How to become a Taoist priest starting from a brothel

The emperor stared at Liu Yin's face, his eyes growing increasingly deep.

Liu Yin felt a sharp, sword-like gaze coming from ahead, and her heart tightened. She took a deep breath, ignoring the probing look, and continued singing the song she had prepared.

"A woman of noble virtue, a wife of virtuous conduct. With unwavering favor from her lord, she vows never to turn back. She rises at dawn to adorn herself, and returns at dusk to weave silk. Diligently fulfilling her duties as a wife, she dreams of good fortune at night. Her lord's heart is as firm as iron, but hers is as gentle as water..."

"Your Majesty." Seeing the emperor's somber expression, Eunuch Zhang felt a pang of panic. Just then, a palace servant brought wine, and he stepped forward to take it and offer it to the emperor. "Your Majesty, which one do you wish to keep?"

Interrupted from his train of thought, the emperor withdrew his gaze. After drinking a few cups of wine, he suddenly looked at Liu Yin and said, "Tell me, doesn't she look like an old friend?"

"This old servant's eyesight is failing, I can't see clearly either." Suppressing his panic, Eunuch Zhang carefully examined the area before shaking his head and replying with a smile.

"You old servant," the emperor glanced at him sideways before pointing at Liu Yin, who was playing the zither, and said, "She does look familiar..."

Eunuch Zhang straightened up slightly and gave Consort An a wink.

Consort An knew exactly what was going on. She glanced at the other concubines around her, some enjoying the music, others chatting amongst themselves. With a quick movement, she leaned into the emperor's arms and asked, "Your Majesty, what do you think of the talents of this Lady Liu that I mentioned?"

"Not bad, not bad, truly exceptional." The emperor was interrupted by his beloved concubine again, but he wasn't angry. Instead, he hugged her and teased her, "What a pity, she's too ugly. She's not as beautiful as my lovely lady, who is both talented and beautiful."

"Your Majesty~" Consort An feigned a shy demeanor and began to tease the emperor.

This demeanor was naturally noticed by the other concubines. Some grumbled inwardly, while others whispered amongst themselves, mocking her for her lowly birth and unsavory methods.

Some were jealous and envious, while others stared at Liu Yin thoughtfully.

"Your Majesty...Your Majesty!" A young eunuch rushed over. "Your Majesty, Chang Le Palace...Chang Le Palace..."

"Hmm?" The emperor turned his gaze from the beauty in his arms to the trembling eunuch.

Seeing that the young eunuch seemed unable to explain himself, Eunuch Zhang stepped forward and kicked him: "Didn't you hear His Majesty's question?"

"Yes, yes, Your Majesty, Chang Le Palace is haunted!" the little eunuch gritted his teeth and replied loudly.

The moment the words "haunted" were uttered, the scene fell silent. Even Liu Yin pressed down on her zither strings, lowering her head to listen carefully to everything happening around her.

"Haunted...?" The emperor's eyes were deep and unfathomable, as if they contained an endless storm.

"Yes...yes..." The little eunuch was so frightened by the crowd that he could barely speak.

"Zhang Dehai, get out and go see." The emperor pushed Consort An aside and gestured to Eunuch Zhang.

Eunuch Zhang hurriedly led the young eunuch towards Chang Le Palace.

The scene grew increasingly quiet, so quiet that even breathing seemed heavy. The concubines, in particular, even considered hiding underground to avoid incurring the wrath of the angry emperor.

Before long, the sound of Eunuch Zhang's footsteps rang out. He quickly walked up to the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, it was the palace servants below who were ignorant. It was just a few gusts of wind that blew up the candles in Chang Le Palace, which caught fire to the window curtains and caused a fire."

"Hmm." The emperor kept his eyes closed, making it impossible to guess his thoughts.

He didn't speak again, and no one dared to say anything. It wasn't until some time had passed that a palace servant hurried over and whispered something in his ear.

The emperor opened his eyes and glanced at Eunuch Zhang, his eyes filled with inquiry and suspicion. After a long while, he smiled and said, "Since that's the case, then let's leave it at that and continue."

Zhang Gonggong breathed a sigh of relief and then signaled the musicians to continue, while he himself stood behind the emperor.

By this time, Liu Yin had already finished her performance, and all that remained was for the girls who had prepared singles to perform.

This is also the best chance to confirm their entry into the palace.

The emperor seemed completely unaffected by what had happened at Chang Le Palace, watching the performance as if nothing was amiss.

Liu Yin, sitting backstage, felt a lingering fear. She genuinely felt the Emperor had almost recognized her. She thought to herself, 'It seems I'll have to gradually modify my appearance until it's significantly different from before.'

It was nearly night, and the stars filled the night sky, but inside the main hall, the singing and dancing continued.

"His Majesty has decreed that Zhang, Li, Liu, Xue, and Ye, daughters of good families, be selected... for their beautiful appearances and virtuous conduct, suitable for the inner palace. I order you all to enter the palace immediately and be conferred the title of Noble Lady. As for Lady Liu, her words are like pearls, her sentences like brocade, truly a rare talent, worthy of being called the number one poet in the world. I am very pleased and reward Lady Liu with a thousand taels of gold and a hundred bolts of brocade..." After announcing the decree, Eunuch Zhang looked at Liu Yin and said, "Lady Liu, now that all the Noble Ladies have entered the palace, let me escort you out."

Seeing that she was the only one in the vast inner palace, Liu Yin knew that the emperor had accepted all the beauties that Li Linfeng had prepared. She sighed deeply before politely saying, "Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch."

Stepping out of the main hall, the joyful laughter and chatter were left behind. The tranquil surroundings jolted her from her extravagant state. Facing the now empty palace, Liu Yin took a deep breath and slowly followed Eunuch Zhang forward.

The sight of the palace reminded Liu Yin of a memory she had of, when she was still a child and was being carried by her father through this palace.

The palace was once majestic and solemn, but now...

Looking at the passing gardens and quiet palaces, she felt no sense of royal grandeur, only that this place resembled a vast, soon-to-be-completed tomb…

"Miss." Mei Wu and Liu Xuemei, who had been waiting outside the palace gates all day, came to greet her. They hesitated for a moment, only saying when they saw she was alone, "What about the others, Miss?"

"We'll talk about it when we get back." Liu Yin shook her head and pulled her into the carriage.

Seeing her tired appearance, Liu Xuemei thought for a moment and didn't ask any further questions.

Liu Yin paid no attention to her hesitation, her mind preoccupied with what Zhang Gonggong had just said: "Miss Liu, are you satisfied with your life now?"

These words seemed inexplicable, but Liu Yin felt that the other person's eyes were hiding many secrets that he was unwilling to tell her.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: 'I remember that the late Empress was virtuous and exemplary, a model for the nation. Sadly, she passed away young, leaving behind a lasting legacy. Now, in remembrance of her virtues, I wish to extend her benevolence and issue this decree to express my filial piety. The eldest princess is gentle and kind, with a pure and sincere heart of filial piety, and constantly cherishes thoughts of her ancestors. Therefore, she should be granted a title to show my praise. I hereby bestow upon the eldest princess the title of Princess Duan'an, and grant her residence in Duan'an Palace. It is hoped that she will reside peacefully and cultivate virtue, serving as a model for the harem. This decree shall take effect immediately. Princess Duan'an, you should understand my will and leave the palace to pray for the late Empress's well-being, thus fulfilling your filial duty. Your conduct should be solemn, your heart sincere, and your demeanor respectful, to meet my expectations. This is my decree!'"

The eunuch delivering the decree looked at the little princess and the maid kneeling behind her, then at the dilapidated palace, his eyes filled with sympathy: "Princess Duan'an, please accept the decree."

"Your subject accepts the imperial decree and thanks Your Majesty for your great favor." Princess Duan'an respectfully kowtowed, then accepted the imperial decree with both hands and stood up.

"Eunuch, may I ask if His Majesty has arranged a place for the princess?" Aunt Ran stood up and took off a jade bracelet from her wrist and handed it over.

The eunuch who delivered the imperial decree smiled and accepted it before saying, "His Majesty says that the princess may go to the Duke of Baoguo's residence, where the Duke of Baoguo's heir will escort you to the Huguo Temple to pray for blessings."

"Thank you, sir, but the guards have already been arranged." Seeing that he didn't mention the last time at all, Aunt Ran became a little anxious.

"Well... I don't know." The eunuch delivering the imperial decree frowned in embarrassment before shaking his head with a smile.

"That……"

Just as Aunt Ran was about to ask further, Princess Duan'an stopped her, saying, "Aunt Ran, don't make things difficult for Father-in-law. I'm sure Father has his own plans."

After seeing off the eunuch who delivered the imperial decree, Aunt Ran said with a look of indignation, "This method is too cruel, and he... didn't even have any guards or maids, and didn't mention any ceremonial procession at all."

"It's alright, Aunt Ran. As long as we can leave, that's all that matters." Princess Duan'an seemed indifferent.

The news of the princess being sent out of the palace spread throughout the capital before noon, and even Liu Yin, who had moved to an inn, heard the rumors.

Just three days after leaving the palace, Liu Yin was packing up to leave when she received an invitation.

"The Duke of Baoguo's mansion?" Liu Yin looked at the post, somewhat puzzled.