Don't provoke mentally ill people in the infinite flow genre!

"Oh, I recognize this place." After studying it for a long time, Su Su pointed to the second picture in the scroll and said, "The Imperial Prison in the southwest corner of the Imperial City. Go through Xihua Gate, follow Chang'an Street south, and go into that dark alley."

"This should be the Wenyuan Pavilion." Li Siqi also recognized the third picture. "The green walls and black tiles, and the dragon-head stone statues on the four corner eaves, I remember them."

"But this first map..." Su Su shook her head in distress, "Why is there only one door? The map is detailed, but it doesn't show any specific door."

Tang Yunxi couldn't help but exclaim, "This doesn't look like an ordinary door. It's so ornate, with gold trim—and what kind of mythical beast pattern is depicted on it?"

"Pixiu, a mythical beast that guards wealth." Yan Zhao stood to the side, examining it closely. She stroked her chin thoughtfully for a long time before finally turning her gaze to Yi Zanglan. "Could this be... the door to Your Majesty's palace treasury?"

Yi Zanglan, who had the same idea, said, "Oh, I'll go back to my room later and look for the vault key."

"Great! Now we can confirm the three locations. The Imperial Treasury, the Imperial Prison, and the Wenyuan Pavilion—we can split into three groups tonight to investigate each one." Su Su said happily.

The next second, all the members craned their necks towards Yi Zanglan: "Your Majesty, how should we divide into groups?"

Since everyone here is from ancient times, with their hair ornaments jingling and rattling, it made one of the emperors a little dizzy.

She pushed them away speechlessly: "...Zhao Zhao and Yun happy are coming with me to the Imperial Prison, Lao Shen, Lao Qin and Song Zi are going to the Wenyuan Pavilion, Jiang Yao and Jiang Ling are going to the Imperial Treasury—the rest of you, Xiao Ying, Ming Yue and Su Su, Ling Ye and Si Qi, will split into two groups to further familiarize yourselves with the Imperial City using the map. If you find anything unusual, come back and report immediately."

Everyone agreed with her arrangement. Qin Shaoyu rolled her eyes twice, then asked with a smile.

"There are too many people around during the day, so we definitely need to act at night, right? What should we do with the rest of the time, Your Majesty? Would you like to come to my palace for a cup of tea?"

Shen Yubai hesitated for a moment: "I do have many precious spices in my palace, and I can demonstrate perfumery for Your Majesty on the spot."

Ling Ye glanced at the two of them: "...Your Majesty has many weapons in your palace. Would you like to choose one? If Your Majesty is interested in a sparring match, I would be happy to oblige."

"My lords, let's just leave it at that," Yan Zhao calmly stopped their nonsense. "As subjects, we should prioritize the well-being of the nation. After all, Her Majesty is a wise ruler, and she still has many memorials to review."

"..." Yi Zanglan turned his head in confusion, "How come I didn't know about this?"

"There are many; you'll see them when you return to Hongde Hall."

Qin Shaoyu choked with anger: "Prime Minister, even if it's only seven days, does Her Majesty absolutely have to work? She was clearly already contemplating whether to go for tea, perfumery, or martial arts practice!"

"Qin Junshi, be careful what you say! What do you mean by seven days? His Majesty's dynasty will last for thousands of generations!" Tang Yunxi righteously pushed him away. "Don't try to bewitch the emperor and cause chaos in the harem!"

After saying that, she ignored everyone else's reactions and immediately, together with Yan Zhao, grabbed Yi Zanglan and carried her away.

The door to the Imperial Study was slammed shut.

Wu Ying stood there, exchanging a frustrated glance with Jiang Ling: "You're right. When it comes to pleasing His Majesty, we military officers are indeed no match for those smooth-talking civil officials."

"Tsk, let's find a way to get His Majesty to review the troops later."

* * * * * *

As if under some kind of illusion, as soon as night fell, the once orderly imperial city suddenly changed its appearance without anyone knowing or realizing it.

Under the cover of darkness, no one—whether officials, soldiers, or palace servants—was to be seen. The surrounding area was silent, and it had almost become a dead city.

Daytime is for role-playing, nighttime is the real trial.

The members of Black Wind Stronghold changed into everyday clothes that allowed for easy movement and, according to their previous group assignments, began to act according to plan.

Yi Zanglan, Yan Zhao, and Tang Yunxi left Hongde Hall, exited through Xihua Gate, and headed south along Chang'an Street, heading straight for the Imperial Prison.

The imperial city was eerily quiet late at night, but the three of them seemed to be in good spirits, walking and chatting casually.

"It feels like it's been a while since the three of us teamed up together," Tang Yunxi said. "We either team up in pairs or go into individual games. I feel really uncomfortable when I can't see the two of you at the same time."

"Haven't you gotten used to it yet?" Yi Zanglan smiled. "Of course we can join the team together, but you said before that you wanted to be independent, and I'm counting on you to help lead the team in the future."

"That's true. I also want to train myself and make up for my shortcomings as soon as possible so I can catch up with you two." Tang Yunxi thought for a moment, then added very seriously, "But I'm always happier with you two."

"Okay," Yan Zhao replied lazily. "Then the three of us will have a good time tonight."

"The Prime Minister has won my heart."

"You're too kind, Imperial Preceptor."

Yi Zanglan nodded: "Your two ministers are right."

……

After passing through the eerie dark alley, you soon see a formidable building with towering walls, heavy iron gates, and a plaque that reads "Imperial Prison".

Yi Zanglan raised her hand to test it and found that it was not locked. Before pushing the door open, she turned back to remind her two sisters.

"Have you brought all your weapons?"

"It's all packed."

As an emperor, Yi Zanglan naturally had his own personal sword, which she had checked when she arrived and found to be quite sharp.

In the evening, Yan Zhao and Tang Yunxi went to Ling Ye's palace and picked out two weapons from his many weapons. Yan Zhao took a sword, while Tang Yunxi returned to her old ways and chose a whip.

I don't know if ordinary physical attacks would be effective against ghosts here, but it's always good to be prepared.

The iron gates of the imperial prison opened inward, emitting a dull, scraping sound.

Because it is perpetually dark, the prison is damp and cold, with a musty smell mixed with the stench of blood filling the entire space. Walking along the narrow corridor, one can vaguely feel a chill slowly creeping up one's spine.

The stone walls were rough, with a dim yellow oil lamp embedded every few steps. The cells were connected one after another, with iron bars covering them. Inside, one could see that the cells were covered with dirty, rotten straw mats, and were covered with bloodstains and filth.

"Aren't there any prisoners here?" Tang Yunxi asked, then answered herself, "Oh, right, there were some during the day, but they've disappeared now."

The imperial city during the day and the imperial city at night are completely two different worlds.

The three walked to the depths of the prison and saw that the area ahead should be the torture area. The smell of blood was even stronger, and various torture instruments were arranged against the wall, exuding a chilling aura.

...Yi Zanglan suddenly stopped in her tracks. She held her sword sheath horizontally, blocking Yan Zhao and Tang Yunxi behind her.

"Who said there are no criminals?"

In the shadows of the corner, there was a prisoner wearing an iron mask, his limbs firmly bound to the stone wall by iron shackles.

His head was bowed, his body ravaged by torture, his skin torn and bleeding, which dripped down and pooled at his feet.

After observing for a moment and seeing that the other party did not react abnormally for the time being, the three of them stepped forward.

A case file was placed on the interrogation table. Yi Zanglan picked it up and read it for a while, then frowned.