How to become a Taoist priest starting from a brothel

With the autumn breeze blowing and chrysanthemums blooming in profusion, this is the time in Huaicheng for families to hold chrysanthemum appreciation banquets, either inviting close friends and relatives to gather or inviting dignitaries, wealthy merchants, and gentry to show off their talents.

Because chrysanthemum appreciation banquets are common in autumn, everyone knows how to attend them every year. Those who can attend the banquets of officials and dignitaries will naturally go, and those who cannot will try to find a way to attend. It is also easier to make arrangements for relatives and friends to attend or not attend on certain days.

However, there are always some chrysanthemum appreciation banquets that, despite their low status, can still amaze people every year. Among them, the most attention-grabbing are the Zhang family and the Shen family. The Zhang family has been in business for generations, and their rice shops are located all over the country.

The Shen family was somewhat peculiar. They were originally a low-ranking family and should have disliked such business dealings. However, the previous head of the family had no choice but to put aside his pride and plunge into the business world in order to support his family, thus accumulating a considerable fortune.

It's a pity that the Shen family doesn't have many members this generation, only one daughter and one son. The daughter is fine, but the son is a troublemaker. In addition, he has been weak since childhood. So, the daughter has taken over the family business. It's rare that the eldest daughter of the Shen family is a business prodigy.

In just over ten years, she transformed the previously unknown Shen family in Huaicheng into a leading business. Today, after returning from inspecting the shops, she learned of the Liu family and sent out a letter.

"Master, Lady Liu has arrived." A woman dressed in a neat martial arts uniform quickly approached Miss Shen, who was dressed in gorgeous clothes, in the middle of the banquet and bowed.

Miss Shen was delighted upon hearing this and quickly stood up to go out and greet them.

The other ladies and young women found this strange, and a few couldn't help but whisper among themselves to the ladies and young women they knew, "Which distinguished guest is Master Shen welcoming?"

"Yes, but the prefect's wife is here? Didn't they say they'd all be here these past few days..."

"Shut up, those are not things we can talk about..."

"Indeed, she must be some wealthy businessman's wife..."

As everyone looked out of the courtyard, they saw the eldest daughter of the Shen family, who had just gone out, leading another woman with an ordinary face but an extraordinary air about her as she entered.

At first glance, they saw that the person was dressed in simple and elegant clothes, and the maid behind her was also dressed in martial arts attire, holding a pipa in her arms. This person was none other than Liu Yin.

“This is…” One of the ladies looked at Liu Yin’s face and couldn’t help but feel a little strange.

"Isn't this Lady Liu?" Some people recognized her, while others knew her. The other lady who knew her was already overjoyed.

"Lady Liu?" The lady who had said she looked familiar earlier had now realized, "Could it be that Liu Jianniang?"

“Indeed, this woman is a true talent. Not only are her lyrics and music superb, but her work, ‘Biographies of a Hundred Flowers,’ is also exceptional. I’ve cried many times over it.” Another lady chimed in.

“Yes, that blue rose is my favorite. My favorite quote isn’t the one that’s most common on the streets these days, ‘Freedom is more important than life,’ but rather, ‘Even as a woman, I have the freedom to choose.’ How beautifully said!” The ladies who had overheard them chimed in.

"Yes, even though Rose endured such cruel torture, she never gave up hope of leaving. Even though she later died in a mass grave, she felt that her death was worthwhile, at least she left the brothel."

"I like the songbird. What a wonderful child. He lived in the red-light district full of hope. Even when he was deceived, he always held onto hope. In the end, he finally got the peaceful life he longed for with that unwavering hope."

"I do regret that the songbird didn't choose the young general who liked her," one of the ladies remarked with a sigh.

"But as Naruto said, even if the young general said he would give her the position of his principal wife, does the young general really like her? Or is it just the seemingly kind and understanding Naruto that is being pretended to be? Besides, the young general's position is too high. It's not good. Just thinking about the scorn Naruto will receive if she goes back with the general with hope makes my heart ache."

"That's true, but besides these, I also like Lingyu, the one who loves hunting and runs freely in the mountains and forests, known as the Mountain Spirit. It's a pity that Lingyu's legs were broken and she can no longer run."

They didn't notice that ever since someone revealed Liu Yin's identity, one lady had been sitting not far away with an extremely unpleasant expression, her face stern.

“Yes…” The ladies chatted more and more enthusiastically, and as their voices grew louder, they were caught by Liu Yin and the others who had just entered.

Miss Shen smiled and said to Liu Yin, "It seems that Master Liu's works have truly touched people's hearts."

"You're too kind, it's all thanks to everyone's kindness," Liu Yin said modestly.

"Master Liu is too modest. We look forward to seeing more of your works." Hearing their conversation, the lady who was standing a little closer hurried over to greet them.

Following Miss Shen's introduction, Liu Yin also greeted the ladies in the room.

When she came to an elderly wealthy woman, Miss Shen introduced her: "This is Mrs. Yu, the wife of Ruihe Timber Company."

"Greetings, Mrs. Yu. I am Liu Jianniang." Liu Yin gave her a curtsy as before.

"Hmph." But Mrs. Yu was quite strange. She sat firmly like Mount Tai, glancing sideways at Liu Yin with a look of disdain.

Liu Yin wasn't one to fawn over others. Seeing the other woman's attitude, she straightened up, raised an eyebrow, and looked at Madam Yu with a rather dignified yet respectful demeanor, saying, "I wonder where Jian Niang has offended this Madam Yu. I hope you can enlighten me so that I can correct my mistakes."

The women and girls watching had already seen what was happening, and some of them couldn't help but whisper among themselves.

"I told you Mrs. Yu's temper has been acting strange lately, but you wouldn't believe me. This is exactly how everyone in the Liu family behaves." This was someone familiar with the Yu family.

"The Liu family didn't offend her, it's just too unreasonable of them." This was a family member who felt indignant on behalf of Liu Yin.

"You didn't offend me." Mrs. Yu still had that sideways look on her face. She looked at the teacup on the table and then at her own hands. She made Liu Yin stand there for a while before saying disdainfully, "It's just that someone of your status shouldn't be here. You've sullied the Shen family's place."

Before Liu Yin could change her expression, she said to Miss Shen, "Niece of the Shen family, please don't blame Aunt Yu for speaking so harshly. Although you are a woman, you are in charge of all the affairs of the Shen family. Even if you are not a proper woman, it is understandable. But you can't just bring this dirty and smelly stuff into the house and tarnish your family's reputation."

Miss Shen's face changed instantly. She looked at Mrs. Yu and smiled coldly: "What Aunt Yu said makes no sense. Today is a banquet hosted by my Shen family. Whom we invite is for my family to decide."

"It's one thing to let others go..." Mrs. Yu pointed at Liu Yin and said, "She should be kneeling in front of me and begging for forgiveness. How dare she sit on equal footing with me?"