The Leisurely Life of a Peasant Woman in the Tang Dynasty

The air in the stone chamber was as heavy as a pool of stagnant water.

Tang Youyou's heart was pounding. She carefully looked around the small incense burner and the stone platform, hoping to find any clues about the "method of delivery".

There was nothing on the stone platform except the incense burner, and the surrounding stone walls were smooth and flat, without any patterns or words.

Shopkeeper Hua covered his chest, leaned on Niu Xiaoer, and stared at Tang Youyou viciously.

Niu Xiaoer said to Hua Zhanggui in a flattering manner: "Shopkeeper, this little girl must be playing tricks! Look at her, she's pretending!"

Tang Youyou ignored their sarcasm. She tried to pick up the incense burner, but found that it seemed to be stuck to the stone platform and did not move at all.

She tried to pry it open with force again, but the incense burner still stood firmly on the stone platform.

"Oh, I think you're wasting your energy!" Niu Xiaoer sneered, "This treasure is not something you can get your hands on!"

As time passed, Tang Youyou became more and more anxious.

What exactly is the “opportunity” that Mr. Mo mentioned?

If she missed the delivery time, how would she explain to Mr. Mo?

More importantly, how can she protect herself and her children?

Constable Li stood aside, his brows furrowed, looking at Tang Youyou worriedly. Although he wanted to help, he didn't know where to start.

"Madam, don't be anxious." Mrs. Lin comforted softly, but there was a hint of impatience in her tone. "I believe Mr. Mo has his own arrangements." She gracefully stroked the jade bracelet on her wrist, her eyes flickering.

Tang Youyou took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down.

She suddenly remembered the map Mr. Mo gave her.

She only took a quick look at it at the time and did not study it carefully.

Perhaps there will be clues on the map about how to deliver the treasure?

She pulled out a map from her bosom and carefully unfolded it. The map was covered in complex lines and symbols, and she couldn't make sense of it for a moment.

"Map! She has a map!" Niu Xiaoer's sharp eyes spotted the map in Tang Youyou's hand at a glance. He immediately pointed at Tang Youyou and shouted to Shopkeeper Hua, "Shopkeeper, the map must be hiding a secret!"

Shopkeeper Hua's eyes lit up, he struggled to stand up, and reached out to grab the map.

Tang Youyou was prepared and kicked Shopkeeper Hua in the stomach with quick eyes and feet, knocking him to the ground.

"Ouch!" Shopkeeper Hua covered his stomach and groaned in pain.

Seeing this, Niu Xiaoer hurried forward to help Hua Zhanggui up.

Tang Youyou took the opportunity to put the map away and stared at them coldly.

"Do you think you can touch Mr. Mo's things?" Tang Youyou glanced coldly at Shopkeeper Hua and Niu Xiaoer, her eyes full of disdain.

"You think you can steal my things?" She unfolded the map again and studied it carefully in the dim light.

The map is painted with mountains, rivers, and the intricate lines are like a maze, which is dazzling to the eye.

Shopkeeper Hua recovered, a sinister glint in his eyes. "Niu Xiaoer, come on! Grab the map and you'll be rewarded handsomely!"

When Niu Xiaoer heard this, he immediately became energetic. He rubbed his hands together and pounced on Tang Youyou with a grim smile.

"Girl, hand over the map obediently, or you'll be beaten!"

Tang Youyou was prepared. She dodged Niu Xiaoer's attack with a flash of her body, then circled around the stone platform to fight with them.

The narrow space of the stone chamber actually became Tang Youyou's advantage. She used the terrain to flexibly dodge the attacks of the two men.

"Boss, this girl is very slippery!" Niu Xiaoer shouted angrily after missing her several times.

Shopkeeper Hua's face turned pale. He didn't expect a woman to be so difficult to deal with.

He pulled out a dagger from his waist and stared at Tang Youyou viciously.

"If you don't accept my toast, I'll punish you! If you don't hand over the map today, don't blame me for being rude!"

When Constable Li saw Shopkeeper Hua take out a dagger, he was shocked and wanted to step forward to stop him, but was stopped by Mrs. Lin.

"Constable Li, don't be impulsive. Mr. Mo said that we should not interfere in this matter." Mrs. Lin's tone was calm, but there was a hint of coldness in her eyes.

While Tang Youyou was dodging Niu Xiaoer's attacks, she was also vigilantly watching the movements of Hua Zhanggui.

She knew that if she was stabbed by Manager Hua's dagger, the consequences would be disastrous.

At this moment, Shopkeeper Hua and Niu Xiaoer pounced on Tang Youyou at the same time, trying to force her into a corner.

Seeing that there was no escape, Tang Youyou felt a sinking feeling in her heart.

At this critical moment, her eyes fell on a corner of the map. There was an inconspicuous mark there, like a drop of water... Tang Youyou's heart moved. Could it be...

Tang Youyou's eyes were fixed on the teardrop-shaped mark in the corner of the map, and a glimmer of hope surged in her heart.

Could this be the key to unlocking the treasure?

At the critical moment, she had no time to think and pressed her hand on an inconspicuous depression on the stone platform according to the instructions of the mark.

The stone chamber suddenly shook, and dust fell down. Shopkeeper Hua and Waiter Niu were so frightened that they stood there in a daze.

Tang Youyou held her breath and pressed hard on the indentation.

With a "click" sound, a wooden box slowly rose in the center of the stone platform, exuding an ancient and mysterious atmosphere.

The wooden box was opened, and inside lay a crystal clear bead, emitting a soft light. This was the treasure they had been searching for!

Tang Youyou grabbed the beads and a victorious smile appeared on her face.

She glanced coldly at Shopkeeper Hua and Niu Xiaoer, her eyes full of disdain.

"Thank you both for your help. I will gladly accept this treasure."

Shopkeeper Hua finally reacted and shouted angrily, "Niu Xiaoer, stop her!" Niu Xiaoer came back to his senses from the shock and immediately pounced on Tang Youyou.

"Stop!" Constable Li suddenly stood in front of Niu Xiaoer, his face righteous. "You still want to steal the treasure? How can you be so presumptuous under the feet of the emperor?"

Niu Xiaoer was frightened by Constable Li's aura and did not dare to step forward for a while.

Upon seeing this, Shopkeeper Hua glared at Constable Li fiercely, then looked at Tang Youyou's receding back, a hint of viciousness flashing in his eyes.

"You're lucky! We'll see!"

Tang Youyou left the stone chamber without looking back and disappeared into the darkness. Madam Lin walked over to Mr. Mo and whispered, "Sir, we..."

Mr. Mo looked at the direction where Tang Youyou left, with a meaningful smile on his face. "Don't worry, the fun has just begun."

Tang Youyou walked out of the stone chamber, the night breeze blowing on her face. She clutched the wooden box tightly in her hand, her heartbeat still not calming down.

Constable Li followed behind her, "Madam Tang, what are your plans next?" Tang Youyou pondered for a moment, "I'm going to deliver the treasure." Constable Li nodded, "Do you need me to escort you?" Tang Youyou politely declined his offer, "No need, Constable Li, you should go back and report. I know the way forward."

After saying goodbye to Constable Li, Tang Youyou followed the clues left by Mr. Mo and walked towards a secluded bamboo forest outside the city.

The night is shrouded in darkness, the bamboo shadows are swaying, and the wind blowing through the bamboo leaves makes a rustling sound, adding a bit of mystery.

Tang Youyou looked around warily, the wooden box feeling slightly hot in her hands, as if responding to her inner nervousness.

After walking for about half an hour, she finally saw a faint light flickering deep in the bamboo forest. Her heartbeat quickened, and she stepped lightly, pushing aside the last clump of bamboo leaves.

There was a bonfire burning in the open space, and the firelight illuminated two familiar faces - Mr. Mo and Mrs. Lin.

They were sitting by the campfire, seemingly waiting for something.

Mrs. Lin sipped her tea gracefully, while Mr. Mo closed his eyes and rested, holding a string of Buddhist beads in his hand, his expression as calm as water.

Tang Youyou took a deep breath and walked forward, "Mr. Mo, Mrs. Lin." Hearing her voice, Mr. Mo slowly opened his eyes, his deep gaze fell on the wooden box in her hand.

Mrs. Lin also put down her teacup and looked at her with interest.

"You're here." Mr. Mo's voice was low and magnetic, without any emotional fluctuations.

Tang Youyou nodded and handed over the wooden box in her hand, "Treasure, I've got it." Mr. Mo took the wooden box, but did not open it immediately. Instead, he stroked the lid and tapped it with his fingertips, making a crisp sound.

The air seemed to freeze, and the only sound around was the crackling of the burning campfire.

Tang Youyou's heart was in her throat, not knowing whether he was satisfied.

After a long while, Mr. Mo slowly said, "Open it."

Tang Youyou opened the wooden box with a little hesitation.

Under the firelight, the beads emitted an even brighter light, illuminating Mr. Mo's calm face and the flash of light in his eyes...