The Leisurely Life of a Peasant Woman in the Tang Dynasty

Tang Youyou's words echoed in the ancestral hall, and everyone held their breath, waiting for her next words. She withdrew her gaze, her expression solemn, "The matter of property distribution is of great importance, and I cannot decide it alone. But please rest assured, I will handle this matter fairly and impartially according to our ancestral teachings and family rules."

After saying this, she turned and gestured to Butler Li, who understood and immediately presented the account books and family tree that had been prepared long ago. Tang Youyou flipped open the thick account book, and the densely packed numbers came into view, recording the fruits of the Tang family's hard work for generations. Her slender fingers gently slid across it, and her mind emerged with the stories and hard work behind each number.

For the next few days, Tang Youyou locked herself in the study, carefully studying the family tree and rules, and carefully checking the accounts to understand the situation of each family member. She knew that the distribution of property must not only be fair, but also take into account the actual needs and abilities of each person in order to truly maintain the harmony and stability of the family.

Since his conspiracy was exposed, Mr. Tang has been locked in his room, overwhelmed with shame. He recalled his previous actions and was filled with regret and self-blame. He finally realized that he had been blinded by greed and almost destroyed the family foundation.

That day, Mr. Tang Er finally mustered up the courage and came to Tang Youyou's yard. He lowered his head, not daring to look directly into Tang Youyou's eyes, and said in a low and hoarse voice, "Youyou, I... I'm sorry for you, and for all the ancestors of the Tang family."

Tang Youyou put down the account book in his hand and looked at him calmly: "Second Uncle, it's good that you understand. It's great to know your mistakes and then improve. I believe you will make the right choice in the future."

Master Tang raised his head, his eyes filled with gratitude and guilt: "Youyou, are you really willing to forgive me? I know I have done many wrong things before, but I promise that I will turn over a new leaf and think wholeheartedly for the family."

"Uncle, let the past be the past. The most important thing now is that we must work together to make the Tang family a better place." Tang Youyou's tone was gentle, but with unquestionable determination.

Mr. Tang was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes. He took a deep breath and said firmly, "Youyou, you're right! From now on, I will follow your arrangements in everything, without a second thought!"

Tang Youyou smiled slightly, picked up the account book again, pointed to one of the places and said to Master Tang Er: "Uncle, look, this is..." Before she finished her words, there was a sudden noise outside the courtyard, mixed with Aunt Tang Si's sharp voice: "Why! Why do they..."

Tang Youyou frowned slightly, and Master Tang Er quickly stood up and shouted, "Fourth Master, what are you making such a fuss about again?! Shut up!"

Fourth Aunt Tang stormed into the yard, pointing her finger at Second Master Tang's nose and yelling, "Why am I arguing? Second Brother, you still have the nerve to criticize me? If you hadn't been greedy before, would Youyou have gone to so much trouble to redistribute the family property? Now look, everyone's waiting eagerly, who knows if you'll be partial!"

"You..." Mr. Tang blushed at her retort, but he was speechless.

Tang Youyou put down the account book in her hand, looked calmly at Fourth Aunt Tang, and said in an unhurried tone: "Fourth Aunt, I know what you are worried about. But I can assure you that I will handle the property distribution fairly and justly according to our ancestral teachings and family rules."

Aunt Tang Si felt uneasy and her momentum weakened a bit when she looked at her, but she still said with her neck stiff, "I hope you'll keep your promise! Don't think I don't know that the person you favor the most is your lazy and greedy Third Uncle!"

Uncle Tang, who had been silent the entire time, suddenly turned grim upon hearing this. He slammed down his teacup and said sternly, "Fourth Brother, watch your words! What do you mean by 'I'm lazy and gluttonous'? Don't you realize how much I've contributed to our family over the years?"

"Third brother, don't be angry. Fourth Aunt was just anxious at the moment and didn't think before she spoke." Tang Youyou quickly tried to smooth things over, then turned to look at Fourth Aunt Tang, and said in a gentle but firm tone: "Fourth Aunt, everyone has witnessed what Third Uncle has done for the family over the years. I will also take this into full consideration when distributing the property this time."

Aunt Tang Si was speechless after hearing Tang Youyou and Uncle Tang San's words. She wanted to continue arguing, but when she saw Tang Youyou's clear and determined eyes, she suddenly felt a sense of guilt and quietly stepped aside without saying a word.

Uncle Tang San looked at Tang Youyou's calm and composed demeanor, and his heart was filled with relief. He walked over to Tang Youyou, gently patted her shoulder, and said lovingly, "Youyou, you've done a great job. If Grandpa were still alive, he would be pleased to see that you have managed the Tang family in such an orderly manner."

Tang Youyou glanced at Third Uncle Tang with gratitude, then continued to look through the account books with her head down. Her slender fingers moved across the lines of numbers, as if outlining the blueprint for the Tang family's future.

At this time, Butler Li hurriedly walked in from outside the courtyard and whispered a few words to Tang Youyou. After Tang Youyou heard this, a meaningful smile appeared on the corner of her mouth: "It seems that some people really can't sit still..."

Butler Li's words were like a stone, creating a ripple in Tang Youyou's calm heart. She put down the account book, slowly stood up, and glanced at the people in the yard who were either expectant, anxious, or suspicious. A confident smile curled up at the corner of her mouth.

"Dear uncles, aunts and grandmothers, please wait patiently for a moment. The results of the property distribution will be out soon." Tang Youyou's voice was crisp and powerful, like a reassurance, which gradually calmed the originally restless crowd.

Tang Dayuan breathed a sigh of relief when he saw this. Ever since Tang Youyou decided to redistribute the family property, he had taken the initiative to take on the responsibility of calming everyone's emotions. He knew that although Tang Youyou's approach was fair and just, it would inevitably affect some people's interests and cause their dissatisfaction. Therefore, he had been running around among his relatives for the past few days, conveying Tang Youyou's ideas and principles to everyone, hoping that everyone would understand and support him.

"Youyou has always been prudent in doing things, so don't worry." Tang Dayuan said with a smile, trying to ease the atmosphere.

Time passed minute by minute, and the courtyard was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop, only the occasional chirping of summer cicadas breaking the silence. Tang Youyou stared intently at the account book in her hand, her slender fingers moving nimbly on the abacus, as if she were engaged in a silent battle.

Finally, Tang Youyou put down the brush in her hand and breathed a sigh of relief. She handed the account book recording the results of the property distribution to Butler Li and said calmly, "According to the ancestral teachings and family rules, I have counted and distributed all the property. Every account is clear and fair."

Steward Li took the account book and read it aloud. As he read out the names and numbers, the people in the courtyard had different expressions. Some were happy, some were disappointed, some were relieved, and some were jealous... But no matter what they felt in their hearts, they had to admit that Tang Youyou's distribution results were reasonable and impeccable.

Tang Youyou looked at everyone with a firm and clear gaze: "I believe that only when the family is harmonious can everything be prosperous. Let the past grudges be in the past. Let us work together to create a better future for the Tang family."

As the sun set, its golden afterglow cast a shadow over the Tang family compound, bringing a successful conclusion to the dispute that had lasted for several days. However, Tang Youyou knew in her heart that this was only the beginning, and that there were more important tasks waiting for her to complete in the future... She looked up into the distance, her eyes deep and firm: "It's time to leave the Tang family and see the outside world..."

The afterglow of the setting sun gradually faded, and night fell, but the Tang family compound was brightly lit. The estrangement and suspicion that had arisen from the division of the family property in the past disappeared at this moment. Master Tang took the initiative to walk up to Tang Youyou, and said with guilt in his eyes: "Youyou, what Second Uncle did before was wrong, don't take it to heart."

Tang Youyou smiled gently, "Uncle, let the past be the past. We are all family, and we should support each other in the future."

Uncle Tang San, who was standing by, nodded with satisfaction. "Youyou is right. A harmonious family is the foundation of everything. From now on, our Tang family will depend on you to lead everyone to prosperity!"

Tang Youyou's charity work went smoothly, and the villagers were grateful for her kindness and offered her help. Tang Wan also grew a lot. She helped her mother manage the accounts and take care of her younger siblings, becoming her mother's right-hand man.

"Mom, do you really want to follow the imperial envoy to the Western Regions?" Tang Wan's eyes were full of reluctance.

"Yes," Tang Youyou said as she packed her bags, "Mother promised you that she would take you to see a wider world. This trip to the Western Regions is not only about trade exchanges, but also about cultural collisions. Mother wants to see it with her own eyes."

"But the journey to the Western Regions is long. Will it be dangerous?" Tang Jin asked worriedly.

Tang Youyou patted his head and said with a smile: "Don't worry, mother will take good care of herself. You must listen to your sister at home, study hard, and wait for mother to come back and bring you gifts from the Western Regions."

On the day of departure, the Tang family and villagers came to see her off. Tang Youyou, carrying the silk and porcelain carefully crafted by the Tang family's weavers, followed the court envoy Li Huaiyong on his journey westward.

"Lord Li, is Yumen Pass the one ahead?" Tang Youyou rode on her horse, gazing at the towering pass in the distance.

"That's right. After passing Yumen Pass, we have officially entered the territory of the Western Regions." Li Huaiyong said in a serious tone, but there was a barely perceptible solemnity on his face.

Tang Youyou keenly noticed his strangeness and followed his gaze. She saw a group of Western Region soldiers at the checkpoint staring at them with a fierce look in their eyes, full of vigilance...