Chapter 0212: Commoner Shen Yuanyuan, The Esteemed Daughter Who Listens Attentively

As the daughter of the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Cheng Wuxue couldn’t possibly not recognize Sheng Yiren. Pretending to be her now was clearly not a wise choice, so Xie Chengze said, “I was brought here by the eldest daughter of the Sheng family.”

Instead of revealing her identity, she brought up Sheng Yiren. Cheng Wuxue narrowed her eyes, her sharp gaze like an eagle’s falling on the veil, trying to see through to the face behind it.

However… her vision was slightly blurry, and she couldn’t see clearly.

She couldn’t help but stand up and approach Xie Chengze, wanting to get closer to see what this person really looked like. Seeing her approach, Xie Chengze instinctively took two steps back, maintaining a safe social distance. “What are you doing, miss?”

“Since the young lady hasn’t revealed her true name, we naturally can’t speak with you so easily.” Seeing her retreat, Cheng Wuxue stopped, slightly raising her chin. “If anyone could enter the banquet using the name of the Sheng family’s eldest daughter, wouldn’t that put the safety of us esteemed daughters at risk?”

“I see.” Xie Chengze smiled frankly and quickly said, “My name is Shen Yuanyuan, just a commoner. I was fortunate enough to gain Lord Shen’s appreciation, which allowed me to be brought to the banquet by Miss Sheng.”

“Oh?” Hearing the words “Lord Shen,” Cheng Wuxue’s bright eyes flickered, and she scrutinized Xie Chengze again.

Though Cheng Wuxue’s talents weren’t famous throughout Jian’an, in Jingcheng she could compete with Sheng Yiren, the top talented woman.

Influenced by her father’s official position, she had always admired upright and decisive people. When Shen Yuan was in the Ministry of Justice, he had cleaned out many corrupt officials with swift and decisive actions, even overthrowing the Minister of Revenue. This had sparked her interest in him, and she wanted to get to know him.

In fact, she had indeed managed to do so, even developing feelings for Shen Yuan at first sight. However, even after revealing her identity and talents, her affections were rejected on the spot. Although she quickly got over this setback, hearing that another woman had gained his appreciation inevitably stirred a competitive spirit in her.

She couldn’t help but ask, “What talents do you possess to have earned Lord Shen’s favor?”

Xie Chengze’s eyes shifted as she thought of something, and she couldn’t help but smile. “Well, I’m just somewhat proficient in mathematics.”

“Mathematics?” Several esteemed daughters exchanged glances. “What kind of talent is that?”

Women typically focused on music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, never studying mathematics. Even among noble young men, they only dabbled in simple arithmetic, never using it as a measure of scholarly talent.

But Cheng Wuxue knew better. She had heard from her father that the court was preparing to implement the Technological Imperial Examination and even planned to establish an Imperial Academy in Jingcheng, where esteemed daughters might also have to attend school.

This decree was issued by the Second Prince, and as a member of the Second Prince’s faction, Shen Yuan would undoubtedly be seeking mathematical talents for him.

However, this was the first time she had heard of a woman proficient in mathematics. Could it be like Sheng Yiren, who was only good at basic calculations?

Cheng Wuxue couldn’t help but ask, “May I ask… to what extent is the young lady proficient in mathematics?”

Xie Chengze stroked his chin. “For example, imagine a wooden barrel with two plugged outlets at the bottom. If you pull out the left plug, it takes half an hour for the water to drain completely. If you pull out the right plug, it takes three hours. If both plugs are pulled out simultaneously for one hour, releasing twelve hundred dan of water, and then the left plug is reinserted, how much longer would it take to drain the remaining water in the barrel?”

Several Esteemed Daughters looked puzzled. “What’s the use of knowing how to solve this arithmetic problem?”

Cheng Wuxue also glanced at Xie Chengze, unable to comprehend why solving this would earn Shen Yuan’s favor.

“Hmm…” Xie Chengze rubbed his chin again. “Knowing this could be useful for building dams in the future?”

Dams?

The Esteemed Daughters exchanged glances once more.

Although they couldn’t participate in the imperial examinations, they had heard that this year’s exams included an additional question about the flood disaster in Yi Province, which inevitably involved dam-related issues. Scholars had been fervently discussing it, and even their brothers at home often debated the topic privately, making it hard for them not to know.

“Learning this will enable us to build dams?” Cheng Wuxue couldn’t grasp the connection. “Isn’t that a craftsman’s job? What does it have to do with this?”

“Existing dams are simply piled-up structures that don’t effectively utilize natural advantages. By learning mathematics, we can better determine the shape and size of dams based on terrain and water flow, achieving purposes like diversion, storage, and irrigation,” Xie Chengze explained eloquently. “Take Yi Province’s terrain, for instance. Once we have cement, we could construct separate structures for the inner and outer rivers…”

He picked up paper and brush from the table and began sketching a modern design of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, giving a simple example of a water storage and release reservoir. His explanation was so accessible that even the Esteemed Daughters, who had never been exposed to such topics, listened with keen interest, feeling their minds opening to new perspectives.

This young lady truly possessed vast knowledge—far more intriguing than those pretentious scholars who spent their days reciting poetry and discussing philosophy. Through her words, they could envision how mathematics-inspired structures would bring relief: stored water during droughts, and diverted rivers during floods, standing majestic and defiant against nature’s wrath. It was as if declaring: human wisdom can triumph over natural disasters.

This was the charm of mathematics.

A unique charm closely intertwined with daily life.

However… this young lady’s handwriting was rather distinctive too.

Cheng Wuxue stared at the crooked, shapeless characters on the paper, barely suppressing the urge to comment by pinching her thigh.

She’s a commoner—it’s normal she hasn’t had time to practice calligraphy. I mustn’t offend her!

Meanwhile, Xie Chengze’s lecture had attracted many other Esteemed Daughters. The Peach Blossom Banquet Talent Competition, originally led by Sheng Yiren and Cheng Wuxue, saw attendees flocking to this side after one host arrived late and the other became engrossed. Noticing Cheng Wuxue’s attentive listening, they followed suit.

If Cheng Wuxue, the second-most talented lady in Jingcheng, was taking it seriously, how could they lag behind?

Women’s learning abilities had never been inferior—they were merely confined to music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. As Jingcheng’s Esteemed Daughters, they were cultivated to be “competitive in all aspects,” striving to outperform rivals in every field to secure more desirable husbands.

Although they had joined midway without the preceding context, making it somewhat difficult to follow, they were all listening intently, striving to grasp these principles. When they heard that these methods could alleviate floods, they couldn’t help but murmur in surprise.

“Could this be the solution to Yi Province’s flooding?”

“Though I didn’t understand the earlier part, I clearly heard about the reservoir—it seems incredibly practical!”

“Aren’t matters like these usually discussed only by scholars and imperial examination candidates? It feels surreal that we, too, can gather and deliberate on such significant affairs.”

“It doesn’t seem all that difficult! When the Yi Province examination question was first released, I mentioned wanting to take a look, but my elder brother scoffed, saying women are too foolish—even if the answer were handed to me, I wouldn’t comprehend it. Hah, it seems he underestimated me!” A yellow-clad Esteemed Daughter snorted lightly.

Xie Chengze chuckled softly. “He attended school, learned a mere fraction of knowledge, and now looks down upon those without such opportunities—that reflects his ignorance and arrogance. Your thirst for knowledge and self-assurance, undeterred by belittling remarks, mark you as someone destined for greatness.”

The yellow-clad Esteemed Daughter flushed slightly and waved her hand dismissively. “How could I achieve anything grand? After all, women are ultimately meant to marry, support their husbands, and raise children.”

“True. No matter how much we learn, we’ll still end up managing households and serving in-laws…”

“It’s a pity women can’t take the imperial exams or hold office. Building embankments sounds far more exciting than staying home to handle domestic chores…”

Xie Chengze shook his head gently. “Are you unaware that the court plans to open the Imperial Academy to both men and women?”