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

"The taster is quite relaxed."

When Lin Zhiruo was rinsing her mouth, Quan Wushuang's voice sounded behind her.

She had already walked deep into the imperial garden, but the steward was still able to find her.

There was a secret hidden in the fish dish just now, so she had to leave the table in a hurry.

Those maids will probably be punished.

In fact, she should have been more cautious, but the taste of the dish was really tempting.

The rich aroma lingered around her nose, making her almost intoxicated.

As a taster, she must stay sober.

"The steward is in a good mood today."

Lin Zhiruo wanted to speak with a straight face, but she couldn't help but smile because of the lingering flavor of the dish.

Showing a smile to Quan Wushuang made her regretful.

"Look at you smiling happily."

Quan Wushuang suddenly grabbed her wrist, his expression serious.

"What does this mean, sir?"

"Of course I went to the kitchen. He tasted that food and looked so relaxed. How could I let him go so easily?"

In fact, Lin Zhiruo was fine, as long as the ingredients of the dish did not enter her stomach.

But what happens if you swallow it?

The thought made her itch.

You must be able to experience that feeling at this moment.

I should have savored the moment more.

At least you should ask the royal chef about his cooking methods.

Lin Zhiruo tentatively mentioned this matter to Quan Wushuang.

"Are you crazy?"

Quan Wushuang stared at her in disbelief.

"The steward has misunderstood me. I just love delicious food."

It is indeed difficult for ordinary people to understand.

A closer look at Quan Wushuang today reveals that he is quite different from usual.

He wore a new hairpin and old brocade clothes.

His clothes were disheveled, probably because he had been through some intense exercise.

It turned out that they were taking advantage of the cold winter to have fun.

His voice was hoarse and his smile was gone.

It seems that even this steward will be tired.

He must have had a secret meeting with a beauty in the palace, or was summoned by a noble.

Forget it, let him be.

It seems more friendly.

His demeanor remains the same, but he looks like an innocent child.

Gao Zhongcheng should wait until he has had his fun again next time.

I just don't know if he is willing.

"You looked so calm when you left, making people think nothing was wrong and try the dish themselves."

“How can there be such a fool?”

The flavors in a dish take time to emerge.

"The minister is making a scene."

It seems that the court is going to be in turmoil.

"May the Minister have a taste of this."

Lin Zhiruo took out an embroidered bag, which contained the appetizers she had carefully prepared.

"This is very effective and can cleanse the stomach of debris."

“Isn’t this an emetic?”

Quan Wushuang shook his head helplessly.

"The imperial physician will take care of it, so don't worry."

Lin Zhiruo suddenly stopped.

"What's the matter?"

"I dare to ask the steward to bring a lady here."

She had something in her mind that needed to be verified.

“Who do you want to see?”

Quan Wushuang frowned.

"Could you please ask Noble Concubine Dexin to come over?"

Lin Zhiruo looked solemn.

Imperial Concubine Dexin walked over gracefully, smiled at Quan Wushuang, and glanced at Lin Zhiruo with a cold look.

She kept fiddling with her sleeves, looking anxious.

Although she is young, she is still a concubine after all.

They were supposed to go to the kitchen, but because of the minister's disturbance, the imperial doctors were too busy, so everyone had to come to this secluded library.

The magnificent palace made this place look even more desolate, and Concubine Dexin's brows showed displeasure.

Lin Zhiruo ordered Gao Zhongcheng to dismiss the imperial concubine's entourage and leave only one personal maid.

She drank a sip of water and tasted an appetizer specially made by the imperial chef.

This appetizer pill was carefully prepared by the imperial chefs, and Lin Zhiruo wanted to test their craftsmanship.

The ingredients contained in the pill melt in the mouth and the stomach churns.

Quan Wushuang stared at her in amazement as she vomited freely and without any regard for the rules.

The royal chefs’ skills are indeed exquisite.

Lin Zhiruo saluted Concubine Dexin with great energy, but the Concubine gave her a cold look.

"I'll allow you to overstep your bounds."

Lin Zhiruo walked to the side of the imperial concubine.

Imperial Concubine Dexin exclaimed.

She rolled up her imperial concubine's sleeves, revealing her snow-white arms.

"really."

His arms were covered in red marks.

"The Imperial Concubine cannot eat seafood?"

Concubine Dexin lowered her head silently.

"What's going on?" Quan Wushuang stood with his arms folded.

He regained his usual elegant demeanor, but his smile was gone.

"Everyone's body is different, and some foods are not suitable for everyone."

“Seafood, eggs, pasta, and dairy products can all cause discomfort.”

“I can’t eat soy products.”

Quan Wushuang and Gao Zhongcheng looked at her in disbelief, as if to say that she dared to try anything.

Lin Zhiruo sighed secretly.

She tried to overcome this weakness, but nearly suffocated.

This type of food will gradually take effect after being eaten, making it difficult to control the symptoms and recovery will take time.

She had to give up trying.

The royal chefs are inexperienced and may not be able to help.

“How did you find out?”

Concubine Dexin asked in a low voice.

"Is your Majesty feeling unwell? You don't seem to be nauseous or having any convulsions."

"I have some appetizing preserved fruits—"

Concubine Dexin quickly shook her head.

It was really rude to say this in front of such a noble man, and Lin Zhiruo was secretly proud of herself.

"Please take a seat, Madam."

Gao Zhongcheng respectfully invited Concubine Dexin to take a seat.

"Today, Her Majesty and Imperial Concubine Yuyao exchanged meals."

"Noble Concubine Yuyao is not picky about food. Her diet is similar to that of Your Majesty."

“But this morning the two dishes used very different ingredients.”

"Your Majesty can't eat sea cucumbers and scallops?"

The imperial concubine nodded her head slightly.

Lin Zhiruo caught a glimpse of the maid behind her looking panicked.

"This isn't a matter of taste; only those who have experienced it understand the pain."

"Although it's just a rash today, if it gets serious it can cause breathing difficulties and cardiac arrest."

"If you know it's inedible and still serve it, isn't that murder?"

The word "murder" made everyone pale.

"Your Majesty must not have mentioned it because she didn't want to disturb everyone's enjoyment."

"But this matter is of great importance and cannot be taken lightly."

Lin Zhiruo looked at the imperial concubine and the maid meaningfully.

"I hope the Queen will keep this in mind."

After saying this, he did not specify the target.

"Please ask the steward to inform the imperial kitchen of this matter."

Lin Zhiruo looked at Quan Wushuang, but the imperial concubine and the maid were absent-minded.

She took out a recipe and handed it to the pale maid.

"This is what I wrote down while I was in the imperial kitchen. I hope you'll keep it."

The maid took it tremblingly and nodded repeatedly.

This warning must have been conveyed.

The palace maid who tasted the food with a sly smile on her face during the banquet was none other than the personal maidservant of Imperial Concubine Dexin.

After the imperial concubine left, footsteps were heard behind her.

A hand rested on her shoulder.

Lin Zhiruo turned around, her eyes cold.

"I am of low status and dare not let the steward touch my body."

She cleverly expressed her dissatisfaction with Quan Wushuang's frivolous behavior.

"You're the only one who dares to speak like that."

"I suppose others are flattering the butler too much."

Lin Zhiruo walked away quickly.

She was annoyed by Quan Wushuang's pretentious attitude, and she wanted to discuss it with Gao Zhongcheng.

But the loyal guard just shook his head silently, his eyes begging her to be patient.

"I will report this to Imperial Concubine Yuyao."

"Why does she want that maid to stay with the imperial concubine?"

Quan Wushuang pointed out the key point incisively.

"I don't understand what the steward means."

Lin Zhiruo answered expressionlessly.

"Do you think there's something wrong with the imperial kitchen?"

"This servant dare not speak nonsense."

"Speak frankly, your real target is Imperial Concubine Dexin, right?"

“If there are no problems with other dishes.”

Lin Zhiruo turned and left, leaving Quan Wushuang lost in thought.

She leaned against the stone pillar of the corridor and looked at the fallen leaves in the courtyard.

I wonder how big a wave this storm will cause today.

The taste of the fish sashimi is still lingering on the tip of the tongue, and the delicious sauce contains a fatal temptation.

The imperial chef's knife skills were indeed superb, but it was a pity that he was used to murder the imperial concubine.

Lin Zhiruo touched the sachet around her waist, which contained the appetizer she had prepared.

These are the experiences she accumulated when she was in the imperial kitchen, and each dish has been tried thousands of times.

She sighed, turned and walked towards Concubine Yuyao's bedroom.

This failed assassination attempt is likely to cause quite a stir...