"I appreciate my mother's good intentions, and I will keep her words in mind and remain vigilant at all times."
Hearing her say this, her mother couldn't help but shake her head. It seemed that after all her efforts, her daughter remained as stubborn as ever.
Finally, unable to hold back, she added, "I'm just saying, in case, in case you have nowhere to go one day, don't do anything rash. Our door is always open, and you are welcome anytime. Although our place has a bad reputation, at least it's a roof over your head."
Wu Caiwei smiled and nodded. After seeing her mother off, she closed the door and sat alone at the table, receiving memories.
This was a very melodramatic story. The original host was born into a poor farming family. Her parents favored sons over daughters, and there were too many girls in the village. She was sold to a brothel at a young age, mainly because the brothel offered a good price. The young original host settled down there.
To avoid beatings and to have food to eat, she desperately studied music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, becoming a talented woman. When she reached a certain age, her madam pushed her out, causing a sensation.
In her glory days, officials and young masters from all over the city were her esteemed guests. She was a clear-headed woman who knew she couldn't stay in the brothel forever. While she was popular and the gentlemen were willing to spend, she quickly saved some money.
Although the brothel's control over them was very strict, and the madam took the lion's share, sometimes what happened between her and these gentlemen in their rooms was unknown to the madam. Much of the gold and jewels were secretly hidden away by her.
The competition for the top courtesan in the brothel was also fierce. In just three years, someone else became the top courtesan, and Meng'er's income decreased significantly.
She didn't care about this, as her ambitions lay elsewhere. She ate and drank as usual every day. One day, on her way back from buying jewelry, she encountered a man who fainted in front of her carriage.
Meng'er quickly got out of the carriage to check on him. Seeing his scholar-like appearance, she felt a good impression. After all, with her mastery of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, she admired truly talented individuals. In her dreams, she often thought that setting aside her status, only a scholar was worthy of her. If a scholar could overlook her identity, she would follow him wholeheartedly and live a good life. Of course, these were just dreams. In reality, she had seen too many sisters from the brothel being deceived, making her wary of men.
She quickly took him to a doctor. The doctor examined him and said he was starving and would recover with good food and rest at home. After much thought, Meng'er decided to bring him back to the brothel and let him stay in a room designated for servants.
The next day, she heard from a servant that he had woken up. Meng'er didn't think much of it, assuming he would leave in a few days.
However, ten days passed, and he still showed no signs of leaving. Meng'er had to see him personally to ask about his plans.
When Liu Moran woke up on the first day and found himself in a brothel, he couldn't help but frown. Although he was very grateful to the person who saved him, the thought of her being a courtesan made him feel disgusted.
It wasn't that he shamelessly refused to leave, but rather that he was penniless. He was a scholar from a farming family who had come to the prefectural city with his family's support to participate in the imperial examinations. Unfortunately, he failed. On his way out, his only money was stolen. He had no money for travel back home and no money for food. At that moment, he saw Meng'er's carriage passing by and wanted to stop it to see if she could spare him some alms. Unexpectedly, he fainted.
When Meng'er appeared before him, he was stunned. He had never imagined such a beautiful woman existed in the world and was mesmerized for a moment.
Meng'er's personal maid couldn't help but giggle. She was accustomed to such scenes. When her young lady was popular, she had charmed countless men. Even now, many people specifically requested her company.
Hearing his maid's laughter, Liu Moran snapped back to reality, his face turning bright red. He quickly lowered his head, unsure of what to do.
Meng'er looked at his flustered demeanor and found him quite appealing. After all, the men who came here were usually seasoned players in matters of the heart. Seeing such an innocent and pure young man for the first time, she couldn't help but be a little more patient. "You fainted by my carriage, and I don't know where your home is, so I could only bring you here. Your body is no longer in danger. May I ask what your plans are now?"
Liu Moran stammered for a long time, unable to utter a word. Meng'er thought for a moment and continued, "Sir, have you encountered any difficulties?"
Liu Moran nodded shamefully. "To be honest, young lady, I am penniless. Could I stay here for a while?"
Meng'er was amused upon hearing this. "I thought it was a big deal! If you want to go home, I can lend you some money. If you want to stay here, that's fine too. I'll talk to the madam."
Liu Moran quickly declined. "You saved me, which is already a great kindness. I have hands and feet, how can I accept your money?"
Meng'er felt he had integrity and didn't insist further. Instead, she paid out of her own pocket and spoke to the madam for a long time before she agreed to let him stay. Of course, he was unaware of this.
Liu Moran, who was originally eager to return home, no longer wanted to leave after meeting Meng'er. Before meeting her, he had disdained her as a courtesan, but after meeting her, he wished he could possess her. This was probably love at first sight.
From then on, he found a job copying books at a bookstore in the city, preparing for the imperial examinations three years later while earning money.
When he had a little surplus, he would buy small, inexpensive trinkets to bring to Meng'er whenever he went out, believing that a small gift with great sentiment was more valuable.
Originally, Meng'er thought he would leave after a few months, but he stayed for over a year. Her personal maid had long been displeased. "Miss, setting aside other things, how much money do you take from him? Why doesn't the madam kick him out? He's not without income. I heard he's taken on a lot of copying work recently and can support himself. A grown man doesn't need to rely on you to live here."
Meng'er smiled and remained silent. At first, she didn't mind, thinking it was just helping someone out. But now that so much time had passed and he still showed no intention of leaving, she felt a little uncomfortable, though she didn't express it. After all, he still seemed to care, often bringing her small gifts.
Meng'er never imagined that Liu Moran would fall for her until one night he stopped her and haltingly confessed his feelings. At that moment, her heart was unmoved. After all, she had encountered too many such scenes from men in the entertainment world. They would say sweet words at the time, only to forget her the next moment.
"I know your feelings, sir. We are both sensible people. We are not from the same class, and a relationship between us is destined to have no future. I wish you success in the imperial examinations, a good wife, and a prosperous future." Although Meng'er didn't take his confession seriously, she still spoke auspicious words.