Yunping City was a small city that could be found in Yunmeng. Although the city was small, it was often bustling with activity. Vendors settled their roadside stalls selling trinkets, wares, and agricultural products. Smoke could be seen rising from food stalls with different fragrances wafting around. Passerbys crowded the road going about their business. Some were just passing through the town. The occasional cultivator could also be spotted within the crowd. The more prominent teahouse in Yunping was already busy with customers filling the place. It was a storytelling teahouse where people came with the purpose of listening to stories with the main focus on the feats of prominent cultivators. A storyteller situated himself on an elevated platform, narrating his story. Today his main focus was on the fierce Nie Clan Leader. The customers were absorbed in his story as he used impressive wordplay and fierce gestures in order to paint a clear image of the clan leader's might.
A bit further down the busy road was a building with a wooden plaque above a door. Beautiful, youthful girls dressed in bright-colored clothes made from fine silk and delicate jewelry were standing by the entrance smiling and coquettishly inviting the passing gentlemen. Some accepted their invitations and entered the building in the company of their chosen companions. This was clearly a brothel. Pink and red curtain veils hung on pillars. Lanterns with intricate designs were hanging all around contributing to the dreamy atmosphere of the brothel. There was a platform on which a girl was dancing gracefully, robes fluttering delicately around her to the music performed by some other girls. An audience sat below paying attention to the performance. Some gentlemen chose to make use of the private rooms upstairs for private services to be given by the girls. All these girls sold their talents in the four arts and even engaged in romantic relations.
Each girl had their own private room with unique names on the plaques. The rooms themselves contained tables with calligraphy paper and ink stones that were readily there to showcase their calligraphy skills. There were also zithers to play on and bookshelves that had books to read during their spare time. The beds were a deep red color, decorated by the same red and pink curtain veils that were seen around the building.
In one of the rooms, there was an entirely different atmosphere than the ones outside. The room was disorderly and there was a gathering of a mismatched group consisting of girls who were helping another girl who lay on the bed. Her hair was disorderly, and sweat poured from her body. She was a delicate beauty and even in this untidy state, her beauty did not diminish. In her arms, she held a bundled form which she smiled down upon. If one would look closer, one would see a tiny, pudgy face peeking out of the bundled cloth.
" He is very handsome," one of the women commented. She was a close friend of the woman lying on the bed. She was beautiful as well. Her beauty was not as delicate but was rather bold with well-defined features. Her name was Sisi.
The girl beamed with pride. Looking at her one would see how young she was. Distantly, Sisi wondered whether her dear friend truly understood the repercussions of what was to come. Unlike her, Sisi was not as positive about the outcome that was to come. She understood more than her friend. However, that would come later on.
Meng Shi looked down at the tiny being in her arms with pride. She had managed to give birth to a son. This increased their value. She knew that soon their lives would change. Her son's father was an honorable cultivator. Not only that, he was a sect leader. Her son would have potential. Soon they would leave this place and live a better life, with a better standing.
The baby in her arms squirmed and started fussing a little. She gently hushed him and watched in wonder as large dark eyes opened looking up at her. The baby's gaze was unfocused but he still quietly looked up at her. At this moment, she promised him silently that she would do everything in her power to give him a better life.