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

In a corner of the laundry yard, the writing time spent by Lin Zhiruo and Hu Lan'er has gradually become a daily compulsory course.

Not only that, this passion for learning seemed to be spreading quietly, and other palace maids also began to yearn for knowledge and secretly observed the neat lines of handwriting on the ground.

However, there were only a handful of people, including Hu Lan'er, who truly devoted themselves to study, while the others were still immersed in the gossip in the palace.

Recently, Hu Lan'er has been fully devoted to her studies, leaving Lin Zhiruo with few opportunities to catch up on the secrets of the palace.

One day, she accidentally heard a confusing rumor from a man named Wang Dahai:

"Have you heard that a palace maid has gone missing?"

"Oh, it's true. It's really a headache."

Wang Dahai stroked his sparse beard and said slowly to Lin Zhiruo who was tasting the mixed tea,

"She had saved enough money to redeem herself and was ready to leave the palace, but she disappeared without a trace."

According to Wang Dahai, the missing palace maid had attracted the attention of an official at a garden party two years ago, and the two exchanged affectionate messages through letters and hairpins.

Although she was not a personal maid of a higher-ranking concubine, she was often sent outside the palace to perform important tasks because of her outstanding abilities.

The sudden disappearance of such a talented palace maid undoubtedly caused an uproar in the palace.

“Although this is not the first case, it is indeed puzzling.”

There was a hint of glint in Wang Dahai's words. From this subtle tone, Lin Zhiruo vaguely caught a glimpse of the dark corners behind the prosperity of the harem.

The harem, this arena full of beauties, is full of undercurrents and unknown secrets are as numerous as stars.

Although Lin Zhiruo had never experienced it personally, she had occasionally heard of tragic stories about maids who chose to commit suicide because they could not stand the complicated interpersonal relationships among the palace maids, or who hurriedly resigned due to trivial household chores.

For those who leave quietly, everyone always chooses to remain silent tacitly.

However, the missing palace maid was about to leave the palace because of her marriage. This sudden change undoubtedly filled the palace with strange suspicions.

"I heard that the young lady was highly regarded by the Imperial Kitchen Master, who even tried his best to keep her."

Wang Dahai sighed and took a bite of the pancake in his hand.

Although Lin Zhiruo felt that this matter had nothing to do with her, she couldn't help but feel curious.

She just had to do her job, as she should.

When she returned to the Glazed Palace, Lin Zhiruo discovered that a group of distinguished ladies had gathered in the courtyard. They had placed exquisite furniture outdoors, creating a noble and elegant atmosphere, and were holding a grand tea party.

Imperial Concubine Yuyao sat at the other end of the table. Although her belly was slightly bulging, it was difficult for outsiders to notice the fact that she was pregnant because she was wearing loose clothes and was shaded by the trees in the garden.

Caiwei stood beside her with a serious face, always ready to deal with any emergencies that might arise.

It is said that staying in the room all day will easily arouse suspicion from others, so it is necessary to make such public appearances occasionally.

However, Lin Zhiruo believes that careful people will always discover the truth, the key lies in whether the discoverer is an enemy or a friend.

"Let's find another place."

Concubine Yuyao noticed Lin Zhiruo's return and stood up from her chair.

Caiwei followed closely behind, cleverly blocking Concubine Yuyao's figure with her body.

She obviously knew very well from which angle she could see Concubine Yuyao's face.

Quan Wushuang cast a subtle look at Lin Zhiruo, as if hinting at something.

Lin Zhiruo followed Quan Wushuang and others into the reception room in the palace.

"excuse me."

Imperial Concubine Yuyao looked at Lin Zhiruo with an excitement that was hard to conceal, while Caiwei looked a little tired.

The person who summoned Lin Zhiruo sat elegantly on a chair, sipping fragrant tea.

His personal bodyguard Gao Zhongcheng stood beside him unhappily, seemingly dissatisfied with the sudden meeting.

"I wonder what I can do for you?"

Lin Zhiruo looked at the empty seat between Concubine Yuyao and Quan Wushuang and asked politely.

"Oh, this gentleman wants to see you."

Imperial Concubine Yuyao extended her hand towards Quan Wushuang, motioning him to speak.

Quan Wushuang said to Imperial Concubine Yuyao respectfully:

"Yes, then let me change the place to discuss in detail."

The red-haired concubine pouted in dissatisfaction, seeming dissatisfied with Quan Wushuang's proposal.

"Nothing will go wrong. Just say it here, sir."

However, Quan Wushuang insisted:

"No, absolutely not. I cannot stay here any longer, and the princess seems about to start crying."

At this moment, the sound of a child crying was heard outside the room.

It was almost time for Princess Ai Ling to take a nap, but before that she always had to drink Concubine Yu Yao's milk.

Although it's time to consider weaning, it seems it will take some time.

Concubine Yuyao showed a somewhat childish expression. Although she was pregnant with her second child, she was still a girl of only twenty years old after all.

Her mature appearance and tough personality make her look older than her actual age, but she is still very curious.

"Empress Yuyao, please give up."

Caiwei felt that this was a perfect opportunity to shift her attention to business, so she opened the door.

Guiyuan, looking embarrassed, stood outside the door, holding the princess.

After Caiwei took the princess from Guiyuan, she carried her to Concubine Yuyao.

The princess reached out to grab the concubine's clothes. Although Concubine Yuyao still had an unhappy expression, she couldn't let her lovely daughter starve, so she finally compromised.

After leaving the Liuli Palace, the group went to the room of the imperial chef as usual.

Lin Zhiruo muttered to herself:

"You might as well get yourself a room."

Suddenly, she had an idea:

"We can renovate the warehouse of the Imperial Food Bureau. That way, Wang Dahai will naturally serve tea attentively, which will put my mind at ease, and the Imperial Kitchen Manager will also be spared the trouble. Isn't that killing three birds with one stone?"

Although the room of the imperial chef was spacious and plain, it lacked any attractions, and because others had to be dismissed, no one served tea.

At Gao Zhongcheng's urging, Lin Zhiruo sat on a simple chair.

Quan Wushuang looked at Lin Zhiruo and spoke slowly:

"The Emperor has been distributing recipes to the concubines recently. Did you know about this?"

Lin Zhiruo naturally knew this, so she nodded.

"Yes, I heard that after the concubines have read it, the maids will read it, and then tell it to the lower-ranking palace maids. Moreover, copies have begun to circulate, and some palace maids are even interested in learning to read."

After hearing Lin Zhiruo's answer, Quan Wushuang's expression eased a little.

Things developed just as he expected.

Gao Zhongcheng calmly handed a scroll to Quan Wushuang, who slowly spread it out on the table.

"what is this?"

“This is just a preliminary idea, but I plan to try to open such a facility.”

Quan Wushuang pointed to the sketch on the scroll and said.

It turned out to be a sketch of a harem, but a building was drawn in the space that was originally a square.

"This seems to be called a private school in the market?"

Lin Zhiruo widened her eyes in amazement.

Although she guessed that Quan Wushuang might have had this intention for a long time, she did not expect him to act so quickly.

Normally, she often regarded Quan Wushuang as an insignificant existence, but at this moment, she couldn't help but feel a little admiration for him.

However - for some unknown reason, Quan Wushuang and Gao Zhongcheng's bodies suddenly fell backwards.

"Why do the two adults react like this?"

Lin Zhiruo asked curiously.

Quan Wushuang approached the sketch, examined it intently, and then said slowly and calmly:

"I didn't feel anything else inside, just a slight uneasiness."

"Indeed, where did that sharp look you had in the past go? Are you feeling unwell?"

Gao Zhongcheng couldn't help but interrupt and ask.

Lin Zhiruo lowered her eyes, looking a little tired. Only then did Quan Wushuang visibly relax and return to his original demeanor, even showing a hint of satisfaction on his face.

This eunuch may have a natural tendency to be dominated.

"Do you have any idea?"

Quan Wushuang cheered himself up and sought advice from Lin Zhiruo.

Lin Zhiruo stroked her chin and fell into deep thought.

This plan was indeed a brilliant idea, and Lin Zhiruo expressed her sincere appreciation for it.

Quan Wushuang first used the emperor's influence to promote the recipes in the harem to test everyone's reaction, and carefully selected stories that would attract the interest of young women, showing that he was not acting on impulse.

"I think the idea is very innovative. There are actually people who have a strong desire to learn, and it will be very helpful for their future life after leaving the harem."

Lin Zhiruo said.

Quan Wushuang revealed a faint smile, and if that smile was shown to no one else, it would be enough to attract the admiration of countless people.

However, Lin Zhiruo was concerned about something.

She stared intently at the details on the sketch and then pointed to a specific area of ​​the drawing.

"What do you think?"

Quan Wushuang walked closer, wanting to see clearly if there was anything wrong with the place Lin Zhiruo was pointing.

Lin Zhiruo pointed to the square area on the sketch and said:

"Here, on the south side of the harem, the square near the main gate was chosen as the location for the building. This place has a wide space and is convenient for transporting materials. Although the construction process may affect the emperor's vision,

But I think if you look at this project as one in which the emperor himself was involved, then everything becomes clear.”