How to become a Taoist priest starting from a brothel

After Xu Yueling went upstairs with the customers who had taken the photos, the other customers continued their singing and laughing, leaving only the girls on the stage to play the most popular tunes in the red-light district, including Liu Yin's "Pipa Language" under the name of Qingyin.

In a corner on the first floor, Liu Ziheng and his companions were already toasting each other with Wen Shuyun: "We never expected Brother Wen to attend this grand event. If we had known earlier, we would have come together."

Upon hearing this, Wen Shuyun assumed that the other party couldn't stand her coming to a brothel. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she bowed with a hint of shame, saying, "I am ashamed. A few days ago, I was deeply impressed by a pipa performance. Now that I heard it was by that same instructor, I have come to appreciate it."

Li Mozhu, holding a wine glass, smiled and put his arm around Liu Ziheng, saying to Wen Shuyun, "Ziheng didn't mean any mockery. He always speaks like this. He's just curious. After all, everyone knows the character of Lord Wen and Young Master Wen."

Upon hearing this, Wen Shuyun seemed to realize something, and his face turned slightly pale. His father had always been old-fashioned and looked down on the people in the red-light district. Twenty years ago, he even joined forces with Prince Anning, who was then a prince, to submit a memorial proposing to close down the red-light district, but the late emperor ignored the opposition of the ministers and that was the end of it.

Wen Shuyun's elder brother, Wen Shuyi, is a gentleman who has inherited his father's demeanor and is known to all. With such a father and brother, Wen Shuyun has been known to be well-behaved since childhood.

Later, when I heard that Lord Wen was serving as an official in the capital, I was afraid that my youngest son would be led astray, so I sent my eldest son, who was unemployed at home, to accompany my youngest son to Huaicheng to study.

Since the two brothers arrived here, they have gone to the academy to study quietly and have no interest in socializing with others through poetry gatherings. They never come to this red-light district to chat with a few old friends.

As for the first time he met Liu Yin, it was also the first time he stepped into this red-light district. He was only looking for someone, but he never expected to encounter such a filthy thing. After listening to "Pipa Language", he started to come here frequently. He didn't do anything when he came here, just sat in the hall and listened to the music. Therefore, he was teased by his close friend.

Li Mozhu came from a merchant family and had traveled all over the country with his family since childhood. He had learned to be very perceptive and quick-witted, and naturally noticed Wen Shuyun's discomfort. He quickly changed the subject and said with a smile, "Brother Wen, you've also come for the sake of that religious authority?"

These questions indeed diverted Wen Shuyun's attention and opened his mouth: "Indeed, this person's 'Pipa Language' amazed the world. I heard that she has a new piece released today, so naturally I must show my support." As he spoke, he looked curiously at Li Mozhu and the other man, "How come you two brothers are here for this reason as well?"

"No, it's not me. I came here for your beauty, but Brother Ziheng has been waiting for you for a long time." Li Mozhu smiled and nudged Liu Ziheng beside her.

Wen Shuyun turned her gaze to Liu Ziheng, about to say something, but saw him frown slightly and look at a corner opposite. Wen Shuyun followed his gaze.

That corner was originally a small doorway leading from the backyard to the front hall, which was used by servants like maids who helped out. But now, a beautiful figure was standing there.

The figure, with her back to everyone, wore a dark-colored long jacket and a pine-green pleated skirt. Her hair was styled in a round bun, with a kingfisher feather tassel hairpin at the back. Her tall and slender figure surprised Wen Shuyun.

The figure looked somewhat familiar to him. Just as he was about to take a closer look, the woman had already spoken to the woman beside her and was about to leave. As she turned around, her profile was revealed.

Looking at that profile, Wen Shuyun pondered for a long time but couldn't remember where she had seen this person before. Just as she was about to continue chatting with Liu Ziheng about the Ministry of Education and the two new songs that appeared today, she saw Liu Ziheng staring intently at the woman's departing figure, his brows furrowed as if he were thinking about something.

"Brother Liu?" Wen Shuyun glanced at Liu Yin's departing figure and then at Liu Ziheng, a hint of doubt in his eyes. "Do you know that woman?"

"Hmm?" Liu Ziheng was interrupted by Wen Shuyun. He looked at the departing person and replied, seemingly lost in thought, "No, I mistook you for someone else."

"Huh?" Li Mozhu looked at the two men with some confusion, not knowing what they were talking about, but he didn't delve into it. "Come, come, gentlemen, let's have a drink together."

Liu Ziheng and Wen Shuyun turned to look at him, put aside their many thoughts, smiled, raised their glasses, and drank together.

Liu Yin was unaware of what happened next. She was watching the performance she had designed with her mother upstairs when, after the performance, Xu's mother suddenly called someone to tell her that someone was looking for her.

After telling her mother, she followed the maid to the first floor and saw that Zhang Yueniang had changed into a simple and elegant dress worn by the girls in the building, but her expression still showed some restraint and discomfort.

"Zhang Yueniang? You're looking for me?" Liu Yin was a little surprised. She and Zhang Yueniang could meet on ordinary days, so she really didn't know why Zhang Yueniang had summoned her to this place at this moment. Thinking about it, she looked around. This place was a side gate where servants came and went. At this time, they were all serving in various places, so this place was relatively quiet.

"This servant... Jun..." Zhang Yueniang lowered her head and hesitated for a moment, not knowing how to begin.

Liu Yin was not in a hurry. She looked through the side door into the hall, where the lights were bright and the women were all around. The place reeked of alcohol and was filled with the fragrance of perfume. It was like a flower in full bloom, exuding a decadent and nauseating smell.

After waiting for a long time without Zhang Yueniang continuing, she had no choice but to turn her gaze back to Zhang Yueniang: "You won't survive more than a few days in the red-light district like this."

Zhang Yueniang hesitated for a long time. When she heard Liu Yin say this, she was a little confused. She looked up at Liu Yin with a puzzled expression, as if waiting for her to explain the problem to her.

Liu Yin stared at her without answering, but turned to look at the backyard, as if she had thought of something, and said, "Have you ever been to the lowest-class brothel?"

Zhang Yueniang maintained her delicate and frail demeanor, speaking softly, "No...no, my...my husband...knocked me unconscious and brought me here..."

"Go back and take a look. I hope you can figure things out after you see it. Either find a way to leave, or find a way to accept it." Liu Yin sighed as she thought about the scene she had accidentally witnessed. Then, seeing Zhang Yueniang's thoughtful expression, she didn't want to wait any longer and turned to leave.

But Zhang Yueniang grabbed her sleeve, and as if she had made up her mind, she pointed to a man in blue robes in a corner on the first floor and said softly, "That...that man is...my...my...husband."

She pronounced the word "husband" so softly and delicately that Liu Yin almost didn't hear it in the noisy environment. Fortunately, the corner was relatively quiet, and her hearing was good enough to catch those two light words.

Liu Yin turned her head and saw that the man was over seven feet tall, with handsome features and a refined air. Watching him raise his cup to drink with his companions, even with a beautiful courtesan beside him, he showed no sign of frivolity. His demeanor was that of a true gentleman. If Liu Yin hadn't known his background, she might have been deceived by his appearance.

"She does look quite presentable, no wonder she managed to win you over," Liu Yin teased Zhang Yueniang with interest.