The Leisurely Life of a Peasant Woman in the Tang Dynasty

"Mom, I heard that Li Junxiang is going to hold a poetry and painting meeting at the Chengxi Academy. She has invited many famous literati and scholars, and even the painters in the palace are going! But..." Tang Wan said breathlessly, her little face flushed red.

"But what?" Tang Youyou put down the needle and thread in her hand and asked gently.

"But she didn't invite Painter Wu and Master Zheng!" Tang Wan stamped her foot, her tone filled with indignation. "I heard she even deliberately boasted in front of them, saying that only true artists were invited to this poetry and painting gathering. 'People's livelihood' artists like Painter Wu and Master Zheng simply wouldn't be able to make it!"

Tang Youyou's face darkened slightly.

She had long anticipated that Li Junxiang would not give up, but she did not expect that she would suppress them so blatantly.

This is clearly a conspiracy against the "Minsheng Faction" with the aim of excluding them from the mainstream art circle.

When Painter Wu and Zheng Shizu learned about this, a look of dejection appeared on their faces.

"Alas, it seems that our work is not up to standard after all." Painter Wu sighed, looking a little depressed.

Although Zheng Shizu still appeared carefree on the surface, a hint of disappointment could be seen in his eyes. "Perhaps, we are really not suited to this circle."

Tang Youyou looked at the two people's depressed expressions and felt very uncomfortable.

She knew that Li Junxiang's poetry and painting club would pose a great obstacle to the promotion of the "Minsheng School".

If they give up at this point, all their previous efforts will be in vain.

She took a deep breath, her eyes gradually becoming firmer. "Wan'er, go get me some writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone."

Tang Wan was stunned, "Mom, what are you going to do?"

A confident smile appeared on Tang Youyou's lips. "Since they don't give us a chance, then we will create one for ourselves!" She picked up the pen, dipped it in ink, and wrote a few powerful characters on the white paper - "Minsheng Art Exhibition".

“I want to hold an art exhibition bigger than Li Junxiang’s!”

Tang Youyou wrote with great swiftness, one invitation letter after another, her beautiful handwriting revealing an unquestionable determination.

She not only invited famous literati and scholars in the city, but also sent invitations to ordinary people, and even some artists who walked the streets were invited.

Many people were moved by her courage and determination, and expressed their willingness to attend her "People's Livelihood Art Exhibition".

When the news reached Li Junxiang's ears, she sneered disdainfully and threw the teacup in her hand heavily to the ground.

"A country woman dares to challenge me? You're simply overestimating yourself!" She immediately summoned her confidants and ordered, "Go, find me some people to ruin her exhibition!"

Li Junxiang's confidant took the order and left. Soon he gathered a group of ruffians and came to the venue where Tang Youyou was preparing for the exhibition.

They shouted and pushed the craftsmen who were setting up the booth, trying to destroy everything.

However, Tang Youyou was well prepared.

She arranged several strong guards to surround these troublemakers.

The guards were well-trained and quickly subdued the hooligans and handed them over to the authorities.

When Li Junxiang learned that her plan had failed, she became so angry that her face turned pale.

The maid beside her cautiously advised: "Miss, calm down! This Tang Youyou is not someone you can easily mess with. Let's not provoke her anymore."

Li Junxiang glared at the maid fiercely, "Shut up! I don't believe that I, a princess, can't discipline a country woman!" A vicious light flashed in her eyes, as if she was brewing a more vicious plan.

At this time, a report came from outside the door: "Eunuch Wang is here!" Eunuch Wang?

What is he here to do?

A trace of doubt flashed through Tang Youyou's mind, and she stood up to greet him...

Eunuch Wang's shrill voice echoed through the courtyard. "Madam Tang, we have come here on orders from His Majesty. His Majesty has heard that you are organizing exhibitions to promote the arts for the people and is quite impressed." He paused, glancing meaningfully at Li Junxiang standing nearby. "However, His Majesty is displeased by recent rumors that someone is maliciously obstructing this effort. His Majesty has said that art should be shared by all the world. How can it be hindered by selfish interests?"

Tang Youyou immediately understood and replied respectfully, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace. I will do my best to make this exhibition a success and live up to Your Majesty's high expectations." She glanced at Li Junxiang from the corner of her eye and saw that her face was pale and her lips were trembling, but she dared not speak.

The maidservant beside Li Junxiang was trembling with fear and whispered, "Miss, what should we do now? His Majesty has spoken..." Li Junxiang glared at her fiercely and pretended to be calm, "What are you afraid of! She is just a country woman who relies on His Majesty's support. What's so great about that!" But the trembling in her tone revealed her inner panic.

After Eunuch Wang left, Tang Youyou ignored Li Junxiang, but immediately summoned Wu Huazi, Zheng Shizu and others to convey His Majesty's intentions to them.

"Everyone, now that we have His Majesty's support, our exhibition will surely go smoothly. We must work even harder to present the best works to the world!"

Wu Huazi stroked his beard excitedly, "Great! Now, my paintings can finally be seen by more people!" Zheng Shizu also excitedly waved the manuscript of his poems in his hand, "Madam Tang, I will go and print more copies of my poetry collection so that more people can appreciate my poems!"

Tang Youyou struck while the iron was hot and increased publicity efforts.

She had the emperor's oral instructions spread throughout the streets and alleys, and for a time, the "People's Livelihood Art Exhibition" became a hot topic in the city.

Many people who were originally hesitant decided to participate in Tang Youyou's art exhibition after hearing the news of His Majesty's support.

The exhibition became increasingly popular, even surpassing the poetry and painting meeting organized by Li Junxiang.

Li Junxiang stood at the door of her own mansion, watching the endless stream of people heading to Tang Youyou's exhibition. She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging deep into her palms...

Li Junxiang returned to the house and angrily threw the teacup in her hand to the ground, sending fragments flying everywhere.

"How dare a country woman like you steal my spotlight!"

The maid Cui'er was so frightened that she knelt on the ground, trembling, "Miss, please calm down..."

"Calm down? How can you ask me to calm down?" Li Junxiang pointed at Cui'er and said sternly, "I'm about to be outdone by her in the poetry and painting competition. How can you ask me to calm down?"

Cui'er raised her head cautiously, "Miss, I have an idea..."

Li Junxiang glanced at her and said, "Speak!"

Cui'er leaned close to Li Junxiang's ear and whispered a few words.

Li Junxiang's expression gradually relaxed, and a sinister smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.

"Okay, I'll do as you say!"

The next day, some rumors about Tang Youyou's exhibition began to spread in the city.

Some people say that Tang Youyou's exhibition is just some shoddy stuff and is not worth seeing at all.

Some people also said that Tang Youyou deliberately held this exhibition in order to make money.

These rumors reached Tang Youyou's ears, but she didn't take them to heart.

She believes that truly good works can stand the test of time.

She continued to work on the exhibition preparations and ignored the rumors.

A few days later, Tang Youyou came to the painting studio and prepared to frame Wu Huazi's paintings.

However, when she opened the scroll, she found several scratches on the painting.

She carefully examined the other paintings and found that they also had varying degrees of damage.

Tang Youyou's face darkened as she realized that someone had deliberately sabotaged her.

"Who is it? Who did it?" Tang Youyou clenched his fists, a cold light flashed in his eyes.

She looked up at the window and saw a figure flash by.

Tang Youyou's heart trembled, "Li Junxiang..."