How to become a Taoist priest starting from a brothel

Liu Yin followed her finger and saw the two children, who looked no more than seven or eight years old, whom she had just seen. She stood up abruptly and looked at Xu's mother in disbelief, angrily rebuking her: "Have you really been blinded by money? How could you do such a heinous thing?"

She pointed at the two children: "How old are they? They're not even as big as your youngest daughter combined. They're not even big enough to pinch in one hand. Did you get addicted to eating the blood and bones of those children back then?"

As she spoke, she pointed to the various houses adorned with red and green decorations that were clearly visible outside the window: "Why don't you make a big fuss about it and let those gossipers see how powerful Madam Qingyintang is, daring to break even the rule that children under twelve can't be prostitutes!"

"You don't need to put on airs here. Liu Jianniang, what do you think this place is? This is a red-light district, a brothel, a place to entertain and serve men. Those men are your masters. Don't even mention children under twelve. If you pay enough money, do you think no one would refuse to send three- or five-year-old children to you?" After being reprimanded by Liu Yin, Xu Mama slammed her fist on the table in anger.

Then, as if she had just thought of something, she smiled disdainfully before softening her tone and saying to Liu Yin, "Don't try to intimidate me with those sycophants. Do you think they didn't notice when I sent someone into the manor that day? Ha, all the sworn brothers of Meixiang are lackeys. Which one of them is any good? Qingyin Pavilion, Shuyu Tower, Ruanhong Pavilion, Zuiyue Tower, which of these places isn't doing this kind of business behind the scenes?"

After saying that, she looked at Liu Yin meaningfully and continued, "I'm being merciful. Back when Qingyin entered the brothel, some important people took a liking to her. If it weren't for my concern for her weak health, she would probably be a pile of rotten flesh in that mass grave ten years ago."

Her words made Liu Yin's face turn deathly pale. She had never imagined that such things were so frequent in the red-light district. She knew that life in brothels was not easy. The first-class brothels were okay, but the other brothels were simply not fit for human beings. She also knew that the prostitutes in the red-light district only had a few years of sexual life before they either died of illness or old age. Only one or two out of millions of people could redeem themselves and live in Yong'an Lane like her master and mother.

Seeing that she had stopped criticizing with a pale face, Xu's mother finally softened her tone and gently took Liu Yin's hand: "Alright, I know you feel sorry for these children, but this is their fate. Whether they take customers sooner or later, it's all the same. Just consider it their bad luck and what they deserve."

Without waiting for Liu Yin's reply, he pushed the two children into her arms. Liu Yin caught them easily. Looking at the fear in the children's eyes, she felt a sharp pain in her heart. For a moment, she was confused. Could writing a book really save these children?

"Alright, stop this. I won't let you teach for nothing. How about three thousand taels of silver?" Xu's mother didn't seem to care at all, and instead started talking to her about wages.

"I don't know how to teach them!" Liu Yin said in a hoarse voice, her hands trembling as she stroked the two children's bewildered faces, looking firmly at Xu's mother. "I don't know how to teach them!"

"Liu Jianniang, you've got some nerve!" Mama Xu slammed her teacup on the table. "If the Prince's Mansion hadn't specifically chosen you, do you think you'd have a chance to be on the job? You're asking for it."

"Mother is so powerful now, with money from the business and power from the royal palace. She doesn't seem to care about me anymore. So Qingyin Hall probably doesn't need me anymore. Why don't we tear up the contract and go do whatever we want?" Liu Yin looked at her with a cold smile.

“Mother, I can’t afford to offend the Liu family.” Xu’s mother seemed genuinely unconcerned about Liu Yin’s departure, looking at her with a mocking expression. “The Liu family is quite powerful now, but so what? You’re nothing but a lowly hussy in this brothel. Even if it’s Yong’an Lane, once you’re in a brothel, you’re tainted for life. Your mother is, and so are you.”

Seeing that Liu Yin didn't care about her mockery at all, Xu's mother revealed a hint of pride and said to Liu Yin, "I, your mother, like to plan ahead the most. Back then, you were very arrogant in your dealings with me, but one flower can't compare to a riot of colors. So today, I'm introducing you to a new friend."

As soon as she finished speaking, she clapped her hands, and someone walked in from outside. Liu Yin looked up and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "It's you!"

Liu Yin was surprised by the newcomer, while Madam Xue laughed angrily as a young girl knelt before her: "What did you say? Master, I didn't hear you clearly?"

"Master...Master...I...I want to stay in Huaicheng." The girl was none other than her little apprentice whom she had always taken in.

"Tell me," Madam Xue said, suppressing her anger and looking at the girl with a cold expression.

"Master, I...I want to become the number one lyricist in the world." The girl shrank back in fear, but then straightened up as if she had thought of something and looked at Madam Xue with determination.

“Ci Niang…do you know what the name I gave you means?” Madam Xue looked at her and smiled coldly.

“I…I know…” The girl pursed her lips and glanced at her cautiously. “My master named me Yuening, hoping I could be happy and live a peaceful life.”

“Yes, happiness, peace, how wonderful! I taught you the pipa so that you could ask your master for favor, so that you could be given a good family status and a good husband in the future, and have a skill to rely on. But what do you want now?” Madam Xue pinched Yuening’s chin with her long, bright red fingernails, her eyes filled with anger and disappointment.

“I know, but Master, I have studied for ten years and practiced diligently every day. When I went on stage, I sang and played well, but in reality, everyone praised you, that Liu Jianniang. They only praised your lyrics as unparalleled, but did they ever see me sitting on the stage singing and playing?” Yu Ning pushed away Madam Xue’s hand, her long fingernails scratching a bloody mark on her cheek, but she didn’t care at all.

“Master, after ten years of hard study, I want everyone to see and admire how wonderful Huaicheng is, with so many high-ranking officials and nobles. It also has the largest brothel in our dynasty. I am sure I can make a name for myself here and become a great master.” Yuening stood up straight and looked at Madam Xue. “Master, Yongcheng is not good enough for me. Don’t you want me to be happy? I am very happy now.”

"I have taken five disciples in my life. Your eldest sister was unparalleled in beauty, yet she met a tragic end without a proper burial. Your second sister was exceptionally talented, but she met the wrong man and died in the Li River at the young age of twenty. Your third brother's guqin playing amazed the world, yet he ended up with both hands crippled and died in depression. Your fourth brother was the most loyal and honest, but he betrayed his master for some gold and silver, and not long ago his head was placed before me. Now, my most beloved little disciple is also going to betray me for a mere reputation?"

"Master, I am not a senior sister or brother. I will not be obsessed with love or wealth. I only want fame, not the fame of a musician, but the fame of being the best in the world that everyone can see!" Yu Ning did not take Madam Xue's words to heart at all.

"Number one in the world? Ci Niang? Ha, there is already one Liu Jianniang in the world. How do you think you can climb over her to get ahead?" Madam Xue looked at her with a mocking expression.

“Master, I’ve found someone to help me. She said she would let me replicate Liu Jianniang’s methods. I’m sure I will succeed.” Yue Ning thought of that person’s promise and felt that a bright future had opened up for her.

Looking at her like that, Madam Xue felt that all the lessons she had taught her over the past ten years had been wasted. She was too lazy to talk to her anymore and simply waved her hand to let her leave.

Yuening assumed her master had agreed and immediately kowtowed to Madam Xue with a beaming smile before turning to pack her things. She didn't notice at all that Madam Xue was looking at her with such cold eyes, and even uttered four words: "Willingly debase yourself."

Behind Madam Xue, a male voice rang out: "I warned you long ago that this child is much worse than the previous ones. Those eyes of his are really restless."