"Clan Elder, I cannot accept this letter of recommendation."
Upon hearing Lin Yan's refusal, all eyes in the room turned to her.
"Why?" the Clan Elder asked, perplexed.
"Yan Ge'er, you must understand that this letter of recommendation is the only one of its kind in the entire Lin family. Once this opportunity is missed, it will not come again," an elder with white hair and beard said, looking at Lin Yan disapprovingly.
"Precisely because it is precious, Yan'er cannot accept it," Lin Yan shook her head again. "Since the enrollment for Maolin Academy has already begun, Yan'er wishes to try on her own. As for this letter of recommendation, it can be given to another promising young scholar of the Lin family to enter the academy.
Perhaps the elders might find Yan'er arrogant or overconfident. Yan'er wishes to test herself. Yan'er believes in her own abilities."
The original owner's memories did not mention this, but the original owner had also been admitted to the academy through her own efforts. Since that was the case, why should she occupy a resource that would only incite jealousy?
Not all the elders in the room were focused on the future of the Lin family. She had just seen the covetous gaze in their eyes for the letter of recommendation the Clan Elder had mentioned.
"You have ambition, but you should still take this letter of recommendation. It's always good to have a backup," the Clan Elder still wanted to give the letter to Lin Yan.
"Really, it's not necessary, Clan Elder. Please consider other cousins. With one more person in the academy, they can look out for each other," Lin Yan was resolute in not accepting the letter of recommendation.
Her family was already a widow with a child, and in this Lin clan, they were dependent on the Lin family for survival.
If she took this letter of recommendation, it would surely draw the envy of many more people. It was better to refuse directly.
Even if she couldn't get into Maolin Academy, there were other academies. Why must she insist on something so unique?
The Clan Elder wanted to persuade her further, but he could see Lin Yan's stubborn determination and sighed, not forcing the issue.
He understood why Lin Yan refused, but he was also gratified to hear her confidently state that she could pass the exam.
The elders were also satisfied with Lin Yan's prudence, especially those whose younger generations had good academic records.
After Lin Yan left, they began discussing who should receive the letter of recommendation.
Upon returning, Lin Yan informed her grandmother about what had happened at the Clan Elder's home. Her grandmother, after listening, also approved of Lin Yan's refusal.
However, regarding Lin Yan's intention to attend the academy, her grandmother was very hesitant. The academy was too far from home, and she heard that students were required to live in the school dormitories.
"You cannot study with men, and Yan Ge'er, you haven't considered that your menstruation will arrive soon. What will you do then?" her grandmother asked sternly.
"It's alright, Grandmother. I've already found a way," Lin Yan said with certainty, without revealing what her solution was.
"What way?" Her grandmother sensed that such a method might not be entirely without harm to her body.
"Grandmother will understand when the time comes." Actually, her menstruation was still two years away, and she didn't need to worry about it now. She believed that when the time came, she would find a solution.
Lin Yan had studied medicine before and still possessed some usable prescriptions.
In this world, she had no intention of marrying and having children. Even if these medications caused some damage to her uterus, she wouldn't mind.
It might be unfair to Ming Hao, but she believed he would understand. A brief separation was only for a happier reunion.
Lin Yan had already considered the matter of menstruation. Besides being able to prepare the medicine herself, there were also some other options in the system store with very minor side effects.