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

When the true identity of the concubine who had always been timid and fearful was revealed - a superior concubine of prominent status, Qin Xiang's face suddenly turned dark, as if shrouded in haze.

However, once she knew such a huge secret, it would undoubtedly be extremely difficult for Lin Zhiruo to withdraw.

The development of the situation is like a delicate painting that slowly unfolds——

"Manager Quan hopes to meet you." As night fell the next day, Caiwei whispered the news to Lin Zhiruo.

At that time, Lin Zhiruo had just finished the heavy task of tasting food and was carefully savoring the porridge in the bowl. Upon hearing the news, she immediately put down her cutlery and prepared for the upcoming meeting.

Qin Xiang, who was dining with her, frowned but didn't say a word.

Since the secret was revealed, Lin Zhiruo suggested that Concubine Dexin and Quan Wushuang discuss the mystery of the bathhouse ghost together.

However, due to the limitations of her status, Lin Zhiruo could not directly give advice to Concubine Dexin. In addition, Qin Xiang's eyes followed her everywhere, making it even more difficult for her to take action.

Lin Zhiruo knew in her heart that Quan Wushuang might eventually entrust this important task to her.

As expected, things developed just as she expected, however——

The moment she stepped into the room, she was overwhelmed by an inexplicable chill, causing her to shiver involuntarily.

In the reception room, Imperial Concubine Yuyao, Caiwei, Quan Wushuang and Gao Zhongcheng had been waiting for a long time.

Quan Wushuang still had that fairy-like smile on her face, but behind that smile, Lin Zhiruo felt an undercurrent surging.

Lin Zhiruo could only secretly lament her own mistake.

In the past, Lin Zhiruo and Quan Wushuang once went on a trip together and accidentally learned a shocking secret.

In this harem, except for the emperor, all men should be eunuchs, but Quan Wushuang is an exception.

How should I put it? It means that he has something quite "special".

Forget it, Lin Zhiruo really didn't want to recall that unbearable past.

From Lin Zhiruo's perspective, since she had already accepted it, she wanted to let the matter go, but the other party didn't seem to have that intention.

Although Quan Wushuang's eyes seemed to be smiling, there was no trace of laughter in them.

Since they parted at the Summer Palace, Lin Zhiruo had never had any in-depth interactions with him again.

"Hehehe, I wonder what the general manager wants to do today?" Concubine Yuyao smiled. Her curiosity made her interested in everything.

This matter concerns Imperial Concubine Dexin. Let's see how Quan Wushuang speaks to the concubine.

"I heard that there are strange creatures in a certain palace. It's very weird." When the red-haired concubine heard this, her eyes immediately flashed with curiosity.

Caiwei, who was standing by, stroked her forehead, as if to say, "Here we go again."

Quan Wushuang is so direct—Lin Zhiruo thought to herself.

Being direct is good, but how could someone as thoughtful as Imperial Concubine Yuyao not make more assumptions?

"This is truly heartbreaking. I wonder which concubine is suffering from this? I must go and visit her to show my concern."

"Empress Yuyao, your current physical condition is not suitable for going out."

"Oh? Then let's send someone to check on her. How about you and Lin Zhiruo go together? If you're busy, Susu and the others can go."

In fact, visiting was not her original intention, she just wanted to find out the truth.

Even if the name of Concubine Dexin was hidden, Qin Xiang would know it as soon as she asked.

Quan Wushuang should naturally know this, but he deliberately concealed it, perhaps wanting to take this opportunity to take a little revenge.

"Noble Concubine Yuyao, this matter should not be made public. I hope you will not send anyone to visit. Therefore, could you please return Lin Zhiruo to me?"

"It's okay to lend it to you."

What was being returned, and what was being borrowed? Naturally, it was referring to Lin Zhiruo.

Are we going to make the same mistake again? Lin Zhiruo, Gao Zhongcheng, and Caiwei sighed at the same time, their hearts filled with helplessness.

"No, when I say 'return', I mean please return Lin Zhiruo to me."

After saying that, Quan Wushuang slowly walked to Lin Zhiruo, gently touched the top of her head with his fingertips, and then slowly slid down along her hair.

"When the girl returns, I'm afraid it will be futile for you to ask her anything."

The fingertips slid down and wandered over Lin Zhiruo's cheek, first the little finger, then the ring finger lightly touched her lips.

"I have sealed her mouth tightly."

After saying this, Quan Wushuang left with graceful steps.

Gao Zhongcheng followed closely behind with a panicked look on his face.

The rest of the people were left behind and could only stand there.

Lin Zhiruo was the same, her heart filled with doubts and uneasiness.

The first person to react was Concubine Yuyao.

"What exactly happened?" Imperial Concubine Yuyao turned her gaze to Lin Zhiruo in a daze. Her gaze was like a sharp sword piercing Lin Zhiruo, making her feel very uncomfortable.

Afterwards, Lin Zhiruo was questioned by Concubine Yuyao for a full quarter of an hour (half an hour).

Lin Zhiruo had nothing to say except "It's all that toad's fault."

To keep the secret, the lamb kidneys may seem too cheap.

Lin Zhiruo felt a little guilty.

It's said to be haunted, but I don't know what kind of ghost it is - Lin Zhiruo thought to herself.

To be honest, Lin Zhiruo was not convinced by this statement.

Not long ago, a strange thing happened when she attended a ghost story gathering, but even in that incident, Lin Zhiruo did not understand whether it was a ghost or not.

Since Susu firmly believed that it was haunted, Lin Zhiruo had no choice but to agree with it.

Even if it was really haunted, Lin Zhiruo didn't think that ghosts could curse the living to death.

Human death must be caused by poisoning, injury or illness.

She believed that the so-called curse was nothing more than a mental illness caused by excessive worry of the person who believed in the curse.

In this way, Lin Zhiruo had no choice but to follow Quan Wushuang to Zixiao Palace.

To be honest, she felt that there was no need for Quan Wushuang to go in person, and that he could just hand it over to Gao Zhongcheng or some servant, but that might cause many inconveniences.

When the two arrived at the palace where Nandina domestica was planted, they saw only the head maid coming out to greet them.

But when the palace maids around saw Quan Wushuang coming, they immediately put on a pitiful look, brushed off the dust on their clothes, smoothed their hair, and lined up at the entrance of the palace to greet him.

Quan Wushuang looked at them with a smile, seeming to enjoy it quite a bit.

Lin Zhiruo almost looked at Quan Wushuang with suspicion, but Gao Zhongcheng looked at Lin Zhiruo with compassion.

Ever since the incident at the Summer Resort, Gao Zhongcheng might have known that something was wrong with Quan Wushuang.

He often looked for opportunities to ask Lin Zhiruo about it, but she didn't know how many details to tell him and was always vague.

If Quan Wushuang isn't a eunuch, does Gao Zhongcheng know this? Or...is Gao Zhongcheng not actually a eunuch either?

While thinking "it's useless to think too much", Lin Zhiruo stepped into the gate of Zixiao Palace.

Concubine Dexin's face was as pale as paper. Her cheeks blushed when she saw Quan Wushuang, and when she talked about serious matters, her face turned ashen.

It's really interesting.

Although she was not his concubine, as one of the four ladies, she looked like this, which really made Lin Zhiruo feel uneasy.

(In a sense, perhaps because of this, the emperor never visited her.)

Lin Zhiruo imagined the emperor's thoughtful look, but ultimately concluded that it had nothing to do with it and was simply because her breasts were not full enough.

Concubine Dexin's bust is not even as full as Lin Zhiruo's.

"This way please." The head maid explained, her voice trembling slightly.

The other maids also followed, but they seemed to just want to curry favor with Quan Wushuang. To be honest, they were quite troublesome.

If described in the words of literati, it might be called "Butterfly in Love with Flower", but when thinking of those chattering maids, Lin Zhiruo just felt that they were like flies attracted to the fish head.

(If the news that Quan Wushuang is not a eunuch leaks out...)

I can't imagine what the consequences would be...