The Leisurely Life of a Peasant Woman in the Tang Dynasty

The morning light shone through the window lattice, casting a golden glow. Tang Wan looked at the birds flying high outside the window, and a glimmer of hope ignited in her heart.

In the courtyard, Tang Jin's hearty laughter echoed. He was engaged in a lively discussion with a young man in a blue shirt. This young man, Sun Xiucai, was a new student at the academy. He was well-educated, well-spoken, and had a great affinity with Tang Jin.

"Brother Sun, this method you mentioned is brilliant! Why didn't I think of it?" Tang Jin said excitedly, his eyes gleaming with a thirst for knowledge. Ever since Tang Wan's last test, he had been somewhat discouraged and had lost interest in studying. But the arrival of Mr. Sun was like a ray of light, illuminating the dark corners of his heart.

"Learning is like building a house. You have to lay a solid foundation first before you can build it high and stable," Sun Xiucai explained patiently. "You didn't lay a good foundation before, so learning will naturally find it difficult. But it doesn't matter. As long as you are willing to work hard, start from the basics, and take one step at a time, you will catch up one day."

Sun Xiucai's words, like a warm spring breeze, dispelled the gloom from Tang Jin's heart. He regained his confidence and began to study seriously. The two of them often discussed academic matters together, learning from each other and making progress together. Tang Jin's passion for learning was rekindled, and his grades improved by leaps and bounds.

Tang Wan also found her own friendship in the academy.

The academy held a monthly "Poetry Contest," where students were free to sign up and showcase their talents. Although Tang Wan wasn't good at exams, she had a strong interest in poetry. At one of these contests, she met a girl named Lin Xiao, a lively and cheerful woman with a quick mind and eloquent wit.

"Your name is Tang Wan? Your name is so nice, just like you, gentle and graceful." Lin Xiao said to Tang Wan with a smile. Tang Wan was a little embarrassed by her sincere compliment, and a slight blush appeared on her cheeks.

"Your poems are also very well written, with beautiful artistic conception and sincere emotions." Tang Wan praised sincerely.

The two came together because of their common interests, often discussing poetry and sharing each other's creations. Lin Xiao is very talented in poetry, while Tang Wan is thoughtful and good at observing life. The two learned from each other, helped each other, and made progress together.

One day, Tang Wan, Tang Jin, and Tang Xiaoya, three siblings, were walking home from school. As they reached their front door, they heard silvery laughter emanating from the courtyard. The morning light shone through the window lattice, casting a golden glow. Tang Wan gazed at the birds soaring high outside, and a glimmer of hope ignited in her heart.

"Learning is like building a house. You have to lay a solid foundation first before you can build it high and stable," Sun Xiucai explained patiently. "You didn't lay a good foundation before, so learning will naturally be difficult. But it doesn't matter. As long as you are willing to work hard, start from the basics, and take one step at a time, you will catch up one day."

One day, Tang Wan, Tang Jin, and Tang Xiaoya, three siblings, were walking home from school. As they reached their front door, they heard a burst of silvery laughter from the yard. A little girl was holding Tang Xiaoya's hand, chattering non-stop. "Xiaoya, how about we play hide-and-seek tomorrow? I know a place no one can find me!" the little girl said with a smile.

"Sure, sure!" Tang Xiaoya happily agreed. The little girl's name was Xiaoyue, a good friend Tang Xiaoya had met at the academy. Xiaoyue was cheerful and helpful, always protecting Tang Xiaoya from the mischievous boys who bullied her. The two were inseparable.

"Mom, we're back!" the three children shouted in unison, their faces filled with happy smiles.

"Hey, you're back! What did you learn in the academy today?" Tang Youyou put down the needle and thread in her hand and asked with a smile.

"Mom, Brother Sun invited me to join his study group. He said I am very smart and will definitely play a big role in the group!" Tang Jin couldn't wait to share his joy.

"Really? That's great! It seems our Jin'er has made a good friend. We must cherish this friendship!" Tang Youyou said with relief.

"Mom, Lin Xiao and I have an appointment to go to the study together tomorrow..." Before Tang Wan finished her words, Lin Xiao appeared at the door with a roll of paper in his hand.

"Tang Wan, look..." Lin Xiao unfolded the paper scroll in his hand, and Tang Wan's eyes suddenly lit up.

Lin Xiao excitedly unfolded the scroll in his hand, and Tang Wan's eyes were immediately drawn to it. On the scroll was a fresh and unconventional seven-character quatrain, Lin Xiao's latest creation.

"How is it? This new poem I wrote is pretty good, right?" Lin Xiao asked expectantly, with a glimmer of hope for recognition in his eyes.

"Great! Your poem has a beautiful artistic conception and exquisite word choice, especially the last sentence 'The fallen flowers want to follow the flowing water, but the flowing water is heartless and loves the fallen flowers'. It is really the finishing touch!" Tang Wan praised generously, her face full of appreciation and admiration.

"Really? Do you think this poem can be entered into next month's poetry competition?" Lin Xiao asked nervously.

"Of course! This poem definitely has the potential to win the championship!" Tang Wan answered firmly, full of confidence in Lin Xiao's talent.

A month later, the academy's poetry competition was held as scheduled. Lin Xiao and Tang Wan both signed up for the competition. Their works stood out from the crowd, and both won first prize. When the teacher announced the results, Lin Xiao and Tang Wan excitedly hugged each other, their joy overflowing with words.

"Wan'er, thank you! Without your encouragement and support, I definitely wouldn't have the courage to participate in the competition, let alone achieve such good results." Lin Xiao said sincerely, with tears of gratitude in his eyes.

"Xiaoxiao, we are best friends. Your talent should not be buried. I am very happy to witness your success!" Tang Wan said emotionally. Her friendship with Lin Xiao has become even deeper because of this competition.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the academy, Xiaoyue and Tang Xiaoya also participated in the painting competition. Although their works did not win any awards, Master Zhao praised their works highly.

"Xiaoyue, your painting is colorful and has a clever composition. It's obvious that you put a lot of thought into it." Master Zhao pointed at Xiaoyue's painting and said gently.

"Xiao Ya, although the lines of your painting are still a little immature, it is full of childlike innocence and imagination, and it is very spiritual." Master Zhao turned to Tang Xiao Ya again and said encouragingly.

"Thank you, Master!" Xiaoyue and Tang Xiaoya said in unison. Although they didn't win any prizes, the Master's praise filled them with confidence. They knew that as long as they kept working hard, they would one day be able to create even better works.

In the evening, Tang Wan and Tang Jin returned home with their two younger sisters. As soon as they entered the house, Tang Wan couldn't wait to share the good news of their award with Tang Youyou...

Tang Youyou smiled as she listened to the children's stories about their time at the academy, her face filled with joy. Tang Wan and Lin Xiao's prizes in the poetry competition had made her realize her daughter's talent and the value of friendship. Although Tang Xiaoya didn't win, Master Zhao's praise made her realize that every child has their own shining points, and the important thing is to enjoy the process and gain happiness and growth from it.

"Mom, Sister Lin and I have made an appointment to go to the bookstore together tomorrow to buy some new rice paper and brushes and ink. We want to create a painting together and participate in the next competition!" Tang Xiaoya said excitedly, her little face flushed and full of anticipation.

"Okay, Mom supports you." Tang Youyou gently touched her daughter's head and encouraged her, "Just try boldly and give full play to your imagination. Even if the results are not satisfactory, don't be discouraged. The important thing is to enjoy the creative process and learn and improve from it."

"Yeah!" Tang Xiaoya nodded vigorously, with a determined light flashing in her clear eyes.

After dinner, Tang Jin, for the first time ever, didn't pester Tang Youyou with stories. Instead, he returned to his room early, spread out rice paper, ground ink, and picked up his brush, seemingly practicing calligraphy. Tang Youyou peered through the window, seeing his son's focused expression, and felt a surge of joy. It seemed the academy's atmosphere and the healthy competition among his classmates had also fueled his son's passion for learning.

As the days passed, the children made progress in their studies and made friends at the academy, each day filled with joy and energy. Tang Youyou looked at the smiles on the children's faces, her heart filled with happiness and satisfaction. She knew that the children had gradually adapted to the new environment, found their place, and were working hard towards their dreams.

However, a peaceful life is always disrupted by unexpected events. One day, Tang Youyou was hanging clothes in the yard when she suddenly saw a man who looked like a servant running towards her in a hurry, his face full of anxiety.

"Excuse me, are you the mother of Tang Wan and Tang Jin?" the servant boy asked breathlessly, with a layer of fine beads of sweat oozing from his forehead.

"I am, what's wrong?" Tang Youyou's heart tightened, and an ominous premonition came to his mind.

"Young Master Tang Jin... he accidentally fell down the hillside during an outdoor activity organized by the academy and was injured..."