The Leisurely Life of a Peasant Woman in the Tang Dynasty

The market was bustling with people. Tang Youyou brought her carefully grown vegetables to her stall, but found that there were very few customers today.

"What's going on?" Tang Youyou was confused. Her vegetables were usually sold out early, but today no one was interested.

"Youyou, you better be careful these days!" Aunt Wang from the stall next door came over and said in a low voice, "I heard someone was saying bad things about you behind your back, saying that your vegetables are grown using some special method and that eating them is bad for your health."

Tang Youyou understood a little as soon as she heard it. It must be Sister Wu who was behind this again. Sister Wu had been holding a grudge against her since the last incident, and this time she probably wanted to retaliate against her by spreading rumors.

"Youyou, don't worry, we all believe you!" Aunt Wang comforted her. "We've all tried your food, it's delicious and high quality. We're not fools, so how could we easily believe rumors?"

Tang Youyou smiled gratefully at Aunt Wang, but in her heart she was quickly thinking of a countermeasure. Rumors stop at the wise. If you want to eliminate the negative impact of rumors, the best way is to speak with facts.

She decided to prove the quality of her agricultural products in front of everyone at the market today.

She found the market manager and borrowed a table and some tools. She then placed the vegetables she brought on the table and demonstrated how to identify their freshness and how to cook them to maximize their nutrients.

Tang Youyou's voice was clear and pleasant, her explanation was easy to understand, and her confident and calm demeanor quickly attracted a lot of people to watch.

"Look everyone, my vegetables are all naturally ripened without the use of any chemicals, so they taste delicious and are rich in nutrients." Tang Youyou picked up a cucumber and broke it open with force. The crisp sound echoed in the air. "Everyone, take a smell. This fragrant flavor is incomparable to ordinary vegetables."

There was a burst of praise from the crowd, and many people began to take an interest in Tang Youyou's vegetables.

"Elder sister, please try this. I just picked some cucumbers this morning. They are guaranteed to be fresh and delicious." Tang Youyou smiled and handed the cut cucumbers to an older sister.

The eldest sister hesitated for a moment, took the cucumber, took a light bite, and her eyes suddenly lit up.

"Delicious! This cucumber is so sweet!" the elder sister couldn't help but exclaim, "It's much better than the cucumbers I bought elsewhere before!"

With the first person to "try out the food", others also gathered around, vying to taste Tang Youyou's vegetables.

"This tomato tastes really good, sweet and sour, and full of juice!"

"These greens are very tender, not overripe at all, and they are delicious when stir-fried!"

"I'll buy some cucumbers and tomatoes and make salad for the kids!"

Seeing everyone praising her vegetables, Tang Youyou showed a relieved smile on her face. She knew that rumors would eventually be shattered by the truth.

At this time, Tang Wan and Tang Jin also came to the market...

The market was bustling with people. Tang Youyou's stall was crowded with customers, all wanting to taste the delicious vegetables grown by this young mother.

"Mom, we're here to help!" Tang Wan and Tang Jin ran to the stall breathlessly, carrying baskets.

"Wan'er is so good. Help your mother put these vegetables in order." Tang Youyou took the basket with a smile, turned around and saw Tang Xiaoya standing beside her, holding a cucumber in her hand, imitating her previous explanation.

"Dear uncles and aunts, look how fresh this cucumber is, so crispy and sweet, so delicious!" Tang Xiaoya said in a baby voice, and imitated Tang Youyou's way, breaking the cucumber with force. The crisp sound attracted laughter from the people around.

Tang Xiaoya's cute performance attracted a lot of people's attention, and everyone was amused by this smart little girl.

"This child is so cute and looks so much like you, Youyou." An aunt said with a smile.

"Yes, this is all thanks to everyone." Tang Youyou responded with a smile.

Tang Wan and Tang Jin also joined in greeting guests. One of them helped with weighing while the other helped with collecting money. They cooperated very well.

"Hey, big brother, look at these tomatoes. They are big, plump and delicious. Buy some and try them!" Tang Wan greeted a passing customer enthusiastically.

"Little brother, take care and welcome back next time!" Tang Jin took the copper coins handed by the customer and said politely.

Looking at the children's sensible and well-behaved appearance, Tang Youyou's heart was filled with relief and pride.

Just then, a slightly plump, kind-faced middle-aged man passed by Tang Youyou's stall. He was attracted by the lively scene before him.

"Young lady, your vegetables look delicious. Can I try some?" the middle-aged man asked with a smile.

"Of course, please go ahead." Tang Youyou greeted warmly.

The middle-aged man picked up a cucumber, looked at it carefully, then took a bite, and his eyes suddenly lit up.

"Yes, this cucumber is really good, crisp and refreshing, and delicious." The middle-aged man exclaimed, "Young lady, how do you grow this vegetable? Why is it so unique?"

Tang Youyou explained with a smile: "These vegetables of mine are carefully grown with my own fertilizer, without using any pesticides, so they taste more delicious and are more nutritious."

"I see. No wonder it's so delicious." The middle-aged man nodded, expressing his appreciation for Tang Youyou's planting concept.

"My dear, I want all your vegetables!" the middle-aged man said generously.

Tang Youyou was stunned at first, then reacted and said quickly: "Sir, you are so polite, I..."

"Young lady, there's no need to say more. I see that you're a very down-to-earth person. Your vegetables are of high quality and reasonably priced. I admire you very much." The middle-aged man interrupted Tang Youyou and said with a smile, "My name is Sun Fu, and I'm the owner of this restaurant. From now on, I'll take care of all your vegetables!"

Tang Youyou was extremely surprised when she heard this. She had not expected that her clever response would bring her unexpected gains.

"Boss Sun..."

"Boss Sun, you really flatter me!" Tang Youyou was flattered and said quickly, "Just call me Youyou, it's just... with so many vegetables, I'm afraid I can handle it all by myself..."

Boss Sun smiled brightly and waved his hand, "Don't worry, Youyou. Since I said I want them, I'll naturally arrange for people to deliver them. You just need to focus on growing vegetables. I'll also give you the most fair price and guarantee that you will be satisfied!"

Tang Youyou nodded gratefully, her heart filled with joy. Boss Sun's appearance was undoubtedly a great gift for her.

Boss Sun not only became Tang Youyou's regular customer, but also used his connections to introduce Tang Youyou to several major clients. In just a few days, Tang Youyou's order volume increased several times. Every day before dawn, waiters from the restaurant came to collect vegetables. Tang Youyou's yard was filled with fresh vegetables, a scene of a bountiful harvest.

All of this was seen by Mrs. Wu who was hiding in the dark. Seeing Tang Youyou's business becoming more and more prosperous, her heart felt like it was on fire, and the flames of jealousy burned fiercely.

"Why? Why can she, a foreigner, win the favor of Boss Sun as soon as she arrives? And I have worked hard for so many years, but I can only guard this small stall?" Mrs. Wu gritted her teeth and talked to herself, with a hint of viciousness in her eyes.

She decided to teach Tang Youyou a lesson and let her know that this market is not so easy to survive in!

A vicious plan gradually formed in her mind...

That night, Tang Youyou's family was sitting around the table eating, the atmosphere was warm and happy.

"Mom, we sold a lot of vegetables today and made a lot of money!" Tang Jin said excitedly, his little face full of pride.

"Yes, Mom, Boss Sun is such a nice person. He introduced so many customers to us." Tang Wan also said with a smile.

Tang Youyou looked at the children's happy faces and a relieved smile appeared on her face. She reached out and touched Tang Xiaoya's head, and said softly: "Xiaoya, from now on we can eat meat every day!"

"Meat! Meat!" Tang Xiaoya clapped her hands and shouted happily.

At this moment, Tang Youyou suddenly heard a burst of tiny footsteps coming from outside the door. She was startled and an ominous premonition came to her mind.

"Who?" she stood up and asked warily.

There was silence outside the door and no one answered.

Tang Youyou walked to the door and gently opened it. In the faint moonlight, she saw some broken tiles scattered on the ground...

"Not good!" Tang Youyou's face changed, and she immediately realized what had happened. Tang Youyou's heart sank. She had already guessed who did it. Sister Wu, it must be her! She had long seen that Sister Wu was dissatisfied with her, but she had never expected her to use such despicable means.

Tang Youyou didn't say anything. She quietly picked up the broken tiles on the ground, then returned to the house, pretending nothing had happened.

Early the next morning, Tang Youyou brought the children to the market.

As expected, Mrs. Wu had already set up a stall there, and her vegetable prices were much lower than Tang Youyou's.

"Fellow villagers, come and have a look. Fresh vegetables are on sale at a low price!" Mrs. Wu shouted at the top of her voice, attracting many customers.

Tang Youyou was not to be outdone. She arranged her vegetables neatly and said loudly, "Don't miss it if you pass by. These home-grown green vegetables are delicious and healthy!"

Customers were attracted and asked about the price.

"My vegetables are half the price of hers. Do you want some?" Mrs. Wu pointed at Tang Youyou's stall and said sarcastically.

Tang Youyou ignored her provocation. She smiled and said to the customers, "My vegetables are all grown with the best fertilizers. They are guaranteed to be fresh and delicious. You get what you pay for. You can try them before you buy."

As he spoke, Tang Youyou picked up a cucumber, broke it into two pieces, and handed them to the two customers respectively.

The customers took a bite and immediately praised it: "Mmm, delicious! This cucumber is so sweet!"

"Hey, sister, how much is your vegetables per pound?"

"My vegetables are all priced uniformly, no bargaining." Tang Youyou said confidently, while glancing at Mrs. Wu inconspicuously.

Mrs. Wu's expression changed. She didn't expect Tang Youyou to not be fooled. According to her plan, Tang Youyou would definitely start a price war with her, and then she could take the opportunity to ruin Tang Youyou's reputation and drive her out of the market.

"Since your vegetables are so good, I'll take five pounds!" a customer said readily.

"I want three pounds too!"

"Give me two pounds!"

……

Customers opened their wallets one after another, and soon, more than half of Tang Youyou's vegetables were sold.

Mrs. Wu's face became more and more ugly. She didn't expect that her plan would fail.

"Wait!" Mrs. Wu suddenly pointed at Tang Youyou's vegetable basket and shouted, "What's under your vegetable basket?"

Tang Youyou sneered in her heart, the fish finally took the bait.

"Nothing." Tang Youyou pretended to be puzzled and picked up the basket, "Just some scraps..."

She paused deliberately, then as if she suddenly remembered something, her face changed and she exclaimed, "Isn't this last night..."

Tang Youyou didn't say anything else, but her words were enough to make the people around her imagine all sorts of things.

Mrs. Wu's face turned pale in an instant. She was speechless and could not speak for a long time...