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

The identity of the envoy is like a mysterious chess piece hidden deep in the chessboard. Lin Zhiruo uncovers the intricate political game behind it one by one with her sharp insight.

She never underestimated the ability of any messenger because of their gender, but the extraordinary aura emanating from one of the messengers was like a layer of mist that was difficult to dispel, entwining in Lin Zhiruo's heart and difficult to erase.

The current emperor's favorite concubine, the foreign-born Hu Ji, her existence seemed to be a silent challenge to the entire court, and the act of giving the mirror as a gift was perhaps her implicit provocation to everyone.

Although these people attended the banquet with the emperor as state guests, this banquet was actually a silent contest with hidden intentions.

They confidently displayed their beauty, as if they wanted to conquer everyone present with their peerless looks.

There were even rumors that they not only coveted the emperor's heart, but even the emperor's brother had become their desired prey.

It is not difficult to understand why they choose to come together and seek a place in this game of thrones.

Lin Zhiruo was not accompanying the honorable Concubine Yuyao, but was busy with the preparations for the banquet.

The duty of poison testing has been completed, and the guests are now immersed in a feast of fine wine, delicious food, and musical instruments.

Tonight, on the 16th day of the lunar calendar, the moon is bright in the sky. The bright moonlight and the reflection in the pond complement each other, forming a beautiful picture like a poem.

The stage, with the pond as its backdrop, is like a natural painting, but the heat of the bonfire seems out of place at this moment, like a bright star that has lost its due brilliance in the daytime.

The instruments played were dazzling, including huqin, erhu, yangqin, dongxiao, percussion instruments such as cloud gongs, and many rare treasures that Lin Zhiruo had never seen before, which together wove together to create a heart-stirring piece of music.

Compared with previous banquets, today's lineup of musical instruments is more luxurious. Lin Zhiruo knows very well that this is an audio-visual feast specially created to cater to the distinguished guests coming from afar.

As the music rises and falls, sword dances and short plays are performed on the stage, which are fascinating and eye-catching.

Lin Zhiruo secretly observed the two envoys and saw that they were smiling, as if they were wearing the same exquisite mask, but the smile of the envoy on the right seemed to hide an elusive contempt.

(Does this hint at some hidden disappointment?)

Lin Zhiruo speculated in her heart that this envoy did not come to pursue the former glory of the beauty admired by her great-grandfather, but was so proud of her unparalleled beauty that she dared to show up in this palace.

She even expressed her "regret" that her superior concubine was covered by the bamboo curtain, and the deep meaning behind this "regret" was like a lighthouse in the fog, which was unclear but inspiring.

The other envoy looked depressed, as if he had a heavy burden in his heart that he couldn't let go.

Both of them were fluent in the language of this country, but the more gentle woman had a softer accent, like a spring breeze. Lin Zhiruo felt that she seemed to be worried that the other envoy would speak without restraint and cause unnecessary trouble.

Just now, the arrogant envoy walked out of the carriage slowly. The attendants around her hurried forward to support her, but she politely declined in a gentle tone and got off the carriage on her own.

She was wearing high heels, holding her long skirt in her hands, and walking lightly, like a fairy descending to earth, moving leisurely among the crowd.

Everyone was talking, but she ignored them and walked forward confidently, as if she was already accustomed to such occasions. Every step she took revealed her indifference and disdain for other people's gazes.

"Welcome Your Majesty."

Amid the clamor of the crowd, surprisingly, the envoy slowly bowed in salute before the emperor's carriage.

Under the moonlight, her face was clearer, her skin was as white as jade, and her golden hair shone like the sun, like a beautiful painting.

In her fluent, slightly exotic accent, she spoke, "At this grand banquet, I feel so far away from Your Majesty. I long to be closer, to share this magnificent sight with Your Majesty."

The emperor's guards seemed a little hesitant, but at the emperor's signal, they finally retreated.

Lin Zhiruo looked at the carriages surrounding the emperor, as if she saw invisible miasma rising. She didn't know what Concubine Yuyao and Concubine Pinglan would think, and she didn't know how Concubine Shuwan would view all this.

But even if it was considered disrespectful to approach the emperor so openly, there was nothing that could be done about it.

Lin Zhiruo sighed inwardly: The situation has gotten out of control, and this banquet will probably no longer be peaceful.

Caiwei, who was standing outside the carriage, had a stiff expression on her face. She managed to maintain her composure with the dignity of a head maid, but the anger and resentment in her heart surged like a tide.

The envoy pretended to be gentle and approached the emperor's carriage slowly.

However, it was not the guards, the emperor or the concubines who stopped her, but another envoy.

"You should get back to the carriage. We should enjoy such a wonderful stage."

The envoy said in a gentle but firm tone.

Although the two are dressed similarly, the quiet one wears a blue hair accessory, like the quiet night sky; the other wears a red hair accessory, like a burning flame.

The envoy with the red hair ornament looked displeased, but after the envoy with the blue hair ornament whispered, he obediently returned to his carriage.

(I wonder what she said to make this proud envoy so obedient.)

Lin Zhiruo's heart tightened. She seemed to understand why there were two envoys accompanying her. This banquet might be more complicated than she had imagined.

To Lin Zhiruo, it didn’t matter whether the envoys were female, there were two of them, or what their purpose was in coming to this country.

Completing the mission is her top priority.

Lin Zhiruo walked into the building and asked the people inside quietly, "What's the situation?"

Gao Zhongcheng, who asked on behalf of Lin Zhiruo, replied, "I have tried my best."

His eyes were empty and his face was pale, as if he had seen something terrible.

Lin Zhiruo quietly looked towards the back of the house, and her face suddenly changed when she saw the figure there.

She finally understood why Gao Zhongcheng was so frightened. That was an existence that should not exist in the human world. Even a timid person would probably be scared to death on the spot.

"The banquet is about to end." Lin Zhiruo said in a low voice.

"I understand." Gao Zhongcheng said, and gently covered the figure with a black cloth.

This was Lin Zhiruo's instruction.

After hearing the bell, Lin Zhiruo held the hand of the man in black cloth.

"Then please follow me." After Lin Zhiruo said this, she took the man to the stage.

After the banquet, the guest of honor was the first to get up and leave.

Since the banquet was held in carriages, they drove away directly.

As the guests left one after another, the musicians began to play farewell music.

No one else may leave the table until the guest of honor stands up and leaves and disappears from sight.

The sound of wheels gradually faded away, and Lin Zhiruo led the man in black cloth to the area between the peach garden and the pond.

The other carriages faced the pond, and the swaying willow branches formed a natural barrier, obscuring the figures of Lin Zhiruo and others.

At this time, only two envoys could see Lin Zhiruo and the others.

They did not block the road, but just stood quietly by the side of the road where the envoys passed.

Since they were near Taoyuan, they would not arouse suspicion.

The two envoys noticed Lin Zhiruo and the others, but they only regarded them as servants and glanced at them with contempt...

However, the moment Lin Zhiruo lifted the black cloth, everything changed.

Her black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, and the double rings of black hair on the top of her head were inlaid with a dazzling pearl crown. The hairpins and hairpins sparkled brightly in the moonlight, and the rest of her hair fell down behind her like satin.

Her rosy thin lips, her phoenix eyes surrounded by long eyelashes, and her willow-like eyebrows adorned with bright red flowers all show off her peerless beauty.

Her long shawl fluttered in the wind. She was wearing a tight, curved white gown, looking like a fairy from heaven, stunning.

In the moonlight all around, she seemed to appear out of thin air, like an elf in a dream, making people intoxicated and unable to extricate themselves.