The Leisurely Life of a Peasant Woman in the Tang Dynasty

The smell of incense made Tang Youyou feel a little uncomfortable. She opened her eyes and looked around, noticing some villagers whispering to each other, their eyes filled with suspicion and confusion. A sense of foreboding washed over her. After the ceremony ended, the villagers did not express their usual enthusiastic gratitude to her. Instead, they dispersed in twos and threes, leaving Tang Youyou and the children standing there, the atmosphere awkward and heavy.

"Mom, what's wrong with them?" Tang Wan sensitively noticed the change in the villagers' attitude and pulled Tang Youyou's sleeve nervously.

"It's okay, maybe they are in a hurry to go home." Tang Youyou forced a smile, but her heart became more and more uneasy.

After returning home, Tang Youyou learned from her neighbors that some villagers mistakenly thought that she had gained benefits from the charity event because they did not understand the process of the charity event.

"I heard that the food and clothes never reached the people who needed them. They were all hidden by Tang Youyou!"

"That's right! How could she have so much money for charity? She might have taken our things and exchanged them for money!"

Rumors spread rapidly throughout the village like poisonous snakes, and Tang Youyou's good deeds were distorted into greed and deception.

"How ridiculous!" After hearing about this, County Magistrate Wang came to the Tang family angrily. "Youyou, don't worry, I will investigate and give you justice!"

Tang Youyou shook his head and said with a firm look in his eyes: "Brother Wang, the innocent will be innocent. I believe that rumors stop at the wise. I want to hold a village meeting and explain the matter clearly in front of everyone."

County Magistrate Wang looked at her with some concern, "But..."

"Don't worry, Brother Wang, I have a way." Tang Youyou gave him a reassuring look.

The next day, the Tang family's courtyard was crowded with villagers who had come to attend the meeting. Tang Youyou stood in front of them, her expression calm and composed.

"Fellow villagers, I know that everyone has some misunderstandings about what I've been doing recently. I'd like to take this opportunity today to make everything clear..." Tang Youyou's voice was clear and powerful, echoing in the silent courtyard. "Wan'er, Jin'er, you come too and tell everyone about your experience participating in this charity event."

Tang Jin and Tang Wan looked at each other, took a deep breath, and walked forward...

Tang Jin and Tang Wan looked at each other, took a deep breath, and walked forward.

"My name is Tang Jin, and I'm eight years old." Tang Jin's voice was still childish, but remarkably firm. "My sister and I, along with our mother, have delivered food to the elderly in the village and helped take care of our sick uncle. I've seen the smiles on their faces when they received the gifts, and I've heard their gratitude to our mother. My mother said that helping others is a happy thing, and I've felt that joy too."

Tang Wan continued, "I remember one time, we went to deliver food to Grandma Li. Her house was leaking, so my brother and I helped fix it. Grandma Li held my hand and said with tears in her eyes, 'Thank you, you are such good children.' At that moment, my heart felt warm."

The children's sincere and unpretentious stories moved some of the villagers present. However, some still had doubts and whispered about it.

At this moment, Tang Xiaoya, who had been hiding behind Tang Youyou, suddenly broke free from her hand and ran to the center of the yard. She smiled sweetly at Tang Youyou, then turned to face the villagers and said in a childish voice, "Everyone, please be quiet. I'll perform a skit for you!"

Under Tang Youyou's astonished gaze, Tang Xiaoya called over a few friends and deftly brought a few rocks to use as props, beginning their performance. The skit told the story of a little girl who received help from a stranger. Though simple, it was heartfelt and touching. Tang Xiaoya's performance was full of emotion and voice, vividly portraying the little girl's gratitude.

After the performance, warm applause rang out in the yard. As the villagers looked at the innocent and lovely little girl, their doubts gradually dissipated, replaced by feelings of being moved and reflecting.

"I was wrong, Miss Tang, I shouldn't have believed the rumors and doubted your good intentions." An aunt stood up and apologized to Tang Youyou with red eyes.

"Yes, sister Tang, we have wronged you."

More and more villagers stood up to express their apologies and admiration. Tang Youyou looked at the scene in front of her, and her eyes became a little moist. She knew that kindness and sincerity would eventually defeat all rumors.

Magistrate Wang looked at the scene and nodded with satisfaction. He cleared his throat, signaling for everyone to be quiet, "Fellow villagers..."

County Magistrate Wang looked at the scene and nodded with satisfaction. He cleared his throat and motioned for everyone to be quiet. "Fellow villagers, I'm sure you all saw what happened today. Ms. Tang Youyou has a kind heart and works tirelessly to help the elderly, the weak, and the disabled in the village. Her good deeds are worthy of learning from us all!" He paused, his tone becoming serious. "However, some false rumors have cast a shadow over her good deeds, which is something we don't want to see. I promise here that the county government will strengthen supervision to ensure that every donation is used effectively and that love will not be wasted!"

As soon as County Magistrate Wang finished speaking, warm applause broke out from the crowd. Tang Youyou looked at County Magistrate Wang with gratitude. She knew that his support was a great encouragement to her.

At this moment, the previously silent monk Huiren clasped his hands together and slowly stepped forward. His face was kind and gentle, and his voice was deep and magnetic. "Amitabha, I've come here today to discuss the concepts of 'kindness' and 'faith.'" He looked around, his gaze gleaming with wisdom. "Kindness is the most precious radiance of human nature. It's like a bright lamp in the darkness, illuminating others and warming ourselves. And 'faith' is the bridge that connects people. Without trust, good deeds become empty talk, and suspicion and distrust will breed."

Monk Huiren paused, his gaze landing on Tang Youyou with a hint of admiration, "Donor Tang is compassionate and generous. I see all her good deeds. And those who doubt her because of hearsay, why not ask yourself, have you been blinded by worldly prejudices? Have you forgotten the most basic trust between people?"

His voice was like a revelation, striking the hearts of everyone present. The villagers began to reflect on their actions, and their expressions became complicated. Some lowered their heads in shame, some looked at Tang Youyou thoughtfully, and some had tears in their eyes, regretting their misunderstanding.

Monk Huiren watched the villagers' reactions and smiled with satisfaction. He knew that the seed of kindness had been sown and would one day take root, sprout, and blossom into the most beautiful flowers...

Monk Huiren's words echoed in the crowd for a long time. The villagers looked at each other, their suspicion gradually replaced by guilt and admiration.

"Madam Tang, we were wrong about you before. Please be magnanimous and don't take it personally." An old man spoke first, his tone full of apology.

"Yes, yes, we have all been blinded by greed and actually doubted Madam Tang's good intentions." The others also echoed, with regret written all over their faces.

Looking at the villagers' sincere apologies, Tang Youyou felt a mixture of emotions. She knew that the villagers weren't maliciously slandering her, but were simply afraid of the unknown and didn't understand. She smiled slightly and said gently, "Fellow villagers, I understand how you feel. In fact, what I've done is insignificant. I just hope to do my part to help those in need."

County Magistrate Wang watched this scene with satisfaction. He knew that Tang Youyou had used her kindness and sincerity to build a bridge of trust in the hearts of the villagers. He said aloud, "Ms. Tang Youyou's kindness is admirable and shows us the brilliance of human nature. I believe that with everyone's joint efforts, our village will become even better!"

The villagers nodded in agreement, looking at Tang Youyou with eyes full of admiration and gratitude. They spontaneously walked up to Tang Youyou and expressed their belated apologies and gratitude.

"Mrs. Tang, thank you for everything you have done for our village."

"Madam Tang, you truly are the reincarnation of a living Bodhisattva!"

"Madam Tang..."

Listening to the villagers' heartfelt gratitude, Tang Youyou felt a warm current in her heart. She knew that her efforts were not in vain, and she had won the respect and trust of the villagers with her practical actions.

The crowd gradually dispersed. Tang Youyou looked at the quiet village under the setting sun, her heart filled with hope. At this time, County Magistrate Wang walked up to her and said with a smile: "Madam Tang, look, the sunset tonight is so beautiful..."