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

Lin Zhiruo used her skillful hands to weave a dreamy foam for Xiao Cui's hair. The foam floated in the air like light clouds in the sky.

When the foam is abundant, she will use the warm spring water to gently wash away the dreamy foam.

Xiao Cui was like a little deer that had just emerged from the water. With a hint of shyness, she accidentally splashed water on Lin Zhiruo's face. She smiled and said, "To be honest, I don't really like taking a bath."

Lin Zhiruo responded with a smile: "But the comfort after taking a bath is incomparable."

Xiao Cui nodded in agreement: "Indeed."

Lin Zhiruo found a place in the bathtub where the water temperature was suitable. Starting from her toes, she immersed herself in the warm water like a slowly falling autumn leaf.

When she felt a little dizzy, she quickly scooped up cool water with a wooden bucket and patted her cheeks, which not only lowered the temperature but also allowed her to enjoy the pleasure of taking a bath.

Hu Lan'er also imitated Lin Zhiruo's behavior, while Xiao Cui chose the cool pool water, as if it was the comfort to her soul, allowing her to find tranquility and relaxation in the coolness.

Xiao Cui leaned against the tub, following the two of them with her eyes, her heart filled with curiosity: "What does this have to do with finding a job?"

Hu Lan'er smiled slightly and pointed to the open-air bath in the distance. It was a private place for concubines and senior palace maids. It was closely connected to the concubines' private room, like two shining pearls, reflecting each other.

"What does this mean?" Xiao Cui tilted her head, her face full of confusion.

Hu Lan'er took Xiao Cui's arm and led her to the stone platform next to the open-air bath.

Xiao Cui was nervous: "Wait...wait a minute, can we really go in there?"

Hu Lan'er just smiled, picked up the towel, and weaved a white ribbon for Xiao Cui's forehead.

Lin Zhiruo also understood what he meant. Standing in front of the stone platform, she tied this bond to the unknown world for Xiao Cui.

Just when Xiao Cui was at a loss, two women came over slowly, like fairies walking out of a scroll.

One of them had a noble temperament, and her every move and gesture showed the dignity and majesty of a concubine.

"New here?" she asked, her tone filled with scrutiny and curiosity.

Hu Laner smiled and replied, "That's us."

Upon hearing this, the concubine lay down on the stone platform as a matter of course.

Another woman who looked like a maid was holding a bottle of exquisite essential oil, as if offering a precious gift.

"Use harder." The concubine ordered softly.

Hu Lan'er took the essential oil and skillfully massaged the concubine's back, like a skilled painter, painting moving pictures on the concubine's skin.

The concubine hummed softly, guiding Hu Lan'er's strength and direction, like a conductor, leading the rhythm and melody of the music.

The maid stood by, watching all this lazily, like a spectator, enjoying this visual and auditory feast.

Lin Zhiruo imitated Hu Lan'er's movements and fell into deep thought.

This concubine did not seem to be favored by the emperor, and her eyes revealed a hint of vigilance and uneasiness.

Once they become the emperor's concubines, they may be caught up in the disputes and exclusion of the palace, so they are always wary of strange maids.

The concubine lay limp on the stone platform like a relaxed octopus, enjoying this rare tranquility and relaxation.

Lin Zhiruo observed the concubine carefully and discovered some details.

Her skin was a little rough, like a leaf that had been weathered by the wind and frost; in some places, her hair was not completely shaved, like unmown grass.

Lin Zhiruo pondered secretly in her heart, suddenly turned around and walked into the room to take out a mysterious item.

"What is this?" Xiao Cui asked Lin Zhiruo in a low voice when she returned.

Lin Zhiruo held a thin thread in her hand, like a magician's wand.

"You will reveal the answer soon." Lin Zhiruo replied with a smile, and then started talking to the maid.

Although the maid had her doubts, she still listened patiently to Lin Zhiruo's proposal.

Lin Zhiruo gently slid the thin thread across the maid's arm, like an embroidery master outlining delicate lines on a brocade.

The body hair was plucked out one by one along the thin thread, as lightly as the autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves.

"Will it hurt?" asked the maid.

"It's a little painful, but it's much better than a dull razor." Lin Zhiruo replied with a smile.

The maid seemed quite satisfied with this method.

Although it is best to clean your body before doing this, since you have already taken a hot bath, it should be fine.

"If you feel any discomfort, I will stop immediately." Lin Zhiruo said as she tried it on one of the maid's hands, carefully removed her body hair, and applied essential oil.

The essential oil is of high quality and has a wonderful fragrance that blooms on the skin like a spring flower.

"Well - let's try it first. When will you come next time?" The maid glanced at the concubine lying on the stone platform and asked.

Lin Zhiruo smiled and replied, "Come whenever it's convenient for you."

"Probably in two days." Hu Lan'er's eyes flashed with pride when she heard that.

Although Xiao Cui was still a little confused, she still massaged the concubine's calves seriously.

It turns out that opportunities need to be created by oneself.

The bathing hall is such a good place to interact with concubines who are usually difficult to approach.

After the concubines and maids left satisfied, the next customer was already waiting for a massage.

Learning the job of a bathhouse maid is not an easy task, as massaging muscles all over the body requires great strength and endurance.

It would have been fine if there was only one customer, but in the blink of an eye, a long line formed.

Upon asking, I found out that the palace maid who originally worked here had retired after her term expired.

I heard that she was favored by a mid-level concubine and is now enjoying a leisurely life in the concubine's hometown.

In the city, bathhouse maids are sometimes considered prostitutes, but here, this is the women's territory and this is not the case.

However, perhaps due to this stereotype or because it was physical labor, many palace maids were reluctant to do this job.

Therefore, Lin Zhiruo and the others got this job unexpectedly, which was as incredible as fate.