She knew the path to the imperial examination would be fraught with hardship, but she would not give up. She would press on for her dreams, and for the women of the world.

Suddenly, she recalled hearing that an old scholar possessed many rare and precious books…

The autumn wind swept the fallen leaves into swirling eddies, but Lin Shiya’s heart burned with determination.

After much inquiry, she finally learned the elderly scholar’s address—a secluded residence on the outskirts of town.

Driven by her thirst for knowledge, she set out at once, heedless of the journey’s fatigue.

The winding road to the city’s edge was lined with humble, dilapidated houses, and few passersby. Lin Shiya traversed narrow, shadowy alleys, feeling both anxious and hopeful.

The air in the alleyways was heavy and dim; mottled marks on the walls spoke silently of the passage of years.

Yet her steps were steady, and her gaze blazed like a lantern in the darkness, illuminating the path ahead.

Just as Lin Shiya was about to leave the last alley, a group of men sprang from the shadows, surrounding her.

At their head was Zhang San, the very same who had caused trouble at the bookshop, a cruel smile playing on his lips, with several fierce thugs behind him.

“Well, if it isn’t Young Master Lin? Fancy meeting you here,” Zhang San taunted, his tone laced with provocation.

Lin Shiya’s heart tightened as she realized she had fallen into an ambush.

She calmly surveyed her surroundings—the exit was blocked, and her retreat cut off.

“What do you want?” she demanded, her voice betraying only the slightest tremor.

Zhang San grinned viciously. “Nothing much. We’re just following orders, making sure you don’t find that old scholar.”

“Orders?” Lin Shiya’s brow furrowed as she quickly pondered who might be behind this.

Who was so intent on stopping her from obtaining these materials?

“Who sent you?” she asked sharply, her voice filled with anger.

Zhang San shrugged, feigning mystery. “No need for you to know. In any case, you’re not getting past us today.”

Lin Shiya’s gaze was like ice as fury surged within her. She knew this confrontation would not end peacefully.

The alley was thick with tension, the very air seemed to freeze. The houses, walls, and trees watched silently, bearing witness to the impending clash.

Growing impatient, Zhang San waved his hand. “Boys, get her! Take everything valuable she has!”

Lin Shiya drew a deep breath, bracing herself for battle.

She clenched her fists, her eyes unwavering as the thugs closed in. “Who dares—” she began, her voice cold.

At Zhang San’s command, the ruffians lunged like hungry wolves.

But Lin Shiya was swift and nimble, dodging their attacks with skill. She seized the wrist of the nearest thug and twisted it back—there was a sharp crack, and he cried out in pain, clutching his arm.

The alley’s narrow confines hindered the thugs more than her, turning the terrain to her advantage. She lured them toward a pile of discarded items in the corner.

When one thug swung a club at her, she sidestepped, snatched up a piece of broken brick, and struck his leg hard.

He howled in agony, collapsing to the ground and clutching his leg.

The others were stunned. They hadn’t expected this seemingly frail scholar to possess such prowess.

Zhang San’s face darkened as he roared, “All of you, get her! Don’t let her escape!”

The thugs attacked again, but Lin Shiya fought as she retreated, deftly evading their blows.

She took her chance, kicking one thug to the ground, then injuring another’s arm with the brick.

The alley rang with shouts, cries, and the crash of breaking objects—a scene of utter chaos.

Though they outnumbered her, Lin Shiya’s agility made her unbeatable; her every move countered their attacks, keeping them at bay.

Gradually, the thugs’ courage waned, and their assault faltered.

Lin Shiya seized the moment and kicked Zhang San hard in the chest, sending him sprawling.

Coughing, Zhang San glared at her with hatred. “You’ll pay for this!” he spat.

With that, he and the remaining thugs fled in disarray.

Peace returned to the alley, leaving only scattered debris and the groans of the wounded.

Although Lin Shiya had driven off her attackers, she bore a few scrapes and bruises.

Ignoring her wounds, she straightened her clothes and pressed on toward the old scholar’s residence.

Steward Chen, who had followed behind, was filled with admiration as he watched Lin Shiya’s determined figure.

He hurried after her and asked in a low voice, “Miss, are you all right?”

Lin Shiya shook her head. “I’m fine. Let’s go.”

The two of them walked out of the alley, leaving the turmoil behind.

The setting sun cast their elongated shadows on the ground.

When they arrived at a secluded courtyard, Lin Shiya paused and gently knocked on the gate…

With a creak, the door slowly opened, and an elderly man with snow-white hair and a youthful countenance appeared—it was…

The last rays of the sun bathed the grey tiles and blue bricks, lending a touch of warmth to the tranquil courtyard.

The man who opened the door was an elderly gentleman with white hair and a youthful face, dressed in a simple long robe, exuding the air of a hermit. It was Master Zhao.

Seeing Lin Shiya, he was slightly surprised, a trace of curiosity flashing in his wise yet clouded eyes.

“Young Master Lin? How did you find this place?” Master Zhao stroked his grizzled beard, astonishment in his voice.

Lin Shiya bowed respectfully and replied earnestly, “I have heard that Master Zhao possesses a wealth of treasured books. I have come to visit, in hopes of borrowing some rare volumes to prepare for next year’s provincial examination.”

At her words, Master Zhao’s expression grew serious. He led Lin Shiya and Steward Chen inside. The room was elegant and filled with shelves laden with all manner of books, their faint ink fragrance permeating the air.

Once seated, Master Zhao did not agree immediately. He was silent for a moment, the atmosphere growing heavy, as though even the air had stilled.

In the corner, a censer sent slender trails of blue smoke curling in the air, like a little snake, eventually fading into nothing.

Outside, yellowed leaves rustled to the ground in the autumn wind, adding to the air of desolation.

“Your hunger for knowledge is admirable, Young Master Lin,” Master Zhao began, his voice deep and resonant. “However, these books are the result of many years’ collection. I cannot lend them lightly.”

A wave of unease spread through Lin Shiya’s heart. She understood Master Zhao intended to test her.

“I understand,” Lin Shiya replied, steadying herself. “I hope Master will instruct me.”

Master Zhao nodded slightly, his gaze sharp as he looked at Lin Shiya. “In that case, I shall pose a question to test your learning.”

Lin Shiya’s heart began to race, her palms growing moist. She knew this was the key to obtaining the precious materials.

The room was silent, save for the soughing of the wind through the leaves outside, heightening the tension.

Master Zhao spoke at last, his voice low and clear: “I have an upper line of a couplet—see if you can match it.” He paused, his eyes fixed intently on Lin Shiya, and enunciated each word: “Well-versed in ancient and modern learning, with all the classics and histories in mind…”

Steward Chen held his breath, scarcely daring to inhale, as though the very air had thinned.

Lin Shiya gathered her thoughts, feeling the weight of a thousand pounds settle on her shoulders…