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

For the concubines in the harem, a tea party is not only a social event, but also a struggle with hidden secrets.

Imperial Concubine Yuyao was well aware of this, and she would hold exquisite tea parties in the Glazed Palace every day, or attend gatherings with other concubines upon invitation.

(In this deep palace, delicious food often hides murderous intentions.)

Lin Zhiruo has never been interested in such tea parties.

(In this deep palace, delicious food often hides murderous intentions.)

Lin Zhiruo has never been interested in such tea parties.

Everyone was talking about the popular snacks and pastries to go with tea, but beneath that seemingly ordinary topic, there were undercurrents.

(Each of these seemingly gentle concubines is a calculating chess player.)

The one chatting and laughing with Imperial Concubine Yuyao at this moment was a second-rank concubine from the Western Regions.

Since they both came from the Western Regions and were both proficient in exotic cuisine, they always had endless topics to talk about.

Although Lin Zhiruo didn't know what they were talking about specifically, she could guess that it was probably about the trade between the two countries.

Concubine Yuyao had a cheerful personality, and other concubines often came to her for advice on cooking.

She also enjoyed passing these unique recipes back to her hometown through letters.

Born into a merchant family, she is well versed in business and has used this to bring more business opportunities to her hometown.

(She cooked until late last night, yet she looks completely effortless today?)

The emperor often came to the Glazed Palace, ostensibly to visit the princess who had just learned to walk, but actually to taste the delicious food prepared by Concubine Yuyao.

Even though the emperor was busy with state affairs, he was still able to maintain his energy, perhaps thanks to these nourishing delicacies.

After the tea party, Su Su presented Lin Zhiruo with plates of exquisite snacks.

There were quite a lot of snacks, so Lin Zhiruo found Xiao Cui to share them with as usual.

Lin Zhiruo sighed softly and shook off the snack crumbs in her hands.

The sky was gloomy and heavy clouds blocked out all sunlight.

There is a special guest at today's tea party - Concubine Dexin.

As one of the four imperial concubines, such a meeting is rare.

Concubine Dexin was still young and looked timid, with four maids following behind her.

The food-tasting maid who had been threatened by Lin Zhiruo was also among them, and it seemed that she had not received any punishment.

Due to the cold weather, the tea party was held indoors.

Imperial Concubine Yuyao ordered people to place sandalwood benches in the side hall for the maids.

The round table was inlaid with precious agate, and the curtains were replaced with new embroidered satin.

(This is too grand, even if the emperor came, it would not be more than this.)

Maybe this is what women are like - competing with each other.

Lin Zhiruo deliberately added some weight to the light makeup she usually wore, outlining sharp curves at the corners of her eyes.

Although this makeup may seem too bright in the eyes of men, it is fine as long as it can outshine the other person.

The topic of the tea party was always dominated by Concubine Yuyao, and Concubine Dexin just nodded timidly in response.

The maids' eyes kept wandering around the Glass Palace, and they seemed to be particularly interested in the furnishings there.

Only the food tasting maid stood behind Concubine Dexin, staring at Lin Zhiruo sharply.

(It's really uncomfortable.)

Lin Zhiruo sighed inwardly, hoping that these people would not treat her as some kind of monster.

She won't hurt anyone, so why be so defensive?

(They looked like ordinary maids.)

Lin Zhiruo remembered that she had reported to Gao Zhongcheng that Concubine Dexin was bullied by the maid.

If it was really a misunderstanding, although it would be a bit troublesome, it would also be a good thing.

Xiaomei brought an exquisite porcelain pot and warm tea.

"Does Concubine De like desserts? It's cold today, so I prepared some warming pastries." Concubine Yuyao asked in a gentle voice.

"I like sweets very much." Concubine Dexin answered softly, her expression gradually relaxing.

The porcelain pot is filled with citrus peels cooked with osmanthus honey, which can warm the body and moisten the throat.

This is Lin Zhiruo's specialty dessert. Concubine Yuyao likes it very much and often serves it to guests recently.

(Huh?)

Lin Zhiruo noticed that Concubine Dexin's expression suddenly changed.

The food-tasting maid also looked as if she wanted to say something but hesitated, her eyes fixed on the osmanthus honey in the teacup.

(Can’t even eat honey?)

The maids on standby said nothing.

He just looked at Concubine Dexin with an impatient expression, as if he was about to speak up to stop her nitpicking.

Lin Zhiruo sighed softly and whispered a few words to Concubine Yuyao.

Upon hearing this, Imperial Concubine Yuyao widened her eyes in surprise and then called Xiaomei over.

"I'm sorry, it looks like this thing needs to soak for a while longer. I'll have someone bring something else. Can Concubine De drink ginger soup?"

"can."

Concubine Dexin's voice seemed to have regained its vitality. It seemed that changing the tea was the right decision.

Unfortunately, Lin Zhiruo's guess seemed to have come true.

Although it was only for a brief moment, her eyes met with the maid who was staring at her boredly.

In the evening, the eunuch, who was as handsome and dazzling as ever, appeared. Behind his angelic smile was Gao Zhongcheng.

Lin Zhiruo felt that Gao Zhongcheng seemed to have more wrinkles between his eyebrows recently, and wondered if there was something that was worrying him.

"It seems that Her Majesty drank tea with Imperial Concubine Dexin."

"Yeah, had a great time."

Perhaps because of his position as the head of the harem, the eunuch would regularly visit the other three of the four wives.

Lin Zhiruo felt that the combination of guests and hosts at today's tea party was a bit strange. She thought that it was this eunuch who was interfering.

Lin Zhiruo wanted to leave the room before any trouble came upon her, but it was obvious that this was impossible.

"Could you please let me go, General?"

"I haven't finished what I'm saying yet."

Even though he looked at her with the eyes of a celestial being, Lin Zhiruo could only lower her gaze to the floor.

She knew that her eyes must be lifeless at this moment.

No, it was more like the look you get when you look at a fish swimming with its belly facing up.

"Haha, you two have such a good relationship."

"Empress Yuyao, if your eyes feel tired, you might as well press the area around your eyes with your fingers."

Because Imperial Concubine Yuyao was laughing so happily, Lin Zhiruo couldn't help but retort with a sarcastic remark.

(Not good. Not good.)

Such disrespectful words can only be used on Quan Wushuang.

(Uh, that doesn't work either.)

Just yesterday, Lin Zhiruo had angered the chief eunuch Quan Wushuang.

If she violates the taboo again, there is no guarantee that one day this eunuch, who holds the power of life and death, may be displeased and kill her.

"In the recent poisoning incident in the imperial kitchen, I heard that the cook who poisoned the kitchen has committed suicide. Do you know about this?"

Lin Zhiruo nodded slightly.

From the tone, it can be heard that these words are not said to Concubine Yuyao, but to test Lin Zhiruo.

Imperial Concubine Yuyao seemed to have sensed something and quietly left the kitchen.

In the huge imperial kitchen, only Lin Zhiruo, Quan Wushuang, and Gao Zhongcheng were left.

"Did the young cook really commit suicide?"

"I dare not speculate."

Only those in power can change the truth of facts at will.

Although we don't know who made the conclusion, Quan Wushuang must be involved in this matter.

"Why would a humble cook poison Imperial Concubine Dexin's snacks?"

“I don’t know.”

Quan Wushuang displayed that bewitching smile and skillfully manipulated others.

Unfortunately, this trick doesn't work on Lin Zhiruo.

Quan Wushuang must have understood that he didn't need to go to so much trouble. He only needed to give an order and Lin Zhiruo would have to obey.

"Starting tomorrow, are you willing to help out at Zixiao Palace?"

Even if we add a "maybe", what difference does it make?

Lin Zhiruo had no choice but to accept respectfully.

Each palace is as unique as its owner.

The Jinyu Palace of Imperial Concubine Yuyao is magnificent and elegant, exuding grace and luxury everywhere; the Cuiyun Palace of Imperial Concubine Pinglan is quiet and elegant, like a fairyland.

However, Princess Si Lan's Zixiao Palace is unique, with a simple and elegant style yet an extraordinary demeanor.

The same is true for the palace owner, Concubine Si Lan. She abandons complicated decorations and does not wear makeup, but she has a heroic and vigorous demeanor.

(At the age of 35, he still maintains such charm.)

If she wore court dress, she would definitely be mistaken for a young official.

In this deep palace, her unique temperament attracted the attention of countless palace maids.

Although this charm is similar to Quan Wushuang's, they each have their own merits.

Lin Zhiruo followed two palace maids into the inner hall.

The chief maid Qingluo was plump and introduced the palace rules to them with a smile.

"I'm so sorry to have to ask you all to come and help me so suddenly."

As a fourth-rank head maid, she must have an extraordinary background.

But her gentle and polite attitude towards the servants did not show any arrogance of a young lady from an official family.

(Maybe he came from a merchant family?)

It turned out that they were called in just to help with the year-end chores.

(Her arms...)

Lin Zhiruo noticed that Qingluo's left arm was wrapped in white cloth, and the location of the scars was exactly the same as that on her own arm.

Whenever someone asks about an old injury, I always have to deal with those overly concerned looks.

The heavy physical work was all done by the young eunuchs, who only had to organize and dry books and utensils.

After a day, I realized that the scale of Zixiao Palace was far greater than that of Jinyu Palace.

That night, Lin Zhiruo did not return to the Jinyu Palace, but lived in a side room of the Zixiao Palace with two palace maids, covered with warm fox fur.

(I was not given any special tasks.)

Lin Zhiruo just followed Qingluo's instructions and took care of all the chores carefully.

Qingluo is kind to others and praises Lin Zhiruo highly, which makes her dare not slack off at all.

This head maid is well versed in the art of governance.

Judging from the way she handles things in an orderly manner, she should be a virtuous mistress.

However, Qingluo has always followed Concubine Si Lan and has never married.

This couldn't help but make Lin Zhiruo feel emotional.

Although the salary of a head maid far exceeded that of an ordinary man, Lin Zhiruo still couldn't help but wonder if she had ever thought about getting married?

This should be human nature.

When they were in the Glass Palace, the three of them often talked about such topics.

Although they have no intention of leaving Concubine Yuyao for the time being, they still cherish the dream of meeting their true love one day.

Caiwei always said to them with a smile: "If you want to dream, just go for it."

This always sounds a bit scary.

(It felt like I hadn’t worked so hard in a long time.)

Lin Zhiruo curled up like a kitten and soon fell into a deep sleep.

(Is there really someone behind the poisoning incident in this palace?)

The maids in Liuli Palace are all diligent, but the maids in Zixiao Palace are also capable.

All the maids admired Concubine Si Lan, so they were extra careful and thoughtful in what they did.

The maid Chang Qingluo is even more admirable.

She was not bound by her status as a maid, and would wipe away the dust herself with a rag.