Lin Yan's materials not only greatly improved Lin Boxue's knowledge but he also copied a set and sent it home.
There were a few scholars in the Lin family, and they treated the materials Lin Bo sent back as treasures. Upon receiving them, they diligently copied them down.
The Lin family's collection of books grew larger and larger. It wasn't just Lin Yan and Lin Bo sending books home; others, seeing their actions, also copied down the books they could access and sent them back.
The Lin family could now be considered a scholarly household. Seeing the changes, the Lin clan elder felt that what Lin Yan had suggested had great potential.
In the original clan school, a senior young scholar would merely provide basic education for the children. Now, if they could invite those scholars back, with the books Lin Yan had sent, they would surely be willing to return.
The Lin clan elder knew that Lin Yan was studying at the Du family's clan school. If their Lin clan school could achieve such scale and reputation…
Just thinking about it made the Lin clan elder restless.
With this in mind, he began to make arrangements. First, he contacted the Lin family members who had already achieved scholarly titles and were studying outside or at home. Then, he reached out to families with children currently studying.
In recent years, it had been convenient for Lin family members to find work because they were literate. They all understood the benefits of education.
Even if they didn't pursue the path of imperial examinations, being literate made finding employment much easier than for others.
It was precisely because of this that they strongly supported their daughters learning to read. Although daughters could not go out to work, at least being literate meant they wouldn't be easily deceived.
Of course, not every family agreed with the Lin clan elder's decision, but the elder's authority was significant, and no one dared to openly object.
The Lin family's clan school was thus simply established. However, the student enrollment was not high, as most parents of students pursuing the imperial examinations were still observing.
The clan school had just been built, and although the teachers were familiar to them, their teaching abilities were unknown. With their children's future at stake, they were unwilling to take any risks.
The clan elder understood their thoughts, so he did not force everyone to return. Moreover, with the Young Scholar Examination approaching this year, he also wanted them to pass it.
Everything in the clan school was just beginning to fall into place. Although they did not participate in this year's Young Scholar Examination, they still placed great importance on it.
Lin Yan handed the homework assigned by her teacher to him, and then heard Du Meng Zhou speak.
"Your knowledge is almost sufficient, but you still need to broaden your horizons. I am going to visit a friend tomorrow. You should pack your things and accompany me with your junior brother."
Du Meng Zhou did not mention who his friend was, nor did Lin Yan ask. She agreed directly and went back to pack her belongings.
Lin Yan's junior brother was Du Meng Zhou's youngest son. He was currently a Young Scholar, but due to his young age and lack of focus, Master Du planned to hold him back for another cycle.
The younger son's talent was better than his elder son's, but having him in middle age, he was doted upon by the family. Coupled with his academic talent, he passed the Young Scholar Examination at the young age of eight.
At such a tender age, he was extremely arrogant. However, his results in the Young Scholar Examination were not good, barely passing the threshold, which was a significant blow to him.
Du Meng Zhou bringing him along on this trip to visit a friend was also to help him relax.
Upon returning, Lin Yan immediately asked Dong Mei and the others to help her pack.
Although she was at the Du family and her teacher and his wife had assigned other attendants to her, Lin Yan had secrets she couldn't let others get too close to.
However, the more she packed, the more items there were. By the time Lin Yan noticed, Dong Mei had already packed several large chests.
"There's no need for so much. Just pack a few things. I'm accompanying my teacher to visit a friend, not moving house."
"But Young Master, these are all things you use frequently," Dong Mei felt a little wronged.
"There's no need for so much. Leave behind some unnecessary items and pack a few sets of clothes and accessories suitable for travel. Your teacher should have the rest. Dong Mei, go and see how Madam is packing, and make sure my luggage isn't more than the teacher's." Lin Yan then realized how important a thoughtful servant was.
It seemed she needed to train a personal maid, like her personal assistant in her modern life, to handle her affairs.
However, finding someone trustworthy was difficult. Dong Mei was certainly trustworthy, but her handling of affairs was too petty. She was fine for taking care of her daily life, but if something major happened, she would panic.
But she couldn't bring this up now, or Dong Mei would surely feel neglected and her loyalty would be hurt.
She would lose more than she gained. She would still try to teach Dong Mei, and any new person would not be allowed to be too close to her.
After Dong Mei returned from the Madam's side, she began to streamline the luggage. Even after streamlining, two large chests remained.
Just as Lin Yan was about to frown, Dong Mei said, "Madam Du said this trip will be for quite a long journey. These items are really not much."
"Alright. You all should also pack what you need to bring. This time, you're all coming along."
"Yes, we'll go pack now." Dong Mei happily went to pack her things.
The next day, Lin Yan and the others departed under the watchful eyes of Madam Du and her junior sister, Du Lan Zhi.
This was the second time Lin Yan had met her junior sister. She was the same age as Lin Yan, but younger in terms of months. Next year would be her coming-of-age ceremony.
However, in terms of actual years, she was only twelve years old and would not turn thirteen until October this year.
A child of this age should be just starting middle school, yet she was already preparing for matchmaking.
Of course, these were just preliminary introductions. The formal betrothal rites would begin after her coming-of-age ceremony, and she would likely marry around the age of sixteen by Chinese reckoning, or fifteen by Western reckoning.
Seeing this junior sister, Lin Yan thought of herself. If she were still a girl now, she would likely be like this junior sister, confined to her home, waiting to be matched when she reached the right age.
She would marry a man her parents approved of, manage the household for him, and bear him children.
If Lin Yan did not have the memories of her previous life, she might have lived such a life, like everyone else.
Of course, if the original host had not been raised as a boy, she would have also accepted her fate.
This was the destiny of women in this era. Whether it was a daughter from a small family like the original host, a young lady from a noble family like her junior sister, or even a princess of the royal family, no one could escape this fate.
This was the constraint of feudal society on women, and the reason the original host insisted on wearing men's clothing.
The original host's attention to the female protagonist was also due to this. The female protagonist was different from all the women of this era, a person who could truly understand the original host's struggles and unwillingness.
However, in the end, they both became sacrifices of this world.