How to become a Taoist priest starting from a brothel

Liu Yin was completely unaware of this. She only felt that the man in blue had looked at her very strangely, and she couldn't help but feel a little worried. She was unsure if it was because her identity had been exposed. It wasn't until the man suddenly turned around and walked quickly in front of her toward the flower hall that she felt a little relieved. She was afraid that the man had remembered something urgent and was looking for Prince Cui.

However, thinking that she might stumble upon their conversation at her current speed, she tentatively asked Steward Zhao, "Steward Zhao, did that Master Zuo go to see the young master just now? If so, wouldn't we be disturbing the young master if we went over now?"

After hearing this, Steward Zhao also looked hesitant. After a moment of hesitation, he led Liu Yin onto a side path, not forgetting to express his gratitude: "Thank you for the reminder, Lady Liu. Please sit in the pavilion for a while while I go and ask the young master for instructions."

"It was my fault for being so talkative. I'm sure even if I hadn't reminded Steward Zhao, he would have figured it out." Liu Yin was not about to accept his thanks directly. She knew that the servants of the Anle Prince's Mansion were the most arrogant. If she accepted his thanks now, they might cause trouble for her tomorrow. So she quickly said a few polite words.

Steward Zhao was a shrewd man, so he naturally saw through Liu Yin's meaning. He didn't care, just smiled and said a few more polite words to Liu Yin before turning around to ask for instructions.

Zuo Mingyuan strode to the flower hall and saw Prince Cui leaning casually against a chair by the window, tapping a folding fan in his hand and seemingly looking at the scenery outside with interest.

Hearing someone enter, he turned around with an air of elegance, about to say something, when he saw Zuo Mingyuan. He froze, his expression instantly changing. He stood up and greeted him: "Brother Mingyuan, is there anything you haven't explained? Please have a seat."

Zuo Mingyuan was taken aback by the question, but he was usually cold and aloof, so he didn't let the other person notice his loss of composure. He knew he had been a bit rash, but after thinking for a moment, he found an excuse: "I want to ask you about the red-light district."

"The red-light district?" Prince Cui was quite surprised. In his memory, Zuo Mingyuan had always been aloof from women. Why would he inquire about such a place as the red-light district? After pondering for a while, he feigned surprise and said, "Oh dear, could it be that our Brother Mingyuan is finally going to break his fast?"

Zuo Mingyuan ignored his teasing, found a nearby bench and sat down, looking like he was about to launch into a long speech, before slowly saying, "No, it's just..."

"But what?" Prince Cui's doubts deepened as he observed the prince's demeanor.

"You asked me to investigate Cui Heng of Shengyuan Trading Company before. I've found some clues and I think it's best to tell you first," Zuo Mingyuan said to him unhurriedly.

"Oh?" Prince Cui didn't pay attention to Zuo Mingyuan's unusually long sentence, but was instead drawn to its content, and couldn't help but ask, "Who is the master behind that bastard?"

Zuo Mingyuan was prepared for his attitude. After all, ever since Shengyuan Trading Company appeared in Huaicheng, it had been targeting the properties of the Prince Anle's Mansion. Especially that Cui Heng, who was backed by some powerful figure. Not only did he openly direct the trading company to target the Prince Anle's Mansion, but he also secretly collected evidence of the Prince Anle's Mansion's crimes. Previously, because of his blatant disregard, the Prince Anle's Mansion had lost face among the powerful figures in Huaicheng. During this period, it had already spread throughout the city that the Prince Anle's Mansion was no longer at peace.

Just as Zuo Mingyuan had thought, Prince Cui had been ridiculed by the powerful and influential people in the city because of Cui Heng's provocation. Although they dared not say anything to his face because he was a prince, they never held back their words. After all, he had been kept in the capital for education because he was favored by the emperor. Now, although he claimed to be returning to his fiefdom, everyone knew that the emperor was probably suspicious of the prince's family.

Zuo Mingyuan ignored his many considerations and the anxious look on his face, and continued to speak at his own unhurried pace: "It is indeed from the capital."

"Could it really be that person?" Prince Cui's expression changed, and he pointed to the sky.

Zuo Mingyuan shook his head and continued, "No, we found out that he might be related to the Wanlong Trading Company, which suddenly appeared and disappeared in the capital thirteen years ago."

“Wanlong Trading Company…” Prince Cui frowned, and after a moment’s recollection, he remembered the Wanlong Trading Company that had caused such a stir in the city back then. He couldn’t help but say, “Yes, their style was all about bullying and beating up the powerful and wealthy.”

Then, as if wanting to confirm again, he asked again, "Are you sure you're from Wanlong Trading Company?"

“Seventy percent.” Zuo Mingyuan lowered his head and pondered for a moment before giving a number.

Upon hearing the figure of 70%, Prince Cui was already certain. He had cooperated with Zuo Mingyuan for many years and trusted the latter's ability to gather information. His eyes darted around, and an idea came to him: "Brother Mingyuan, I need your help again."

"Please speak, Your Highness," Zuo Mingyuan said politely.

"Qingyintang also appeared around that time. I need you to investigate whether the two are related." Prince Cui thought of Xu Yinling, who had been talking about Cui Heng before. He narrowed his eyes and carefully considered the matter. Then he said, "By the way, also help me check whether Wanlong Trading Company and Anning Prince's Mansion were related back then."

Upon hearing the words "Prince Anning's Mansion," Zuo Mingyuan's expression changed. He quickly lowered his head to drink tea to cover it up, and then slightly raised his head to ask, seemingly unintentionally, "Wasn't Prince Anning's Mansion already raided? How could it be related to them?"

“I found it strange back then. At that time, the struggle for the throne was very important. Suddenly, Wanlong Trading Company appeared in the capital and suppressed the businesses of several princes everywhere, making a huge mess of things. Not long after, Prince Anning proposed ten reforms and even proposed to abolish brothels, which attracted the collective targeting of the powerful and noble people in the capital. Not long after, Wanlong Trading Company disappeared. Two years later, he was arrested and Wanlong Trading Company also disappeared completely. I always felt that there was some connection between the two.”

Upon hearing this, Zuo Mingyuan felt a surge of self-reproach for blurting out the Wanlong Trading Company's affairs in his haste. He never expected that this seemingly纨绔 (wan ku, a spoiled and dissolute young master) prince would possess such astonishing investigative abilities, managing to connect him to the Anning Prince's Mansion so easily. However, thinking of the woman he had met today, he suppressed his panic and replied, "No problem. But the Anning Prince's Mansion has been destroyed for so long, I'm afraid we won't be able to find anything."

"Go keep an eye on Cui Heng. I always feel it's strange that he suddenly appeared in the red-light district. I heard he was looking for a woman there before, saying he was looking for his sister, but I always feel he was looking for his missing cousin from years ago. This is just my speculation. You can make the arrangements yourself." Prince Cui waved his hand, as if to say that he was leaving the decision to him.

Upon hearing him mention his younger cousin, a flicker of regret crossed Zuo Mingyuan's eyes...