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

Since Lin Zhiruo traveled through time, she learned that from ancient times to the present, this vast land has woven trade ties with distant foreign countries, and among those goods from foreign lands, there are occasionally some strange little creatures - insects.

They seem to have a natural connection with this land, multiplying and living here, and gradually integrating into the ecology of this land.

Hu Lan'er's words were like a breeze, gently blowing through Lin Zhiruo's heart and stirring up the curiosity in her heart.

She looked into the exquisite insect cage and saw that in addition to the larvae that had just been placed in it, there were several cocoons curled up quietly, like sleeping gems, emitting a mysterious light.

"Isn't this a beetle cocoon?"

Lin Zhiruo asked softly, with a glint of exploration in her eyes.

"No, it's a ladybug's cocoon."

Hu Laner corrected with a smile,

"The adults only begin to dance when night falls. They may be hiding in the dark now, waiting for the moment to metamorphose."

After saying that, Hu Lan'er squatted down and used a small branch to outline the image of a vivid ladybug on the ground.

The ladybug's antennae are slender, like the light wings of a fairy, full of endless charm.

"This ladybug is very beautiful, with wings as bright as a painting. When it flies in the night, it is even more dreamy and magical, like a fairy descending to earth."

Hu Lan'er's tone was full of praise and yearning for ladybug.

Lin Zhiruo nodded in understanding, but suddenly remembered the story the madam had told her - at past banquets, officials had tried their best to drive away pests.

Perhaps this ladybug was once one of their targets. After all, in the eyes of the world, no matter how beautiful it is, it is just a bug.

"Lin Zhiruo, come and see them at night. The sight of them dancing in the moonlight is breathtakingly beautiful."

Hu Lan'er's invitation was full of anticipation.

"How can it be so magical..."

Lin Zhiruo stopped talking suddenly before she finished speaking.

She stood up suddenly, staring sharply at the insect cage in Hu Lan'er's hand.

"Let me ask you, does this ladybug immediately look for a mate after it emerges?"

There was a hint of urgency in Lin Zhiruo's voice.

"Lin Zhiruo, your question is a bit too direct."

Hu Lan'er blushed slightly, but still answered honestly,

"They probably will, because after they emerge from their feathers, they seem to be unable to eat anymore. Their lives are about to end, so they can only reproduce as quickly as possible."

After hearing this, Lin Zhiruo couldn't help but take a deep breath.

Her gaze towards Hu Lan'er became more serious.

"Let me ask you again, can you tell the sex of this ladybug?"

Lin Zhiruo's tone was full of urgency.

“That’s generally possible.”

Hu Lan'er nodded with a confident smile on her face, as if everything was under control.

(Maybe this method...)

feasible!

Lin Zhiruo suddenly had an idea in her mind, and she seemed to understand why the envoy was so obsessed with the madam.

In order to recreate the glory of the past, she needs to make a series of tedious and careful preparations, and may even require an innocent victim.

But Lin Zhiruo's heart was filled with firm determination and endless expectations.

"Hu Lan'er!"

Lin Zhiruo suddenly grabbed Hu Lan'er's shoulders, with a determined light in her eyes.

"I have something to ask of you and need your help."

Lin Zhiruo knew that her expression at this moment must be full of determination and courage.

Finally, the banquet was scheduled to be held five days later.

Lin Zhiruo had originally hoped to do it earlier, but because the location was temporarily changed to the north side of the harem, it would take some time to make careful preparations.

Although the location was a bit special and some people raised objections, they claimed that it was to meet the envoy's requirements, so the other party reluctantly agreed.

The harem, a sacred place originally forbidden to men, made an exception and opened the northern area for this banquet.

There were few palace maids there, and the stay was limited to a few days, so they could just use the empty lecture hall as a temporary dormitory to get by safely.

As for the body that was found on the north side not long ago, fortunately it has been kept strictly confidential.

If strange rumors were to spread, it would surely cause a huge uproar.

They also invited the higher-ranking concubines to the banquet, but Lin Zhiruo asked the officials to make some special arrangements.

She urged the officials to arrange the banquet seats in the carriages with elaborately decorated interiors, so that everyone could enjoy fine wine, delicious food and laughter in the carriages with the bamboo curtains lowered.

Not only the higher-ranking concubines, but all attendees were arranged in this way.

The carriages were lined up around the pond, like a flowing painting, which was beautiful beyond words.

This makes lighting mosquito coils easy and allows you to feel more relaxed and comfortable in the car.

Some officials even praised it as more comfortable and unique than ordinary banquets.

Although the bamboo curtain is basically drawn, it is blocked by the car walls on three sides, so there is no need to worry too much about other people's eyes.

The concubines sat in the carriage, while their personal maids waited outside.

Lin Zhiruo could clearly see that they were all looking at the seats of the guests of honor anxiously, as if they were expecting something.

Two gorgeous carriages were parked at the guest of honor's seats, with two blonde beauties sitting in them.

Their eyes are lighter in pigment, like crystal clear lake water, emitting a pure and flawless light.

Lin Zhiruo originally thought that there was only one envoy, but it seems that is not the case.

The two beauties look very similar, but they are neither twins nor sisters. It is said that they are cousins ​​with the same grandfather and have an indissoluble bond with each other.

The emperor sat on a high platform in the distance, while the carriages of the higher-ranking concubines were gathered on both sides of the emperor's seat, as dazzling as the moon surrounded by stars.

(Oh, I see.)

Lin Zhiruo thought of the topic Gao Zhongcheng brought up a few days ago, and suddenly she understood.

Since they were attending a banquet, both envoys wore gorgeous Western dresses.

Lin Zhiruo originally thought that they would wear clothes like Hu clothing, but she didn't expect that they would wear clothes from the farther West - the kind with tight waists and fluffy skirts, as graceful as fairies.

It seems that the banquet held in the modified carriage is indeed more appropriate and complementary.

The standards for measuring beauty vary throughout history, both in China and abroad, but these two women are undoubtedly peerless beauties.

Some officials looked at the clothes that emphasized the breasts with greed in their eyes, while the guards of the two envoys closely monitored their every move, as if they were guarding a precious treasure.

(I really can’t just pick anyone to play this role.)

In terms of beauty and ugliness, the senior concubines in the harem may be able to compete with her.

But in terms of rarity, the two envoys had hair and eyes of rare colors, like exotic treasures.

Although Concubine Yuyao was a Hu girl with exotic red hair and blue eyes, the two envoys who met for the first time aroused the officials' greater interest and curiosity than the Concubine Yuyao whom they had already met.

Besides, Quan Wushuang and others would never want the concubines to show up in front of everyone, so Lin Zhiruo had no intention of using the Empress as a restraint.