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

In the depths of the palace, the maids' whispers merged into a sad hymn. They told in unison the story of a concubine who could not bear the burden of fate and finally chose to take poison in order to find spiritual freedom.

In Lanpin's quiet residence, the five maids were like a harmonious symphony, and their testimonies were like carefully woven narrative poems. On the surface, they were flawless, like the sound of nature.

However, Quan Wushuang, the chief steward of the palace, is like a wise man who can see through everything. Driven by his duty, he has to pursue the truth behind this tragedy from every detail.

This is also the reason why he remained silent about Concubine Yuyao's affairs.

"Master Steward, are you searching for the source of that deadly poison?"

Lin Zhiruo asked softly, and Quan Wushuang nodded slightly, with a determined light flashing in his eyes.

No one could predict how Lanpin's parents would react if they learned of their daughter's tragedy, but if this matter touched upon the taboos of the palace, even if they were heartbroken, they could only choose to endure it silently.

Lin Zhiruo gently took off the triangular scarf covering her face, held her cheek with her hand, and fell into the abyss of contemplation.

"Master General, did the concubine accidentally eat those poisonous mushrooms, which led to her unfortunate death?"

Lin Zhiruo's voice was like a gentle breeze. Quan Wushuang nodded again with a serious expression.

"Indeed."

However, this makes the case more complicated.

The concubine's face was red, swollen and ulcerated. If it was an old injury, it would be understandable, but the redness and swelling were obviously recent.

"These mushrooms can indeed cause skin diseases if they come into contact with them, but if they are accidentally ingested, as far as I know, they will only cause oral inflammation and will not spread to the face."

Lin Zhiruo raised her own questions, as if looking for light in the fog.

"Are you sure?"

Quan Wushuang asked.

"Indeed, this mushroom can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, or paralysis. However, since the concubine's face was so ulcerated, I am more inclined to believe that she deliberately smeared the poisonous mushroom on her face."

Lin Zhiruo also noticed a subtle detail: the concubine lying in the cold coffin did not have any signs of festering on her hands.

If she was really desperate enough to smear the poison on her face, she would not be as cautious as Lin Zhiruo and wear gloves just in case.

Lin Zhiruo held her forehead with her hand and sighed softly. The answer seemed to be within reach, but it was like the moon in the water, lacking solid evidence.

Without evidence, Lin Zhiruo could not continue to report to Quan Wushuang.

"I see you seem hesitant."

Quan Wushuang's eyes were as sharp as a knife as he stared at the confused Lin Zhiruo.

His face moved closer, almost touching Lin Zhiruo's forehead.

"But you can say it, there's no need to hide it."

Quan Wushuang's words were as warm as a spring breeze, but Lin Zhiruo found it difficult to speak.

Her eyes dropped quietly.

"Could you please grant me some time, Lord General? Furthermore, if possible, I would like to borrow a few strong and trustworthy eunuchs who are both steadfast and courageous."

"I understand. If this helps uncover the truth, I will arrange it."

Although Quan Wushuang was puzzled by this strange request, he still agreed.

"I'm not entirely sure."

"Just do it."

Quan Wushuang's words were as firm as a mountain.

Lin Zhiruo was just a humble palace maid, and the fact that Quan Wushuang valued her so much made her feel warm in her heart.

"As ordered."

Lin Zhiruo slowly lowered her head, like a fallen leaf, floating down lightly.

Afterwards, Lin Zhiruo conducted a three-day search based on the map of the harem.

She confirmed the location of the pavilion where Lanpin lived, and then launched a carpet search centered on the listed candidate locations, looking for the crucial clue.

During these three days, she was covered in mud, like a deer that had just escaped from the quagmire. Every time she returned to the Glass Palace, she would cause the other maids to exclaim in amazement.

In the end, she left her muddy clothes at the Shangshi Bureau and changed into clean clothes.

Later, Wang Dahai and the palace maid in the laundry yard who usually chatted with her revealed a secret to Lin Zhiruo.

This secret is related to a rumor that has been circulating in the palace recently.

Although Lin Zhiruo was not sure yet, she already had a more reasonable guess in her mind compared with the testimony of Lanpin's maid.

The next day, after everything was ready, three eunuchs came to greet Lin Zhiruo.

Among them was Gao Zhongcheng.

Lin Zhiruo once said that she needed a strong eunuch, and she also believed that Gao Zhongcheng was the right candidate.

This time, Quan Wushuang seemed to be busy with other matters and was unable to come in person.

Lin Zhiruo knew very well that although the eunuch seemed leisurely and comfortable, he was actually very busy with official duties, like a busy bee.

She is deeply aware that sometimes outward elegance can become a constraint.

"Then I'll trouble you all."

Lin Zhiruo bowed her head in thanks and distributed the shovels to everyone.

The eunuchs looked puzzled, but seeing that Gao Zhongcheng didn't say anything, the others didn't ask any more questions.

Lin Zhiruo was full of respect for them for choosing such a sensible person.

Afterwards, Lin Zhiruo led them to the woods on the north side.

This is not the forest where the poisonous mushrooms were found, but it is also a place with fallen leaves and no one to clean it.

The wind was filled with a pungent smell, like a foul haze, hanging over everyone's heart.

Lin Zhiruo pointed to one of them.

"Could you please dig here?"

Lin Zhiruo marked three locations on the harem map. The reason she chose this place first was because she thought it was the most likely location.

The eunuchs waved their shovels, pushed aside the fallen leaves, and dug holes with a rustling sound.

The damp and soft soil was easily dug up like a scar.

Lin Zhiruo wanted to go forward to help, but Gao Zhongcheng was worried about her foot injury and tried to dissuade her, so Lin Zhiruo gave up.

It is worth mentioning that the foot injury has healed for a long time.

Not long after, an eunuch suddenly frowned and covered his nose.

Not only him, but everyone present covered their noses.

An indescribable stench wafted out from the depths of the dug cave.

The stench was so strong that it was completely different from the smell that was mixed in the wind just now.

Gao Zhongcheng stared at the cave and saw something like a piece of rag in the soil.

"...You said we needed someone brave. I see."

Gao Zhongcheng frowned even more tightly. He inserted the shovel into the ground, pressed the shovel deep into the ground with his shoes, and then turned the soil over.