Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 126 The War Between Women
Sophia's appearance caused an uproar in the Sorbonne's oral exam room!

In this era, the universities of France, especially the academic heartland of Paris, were purely male domains.

The students were all male, the professors and lecturers were all male, and there were no female observers.

Sofia's sudden intrusion into the solemn venue where the school year's final exams were underway, and her loud questioning of the exams themselves, not only overstepped the strict academic order but also challenged the Sorbonne's conservative traditions.

Several young lecturers in the back row immediately blushed.
Dean Dunn stood up, his voice filled with both contempt and anger: "Miss! This is Sorbonne University. Ladies are not welcome here, especially not such an offensive and rude lady. Please leave immediately..."

“Professor Durand!” Sofia completely ignored the teaching assistant, her gaze sweeping over the crowd and locking onto Professor Gustave Durand’s face.

Then, her voice suddenly took on a hint of girlish coquettish reproach: "Are you still going to pretend you don't know me?"

Professor Durand's previously tense face suddenly relaxed, and he sighed helplessly: "Sophia, what brings you here?"

The classroom erupted in another buzz of discussion, with the highly respected Professor Durand seemingly quite familiar with this noblewoman.

Sophia walked down the steps to the judges' table; Professor Durand stood up and, in the manner of an elder, gave her a cheek kiss.

Professor Durand then explained to everyone, “Sophia is my student. I worked as a French teacher in her family for a period of time.”

"Hiss..." The murmurs turned into gasps of envy and surprise; Dean Duen also froze in place.

In 19th-century Russia, the upper class, especially the court and aristocratic circles, had an almost fanatical fascination with French culture.

French is not only a common social language, but French etiquette, art, literature, fashion, etc. are also objects of their utmost imitation.

Hiring elite French tutors to educate their children is standard practice for every respectable aristocrat, and the salaries offered are often more than three times those in France.

This trend flourished after Peter the Great's reforms, reached its peak during the reign of Catherine II, and continued throughout the 19th century.

Young Russian nobles are often far more fluent in French than in Russian; Tsar Alexander II himself was extremely fluent in French.

Therefore, the fact that Professor Durand was once Sofia's teacher, while seemingly unexpected, is actually quite reasonable.

Sophia raised her chin slightly, like a proud swan: "Teacher, the question you just gave to this Mr. Lionel Sorel is not even as good as the thinking question you used to stump me, a fourteen-year-old girl, back then!"

Is it because he is the renowned 'conscience of the Sorbonne'?

These words were almost an accusation, and the air in the room seemed to freeze. Even Professor Durand's face darkened.

Sofia turned to face all the teachers and students on the steps, her expression and tone equally cold: "My mother, the generous Baroness Alexievna, donated 30 francs to the Sorbonne out of recognition and respect for the Sorbonne's academic standing."

What she hoped to see was a rigorous academic tradition, lofty standards unshaken by any external factors, and the purest temple of knowledge! Not…

Her gaze swept over Lionel: "Just because a student has become famous, you relax the requirements! On the contrary, the more famous a student is, the higher the Sorbonne should raise its assessment standards and use an impeccable exam to prove the Sorbonne's authority!"
Let everyone see whether the talent cultivated by the Sorbonne is real gold or just a bubble!

These words, though spoken in a grand and authoritative manner, made everyone, including the judges and professors, feel extremely uncomfortable.

Sophia gracefully walked to the first row of the audience and sat down: "Professor Durand, please continue. I have no intention of interfering with the Sorbonne's examination procedures."

You could just announce right now that Mr. Sorel has passed this... oh, 'current level' exam.

I was merely an insignificant bystander. However, as someone with some connections in Russian social circles, someone who loves French culture and yearns to see the Sorbonne maintain its highest standards—

I feel it is my responsibility and obligation to truthfully convey the 'actual situation' of today's exam to my fellow Russians, as well as to my friends in the court and social circles who share the same concern for the quality of education at Europe's top universities.

Deathly silence!

The "actual situation" was being relayed? It was being widely publicized in Russian high society? Panic instantly gripped the young lecturers and students. Going to Russia as a tutor! This was a dream job for many talented young people in Paris—especially those who couldn't yet establish themselves in the crowded Parisian academic world!

The Russian court and nobles, both high and low, not only spent lavishly but also provided them with a path to high society.

The highly respected Professor Durand was a beneficiary of this path.

If Lionel's actions lead to a decline in the overall evaluation of the Sorbonne by the Russian upper class, it would undoubtedly be a disaster!
Anxiety spread like wildfire through the audience, and an immense, invisible pressure instantly shifted onto the shoulders of the three examiners.

Dean Henry Patan immediately became anxious: "Sophia, you just said you were only here to audit the class..."

Sofia ignored the dean and turned to look at the audience seats behind her: "I heard that reporters from Le Figaro, Le Petit Journal and Le République are here?"
I hope you still possess the independent spirit that French journalists are so proud of!

Dean Henry Patan immediately shut up.

The three oral examiners are now faced with a choice between the honor of the Sorbonne and the honor of Lionel.

The answer is then quite obvious...

"Wait!" Another woman's voice came from the doorway of the oral exam room.

Everyone looked over and saw a lady dressed in a gorgeous long dress with a noble air.

Dean Dunn was so angry that his eyebrows were trembling. In his mind, this was a day of shame for the Sorbonne.

The woman's voice was calm and clear, yet it resonated throughout the room: "I am Lia, and Mrs. Rothschild has asked me to convey her consistent trust in the academic integrity of the Sorbonne."

Upon hearing the name "Rothschild," Mr. Dunn, who had just stood up to rebuke them, sat back down.

Liya's voice remained calm: "Mrs. Rothschild believed that the real crisis of the Sorbonne's academic reputation never lay in the difficulty of a student's exam questions."

The key lies in its ability to maintain existing procedures and standards under any pressure and remain steadfast in the face of any external interference.

To overturn existing judgments based on the so-called 'donor's wishes' is the greatest harm to the Sorbonne's academic soul!

If such a thing were to happen, the lady would think that the Sorbonne had fallen short of its standards, and that the donations over the years... might have been a mistake.

While 30 francs is generous, it's not a particularly large sum in the long history of the Sorbonne.

"Hiss..." Another gasp rippled through the crowd.

Although Baroness Alexievna donated 30 francs this year, everyone knows the reasons behind it, and it's highly likely she won't donate anything next year.

Madame Rothschild, on the other hand, had been donating to the Sorbonne for many years, totaling well over 30 francs. Losing her trust could have far more serious consequences.

Moreover, she is backed by the most powerful and generous group of wealthy women in all of Paris.

Dean Henry Patan and the three judges were stunned, and the teachers and students of the Sorbonne had never seen anything like it before.

Sofia was clearly angered by the remark "although she donated 30 francs," and stood up to say something.

"Gentlemen, you're all having such a lively discussion, aren't you going to ask for my opinion?"

Lionel's clear voice resounded throughout the hall.

Everyone finally remembered that there was a perfectly healthy person standing there!
(End of this chapter)