Falling into the mortal world

Seeing that Lan Qingqing had lay down to rest, Cai Die went to the trunk, opened it, and chose a set of clothes. Her own clothes were already tattered, so she changed them and lay down on the couch to rest.

Cai Die felt her eyelids getting heavier and heavier, and her head becoming increasingly sluggish. In her hazy state, she felt someone placing a warm towel on her head, wiping her body, and feeding her medicine.

Lan Qingqing touched Cai Die's forehead; it seemed the fever had subsided. Reassured, Lan Qingqing lay down beside the bed and fell into a deep sleep.

Lan Qingqing had just fallen asleep in the morning when she felt something was wrong. She got up to check on Cai Die and found that Cai Die had developed a high fever. Lan Qingqing stayed by her side to take care of her until the fever subsided in the evening.

When Cai Die woke up, she saw Lan Qingqing sleeping beside her. At that moment, Cai Die felt a warmth in her heart; she hadn't felt this kind of warmth since her father and brother passed away.

Knock, knock, knock. The knocking sound woke Lan Qingqing up.

Lan Qingqing stretched and got up to open the door. She saw Xiao Tao holding a bowl of dark, murky medicine.

Lan Qingqing knew what kind of medicine it was without even thinking. The girls here had to drink a bowl of aphrodisiac medicine as soon as they started entertaining customers.

This medicine, once ingested, will prevent one from ever becoming pregnant again for the rest of their life.

Lan Qingqing took the bowl of medicine and intended to drink it all in one go. In fact, she didn't plan to get married and have children, so it didn't really matter whether she drank the medicine or not.

Just as Lan Qingqing tilted her head back to drink, the bowl was snatched away by Cai Die, who walked up behind her. She asked, "What kind of medicine is this?"

Xiao Tao replied: "Mother He instructed that Miss Honglian must drink the medicine for the childless girl."

After hearing this, Butterfly tilted her head back and drank it without hesitation. After finishing, she placed the empty bowl on Little Peach's tray.

"Cai Die, what are you doing? Do you know how serious the damage this medicine can do to your body?" Lan Qingqing scolded.

Girl, you're so kind, you shouldn't have to suffer like this.

Xiao Tao looked at the empty bowl in her hand with some difficulty and said: But this...

I'll drink this medicine; that way, you can finish your task.

Xiao Tao looked at Hong Lian, then at Cai Die, and then left without saying anything more, taking the empty bowl with her.

Not long after Xiaotao left, Caidie started to have abdominal pain, with waves of cramping pain in her stomach.

Lan Qingqing quickly took out painkillers and gave them to Cai Die. "Why did you do this? This is what I should have suffered."

Girl, you don't need to feel guilty. On the night I served Master Yao, I was already forced to drink a potion that would prevent me from having children. One more bowl or one less bowl makes no difference.

"Your fever has just subsided, and you've already drunk two bowls of this medicine in just two days. Do you know that this could kill you?" Lan Qingqing said with some worry.

Cai Die was in so much pain that she broke out in a cold sweat. "My body is already a withered flower. Whether it's good or bad, it's not a big deal. As long as I can use my broken body to help you, I'll be content." Cai Die finished speaking with great difficulty.

Lan Qingqing looked at the little girl she had casually saved, who had then risked her life to protect her. How could she not be moved?

From that moment on, Lan Qingqing decided she would take her with her and leave this place. Because she had risked her life for her sake.

Lan Qingqing helped Cai Die to bed. Cai Die was writhing in pain. Because she had been taking medication, the painkillers weren't very effective. It wasn't until late into the night that the pain gradually subsided.

Xiao Tao didn't tell He's mother that Lan Qingqing hadn't taken her medicine. So He's mother didn't let Lan Qingqing come out to entertain guests that night.

Lan Qingqing took care of Cai Die all night. The next morning, Lan Qingqing saw that Cai Die was sleeping soundly, so she should be alright.

Lan Qingqing got up and lay down on the bed to rest. She didn't close her eyes all night.

The day before, the prices for the top courtesan at Menghualou were already listed.

On this day, many wealthy merchants and high-ranking officials from other places came to the brothel in plain clothes, all vying for the title of the most beautiful courtesan in Menghua Tower, Honglian, for a single night of passion.

The news spread like wildfire. Everyone knew that the courtesan of Menghua Tower had started receiving guests.

When Lin Shaoyuan heard that Honglian had started taking customers, he also became eager to join in.

That evening, he took Min Nancheng to Menghua Tower.

When Min Nancheng heard that Lan Qingqing had started taking customers, his heart ached involuntarily.

He knew he had fallen in love with this woman, but he also knew she was beyond his reach. He only hoped that one day he could become strong.

Otherwise, I'm afraid even seeing her once would be a luxury.

At night, Menghua Tower was packed with people, three layers deep. Those with money and status entered through the back door. Otherwise, trying to squeeze in through the main entrance was harder than climbing to heaven.

Mrs. He was overjoyed to see so many people had come.

Madam He, you're so unfair! Honglian started taking customers without even telling me. Did you think I couldn't afford it or what? You've ruined my chance to be Honglian's first customer.

Oh dear, Mr. Li, what are you saying? We've run into a very important person, haven't we? I wouldn't dare offend him!

Master Li instantly realized that the person behind Madam He was none other than the Prince Ming. Someone that even Madam He dared not offend must have quite a background.

Aunt He, I came here today specifically for Miss Honglian. You'd better think of me.

"That's for sure." Mrs. He smiled broadly, her eyes practically disappearing from her teeth.

That evening, Lan Qingqing, dressed in a red gauze dress, was incredibly alluring, captivating everyone present.

Lan Qingqing looked at the people below the stage, each of them scrutinizing her as if she were merchandise. This displeased Lan Qingqing greatly.

Mother He asked everyone to bid. Whoever bid the highest will get Honglian tonight.

The hall erupted in a cacophony of noise. Some people were even holding up silver notes and shouting. The price jumped from one thousand taels to one hundred thousand taels.

Lin Shaoyuan followed the bidding for a while, then realized he couldn't raise the price any further. If he were to spend 100,000 taels to visit a brothel, his father would surely kill him.

Min Nancheng looked at Lan Qingqing on the stage, his hands unconsciously clenching into fists.

In the end, Master Hong bought Lan Qingqing's night of passion for 100,000 taels of silver.

Madam He happily accepted the silver note from Master Hong. She examined it carefully and, confirming it was correct, quickly led Master Hong to the Heavenly Immortal Pavilion.

Lan Qingqing had said she wouldn't entertain guests in her room. This wasn't a big deal, so Mother He agreed.

Seeing that there was nothing for her to do, Lan Qingqing went down to prepare. The others, realizing they had no chance, scattered, and some of the clients began to find other girls to keep them company.

Some people, however, hold the belief that there's plenty of time. They think, "It might not be my turn today, but if I'm willing to spend the money, it will definitely be my turn eventually."

Many scholars and literati also silently lamented Lan Qingqing's fate. Such a talented woman. How could she have ended up as a courtesan?