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

Rumors are like a group of greedy painters who can't help but paint bright colors on the canvas of a story. As they spread, they are like a river that flows away from its source, drifting further and further away from the truth of the facts.

Sometimes, these rumors will break free from the shackles of oral transmission, be given a more mysterious color, and eventually evolve into legends or even myths that people talk about.

The reason why Lin Zhiruo can deeply understand this is naturally because of the story behind it.

Quan Wushuang stepped into the Glazed Palace and asked Lin Zhiruo a thought-provoking question.

That was a legend that grew out of rumors—

"Have you ever heard of a beautiful woman whose tears were like shining pearls?"

He asked the question with an almost reverent attitude.

Concubine Yuyao stood aside, with a faint smile on her lips, trying hard to suppress the laughter in her heart.

I originally thought that Quan Wushuang would bring some important news, but I didn't expect it to be such a romantic mystery.

(If you're looking for a peerless beauty, there's one right here.)

Lin Zhiruo secretly teased in her heart, but did not say it out loud.

The elegant eunuch began to paint an ancient and mysterious picture for Lin Zhiruo.

In that place where fireworks flourished, there once lived a peerless beauty. She was as pure and flawless as moonlight, and she made people fascinated.

Quan Wushuang mentioned this person with a deep meaning:

"This is because the envoys who recently visited our country have repeatedly requested to see this legendary beauty."

It is said that the envoy had heard his great-grandfather tell stories about exotic beauties since he was a child. The memory of his childhood was as deep as a brand, and his desire to catch a glimpse of the beauty became stronger as he grew up.

Although this request seemed quite bizarre, Quan Wushuang, as the chief steward, had to do his best to entertain the foreign envoys.

Therefore, he came to ask Lin Zhiruo, who grew up in a place of brothels, whether she knew such a mysterious person.

"That was in the past, decades ago. That beautiful woman may have already grown old, and I don't even know if she is still alive."

Lin Zhiruo responded indifferently.

"Yet, she is still alive."

Lin Zhiruo's casual words exploded like thunder in Quan Wushuang's heart. He widened his eyes and couldn't close his mouth for a long time.

The same was true for Gao Zhongcheng, while there was a glint of curiosity and exploration in Concubine Yuyao's eyes.

Seeing this, Caiwei knew that the queen's curiosity had been aroused, and she couldn't help but sigh secretly.

Lin Zhiruo knew a little about the peerless beauty whose tears were like pearls, and she had an indissoluble bond with her.

"Is this true?"

Quan Wushuang asked, his tone full of urgency.

"How could it be false? The steward also had the opportunity to see her beauty."

Lin Zhiruo replied with a smile.

Quan Wushuang once set foot in Hongxia Tower, which is Lin Zhiruo's hometown.

There, he must have seen an old woman smoking a pipe and observing the people around her with experienced and sharp eyes.

When Quan Wushuang and Gao Zhongcheng heard this, they showed strange expressions on their faces.

In their memories, there was only one person who met these characteristics - the madam of Hongxialou.

Time flies, and no matter how beautiful a woman is, she cannot resist its erosion.

The heart that once beat passionately will become as calm as still water, with only money and interests left in its eyes.

There was still a glint of curiosity in Concubine Yuyao's eyes, but perhaps some things were better left mysterious.

"If we offer her a generous invitation, she will surely come with pleasure. What do you think, Steward?"

Lin Zhiruo suggested.

"...No, I'm afraid this is inappropriate."

Quan Wushuang shook his head, frowning.

This is not only because of the sense of loss caused by disillusionment, but it may also cause diplomatic turmoil.

What the other party longs to see is a mermaid-like beauty, not an old woman like a dried fish.

Quan Wushuang naturally didn't think that bringing the madam with him would satisfy the other party, but he still had some ideas in his mind, so he came to discuss with Lin Zhiruo.

"I think the distinguished guest should also understand the age issue. Besides, the steward has entertained him graciously many times."

Lin Zhiruo said.

"No, this..."

Quan Wushuang looked embarrassed, as if he found it difficult to speak.

According to him, he had summoned all the beauties in the world to entertain the distinguished guest, but the other party did not seem to appreciate it and even showed a look of disdain.

(Who on earth is this person who is so picky?)

Although there are differences in the concepts of beauty and ugliness between the East and the West, the beauties gathered by Quan Wushuang should all be stunningly beautiful.

"Forgive me for being so bold, but how about finding some beautiful women to sleep with you?"

Lin Zhiruo's bluntness made Caiwei frown, but this was also a diplomatic tactic, just a little too direct.

"I'm afraid that's not appropriate."

Quan Wushuang scratched his head lightly, then lowered his eyelids.

"Because the envoy is a woman."

Lin Zhiruo seemed to understand why this matter was difficult to resolve.

Later, she briefly learned that it seemed that the high-ranking official in charge of reception came to cry to Quan Wushuang.

Indeed, just tracing the figure of the beauty of the past is as difficult as climbing to the sky, not to mention that the other party is a woman.

When viewed from the perspective of the same sex, the criteria for judgment are inevitably more stringent.

In this regard, Quan Wushuang can charm people wherever he goes, and he is a man after all.

In every way, he is an excellent choice to impress people.

It even gives people the illusion that he was born for this moment.

However, Quan Wushuang suffered a lot of troubles because of this incident.

For example, the other party may become obsessed with Quan Wushuang and make some demands.

If someone else said this, it might be seen as arrogance and delusion, but given Quan Wushuang's status, it cannot be taken lightly.

If the situation is not handled properly and the other party asks to spend the night together, Quan Wushuang will be helpless.

Of course, as an envoy, the other party would not make such a rash move, but it is better to avoid it if possible.

"Is this envoy really such an important person?"

Lin Zhiruo asked curiously.

"As long as you know that country is the trade hub between the west and the north, you will understand."

Quan Wushuang explained.

So that's how it is. Lin Zhiruo nodded in sudden realization.

No wonder the caravan was so large, it turned out to be because of this reason.

The two countries must want to discuss new trade matters and take this opportunity to observe the national strength of each other.

This country is rich in internal resources, but is occasionally invaded by ethnic minorities from border areas, and there are even rumors that it is instigated by other countries.

In this complicated situation, the envoy's country is walking on thin ice.

However, this country has not been a vassal of other countries for hundreds of years, and naturally has its own unique heritage.

Not only that, this country has a long history of intermarriage with other countries, and it is said that the city is full of handsome men and beautiful women.

Lin Zhiruo had heard from traders who traveled around the world that even the sweet potato farmers covered in mud there were as handsome as popular actresses.

(How on earth did that old woman weave such a touching lie?)

If even people in that country praise her beauty, then she must be extraordinary.

"Could it be that she mixed some kind of bewitching magic into the incense burning?"

Lin Zhiruo asked tentatively.

"…Would she do something like that?"

Quan Wushuang asked back, with a hint of doubt in his tone.

"Probably not, but I think this is the easiest way."

Lin Zhiruo said calmly.

Upon hearing this, Quan Wushuang shook his head.

(I think so. Doing something like that would cause international conflict.)

"I'm desperate now. Do you have any clues that could help me understand what happened back then?"

Quan Wushuang seemed quite helpless, it seemed that he was really at his wit's end.

This is very different from how I behaved when I encountered problems in the past.

Imperial Concubine Yuyao gently covered the corners of her mouth with a round fan and let out a low laugh. Perhaps she knew something about the inside story.

"Then let's try this route for now."

Lin Zhiruo decided to write a letter and send it to Hongxia Tower, hoping to find some clues.

A few days later, the madam brought Quan Wushuang's eunuch subordinates to the harem.

Although she was a woman, the madam was not allowed to enter the harem as an outsider.

In desperation, Lin Zhiruo had to borrow the room she usually used to meet with military officer Liu Wu.

"What on earth is going on? You actually come to me with such a bizarre thing."

The madam still had that arrogant look on her face. She looked around the room with a hint of disdain in her eyes.

Although the old woman is over seventy years old, her movements are agile and flexible, as if time has left no trace on her.