The Leisurely Life of a Peasant Woman in the Tang Dynasty

It was late at night, but Tang Youyou hadn't felt sleepy at all. Under the dim candlelight, she held a piece of wood in her hand, her brow furrowed. For the past few days, she had been trying to create a new type of wood carving handicraft, hoping to increase her family's income. However, ideals are full of hope, but reality is very skinny.

Her original design was exquisite and ingenious, but the actual carving proved incredibly difficult. The wood grain, the strength of the carving, the attention to detail—each step tested her skills.

"Ah..." Tang Youyou sighed, put down the carving knife in her hand, and looked at the unfinished product in front of her, her heart filled with frustration.

"Mom, what's wrong?" Tang Wan, who had been helping, noticed her mother's mood and asked softly.

"This wood carving technique is too difficult. I've been pondering it for several days, but I still can't get the hang of it." Tang Youyou shook her head helplessly and handed the design drawing to Tang Wan. "Look, the curvature of the petals and the feathers of this bird, I can't even carve that kind of lively feeling."

Tang Wan took the blueprint, examined it carefully for a moment, and then frowned. Although she was clever and skillful, she was not good at wood carving, which required such delicate techniques.

"Sister, let me try!" Tang Jin came over and picked up the carving knife eagerly.

Tang Youyou was worried that her son's clumsy behavior would damage the semi-finished product she had worked so hard to carve, so she quickly stopped him and said, "Jin'er, this wood carving is no joke. You should go play with your slingshot."

Tang Jin reluctantly put down the carving knife and muttered, "Mom, just let me try. Maybe I can help!"

Tang Youyou ignored her son and continued to study the wood carving in her hands. Suddenly, she had a flash of inspiration and thought of a new carving method. She picked up the carving knife, held her breath, and carefully carved on the wood.

However, things went against her wishes, and this attempt still ended in failure. Looking at the part she had carved, Tang Youyou completely lost confidence. She powerlessly put down the carving knife, leaned back in her chair, and sighed deeply.

"Squeak-"

At this moment, the gate was suddenly pushed open, and a tall figure appeared at the door...

At this moment, the gate of the courtyard was suddenly pushed open and a tall figure appeared at the door.

"Who is it?" Tang Wan stood up curiously and looked at the person who came in. She saw a thin man wearing coarse clothes and a tool bag hanging from his waist. He had a dark complexion and a simple and honest look between his eyebrows.

"Excuse me for disturbing you. I'm Craftsman Zhao from the next village. I was passing by here and smelled the fragrance of wood, so I couldn't help but come in to take a look." Craftsman Zhao said, his eyes fell on the wood carving in front of Tang Youyou, and his eyes suddenly lit up, "Wow, this carving is really good!"

Tang Youyou was a little depressed at first, but when she heard someone praising her, she couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Master Zhao, you're too kind. My carving skills are still far from good enough."

Craftsman Zhao walked closer, picked up the wood carving, and examined it carefully. He nodded in praise as he looked at it, "The conception is ingenious, the lines are smooth, and especially the figure's expression is so lifelike. It's obvious that it was created by a master!"

Tang You You felt a little embarrassed by his praise, and quickly explained: "Master Zhao, you misunderstood. This is just something I did when I was bored. I'm not a master."

"Madam, please don't be so modest." Craftsman Zhao put down the wood carving and said seriously, "I can tell at a glance that your craftsmanship is absolutely extraordinary. The problem you're encountering is probably due to the details, right?"

Hearing this, Tang Youyou opened her eyes wide in surprise: "Master Zhao, how did you know?"

Craftsman Zhao smiled and pointed to a detail on the wood carving: "Look here, the pattern of the petals is too rigid. If it could be carved more lightly, the overall effect would be much better."

Tang Youyou suddenly realized that she had been worrying about how to carve out the dynamic feeling of the petals, but had neglected the treatment of the lines. After a little guidance from Craftsman Zhao, she suddenly understood.

"Master Zhao, you are amazing! You saw my problem right away." Tang Youyou admired sincerely, "Can you give me a few more pointers?"

Craftsman Zhao smiled brightly. "I'm not worthy of your advice. The craft of carving requires mutual communication to improve. I think your work is very innovative. How about this: I'll help you complete it, and you can watch from the side. It will be like I'm learning from you. How about this?"

Tang You You was overjoyed when she heard this, and quickly stood up to express her gratitude: "Thank you so much, Master Zhao!"

Craftsman Zhao pulled his chisel from his tool bag, weighed it in his hands, and began carving. His technique was deft, and sawdust flew everywhere as the blade moved. Under his carving knife, the originally dull petals seemed to be instantly imbued with life, becoming vivid and lifelike.

Tang Youyou, Tang Wan, and Tang Jin all stared intently at Craftsman Zhao's carving, afraid to miss any detail. Tang Xiaoya also came over curiously, staring with wide eyes, not blinking...

The small woodworking studio was filled with the fresh scent of wood. Tang Youyou's family and Craftsman Zhao gathered around the table, their eyes fixed on the subject. The atmosphere was tranquil and focused. Craftsman Zhao's carving knife flew up and down, like flowing water. The once somewhat rigid wood carving gradually became lively under his deft hands. Tang Youyou watched intently, occasionally picking up a tool and imitating it, as if trying to memorize every one of Craftsman Zhao's movements.

Tang Wan and Tang Jin also held their breath, staring intently at every move made by Craftsman Zhao, afraid of missing any details. Only Tang Xiaoya, still young and uninterested in carving, lay on Tang Youyou's lap, drowsy.

"Alright!" Craftsman Zhao put down his carving knife, breathed a sigh of relief, and handed the wood carving to Tang Youyou. "Madam, take a look. Is this feasible?"

Tang Youyou took the wood carving and examined it carefully. The originally rough-hewn wood carving had become lifelike after being meticulously crafted by Craftsman Zhao. The veins of the petals were clearly visible, as if they would sway in the wind with a gentle touch. The figures' expressions were even more lifelike, as if they would speak at the next moment.

"Great! Master Zhao, you're amazing!" Tang Youyou's eyes were red with excitement. She had finally achieved the breakthrough in her dream technology, which made her full of confidence in her future creations.

Tang Wan and Tang Jin also came forward and surrounded the wood carving in admiration. Tang Xiaoya was also awakened by the cheers. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she asked curiously, "Sister, what is this?"

"This is a wood carving made by my mother. Isn't it beautiful?" Tang Wan explained with a smile.

"Beautiful!" Tang Xiaoya also clapped her hands, looking excited.

Craftsman Zhao couldn't help but smile with satisfaction as he watched the family's happiness. He had just been passing by to rest his feet, but unexpectedly, he had helped Tang Youyou out. What surprised him even more was that Tang Youyou's creativity and ideas had opened his eyes to more possibilities in wood carving.

"Madam, your craftsmanship is very good. As long as you practice diligently, you will become a master sculptor in time." Craftsman Zhao praised sincerely.

"Thank you Master Zhao for your encouragement. I will definitely work hard!" Tang Youyou said gratefully.

However, just as the family was immersed in joy, Tang Youyou's brows slightly frowned. She lowered her head and looked at the wood carving in her hands, a trace of worry flashing in her eyes.

"What's wrong? Youyou?" Tang Wan asked with concern after noticing Tang Youyou's mood change.

Tang Youyou sighed, pointed at the wood carving and said, "Although I have learned the carving skills, I am still missing one thing..."

"What is it?" Tang Wan asked in confusion.

"Wood." Tang Youyou's voice was low and firm, "I need better wood to make more exquisite works."

Tang Wan followed Tang Youyou's gaze and realized that there was very little wood left in the corner of the yard... Tang Youyou's eyes were firm and deep. She knew that for her dream, she had to take action.

Tang Youyou's words made the originally cheerful atmosphere suddenly solemn. Tang Wan also knew that wood was an important material for her mother's handicrafts. Now that the wood was about to run out, it was indeed a difficult problem.

"Mom, what should we do then?" Tang Wan frowned and asked worriedly.

Tang Youyou pondered for a moment, his eyes gradually becoming firm, "We can't just sit there and wait for death. I decided to go to the mountains myself and look for suitable wood."

"Going to the mountains? That's too dangerous!" Tang Wan exclaimed. There are wild beasts lurking in the deep mountains and forests, and you might encounter bad guys. It's really too dangerous.

"Yes, Mom, why don't we go to town to buy it? Although it's a bit more expensive, it's better than you taking the risk yourself." Tang Jin also persuaded.

Even the young Tang Xiaoya said in a baby voice, "Mom, there are big bad wolves in the mountains that will eat people. Don't go there."

Tang Youyou looked at the children's worried expressions, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart. She reached out and touched the children's heads, saying softly, "Mom knows you're worried about me, but in order to create a better work, I have to go there myself. Don't worry, I will bring self-defense tools, and I will be careful and won't put myself in danger."

Seeing that Tang Youyou was determined to leave, the children stopped trying to dissuade her, but their eyes were still filled with worry.

"Wan'er, you take good care of your younger brothers and sisters at home. I'll take Jin'er and Xiaoya with me." Tang Youyou arranged.

"Mom, I want to go too!" Tang Jin became interested as soon as he heard that they were going to the mountains. He had wanted to explore the mountains for a long time, and this time he finally had the chance.

Tang Xiaoya also tugged at the corner of Tang Youyou's clothes tightly, and said in a baby voice, "Mom, I want to go too, I want to go too!"

Tang Youyou looked at the children's expectant eyes and finally softened her heart, "Okay, let's go together. But you have to promise mother that you must be obedient and not run around."

"We promise to be obedient!" Tang Jin and Tang Xiaoya promised in unison.

The next morning, Tang Youyou set out with Tang Jin and Tang Xiaoya. Carrying backpacks and tools in their hands, they walked along the rugged mountain road into the mountains.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. The chirping of birds and insects blended together to create a symphony of nature. Tang Jin and Tang Xiaoya skipped along the way, filled with curiosity about everything around them.

As Tang Youyou walked, she carefully observed the surrounding trees, hoping to find wood suitable for making wood carvings.

"Mom, look, that tree is so tall!" Tang Jin pointed to a towering tree in the distance and shouted excitedly.

Tang Youyou looked in the direction of Tang Jin's finger, and saw that the tree was towering into the sky, with an extremely thick trunk that required at least several people to hug it.

"Let's go and take a look." Tang Youyou's heart moved. The wood from this tree might be exactly what she needed...