The MC forgot the plot

- SEVENTY -

七十 A life for a life

The first thing that Meng Jia Yi saw was a room, then she felt a burning pain in her bones apparently from the fatigue and soon it settles with her stomach almost touching her back.

Hunger awoke her, squinted eyes wandered around the room. It seems to be a recuperation room as the smell of medicinal herbs floats around; she tried to move her feet and successfully managed to stand up but began to fall to the ground.

"My head..." She dizzyingly stated sudden dizziness hit her like a truck and not long after the dramatic fall a figure flashed into her sight.

Then it was gone leaving the door open; she finally manages to piece back the events that transpired yesterday and recall her deal.

"Miss should avoid exerting herself" a warm voice filled with knowledge rang in her ears.

Glancing back, it was a familiar face; someone that was a follower of that person. His figure flashed in her mind and she couldn't help but feel her face— there was no mud nor blood left on it.

Meng Jia Yi was found.

"Yes, this girl is thankful for your highness' acceptance" 

A full bow was presented in front of them, Eunuch Sun helped her get up from the floor and was put them into the bed. Eunuch Sun then departed from the room leaving just the two of them; Meng Jia Yi stayed still, waiting for the Fourth prince to initiate his orders.

"What can you give me?"

Lifting her head, Meng Jia Yi conveyed her thoughts. "Anything" her lips then turned redder as she looked at the man that would decide whether she was useful and added. "I only have my body"

This was a hint she was hoping to convey to him.

"Then what are you capable of?"

Fingers strapped tightly under the sheets, she calmly responded. "This girl can take information through the use of herself"

In the corner of her eyes, he was looking at her without any expression; no indication of his displeasure and approval making her heart race even more.

"Then you will be a courtesan, attain to become a Yiji"  

Hearing those words, hope blooms into her heart; even in the darkest place, the bleak future that already awaits her— none of that matters to her. She was ready to sacrifice her body to live and to search for her family.

"This girl will give her life to your highness" she bowed, an oath that she will never forget not to try to break.

"Young master" he simply stated before leaving.

The two of them ignored their previous status, no one said anything about their past nor reveal it. Even she could see that he was planning to make a comeback, it could be years but she was sure that whoever was the emperor today will not last long.

But that would be something she won't think about, the most crucial thing today is to allow the Young master to see her potential. A useless thing will be discarded.

...

In the end, it took her a month to recuperate not just from her wounds and exhaustion but from the malnutrition that plagues her. In the meantime, she was given to a female shadow warrior to give lessons on how to make use of her body.

Flexibility was something that accompanied her body, both the modern and traditional soul encompasses flexibility thus making it easier to move and bend.

"Harder! Push yourself harder!"

For hours, her body wanted to collapse from the training but she endured. Grit her teeth and stood up, she could feel the judgmental stares from the other female soldiers. Their envy and hatred reached their peak when they knew she was about to be promoted to become a much higher position than them. 

"With that figure, tsk, even a woman could see how soft and willow that waist is"

"Her looks served only one purpose, it seems like she's a master to it than even the Young Master's close follower was subdued"

"Nothing but a pretty face, she'll get herself killed one day"

Rumors plagued her, the beauty that was once coveted by others became a curse, and all of their taunts and showing off of their skills made it much harder for Meng Jia Yi.

But she persisted.

It took her 6 months to finish the basic training, and another 6 months to train her body and mind into performing seductive stances.

Slap.

Slap.

A cane hit her making her straighten her back, the heavy metals chained on her feet and arm clashed as she moves in careful steps avoiding the bells attached to each of the metals.

"You attain to be a Yiji, act like one!"

Another hit on her arm before she moves with slight difficulty, the cup of tea on her hand burning her palm for every drop— she was a puppet that was being manipulated to work with ease.

"You are no longer a noble, learn to please men but do not give in to their truest desire.  A courtesan is subservient but in the bedroom, you rule. Let their interest in you deepen, make them feel like your unreachable, see to it that they are fascinated both at your beauty and talent"

Yi Mein, a retired Yiji who became her mentor, gave another lesson during their learning session.

Yi Mein was a beautiful middle-aged woman, she was one of the owners of a high-end brothel in the gray area between two nations. She was someone that moved with graceful movements, enchanting one sight and drowning in her performance.

Eunuch Sun found Yi Mein to teach her and an older mute woman to serve her; it was clear that they attached a mute servant to her to manage her but she doesn't care about it. She has nothing to fear except for the inevitable.

"And lastly, do not fall in love"

There was a seriousness in Yi Mein's face, one couldn't help but think over the deep regret that flashed in her eyes.

"I won't" she promises.

Meng Jia Yi won't, couldn't, and will not subject herself to arduous matters such as love. Her family, it has been one year and there was still no news from the other side. The tension and hope crush her but she still strengthens her will to survive and to find her family— living or not.

Notes:

• Yiji, the ancient Chinese equivalent of a Japanese geisha. Both groups are still confused as being high-class- prostitutes (a.k.a. courtesans), though their jobs strictly involved entertaining their clients through music and poetry.
• Poetry writing and appreciation often acted as a conduit in these romantic liaisons, and many courtesans were well versed in the craft of poetry writing, calligraphy, and painting

***
Chapter 70 is up!

Women, especially in ancient times do not fair well. I think it still mirrors the present world in how women use their beauty and body to live, to survive.

One will never know the reason why women enter this path but one thing is clear, it will never be a black and white situation.

Have a great day and stay safe!

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