Sofia's appearance caused an uproar in the Sorbonne oral examination hall!
In this era, universities in France, particularly in Paris, and especially academic strongholds like Sorbonne, were purely male domains.
Students were exclusively male, professors and lecturers were all male, and even among the observers, there was not a single female figure.
Sofia's sudden intrusion into the solemn setting of the annual final exams, and her loud questioning of the examination itself, not only overstepped the strict academic order but also challenged Sorbonne's conservative traditions.
Immediately, several young lecturers in the back row turned red with embarrassment.
Mr. Duen, the Dean of Academic Affairs, stood up, his voice tinged with both disdain and anger: "Miss! This is Sorbonne University, and ladies are not welcome, especially such an offensive and rude lady. Please leave immediately…"
"Professor Durand!" Sofia completely ignored the assistant professor, her gaze sweeping past everyone and fixing on Professor Gustave Durand's face.
Then, her voice suddenly took on a hint of a young girl's petulant complaint: "Are you still going to pretend you don't know me?"
Professor Durand's previously taut face suddenly relaxed, and he sighed helplessly: "Sofia, why have you come?"
The classroom buzzed with renewed discussion; the highly respected Professor Durand seemed very familiar with this noble daughter.
Sofia descended the steps and approached the judges' panel; Professor Durand stood up and, with the demeanor of an elder, exchanged a cheek kiss with her.
Professor Durand then explained to everyone: "Sofia is my student; I served as her French tutor in her family for some time."
"Hiss…" The murmuring turned into gasps of envy and surprise; Mr. Duen, the Dean of Academic Affairs, also froze in place.
In 19th-century Russian high society, especially within court and aristocratic circles, the adoration for French culture was almost fanatical.
French was not only the common social language, but even French etiquette, art, literature, and fashion… were all objects they strived to imitate.
Hiring elites from France as private tutors to educate their children was a standard for every respectable aristocrat, and the salaries offered were often more than three times those in France.
This trend flourished after Peter the Great's reforms, reached its peak during Catherine the Great's era, and continued throughout the entire 19th century.
Young Russian aristocrats often had a far greater command of French than Russian; Tsar Alexander II himself was extremely fluent in French.
Therefore, the fact that Professor Durand had once been Sofia's teacher, while seemingly unexpected, was actually quite understandable.
Sofia tilted her chin slightly, like a proud swan: "teacher, the question you just posed to Mr. Lionel Sorel isn't even as challenging as the thought-provoking questions you used to vex me, a fourteen-year-old girl, back then!
Is it because he is the famous 'Conscience of Sorbonne'?"
This statement was almost an accusation; the air in the room seemed to freeze, and 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 Alekseyevna, donated 300,000 francs to Sorbonne out of recognition and reverence for Sorbonne's academic standing.
What she expects to see is a rigorous academic tradition, lofty standards unshaken by any external factors, and the purest temple of knowledge! Not…"
Her gaze swept over Lionel: "Relaxing the requirements because a certain student has become famous! On the contrary, the more renowned a student is, the more Sorbonne should raise its assessment standards, using an impeccable examination to prove Sorbonne's authority!
Let everyone see whether the talents nurtured by Sorbonne are truly gold or mere froth!"
These words were spoken grandly and resoundingly, yet they made everyone, including the judging professors, feel as if they were sitting on pins and needles.
Sofia gracefully walked to the first row of the observer's section and sat down: "teacher Durand, professors, please continue. I have no intention of interfering with Sorbonne's examination procedures.
You are perfectly free to immediately announce that Mr. Sorel has passed this… oh, 'existing standard' examination.
I am merely an insignificant observer. However, as someone with some connections in Russian high society, someone who loves French culture and yearns to see Sorbonne maintain the highest standards—
I believe it is my responsibility, and my duty, to truthfully convey the 'actual situation' of today's examination to my Russian compatriots whom I know, and to my friends in court and social circles who are equally concerned about the quality of education at Europe's top universities…"
A deathly silence!
The "actual situation" being conveyed? Publicized in Russian high society? The young lecturers and students instantly panicked.
Going to Russia to be a private tutor! This was a coveted job opportunity for many talented young people in Paris—especially those who couldn't yet establish themselves in the crowded Parisian academic circles!
The Tsarist court and various nobles were not only generous but could also provide them with a path to enter high society.
The highly respected Professor Durand himself had been a beneficiary of this path.
If, because of Lionel alone, the overall evaluation of Sorbonne by Russian high society were to decline, it would undoubtedly be a disaster!
An uneasy mood, like a plague, began to spread through the observer's section, and an invisible, immense pressure instantly shifted onto the shoulders of the three examiners.
President Henri Patin immediately grew anxious: "Sofia, you just said you were only here to observe…"
Sofia ignored the President and instead turned to look at the observer's section behind her: "I hear that 'Le Figaro,' Le Petit Journal, and the La République all have reporters here?
I hope you still possess the independent spirit that French journalists pride themselves on!"
President Henri Patin immediately shut up.
Now, the three oral examination judges faced a choice between Sorbonne's reputation and Lionel's reputation.
The answer was then very clear…
"Wait!" Another woman's voice appeared at the door of the oral examination room.
Everyone looked and saw a lady dressed in a magnificent gown, with a noble demeanor.
Mr. Duen, the Dean of Academic Affairs, was so angry his eyebrows were twitching; in his mind, this was nothing short of a day of shame for Sorbonne.
The lady's voice had not a ripple, yet it clearly resounded throughout the hall: "I am Lia. Madame Rothschild entrusted me to convey her consistent trust in Sorbonne's academic integrity."
Upon hearing the name "Rothschild," Mr. Duen, who had just stood up to scold, sat back down.
Lia's voice remained steady: "Madame Rothschild believes that Sorbonne's true academic reputation crisis never lies in the difficulty of a student's examination questions.
Rather, it lies in its ability to adhere to existing procedures and standards under any pressure, unwavering by any external interference.
To overturn existing judgment results because of so-called 'donor's wishes'—that is the greatest harm to Sorbonne's academic soul!
If such a thing were to happen, Madame Rothschild would then consider Sorbonne to have fallen short, and the donations over the years… perhaps a mistake.
While 300,000 francs is generous, it is not an extraordinary sum in Sorbonne's long history."
"Hiss…" Another collective gasp of breath filled the room.
Although Baroness Alekseyevna donated 300,000 francs this year, everyone knew the circumstances, and it was highly likely there would be no more next year.
Madame Rothschild, however, was different; she had been donating to Sorbonne for many consecutive years, with a total amount far exceeding 300,000 francs, and losing her trust could have even more severe consequences.
Moreover, behind her was the entire most affluent and generous group of noblewomen in Paris.
President Henri Patin and the three judges felt their scalps tingle; Sorbonne's teachers and students had never witnessed such a scene.
Sofia was clearly enraged by the phrase "although she donated 300,000 francs" and stood up, about to say something.
"Everyone, you're all chatting so lively, aren't you going to ask for my opinion?"
Lionel's clear voice resounded through the hall.
Everyone finally remembered that there was still a living person standing there!