The Leisurely Life of a Peasant Woman in the Tang Dynasty

As night fell, candlelight flickered in the county government office's study. Tang Youyou and County Magistrate Liu sat opposite each other with solemn expressions.

"Sir, I've come up with a way to wipe out all of Li Fugui's remaining followers." Tang Youyou spoke with a firm tone, her eyes gleaming with wisdom. She explained her plan, and County Magistrate Liu nodded repeatedly, applauding.

The next day, a rumor spread like wildfire, causing an uproar in the county: Li Fugui had amassed a massive stash of stolen money! The people were in an uproar, indignant and demanding severe punishment. Meanwhile, County Magistrate Liu acted decisively, dispatching officers to search Li's mansion. Sure enough, they uncovered a large amount of gold, silver, jewelry, and land deeds, confirming the rumors.

It turns out that during a secret conversation with County Magistrate Liu, Tang Youyou had proposed a daring plan: to exploit Li Fugui's greed and his desire to exploit the people's wealth, spread rumors, and lure him out. To make the rumors more convincing, Tang Youyou secretly arranged for someone to "deliver" some gold, silver, and jewelry to the secret room of Li's mansion, deliberately leaving clues. Li Fugui's remaining followers fell for it, believing that Li Fugui had truly hidden a huge fortune, and began to make moves to embezzle this ill-gotten gains.

County Magistrate Liu followed the clues and captured all the remnants of Li Fugui who were trying to transfer the stolen money. Li Fugui's power was completely destroyed, and the county returned to its former peace and tranquility.

Without Li Fugui's suppression, Tang Youyou's handicraft business flourished. Her designs were novel and unique, with excellent workmanship, and were well-loved by the people. They soon opened up sales channels in the surrounding areas. Tang Youyou's workshop continued to expand, and she also recruited many apprentices, teaching them her skills and helping them become self-reliant.

"Mom, what do you think of this little wooden horse I made?" Tang Jin ran to Tang Youyou excitedly and raised the wooden sculpture in his hand as if presenting a treasure.

"So beautiful! Jin'er is amazing!" Tang Youyou smiled and touched Tang Jin's head, his eyes filled with satisfaction and pride...

Time passed by like flowing water, and in the blink of an eye, Tang Wan and Tang Jin had grown up a lot. Tang Wan had grown into a graceful young lady, with a bit of Tang Youyou's intelligence in her eyes, while Tang Jin had also lost some of his childishness and became more calm and sensible.

On a warm, sunny spring day, Tang Wan and Tang Jin walked side by side along the ridge of a field on their way home, each clutching a thick scroll, their faces beaming with joy. "Brother, I got first place on the test this time, and the teacher praised my great progress!" Tang Wan shook the scroll in her hand, her tone filled with pride.

"Haha, I'm first this time too!" Tang Jin laughed heartily and patted Tang Wan's head gently. "We are a perfect match, brother and sister. We are both so smart!"

"That's because our mother taught us well!" Tang Wan took Tang Jin's arm, and the two walked home talking and laughing.

After returning home, Tang Wan and Tang Jin couldn't wait to run to Tang Youyou and show her their achievements. Tang Youyou looked at her two children with satisfaction, her heart filled with pride and happiness. Tang Xiaoya also ran over, hugged Tang Youyou's legs, and said in a baby voice, "Mom, I'm also very good, and I'm also very smart!"

Tang Youyou smiled and picked up Tang Xiaoya, kissed her pink little face, and said, "Our Xiaoya is the best!"

In the evening, Wu Hua came to the Tang family with a batch of new paints and brushes. Since Li Fugui was brought to justice, Wu Hua has become Tang Youyou's long-term partner. He injected more artistic elements into Tang Youyou's handicrafts, making these already exquisite works more full of vitality and artistic value.

"Youyou, what do you think of these paints? I found them all from other places specially for you." Wu Hua placed the paints on the table one by one with a look of anticipation on his face.

Tang Youyou picked up a box of paint, opened it and took a look, then exclaimed: "The colors are so beautiful! With these paints, I can create more and more beautiful works!"

"That's good, that's good." Wu Hua nodded with relief, looking at Tang Youyou with a look of indescribable affection. However, Tang Youyou didn't notice. She was so absorbed in her handicrafts that she was completely oblivious to Wu Hua's friendship...

"Youyou, I heard Madam Zheng is hosting a banquet soon and has invited many dignitaries. Do you want to attend?" Wu Hua suddenly asked, his tone somewhat tentative. Madam Zheng's banquet was held at a villa on the outskirts of the city, and it was packed with guests and bustling with activity. Tang Youyou, Tang Wan, and Tang Jin attended in their finest attire. Even the young Tang Xiaoya donned new clothes. The family's arrival attracted many people's attention.

"Youyou, you're here!" Wu Hua saw Tang Youyou and her family from afar and hurried over to greet them.

"Brother Wu." Tang Youyou smiled and nodded to Wu Hua. Tang Wan and Tang Jin also politely greeted Wu Hua.

Wu Hua's eyes fell on Tang Wan and Tang Jin, and he couldn't help but sigh: "I haven't seen you for a few years. Wan'er and Jin'er have grown up so much. They are really becoming more and more sensible."

"Uncle Wu, you're too kind." Tang Wan and Tang Jin answered in unison.

After the greetings, Tang Youyou took out a set of exquisite embroidered ornaments from the bag she was carrying. This was a new work she had recently completed, and she brought it specially for Madam Zheng to appreciate.

"Madam Zheng, this is a little gift from me, please accept it." Tang Youyou handed the embroidered ornament to Madam Zheng and said respectfully.

Mrs. Zheng took the ornament and examined it carefully, a look of surprise on her face. "This embroidery is so exquisite and lifelike, it's almost indistinguishable from the real thing!"

The surrounding guests also gathered around to admire, and the sound of praise was endless. Tang Youyou took this opportunity to introduce her handicrafts to everyone and expressed her willingness to accept customization.

"Mrs. Tang's craftsmanship is truly exquisite. I would like to customize a set of tea sets. Is it possible?" A noble lady asked first.

"Of course." Tang Youyou agreed with a smile and asked the lady in detail about her needs.

After the first customer came, more and more people came to inquire about customization. Tang Youyou patiently answered them one by one and recorded their requirements.

After the banquet, Tang Youyou's handicraft orders were already scheduled for several months later. She looked at the full order book, her heart filled with joy and anticipation.

"Mom, can we live a better life in the future?" Tang Wan looked at Tang Youyou, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Tang Youyou patted Tang Wan's head and said with a smile: "As long as our family works together, we will definitely..."

"...I will definitely live a better life." Tang Youyou answered gently, with a smile in the corners of her eyes and eyebrows.

As time went by, Tang Youyou's handicraft business grew, and her reputation grew. She no longer limited herself to embroidery and weaving, but instead tried to incorporate more modern elements into her work, designing more novel and unique products. Tang Wan and Tang Jin also followed Tang Youyou to learn. They were very clever and soon they were able to help Tang Youyou.

Although Tang Xiaoya was still young, she often watched and learned from the side, and occasionally came up with some wild ideas, which brought a lot of inspiration to Tang Youyou. The family worked together to run the handicraft business prosperously.

By this time, the once-powerful Li Fugui had completely vanished from public view. Magistrate Liu, acting in the interests of justice, exposed Li Fugui's crimes to the public and punished him severely according to the law. The people applauded and praised Magistrate Liu as a good official who had rid the people of this evil.

Freed from Li Fugui's entanglement, Tang Youyou's family lived a more peaceful and happy life. Tang Wan and Tang Jin were also of school age, so Tang Youyou sent them to the best school in the county, hoping that they could receive a good education and become useful talents to society in the future.

In her spare time, Tang Youyou would take the children to the countryside for an outing to experience the beauty of nature. The family sat on the grass, enjoying the warmth of the sun. Tang Youyou looked at the three lively and lovely children in front of her, her heart filled with happiness and satisfaction.

"Mom, look, this is the grasshopper I made!" Tang Jin excitedly raised the straw grasshopper in his hand and handed it to Tang Youyou like presenting a treasure.

Tang Youyou took the straw grasshopper with a smile and praised: "Jin'er is really amazing, your weaving is getting better and better!"

Tang Xiaoya, who was standing by, also said in a baby voice, "Mom, I want to learn how to weave grasshoppers, too!"

"Okay, mother will teach you." Tang Youyou patiently taught Tang Xiaoya how to weave grasshoppers, with a happy smile on her face.

As the sun sets, the family bathes in the golden afterglow, chatting and laughing as they walk home. Their backs are stretched out in an unusually slender manner, filled with warmth and hope. From now on, they will continue to work hard to welcome a brighter tomorrow.