How to become a Taoist priest starting from a brothel

"What's going on?" A man in blue robes was pulling his companion along as they were heading to a famous restaurant for dinner when they noticed people rushing off in one direction.

"I don't know." His companion stopped a passerby and asked curiously, "Young master, has something happened up ahead?"

"You don't know yet? Master Liu has published a new collection of stories, this time with ten stories. It's going on sale at Baowentang today, and everyone's rushing over." With that, he pushed away the hand that was tugging at his sleeve and strode forward, his voice carried on the wind, "I can't talk to you anymore, I'm running late."

"The story of Lady Liu!" The man in blue looked surprised, then grabbed his companion and ran over. "Quick, quick, let's go too!"

This scene unfolded in the Qinhuai area, and everyone who heard about it rushed to Baowentang Bookstore, quickly filling the entrance to the bookstore to capacity.

"No, no, no, don't rush!" A scholar whose shoe had been knocked off was so angry that he stammered.

"Shopkeeper! I want ten books!" Another servant, clearly from a wealthy family, shouted loudly, holding up his money bag.

"Me! Me! Me! I want three books!" Another servant, whose identity was unknown, quickly raised his money bag and shouted.

As the servants egged them on, the others who hadn't yet squeezed in became even more anxious, wishing they could just fly in.

"Shopkeeper! Please save some for us!"

"Who stole my book? This is an insult to literature! An insult to literature!"

……

This scene not only broadened the horizons of the manager of Baowentang, but also broadened the horizons of others in Qinhuai and Liangfu. No one expected that in just one month, Liu Dajia's talent and reputation would spread even further, and that she would achieve such a great success when she first sold books.

"Our Sword Maiden is truly amazing. One book has shaken both Qinhuai Prefectures!" Zhang Wen'an said, unable to hide the joy on his face as he sipped his tea.

"It's all thanks to my aunt for helping me create this momentum; otherwise, there wouldn't have been such a grand occasion." Liu Yin offered a cup of tea to Zhang Wen'an as a toast.

"Hahahaha, no matter how capable your aunt is, she can't do it without your talent." Zhang Wen'an sighed deeply before continuing, "This Baowentang was the only property my grandmother left me. It has always been half-dead. It was also the only thing I took with me when I left the capital. I thought it would be difficult in Huaicheng, but I didn't expect Jianniang to help me out."

"Everything is fine now." Liu Yin smiled as she held her teacup, saying nothing more.

The two turned their gaze to the bustling scene at Baowentang on the street across the street, and for a moment they were speechless.

With a creak, the two turned around and saw Madam Liu and Aunt Liu leading Zhang's two children in.

Before the two could say anything, Zhang Ruiniang skipped over to Liu Yin's side: "Sister Liu, you are so amazing! You don't know how many people have been talking about your book on the way back."

“Yes, Sister Liu.” Zhang Zhiwen also stepped forward, his face flushed with excitement. “You don’t know how many of my classmates are praising you. I’m so grateful that I asked my father to save a few copies for me to give to them. They are so envious of me now.”

This was no exaggeration. As a student who had suddenly transferred to the class, he was naturally not very close to his original classmates. But as soon as he brought the newly printed book into the school, he immediately attracted everyone's attention. Especially after learning that the book would not be available for mass sale for another two days, they became even closer to Zhang Zhiwen simply by asking them to help read it. In this way, he made some good friends.

"Especially those two brothers from Class B, Liyanzhai Ziheng and Mozhu, who haven't asked me to buy books? Now that there's this buying frenzy, I'm even more in control." As he spoke, a smug look appeared on Zhang Zhiwen's face.

“It would be good to help my cousin.” Liu Yin then remembered something and reminded him, “But these books are just stories, after all. My cousin should read some serious books.”

“My cousin is too modest,” Zhang Zhiwen said seriously. “Although your book is written in simple language, it contains profound truths. If it weren’t for what you wrote in your book, how would we, who have been studying so hard, know that women in this world have such a hard life, and that ordinary people have such a hard life?”

Hearing her say that, Liu Yin didn't know what to say. Seeing this, Aunt Liu quickly interrupted the two of them: "Alright, it's a good thing that you siblings care about each other. You should continue to do so in the future, okay?"

Seeing the three children nod obediently in agreement, she smiled and said, "Alright, today was the day our two families planned to get together. Staying in the teahouse is too boring. Let's go straight home."

No one thought her decision was inappropriate. Zhang Ruiniang happily snuggled up to Liu Yin and said, "Sister Liu, you've been so busy these days. You must take a good look at the gift I prepared for you today."

"Alright, Sister Rui Niang." Looking at her innocent smile, Liu Yin felt all the fatigue that had accumulated over the past month vanish...

A month has passed since the argument with Xu's mother. During this month, Liu Yin has not gone to Qingyin Hall again, nor has the other party sent anyone to invite her. They only came once at the end of the month to ask for new manuscripts and lyrics, which Liu Yin did not stop and gave them to them directly.

Perhaps the competition spread Liu Jianniang's name too far, because in the past month, many self-proclaimed good lyricists from nearby cities came to her door with their musicians or apprentices.

Therefore, the stage on that main road was never dismantled, and Liu Yin accepted every challenge. It wasn't until recently, when the people who came were of mixed quality, that the prefect set new rules.

With Madam Xue's help, it was decided that to challenge Liu Jianniang, one must first compete against another, and the winner would first have to defeat a Ci Niang arranged by Madam Xue before finally facing off against Liu Jianniang.

That's why she had some free time today. But thanks to the competition these past few days, Liu Yin has been turning her stories into lyrics and music. These stories have sparked everyone's interest, and with Aunt Liu's behind-the-scenes support, this grand occasion has come about.

On the way back from the Zhang family, we passed by Qingyin Hall. Although it was daytime, the red-light district was still bustling, especially at the entrance of Qingyin Hall. Liu Yin glanced at her former sisters and saw some of them standing upstairs soliciting customers. She couldn't help but wonder, "Mother, why has Qingyin Hall become like this?"

It's no wonder Liu Yin found it strange. The red-light district has its own hierarchy. First-class brothels are always prestigious, and they wouldn't allow those women to show their faces in public and solicit customers, which would be beneath their dignity. But now, she noticed that four or five first-class brothels were soliciting customers at their doors.

"It's all thanks to that Lady Yuening's tricks." Madam Liu also saw the situation outside the carriage window and couldn't help but let out a cold smile.

"Yuening...my wife?" Liu Yin frowned slightly.

“Yes, that Lady Yuening is now the head of Qingyin Hall, and she has even brought the customs of Yongcheng’s red-light district with her…” Madam Liu’s eyes were full of disdain.