A Late Tang Lady's Life in the 1970S

Blurb One Zhou Weixi was a refined young lady from an official family in the late Tang dynasty. She died of illness, wishing on her deathbed that she might be born into a peaceful and prosperous age in her next life. Better to be a dog in times of peace than a person in times of chaos. But when she opened her eyes again, she found herself in the 1970s, an era entirely unfamiliar to her. Though she struggled to adjust, here the farmers had land to till, everyone had a home, and every face was full of vitality. It wasn't what she'd imagined, but her dying wish had still come true. She decided to spend her days peacefully in this little village, living a quiet life. That was until a group of educated youths newly sent to the countryside moved into her home. The most outstanding young man among them told her, "You shouldn't stay here forever. There's a much wider world ahead of you. You should have goals and beliefs of your own." She decided to give it a try: take the college entrance exams, become a doctor, and find love. Rather than wishing for a golden age, she could become part of the effort to build one. Blurb Two Xu Yan is a fine young man with impeccable roots. Influenced by his father, he has always wanted to join the military and defend the country's borders. But after his eldest brother's death, his parents tried to stop him, choosing what they believed was a safe and promising career path for him instead. His parents' graying hair made it impossible for him to disregard their wishes, but the youthful fire in his heart made him unwilling to accept a life mapped out for him. So he signed up as an educated youth and went to the countryside. A decision made partly out of frustration became the one he was most grateful for in his life. While working in the countryside, he met Wei Xi and knew he'd found the person he wanted to spend his life with. He also knew there was a great gap between them, so he encouraged Wei Xi to leave Chixi Village and helped her prepare for the college entrance exams. If she was willing to take that first step, he'd take the remaining ninety-nine for her. Please note: This late Tang story is set in an alternate historical era, and many details may not be very accurate. I hope you won't mind! Recommended upcoming story: "Everyday Life in Bianjing" When Chen Yuanniang was born, her father was demoted from the rank of Cavalry Commandant to a commoner. She went from being a pampered young lady of an official family to a farmer's daughter, spending her childhood cutting grass, tending cattle, and doing hard labor. Even the marriage arranged for her as a baby went nowhere. With the family's grain jar nearly empty, Chen Yuanniang was scolded by her grandmother as a money-wasting burden and sent up the mountain to dig for wild greens. Fortunately, she had the sharpest eyes in the surrounding villages and always managed to gather more wild greens than anyone else. Then good fortune fell from the sky, and she no longer had to dig for wild greens! Her fiance's family had sent someone to break off the engagement! A thick stack of silver notes, countless trunks of compensation gifts, and even the ancestral home her family had once owned. This wasn't breaking off an engagement, it was the God of Wealth arriving to guide them to salvation. But it also stirred up the entire village's envy, and the threshold was soon worn down by people seeking her hand for her money. Her grandmother looked at her beautiful granddaughter, then at her young grandson, who was old enough to begin his studies and pay tuition, and finally made up her mind. "We're moving! Moving house!" The whole family quickly packed up for Bianjing, settling into a small courtyard with a shop facing the street and beginning a lively life in the bustling city. Little Scene One: Her younger brother went to school, while her grandmother and mother kneaded dough in the shop to make steamed buns. As for Yuanniang... She rolled up her sleeves, ready to help, only for her grandmother to smack her without mercy. A rouge-colored mark rose on her fair arm. Her grandmother's bold voice filled the room. "You brainless girl! What respectable young lady bares her arms and legs? Do you still want to find a husband? Does this family really expect you to earn a few measly coins?" Her naturally gentle mother quietly rubbed the injury for her. "Buy yourself a couple of pretty outfits." Her grandmother tossed her a heavy little purse, then continued irritably, "Finding a good husband is what matters." Yuanniang smiled and didn't argue. She just hurriedly stuffed the purse into her sleeve and nodded again and again like a squirrel. Her young brother, just home from school, said with a stern face, "Sister, don't worry. I'll study hard and, when I pass the highest imperial examination, earn noble titles for you and Mother. I won't rely on outsiders to bring glory to our family." Little Scene Two: With so many striking people in her family, Yuanniang could only do as she was told. She took her little purse and went out every day with the neighborhood girls to buy rouge and watch the crowds, becoming just like a native young lady of Kaifeng. Chen Yuanniang soon set her sights on a handsome scholar from a wealthy family. He often came to the shop to buy steamed buns, and his gaze always lingered on her. She pretended to be shy and would occasionally lift her lovely face to ask him for help with her writing, until he was completely smitten. From then on, something new appeared at her little gate every day: sometimes rouge, sometimes pastries, sometimes pearl hairpins... Their feelings for each other grew deeper. Then the scholar revealed his identity and said he wanted to come ask for her hand, so they could marry properly. Chen Yuanniang was stunned as if struck by lightning. Wasn't that the family of the fiance whose engagement she'd broken off...? Theme: Like a peony, she can bloom anywhere.