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

The capital was in jubilation because the emperor had established a new queen, the crown prince of the Eastern Palace had made his first appearance in court, and it was also the Spring Festival.

The entire capital was immersed in a festive atmosphere. Even Yanliu Lane was infected by the atmosphere of universal celebration, and the young courtesans found it difficult to concentrate on their daily trivialities.

The new queen was named Su Qiang, and the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace was her biological son.

The delivery process went very smoothly and both mother and child were safe.

This is indeed a great joyous event, and it also means that Lin Zhiruo can retire and embrace her own time.

So, Lin Zhiruo concentrated on preparing seasonings in the snack shop she opened.

"Hey, Ma Lian, bring me some snacks."

Before the childish voice fell, the door curtain opened slightly and a child walked in.

The child's name is Xiaotian. He doesn't have all his baby teeth yet and has an innocent face. He is very cute.

He abandoned his original name and took a similar one, simply because he still remembered the old name and had to do so.

Seeing how lively and playful he is now, who would have thought that he was still in a coma a few days ago?

I wonder if it’s because he’s young and strong that he can play like this now, or is it God’s will?

The past is over, and the five children have all woken up.

Lin Zhiruo took great pains to prepare the ingredients.

He even called back Cui Ling who was far away from home to study the recipe together.

Cuiling once said that the new formula is not yet perfect.

I wanted to wait until the effect was better before using it, but the situation forced me to let the five children eat the special food in the end.

Therefore, they woke up with some sequelae.

Among these five children, Xiaotian was the last to wake up.

These five children who should have faced the death penalty have now been reborn and have new names.

Four of them were adopted, and only Xiaotian stayed in Yanliu Lane.

Is this a blessing or a curse?

Xiaotian lost his memory and became paralyzed on one side of his body.

But compared to before, this is a blessing in disguise.

Lin Zhiruo had worried that he would never wake up again, but now that he survived, it was truly great.

These five children will be raised by their former boss, Fei Silan, from now on.

Although dispersed resettlement was discussed, Si Lan felt that it was too cruel and decided to take on the responsibility alone.

Lin Zhiruo saw Si Lan dressed in men's clothes and looking energetic. He was completely different from when he was in the harem, and his appearance was quite similar to Quan Wushuang.

(Could it be...)

Forget it, Lin Zhiruo gave up the idea.

Si Lan not only raised these five children, but also took in Cui Ling.

Although Cui Ling caused chaos in the palace, her actions were excusable and she was the descendant of the previous emperor, so her life was saved, but she had to be under constant surveillance.

Because Xiaotian lost his memory, Lin Zhiruo thought it might be better to separate them, so she left him in Yanliu Lane.

This move may cause controversy, but it has nothing to do with Lin Zhiruo.

It has nothing to do with it, but why would this naughty boy stay here?

Although this is the safest place, Lin Zhiruo still doesn't understand what it means.

Seeing Xiaotian rummaging through the cupboard without permission, Lin Zhiruo gently tapped him on the head.

“Ouch, that hurts! Why did you hit me?”

“Who told you to rummage through things?”

Lin Zhiruo took back the exquisite pastries given by the young lady and only threw him a piece of candied fruit from the cabinet.

Xiaotian seemed very satisfied and ran away with the candied fruit in his mouth.

Perhaps there were kind servants to play with him, so he went to look for them.

As the saying goes, children are adaptable, and this is indeed true.

Xiaotian was not troubled by his amnesia. He was loved by a beautiful woman and accompanied by servants, so he seemed to have nothing to be dissatisfied with.

The madam's business is booming, so she probably won't be too harsh on him in the short term.

Lin Zhiruo ate some slightly salty pastries while lying lazily on the ground, folding the flattened cushion to use as a pillow.

Lin Zhiruo's father, Lin Xiang, did not return to Yanliu Lane and still worked in the palace.

He was expelled from the harem for some reason in the past, but because of his superb cooking skills, the emperor could not bear to lose him.

This is also one of the reasons why Lin Zhiruo did not continue to serve Quan Wushuang but returned here.

Some time ago, Qin Xiang came to visit.

Although Lin Zhiruo made a living by running a food store, Qin Xiang was quite surprised to see that she was making a living in Yanliu Lane.

As for Qin Xiang's intention...

"If I don't give this to you, I won't be able to sleep or eat."

After saying that, Qin Xiang handed two letters written on rough paper to Lin Zhiruo.

The signature is written through repeated practice.

This is a letter from Xiao Cui.

Qin Xiang said that Xiao Cui had felt extremely lonely since Lin Zhiruo and Hu Lan'er left together.

Although they pretended that both of them were promoted and left the palace, Xiao Cui still felt lost.

"She's very sad and blames you for leaving without saying goodbye."

Qin Xiang described Xiao Cui's recent situation in detail. Lin Zhiruo knew that she couldn't bear to see Xiao Cui alone, so she decided to keep her company.

"She has average abilities, but a cheerful personality, which is truly a blessing for her."

Although Xiao Cui did not stay in the harem, she was appreciated by the lower-level concubines, who wrote a letter back to their hometown and adopted her as their sister.

Xiao Cui has a likable personality and will surely get along well with her new owner quickly.

In addition to the letter to Lin Zhiruo, there was another one to Hu Lan'er.

Lin Zhiruo unfolded her letter.

The letter, written in childish handwriting, described her recent situation.

Although her writing was poor, she had tried her best.

If there are mistakes and they cannot be rewritten because the paper is precious, they are covered with ink.

The letter ends with:

"I look forward to meeting you again someday. I really want to try your desserts again."

Lin Zhiruo kept the letter to Hu Lan'er and did not open it, but she knew that the end of the letter must contain the same words.

Hot tears rolled down my cheeks and dripped onto the paper, making the handwriting blurry.

Hu Lan'er's body has not been found to this day.

She was hit by a musket and fell from the city wall.

Everyone searched everywhere under the snow, but still could not find any trace of him.

I heard that they will search again when spring comes and the snow melts.

Lin Zhiruo prayed that her body would never be found.

(Time to gather ingredients.)

Before leaving Yanliu Lane, my father prepared a lot of seasonings, but they were all used up long ago.

I guess the vegetable garden is overgrown with weeds.

Lin Zhiruo has a lot of things to do in Yanliu Lane, perhaps even busier than in the palace.

Since that incident, Lin Zhiruo never saw Quan Wushuang again.

You can't see this person just because you want to.

He led the army into battle, leaving scars on his face. He could no longer return to the harem as a eunuch, so he must have resumed his true identity.

Lin Zhiruo didn't know his real name, and even if she knew, she had no chance to call it.

The worlds they live in are very far apart.

Quan Wushuang's wounds were treated by a famous chef, so Lin Zhiruo didn't need to intervene, and his father was also by his side.

Even if Lin Zhiruo stayed there, it would be useless.

Quan Wushuang is no longer a eunuch and can no longer keep a suspicious poor girl by his side.

From now on, he no longer needs to hide his actions.

Therefore, it was the best choice for Lin Zhiruo to return to Yanliu Lane and open a food shop.

Since her father is not here, the madam probably won't plan to sell her anymore.

(Oh, so sleepy.)

Last night, Lin Zhiruo worked all night to develop a new formula.

Improving a recipe is difficult.

In order to enhance the taste, mixing various ingredients together often produces side effects such as strange smells.

Lin Zhiruo tried it on her left arm, but the results were not satisfactory.

After injuring her ear, she tried applying medicated medicine, but it didn't help.

Maybe my taste buds are numb and I can no longer tell what is good or bad.

(It seems that a larger amount is needed.)

Lin Zhiruo looked at her left hand and wrapped the cloth strip around her little finger.

He stood up and took out a knife from the drawer of the cupboard.

(good...)

Just as she was about to raise her knife,

"what are you up to?"

A pleasant voice came from behind.

"..."

Lin Zhiruo looked back and saw a man with a strange face standing at the door.

Behind him was the familiar hard-working man and the brothel owner who was rubbing her hands and laughing.