Why am I, a cook, always involved in cases?

As the seasons quietly change, the air is filled with an oppressive humidity, and it seems that even every breath has become heavy.

While lamenting the passing of time, Lin Zhiruo began to prepare insect repellent herbs. The refreshing fragrance seemed to be able to dispel the depression in her heart.

"It's time to change clothes."

Caiwei's words were like an order that could not be disobeyed, and everyone immediately got busy and started to organize the clothes in the locker room.

Su Su stood in front of the wardrobe, her legs slightly apart, a scornful smile on her lips, revealing her disdain for those outdated styles.

"Since your Highness is busy taking care of the princess, this task falls on the shoulders of the three of us—Susu, Lin Zhiruo, and Xiaomei."

Su Su looked up and said to Xiao Mei:

"Xiaomei, please take down that box from the top shelf."

Although Xiaomei is dissatisfied with her height, she does have a natural advantage in reaching objects from high places.

Lin Zhiruo and Susu took the box handed to them by Xiaomei, carefully checked each piece of clothing, sorted them carefully, hung them up, and then took them to a ventilated and cool place to dry.

Su Su checked the clothes and divided them into two categories: usable and unusable. Her eyes were both picky and sharp.

"Maybe I can wear this one for a while longer."

She said it softly, but in Lin Zhiruo's opinion, these clothes were all carefully selected items, but Susu's vision was too harsh.

"This was once very popular, but fashion is so cruel. Once it goes out of style, it becomes like trash."

Lin Zhiruo stuffed the clothes discarded by Susu into a box and moved it to the corridor.

These old clothes were once worn by high-ranking concubines. It is said that because of their high-quality materials, they will be made into new clothes and used as rewards.

However, these clothes were not distributed to the maids in Liuli Palace, but were sent back to their hometowns.

Although hairpins and other accessories were sometimes given to maids as rewards, these items of clothing were not suitable for public wearing in the harem.

It is said that they would be sent to the tailor, altered, and then given to the villagers of Concubine Yuyao.

"Speaking of which, a new maid will be entering the palace soon."

Xiaomei suddenly remembered something and said as she took down the box,

"Since Empress Yuyao is pregnant, she will definitely be busier in the future, so we will naturally need more manpower.

But if we are the only ones adding staff, it will inevitably arouse suspicion, so I heard last time that all the concubines might have the opportunity to add some maids."

Su Su opened her mouth in surprise when she heard this.

"This news comes unexpectedly, but it is good news."

"I think there must be a reason for this. After all, a concubine brought more than fifty servants into the palace. How could the other concubines be willing to lag behind?"

Susu looked embarrassed, and Lin Zhiruo also guessed who they were talking about. It was the Imperial Concubine Shuwan who entered the palace with great fanfare.

In contrast, if the emperor's favorite concubine only had five maids, it would probably not sound good if the news got out.

"Can't she just reduce the staff?"

Xiaomei reminded in a low voice,

"Susu, if you say that again, Caiwei will punish you again."

Su Su hurriedly covered her mouth and dared not say anything more.

Lin Zhiruo kept packing unwanted things into boxes and moving them outside.

The three of them chatted while working, and soon, most of their summer clothes were gone.

Lin Zhiruo asked curiously:

"The amount of clothes has been reduced so much, what should I do next?"

Xiaomei smiled and said:

"Don't worry. We've already asked a tailor to make a batch of clothes. The caravan is arriving soon, so we can take this opportunity to stock up."

Su Su continued, her words full of anticipation.

Xiaomei wanted to interrupt, but she could only show an unhappy expression.

"Caravan?"

Lin Zhiruo asked doubtfully.

Su Su gently stroked the clothes, feeling the delicate touch of silk, and said with a smile:

"Yes, that's right. This caravan is quite large, and they are said to have brought many rare treasures from foreign countries."

When Lin Zhiruo heard this, a hint of curiosity and anticipation surged in her heart.

Caravan originally referred to a group of merchants crossing the desert, but here it refers to those mobile markets.

The goods they sold included many rare and precious treasures. Although Lin Zhiruo had received such merchants in red-light districts before, in this harem lacking in entertainment, this was undoubtedly a pleasure that surpassed everything else.

"We'll arrange time for you to go shopping too. Empress Yuyao always gives everyone pocket money during such events."

The moment she grinned, Lin Zhiruo and Xiaomei stopped what they were doing.

Su Su turned her head away, confused, and Lin Zhiruo pointed behind her.

She slowly turned around and saw Caiwei standing not far away, her face as gloomy as water and a stiff smile on the corner of her mouth.

Su Su trembled with fear, and a bitter smile appeared on her face.

"You seem to be so busy chatting that you forget to do anything."

She said hurriedly.

However, at this time, Xiaomei and Lin Zhiruo had already started folding the clothes skillfully.

Su Su opened her mouth wide, as if to say, "You actually betrayed me!"

(I still want money!)

In this way, Susu's pocket money was reduced a little.

The harem is extremely vast, far larger than an ordinary city.

The palace maids here only exist to serve the concubines, maintain the cleanliness of the harem buildings, and have the tiny chance of becoming the emperor's concubine.

Their lives are very different from those of ordinary city dwellers, as if they are living in another world.

The palace maids shared the duties of cleaning, washing clothes and cooking. It was more like a huge mansion than a city.

However, in this huge place, there is a lack of certain necessary facilities - shops.

"You look very happy."

The childish palace maid Xiao Cui said this, and Lin Zhiruo cast a curious look at her.

In the square, many palace maids were walking between the tents with smiles on their faces, as if they were in a bustling market.

Rows of large tents were set up there, and the dazzling array of goods was dazzling.

However, there are more than 2,000 palace maids in the harem after all. The lower-level palace maids have no room to participate at all, and they are not even qualified to view the goods. They can only watch the senior palace maids happily choose.

Lin Zhiruo and Xiao Cui looked at the lively scene from the railing of the building where the lower-ranking palace maids lived.

Today, since the concubines and maids in high positions are having fun, the servants have nothing to do, just like a shop closed.

"I really hope I can have new clothes to wear."

Xiao Cui put her chin on the railing and said with a pout,

“But there’s nowhere to wear it.”

"I know, but I just want it!"

Lin Zhiruo smiled and comforted him.

The clothes of lower-ranking palace maids were monotonous and boring, three sets in summer and two sets in winter. They would only receive a new set when it was really worn out.

In addition, hair ties, underwear, and daily necessities were also distributed by the government.

Meals are provided daily by the canteen.

If a palace maid comes from a better-off family, she might receive packages from her hometown, but most palace maids can only survive on these meager supplies.

The concubines' personal maids might receive some extra rewards, but palace maids like Xiaomei could only get paper from Concubine Yuyao when making copies.

Without shops, these items are not easy to obtain.

Xiao Cui, who has no one to rely on, rarely has the opportunity to increase her personal belongings. Even if she does,

It would be like now, she would have to wait until the other palace maids had finished choosing before she could reluctantly use the change in her hand to choose some of the remaining things.