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

In the mysterious depths of the harem, the footprints of merchants seemed to be wiped out invisibly.

Not a trace was left, as if this holy land had never been touched by the hustle and bustle of the world.

However, at this moment, as if waking from a dream, many vendors appeared like phantoms.

It brings a touch of vivid color to this quiet space and injects vitality and vigor.

Lin Zhiruo witnessed this miraculous change, her heart filled with surprise and curiosity, as if she had stepped into an incredible fantasy world.

In this vast harem, once someone falls ill, it seems very easy to trigger a storm of epidemic.

However, it is not.

The harem has extremely strict regulations on hygiene management, and cleaning work occupies a large part of the daily work of the palace maids.

They are also very careful in handling waste. Whenever the filth accumulates to a certain level, they will quickly discharge it into the sewer.

This practice may cause the ditches to emit a foul smell, but it is said that the underground water pipes do not pass through the ditches, but flow directly into the rivers, thus avoiding the spread of pollution.

This ingenious design benefited from the introduction of Western water supply technology and was cleverly improved upon the original underground sewer system during the previous emperor's reign.

The place where the harem is located was once a prosperous city, and was later converted into a harem.

Both the outer walls and the ditches were built based on the existing facilities, so despite the large area, the construction costs were saved a lot.

This is undoubtedly the masterpiece of the extremely talented and confident queen. With her extraordinary wisdom and courage, she left behind a magnificent harem for future generations.

As long as you pay attention to hygiene, diseases can be effectively prevented.

Even if someone occasionally falls ill, they will be sent back to their hometown according to strict regulations to prevent the disease from spreading.

"Lin Zhiruo, I heard that we will be given some free time on the last day."

There was a gleam of anticipation in Xiao Cui's eyes, as if she was inviting Lin Zhiruo to go shopping.

Lin Zhiruo gladly accepted her invitation and gently patted Xiao Cui's head in response, the action full of tenderness and pampering.

As soon as she returned to the Glazed Palace, Lin Zhiruo met the maids with joyful faces.

It turned out that while the shops were closed, several merchants quietly came to the palace.

These merchants are all women, because the harem is a sensitive area and men are not allowed to enter without permission.

For safety reasons, there are more eunuch guards in the palace than usual. They are drinking tea and relaxing, enjoying their rare leisure time.

These guards are all familiar faces. They have become accustomed to the harmonious and peaceful atmosphere of the Glass Palace, as if it is their spiritual harbor.

"The Emperor has granted your Majesty the right to choose and purchase anything you like."

Su Su said excitedly, as if it was her own business.

Although her allowance was cut in half, she seemed to have recovered from the blow and was full of life again, like a flower blooming anew.

On the table were various jade jewellery, the colour of which was as sparkling as the deep eyes of Concubine Yuyao; there were also crystal clear glass cups and exquisite mother-of-pearl treasure boxes, which were a feast for the eyes.

Princess Ai Ling received a hydrangea made of beautiful silk cloth, and a happy smile appeared on her face, as if it was her most precious treasure.

In addition to the concubines' clothes, the princesses' clothes were also neatly hung on the wall, colorful, like a gorgeous painting.

“Did you buy too much?”

Imperial Concubine Yuyao tilted her head slightly, a hint of doubt on her face, as if she was worried about her own extravagance.

"Not much, actually you can buy some more."

Caiwei seemed a little excited, as if she was cheering for Concubine Yuyao's shopping enthusiasm, and her tone was full of admiration and love for the empress.

"I imagine other palaces must have bought more."

Caiwei's tone was restrained when she spoke, but Lin Zhiruo could still imagine the scene:

In Zixiao Palace, Imperial Concubine Pinglan's maids must have been making a lavish purchase;

In the Vajra Palace, the maids might flatter Concubine Dexin and trick her into buying something they like;

As for Imperial Concubine Shuwan of Zixiao Palace, she was flamboyant and it went without saying that she would spend lavishly.

In comparison, the things purchased by Imperial Concubine Yuyao could fit into an entire room. Lin Zhiruo felt that this was quite frugal for a favored concubine, as if she were a good wife and mother who knew how to manage the household.

All concubines received a monthly allowance, which was considered a form of "professional" income.

Naturally, the necessary funds can be applied for for the clothes worn or daily necessities in the harem.

The concubines were divided into upper, middle and lower levels according to their ranks, with a total of more than one hundred people.

Lin Zhiruo couldn't help but worry about the profit and loss of the national treasury. Although this was not something she should worry about, she could not suppress her concern for the country and the people.

"Anyway, there are other shops coming tomorrow, so I'll put these away for today."

Caiwei took down the clothes hanging on the wall one by one, and Lin Zhiruo also took them one by one.

These clothes are soft to the touch and colorful, just like a fairyland in a painting, which makes people intoxicated.

(strangeness?)

Lin Zhiruo accidentally noticed something: these clothes seemed a little different from the styles that Concubine Yuyao usually liked to wear.

The Empress always preferred to wear a long halter dress with wide sleeves, but this time she mostly wore a chest-length skirt with sleeves, as if her preference had changed overnight.

Lin Zhiruo secretly guessed the reason in her heart.

For Concubine Yuyao, the clothes that were tied around her lower abdomen with belts might have become a little tight. Could it be the result of the passage of time?

"...Apart from this style, are there any other styles of clothes?"

Lin Zhiruo asked tentatively, her tone full of concern and love for the Empress.

"Huh? The merchant said this is the popular style this year."

The maids looked at each other with puzzled expressions, as if they were confused about the Empress's preferences.

They bought these clothes for Concubine Yuyao's benefit.

But if it is an ordinary day, they may choose other different styles to meet the diverse needs of the queen.

If the merchant knew this and brought these clothes,

Could it be that Lin Zhiruo is overthinking?

(I hope I am just being overthinking.)

If one speculates that the merchants deliberately selected this type of pattern and sent it to Imperial Concubine Yuyao, Lin Zhiruo would be unable to help but suspect that they had ulterior motives and wanted to gather some information.

However, this idea was just a slight doubt in Lin Zhiruo's mind, and there was no solid evidence to support it.

"I think it would be better to ask tomorrow if there is a style that would be more suitable for the Empress."

Lin Zhiruo carefully chose her words, her tone full of respect and love for the Empress.

Although Lin Zhiruo felt that she was overstepping her authority by doing this, Imperial Concubine Yuyao and Caiwei seemed to have understood the implication of her words.

The three maids looked at each other, tilting their heads in confusion, as if they were baffled by Lin Zhiruo's suggestion.

"You're right, we need to buy some different styles of clothes."

Imperial Concubine Yuyao spoke thoughtfully, her tone full of admiration and recognition for Lin Zhiruo.

After saying that, she put the loose jumpsuit on the box.

At that moment, her eyes became sharp, which should not be Lin Zhiruo's illusion, as if she was standing firm for her own preferences.

The caravan would stay in the harem for five days. During this time, the palace maids would enjoy the shopping pleasure that they could hardly get on weekdays.

At first, it was the middle-level and lower-level concubines and their maids who visited the tents and selected items; later, the palace maids with official titles also joined in; finally, even the low-level palace maids excitedly looked at the leftover items on the last day.

Although they could only look at it at most, their happiness and satisfaction were beyond words, as if this was a paradise in their hearts.

It can be seen how much this place lacks entertainment and novelty on weekdays, as if it is as silent as a pool of stagnant water.

The caravan that came this time was a team that came across the desert, and they brought with them many exotic treasures.

It is said that they had passed by Concubine Yuyao's hometown, so the maids of Liuli Palace showed nostalgic expressions when they saw those handicrafts, as if those handicrafts were the memories of their hometown in their hearts.

Compared to these handicrafts, Lin Zhiruo wanted to see the ingredients more.

However, it seemed difficult to bring such things directly into the harem. At most, they could only sell some tea or spices as a side dish, as if the harem was a fairyland isolated from the world that did not allow worldly dust to contaminate it.

Since Lin Zhiruo received pocket money from Concubine Yuyao, she went shopping with Xiao Cui to look at the goods on the last day as agreed.

"it is good!"

Although Xiao Cui was short of money and could only look at them, her shining eyes were full of appreciation and love for Western glass art, as if those glass art were treasures in her heart.

Lin Zhiruo looked at Xiao Cui's innocent appearance, and a warm feeling surged in her heart, as if she saw the purity and beauty deep in her heart.

"I want to buy this!"

Lin Zhiruo pointed to a brightly colored hair tie and said.

She bought it secretly and tied it on Xiao Cui's head.

The deep pink hair tie is very suitable for the lively and cheerful Xiao Cui, as if it was tailor-made for her.

Xiao Cui soon accidentally discovered the hair tie on her head. She hugged Lin Zhiruo in surprise, almost making her fall down.

At that moment, Lin Zhiruo's heart was filled with happiness and satisfaction, as if she really had a younger sister.

Lin Zhiruo thought: If I had a younger sister, she would probably be like Xiao Cui, innocent, lively and cute.

"Lin Zhiruo, don't you buy clothes?"

Xiao Cui asked curiously, her tone full of concern and love for Lin Zhiruo.

"I do not need."

Lin Zhiruo smiled and shook her head, that smile full of indifference and detachment towards the world.