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

Concubine Pinglan's condition was far worse than Lin Zhiruo had expected.

As the youngest cook in the imperial kitchen, the imperial concubine refused to eat the health-preserving porridge she carefully prepared.

She specially selected five kinds of high-quality grains for this bowl of porridge, simmered it over low heat, and then filtered it into clear rice soup.

But the imperial concubine didn't even want to look at it.

Lin Zhiruo had no choice but to gently pry open the imperial concubine's lips and feed her the liquid bit by bit.

At this moment, she no longer cared about etiquette or rules.

Not eating is the biggest problem, and Lin Zhiruo knows the importance of food.

She had studied in the imperial kitchen for many years and knew that food could not only nourish people but also heal them.

As I continued feeding patiently, a pungent aroma wafted over.

After opening the windows for ventilation, the fragrance gradually dissipated, revealing a peculiar smell of a patient.

"These maids actually used spices to cover up the problem instead of solving it." Lin Zhiruo was secretly angry.

The imperial concubine had not bathed for a long time, but these maids only knew to burn incense to cover it up.

I heard that the maid who was punished by Lin Zhiruo has been put in solitary confinement.

She had brought those carefully prepared snacks from the imperial kitchen specially, but they were secretly hidden by the maid.

What's even more ridiculous is that the young eunuch who failed to retrieve the snacks was beaten with twenty boards.

Sure enough, even the punishment depends on the person.

Lin Zhiruo looked at the eunuch in charge coldly, secretly cursing his incompetence in her heart.

But this eunuch had some special habits, and even the emperor looked at him differently, so she could only swallow her anger.

"Go prepare hot water." Lin Zhiruo ordered, her tone unquestionable.

Several maids looked embarrassed, but still did as she was told under her stern gaze.

The imperial concubine's skin was as dry as a dried lotus leaf, and even her lips were cracked.

The high-quality honey that Lin Zhiruo brought from the imperial kitchen came in handy. She carefully applied it on the imperial concubine's lips.

Then she simply tied up the imperial concubine's long black hair.

In order to replenish water, Lin Zhiruo specially prepared a variety of light teas.

Sometimes it is wolfberry tea, sometimes it is chrysanthemum tea, and some light soups are used to change the taste.

She is well aware of how to combine ingredients, and each type of tea is just the right amount of nutrition for the imperial concubine.

I originally thought that the imperial concubine would reject a strange cook, but she was like a puppet, allowing Lin Zhiruo to manipulate her.

Those lifeless eyes seemed to no longer recognize the person in front of them.

Lin Zhiruo began to slowly adjust her food intake, starting with a small bowl of porridge.

When the imperial concubine was able to eat by herself, she added soup made from high-quality beef and pureed fresh fruits.

At this moment, Concubine Pinglan suddenly spoke.

"Why don't you just let me die like this?" The imperial concubine's voice was as light as a mosquito.

Lin Zhiruo frowned and paused the silver spoon in her hand.

"If you want to commit suicide, just stop eating," she said bluntly. "Since the queen is willing to drink the porridge I made, it means she still wants to live."

After saying that, she scooped another spoonful of warm tea and brought it to the concubine's lips.

Imperial Concubine Pinglan took a sip and laughed hoarsely: "I see..."

The maids in the palace were divided into two camps in their attitude towards Lin Zhiruo.

Some people were afraid of her because they had seen her methods in the imperial kitchen.

Although some people were afraid, they still wanted to oppose her, probably because they relied on the powerful influence of their masters.

Lin Zhiruo knew that she had a bad temper. Once she got angry, she would be like hot oil in a pot, easily splashing everywhere.

She was known for her gentleness when she worked in the imperial kitchen, but now she is avoided like an evil ghost or monster.

But in order to take care of Concubine Pinglan, she had to endure all of this.

At this time, Quan Wushuang often came to visit, and it was not known whether it was the emperor's or Concubine Yuyao's intention.

Lin Zhiruo simply took this opportunity to ask him to help add a steam room to the Crystal Palace.

She knows that different cooking methods can bring different tastes, and similarly, different bathing methods can bring different effects.

Every time she saw Quan Wushuang's handsome face, she couldn't help but want to say, "Don't come if you have nothing to do."

But the steward seemed to enjoy seeing her at a loss.

He is such a bored person.

Gao Zhongcheng, on the other hand, always brings freshly baked snacks, which shows how sensible a person is.

Lin Zhiruo carefully prepares the ingredients every day, just as meticulously as she prepares medicinal food in the imperial kitchen.

She knows how to pair ingredients, when to use light ingredients and when to add bold flavors.

After more than seventy years old, Concubine Pinglan was finally able to take a walk on her own.

In fact, the biggest root of the imperial concubine's illness lies in her heart. As long as she takes proper care of herself, her body will naturally get better.

Although it will take some time to recover her former plumpness, her face finally has some color.

On the eve of her departure, Lin Zhiruo went to say goodbye to Concubine Pinglan.

She originally thought that the imperial concubine would be angry because of her tough attitude recently, but the empress was surprisingly calm.

Although the imperial concubine is arrogant, she is not unreasonable.

Thinking about what happened in the Eastern Palace before, Lin Zhiruo thought she would meet a tyrannical master, but now it seems that she was over-generalizing.

"I will be returning to the Liuli Palace tomorrow." She handed the dietary recipes she had compiled over the past few days to the imperial concubine.

Just as she was about to leave, Imperial Concubine Pinglan suddenly asked, "Can I still have children?"

Her tone was as calm as if she was asking about today's weather.

"This... I dare not speak rashly, but Your Majesty can try."

"I've fallen from grace, what can I try?"

Lin Zhiruo understood what she meant.

The reason why the Imperial Concubine was able to become pregnant with the Crown Prince was because she gained the Emperor's favor while Imperial Concubine Yuyao was recuperating.

The fact that the Crown Princess and the Princess were born three months apart is a clear proof of this.

"The emperor ordered me to take care of the queen. I believe he will come to visit her after he returns." Lin Zhiruo said carefully.

In this deep palace, no matter what the reason, what should be done is the same.

"I didn't listen to Imperial Concubine Yuyao's advice and ended up killing my own child. How could I possibly win over her?"

"This isn't a question of winning or losing." Lin Zhiruo walked to the wall and looked at the blooming gentian in the vase. "Just like cooking, everyone has their own unique style."

“But I don’t have her looks.”

"Your Majesty has other advantages." Lin Zhiruo's eyes moved down involuntarily.

Even after being ill for so long, the size of the Empress's breasts is still amazing, like two plump peaches.

"In terms of size and shape, your majesty is one of the best in the harem."

She dared to say this because she had seen many beauties in the brothel.

Every time she bathed the imperial concubine, she couldn't help but take a few more glances. Of course, this was a secret that could not be told.

Although she was Concubine Yuyao's person, she still wanted to leave something for Concubine Pinglan before leaving.

"Your Majesty, I have a secret recipe to tell you." She leaned close to the imperial concubine's ear.

This is a unique skill she learned from the sisters in the brothel, but unfortunately she doesn't have the conditions to use it.

After hearing this, the imperial concubine blushed like a ripe peach, and this incident later became a joke among the palace maids...