Rebirth: Phoenix Riding the Ninth Heaven

Just as Li Ruoyue was grappling with her inner struggles, a figure suddenly appeared beside Baili Xi, like a ghost. This person was looking for Baili Xi. Ruoyue, who had only just met him, saw that his face was filled with anxiety. He hurriedly called out to Baili Xi, "Master Baili! Why are you here? I've had a hard time finding you! Don't wander around here alone! We're unfamiliar with this place. If something unexpected happens, my master will be extremely worried!" With that, the man whipped around, his eyes meeting Li Ruoyue and Luzhu. Instantly, his mouth dropped open in astonishment, and he cried out, "Oh my! Young lady, you're here too?" His voice was filled with disbelief, as if he had witnessed the most incredible thing.

Li Ruoxue and Luzhu took a closer look and were startled. They thought to themselves, "Oh! Isn't this the young man who always follows the Fourth Prince? How could he know Master Baili? Could it be that the person Master Baili has taken refuge with is actually the Fourth Prince?" These thoughts flashed through Li Ruoyue's mind, and he instantly understood the reason. If this was true, then with the current turmoil in the northwest, could they ask this person for help? After all, at such a critical moment, more strength means more chances of victory! However, things might not be as simple as imagined...

Just as Li Ruoyue was silently thinking and weighing in her heart, Baili Xi had already responded to the concerned inquiry of the servant beside him: "It's okay, it's okay. I'm just strolling around. Why are you so panicked? Think about it, I have come here all the way alone after a long journey and I am safe all the way. What else could happen in this city?" After Baili Xi finished answering the servant, he turned around and bowed in the direction of the palace where Li Ruoyue was and said, "Excuse me, young lady, are you free? As the saying goes, meeting is fate. I wonder if I can invite you to enjoy a meal with me?" His words were sincere and he looked at Li Ruoyue sincerely, looking forward to her consent.

Li Ruoyue was thinking of asking him to introduce her to the Fourth Prince, so she immediately agreed to Baili Xi's request and went to dinner. They were staying at Tianxianglou, the finest hotel in Kyoto. Located in one of Kyoto's busiest, bustling, and bustling areas, Tianxianglou was a magnificent building. The building consisted of three floors, and its scale was truly impressive, resembling a vast courtyard. Each of these three floors had a distinct purpose and function.

The bottom floor is a dining area specially prepared for guests of middle level; the middle floor has become a place for banquets and gatherings for many dignitaries; as for the upper floor, it is a private box where kings, generals and famous families can enjoy delicious food.

It's worth noting that each private room has been given a remarkably elegant name. There are twelve rooms in total, each named after the elegant nicknames associated with the months of the year. For example, the first month of the year could be called "Mengchun," the second month "Zhongchun," and so on, all the way to the twelfth month. This not only adds a touch of poetry and cultural heritage, but also makes these rooms unique and alluring.

The second floor also features twelve private rooms, but their names are different. This time, they are inspired by the elegant names of the twelve zodiac animals. For example, the room for those born in the Year of the Rat is called "Zi Shu Pavilion," while the room for those born in the Year of the Ox is called "Chou Niu Pavilion." These ingenious designations undoubtedly imbue the entire building with a sense of fun and mystery.

They offer a wide variety of dishes, including not only their own chef's specialties but also dishes carefully customized according to customers' special requests. No matter what taste preferences or unique requirements diners from all over the world have, this restaurant seems to be able to satisfy their taste buds.

At that moment, Li Ruoyue and Bailixi, accompanied by the servant they had met once before and Luzhu, entered Tianxianglou. As soon as they crossed the threshold, a neatly dressed, handsome waiter hurriedly approached them and asked enthusiastically, "Dear guests, have you reserved a table in advance? If not, you can choose to dine in the lobby or in one of the private rooms upstairs. Also, do you have any favorite dishes? We have both our famous signature dishes and a wide variety of delicious dishes for you to choose from."

Upon hearing this, the servant standing beside the Fourth Prince stepped forward hurriedly, handed a jade token hanging from his waist to the waiter, and said, "My young master has reserved an elegant room here for a long time. Please lead us there." The waiter took the token and looked at it carefully. He saw the three words "Meiyue Pavilion," the elegant name of April, engraved on it. He knew in his heart that the person in front of him was the distinguished guest on the third floor, so his attitude became more respectful, and responded with a smile on his face, "So it's a distinguished guest! Please follow me, come in, this way!" As he said that, he stepped aside to lead the way, leading everyone upstairs.

They slowly ascended the stairs and finally arrived at the door of the mysterious yet highly anticipated private room on the third floor—the Plum Moon Pavilion. The waiter swiftly opened the door and stepped aside to usher them in.

Upon entering this spacious space, the first thing that catches your eye is the magnificent landscape screen facing the entrance. This screen is particularly striking, meticulously crafted from finest sandalwood, exuding a delicate sandalwood fragrance. The embroidery on its surface is exquisite, a rare treasure of Shu embroidery. The delicate needlework depicts lifelike landscapes and lively flowers, birds, fish, and insects.

Passing the screen, a massive sandalwood table loomed before us. Its surface, smooth as a mirror, held a set of exquisite tea sets, seemingly waiting for distinguished guests to savor the aroma of tea. A closer look revealed a large table that could seat eight, more than enough to accommodate numerous guests.

Looking further up the wall, they saw a massive painting of the rising sun. In it, a crimson sun rose slowly from the sea, its radiant light filling the room with a vibrant atmosphere. As they approached the painting, they were struck by its imposing grandeur.

Then they noticed a separate suite next to the table. Entering it, they could see the four treasures of the study, as well as various tables, chairs, and benches neatly arranged. It felt like a small, cozy living room, with all the furniture in place and arranged in perfect order.

After everyone had taken their seats according to their order of honor, the clever waiter quickly approached, smiling broadly and asking, "Sir, what would you like to order? We have quite a few signature dishes! Of course, if you already have a particular dish in mind, just let me know and I'll do my best to prepare it just for you."

Baili Xi turned to look at Li Ruoyue beside her and said softly, "Miss Li, you should order the dishes." Li Ruoyue did not refuse after hearing this, but nodded readily, then turned her head to ask the waiter, "Brother Waiter, this is the first time for the two of us to visit your restaurant today. We are not familiar with the dishes here, so please introduce them to us. What kind of delicious dishes do you have in your restaurant? What ingredients are used in these delicacies? What are the specific cooking methods? Let us listen so that we can choose one or two." After that, she looked at the waiter gently, waiting for his answer.

After hearing Li Ruoyue's reply, the waiter did not act pretentiously and announced the names of the dishes cheerfully.

Stewed lion head

**Ingredients**: pork belly, shrimp, eggs, green onions, ginger, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, cooking wine, salt, pepper, chicken essence, and clear soup.

**practice**:

1. Chop the pork belly and shrimp into minced meat, add seasoning and mix well.

2. Shape the minced meat into large meatballs, put them into the pot, add clear soup, scallion segments, and ginger slices, and simmer over low heat until the meatballs are cooked through and the soup is thick.

 Buddha jumping off the wall

**Ingredients**: abalone, sea cucumber, shark fin, pigeon eggs, scallops, pig trotter tendons, pork tripe, chicken, ham, winter bamboo shoots, scallops, shiitake mushrooms, broth, cooking wine, salt, MSG, chicken essence, green onions, and ginger.

**practice**:

1. Clean all the main ingredients separately and blanch them in water to remove the fishy smell.

2. Place all ingredients in a stewing pot, add seasoning and broth, and simmer over low heat for several hours until the ingredients are soft and tasty.

 Kung Pao Chicken

**Ingredients**: chicken breast, dried chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, peanuts, onions, ginger, garlic, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, cooking wine, sugar, vinegar, salt, chicken essence, and water starch.

**practice**:

1. Dice the chicken breast and marinate with seasoning.

2. Heat oil in a pan, sauté Sichuan peppercorns and dried chilies until fragrant, then add diced chicken and stir-fry quickly until they change color.

3. Add onion, ginger, garlic, seasoning and peanuts, stir-fry evenly, thicken and serve.

 Roast Duck

**Ingredients**: fat duck, maltose, soy sauce, honey, five-spice powder, salt.

**practice**:

1. Clean the duck, marinate it with seasonings, and then apply a sauce made with maltose, soy sauce, and honey all over the duck.

2. Hang the duck in the oven and slowly roast it over fruit wood charcoal until the skin is crispy, the meat is tender, and the color is golden.

 Longjing Shrimp

**Ingredients**: fresh shrimp, Longjing tea leaves, salt, chicken essence, cooking wine, starch, egg white.

**practice**:

1. Marinate the shrimp with salt, chicken essence, cooking wine, starch and egg white.

2. Heat oil in a pan, stir-fry the shrimp quickly until they change color, then remove from the pan.

3. Add a small amount of oil to the pan, fry the Longjing tea leaves until fragrant, then add the shrimps and stir-fry quickly, season and serve.

The preparation of dishes not only pays attention to taste, but also focuses on the selection of ingredients, nutritional combination and artistic presentation. In actual operation, the preparation process of each dish may be more complicated, requiring strict control of heat, seasoning and plating to achieve the best visual and taste effects.