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

(This scene makes one think deeply.)

Lin Zhiruo patted the imperial chef's back gently, not out of pity, but in a regular rhythm to help her regulate her breathing.

Gradually, the imperial chef's breathing calmed down and returned to normal.

The guard wanted to step forward, but Hu Lan'er raised her hand to stop him.

At this point, everything is clear in my mind.

"What is your intention in doing this?" The imperial chef calmed down a little and asked.

"It's just a joke with you guys." Lin Zhiruo replied calmly.

"I don't think things are that simple." The imperial chef stood up, looked around, and confirmed that the snake had disappeared, then he breathed a sigh of relief.

"It turns out that you and Hu Lan'er have a long history." The imperial chef suddenly said, his face calm.

Faced with this sudden question, the imperial chef replied expressionlessly: "I don't understand what you mean."

"From what I've seen, Hu Lan'er's behavior is definitely not as simple as it seems. Her every word and action reveals her extraordinary upbringing." Lin Zhiruo said slowly.

If that were true, how could she have been content with the lowly position of a washerwoman? Yet her interest in insects, her practice of rubbing shoulders in the bathhouse, and her actions were incompatible with her status as a lady of noble birth.

"There are many palace maids like you in the harem, just like you." The imperial chef said coldly.

(Like me?)

It seems that she has carefully investigated Lin Zhiruo's background.

"The kitten suddenly appeared in the secret passage, which must have caught you off guard. You hurriedly chased after it, but were accidentally discovered by the palace maid." Lin Zhiruo slowly told the truth of the matter.

"...Hahahaha! Lin Zhiruo is really sharp-minded. She deliberately set up a trap to make us reveal our true intentions. But don't do this again. I'm really afraid of snakes." Hu Lan'er's hands were tied with ropes, but she still smiled and scratched her forehead.

Lin Zhiruo felt that the imperial chef's attitude began to soften.

"I've said it before, a name that is too simple will easily attract attention." The imperial chef said in a gentle tone.

There was no fear in her words, but rather an attitude that she wouldn't mind being found out.

"How could that be—the other sisters didn't notice." Lin Zhiruo retorted.

Among the palace maids, many were illiterate and would not delve into these matters. The palace maids came from all over the country and spoke with different accents.

Hu Lan'er must have understood this principle, which is why she dared to use such a name. How audacious!

Lin Zhiruo wanted to bring up another matter, but ultimately chose to remain silent.

This matter has not yet been determined, so let's put it aside for now.

Lin Zhiruo and Hu Lan'er first met near the place where the kitten appeared.

They never found out how Rongrong got into the harem, but if they assumed it came through a secret passage, everything would make sense.

Lin Zhiruo once passed by the abandoned waterway and found that the kitten lived there.

Perhaps when Hu Lan'er was looking for the passage, Rongrong got lost and broke in.

As far as palace maids are concerned, Hu Lan'er's upbringing is indeed quite good.

She seemed to be trying to hide her identity, but she didn't seem to be trying her best.

However, considering that no one would delve into these matters, her performance was enough.

Hu Lan'er guided Xiao Cui and Lin Zhiruo to the bathing hall in order to contact the imperial chef who was disguised as a eunuch delivering water.

Lin Zhiruo was completely exploited by her.

"Alas - I am such a failure as a spy." Lin Zhiruo sighed helplessly.

"I'll improve it next time." Hu Lan'er said with a relaxed smile.

Although the two joked with each other, Lin Zhiruo's position did not waver.

What was the purpose of these two people bringing her out?

(Could it be that he wants to use me to contain that military advisor?)

Lin Zhiruo couldn't help but frown when she thought of the military advisor wearing a monocle.

Doing so will only cause more trouble and will not have any good results in the end.

Do they really understand this truth?

"Since you have seen through it, why did you still come with us?" asked the imperial chef.

"Then why did you bring me here?" Lin Zhiruo asked back.

Such a small adventure shouldn't be a big deal.

At least Lin Zhiruo thought that they would not hurt her for the time being, so she dared to speak so frankly.

"..."

The imperial chef remained silent and continued walking forward, with Lin Zhiruo following closely behind.

Maybe she didn't want to talk about it at the moment.

But she untied the rope on Lin Zhiruo's hands.

Lin Zhiruo felt that what she meant was not "escape if you want to", but "escape is useless".

The group walked on the dead branches and fallen leaves, and soon they saw several houses that looked like farmhouses, surrounded by vegetable gardens.

The trees gradually thinned out and the area surrounded by wooden fences could be seen.

Is this an isolated mountain village?

This is probably a place like this.

Although it is hard to believe that there is a village in these woods, it does exist.

And there are protective measures to make it difficult for wild animals to invade.

There were ditches dug around it, and although the scale was different, it was quite similar to the harem.

The imperial chef took out a red cloth from his bosom and waved it three times at the people on the watchtower.

After a while, the gate opened and the drawbridge slowly lowered.

Lin Zhiruo followed the imperial chef and Hu Lan'er into the village.

In an instant, a hot and humid breath hit me in the face.

(No wonder it feels so warm.)

Steam was rising from all over the village.

The water channels crisscross each other, and the heat rises from here.

"So this is a hot spring town." Lin Zhiruo exclaimed.

"Well, who else would build a village in such a place?" Hu Lan'er said bluntly.

The hot spring water here is of moderate temperature and can be used not only for cooking, but also for making various delicacies.

Lin Zhiruo saw the villagers using hot spring water to cook food, with an enticing aroma wafting from the steam.

(This may not be just an ordinary village.)

She noticed that every household had a dedicated stove and cooking utensils, and it was obvious that the people here were proficient in cooking.

"This is a secluded village of chefs." The imperial chef finally explained.

“We’re researching all sorts of unique cooking methods here, especially techniques that utilize hot spring water.”