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

The corners of Hu Lan'er's mask are lightly decorated with a touch of gold foil, as if the sunset glow was inadvertently sprinkled on it.

Hu Lan'er held a lantern with a candied fruit hanging on it. She delicately peeled off the amber sugar coating, revealing the crystal flesh inside. She gently wiped off the icing on the surface with a silk handkerchief, and then tasted it elegantly.

"This taste is a bit special." She frowned slightly.

"I've tasted it a long time ago." The person next to him responded softly.

"Besides, it has a hint of bitterness," Hu Lan'er added.

"I know this too." The man remained calm.

Candied fruit was once one of the common appetizers in the imperial kitchen. Although it is sweet and delicious, it should be consumed in moderation.

In the past, some of the imperial chefs who came here from the Western Regions moved to the present-day capital and became the ancestors of today's imperial kitchens; while the other part settled in the north and became the ancestors of the chefs in this land.

The sound of wooden clogs hitting the ground is crisp and rhythmic. The lanterns on the road are sparsely distributed, and the flames flicker, which is warm and charming, and stimulates one's appetite.

If you keep going, you might find a food paradise.

However, this feeling of anticipation gradually faded.

As we approached the food altar, we began to see the bustling stalls, and the aroma of grilled meats mixed with the sweet scent of candies filled our faces.

The vendors all wore golden phoenix masks, but obviously they could not exchange spices for silver.

Hu Lan'er suddenly stopped, took off her mask, and continued chewing. She then spat the candied fruit core into the bamboo basket.

"I'm so sorry." She said apologetically.

"No problem." The other party responded tolerantly.

After saying that, Hu Lan'er walked towards the vendors with light steps.

"Want to try something?" she asked.

"If Hu Lan'er treats us." Lin Zhiruo replied with a smile.

So, Lin Zhiruo followed Hu Lan'er to the barbecue stall.

The sizzling lamb skewers made Lin Zhiruo salivate, but there were also pickled wild vegetables and mountain delicacies for sale next to them.

"......" Lin Zhiruo was speechless for a moment.

"The wild vegetables in this season are very delicious." Hu Lan'er picked up a bunch and tasted it without hesitation.

"I'd rather eat mutton." Although Lin Zhiruo also dared to try wild vegetables, she finally chose mutton skewers.

"How about the wild delicacies?" Hu Lan'er asked.

"I don't feel like eating wild delicacies recently." Lin Zhiruo shook her head.

"Lin Zhiruo, why are you in a daze?" Hu Lan'er noticed her absent-mindedness.

Despite wearing the golden phoenix mask, Hu Lan'er could still sense Lin Zhiruo's thoughts.

She said "I understand" and took the lamb skewers from the stall owner, a middle-aged chef, and handed them to Lin Zhiruo.

Lin Zhiruo took off her mask and took a bite of the kebab.

Perhaps because spices are precious, they are used very sparingly, and local wild herbs are used instead for seasoning.

"Huh?" she let out a soft cry.

"What's wrong?" Hu Lan'er asked with concern.

Lin Zhiruo frowned and spit the food in her mouth into the bamboo basket.

"Like I said before, it's really rude." Hu Lan'er sighed.

This woman can be careless sometimes - Lin Zhiruo thought to herself.

What she vomited out this time should be the wild vegetables she had just bought, but she was mistaken for mutton.

"This is really too much. This stall owner is dishonest and even mixed in wild vegetables." Hu Lan'er said indignantly.

"Well, I think they are all pickled almost the same." Lin Zhiruo was a little helpless.

"They are different. Although the same seasoning is used, the taste can still be distinguished." Hu Lan'er picked up another bunch of wild vegetables and started eating. This time the taste seemed to be better, and she savored it carefully.

Although Lin Zhiruo has eaten all kinds of delicacies from land and sea, she does not often eat wild vegetables.

The villagers eat wild vegetables to fill their stomachs, but in the prosperous capital, there are many delicious foods, so wild vegetables are not often sold.

However, if the year is bad, farmers sometimes go to the city to sell wild vegetables to supplement their family income.

The food altar was located on high ground, and the two climbed up the stairs.

Once you reach a high point, you can overlook the fields outside the forest.

On the vast plain, distant mountains are looming.

Is this a market?

In addition to the starlight, you can also see the smoke rising from the cooking stove.

"Lin Zhiruo, we're here." Hu Lan'er held the hand of Lin Zhiruo who was looking around.

There was a long line in front, and people took off their masks, placed them in front of the altar, and then left.

A figure can be vaguely seen behind the red-painted railing inside the altar.

It was a little kitchen boy, wearing a white mask and kitchen clothes, sitting quietly.

Although she couldn't see his face, Lin Zhiruo was quite impressed by his mask, which was made by the master chef from the imperial kitchen.

Lin Zhiruo remembered that although this kitchen boy had a rough appearance, his knife skills were extremely delicate and he could carve radishes into lifelike flowers and birds.

"Every year a child cook is chosen to sit in place of the God of Food," Hu Lan'er explained.

"He can really sit still." Lin Zhiruo exclaimed.

"Haha, everyone wants to be the kitchen boy. But it's very tiring, so people are changed from time to time to prevent their legs from getting numb. But I think this should be a wonderful memory." Hu Lan'er said absentmindedly for some reason.

"It looks like it's almost over. Let's wait a little longer." After saying that, Hu Lan'er walked to the back of the altar.