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

The unusual change in the food at the palace banquet caused a huge uproar in the inner court of the palace.

Outside the blue brick wall of the imperial kitchen, a winding path leads to the backyard.

The wind chimes under the eaves rang softly in the breeze, and a few sparrows were jumping and playing on the roof.

Beside the stone table in the courtyard, several palace maids were enjoying afternoon snacks.

Xiao Cui held the candied fruit in one hand and picked up an almond with the other hand and put it into her mouth, savoring the sweet fragrance.

Lin Zhiruo looked at the scene in front of her and couldn't help but frown: This almond dish is a little too cooked, and the syrup should be thicker.

"Sister Lin, I heard that the palace maid who had an accident in the Liuli Palace a few days ago was because she ate a strange fish?" Xiao Cui asked in a low voice.

"Yeah." Lin Zhiruo responded indifferently.

"Everyone in the palace is talking about this. Will I get into trouble if I ask about it?"

"Nothing." Lin Zhiruo answered absentmindedly.

Seeing her dodging again and again, Xiao Cui pouted, as if she was helpless. She lowered her head and played with the silver hairpin inlaid with coral in her hand, which shone a little in the sunlight.

"By the way, I heard that you have a gold hairpin in your hand?" Xiao Cui asked as if she suddenly remembered something.

"Just a few." Lin Zhiruo thought about the one given by Concubine Yuyao. Together with the others, there were four in total.

"Then it's possible..." Xiao Cui's eyes lit up and she smiled brightly, "You can finally go home!"

Lin Zhiruo was stunned: "What do you mean?"

"Huh? Haven't you always wanted to go back home to visit your relatives?"

Only then did Lin Zhiruo remember that Susu had indeed mentioned this matter many times, but she had never taken it to heart.

I couldn't help but shake my head in self-mockery.

"What's wrong?" Xiao Cui tilted her head, looking confused.

"What is the use of this hairpin?" Lin Zhiruo rarely showed an interested look.

A sly look flashed in Xiao Cui's eyes: "Sister, please listen to me carefully."

The talkative girl immediately became lively and began to describe the origin of the hairpin in vivid detail.

In the summer martial arts training ground, Liu Wu's clothes were soaked with sweat.

While wiping the sweat from his forehead, he handed the blunt sword to the follower beside him.

A strong smell of sweat filled the air, and at this time a eunuch came hurriedly.

The man was thin, holding a letter and a golden hairpin in his hands.

The hairpin inlaid with red coral was just one of several he had casually given to others some time ago.

He originally thought that the person who received the hairpin would regard it as an ordinary gift and would not take it seriously, but now it seems that he was wrong.

Although it is wrong to disappoint a woman, it would be embarrassing if you take it seriously.

It would be fine if she was a stunning beauty.

While Liu Wu was thinking about how to decline politely, he unfolded the letter.

There were only five words written on the letter: "Lin Zhiruo of Liuli Palace".

Among the palace maids in the Glass Palace, only one had ever received this hairpin, and that was the taciturn maid.

Liu Wu went to change his clothes with some confusion.

The harem has been a forbidden area for men since ancient times.

As a military general who had not been castrated, Liu Wu naturally had no chance to set foot in this deep palace.

There will be no chance to enter in the future, and if there is such an opportunity, it will be a headache.

Although it is such a strict place, as long as special permission is obtained, the women in the palace can be summoned.

And this hairpin is one of the proofs.

Liu Wu was waiting in the communication room at the palace gate. This small room only had two tables and chairs.

At each door stood a eunuch in plain clothes with a solemn expression.

Not long after, a thin palace maid walked out from the harem door.

Her face was covered with spots, making her look particularly inconspicuous among the beauties in the palace.

"Who are you?" Liu Wu asked.

"People often ask this question." The palace maid said calmly.

She raised her hand to cover half of her face, revealing a familiar face.

“Has anyone ever told you that you look completely different with and without makeup?”

"People often say that." She accepted the fact calmly.

Only then did Liu Wu recognize that she was the maid from the imperial kitchen.

But the face covered with spots in front of me was completely different from the charming smile in my memory.

"Do you know what it means to call me out again?" Liu Wu crossed his arms and legs.

The burly military officer acted arrogantly, but the petite girl showed no fear at all.

"I intend to return to my hometown." Her tone remained calm.

Liu Wu scratched his hair fiercely.

"You want my help?"

"Yes, I heard that as long as someone guarantees you, you can return home temporarily."

The girl's words shocked Liu Wu.

He almost wanted to ask her right away if she understood what this meant.

A maid in the Glass Palace actually wanted to use him to leave the palace.

This is not something an ordinary military officer can easily agree to.

Liu Wu supported his chin with his hand and snorted coldly.

He never cared when others said he had a bad attitude.

"Why, little girl, are you planning to take advantage of me?"

This military officer, who always considered himself a hero, now glared with a ferocious look.

When he scolded his subordinates, even passers-by would tremble with fear.

However, Lin Zhiruo didn't frown at all, she just looked at him calmly.

"I'm not taking advantage of you. I have a small gift for you."

She placed a roll of exquisite letter paper on the table.

"Red Sleeves, Green Lotus, Purple Smoke."

When these names came out, Liu Wu's heart trembled.

Not only him, but any man with some status in the capital is familiar with these names.

"If you are interested, you may visit Spring Breeze Pavilion."

Chunfeng Pavilion is the most famous brothel in the capital. One night of pleasure there would cost an ordinary family a year's savings.

The names just mentioned are the three most famous courtesans in the pavilion.

"If you are worried, just show me this and they will know."

The girl gave Liu Wu a crooked smile.

"Are you kidding?"

"Please confirm, sir."

It was unbelievable. A mere palace maid could have such connections in Chunfeng Pavilion, a place where even high-ranking officials could not easily enter.

What exactly is going on?

Liu Wu was confused and scratched his head again when the girl suddenly sighed and stood up.

"What's wrong?"

"It seems that your Excellency does not believe it. I am sorry to have to make such a trip."

Lin Zhiruo quickly took out two hairpins from her chest, one inlaid with rubies and the other made of pure silver.

Could it be that she has someone else to rely on?

"I apologize for disturbing you, sir. I will now seek help from someone else."

“Wait, wait!”

Liu Wu held down Lin Zhiruo as she was about to take the letter away.

Lin Zhiruo had an expressionless face, but a sharp light flashed in her eyes.

"What do you think, sir?"

Her eyes seemed to be examining her opponent.

Liu Wu admitted defeat.

"Is this appropriate?" Caiwei peeked at Lin Zhiruo through the crack in the door.

The girl was in high spirits and was happily packing her luggage.

The person involved was completely unaware of anything unusual, and his naive look was both laughable and sad.

"It's only three days." Concubine Yuyao gently stroked the sandalwood fan in her hand.

“That’s true.”

Caiwei picked up Princess Ai Ling, who wanted to stand up by herself with the help of the table.

"But this girl definitely doesn't understand the deeper meaning of this." A hint of cunning flashed in Concubine Yuyao's eyes.

“That’s right. It’s clear as day.”

Many palace maids congratulated Lin Zhiruo, but she seemed completely unaware of what was going on.

The girl said leisurely, "I will definitely bring back some local specialties."

Concubine Yuyao stood in front of the window, looking at the swaying osmanthus tree in the courtyard.

"This child is truly pitiful."

Although the queen sighed softly, she couldn't hide the smile in her eyes.

Caiwei heard Concubine Yuyao murmur softly: "It's quite interesting."

This situation is likely to cause another uproar, which is really worrying...