The Leisurely Life of a Peasant Woman in the Tang Dynasty

The crisp chirping of birds awakened the slumbering earth, and golden sunlight bathed the entire village. This day was destined to be a day of extraordinary significance for the villagers of Taohua Village—the Hope Primary School had finally been completed and welcomed its first students.

The brand-new school building sparkles in the sun, the spacious and bright classrooms are neatly arranged with desks and chairs, the playground is paved with blue bricks, and the children's cheerful laughter echoes in every corner of the campus. All this seems to indicate that the seeds of hope are about to take root and sprout in this land.

Tang Youyou stood in the crowd, watching the bustling scene before her, her heart filled with joy and emotion. Recalling the hard work of the past few months, from the initial fundraising and site selection to the subsequent design and construction, each step was filled with challenges, but more importantly, rewards. The enthusiastic participation of the villagers, the generous donation of Mr. Li, and the strong support of County Magistrate Wang all made her deeply feel the warmth and kindness of the world.

The opening ceremony began amidst cheers. As the initiator of Hope Primary School, Tang Youyou walked up to the podium and faced pairs of eyes full of curiosity. She was extremely excited.

"Children, today is the first day of school at Hope Primary School, and it is also a new starting point in your lives." Tang Youyou's voice was gentle but firm. "I hope you can cherish this hard-earned learning opportunity, study hard, become useful people to society in the future, and use your strength to help more people in need."

In the audience, the children listened attentively, their bright eyes gleaming with hope. Tang Youyou's words moistened their hearts like spring rain, sowing the seeds of hope in their hearts.

"Mom, you look so beautiful today!" Tang Wan stood in the stage, looking up at her mother, her eyes full of admiration.

"Yes, mother is just like the Queen Mother of the West, shining brightly!" Tang Jin also echoed.

Although Tang Xiaoya didn't quite understand what was happening, she clapped her hands along with her brothers and sisters, and shouted in a baby voice, "Mommy is the best! Mommy is the best!"

Tang Youyou looked at the children's innocent smiles, her heart filled with happiness and satisfaction. She knew that it was all worth it.

At this moment, there was a commotion in the crowd, and someone shouted loudly, "Mr. Li is here! County Magistrate Wang is here too!"

The crowd automatically parted a path, and Shanren Li, surrounded by a crowd, walked up to Tang Youyou with a smile and said, "Madam Tang, congratulations. Today, I am able to witness the dawn of hope with my own eyes!"

"Mr. Li, you're joking," Tang Youyou quickly turned aside to return the greeting, "This Hope Primary School is what it is today, thanks to your generous donation and strong support. Thank you very much."

"Very well, very well. I am only doing my bit. The real contributor is you, Madam Tang!" Mr. Li said, turning to look at the children around him. "These children are where they are today thanks to you!"

County Magistrate Wang also came over, stroking his beard, and said with a smile: "Madam Tang cares deeply about the village and works for the benefit of the people. Today, on behalf of the county government, I would like to express my gratitude to you! The completion of this Hope Primary School is not only a great joyous event for Taohua Village, but also for our entire county!"

"County Magistrate Wang, you're overly kind," Tang Youyou said modestly, "Youyou only did what she could."

Mr. Li and County Magistrate Wang gave passionate speeches, congratulating the completion of the Hope Primary School and highly praising Tang Youyou's good deeds. Their words won applause and praise from everyone present.

After the ceremony, Tang Youyou invited Mr. Li, County Magistrate Wang and others to the side to discuss the follow-up matters of the school.

"I plan to have Wan'er and Jin'er both work as part-time teachers at the school," Tang Youyou said, pointing at Tang Wan and Tang Jin who were playing with the children not far away. "Wan'er is good at needlework and arithmetic, so she can teach the girls some needlework and help with the children's accounting. Although Jin'er is a little naughty, he has a quick mind and learns things quickly, so he can teach the children to read and write."

"Good! Good! Good!" Mr. Li clapped his hands and smiled. "A tiger mother has no dog daughters, and a dragon gives birth to nine sons, each one different. I think Brother Jin and Sister Wan are both promising talents. Given time, they will become great men!"

County Magistrate Wang nodded in agreement. "Madam Tang, this is a great idea. It will not only reduce the burden on the school, but also allow the children to learn more practical knowledge. It's really killing two birds with one stone!"

At this moment, Tang Xiaoya, holding a few children, ran to Tang Youyou, looking up and asked, "Mom, we want to perform a show for everyone, okay?"

Tang Youyou smiled and patted Tang Xiaoya's head, saying softly, "Okay, of course. What do you want to perform, Xiaoya?"

"We want to perform..." Tang Xiaoya blinked mysteriously and said in a baby voice...

"We want to perform 'Two Tigers'!" Tang Xiaoya announced in a baby voice, her little face brimming with confidence.

The children's tender singing echoed through the courtyard of the Hope Primary School. The simple yet joyful melodies moved everyone present. Mr. Li and County Magistrate Wang looked at the children with beaming smiles, their eyes filled with love and hope. Tang Wan and Tang Jin also joined the children, teaching them songs and dances. The entire courtyard was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

On that day, the grand opening ceremony of the Hope Primary School spread throughout the streets and alleys. People praised Tang Youyou's good deeds, calling her a "living Bodhisattva" and a "modern female sage." Tang Youyou's deeds also spread to the capital through various channels, attracting the attention of the government and the people.

A few days later, an imperial envoy from the capital rushed to Taohua Village, bringing the emperor's commendation and reward.

"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: The Tang family is kind-hearted, generous, and concerned about the people. They established a charity school. Their righteous deeds are commendable, and they are hereby commended..."

After the imperial envoy read out the imperial edict, he gave Tang Youyou a plaque engraved with "Home of Righteousness and Kindness" and a box of gold, silver and jewelry to commend her righteous act.

"I, Tang Youyou, accept the order. Long live the emperor!" Tang Youyou knelt on the ground to express her gratitude, her heart filled with emotion.

The imperial envoy helped Tang Youyou up and looked at the simple woman in front of him, praising her, "Madam Tang, your kind deeds are so touching that even the emperor praises you!"

Tang Youyou smiled modestly and said, "Your Excellency is overpraising me. I just did what I could."

The imperial envoy stayed in Taohua Village for a few days and witnessed the teaching situation of Hope Primary School and the daily life of Tang Youyou's family. He was moved by Tang Youyou's sincerity and kindness, and was also infected by the simplicity and enthusiasm of the villagers in Taohua Village.

The night before leaving Taohua Village, the Imperial Envoy specially invited Tang Youyou and her family to dinner. During the meal, he raised his glass and said sincerely, "Madam Tang, I have witnessed your kindness and the changes in Taohua Village with my own eyes. I firmly believe that under your leadership, Taohua Village will be even better tomorrow!"

Tang Youyou raised her glass in response, her eyes determined as she said, "Thank you for your kind words, Your Excellency. Youyou will do her best to ensure that every child in Taohua Village can have a better future!"

It was late at night, and the moonlight filled the entire yard. Tang Youyou and his family sat in the yard, gazing at the starry sky, their hearts filled with tranquility and joy...

"Mom, tell me, what kind of people will we meet in the future, and what will happen?" Tang Wan snuggled up to Tang Youyou and asked softly.

Tang Youyou looked into her daughter's clear eyes, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, and she said meaningfully: "The road ahead is still long, we..."

Tang Youyou looked into her daughter's clear eyes, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, and she said meaningfully: "The road ahead is still long, and we will gain more happiness and joy while helping others." She gently stroked Tang Wan's hair, her eyes full of love and hope.

Tang Jin excitedly shouted, "Mom, I want to be like you in the future and build lots of schools so that all children can learn to read and write!"

Tang Youyou smiled and nodded, saying, "Okay, Mother believes you can do it!"

Tang Xiaoya also said in a baby voice: "I want to be a good person like my mother!"

Tang Youyou held the children in her arms, her heart filled with warmth and happiness.

The completion of Hope Primary School is just the beginning of Tang Youyou's charity work. She knows that if she wants to truly change the face of Taohua Village, relying on just one school is far from enough.

So, Tang Youyou started to plan to build a free clinic in the village. She took out the silver she had saved, purchased a large amount of medicinal materials and medical equipment, and invited experienced old doctors from the city to come to the village regularly to provide free medical treatment for the villagers.

The establishment of the free clinic solved the problem of difficulty and high cost of medical treatment for the villagers, and also made Tang Youyou's prestige in the hearts of the villagers increasingly high.

As time went by, Tang Youyou's good deeds gradually spread to the surrounding villages. Many villages followed Taohua Village's example and established schools, free clinics and other public welfare projects. The whole area was swept by a wave of helping others and being kind.

Tang Youyou's family's lives have become more fulfilling and meaningful thanks to their charitable work. While helping her mother manage the Hope Primary School, Tang Wan gradually demonstrated exceptional organizational and leadership skills, becoming her mother's right-hand man. Influenced by her, Tang Jin gradually understood the importance of knowledge and began studying diligently, determined to become a successful teacher. Tang Xiaoya also frequently participated in various charitable events alongside her older siblings, demonstrating a helpful nature at a young age.

Tang Youyou and her family have found immense happiness and fulfillment in their philanthropy. As time passes, their story spreads, becoming a beloved tale that inspires generations. And Tang Youyou, the time-traveling, unassuming mother of the Tang Dynasty, remains forever etched in the pages of history for her kindness and compassion.