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

The inner uneasiness was like a lingering fog, quietly enveloping Lin Zhiruo's heart again. The aftermath of the dietary and pharmaceutical official incident made her frown.

However, she knew very well that even if she was extremely anxious, it would be difficult to change the status quo and she could only endure it silently.

As night fell, Gao Zhongcheng was invited to attend a night banquet held on a boat in the lake. Due to limited guards, Lin Zhiruo had to stay behind.

She walked into the guest room. The evening breeze blew gently, bringing a hint of coolness, as if whispering the secrets of the night.

(The intricate design of the flintlock...)

It is rumored that this is the latest weapon from the West and is full of exoticism.

(The west……)

Lin Zhiruo's thoughts drifted towards the two envoys who were eyeing the position of imperial concubine.

What were their intentions in leaving the room late at night?

Gao Zhongcheng once guessed that they might be planning something in secret.

Lin Zhiruo guessed that they might have used their beauty to seduce some officials, but it might also be involved in a more complicated conspiracy.

Every country is eager to master the most advanced weapons, but arms trade between two countries will undoubtedly become the fuse of war.

The countries of the two envoys would naturally not openly sell weapons, and it would be even more impossible for them to conduct secret transactions bypassing the court.

(Did they take more covert action?)

No, perhaps there is a more powerful force behind them.

Lin Zhiruo had no way of knowing how many secrets the arrested officials would reveal or how much inside information they knew.

She could only pray silently, hoping that the court could eradicate this scourge as soon as possible.

Although Lin Zhiruo is not a compassionate person, she knows one thing very well: only when the people around her live and work in peace and contentment can her life be stable and worry-free.

The night grew darker, and Lin Zhiruo was preparing to go to bed when she suddenly heard a knock on the door. She was startled and approached the door cautiously, opening it only a tiny crack.

The person standing outside the door was the person she least wanted to see at the moment.

At this moment, Gao Zhongcheng was drinking at the night banquet, and Wumuqi might be among them.

Why was this person the only one not present?

"If you don't want to meet me, then so be it." There was a hint of loneliness in Quan Wushuang's voice that was hard to conceal.

Lin Zhiruo looked through the crack in the door and saw him turn around and lean against the wall. His figure looked particularly lonely in the night.

"I'm sorry to bother you."

Lin Zhiruo remained silent, just like Quan Wushuang, with her back against the wall.

Through the crack in the door, she vaguely heard Quan Wushuang's heavy sigh, the sound of him scratching his head and stamping his feet in annoyance, and there seemed to be the subtle sound of his hair brushing against the wall as he scratched his scalp.

Even without seeing him, Lin Zhiruo could imagine his expression at the moment.

He may have a thousand words to say, but he doesn't know where to start.

Lin Zhiruo was also in the same mood, with mixed feelings in her heart that were hard to describe.

Lin Zhiruo was confused and couldn't help scratching her nose.

"I didn't take it to heart, but I should apologize to you."

After all, he hadn't even hesitated to say "okay", so it was understandable that Quan Wushuang was angry.

In his anger, even Lin Zhiruo could not avoid his blame.

Lin Zhiruo heard Quan Wushuang mumbling to himself outside the door.

(What on earth was he thinking about?)

Lin Zhiruo has never been good at observing people's expressions.

On the one hand, she had no interest in it; on the other hand, perhaps it was because no one had ever taught her.

She was abandoned in Hongxia Tower since she was young. Although both the young ladies and the servants gave her some care, they always put work first.

Leave her alone in the room, and no matter how much she cries, they have to wait until everyone is done before coming to comfort her.

Perhaps because of this, Lin Zhiruo became a baby who doesn't like to cry.

Perhaps because of this, Lin Zhiruo has become unable to detect the kindness or malice of others.

When she was bullied in Liuli Palace, she remained indifferent, perhaps because of this indifference.

Of course, she would feel unhappy in her heart, but compared to ordinary people, her emotional reaction was much milder.

Therefore, Lin Zhiruo didn't know how to respond to Quan Wushuang, and the two fell into the abyss of silence again.

Lin Zhiruo pondered for a long time, and finally said after carefully considering her words:

"I have nothing else to say. To me, Manager Quan is Manager Quan, nothing else."

Lin Zhiruo accidentally forgot to use a pseudonym.

She shook her head, secretly blaming herself for her carelessness.

But this is indeed what she really thinks deep down in her heart.

(It’s just two more, so what?)

No one will come to see it anyway, so just pretend it has nothing to do with you.

"To me, I am also me, right?"

There was both joy and loneliness in that voice, which was hard to describe.

Quan Wushuang began to search for something on his body, and then reached his hand into the crack of the door.

Lin Zhiruo involuntarily turned her head and took a step back.

"...Don't be so defensive. I just want to give this to you."

A cloth bag gently landed on the door lintel.

Lin Zhiruo didn't know what was hidden in it, so she reached out her hand and her fingertips accidentally touched Quan Wushuang's hand.

The touch at that moment was like a shooting star across the night sky, disappearing before we could feel each other's warmth.

"I wanted to tell you something when you accepted this. Although I gave you the lamb kidneys before."

Quan Wushuang's tone became serious.

Lin Zhiruo curiously opened the cloth bag and saw a few yellow stones inside.

"This may cause you trouble, but I want you to know."

Quan Wushuang lowered his voice but spoke clearly.

(What…what is this?)

"The reason I asked you to travel with me is because..."

He spoke each word with great emphasis, as if trying his best.

however--

(Sheep... could it be...?)

“Lamb kidney—!”

Lin Zhiruo didn't hear his words clearly, but was attracted by the treasure in front of her.

Lin Zhiruo stood up suddenly and shouted loudly.

The secret medicine she had always dreamed of was right before her.

Her eyes were filled with tears, her heart was beating like a drum, and her breathing was rapid, as if she was about to suffocate.

Lin Zhiruo suddenly opened the door, and Quan Wushuang stepped back in shock.

"Thank you, Master Butler!"

Lin Zhiruo bowed.

"Well, you said you finally got it after all the effort... Hey! Don't close the door without permission. I haven't finished what I'm saying yet—"

Lin Zhiruo slammed the door shut and bolted it.

She didn't want anyone to disturb her joy at the moment.

Lin Zhiruo stood on one leg, spun around, and looked at the lamb kidney in her hand with joy.

The corners of her mouth twisted into strange shapes and she let out a giggle.

It seemed like someone was knocking hard on the door, but compared to the lamb kidneys in front of him, it was just a trivial matter.

This thing made Lin Zhiruo so happy that she forgot about Quan Wushuang's actions during the day.

Her heartbeat was like a drum, drowning out all the sounds around her.

Lin Zhiruo rubbed the lamb's waist with her cheek and jumped onto the bed.

She swung her legs in a completely unruly manner, but used her index finger to gently poke the lamb kidney thrown on the mattress.

I always feel that as long as I see this treasure, I would be happy to work without sleep for a whole month.

Of course, this is just a thought. If it were true, I would probably have died long ago.

Lin Zhiruo no longer cared whether Quan Wushuang was a eunuch.

Whether he was or not, Lin Zhiruo had no intention of asking.

However, she was not a heartless person, and she was naturally grateful for receiving this treasure.

If one day Quan Wushuang's secret is revealed and he falls into trouble, Lin Zhiruo will definitely help him with all her strength.

She swore secretly in her heart.

(By then, I will definitely...)

Help him overcome difficulties and become a real eunuch, or anything else.

When Lin Zhiruo made up her mind, the knocking on the door was still deafening, but in her ears, it was just insignificant noise.