The Leisurely Life of a Peasant Woman in the Tang Dynasty

"The Emperor, in compliance with the Will of Heaven, proclaims..." A shrill voice echoed in the exhibition hall. Everyone held their breath, all eyes focused on the eunuch Wang who announced the decree.

Eunuch Wang unfolded the imperial edict and continued reading, "Painter Wu's 'Traveling in Autumn Mountains' and Zheng Shizu's 'Autumn Thoughts' are both profound in artistic conception and exquisite in brushwork. Therefore, I grant you one hundred taels of gold and one hundred rolls of silk..."

Tang Youyou's heart finally settled down, and a relieved smile appeared on her face.

Tang Wan and Tang Jin also cheered, while Tang Xiaoya looked curiously at the imperial edict in Eunuch Wang's hand.

There was a burst of discussion in the crowd. Some people praised the talents of Painter Wu and Zheng Shizu, while others admired Tang Youyou's vision.

"Master Wu, Mr. Zheng, congratulations!" Tang Youyou bowed and congratulated.

Wu Huazi's face remained calm. He just nodded slightly, but his eyes remained on Tang Youyou.

Zheng Shizu smiled carefreely, "Madam Tang, you have a keen eye for talent. I am deeply grateful."

After Eunuch Wang finished reading the imperial edict, he gave Tang Youyou a meaningful look, "Madam Tang, the Emperor highly appreciates your vision and has specifically instructed us to invite you to the palace tomorrow."

Tang Youyou's heart trembled. The emperor summoned her, and she didn't know whether it was a blessing or a curse. She suppressed her uneasiness and replied respectfully, "I obey your command."

The crowd gradually dispersed. Wu Huazi walked up to Tang Youyou, took out a scroll from his sleeve, and handed it to her, "Madam Tang, this is a small gift from me. Please accept it."

Tang Youyou took the scroll doubtfully and slowly opened it. She saw a gentle woman in the painting, and her eyes and eyebrows were exactly like her own.

The people in the painting smile sweetly and look lifelike.

Tang Youyou felt warm in her heart and looked up at Wu Huazi, but saw that his eyes flickered and he avoided her sight.

At this time, a sarcastic voice came from the side, "Hey, isn't this our Madam Tang? How come, now that you have climbed up the royal branch, you look down on us common people?" The speaker was a lady in gorgeous clothes. Behind her followed several women who were also dressed in gorgeous clothes, all with sarcastic smiles on their faces.

Tang Youyou recognized that this was the wife of the Minister of Revenue, and she usually didn't get along with her.

She calmly put away the scroll and said, "Madam, you are joking. I am just a commoner. How can I marry into the royal family?"

"Hmph, don't think I don't know what you're up to," the wife of the Minister of Revenue snorted coldly, "You support those down-and-out scholars just to curry favor with the Emperor, don't you?"

Tang Youyou's face darkened, "Madam, please be careful with your words. I just admire their talents and have no other intentions."

The wife of the Minister of Revenue wanted to say something, but was stopped by a woman behind her, "Madam, let's go and don't embarrass ourselves here." The wife of the Minister of Revenue glared at Tang Youyou fiercely and left in a huff.

Tang Youyou looked at their departing backs, feeling a little uneasy.

She vaguely felt that there seemed to be an undercurrent surging in the palace, attacking her... At this time, Zheng Shizu walked to her side and whispered: "Madam Tang, the situation in the palace is complicated. You must be careful when you enter the palace tomorrow." As night fell, Tang Youyou returned home, and the three children had already fallen asleep.

She gently unfolded the portrait given to her by Wu Huazi. The picture of herself in the painting was full of sweet smiles and lifelike.

A warm feeling surged in her heart, and she couldn't help but think of Wu Huazi's sparkling eyes, and her cheeks flushed slightly.

The next morning, after Tang Youyou dressed up, she went to the palace with a nervous mood.

The palace gate was towering, and the vermilion door looked like a giant beast in her eyes that could devour her at any time.

Led by the palace maid, Tang Youyou came to the imperial garden.

The sunlight shines through the branches and leaves, casting mottled shadows.

In the imperial garden, exotic flowers and plants compete with each other in beauty, and the rockery and flowing water create a pleasant scenery.

However, Tang Youyou had no intention of appreciating it. She was nervously waiting for the emperor's summons.

The wait was incredibly long, and beads of sweat formed on Tang Youyou's palms. At this moment, she saw Wu Huazi. He was dressed in a blue shirt, looking exceptionally elegant.

"Mrs. Tang, you're here." Wu Huazi walked to her side with a hint of worry in his eyes.

"Master Wu, why are you here too?" Tang Youyou was a little surprised.

"I was worried about you, so I came to see you." Wu Huazi looked at her with eyes full of affection, "I believe in your vision and your character." He gently held Tang Youyou's hand, "No matter what happens, I will stand by you."

Tang Youyou's heartbeat suddenly quickened, and she lowered her head shyly, "Thank you, Painter Wu."

Wu Huazi looked at her shy face, and a wave of tenderness surged in his heart. He wanted so much to hold her hand forever and never let go...

At this moment, Eunuch Wang came from a distance with a smile on his face, "Madam Tang, the emperor summons you to an audience."

Tang Youyou took a deep breath, trying to calm the surging emotions in her heart, and said softly, "Thank you, eunuch, for leading the way." Wu Huazi reluctantly let go of her hand, his eyes full of encouragement.

Eunuch Wang walked ahead with a smile on his face, saying as he walked, "Madam Tang, we must congratulate you. The Emperor praised your work highly and criticized those who spread rumors, saying that they were blind and could not recognize true talent."

A huge weight lifted off Tang Youyou's heart, and she secretly congratulated herself on having made the right bet.

Those so-called traditionalists, relying on their influence in the palace, suppressed emerging art forms everywhere, and this time they finally hit a wall.

She observed her surroundings calmly, and found that several palace maids and eunuchs who had been arrogant before were now silent, with their heads down and not daring to look her in the eye.

"The emperor also said that Madam Tang has a unique vision and discovered two great talents, Painter Wu and Poet Zheng. It is a blessing for our dynasty." Eunuch Wang continued with a hint of flattery in his tone.

When Wu Huazi heard this, the corners of his mouth rose slightly and a sense of pride surged in his heart.

He looked at Tang Youyou, his eyes full of gratitude.

Tang Youyou smiled in response, saying everything without words.

"Not only that," Eunuch Wang suddenly lowered his voice and said mysteriously, "The Emperor has decided to personally meet with you three to discuss these works."

This news exploded in Tang Youyou's heart like a thunderclap.

She knew that this was a great opportunity to completely transform her work, but also a challenging test.

"Madam Tang, Painter Wu, Poet Zheng, please follow us." Eunuch Wang stopped and gestured "please," his eyes fixed on the magnificent palace ahead. "The Emperor is waiting inside."

Tang Youyou and Wu Huazi exchanged glances, and both saw the determination in each other's eyes.

Zheng Shizu was as carefree as ever. He gently waved the folding fan in his hand and said with a smile, "Let's go and meet the emperor." He took the lead and walked towards the vermilion door that symbolized supreme power.

Tang Youyou and Wu Huazi followed closely behind. The palace gate slowly opened, and a solemn and dignified atmosphere came over them... "Behind this door..." Tang Youyou whispered.

"Behind this door..." Tang Youyou whispered, with an imperceptible tremor in her tone.

"It's an opportunity, but also a challenge." Wu Huazi continued, his eyes fixed firmly on the front. He gently shook Tang Youyou's hand, offering her silent encouragement.

Zheng Shizu waved his folding fan and smiled carefreely: "No matter how dangerous it is, just go in and take a look." After saying that, he stepped over the high threshold.

The hall was magnificent, and the ambergris rising from the incense burner filled the air with a faint sweet aroma.

Tang Youyou and the other two followed Eunuch Wang through a long corridor and arrived at a spacious hall.

The palace is luxuriously furnished with golden nanmu tables and chairs and exquisite porcelain, all of which demonstrate the majesty of the royal family.

Eunuch Wang gestured to the three of them to stand in the center of the hall, and he bowed and stepped aside.

Tang Youyou looked around quietly, trying to guess the emperor's thoughts from clues.

Wu Huazi looked straight ahead with a calm expression, as if he was indifferent to everything around him.

Only Zheng Shizu was still waving his folding fan with a cynical smile on his face.

Time passed minute by minute, the hall was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop, and the atmosphere was so oppressive that it made people breathless.

Tang Youyou could even hear the sound of her own heartbeat.

She couldn't help but clench her hands hidden in her sleeves, and her palms were slightly sweaty.

Suddenly, a light sound of footsteps came from the back of the hall, getting closer and closer. Tang Youyou and the other two quickly gathered their minds and stood respectfully with their heads bowed.

"No need to be so polite, all three of you." A deep voice sounded, carrying with it an unquestionable majesty.

Tang Youyou and the other two slowly raised their heads and saw a middle-aged man in a bright yellow dragon robe slowly walking out from behind the screen.

He has a handsome face, sharp eyes, and exudes the majesty of an emperor in his every move.

It is the current emperor.

The emperor walked to the dragon throne and sat down. His eyes swept over the three of them, finally landing on Tang Youyou. A meaningful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "Madam Tang, I heard that you have sponsored many down-and-out scholars. This kind of thought is truly rare."

Tang Youyou quickly bowed and saluted: "Your Majesty, thank you for your praise. I dare not take credit for it."

The emperor nodded slightly and turned to Wu Huazi, "Master Wu, I admire your paintings very much. Especially the 'Traveling in Autumn Mountains'. It has a profound artistic conception and delicate brushwork. It is a masterpiece."

Wu Huazi replied modestly, "Your Majesty, your compliment is too great. I do not deserve it."

Finally, the emperor's gaze fell on Zheng Shizu: "Poet Zheng, your poetry is fresh and unconventional, and your talent is immense. It has a bit of the character of Li Bai."

Zheng Shizu continued waving his folding fan, smiling neither servilely nor arrogantly, "Your Majesty, I am too kind to praise you. I am only a novice in literature and writing, and I am unworthy of the title of Li Bai." He paused, then suddenly changed the subject, "But there is one thing I do not understand..."