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

"Huh? Why is this guy lying on the ground, looking for some food?"

"Oh, the hard work of running errands is really heartbreaking. Here, this is your reward."

Lin Zhiruo gently picked up a piece of candied fruit and handed it to Xiaotian. He was like a gust of wind, sweeping away the candied fruit in an instant and disappearing without a trace.

"...If I had known this, I should have asked him to help in the kitchen to avoid causing more trouble."

Quan Wushuang let out a low sigh, the sound like the muffled roar of a kitchen fire.

Perhaps because of the scar on his face, Quan Wushuang's originally handsome temperament has diminished a bit, and his face looks more resolute.

Looking closely, there was a tiny gap on the door, and several pairs of eyes were peeking in.

Lin Zhiruo suddenly opened the door and saw the madam and Gao Zhongcheng retreating in panic.

"Mammy, please prepare a place for me to rest. Make sure the tea is brewed just right so I can rest in peace."

"Understood."

The madam smacked her lips regretfully and then began to lay the foundation.

Lin Zhiruo's gaze fell on Quan Wushuang who was still lying on the ground.

"Mr. Quan, you look very tired."

Quan Wushuang stared at Lin Zhiruo in a daze.

“Please have a good rest.”

"I understand. I'll rest."

(That's good.)

However, Quan Wushuang stood like a statue, motionless.

“Manager Quan.”

Lin Zhiruo knelt on the ground and gently shook his shoulders.

(By the way, is it appropriate to continue calling him General Manager Quan?)

Just as she was lost in thought——

"I'll use this as my pillow."

Quan Wushuang's head was already resting on Lin Zhiruo's lap.

His head was pressed against Lin Zhiruo's abdomen, and his arms were around her back.

“Manager Quan.”

"..."

I don't know whether he was really asleep or pretending to sleep, he didn't say a word.

The madam quietly placed the fine mattress and tea set in the corner of the room and left.

Lin Zhiruo sighed and reached out to pick up the grinder.

The ingredients are finely ground, and the aroma they emit blends with the fragrance of tea.

She vaguely heard Quan Wushuang's light snoring.

(My legs are numb.)

Lin Zhiruo was thinking while preparing a new recipe.

As time goes by, the vendor remains busy.

Although there were disturbances in the capital, for this market far away on the seaside, those disturbances were like floating clouds in the sky, difficult to reach.

Compared with the affairs of the imperial court, the vendors were more concerned about how to sell more goods during the festival.

During every festive occasion, vendors always want to show off their skills in front of female customers.

This is a principle that everyone who does business understands.

The stalls have everything from local pastries to foreign delicacies.

Although there are many types of food, only the dazzling array and rich variety are worthy of this festival with lights and crowds of people.

“Welcome back——”

Just now, another customer who doesn't know much about gourmet food bought a pair of ordinary dim sum.

He said he wanted to take it back for his sweetheart to taste, but with his taste, he was afraid that person would only be able to swallow it with difficulty.

However, vendors are vendors after all. Even if they are selling ordinary ingredients, they will praise them in a very high-sounding way so that customers are willing to pay for them.

Just as I was watching the guest leave happily, another girl came.

Looking at her appearance, she seemed to be walking around casually and had no intention of buying anything.

The girl was dressed simply, and even the corners of her clothes were stained with flour.

But her clothes were thick, the style commonly worn by people in the north.

The vendor was about to gently ask her to leave so as not to block the way for other customers, but the girl raised her head.

"Hey, uncle, is this candied fruit?"

“Yes, it’s a common snack in the palace.”

The vendor couldn't help but answer in a friendly manner, perhaps because although the girl was dressed simply, her face was very charming.

Although she looked innocent, her figure was that of a grown woman.

“Oh, it’s so pretty, it’s made of sugar.”

The girl touched the candied fruit lightly with her fingers.

"Hey girl, this is something for sale. Please don't touch it if you don't want to buy it."

Although it wouldn't go bad, the vendor didn't want her to dirty the goods in vain.

“Would you like to buy it?”

"Well—I don't have any money."

“Then please don’t touch it.”

No matter how beautiful a girl is, she has to follow these rules.

The girl seemed to like the candied fruit very much and kept staring at it.

If I tell her this is a tribute from the palace, I wonder how she will react. The vendor was about to say this to dismiss her when...

“Here you go.”

The girl took out a jade hairpin from her bosom.

"What does it mean?"

"Would you mind exchanging this piece of preserves for something?"

"Um--"

The vendor thought it was an ordinary object, so he squinted to take a closer look.

However, the hairpin was exquisitely crafted and far superior to any jewelry on the market.

It's a pity that there are traces of bumps and scratches, which must have greatly reduced its value.

How is this going?

There is a small hole on the flat part of the hairpin head, as if some round object had been inlaid there.

"how?"

"That's enough, no need to say more."

The peddler wanted to ask about the origin of the hairpin to prevent any accidents, but in the end he didn't ask.

He felt that he was lucky to get such a good thing.

The pattern on this hairpin is also very delicate. The hairpin itself, with the new decoration, can be sold for a good price.

"Then I'll take it—"

The girl picked up the candied fruit, looked at it in the sunlight, and smiled.

Her innocent smile made her coarse clothes look radiant.

He thought: The imperial concubine in the palace must be as bright and beautiful as this girl.

The vendor was infected by her smile and couldn't help but say:

"If someone like you enters the imperial palace, you will definitely enjoy all the wealth and luxury. Just like that...what's her name? The favorite concubine's name...uh..."

"Is it Imperial Concubine Yuyao?"

"Yes, yes, that lady who almost became the queen."

People often sell her portraits in front of bookstores.

Although it is expensive and ordinary people cannot afford it, it is just the right thing to attract people to stop and take a look.

"Yuyao..."

The girl looked at the candied fruit while surveying her surroundings.

She seemed to see something, and the vendor followed her gaze and saw a chef selecting fresh fish and shrimp.

The girl smiled happily and looked at the ships moored at the pier.

It was a merchant ship coming from afar, and some of the delicacies on the ship were also displayed on the vendors' stalls.

The girl looked full of energy, jumping around and smiling like a flower.

"Goodbye—"

She waved happily and ran towards the dock.