How to become a Taoist priest starting from a brothel

The first month of the lunar calendar finally passed, and Liu Yin was awakened early in the morning by the sound of firecrackers. She rubbed her eyes, put on a big woolen coat, and went out. A strong smell of soybeans wafted towards her.

"Mother, what day is it today? Why are there so many beans?" Liu Yin came from the corridor to the main room and saw a basket of soybeans on the table. Madam Liu was whispering to Aunt Qian about something.

“Today is the second day of the second lunar month, the day the dragon raises its head. I was just discussing it with Aunt Qian. Since our family is reunited this year, why don’t we fry some beans and share some with those poor families?” When Madam Liu saw her coming in wearing a coat and tumbling in her embroidered shoes, she quickly got up and took a few steps to pull her to the brazier in the room. “You too, why did you come out like this? Aren’t you afraid of catching a cold?”

"It's alright, it's just a short walk." Liu Yin straightened her clothes, warmed them slightly, and came to the table. Seeing that the beans in the basket were indeed roasted, she said directly, "If we still have enough money, let's make more, buy some rice and flour, and set up two stalls in the north and south of the city. Let's also give a few bowls of hot porridge to those families who are struggling to make ends meet."

"It's not that it's impossible, but it can only be done for one day, and wouldn't it be too conspicuous?" Madam Liu's concerns were not unfounded. Their status was somewhat special, and they were not from a powerful or wealthy family. Naturally, they had to consider things carefully before doing something like this to win people's hearts.

"It's alright. Those who wanted to build a reputation have already done what they needed to do in the first month of the lunar calendar. Today is the day the new book is going on sale, so let's celebrate. It's only for one day." Liu Yin thought about it and still felt that there was no big deal, so she let Aunt Qian do it without worry.

Aunt Qian naturally had no objection to her masters' decision, so she nodded in agreement. After she left, Madam Liu picked up the basket and said with a smile, "I'm old and don't like to eat these things. I've left this basket for you. You can chew on it for fun when you have nothing to do."

Liu Yin didn't refuse and started eating. To be honest, the cook's skills were really good. The beans were fried until they were crispy and fragrant. For a while, she couldn't stop eating them.

"By the way, I heard from Mei Wu that you withdrew the people who were keeping watch?" Madam Liu asked directly when she saw Liu Yin suddenly remember what Mei Wu had said that morning.

"Well, we've been keeping an eye on this for about a month now. Since no one has reported it after all this time, I don't think it's necessary to waste manpower and resources." Liu Yin nodded indifferently.

"What if someone goes after the first month of the lunar calendar..." Madam Liu was still somewhat worried.

“I know what Mother means, but there are only those who steal for a thousand days, not those who guard against thieves for a thousand days. If someone is really determined to report me, even if I let them go, I can’t stop them. I’ve thought about it for a long time, so I’ll just let it be. If I’m really unlucky and someone reports me, I’ll just ask the government to be lenient. If all else fails, I’ll use money to bribe the authorities. I think I can bribe an innocent person to come out.”

"Then why are you still acting as a money-giving boy today?" Madam Liu's eyes were full of resentment and incomprehension.

"Using money to buy a reputation, that's what those powerful and wealthy people taught me. I'm just being cautious. Don't worry, Mother, everything will be alright." Liu Yin put the beans back into the basket and smiled reassuringly at the worried Madam Liu.

While she was comforting Madam Liu, Yuening of Qingyin Hall was already furious. She had thought that the government was unwilling to make a big fuss during the first month of the lunar year, but after the first month was over, she had painstakingly sent a letter to Old Master Sun, but he simply ignored her and sent a message telling her to behave herself.

"Useless!" Yuening slammed the teacup onto the table, clutching her chest, feeling so angry she could hardly breathe.

She never expected that someone would refuse such a free credit. She naturally didn't know what the government was thinking, but she felt that Liu Yin had used some tricks behind the scenes: "Well done, Liu Jianniang, I don't believe you have enough money to keep buying your way through life."

Her confusion also fell on Steward Sun, who also didn't understand why his master was unwilling to take action against Liu Jianniang. So, he couldn't help but ask the prefect on one of his happier days.

"What benefit would I gain from dealing with Lady Liu?" Zhihu glanced at him lightly and chuckled.

"This... Master, I heard that the capital requires that each prefecture be arrested a few times?" Butler Sun asked again, seeing that he was not angry.

"So what? The people of Huaicheng are loyal and patriotic, and have done nothing wrong. Isn't that better? Our Lord Li can't care about us right now." The prefect didn't seem to care, but there was a hidden meaning in his words.

"Could it be?" The butler hesitated for a moment.

"That person's mission was previously blocked by several other officials, and now he's being pursued very closely. He can't possibly care about such a small matter, and besides..." The prefect left some things unsaid.

Although he didn't say it aloud, the steward seemed to understand something. He had already heard that this literary inquisition was initiated by His Highness the Second Prince, and Li Linfeng was appointed by His Majesty. However, Li Linfeng and the Second Prince did not have a very harmonious relationship.

The prefect looked at his expression, his eyes growing even deeper. He smiled and said nothing more, simply enjoying the view outside the window while sipping his tea. Seeing this, the steward didn't say anything more.

He thought the matter was over, but the next day Prefect Sun received a letter from the capital. When the steward delivered the letter to his study, he was sorting out the disaster situation in the city during the New Year.

"Master, a letter has arrived from the capital." Butler Sun placed the letter on the table and took a few steps back.

"Where did it come from? Did the messenger say anything?" Prefect Sun asked without even looking up.

"They didn't say, only that they were from the capital. There was no message either, only that their master requested that the letter be delivered to the master," Steward Sun replied hastily.

"Alright, I know. You may leave now." Prefect Sun waved his hand to dismiss the other party before continuing to review and organize the data.

By the time he finally finished his official duties, it was already evening. After having dinner and resting for a while, he remembered the letter in his study.

He opened the letter and glanced at it. His expression turned serious. After pondering for a moment, he called in a servant: "Go and deliver a letter to Quanhe Trading Company in the East City."

"Yes, sir." The servant was about to leave with the letter when the prefect suddenly called him back, "Never mind, don't go yet, take the letter back."

Although the servant didn't understand, he still listened to him, put the letter back on the desk, and left.

As the man withdrew, Prefect Sun held a copy of "Biographies of a Hundred Flowers" in his hand. However, it was not the latest edition, but a copy he had taken from his wife that contained the title "The Flower of the Dating Maiden".

The candles in the study burned all night, and he sat on the stool all night until dawn before he called someone over.

Prefect Sun carefully instructed Steward Sun a few words, then summoned the yamen runners and gave them detailed instructions before sending them off to carry out their duties.