According to his original plan, after passing the imperial examination, he would first come here to help her leave the brothel. However, with that matter weighing heavily on his mind, he chose to escape. He returned to his village first, paid respects to his parents, and celebrated with the villagers for a few days. After staying for a while, he hesitantly came to see the original host.
The original host was a very intelligent woman herself; otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to struggle in such a mire. She firmly refused, "No need. Let's just pretend we never knew each other. I cannot let you jeopardize your official career because of me, nor can I affect the relationship between you and your wife. From now on, live a good life with your wife, and don't think of me. If I find a suitable man, I will also choose to marry."
When the man heard her say this, he immediately looked at her with guilt. Finally, he thanked her and gave her some gold and silver jewelry before leaving.
That night, the original host sat alone by the window, tears streaming down her face as she gazed at the stars and the moon. How could she not see that the gold and silver jewelry the man gave her was to return the two hundred taels of silver she had lent him? He didn't want to owe her anything, and from then on, they would go their separate ways.
Even though she knew his intentions, she still accepted it without hesitation. Since they were to part ways, let it be absolute. However, the loneliness, sadness, and despair in her heart were something no one could understand.
She had rejected him at the time, but he didn't even say a word to acknowledge her, let alone say goodbye. It was clear that he had already made up his mind. He had only made those promises out of fear of hurting her and fear of facing her. In reality, it was all like a reflection in the moon and flowers in the water, unattainable.
He had promised to take her as a concubine once his official position improved. His father-in-law had spent his entire life in the capital, and although his official position wasn't high, it wasn't too low. With his family background, any step up was thanks to his father-in-law's help. He would never be able to break free from his father-in-law.
This meant he had blocked his own path. Even if he were to marry her, he might not be able to tolerate the mocking glances from others or their playful inquiries.
The inner court was the domain of women. His wife, being from a prominent family, would definitely look down on her status. Moreover, given their past connection, she would surely be seen as a thorn in their side and would not have a good life. He, on the other hand, relied on his wife's family and wouldn't be able to protect her at all. She might not even know how she died. It was better to be at ease here.
She was a strong person herself. It was inevitable that she would be sad when encountering such a situation, but after her sadness, she regained her composure, as if nothing had happened. Only she knew that she had buried all her vulnerability in the deepest corner of her heart, retrieving it in the quiet of the night to lick her wounds alone.
Two more years passed. She received a special guest. From their first meeting, she could sense that his gaze towards her was unusual. However, with the previous experience, she dared not easily give her heart away. But he was persistent and took practical action, defying his family's opposition and resolutely buying her freedom, grandly taking her into his household.
She was touched by everything he had done for her. Although there was a twenty-year age gap, and he was old enough to be her father, he was also the top scholar who had swept the capital city over a decade ago. He now held a fourth-rank official position.
She had once had concerns, fearing that her background would bring him trouble and affect his career. But he didn't care, saying, "If a person's career is ruined because of a woman, it fully demonstrates his lack of ability. I have the confidence not to be influenced by the world and to provide you with a haven. You can put your heart at ease."
What the original host did not expect was that he would keep his word. Although the masters in the household looked down on her because of her humble origins, her husband, Zhu Guangming, brought her light, just like his name, protecting her tightly so that she would not suffer any grievances.
The following year, the original host gave birth to a daughter for him, named Yu Jie. The original host thought she had finally found a pillar of support. Unfortunately, good times did not last. When Yu Jie was four years old, he suddenly fell gravely ill. Seeing that he was about to leave the world, he quickly gave his private savings to the original host, asking her to keep them safe, as they would be her means of livelihood in the future.
At the moment of his death, he even called his family members and instructed them to treat the original host and her daughter well after his passing. Under his earnest gaze, everyone nodded in agreement. He then nodded in relief and left the world with reluctance towards the original host.
On that day, the original host felt as if she had cried all the tears she would ever shed in her life, lamenting the unfairness of fate and feeling lost about the days ahead, feeling like a rootless duckweed with no home.
This time, heaven still did not favor her. After her husband was buried, the other members of his family, citing her background from the brothel as a stain on the family's reputation, drove her out.
At the same time, a group of people snatched Yu Jie from her arms, forcibly separating mother and daughter. She was heartbroken but powerless, and once again found herself alone.
When she, in a daze, went to the place where the silver was hidden, she found that her personal maid, along with people from the Zhu family, had already retrieved the money. Looking at her personal maid's triumphant gaze, a chill ran through her body. She couldn't imagine how she, penniless and with no one to rely on, would survive.
She walked aimlessly through the streets, and unknowingly arrived at the entrance of the brothel where she had once lived. That's when the madam invited her to return to the world of pleasure.
Since Wu Caiwei had arrived, she would not let the original host fall into that situation again. In that life, the original host had resisted, not wanting to deal with various men. However, she had no skills, yet was beautiful. Even walking on the street, she could feel the lecherous gazes of men. She became frightened, and out of desperation, she resumed her business. Everyone knew that she had once married the recently successful top scholar, which only increased their curiosity about her. It not only did not damage her reputation in the pleasure quarters but also added a touch of mystery to her.
Wu Caiwei couldn't help but sigh when she thought about what would happen to the original host next, feeling that no woman had a more miserable life than hers. After falling into the world of pleasure again, she met someone who treated her sincerely a few years later. Unfortunately, that person was also short-lived. After his death, she was driven out again, just like last time. Then came her third descent into the pleasure quarters. Although she was past her prime and had no expectations of men, who would have thought she would meet someone who treated her with all his heart?
Facing her notorious reputation, he not only did not retreat but moved closer, looking at her with pity, feeling that this woman had too hard a life. He marveled at her experiences over the past half-century and wanted to provide her with a shelter.
He was gentle and sensitive, and the pampering in his eyes moistened the somewhat dry heart of the original host. She thought perhaps she could trust one more time in this life.