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

On the east side of the imperial kitchen, Lin Zhiruo's reputation was as fresh and moving as the morning dew; on the west side, Xiao Liang's prestige was as warm and lasting as the evening glow.

Because the Celestial Empire set up the imperial kitchen in the East, people often use the East and the West to illustrate the difference between imperial cuisine and civil service.

(There have been rumors since ancient times that these old people are proficient in cooking and may have become spirits.) Wu Muqi thought to himself.

Xiao Liang, also known as Western Xiao Liang, was the adopted son of the Prince of Beizhou. Although not his biological son, he was deeply loved by the prince.

His wife was the adopted daughter of a vassal king, so it might be more appropriate to call him the vassal king's son-in-law.

Xiao Liang's prominent status came not only from his family background, but also from the favor of the Empress Dowager. He was respected since he was a child.

Although the Queen Mother had passed away, he still looked wealthy and moved freely in the palace.

Lin Zhiruo in the east was well-known for her wisdom and strategy as a general.

Although he came from a prominent family, he was not as powerful as Xiao Liang.

However, everyone in the court knew that this person was not someone to be dealt with easily.

Wu Muqi stood in front of Xiao Liang and Lin Zhiruo, trying hard not to tremble.

What are these two old men planning?

His gaze turned to the masked nobleman. This person was not the extremely powerful man in the harem, but someone else.

The man padded the soles of his boots by three inches, stuffed cotton into his shoulders to make them wider, concealed his figure, and calmly pretended to be Quan Wushuang, or the emperor's younger brother's stand-in.

He looked open and natural, but when he first met me, he was hunched over and trembling with fear, just like the emperor's younger brother.

If someone said that he was the emperor's younger brother, no one would doubt it.

In Wu Muqi's opinion, if Xiao Liang and Lin Zhiruo were old foxes, then this nobleman was an alert hunting dog.

However, this is no ordinary wild dog, but a nimble royal hunting dog.

"What advice do you two have?" Wu Muqi asked on behalf of his master.

The master rarely speaks in front of outsiders; this is the role they agreed upon.

As for the masking, the excuse was burns in childhood.

There are always various excuses to explain away the difference in sound.

The emperor's younger brother has not attended court for more than a month and usually only handles official business in the study.

Today I was just an observer and did not speak.

This is better, so as to avoid unnecessary complications.

The master was unwilling to let a substitute attend court on his behalf.

Even if a stand-in is used, it will only cast a shadow in the dark corner of the study.

The more inconspicuous the position of the royal brother is, the better. This was his request, and the emperor agreed.

As for the reason, Wu Muqi is not qualified to ask.

"Nothing special, but seeing that this noble man rarely shows up, and having some free time before the military meeting, I wanted to have a chat with him over tea."

Said the wise general.

In fact, he was the one who had free time, and Wu Muqi had not yet said whether they were free.

But this person never cares about other people's convenience.

"This is a rare opportunity, and I hope Lord Xiao Liang can join us."

The servant behind General Zhimou was holding a jade bottle, which looked like exotic wine, but was actually just fruit juice.

Wu Muqi's father once said that this strange man wearing a single crystal mirror never drank.

"Do I also have this honor?" Old Xiao Liang asked with a smile.

Wu Muqi had no idea what was hidden in his round belly.

He must always be vigilant in case there is a sharp knife hidden under this smiling face.

Normally, this person is very good at shirking responsibility, and even a weird military advisor would find it difficult to force someone of higher status than him to do anything... Wu Muqi hopes so.

However, surprisingly, Old Xiao Liang seemed quite interested.

"Let me be clear, I don't have any interesting stories to tell you."

He said that the one who had the most difficulty was Wu Muqi.

Just as he was about to decline and open his mouth, someone gently pulled his sleeve.

The masked stand-in stopped him. Could it be that he wanted to listen to their conversation?

Since it is an order, even a substitute must obey it.

Wu Muqi took a step back.

"Then please move to the courtyard."

Although Wu Muqi did not understand the intentions of these people, as a servant, he could only obey orders.

The courtyard is filled with autumn and the sweet fragrance of osmanthus fills the air.

Although the fragrance of the flowers is sweet, Wu Muqi doesn't like it.

However, the military advisor chose to sit in the pavilion under the osmanthus tree.

He called his subordinates and ordered them to prepare silver cups.

The three of them sat around a round stone table, forming a triangle, with Wu Muqi standing behind the masked young man.

“In fact, drinking from a glass cup allows you to taste the aroma better, and it is also more pleasing to the eye.”

As the wise general spoke, he poured the fruit juice from the jade bottle into the cup with his own hands.

A light green liquid flows out, and the crisp fragrance is intertwined with the sweetness of osmanthus.

Wu Muqi originally wanted to test the poison, but the other party seemed to have specially prepared a silver cup to avoid this step.

The military advisor placed three cups and asked the two men to choose first, and then drink the remaining cup in one gulp.

He sighed with satisfaction and poured another glass.

The other party's behavior was so obvious, it would be unreasonable not to drink.

Old Xiao Liang and his master's stand-in also moved closer to the rim of the cup.

The master lifted the mask, took a sip, and tugged at Wu Muqi's sleeve.

"The owner said it was refreshing and delicious."

Even a young lady living in seclusion would not be so shy.

Wu Muqi almost laughed bitterly, but if his master spoke out here, his identity would be exposed.

However, General Zhimou kept gazing at the masked young man's face with great interest.

Wu Muqi felt that there seemed to be a deep meaning in his eyes, but he couldn't tell why.

Old Xiao Liang turned the cup, savoring the aroma while taking a sip.

Wu Muqi felt that his expression was a little unnatural, probably because he didn't use glassware, which affected the release of the fragrance.

Seeing the two men put down their cups, General Zhimou took out a piece of paper from his arms.

Wu Muqi leaned forward to take a look, and General Zhimou smiled and unfolded the paper for them to see.

When Wu Muqi saw the contents on the paper, he almost exclaimed.

He forced himself to remain calm and looked around.

Apart from Xiao Liang, General Zhimou and the dog, there was only one follower each of them brought with them.

How dare you take this thing out openly in a place like this?