How to become a Taoist priest starting from a brothel

After several rounds of drinks, everyone had eaten their fill. Miss Shen then instructed the servants to clear the table and set up tables and snacks of various kinds around the flower hall. Only then did Liu Yin, carrying her pipa, walk to the center.

"Childhood sweethearts, a dream of those youthful days, deep and tender family bonds, all turned to dust in an instant. My mother was a woman of unparalleled beauty, yet fate dealt her a cruel hand, the family collapsed overnight, and she was left adrift in the mortal world... Alas, my life has been filled with hardship. Amidst the vicissitudes of life, my mother forced a smile, concealing a thousand mountains of sorrow within her heart. Though we are weak, our will is firm. We vow to carry on our father's will without complaint, using our pens as swords to cut through thorns and seek the clear spring of life..."

As soon as the lyrics and music began, everyone knew that Liu Yin was singing about her parents' story. Her voice was not as intense as the previous song; instead, the melody flowed gently, and her singing was tender and beautiful, as if she were telling the tragic story of a pair of lovers.

The audience was drawn into the world of a loving couple by the lyrics and music. This world might be a tragedy, or it might be full of regrets, but the singer sang with a sense of relief, while the listeners listened with a sense of bewilderment.

"This music is so beautiful. If I met someone with such a kind heart, I'm afraid..." Even the girls who were about to get engaged couldn't help but admire the couple's love.

"Yes, it's rare to find a true lover in this world..." They didn't know what the future held for them, but they still held onto hope.

After Liu Yin finished singing, there was another round of cheers. Strangely enough, Madam Yu was about to continue her mockery, but was stopped by a maid who was with her. The maid had left for a while and had been looking worried ever since she returned. Seeing that Madam Yu was about to offend someone again, she not only stopped her but also whispered in her ear for a long time.

Seeing Mrs. Yu's changing expressions, Liu Yin knew that she had completed the task she had given Mei Wu, and couldn't help but ask Mrs. Yu, "Mrs. Yu, aren't you in a hurry to go home?"

"You did it!" Mrs. Yu looked at Liu Yin, and remembering the news she had just heard, she immediately stood up and was about to rush over to attack Liu Yin.

Unfortunately, Mei Wu stopped her. Looking at the woman in martial arts attire standing in front of her, Madam Yu angrily lowered her hand, pointed at Liu Yin and shouted, "You wait, my Yu family will never let you go."

"I await your presence." Liu Yin smiled and bowed to her, her smile extremely dignified, which only made the other person even angrier.

Only after Mrs. Yu turned and left did Miss Shen take Liu Yin's hand and ask curiously, "What did you do to make Mrs. Yu so angry?"

"It's nothing. I just saw that Mrs. Yu, with her failing eyesight, mistook her husband's mistress for someone else. It just so happens that the mistress also lives in Yong'an Lane, and I've seen Mr. Yu there a few times. I was thinking that I'd heard that the eldest son of the Yu family isn't in good health, and the second son is quite unruly. I've also heard that this mistress is quite talented, so I thought that since she's mistaken, I might as well send the right one over to her door." Liu Yin looked at everyone with a smile.

The other ladies and young women looked at each other, not knowing what to say for a moment. Fortunately, Miss Shen was the first to react and burst out laughing. She wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and said in a calm manner, "Oh dear, this is a good thing. Thanks to Lady Liu, the Yu family can finally have a successor."

Hearing her say this, the other wives couldn't help but echo her, but in their hearts they also cheered loudly for Liu Yin's methods. This Mrs. Yu always thought that her family was rich and powerful, and that Mr. Yu had no concubines, and even only two sons and one daughter, all of whom were legitimate children. She usually looked down on those of them who were not as good as her in terms of family affairs, or those who had concubines at home.

But what could they do? In this day and age, they had no say in the business world. Not to mention that exchanging concubines was considered an elegant affair, and many families even raised daughters to be given to officials.

Miss Shen was the one who suffered the most from Mrs. Yu's persecution because of her grandmother's problems. She was also the one who most wanted to see the Yu family's misfortune. She pretended to be tired and said to everyone, "I was fortunate enough to hear two songs by Master Liu today. I will definitely host a good banquet for Master Liu in the future. However, it is getting late today, so why don't you all leave?"

Logically speaking, it would be very impolite for a guest to suggest leaving the host's house before even saying they were leaving. However, everyone understood Miss Shen's thoughts, so they all agreed, "Yes, yes, we're tired today too, let's call it a day."

After everyone left, Liu Yin took her leave. Miss Shen didn't say anything, but held her hand and said repeatedly, "Ms. Liu, I do have an important matter to ask of you. I hope you can allow me to visit you another day."

"Of course, I will certainly welcome you with open arms," ​​Liu Yin replied with a smile, but inwardly she couldn't help but wonder about the other party's purpose.

The Yu family was bustling for quite a while. Even though Mrs. Yu rushed back, she was entangled at the gate for a long time before she could bring the mothers and children into the mansion. Even Miss Shen, who arrived late, saw the scene. From then on, the story of the philandering Master Yu was spread in Huaicheng for more than a month.

Time flew by, and under the blanket of snow, the people of Yongcheng welcomed the New Year. Liu Yin also welcomed her first New Year in this other world.

"Mother, are my aunts and uncles planning to release the manuscript I sent over next month?" Liu Yin was happily eating some colorful fruits when she suddenly remembered that the New Year was just two days away, so she asked.

"No, I heard they're printing another batch before the New Year." Madam Liu was turning over the fabric in her hands, planning to make some new clothes for the mother and daughter.

“I see. The head of the Shen family wrote to say that the book is selling very well in other places, and I heard that it is also available in the capital.” Liu Yin looked at the several bolts of fabric and chose the silver-white fabric. “I think this color is perfect for making a skirt with butterflies and flowers, and then make a bodice, and make a sea-blue vest over it, with the crimson trim on the vest.”

"What a strange combination! It's far too plain." Madam Liu rolled her eyes at her and ignored her.

Liu Yin then pointed to another piece of pale yellow fabric: "Let's use this to make a skirt and a top. I didn't even see this color before."

"That's more like it, just a bit too plain." Madam Liu gestured a few times before nodding.

"It's alright, I like it." Liu Yin ate the fruit, then suddenly thought of something else. "Speaking of which, Mother, I heard from the head of the Shen family that they are looking for people who write rebellious poems everywhere. I'm afraid the court is going to start another literary inquisition. Remember to write to Aunt later and check the books in the bookstore so that you don't break any taboos."

"Oh, I forgot about that. Your aunt also found out and asked me to remind you to check what you wrote carefully." Madam Liu patted her forehead before quickly pulling Liu Yin aside to give her a few more detailed instructions.

"It's alright. I only write love stories here, what's there to be ashamed of?" Liu Yin replied nonchalantly.

“You still need to be careful, and…” Madam Liu paused before saying, “Qingyintang is asking you to write lyrics and music again, so you need to be careful as well. And don’t let Xu Yanyan hold a grudge against you because of what happened before.”

"I don't think so..." Liu Yin said hesitantly.

"Better safe than sorry," Madam Liu instructed again.

Liu Yin could only nod, thinking that this fire probably wouldn't reach Huaicheng now. The New Year was just around the corner, and her contract with Qingyin Hall would be up in a few days after the New Year. She would then investigate it properly.

Little did she know, news of the literary inquisition stirred up malicious intentions in someone who had long harbored hatred towards her…