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

Lin Zhiruo's gaze was fixed on Quan Wushuang, and her eyes seemed to silently express her inner fluctuations.

With Quan Wushuang's tolerant permission, she finally mustered up the courage to share her views:

"The palaces on the south side of the harem are usually the residences of concubines of higher status. Although it cannot be generalized, many of them have extremely fragile and flaming self-esteem."

She continued, recalling the arrogant looks of the concubines, especially the group of palace maids who originally knew nothing about knowledge gathered together within the emperor's sight, eager to absorb the nourishment of knowledge.

It remains to be seen whether such a scene can be accepted by those noble concubines.

"..."

After hearing this, Quan Wushuang fell into deep thought.

Although he was a eunuch, he had an extraordinary insight into the complex relationships in the harem.

Lin Zhiruo believed that he would be able to understand the deeper meaning behind her words.

Behind those seemingly gentle concubines, there may be someone secretly creating trouble.

Even if they don't do it themselves, they may instruct their maids or servants to do something shameful.

Their target was not the school that was about to be established, but the palace maids who were eager to learn.

“…Perhaps the north side is a better choice.”

Lin Zhiruo said softly.

The north side was the most neglected area in the harem, and few concubines were willing to go there.

Quan Wushuang nodded slightly, as if weighing the pros and cons.

"Besides, I don't think it's necessary to build a lot of new buildings. We can just make some renovations to the existing buildings to meet the demand."

Lin Zhiruo added, thinking to herself that building a new building was too extravagant.

Although Quan Wushuang may need to consider the issue of face, it is acceptable to lower his status occasionally in order to save money.

"besides……"

Lin Zhiruo spoke again, with wisdom glittering in her eyes.

"On the surface, we can do this under the guise of skills training for the new department. If we directly call it a school, it might cause misunderstanding and be considered just empty talk. However, if we use livelihood skills as bait, perhaps we can attract more palace maids to come and learn."

"It seems that this makes sense."

Quan Wushuang nodded thoughtfully.

"Especially women from farming families, they are more worried about their future livelihood. In addition, you can also occasionally distribute some snacks during breaks as a sign of encouragement."

"Snacks? Are they available every day?"

Quan Wushuang understood what he meant, but asked deliberately.

Lin Zhiruo shook her head, a sly smile on her lips:

"It doesn't have to be every day, just occasionally. If it's available every day, it might attract people who come just for the snacks. If it's not distributed regularly, they won't know when they'll get it, so they'll naturally come every day."

"I see……"

Quan Wushuang suddenly realized,

“As the saying goes, no one wants to bet on a sure win.”

Although Quan Wushuang's suggestion was good, perhaps because he came from a prominent family, he always acted with some reserve and reservation.

He seemed to realize this, which is why he asked Lin Zhiruo for advice.

Lin Zhiruo thought secretly in her heart. She had many other opinions, but in order to avoid Quan Wushuang accepting them all, she decided to keep them aside for the time being.

She looked around and felt that there seemed no need to change the place, so she prepared to leave.

However, Quan Wushuang took out a document from his sleeve and slowly unfolded it:

"I have another question. Last time, I saw that you knew a lot about that poisonous mushroom. How much do you know about it?"

Lin Zhiruo couldn't help but frown when she heard this, and doubts filled her heart:

"Mushrooms are both edible and medicinal. I always go up the mountain to pick them when I cook."

She suppressed her laughter and continued,

“Although there are poisonous mushrooms, there are also many valuable foods that accompany mushrooms.”

"What's going on with the mushroom thing?"

Lin Zhiruo asked curiously.

Quan Wushuang sighed and said slowly:

"Every year around this time, there are always palace maids who suffer from severe abdominal pain due to eating something they didn't like. Despite our repeated warnings, some always turn a deaf ear."

“Greedy people are everywhere.”

Lin Zhiruo nodded and smiled.

Although there is no worry about food and clothing in the harem, for some people, the food in the cafeteria is always unable to satisfy their appetite.

Only the concubines' personal maids or those who received rewards could taste the delicious snacks.

"Last year, there was a thief who sneaked into the Imperial Food Bureau and ate with the medical officer."

Quan Wushuang continued.

Lin Zhiruo was shocked when she heard this, but she remained calm.

“Also, fruits from the orchard often go missing.”

Quan Wushuang added.

Lin Zhiruo thought to herself that those were not poisonous mushrooms, but extremely delicious varieties.

As for the orchard, she just helped pick some unripe fruits.

But facing Quan Wushuang's questioning, she could only silently find excuses in her heart.

"That's what's going on. I hope you can check in advance for any mushrooms that might be accidentally eaten by the palace maids and handle them properly. Also, please inform me of the toxicity of these mushrooms."

Quan Wushuang continued,

"Except for important tasks like poison testing, all other work you have in the Liuli Palace can be put on hold for now."

When Lin Zhiruo heard this, she felt something was wrong in her heart, but she did not show it on her face.

She nodded slightly and responded:

"As ordered."

She thought to herself that there were many places where mushrooms grew in the harem.

There are many flowers, trees, gardens and orchards among those beautiful palaces.

Now is the turn of spring and autumn, the weather is humid, and mushrooms will surely emerge like bamboo shoots after a rain.

However, edible and poisonous mushrooms often have similar appearances but different secrets.

The most commonly mistaken ones are the Oyster Mushroom and the Moon Agaricus.

There have also been cases of food poisoning caused by accidental ingestion in places with fireworks.

Lin Zhiruo knew very well that the place where mushrooms grew also had its particular requirements.

Pleurotus geesteranus can be found everywhere, while Pleurotus geesteranus mostly grows in the mountains and wilds.

There should be no trace of Yue Yerong in the harem.

If someone wanted to steal mushrooms, they would definitely avoid places frequented by gardeners and places where emperors occasionally admired flowers.

In this case, the south side where the palaces and pavilions of the high-ranking and mid-ranking concubines are located should be excluded first.

Other scattered orchards or woods are most likely hiding places for mushrooms.

Lin Zhiruo looked at the sketch that Quan Wushuang handed to her, her heart filled with anticipation and curiosity.

"Oh? You're back."

Susu's voice sounded outside the door, with a hint of retreat and shyness.

Lin Zhiruo greeted him with a smile:

"I am back."

"Ah! Don't come right in!"

Su Su shouted hurriedly, patting Lin Zhiruo's head and clothes.

Her hair was covered with leaves and there were a few twigs stuck in her clothes.

It was obviously caused by climbing a tree just now.

"I don't know if you're following orders or what, but you can't run into the palace looking dirty."

Su Su scolded.

When Lin Zhiruo heard this, a warm feeling surged in her heart.

She knew that no matter how difficult the road ahead was, as long as Su Su was by her side, she would be able to move forward courageously.