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

Quan Wushuang's body involuntarily leaned forward, as if being quietly pulled by an invisible force, stepping into an unknown abyss.

Gao Zhongcheng's eyes suddenly widened, and a mixture of astonishment and curiosity flashed in his eyes, like two bright stars.

Imperial Concubine Pinglan's words were like the first ray of warm sunlight at dawn, instantly penetrating the thick fog in Lin Zhiruo's heart.

Lin Zhiruo was once full of doubts as to why the talented Concubine Pinglan did not have an equally outstanding maid by her side.

In her mind, Concubine Pinglan should be surrounded by more outstanding beauties.

However, this was not Concubine Pinglan's fault.

In this crystal clear, dreamlike glass palace, the maids' qualifications are so mediocre, as if shrouded in an invisible haze.

The mastermind behind all this was a woman named Nannan.

Recalling the heroin incident that shocked the court and the country, in the end only a maid was expelled from the palace, while her boss was safe and sound, still sitting firmly in his high position, enjoying the glory of power.

As for that maid, Chang Nannan, Imperial Concubine Pinglan treated her...

"Nannan, you've never truly considered me a 'concubine', have you? You've always thought I wasn't worthy of being the mother of the nation, right?"

Concubine Pinglan's words were like a sharp sword, striking Nannan's heart and making her soul tremble.

This also made Lin Zhiruo suddenly realize that Nannan had never called her "Empress", but treated her with a cold and distant attitude.

"After all, none of us can predict who will become a concubine in the end."

There was a hint of sadness in Concubine Pinglan's voice, as if telling of endless regrets and sorrow, which made people feel pity.

Concubine Pinglan may have deep feelings for Nannan, but Nannan's attitude towards her is unpredictable.

She bit her lips tightly, her eyes filled with resentment and unwillingness towards Concubine Pinglan, as if she wanted to devour her.

"...What on earth are you so proud of?"

The head maid uttered cold words, like icicles in the cold wind, which made people feel cold.

"I have been well-read since childhood, and my talent far surpasses yours. Why do so many people..."

(Is it just because of the body shape?)

Lin Zhiruo felt extremely ashamed that she had such thoughts.

In fact, Nannan’s figure is not inferior either.

No, now is not the time to dwell on such trivial matters.

The difference in their mindsets is too huge, like a chasm that is difficult to cross.

"Just because you're from aristocratic family? How am I inferior to you? This is outrageous! I've been brought up with strict discipline, dreaming of becoming the mother of a nation one day."

Nannan's face became ferocious, like a wild wolf ready to pounce on Concubine Pinglan at any time.

Lin Zhiruo was afraid that she would really take action, so she hurriedly stood in front of Concubine Pinglan, but Gao Zhongcheng and Quan Wushuang had already taken action quickly and separated the two.

"Can I take your action as an admission of guilt?"

Quan Wushuang's words exploded in the air like thunder, shaking everyone's mind.

Nannan picked up the spice bottle on the table and threw it hard at Concubine Pinglan.

Gao Zhongcheng was quick-witted and quick-handed. He flicked his sleeve and knocked the bottle down. With a crisp "pop" sound, the bottle shattered in an instant.

"You will die alone in this garden, like the cold stone woman!"

Nannan cursed Concubine Pinglan viciously. Her voice was like a ghost in the cold wind, which made people feel terrified.

Gao Zhongcheng held her hands tightly and subdued her.

"Don't touch me, you lowly eunuchs! You filthy creatures!"

Nannan struggled desperately, but was unable to break free from Gao Zhongcheng's bondage.

She kept swearing, her voice was so sharp and piercing that it was unbearable to listen to.

(How could there be such a person in the world?)

Lin Zhiruo walked up to the panting Nannan, a sneer on her lips, a smile full of sarcasm and disdain.

"What do you want?"

"No, nothing. I just didn't expect that the head maid Nannan would be so infatuated with the emperor."

"Is that even necessary? You talk too much nonsense!"

"No, I just think you seem to be more interested in the status of the Queen Mother than in Concubine Pinglan herself."

Lin Zhiruo smiled again, and that smile was as warm as the spring breeze, but it also made Nannan's mouth open wide, but she couldn't utter a word.

What Concubine Pinglan possesses and what Nannan lacks is now clear at a glance.

"Nannan, is this what you think?"

Concubine Pinglan's eyes sparkled with excitement, but her voice was firm and powerful, as if it could penetrate people's hearts.

She walked up to Nannan, raised her hand high, and slapped Nannan hard.

(No wonder she's angry.)

Lin Zhiruo was thinking this when Imperial Concubine Pinglan said something that she had not expected:

"Lord Quan, I want to fire this head maid. She spoke harshly to me, her master, and even forced me to hit her."

Upon hearing this, Quan Wushuang widened his eyes with a look of astonishment, as if he had heard the most incredible words in the world.

"This... Madam..."

"Does Quan feel that a slap in the face isn't enough to vent your anger?"

Concubine Pinglan grabbed Nannan's clothes, and this time she clenched her fists, as if she would attack again at any time.

Quan Wushuang and Gao Zhongcheng hurried forward to dissuade them, but only Lin Zhiruo couldn't help laughing.

(She really is.)

Concubine Pinglan is no longer the weak woman who waits for fate to decide her fate. She has become strong and resolute, as if she has been reborn.

"I want to fire this person. Also, I hope that the Lord will ban this person from ever entering the harem."

Concubine Pinglan's voice was sonorous and powerful, full of unquestionable majesty, as if she could dominate everything.

Even if Nannan became the mother of the country, what she loved was only the lofty position.

She only desires power but is unwilling to take on responsibilities.

Who would be willing to accept such a mother of the nation?

Nannan was beaten and stood there in a daze. I wonder if she understood that this was a gift from Concubine Pinglan.

Perhaps, she will repay kindness with enmity.

(But that doesn't matter anymore.)

No matter how noble their bloodline is, once they are expelled from the harem, they can no longer pose a threat to Concubine Pinglan.

Lin Zhiruo felt that such punishment might be too mild for her daughter, but for a woman with a strong sense of self-esteem, such treatment was undoubtedly a great humiliation.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Master General, please speak."

Quan Wushuang strolled along the corridor of the Glazed Palace, looking towards the warehouse where the maids were once imprisoned, as if he could penetrate the dust of time and see that dark history.

"Even though you've been to the Glass Palace before, it's impossible for you to immediately know where the patient is. Furthermore, you've disguised yourself so you can visit repeatedly without arousing suspicion."

Indeed, the reason why Lin Zhiruo dressed like this was because the people in Liuli Palace were quite familiar with her, and she didn't want to attract too much attention.

Because she was unsure whether she could find the patient in one go, Lin Zhiruo made many preparations just in case.

Although her role as the food official's personal maid would attract other people's attention, it was much better than going there as Lin Zhiruo.

The maids in the Liuli Palace kept their mouths shut, perhaps because of threats from the servants.

Perhaps someone has been punished in a place that Concubine Pinglan has never noticed, and the pain and humiliation are buried deep in their heart.

"We found it quickly."

Lin Zhiruo already had a guess in her mind. She thought the patient should be placed far away from the maids' dormitory or in an inconspicuous corner.

Because during Lin Zhiruo's time in the Liuli Palace, whenever a maid was unwell, she would be arranged to go somewhere else to avoid infection.

There is also a special isolation area in the palace.

(I didn’t expect it to be a warehouse.)

Lin Zhiruo always felt that Nannan smelled a little strange, but she never expected it to be like this.

She just happened to discover this secret, as if it were fate.

"That's it."

Where Lin Zhiruo pointed, there was a white pink flower planted.

The stems of the flower are full of black fruits, which are filled with white powder that can be made into cosmetics.

Perhaps because it was transplanted not long ago, the color of the ground is different from the surrounding area.

If it was done by a gardener, the location of the planting was really bad, right next to the warehouse.

The flowers of the white powder flower are all white, pure and flawless.

Although it is called white powder flower, Lin Zhiruo remembered that it should have mostly red flowers.

She discovered that this was a plant that had been specially selected to bloom white flowers, as if it was telling some unknown secret.

There was no such flower originally in the Glazed Palace. Lin Zhiruo didn't know who planted it, but what was certain was that it was for the patient's health.

Lin Zhiruo felt a little comforted when she thought that there was such a person in the palace.

(But then again, it’s actually a white powder flower.)

Lin Zhiruo thought about what she had found with the patient and couldn't help but feel a little ironic.

She sighed deeply, then felt someone's gaze on her.

She turned her head inadvertently and saw the man half hiding behind a pillar, looking at them.

"what happened?"

Quan Wushuang looked at Lin Zhiruo who had stopped.

The person hiding behind the pillar had an obsessed and intoxicated look on his face, as if he was attracted by some mysterious power.

"Please let Chief Quan go ahead."

"Why?"

"You are inconvenienced here."

Lin Zhiruo explained clearly and concisely, and Quan Wushuang showed an unhappy look.

Gao Zhongcheng calmed him down like comforting a child, and his gentle expression warmed people's hearts.

Lin Zhiruo secretly admired Gao Zhongcheng's ability to read people's expressions and clasped her hands together to express her gratitude to him.

"What happened?"

Lin Zhiruo looked at the girl hiding behind the pillar.

She looked older than Lin Zhiruo, but seemed a little timid.

I don’t know if she is like this only to Lin Zhiruo, or to everyone.

"Excuse me... the young lady who was originally staying there..."

The girl held a new white flower in her hand. The flower was green and white, and the colors were extremely bright, as if it could illuminate the darkness in people's hearts.

Although she spoke with a stutter and was shy, her temperament was quite outstanding, as pure and flawless as the white powder flower.

"She is no longer here. Although she must leave the harem, she can receive treatment in a better environment."

Concubine Pinglan took the initiative to take responsibility and expressed her willingness to bear the medical expenses and living expenses. Her kindness and generosity are admirable.

“…She’s gone.”

The maid lowered her head, but seemed relieved.

The tense nerves finally relaxed, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

The girl gently stroked her face with her hands to hide the tears in her eyes, then bowed her head to thank Lin Zhiruo and went back to work.