Opening

God will not let down those who work hard. Under Wen Ciyuan's unremitting obsession day and night and the full pressure of the Prime Minister's Mansion, the poor Mo Yu finally gathered all the materials.

An enticing sweet aroma wafted from the small kitchen. Wen Ciyuan sat upright at the table, his eyes fixed on the rotating decorating table in Ruan Yunsheng's hands.

Snow-white cream piled up like clouds, chocolate chips scattered like stars, and finally adorned with a plump and juicy strawberry——

"Ma'am," his Adam's apple moved slightly, "are you okay?"

Ruan Yunsheng pushed the cake in front of him, scratched it lightly with the tip of the fork, and the soft cake opened.

Wen Ciyuan scooped up a spoonful and put it into his mouth. The cream melted instantly, and the slightly bitter cocoa and the sweet strawberry intertwined on the tip of his tongue. He sighed with satisfaction, "It was worth it."

Ruan Yunsheng poked his slightly bulging belly with his fingertips: "Prime Minister, your abdominal muscles are almost turning into milk cakes~"

Wen Ciyuan froze, and with resentment, he pushed away the half-eaten cake. "From tomorrow on, I'll double my morning exercises."

At dawn the next day, the Prime Minister was indeed swinging his sword like snow in the courtyard, his clothes fluttering... and he was quietly sucking in his stomach.

Ruan Yunsheng had already arrived at Zhuque Street. Today was the first day of the haunted house's opening.

Inside Zuixianlou, several tables of guests stared at the unfamiliar glass cups and white jade plates on the table, waving doubtfully, "Boss, are these translucent pink drinks and cloud-like snacks the wrong dishes?"

The shopkeeper bowed with a smile and said, "Auspicious guests! These are our new products, 'Dream of Life' fruit wine and 'Cloud Cake'. They are given as gifts today for you to enjoy."

A young man in brocade clothes took a tentative sip, his eyes suddenly brightening: "This wine isn't spicy at all, it's like melting peaches and ice on your tongue!"

The woman at the next table took a bite of the cake and exclaimed, "It's as soft as a kiss, sweet but not greasy. Boss, please give me another one!"

The shopkeeper smiled and said, "This item is a special gift from the 'Wangsheng Pavilion' on Zhuque Street. We will only give it away for three days. If you want to try it again..."

He pointed to the long queue outside the window and said, "The Rebirth Pavilion is open today. Those with our receipts will have priority entry."

"Wangsheng Pavilion?" Everyone looked at each other in confusion. "Boss Qi's new restaurant?"

"No, no."

The shopkeeper lowered his voice, "This is the 'haunted house' run by the Prime Minister's wife herself. It's said there are moving skeletons and singing mirror monsters inside. If you pass the levels, you can even drink free wine made by the Prime Minister's wife herself!"

The whole room was in uproar!

The young man in brocade clothes suddenly stood up and said, "For this magical wine, I want to visit that haunted house!"

The women also covered their lips and chuckled: "To be able to taste such a snack, even if a real ghost comes, it is worth it!"

The Rebirth Pavilion was bustling with people. The vermilion lacquered doors opened one after another, and people poured in like a tide.

Fortunately, Ruan Yunsheng was well prepared. Huarong led the sisters from her old department in Chuzhou to shuttle among the guests. Their cloud-like hair and pink clothes danced like butterflies, welcoming guests, serving tea, and taking names. Their steps were as light as stepping on lotus flowers, and they managed to suppress the noise with a bit of Jiangnan charm.

Qi Xiuming, dressed in a purple robe embroidered with gold, stood in the center of the spiral staircase, holding a scroll and shouting, "Those who have made it through the Yellow Springs Road, turn left to receive Meng Po Soup! Those stuck at the Naihe Bridge, turn right to receive the strategy guide."

Before he could finish his words, he was drowned out by a group of girls asking for refills.

The strategy station on the second floor has long been hard to find.

The long nanmu table was surrounded by guests in splendid attire, the aroma of tea and fruit wine mingling in the air. A young man with disheveled hair slammed the table and laughed wildly, "When that hanged ghost suddenly popped out, my brother was so frightened that he crawled into his coffin!"

The man in green clothes opposite argued with a red face: "It was clearly Brother Chen who screamed first and tore my sleeve!"

The maid smiled sweetly and presented the "Dream Recall Wine". As the amber nectar went down their throats, everyone burst into laughter again.

Under the west window, several female guests were crowded on an embroidered cushion, exchanging handkerchiefs and notes.

"Sister, remember: the bronze mirror in the third courtyard needs rouge painted with talismans, otherwise the mirror demon will never appear!"

"I see! I tried to force my way in three times just now, but was pushed back by the gloomy wind..."

The silver bell-like laughter startled the birds on the beams.

The central bar seems to be blooming a cloud.

Ruan Yunsheng's wrists flew, and the crystal wine pot was thrown into the air, and ice chips fell like star rain. She twisted the mint leaves with her fingertips and lightly pressed them against the rim of the cup, pushing out a "Neon on the Other Shore". The layered purple, gold and scarlet colors flowed in the glass cup, drawing cheers from the whole room.

"Madam, can this wine be taken away?" a young man asked.

Ruan Yunsheng raised his eyebrows and chuckled: "Those who pass the haunted house will be given a pot of 'Love Wine'."

The crowd suddenly erupted into even louder noise.

The roars and laughter of the ghosts in the upper floor exploded the beams.

"Ahhh, the blood pool is really warm!"

"Run! The statue is chasing us with its knife raised!"

"Idiot! That knife is made of sticky rice cake—oooh, it's so sweet!"

The screams, stomping of feet, and roar of machines formed an absurd and vigorous melody.

Wen Ciyuan stood quietly in the depths of the dark corridor, looking at the flying eyebrows of the person behind the bar. There were cream stains in her hair, and the cuffs were stained with rose-red cloud patterns by the wine, but she was more dazzling than any noble lady at any banquet in the palace.

Wen Ciyuan still had a smile on his face when Mo Yu suddenly approached and whispered, "Sir, Prince Yong is here."

His expression became serious, and he straightened his robe as he walked out of the door. He saw Murong Huanyun pushing a wheelchair slowly towards him. In the wheelchair, Prince Yong Murong Mo was wrapped in a sable fur coat, with a heater on his knees. His pale face looked like translucent jade in the sunlight.

"I didn't know the prince was coming in person. I'm sorry for not welcoming you."

Wen Ciyuan presided over the ceremony, and the Rebirth Pavilion suddenly became quiet.

The guests hurriedly stood up and saluted, not daring to wipe off the fruit wine that had soaked their silk shirts. Qi Xiuming quickly walked down the stairs to greet them and secretly winked at Ruan Yunsheng.

Ruan Yunsheng walked out calmly, her skirt brushing against the scattered light on the ground: "Your Highness is well."

He smiled at Murong Huanyun again, "Princess, are you here to join in the fun too?"

Murong Mo chuckled: "Huanyun said that there was something new in the capital, and he insisted on dragging me here to open my eyes."

His eyes swept over Ruan Yunsheng and Murong Huanyun standing side by side, "I didn't know you two knew each other."

Murong Huanyun was completely unaware and gestured excitedly, "Uncle, I've tried the wine Miss Ruan mixes and it's incredibly delicious! And the haunted house is even more thrilling..."

Ruan Yunsheng took advantage of the situation and continued, "Your Highness, do you want to try it? There are ghost horror paths, mystery array paths, and ancient tomb exploration paths."

She ran her fingertips over the picture of a snarling zombie in the guidebook. "How about this one, Prince?"

Murong Huanyun excitedly tugged at Prince Yong's sleeve, "That's it! I heard there's a flying head inside!"

Wen Ciyuan frowned: "This road is quite dangerous, Your Majesty's body..."

"No problem."

Murong Mo suddenly pressed the armrest of the wheelchair and said, "Since you are here, let Huanyun enjoy himself."

A faint, strange light flashed in his eyes, "I am also curious about what kind of wonderful place can make the capital boil."

Several young masters from the Marquisate quickly came closer and said, "We are willing to lead the way for the prince!"

The six-member team immediately formed a group. Ruan Yunsheng escorted them to the entrance and secretly made a gesture to the darkness with his sleeve. The little ghost on the beam silently disappeared into the shadows.

The corners of her lips curled up slightly. How could she refuse such an opportunity that was delivered to her door for free?

I don't believe that this person can still sit firmly in a wheelchair and pretend to be paralyzed when a fierce ghost is approaching him!

The moment the six people stepped into the zombie dungeon, a cold wind filled with a foul stench blew in their faces. The green candlelight swayed in the niche, making the blood-stained curse on the stone wall of the corridor flicker.

The four young masters pretended to be calm as they led the way: "Don't be afraid, Your Highness. The things in this haunted house may look scary, but they are actually fake. These zombies are also human beings in disguise."

Murong Huanyun pushed the wheelchair forward with difficulty, and the wheels made a harsh squeaking sound as they rolled over the bumpy ground.

Murong Mo looked around indifferently. The hanged ghost was dangling on the beam and the headless corpse was banging on the cage. They were all made of crude skin and mechanisms. There was even a hint of sneer on the corner of his lips.

Under the leadership of these four people, they lived safely along the way, avoided many mechanisms and traps, and soon reached the exit.

Just as everyone reached the "Blood Pool Prison", the zombies that were supposed to be immobilized by the talisman suddenly had red eyes and jumped up with a roar!

Their speed was more than three times faster than before. Their sharp claws tore through the air and instantly dragged Master Zhang, who was in the front, into the dark pool!

"This... there was no such thing last time!" Master Li screamed and stepped back, but was swallowed by a trap that suddenly opened on the ground.

"Someone must have stepped on some mechanism!"

Although they knew that all this was fake, the quiet and gloomy environment at this moment frightened the remaining three people out of their wits and they abandoned the two of them and ran away!

Murong Huanyun pushed the wheelchair backwards in panic, and the axle broke with a "crack". Prince Yong suddenly leaned over to keep his balance.

At this time, zombies with green faces and fangs rushed in from all directions, their sharp claws scratched the stone wall, splashing sparks, and completely blocking the retreat route.

Murong Huanyun swung the torch wildly, "Uncle, hold on tight!"

The wheelchair completely fell apart due to the violent shaking. Murong Mo was forced to roll over to the ground and barely managed to stand with the support of broken wood.

Three dwarf corpses emerged from the ground, their sharp claws digging straight into Murong Huanyun's heart! Prince Yong's pupils suddenly shrank, and he instinctively shouted: "Huanyun, retreat!"

He actually threw off the broken wood and leaped into the air, the poisoned silver needles in his sleeves raining down upon the corpse monsters' eyes! The corpse monsters howled and retreated, and Prince Yong flipped in mid-air and kicked another one in the head, smashing it in half. When he landed, his black robe billowed like an eagle, a true master!

Murong Huanyun slumped on the ground, staring blankly at his straight back: "Uncle... your legs..."

Prince Yong's body froze, and he suddenly stumbled and fell to his knees, clutching his right knee in pain. He looked at Murong Huanyun with concern and asked, "Is Huanyun hurt?"

Murong Huanyun's gaze was still glued to his legs: "Uncle Emperor's legs..."

Murong Mo quickly covered his knees with the hem of his robe and gave a wry smile: "Although my uncle's legs are broken, his martial arts skills are still there. I can't let you get hurt by those filthy things."

Murong Huanyun's eyes were filled with tears. He was fooled and hurriedly supported his arm: "I am a burden to the emperor uncle!"

At this moment, Ruan Yunsheng pretended to be panicked and ran out from the secret passage: "Your Highness, please forgive me! It's my fault for mismanagement."

Just then, the four fleeing young masters returned, dusty and grimy. The leader, Prince Lin, choked up and said, "We were cornered by the zombies and had to break through the wall to escape. We definitely didn't intend to abandon the prince!"

A flash of coldness flashed across Prince Yong's eyes, but he sighed softly, "My broken body has become a burden to you all. Otherwise..."

He coughed violently, quietly crushed a pill in his sleeve, and immediately coughed up a pool of blood, "How could I let Huanyun get into danger?"

Seeing him coughing up blood, everyone felt even more guilty and uneasy. Ruan Yunsheng hurriedly said, "We've sent someone to buy a new wheelchair! Everyone, please go upstairs and rest."

Ruan Yunsheng frowned and stepped forward: "The prince is seriously injured, we should call a doctor..."

Before she could finish her words, Murong Mo raised his hand to stop her. His face was as pale as paper, but his fingertips were as steady as a rock as he took a red pill from the servant's hand and swallowed it with his head tilted back.

But in a moment, his pale face turned rosy and even his breathing became steady.

"It's an old problem." He stroked his right knee and smiled bitterly. "Ever since I fell off a horse many years ago, this leg has been in excruciating pain every time it's damp. Luckily, a miraculous doctor from Southern Xinjiang gave me this painkiller. I'm sure it was caused by that bump, so there's no need to mobilize anyone."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that he was getting better. Murong Huanyun attentively handed over the osmanthus cake and said, "Uncle, try this! Yun Sheng's cooking skills are even better than the imperial chef's."

Inside the guide station, filled with sweet aromas, almond yogurt, rose pastries, and iced fruit wine were gradually presented. Murong Mo picked up the glass cup and sniffed it gently. Suddenly, he asked with a smile, "Mrs. Ruan is so skilled, I wonder how she met Mr. Qi from Zuixianlou?"

Ruan Yunsheng chuckled as he twisted the rim of his cup. "It's fate, really. I met Boss Qi's younger brother, Xiuming, when I was in Chuzhou."

Her eyes flickered, "It's just a blessing in disguise."

Murong Mo tightened his knuckles slightly, causing ripples in the wine in the glass: "I see."

After the carriage from Prince Yong's Mansion drove away, Ruan Yunsheng stood by the door.

"I can see it clearly."

A green-faced ghost emerged from the shadows of the eaves and hissed, "See clearly, that guy is really pretending."