How to become a Taoist priest starting from a brothel

“It’s not necessarily a bad idea, but…” General He frowned, “If that’s the case, the court officials will force you to relinquish power, and then…”

“Then it won’t be up to me, will it?” Duan’an smiled and said, “I know, don’t worry, Uncle, I know what I’m doing.”

“Since you understand, I won’t say anything more. But I think you don’t need to be in such a hurry to expand. You are still young. Even if the court officials don’t mind that you are a woman, they will worry that you are too young to control the court,” General He continued to remind her.

Duan An frowned and nodded, then sighed deeply: "I understand, Uncle, age..."

"I will make arrangements in the capital to try my best to get the eldest prince out, so that the princes can continue to fight each other without affecting you," General He said.

After listening to him finish speaking, Duan An nodded before continuing, "Now that I have control of eight cities in the Northwest, it is time to manage them well."

Seeing that she listened to his advice, General He was relieved: "Yes, you should raise some children well so that you and your sisters can completely replace the talents of the aristocratic families, just as you think."

"Yes, I understand." Duan An nodded in agreement, finished another cup of water, and then said to General He, "Then I shall take my leave."

General He saw Duan'an off, and only after her figure disappeared from sight did he sigh deeply: "She's only ten years old..."

"What's wrong?" Madam He came out from behind, and seeing his appearance, she frowned slightly, full of confusion.

When General He saw her coming, he quickly stepped forward to help her up, saying, "You're not feeling well right now, you should rest properly, why are you out here?"

Madam He patted his hand and replied, "It's alright, I've been resting for so long, my bones are all stiff from lying around."

"I sensed something was amiss in your words just now. Is something troubling you?" Madam He asked curiously, sitting in her chair and holding the tea offered to her.

"I'm just worried about that child, Duan'an," General He said with a deep sigh.

"Duan'an? She's very capable. I often hear people praising her. What's bothering you?" Madam He asked, somewhat puzzled.

General He thought for a moment before informing them of the changes in the capital.

Madam He frowned slightly, then understood and said with a smile, "I think you're wrong. If the three older princes really do get into trouble, the emperor will definitely support the youngest son. At that time, there will be a good place for Duan'an."

"What are your thoughts, Madam?" General He was taken aback by Madam He's words, and then cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, seeking her guidance.

After thinking for a moment, Madam He carefully explained to him: "I know that you two are worried that if you support the youngest son, Duan'an can only support him as regent, and then he will be forced to relinquish power by the court officials."

"Madam is wise." General He smiled and bowed to his wife.

Madam He rolled her eyes at him before continuing, "It would be extremely difficult to ascend the throne as an empress directly, but it would be much easier to ascend the throne as a regent."

"Please tell me more, Madam." General He's eyes lit up.

"Although Duan'an currently controls seven cities in the Northwest, he has no vested interests with the court officials. On the contrary, because of Yin Rong, they are only enemies. However, if Duan'an were in the court, their interests would be intertwined with his. In order to protect themselves, they would naturally protect Duan'an well, and even..." Madam He continued to explain.

"But... Yin Rong and the aristocratic families are almost mortal enemies." General He clicked his tongue.

Madam He rolled her eyes at him and continued, "Foolish! Has Yin Rong ever done anything that would make the aristocratic families wish she were dead? It's nothing more than some books. Those books only made the aristocratic families less high and mighty, but the countless riches they have accumulated over thousands of years still allow them to be above the common people, don't they?"

General He suddenly realized, then frowned slightly, and asked as if he had thought of something: "But... they are still hunting down Yin Rong."

Madam He smiled and said, "Have you carefully counted which families are among those prominent families?"

General He shook his head: "I don't know."

Seeing his reaction, Madam He smiled and said, "My sister Liu and I were worried about Yin Rong, so we investigated carefully. Those families are all second or third-rate families, but even so, not all of them hate Yin Rong to the bone. Otherwise, there wouldn't still be young noblemen coming to Yancheng to seek refuge with us..."

“They are much smarter and more pragmatic than you think…” Madam He’s face showed a hint of sarcasm.

Hearing her say that, General He couldn't help but feel ashamed. He hadn't thought that much about it and had underestimated the aristocratic families.

The things that the He family couple were discussing were also the things that Liu Yin and Wen Shuyun were talking about at that moment.

"So you actually favor supporting the young master and then making plans?" Wen Shuyun looked at Liu Yin with some confusion.

Liu Yin shook her head: "No, I still hope that Duan An can obtain that position fairly and squarely."

"Then..." Wen Shuyun was even more puzzled.

Liu Yin sighed and said, "But the situation in the capital is unpredictable, and no one can fathom the emperor's thoughts. If it really comes to the point where all the older princes lose power, supporting the young emperor will be almost our only option..."

"What about the capital city..." Wen Shuyun frowned, somewhat troubled.

Seeing him frown, Liu Yin smiled and said, "Don't worry, given the Emperor's mind, he shouldn't be so ruthless."

"You already have a plan in mind?" Wen Shuyun asked hastily upon seeing her like this.

Liu Yin shook her head: "I have no schemes in my heart, but there are too many people in this world who are smarter and more insightful than us. The emperor has not hidden his thoughts, so I'm afraid someone in the capital will make a move..."

"You mean?" Wen Shuyun's face showed a hint of surprise.

Liu Yin sighed before saying, "Nobody wants to be treated like a lamb, much less like a chicken or duck to be slaughtered. Naturally, they will resist."

"Then what do you think..." Wen Shuyun asked, frowning.

Liu Yin shook her head, her brows furrowing slightly: "I can't guess who will make the move either. Maybe one, maybe two, or maybe both..."

"What about your people?" Wen Shuyun couldn't help but feel a little worried.

Liu Yin smiled and said, "Don't worry, I arranged for someone to send a message early this morning, and it should have been received by now..."

As she said, her letter did indeed arrive in the capital.

"Give the order to hide our claws. The more chaotic things are in the capital, the less we can afford to lose our composure..." Eunuch Liu held the letter from Liu Yin that had been brought in and carefully instructed the young eunuch who was serving him.

The young eunuch remained silent, nodded in quiet contemplation, and bowed as he withdrew.

“Eunuch, what should we do…?” Another eunuch, unable to contain himself, stepped forward.