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

Lin Zhiruo's thoughts drifted to Xiao Cui, a girl two years younger than her, whose fate was ruthlessly pushed into the abyss of the harem by her parents.

However, Xiao Cui's temperament is as pure as mountain spring, uncontaminated by the world.

Born in poverty, she always showed an extreme desire for food, especially sweets. The sight of snacks made her like a hungry beast, fearing that she would fall into hunger again.

She was deeply worried about the possible difficulties in the future. Not only did she work hard to learn how to write, she also looked everywhere for a way to make a living after leaving the harem, showing extraordinary tenacity and perseverance.

However, perhaps because she is young, Xiao Cui always does things with a bit of impatience and impulsiveness.

In the magnificent bathing hall, she unexpectedly gained the favor of a concubine, and an exquisite hairpin fell into her hands.

Although it was just a small thing, for the easily satisfied Xiao Cui, it was like a gentle rain that made her ecstatic, as if she had become an immortal in an instant.

She was so immersed in endless joy that she forgot the road under her feet and ran wildly all the way, but accidentally bumped into a cart parked nearby.

Then, a sudden accident quietly came.

"How are you going to compensate me?! It's too late to carry ice now!"

The eunuch who was delivering the ice screamed and shouted angrily, and the ice in his hand fell miserably to the ground, turning into crystal clear fragments.

"I'm telling you, this isn't something you can just wash off!"

"Yes...I'm sorry..."

Xiao Cui wanted to apologize, but was interrupted by the eunuch's machine-gun-like scolding.

She was pale and trembling all over, as if she was tightly bound by the chains of fear.

Some people may think that it’s just some ice cubes, so why make such a fuss?

But in this season, ice is like a rare treasure.

Every winter, someone carefully stores the ice in cool mountain ice cellars, waiting to take it out for enjoyment in the hot summer.

At this moment, the broken ice on the ground is worth enough to exchange for the freedom of a slave.

"Ah, what shall I do now!"

Lin Zhiruo could understand the eunuch's anger.

Although he would not lose his life, he would probably be whipped.

The eunuch angrily pulled off his turban and threw it to the ground, as if to vent his anger.

At the same time, the ice cubes continued to melt and turned into pools of clear water.

Lin Zhiruo sat on the ground, carefully wrapping the ice with cloth and straw, trying to recover some of the losses.

"Excuse me, which concubine are these ice cubes destined for?"

Lin Zhiruo asked the eunuch with a glimmer of hope.

In this harem, not every concubine can enjoy such precious ice.

If she is not one of the four ladies, then she must be a middle-level concubine from a wealthy family.

"It's Concubine Shuwan." The eunuch replied coldly.

Lin Zhiruo's heart sank to the bottom in an instant.

If it was any other higher-ranking concubine, there might be room for negotiation, but it happened to be the arrogant and domineering Concubine Shuwan.

She intended to enjoy the coolness of the ice in the cool night, so how could she accept the broken ice covered with mud?

(At least Hu Lan'er and Qin Xiang are not here.)

Both of them had other important matters today and were unable to come to the bathing hall.

Hu Lan'er, who has a calm personality, might be fine, but if Qin Xiang were here, this chaotic situation would probably become even more difficult to resolve.

(What should I do?)

They simply could not afford to pay such a huge amount of compensation, and what was even more terrifying was that they had offended the authority of the superior concubines.

It would be great if there were some substitute to make up for the ice, but I don't know if they can prepare it in such a short time.

Lin Zhiruo looked at the broken ice cubes, her heart filled with helplessness and regret.

Even if the ice cubes that fall on the ground are washed cleanly, they can no longer be enjoyed by people.

however--

"What should we do with these broken ice cubes?"

Lin Zhiruo picked up the crushed ice wrapped in rice straw and asked the eunuch.

"It's up to you," the eunuch replied coldly.

"I understand."

The eunuch seemed to be so angry that his hair stood on end. He kept pulling his hair and trying to find an excuse to exonerate himself.

Those ice cubes that fall to the ground are still of great value, and it would be a waste to let them melt.

Xiao Cui still stood there with a pale face. She was probably so scared that she didn't know what to do when she thought about the punishment she was about to face.

Lin Zhiruo scratched her nose, feeling helpless.

Although there is ice, it can no longer be used.

In that case——

"Can I use something else instead of these ice cubes?"

"What did you say?" The eunuch stared at Lin Zhiruo with wide eyes, as if saying "If you can do it, try it."

"Your Excellency just said that I can do with this ice, right? I will prepare something else to replace it. Could you please send it to Imperial Concubine Shuwan?"

Regardless of the outcome, she first got the eunuch's verbal consent.

While thinking this, Lin Zhiruo carried the broken ice cubes on her back.

The eunuch looked at Lin Zhiruo with suspicion.

It was hard for him to trust Lin Zhiruo, but he was unwilling to just wait and be punished.

It seemed like he was trying to grasp at any glimmer of hope.

"The Queen demands that we see the snacks in half an hour (i.e., an hour)."

"Half an hour..."

Lin Zhiruo secretly calculated the time in her mind, wondering if she could barely catch up; more importantly, whether the required materials could be gathered in time.

Just then, her eyes met with a person who was smiling leisurely.

The handsome nobleman mingled with the onlookers, including palace maids and eunuchs, and watched the show leisurely.

Standing next to him was Gao Zhongcheng, who had a complicated expression on his face.

There was a hint of amusement in Quan Wushuang's smile, but it didn't look well-intentioned.

Lin Zhiruo bit her lip and glanced at Xiao Cui again.

Staying here is not a solution either. We must make full use of the resources we can use.

Lin Zhiruo made the decision reluctantly and took Xiao Cui's hand.

After leaving the place, Xiao Cui may have finally been unable to bear the tension and began to sob.

Lin Zhiruo handed her over to Wang Dahai's care, and then stood in front of Quan Wushuang who was guarding the door of the food shop.

"What do you want from me?" Quan Wushuang asked calmly.

"Can I borrow the kitchen for a while? Also, please lend me some materials." Lin Zhiruo requested earnestly.

"You are really willful and reckless." Quan Wushuang deliberately kept it a secret.

Lin Zhiruo didn't want to deal with him. If she delayed any longer, the ice would melt.

"Then how can you repay me?" Quan Wushuang asked with a smile.

"I have nothing, so I can only ask for your generous help, Mr. General." Lin Zhiruo replied.

It might be a bit shameless to say this, but she no longer cared about that.

"It's not your fault." Quan Wushuang said.

"Indeed not." Lin Zhiruo replied.

It would be easy to watch Xiao Cui die without helping her. After all, Lin Zhiruo had only been in contact with her because she thought Xiao Cui could provide some gossip, and she always brought snacks as a thank you gift, so they should have nothing to owe each other.

It was Xiao Cui's own carelessness. It was her fault for not paying attention when she walked.

(But……)

"I would feel guilty if I did that." Lin Zhiruo answered honestly.

Apart from this reason, she couldn't think of any other.

Quan Wushuang was stunned for a moment, then lowered his head and let out a low laugh.

"That's true. I'll feel guilty about it," he said.

"Yes, this will affect my mission today." Lin Zhiruo agreed.

"That won't do." Quan Wushuang said with a smile, "In that case..."

"I have a condition," he said.

"What are the conditions?" Lin Zhiruo asked curiously.

"You must listen carefully to what I say from now on," Quan Wushuang replied.

Hearing that he only asked for such a simple, ordinary and common sense thing, Lin Zhiruo tilted her head.

"Is that all?" she asked.

"Who can't even do this?" Quan Wushuang asked back.

When he asked her this, Lin Zhiruo tilted her head in confusion.

She felt Quan Wushuang's facial muscles twitch.

"Really? Well, let me put forward another condition. What should I ask you to do?" Quan Wushuang pondered.

His lowered face was covered with a shadow, which gave Lin Zhiruo an ominous premonition.

But there was no one else who could lend a helping hand right now.

She also thought about asking Concubine Yuyao for help, but the other party was Concubine Shuwan. Considering the future situation, it would be wise to ask the neutral Quan Wushuang for help.

(What would he ask me to do?)

Lin Zhiruo shook her head gently, and her hair tie may have loosened and gently fell to the floor.

Quan Wushuang stared at it for a while...