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

Xiao Cui's fingertips gently slid across the neatly folded clothes in the laundry basket, and her heart was filled with waves. She couldn't help but whisper to herself, "Where can I find a satisfactory job?"

They were still in the old and familiar laundry, taking over the dry clothes that smelled of sunshine from the eunuchs.

At this moment, she gently turned her head and cast her gaze towards Lin Zhiruo beside her. With anticipation glittering in her eyes, she softly asked, "Hey, Lin Zhiruo, have you heard of any good opportunities? After all, the day I leave the palace is not far away. There is only half a year left."

When Lin Zhiruo heard this, her brows furrowed slightly and she fell into deep thought.

In this magnificent yet turbulent imperial palace, the fate of the palace maids is like duckweed, drifting in the wind.

They were either arranged to marry by their families, or found their own homes, or stayed in the harem because of the favor of a palace maid or concubine, enjoying temporary peace.

However, for palace maids like Xiao Cui, the road ahead seems full of fog.

"As for the opportunity..." Lin Zhiruo spoke slowly, with a hint of hesitation in her voice.

She knew very well that in this palace, where countless dark corners were hidden behind the prosperity, the so-called "excellent opportunities" were often accompanied by unspeakable costs.

For example, the Hongxia Tower in the red-light district always opens its arms to young and beautiful women, weaving illusory dreams with money and vanity.

Lin Zhiruo carefully looked at Xiao Cui beside her. Her face was a little immature but beautiful. Although her words were a bit childish, they also had a unique charm.

In romantic places, such women often attract the attention of many admirers.

Especially Xiao Cui's innocent and naive personality makes people love her.

However, Lin Zhiruo was unwilling to push her into that deep and bottomless abyss.

"If you really have nowhere to go, I'll keep an eye out for you." Lin Zhiruo sighed softly, with a hint of helplessness and concern in her tone.

She knew very well that life in the red-light district was more than Xiao Cui could bear.

When Xiao Cui heard this, her eyes suddenly lit up and she excitedly approached Lin Zhiruo: "Really? That's great!"

Seeing this, Lin Zhiruo felt mixed emotions and could only turn her head slightly, not wanting Xiao Cui to see the hesitation and worry in her eyes.

Just as Lin Zhiruo was folding her arms across her chest, thinking secretly, a tall figure suddenly came into view.

That was the palace maid Hu Lan'er. Her slightly curly hair sparkled in the sunlight, and she had a sly and mysterious smile on her face.

"What's wrong? Are you guys plotting something big?" Hu Lan'er's voice was filled with curiosity and teasing.

Seeing this, Xiao Cui quickly grabbed Hu Lan'er's arm and asked anxiously, "Hu Lan'er, do you know where to go? I'm about to leave the palace and need to find a place to settle down."

Upon hearing this, Hu Lan'er curled up the corners of her mouth into a meaningful smile, and gently pointed with her index finger at the majestic and magnificent building in the center of the south side of the harem - the bathing hall.

"It's better to create opportunities for yourself than to look for vacancies." Hu Lan'er said, with a cunning and wise light in her eyes.

When Lin Zhiruo heard this, her mind suddenly became clear.

As a vital facility in the harem, the bathing hall is not only large in scale but also strictly managed.

There are not only small bathrooms and open-air baths for concubines, but also a large bath in front of them that can accommodate countless people.

The palace maids bathed together here, enjoying the rare tranquility and relaxation.

"There are really few people here at this time." Hu Lan'er looked around and saw only a few palace maids busying around in the bathhouse.

Xiao Cui scratched her head in confusion, holding a towel in one hand and wearing only a bathing bellyband on her body. Her flat figure was faintly visible in the light.

"You will soon understand the mystery." After saying this, Hu Lan'er jumped into the bathtub impatiently.

"Ah! It's so hot!" Hu Lan'er's skin turned red in an instant by the hot water. She quickly took off her bellyband and shouted loudly.

Seeing this, Lin Zhiruo quickly picked up the wooden bucket, scooped water from the cold bathtub and poured it over her body.

Xiao Cui shook her head helplessly: "Really, have you never taken a bath at this time?"

The eunuchs would only refill the baths with hot water once a day, so it was always unbearably hot at first.

However, over time, the water temperature will gradually cool down to a temperature suitable for bathing.

Therefore, in this season, few people are willing to take a bath early in the morning.

However, in order to avoid being overcrowded when there are many people, some palace maids would still choose to come early to enjoy the tranquility and comfort.

While Lin Zhiruo was stirring the hot and cold water in the wooden barrel, she used the shampoo she got from the food shop to create fine foam and carefully washed her hair.

Seeing this, Hu Lan'er also reached out to ask Lin Zhiruo for the spices for shampoo.

Lin Zhiruo smiled and poured some of the spices used for shampooing from the wine jug into her palm.

Xiao Cui watched this scene with curiosity and envy in her eyes.

Lin Zhiruo, with foam all over her head, picked up the bucket and poured water on Xiao Cui, washing her hair with shampoo.

"Be careful, it will be extremely painful if it gets in your eyes." Lin Zhiruo reminded softly.

Xiao Cui closed her eyes tightly, feeling Lin Zhiruo's gentle fingers caressing her scalp.

At this moment, she seemed to have forgotten the anxiety and uneasiness about leaving the palace, and was immersed in this rare warmth and care, enjoying this rare tranquility and beauty.