Ch 188: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

These mooncakes are from the blind box shop’s “Compass Mooncakes.”

When the silver spoon sliced through, the dough was soft and glutinous, with a pale green filling encasing dark red beans. The sweet aroma carried a faint hint of tea, completely different from the overly sweet flavor Qin Mingde had expected; it melted smoothly on the tongue, delicately sweet, and felt like there wasn’t quite enough.

The Emperor watched from beside him, and Qin Mingde couldn’t very well say how delicious it was, that he hadn’t had enough, and take another taste.

Regretfully, he set down the silver spoon and presented the mooncake with a small bite taken out.

The Emperor took a small bite himself, showing little reaction. After eating half of it, he set the plate aside, saying, “Bring me another.”

This time, Qin Mingde was prepared. He selected another box and dug out a large portion with the silver spoon, noticing a pinkish layer in the mooncake’s cross-section, soft and springy under pressure.

The Emperor asked, “What’s the matter?”

Qin Mingde bowed and reported, “Your Majesty, this seems to be a meat mooncake.”

There was silence, so he continued, “The middle layer appears to contain raw meat.”

The two young eunuchs nearby took a step back.

Each mooncake in the box was individually wrapped in illusionary packaging from Dreamland, with small, invisible magic arrays inside for freshness preservation. The ingredient list and best-by date were printed on the package.

After carefully reading the label, Qin Mingde reported, “According to the box, this is a tuna mooncake containing a type of raw fish. It’s specially processed for safe consumption. Unopened, it can last for half a month, but once opened, it must be eaten within an hour.”

The Emperor pondered; this fish didn’t seem like a river fish. But if it was sea fish, keeping it fresh enough to transport to Liangjing—let alone making it into a mooncake—was unlikely.

The Emperor remained silent, leaving Qin Mingde with the bitter realization that he’d have to taste this raw meat mooncake himself.

Despite his years in the palace, with all its dark secrets, he had never actually eaten raw meat and dreaded the thought of its strong, unpleasant taste.

Regretting having taken such a large bite, Qin Mingde closed his eyes and put it in his mouth. To his surprise, as he opened his eyes, he murmured, “Hmm?”

The two young eunuchs watched his changing expression, shoulders hunched, with a curious glint in their eyes.

Initially reluctant to chew, Qin Mingde soon found the meat soft and mild, free of any fishiness.

The flavors blended perfectly with the other ingredients, especially the thin layer of pale green sauce on top, which added a fresh, lingering taste—it was surprisingly delicious.

No words were needed; the chief eunuch’s uncontrollable expression said it all.

Shortly after, the Emperor also tasted the seafood mooncake, finding it unexpectedly pleasant.

Elsewhere in the deep palace, Fengqi Palace was also enjoying the mooncakes sent by Princess Deyi.

True to her style, Princess Deyi had ordered two boxes of mooncakes, sending them both to the palace and presenting them directly to the Emperor and Empress. Alongside the mooncake gift boxes were postcards and plush keychain toys.

The Empress, satisfied after tasting the mooncakes, noticed a postcard featuring an aged Shen Xiangjun standing beneath an apricot tree, gazing into the distance.

She kept the postcard and gifted the plush toy to her chief palace maid.

The cinema had quietly gained popularity within the palace, with young palace maids and eunuchs beginning to inquire privately. Some wanted mooncakes, others postcards, and many envied Lady Mingyu, who served the Empress and received such a delightful gift.

…

The mooncake gift boxes were a hit, and even after the Mid-Autumn Festival, many still wanted to purchase them. Seizing the opportunity, Lu Yao decided to extend sales for another half-month, planning to release new treats afterward.

Yuguizhai continued selling its themed mooncakes, and the two businesses would collaborate further to introduce new varieties.

Lu Yao took some goods from Yuguizhai and distributed them to other shops on the shopping street, receiving positive responses.

These themed mooncakes weren’t just decorated with character designs; each had a unique flavor.

Following Lu Yao’s suggestion, they blended the growth habits of various herbs with the life experiences of the characters to create unique concept mooncakes for each one.

Initially, Yuguizhai considered using traditional Chinese herbs to add nourishing effects. However, the strong taste of these herbs was hard to mask in mooncakes and didn’t meet Lu Yao’s taste requirements.

Zhou Su later assisted, working with Feng Yong to find the perfect balance of flavor and texture.

Being cautious, Lu Yao enlisted Bai Jing, who in turn brought in a cousin studying traditional pharmacology for a few days to ensure the formulas were safe.

Customers at the snack shop enjoyed the mildly medicinal mooncakes, finding them to have health benefits, even if they didn’t actually need them.

Customers at the Little Pet Cafe also loved them because they contained various herbs: some helped with sleep, others soothed the mind, and some boosted energy. Enhanced by the Little Pet Cafe’s reputation, these effects were even more desirable.

The concept of creating mooncakes inspired by character backgrounds sparked enthusiasm among Great Wu Dynasty’s fans, who eagerly bought them to support their favorite characters.

The themed mooncakes also gave Yuguizhai’s master bakers new ideas, prompting Feng Yong and Yu Jixiang to begin developing innovative pastries.

…

Chen Yuning got up early to find Xie Xu and Prince Jin, undeterred by yesterday’s close call with family punishment, since he still hadn’t watched Seeking Immortals and couldn’t resist the excitement.

Prince Jin looked even more annoyed than usual, and his first words were, “Don’t mention The Sea Train Serial Murders to me at all!”

Chen Yuning shot a look at Xie Xu. “What’s wrong?”

Xie Xu grinned mischievously. “Everyone was talking about The Sea Train on the way here—discussing the killer and everything. The Prince hasn’t seen it yet and is sick of it.”

Chen Yuning nodded in understanding. “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go.”

The best part of a suspense film is following the plot to deduce the killer and testing those deductions at the final reveal.

Spoilers would ruin the fun entirely.

At the cinema, Chen Yuning and Xie Xu decided to watch The Sea Train with Prince Jin again. Yesterday, they’d been on edge and missed several details, so they planned to watch Seeking Immortals afterward.

Checking the schedule, they bought tickets for both shows.

Meanwhile, Minister Chen was home on his day off and didn’t see Chen Yuning at breakfast. Upon hearing that his son had gone to the cinema in East Market with the Prime Minister’s son and Prince Jin, Minister Chen finished his meal with a stern expression, put away his plans and books, and ordered a carriage.

When he arrived at the cinema, just as he stepped down from the carriage, a man quickly approached him, bowing respectfully. “My lord, are you here to see a movie too?”

The man was Li Bo, a clerk in the Ministry of Works and a subordinate of Minister Chen’s staff.

Minister Chen frowned, “Why are you here at the cinema?”

Li Bo replied, “I heard from a friend about a new show here featuring many intriguing things, so I came to see it for myself.”

Minister Chen’s expression remained stern. “Do you come here often?”

Li Bo shook his head. “I’ve heard about the cinema’s novelty and unique shows for quite some time, but I don’t care much for plays and have never visited. Today is my first time.”

Minister Chen’s face softened, his anger subsiding slightly. “If that’s the case, let’s go in and have a look.”

They were a bit late, as the first screening had already started and the second show was sold out. The next available show wouldn’t be until midday.

Upon hearing that there were private screening rooms similar to those in high-end restaurants and that one was still available, they booked a private room for ten.

Feeling the pressure of spending over an hour alone with his superior, Li Bo suggested inviting some colleagues.

After a brief wait, Li Bo brought a few colleagues who were also on break, all lower-ranking officials.

Excited to see a movie, they joked and laughed as they entered, only to fall silent and bow when they noticed their superior was present, sneaking glares at Li Bo.

“This guy isn’t playing fair, not even a heads-up,” one of them whispered.

Luckily, everyone had gathered, and as soon as the screen started playing, all attention was drawn forward.

Except for Minister Chen, most of the others had heard about the cinema, though they hadn’t yet visited for various reasons.

The opening featured a commercial—an advertisement for Mid-Autumn Festival mooncakes.

Minister Chen was suddenly reminded that he hadn’t come here to watch a movie but to catch his wayward son neglecting his duties.

Someone nearby whispered, “Yesterday I went to buy mooncakes and heard Yuguizhai was collaborating with the cinema. I didn’t expect to see Yuguizhai advertised here too.”

When Li Bo had gone to call for others, Minister Chen had already seen the mooncake ad in the lobby, as well as previews for several films, which had stirred questions in his mind, with The Sea Train being the most intriguing.

After the ads, a safety video played.

Li Bo remarked, “This is a good approach! If we could have a similar display wall for public notices, the common folk who can’t read could also understand laws and procedures.”

The Ministry of Works oversaw various basic infrastructures—farmland, water conservation, civil engineering, roads, and waterways. Compared to other officials in the capital, they interacted more with supervisors and commoners, often feeling overwhelmed.

Since many commoners were illiterate, one command often needed repeating numerous times, leading to mistakes.

The fire safety video in the cinema, with its visuals, sound, and straightforward demonstration, was easy to understand.

If such a method could be applied to engineering or law enforcement, it would undoubtedly double their efficiency.

The safety clip ended, and the main feature finally began.

The scene of the sea train arriving at the station captured the attention of every official present. One of them, unable to contain his surprise, stood up with wide eyes. “Is this… a train? How can it float on the sea?”

“Look closely. There seems to be a path under the train,” his companion said, pulling him back to his seat and beginning to analyze. “It only has wheels, no horses, and doesn’t appear to be powered by manpower. Could it be driven by water power?”

Minister Chen shook his head. “No, this train is unusual. It carries so many people at high speed; it likely isn’t water-powered.”

“Then what is it?”

“Some… unknown force.”

The screening room fell silent as more novel elements appeared, and the intense storyline continued with three successive murders. The officials were both fascinated by the strange devices and focused on the urgent task of identifying the murderer, leaving their minds and eyes occupied.

…

After the brown-cloaked robber died, a new character appeared—a young girl named Lina, on her way to Taicheng to find her family.

Technically, she wasn’t new; she had appeared at the beginning but disappeared after the train started moving.

While inspecting the brown-cloaked robber’s corpse, they discovered he too had been shot in the chest, just like the first two victims.

At that moment, Lina was found tied up in a small room across from the crime scene. Her hands and feet were bound, unable to make a sound.

She had been knocked out shortly after boarding, and when she awoke, she found herself locked in the room, unaware of the events unfolding outside.

Annie questioned Lina, asking if she had heard any sounds while she was locked inside.

After a moment of thought, Lina provided a clue: she had heard a thumping sound before being rescued.

Annie decided to revisit the previous two murder scenes to search for more clues.

At that point, someone expressed dissatisfaction, with the most vocal being the limping count.

From some point onward, the initially suspected Miss Annie had gradually gained control of the investigation.

Under her mother’s distraught gaze, Annie removed the bandage from her wrist, revealing a bright red flame mark.

It was a scar left by demonic possession and a symbol of eternal wisdom.

The passengers were wary of Annie, but they also hoped her wisdom could solve this horrid chain of murders, finally restoring a semblance of order.

As Annie returned to search the first and second carriages for clues, a fourth victim emerged—the limping count.

The count’s death mirrored the previous three, and the murder scene was the very room where Lina had been locked up.

The mystery deepened further.

Enraptured by the film, Li Bo wracked his brain but couldn’t deduce the killer. Unable to resist, he asked, “My lord, in your opinion, who is most likely to be the murderer?”

The person next to him instinctively responded, “I still think the lover of the second victim is highly suspicious.”

Another asked, “And where did those men in black carrying the cases go?”

Minister Chen pondered for a moment before saying in a low voice, “Many mysteries are intertwined, creating such a complex case. Simplifying from the complexity is the key to the solution.”

Li Bo was baffled. “So who is the killer, then?”

Minister Chen shook his head, unwilling to reveal his thoughts.

At this moment, Annie found a critical clue—the pigeon-blood ruby stolen from the jeweler, hidden within the seams of a cushion in the second carriage.

The blood on the gem had congealed, forming a dark red film over its surface.

Annie wrapped the gem in a handkerchief and gathered everyone, announcing publicly, “I already know who the murderer is.”

Her words struck every passenger in the carriage and instantly engaged the audience watching the screen. The mystery was finally about to be revealed.

Annie’s gaze swept over each person in the carriage, her tone calm, cold, and incisive: “Aside from my foolish mother and the first victim, every person lying down or standing here is the murderer.”

“What does she mean by that?” Li Bo blurted, his voice a bit loud.

In the main screening room, the first show had just ended. Prince Jin emerged with Xie Xu and Chen Yuning, still processing the surprising conclusion.

Though the mystery had been resolved, many details remained unclear to him, as he hadn’t followed Annie’s line of thought from the beginning.

Xie Xu and Chen Yuning, now seeing it a second time, wore knowing expressions. Having picked up on details missed in their first viewing, everything made much more sense to them now.

In the private screening room, Annie began to reveal the truth.

She first turned to the conductor. “Take off your coat and gloves.”

The conductor narrowed his eyes, refusing to comply.

At that moment, the black-suited men with Gatling guns, who had been absent since boarding, appeared, instructing everyone to follow Annie’s directions.

These men were Annie’s bodyguards and special agents tasked with monitoring her movements.

The conductor was forced to remove his white uniform and gloves, revealing bloodstains on his vest and shirt, with traces of unwashed blood on his hands.

Annie scanned the faces of those present and pulled out the ruby wrapped in her handkerchief. “The origin of all this chaos traces back to this gem…”

It turned out that Janet and Chad overheard a conversation between the conductor and the jeweler about the gem, and they were tempted by its value.

After some discussion, Janet seduced the jeweler into the restroom while Chad prepared to strike.

During the attack, the jeweler fought back fiercely, injuring Chad, but they ultimately succeeded. With premeditation and teamwork, they killed the jeweler, stole the gem, and covered up the crime scene.

During the investigation, Janet didn’t fully tell the truth. Chad didn’t go to the restroom after the questioning began; he had hidden between the second and third carriages after the murder, waiting for Janet to bring him bandages and medicine so he could dress his wounds alone.

However, neither Janet nor Chad knew that the jeweler was also a target of the conductor.

After finding the jeweler dead, the conductor quickly identified the killers but was uncertain who held the gem.

He first dealt with the injured Chad, replicating the scene of the jeweler’s murder.

In reality, when Janet handed the bandages and medicine into the restroom, Chad was already dead, and it was the conductor inside.

The conductor waited until the jeweler’s body was discovered before seizing the chance to leave Chad’s crime scene.

He then climbed across the train roof back to the control room, discarding his bloodstained clothes, changing into a fresh uniform and gloves, and finally reappearing before the passengers.

This was why he had shown up so unusually late.

As for the third murder, the culprit was the already deceased limping count, and the robber’s death was connected to Lina, who had been locked in the room.

When the robber tried to escape, he unexpectedly found Lina, who had been kidnapped by the count.

Lina had hinted earlier about hearing a rhythmic thumping sound.

The count, to cover up his crime, had staged the scene to resemble the previous murders.

And the one who killed the count was Lina.

Lina had hidden her true identity. She wasn’t going to Taicheng to reunite with family; she was a maid who had escaped from the count’s estate.

The maid had fallen in love with a young gardener at the estate, but the count, who also desired her, killed the gardener out of jealousy.

The maid, unable to bear the torment, managed to escape, only to be captured again.

After hearing about the murders on the train, she developed a plan of her own.

…

Annie calmly analyzed the entire chain of motives and methods.

It was a serial killing, yet not quite a typical one.

Annie concluded, “It’s almost like a murder fueled by a relay of desires—a crime even the devil would surrender to.”

With the case resolved, Annie moved to a clean carriage at the back, away from her mother’s distress, and sat alone, sipping black tea.

A man in a black suit joined her, his handsome face full of innocence. “My name is Jed. From today, I’ll be your protector.”

During the capture of the conductor, one of the black-suited men had sacrificed himself, so Jed was promoted from reserve to full-time status.

Jed was deeply curious about this noble lady who had once been possessed by a demon.

A new story was just beginning.

🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️