The Leisurely Life of a Peasant Woman in the Tang Dynasty

"The academy is recruiting students?" Tang Youyou stopped the embroidery needle in her hand, turned to look at the aunt, and asked anxiously, "Auntie, are you telling the truth?"

"Of course it's true. The news has spread everywhere. It says that the academy is recruiting students regardless of their background. As long as you pass the exam, you can be admitted. The tuition is also much cheaper than private schools!" The aunt said enthusiastically, obviously paying close attention to this matter.

After Tang Youyou heard this, a glimmer of hope ignited in her heart. The teaching quality of the academy was far superior to that of a private school. How great it would be if the children could enter the academy to study!

"Thank you, Auntie!" Tang Youyou excitedly held Auntie's hand, with hope shining in her eyes.

After returning home, Tang Youyou immediately told the children the good news. After hearing this, the children were also very excited and expressed their willingness to study hard and strive to be admitted to the academy.

"Mom, can we really take the entrance exam for the academy?" Tang Jin asked excitedly, with a longing glint in his eyes.

"Of course you can, as long as you work hard, you can do it!" Tang Youyou encouraged, his eyes full of love and expectation.

In order to help the children pass the exams, Tang Youyou began to develop a strict study plan for them. She set up a stall during the day, and at night, under the dim light, she taught the children to read and write, stroke by stroke.

Tang Wan was smart and quick-witted, and although Tang Jin was naughty, he was very serious in his studies. Even the young Tang Xiaoya began to learn to read with her older brothers and sisters.

It was late at night, and a faint light was still on in the thatched hut of the Tang family. Tang Youyou sat at the table, watching the children studying diligently, a gratified smile on her face.

In order to raise the registration fee for the exam, Tang Youyou worked even harder. She went out early and came back late every day, and took the embroidery and snacks she made by hand to the market to sell. Although it was hard work, she was happy to do it.

Days passed, and in the blink of an eye it was the day for the academy to enroll students. That morning, Tang Youyou got up early, prepared a hearty breakfast for the children, and tidied their clothes, repeatedly reminding them to be careful on the road.

"Mom, don't worry, we will do well in the exam!" Tang Jin said confidently, and Tang Wan and Tang Xiaoya also nodded vigorously.

Tang Youyou watched the children leave, her heart filled with anticipation and worry. She hoped the children would pass the exam successfully, but at the same time she was also worried that they would be eliminated due to their weak foundation.

After the children left, Tang Youyou anxiously waited for news at home. As time passed, her heart became more and more uneasy.

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Tang Youyou quickly got up and opened the door, only to see a middle-aged man in a long gown and a square scarf standing outside. This man was none other than Mr. Zhao, the teacher of the only private school in town.

"Master Zhao, why are you here?" Tang Youyou asked in surprise.

"I came to ask you, I heard that your three children are going to take the entrance examination for the academy?" Master Zhao stroked his beard, with a hint of worry in his tone... "Master Zhao, why are you here?" Tang Youyou asked in surprise and welcomed Master Zhao in.

Master Zhao sat down on the simple wooden bench in Tang Youyou's house and sighed, "I heard that your three children are going to take the entrance exam for the academy, so I came to see you." He paused, frowning slightly, "Youyou, I'm not saying anything discouraging, but the academy's entrance exam has always been strict. Your three children have never attended a private school before, this..."

Tang Youyou understood Master Zhao's concerns, but her hope for her children's future never wavered. She poured Master Zhao a cup of tea and said firmly, "Master Zhao, I know the children have a weak foundation, but I believe they will work hard. They have been studying hard day and night and have made great progress. I also want them to try. Even if they fail, they won't regret it."

Master Zhao looked at the determination in Tang Youyou's eyes, and his heart was filled with emotion. It was rare for this frail woman to raise three children alone and still maintain such a positive and optimistic attitude. He picked up the teacup and took a sip, then said earnestly, "I'm very pleased that you have this heart. How about this, I have some books and exercises used by my former students. You can take them to the children and have a look. Maybe they can help."

Tang Youyou took the book gratefully, her eyes slightly red: "Thank you, Master Zhao, you really helped us a lot!"

Master Zhao's arrival undoubtedly gave Tang Youyou's family a shot in the arm. After seeing the books and exercises, the children studied even harder. However, the road to learning was not smooth sailing. Tang Jin was naturally active, and studying was a boring thing for him.

"Mom, I don't want to learn anymore!" That night, Tang Jin threw down the brush in his hand and said with frustration, "This character is too difficult to write. I can't write it well no matter what I do!"

Tang Youyou put down the needlework in her hands, walked to Tang Jin, gently stroked his head, and asked softly: "What's wrong, Jin'er? Have you encountered any difficulties?"

"I, I, I just can't write well!" Tang Jin said aggrievedly, his eyes red.

"It doesn't matter if you can't write well, just practice slowly, practice makes perfect." Tang Youyou encouraged, "Look, your sister Xiaoya is younger than you, and she can stick to it, you should also work hard!"

"But..." Tang Jin wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Tang Youyou.

"No buts, I believe you can do it!" Tang Youyou's tone was firm and gentle, "Haven't you always wanted to be a hero like your father? Only by reading and learning to read can you become stronger and better protect mother and sisters!"

Tang Jin raised his head and looked at Tang Youyou's expectant eyes. The thought of giving up gradually disappeared. He took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and said firmly: "Mom, I will definitely work hard!"

Late at night, a dim light still lingered in the Tang family's thatched cottage. Three children sat around a table, studying diligently. Tang Youyou observed the children's focused expressions, a gratified smile playing on her face. However, when her gaze fell on Tang Xiaoya, who was playing nearby, a subtle flicker of worry crossed her eyes. Although Tang Xiaoya was bright and clever, she was still young. Could she really pass the exam?

Suddenly, Tang Xiaoya seemed to remember something. She put down the toy in her hand, ran to Tang Youyou, and said in a baby voice, "Mom, I remember there seems to be a book on Grandpa Zhao's bookshelf..." "There seems to be a book on Grandpa Zhao's bookshelf. There are many flowers and plants drawn on it, and their uses are written on it. I seem to have seen it somewhere..." Tang Xiaoya tilted her head, trying to recall.

Tang Youyou didn't take Tang Xiaoya's words to heart at first, thinking it was just a child's casual remark. However, when she heard the words "flowers and plants" and "purpose", a flash of inspiration suddenly came to her mind.

"Xiao Ya, are you talking about a very old book with a red cover and a corner missing?" Tang You You asked anxiously.

Tang Xiaoya tilted her head and thought for a moment, then nodded vigorously: "Yes, yes, that's the one! Mom, how did you know?"

Tang Youyou excitedly picked up Tang Xiaoya and said ecstatically: "Xiaoya, you are really my lucky star!"

It turned out that while sorting through the books sent by Master Zhao, Tang Youyou stumbled upon a torn and incomplete medical book. The book recorded the names, forms, and effects of many herbs, but due to its age, the pages had yellowed and become damaged, and many of the words were blurred. Although Tang Youyou knew nothing about medicine, she knew that this book might be a priceless treasure.

"Xiao Ya, do you still remember where you put that book?" Tang You You asked impatiently.

"Hmm..." Tang Xiaoya bit her finger, trying to recall, "It seems to be at the bottom of the bookshelf, pressed down by many boxes..."

Tang Youyou immediately got up and rushed to Master Zhao's residence with Tang Xiaoya. Under Master Zhao's surprised gaze, Tang Youyou explained her purpose and asked for his permission to look through the medical book.

Master Zhao then remembered that there were indeed some old books handed down from his ancestors piled up in his study, but because of their age, many of the books were already in tatters and he was too lazy to sort them out. Seeing that Tang Youyou attached so much importance to them, he readily agreed to her request.

Tang Youyou searched for a long time among the piles of books and miscellaneous items before finally finding the incomplete medical book. She carefully opened the pages and carefully read the handwriting. Although many parts were blurred, Tang Youyou still relied on her memory to piece together the contents of the book bit by bit.

Late at night, a faint light still lingered in the thatched hut of the Tang family. Tang Youyou sat at the table, diligently copying down the contents of a medical book by the dim candlelight. Tang Wan silently accompanied her mother, occasionally refilling her tea and water.

"Mom, you should go to bed early. You have to go to the academy tomorrow." Tang Wan looked at her mother's tired face with heartache and persuaded her softly.

"Wan'er, mother is not tired." Tang Youyou raised her head and showed her daughter a warm smile, "Mother is full of hope now. As long as you and your brothers and sisters can live a good life, mother is willing to endure any hardship or fatigue."

Tang Wan did not try to persuade her any further, but silently moved the candlestick closer so that her mother could see more clearly.

Outside the window, the night was deep, and the stars dotted the night sky. The light in the thatched cottage of the Tang family seemed particularly warm and bright in the night.

The days passed quickly in anticipation, and in the blink of an eye it was the day for the college to recruit students.

For this day, Tang Youyou got up early to prepare. She took out the bacon that was treasured at home and cut it into thin slices. She added fresh vegetables and homemade pickled cabbage to make a large pot of fragrant soup.

"Wow! It smells so good!" Tang Jin was the first to run into the kitchen. He sniffed hard and his saliva was almost dripping.

"Mom, what a happy day is today? Why did you cook so many delicious foods?" Tang Xiaoya also joined in the fun, her big black eyes staring curiously at the delicacies in the pot.

"Today is the day you're going to take the college exam. Of course, I have to nourish you!" Tang Youyou said with a smile, serving bowls of steaming hot soup to the children. "Try it quickly and see if your cooking skills have improved."

"Mmm! Delicious!" Tang Jin couldn't wait to take a big sip. It was so hot that he stuck out his tongue, but he couldn't bear to put the bowl down. "The soup my mother cooks is the best in the world!"

Tang Wan also drank her soup obediently, a hint of joy on her face. She knew how much her mother had put in for the three of them, and now seeing her mother so happy, she felt extremely relieved.

After breakfast, Tang Youyou helped the children tidy up their clothes and gave them some careful instructions before taking them out.

"Wan'er, Jin'er, when you get to the academy, don't be nervous, just do your best. Little girl, you must listen to your sister and brother obediently, okay?" Tang Youyou said softly, her eyes full of love.

"I understand, Mom!" the children answered in unison.

Along the way, Tang Jin chirped excitedly like a happy little bird. Tang Wan held her sister's hand the whole time, constantly urging her to follow her closely. Although Tang Xiaoya was young, she also felt the importance of the day and followed her sister obediently, without making any noise or noise.

Arriving at the entrance of the academy, Tang Youyou was stunned...