Chapter 82
I grew up in the mud, yet I also longed for the bright moonlight to shine upon me.
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Qingfenglou is a famous brothel in Kyoto.
Occasionally, a fragrant breeze would waft by, and young men and women would flirt and joke among themselves.
The five-year-old child's face was smeared with ash, completely hiding his adorable features, leaving only his clear eyes as beautiful as glass.
My name is Yun Ji.
Tears streamed down my face, a slight itch running through me, but I didn't stop washing the clothes.
My father died, on the bed of a woman who was rich and powerful.
My great-uncle said that if I wanted to prepare my father's body for burial, I only had two choices.
First, I could be a young master like my father, and my great-father would ensure I had plenty to eat and drink, and there would be people to serve me.
But I chose option two.
Choose to wash clothes, grow up to be a servant to the young masters, and repay your great-grandfather for the money used to bury your father.
Because my father said that I am never allowed to be like him in my entire life.
After washing the clothes, I collected all the leftover food from each of the young masters' meals and then came back to continue washing the clothes.
Back then, you'd get a beating if you didn't wash your clothes properly, or if you broke a bowl.
Some people who don't get along with my father will occasionally scold me, but thankfully they won't really take their anger out on me, a child.
At that time, I was unaware that all of this was done intentionally by my great-uncle.
All I know is that back then, Uncle Qingqing, who was closest to my father, often took care of me.
One day, Uncle Qingqing took me from my great-uncle.
He washed the dirt off my face and said to me, "Don't be afraid. Although we are in Qingfeng Tower, the laws of our Qi Dynasty are strict, and no one will force you, a child."
"On the contrary, if a child is good-looking, he can get a reward from his patrons. Although most of it will be taken away in the end, little by little... one day he can get himself out of this dog-eat-dog place."
Uncle Qingqing had a beautiful smile when he said that; at that time, he still had genuine feelings.
But I can only understand a little bit.
That means being clean and good-looking will bring wealth.
That way I can pay back my great-uncle's money.
Uncle Qingqing would apply ointment to my hands every day, and he would often hold my hands and say, "These hands are so beautiful. They don't look like they come from this building. They look like pampered young masters from noble families in Jiangnan."
Jiangnan?
My father seemed to have said that my mother was from Jiangnan.
"I don't like Jiangnan, I hate it there!" This was the first time I argued with Uncle Qingqing.
Actually, the only person I hate is the one who abandoned me and my father, that so-called mother.
But instead of reasoning with me gently as usual, Uncle Qingqing's face turned cold and his voice was extremely cold.
"Dislike? Everyone in this world has things they dislike, but does one have the right to dislike something? Do you have that right?"
Uncle Qingqing terrified me. I could only back away in fear, shaking my head, not knowing what to say.
After that day, Uncle Qingqing taught me to learn the gentle and considerate manners of men from Jiangnan.
He told me, "What women love most is a man who knows when to advance and retreat, is gentle and considerate, and only has her in his heart."
"Be simple and kind, even if it's fake, it can help you be invincible."
"When she's unhappy, you need to read her expression and see if she wants you to cry with her, or if she wants you to be her confidante..."
"..."
He said a lot, and then gave me detailed instructions:
"But remember, you must never get addicted to it!"
Uncle Qingqing taught me so much, and over the years, I have been able to move freely among all the young masters and patrons.
The elder brother's eyes grew brighter and brighter as he looked at me. I took out all the silver I had saved to try and buy my freedom, but the elder brother just smiled and shook his head.
Then I knew I couldn't leave.
But I don't want to!
That day, I said goodbye to Uncle Qingqing, whose face was full of reluctance.
Not long after, Uncle Qingqing and my great-uncle locked me in the woodshed.
I pressed my face against the door and heard my uncle say, "You've done well. You've been obedient all these years, and Yunji is a trump card for Qingfeng Tower. I'm not stingy, so pack your bags and leave tonight. You'll get everything you're owed!"
I heard Uncle Qingqing's voice and replied with delight, "Yes!"
I don't blame him. Everyone has to look out for themselves. It's good that he can leave.
After all, he has been really good to me.
After all, Uncle Qingqing never owed me anything.
I just...
I'm a little sad, that's all.
After that day, I never saw Uncle Qingqing again.
Gradually, I used what Uncle Qingqing taught me to make my great-uncle very happy, and he lost his guard against me.
Later, my uncle told me that Uncle Qingqing had left and gone to Jiangnan, which I hated the most.
I asked my uncle, "Where exactly is freedom?"
My great-uncle put a jade crown on my head because I was twelve years old and could perform for money.
He thought for a moment in a rare good mood, "Freedom? The masters in the palace, after all, they are the most noble in the world."
"Then how can one become a master?"
Perhaps it was my gentle voice, perhaps it was the perfect smile on my face, or perhaps it was my ignorance that pleased him, but he said:
"Naturally, I'll be noticed by the most distinguished person. Once I catch her eye, wealth and glory are guaranteed!"
"Alright, this is your first time on stage tonight, so don't embarrass Qingfeng Tower!"
I looked at myself in the mirror and obediently responded, but my fingers couldn't help trembling.
"Don't worry, Father, Yunji knows everything."
As soon as he left, I jumped out of the window and ran away.
I had so many suitors, but thankfully, at the last moment, I still managed to enter the palace.
The palace is huge. After going around in circles, I was assigned to the Yongxiang Palace.
The Yongxiang Alley reeked of stench, but luckily I hadn't lost my skills from Qingfeng Tower. I gave the stewardess a little something, and she acted like a fool.
However, when she wasn't around, no one dared to mess with me, even though I was quite shrewish.
A year later, a rather handsome man was brought to Yongxiang. I saw that he looked very arrogant, and I felt both mocking and envious.
That day, I finally saw the most honorable person that my great-uncle had mentioned!
From a distance, I could only make out an outline.
Yet her demeanor was more noble than that of everyone I had ever seen.
Like the bright moon hanging high in the sky, it is both cold and gentle.
It was completely different from my stinking, muddy place, which was filled with filth.
She's such a kind person; she even sent Miss Jingchun to rescue that man who was covered in a foul stench.
I was thinking of befriending that man so that he could bring me into her life later.
He ended up feeling insulted that she had saved him.
Ha, trying to be a virtuous woman while pretending to be innocent.
If he didn't want to stand out, why would he deliberately choose to fall down in such a conspicuous way when she arrived?
I cursed at him, and we beat him up. During the fight, he even tried to break my fingers.
They're really courting death. Who in the entire Yongxiang Palace doesn't know how precious my hands are?
And these hands also led me to the heavens.
For several years after that day, my life was sweet.
Because of her.
It was raining that day, and the cold was biting.
Her dark hair was half-up, with a pearl on her forehead.
Under the heavy rain, she wore a moon-white dress, truly like the clear and cold moon.
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