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

Chapter 136 Is this the Empress Dowager? Is this old woman sick?

Passing through the exquisitely carved gate of the Glazed Palace, Lin Zhiruo unexpectedly received an unusual cleaning task.

Caiwei made extremely strict demands on her, asking her to wipe the exquisite window panes with unprecedented care.

It wasn't until her third attempt that her efforts were barely recognized, meaning she had already failed to meet the requirements twice before.

Lin Zhiruo secretly wondered if it was because her attitude had been a little lax recently that the head maid took this opportunity to give her a slight punishment.

However, this doubt quickly dissipated like morning mist when she saw that other maids were also asked to return to work.

(Could it be that a distinguished guest is about to arrive at the palace?)

Indeed, they would only clean so meticulously when welcoming other concubines to a banquet or tea.

But recently, the queen rarely holds such gatherings, and even if she does, she only invites those concubines whom she deeply trusts.

While Lin Zhiruo was wondering whether such a prominent figure was about to arrive, a distinguished guest had quietly entered the palace.

The person who came was actually the Empress Dowager herself.

"I haven't paid my respects to the Empress Dowager for a long time. I have come here specially to pay my respects to her." Imperial Concubine Yuyao bowed gracefully to the Empress Dowager with a smile on her face. Lin Zhiruo admired her calmness.

Except for the head maid Caiwei, all the other maids were trembling with fear, but the empress was so calm.

The Empress Dowager's gaze lingered briefly on Concubine Yuyao's abdomen, then quickly moved away.

(I see.)

It seems that the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law have their own unique tacit understanding and unspoken understanding.

Concubine Yuyao was so bold to reveal the news of her pregnancy to the Empress Dowager. If it wasn't because the Empress Dowager was very trustworthy, then Concubine Yuyao had no choice.

If one believes that the Empress Dowager's character is as kind and wise as rumored, then it is the former.

However, the truth remains a mystery.

At present, the atmosphere seems to be harmonious and pleasant.

Princess Ai Ling felt a little unfamiliar when she first met her grandmother, but she soon became close to the kind Empress Dowager.

As usual, Lin Zhiruo was assigned to taste the food and was allowed to leave after finishing.

however……

"I remember you are the maid transferred from Quan Wushuang, right?" Lin Zhiruo was very surprised that the Empress Dowager took the initiative to talk to a food tasting maid.

(How does she know my origins?)

Lin Zhiruo was filled with doubts, but she also knew that asking such a question might be inappropriate, so she lowered her head and replied, "That's exactly what the Queen Mother said."

"I heard it from Henghua. She said that a smart little girl has returned to the harem." Henghua is the elderly maid beside Quan Wushuang.

Lin Zhiruo always felt that the maid was extraordinary, but she didn't expect that she was an old acquaintance of the Empress Dowager.

"Henghua was once my maid," the Queen Mother explained.

It was common for women from official families to serve as maids or wet nurses.

Then the Empress Dowager glanced at Concubine Yuyao.

The clever concubine seemed to understand the Queen Mother's hint immediately.

"I beg the Queen Mother to allow me to go and help the princess to sleep."

Perhaps because she had too much fun playing with her grandmother, Princess Ai Ling began to doze off and was gently held in Caiwei's arms.

The princess was supposed to be weaned off the milk, but this was enough excuse for her to withdraw.

So, the two of them left Lin Zhiruo behind and left together.

"My daughter-in-law always reacts so quickly." The Queen Mother smiled helplessly.

The atmosphere between the two is more like that of a pair of good friends of similar age rather than a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

Lin Zhiruo was at a loss as to what to do and could only continue standing there, observing the Empress Dowager's expression.

Seeing this, the Empress Dowager smiled and waved to Lin Zhiruo to sit down.

"You always seem to be able to properly resolve many difficult issues." The Queen Mother was playing with a glass filled with ice cubes in her hand, as if to cool off.

These ice cubes are a gift from the Queen Mother.

Concubine Yuyao was not susceptible to cold due to her physical condition, so she just gently held the ice in her mouth and let it melt slowly.

The princess tasted the crushed ice topped with juice with great interest.

"I'm just making practical suggestions based on my knowledge and experience." Lin Zhiruo didn't have extraordinary imagination, she just happened to have the knowledge needed to solve the problem.

This is enough to give people a glimpse of the breadth of knowledge of Lin Zhiruo's father.

If she had asked her father for advice from the beginning, the problem would probably have been solved in half the time it took Lin Zhiruo.

Lin Zhiruo's words, to some extent, implicitly rejected the Empress Dowager's praise.

In fact, the Empress Dowager's maid beside her was frowning slightly.

This maid, who looked to be in her forties, exuded an air of seniority.

In the room, besides Lin Zhiruo, there were only three of them.

But if it is not stated in advance, Lin Zhiruo will feel uneasy.

She had no intention of appearing overconfident, and she hoped the other party would understand that.

Some people may think that this attitude is too humble, but this is Lin Zhiruo's principle and cannot be easily changed.

"I don't take it to heart." The Empress Dowager's eyes suddenly became gentle and deep.

Lin Zhiruo felt that those kind eyes seemed to become unfathomable in an instant, and she wondered if it was her illusion.

"You just need to provide your insights based on what you know. I'd like you to verify something for me."

The maid behind her winked at the Empress Dowager, but she slowly shook her head, her eyes always fixed on Lin Zhiruo.

"Did I cast some unlucky curse on the late emperor?"

! ? ?

(This old woman is sick!)