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

After leaving the hot spring village, the carriage bumped around for half a day before Lin Zhiruo finally arrived at a place that looked like a fortress.

Then someone led her into a house.

"I didn't intend to bring you here." The imperial chef's words were filled with helplessness. Her cheeks were red and swollen, and her expression was gloomy.

When Lin Zhiruo first met her, she thought she was a quiet and tough woman, but now it seems that she has a sad face and is more gloomy than before.

The reason why Lin Zhiruo was so sure was that she accidentally overheard the conversation between the imperial chef and others in the kitchen of the hot spring village.

At that time, Lin Zhiruo sneaked into the kitchen, but was accidentally captured by an older woman named Fei Ling, and she called Hu Lan'er Shuwan.

(As expected.)

Lin Zhiruo had already sensed something in her heart, and if it weren't for this, she would have felt strange.

She had once met Concubine Shuwan when she was explaining cooking to the four concubines and their maids.

Concubine Shuwan was dressed in gorgeous clothes and listened to the explanation with an expressionless face.

Lin Zhiruo recalled the scene at that time. Concubine Yuyao seemed to be enjoying it, and the studious Concubine Pinglan also asked questions frequently; Concubine Dexin was extremely shy and had no intention of asking questions; and Concubine Shuwan neither asked nor moved, and made almost no sound.

Powerful people never talked to cooks like Lin Zhiruo, so she didn't pay much attention.

However, when I think back on it now, I suddenly understand.

Lin Zhiruo carefully observed Hu Lan'er, no, it should be Shuwan's behavior and belongings, and could feel that her family education was extremely strict.

She avoided the Empress Dowager, or avoided other concubines when she met Concubine Dexin in the dining hall, all because she was afraid of being discovered.

As for Lin Zhiruo, she didn't notice anything while she was enjoying the snacks, so there was no need for her to hide.

(She's such a good disguiser.)

Shuwan is no different from an ordinary woman except that she loves delicious food.

She would taste pastries with Xiao Cui, chat and have a great time.

However, such people are as cunning as foxes.

Lin Zhiruo felt that she was being teased by her and was indignant.

"Just give her a whipping as punishment." Fei Ling's words were filled with joy, as if she was attending a tea party in the garden.

"I think one hundred lashes will be enough. Go and prepare the stakes."

"Madam Fei Ling." The imperial chef wanted to plead for Lin Zhiruo, but Fei Ling had already taken action.

She held a round fan in her hand and hit the imperial chef's cheek with the fan bone again.

The imperial chef took a few steps back, lowered his head, his face pale, and his hands trembling slightly.

She looked as frightened as if she had seen a poisonous snake, and her breathing was weak and rapid.

(This is not easy.)

Lin Zhiruo was sweating profusely, and she understood why Xiangyu in her arms was trembling.

This woman is very dangerous. Although she is extremely wealthy, she is the person that the powerful and wealthy least want to associate with.

But to Lin Zhiruo, she was like an ant.

She had trespassed into this place and had witnessed a suspicious secret meeting. The other party might want to get rid of her in the name of punishment.

"Also, what should we do with this child? Does he need some training?" Fei Ling asked. Xiang Yu was terrified and held Lin Zhiruo tightly.

"Mother." A voice as clear and cold as a bell sounded, and Shuwan came over with a gorgeous hairpin swaying.

"Mother once said she wanted a new cook, remember?" Shuwan said, looking at Lin Zhiruo.

Her eyes were empty, like a clay figurine.

Fei Ling frowned slightly, then covered her mouth with a round fan and looked at Lin Zhiruo.

"She doesn't look like a cook."

"Indeed, but she is over 30 years old. Tasting dishes on herself day and night has slowed down her aging process." Shuwan took Lin Zhiruo's left hand, lifted her sleeve, revealing her arm wrapped in cloth.

"Although I don't know what ingredients she is trying, maybe she can develop a delicacy that can prolong life. I just hope she won't die because of food like the man the other day." Shuwan said calmly.

(Longevity? The man from the day before yesterday?)

Hearing Shuwan's words, Feiling lowered her eyes regretfully.

"In that case, there's nothing we can do."

Fei Ling shook her shawl and looked at the foreign envoys behind her.

The envoy, wearing a veil, followed Fei Ling away.

Although Fei Ling called him "Sir", her attitude was very arrogant.

Both are arrogant, have clear boundaries, and are extremely cold.

In any case, Lin Zhiruo finally got a chance to breathe.

However, Fei Ling stopped.

"It's inconvenient to do things here, so the cook should come with us back to the city." Fei Ling said with a twisted red lip.

So, things have developed to this point.

This utility room was once used by the cook.

Although it was disorganized, it had everything a cook needed, and there were many recipes hidden in the boxes.

Lin Zhiruo looked at the imperial chef.

"Are you two half-sisters?"

This is not a question, but a confirmation.

"She is the only one who treats me as a sister," replied the imperial chef.

Sure enough.

When Lin Zhiruo heard that Shuwan was Xiao Liang's only daughter and that there was a fierce woman by her side, it was naturally difficult for her to treat her equally.

Not only that, she also regarded this imperial chef as a thorn in her side.

"Mrs. Feiling seems to hate me to the core." said the royal chef, stroking his swollen cheek.