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

As night fell, Lin Zhiruo tossed and turned in the darkness of the Glazed Palace.

She quietly slipped out of the palace, only seeking a breath of freedom in her heart.

The winter wind was biting cold, and Lin Zhiruo put on a thick cloak before daring to step into this cold world.

The harem remains the same, as if filled with a twisted sentiment.

She needed to be careful not to accidentally peek into secrets hidden in the bushes or dark corners.

(To those whose hearts burn with fire, the cold of winter seems but a minor obstacle.)

Inadvertently, Lin Zhiruo looked up at the half-moon in the sky.

His thoughts drifted back to Princess Lianhua's past, and suddenly an idea came to his mind, and he decided to climb the palace wall.

I wanted to take advantage of this beautiful night to raise a glass to the moon, but there was no good wine in the Glass Palace, so I had to give up.

Recalling the fine wine that Quan Wushuang had given her the day before, Lin Zhiruo couldn't help but feel regretful.

I longed for the long-lost taste, but shook my head because of the memories of the past, and finally gave up.

Lin Zhiruo stepped lightly onto the palace wall, using the protruding bricks and tiles at the corners to climb up step by step with agility.

If I hadn't been paying attention to my dress, it would have been pulled.

There are clouds and smoke in the world, but at this moment, the scenery from above is refreshing.

The bright moon hangs high in the sky and the stars are sparse, reflecting the prosperity of the capital.

The brilliant lights in the distance must be the brilliance of Fireworks Alley, living up to the reputation of the city that never sleeps.

Those dissolute men and women may be in love with flowers.

Lin Zhiruo had nothing to do but sit on the wall, her legs gently swinging as she stared at the vast sky.

"Hey, someone got there first?"

A voice, neither loud nor soft, broke the silence.

Lin Zhiruo turned around and saw a figure in trousers standing there.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Concubine Si Lan.

Her hair was tied up and draped behind her back, and a huge wine jug was hung on her shoulder.

Concubine Si Lan's cheeks were slightly drunk, her clothes were a little thin, and although her steps were steady, she seemed a little drunk.

"No, I'll give in immediately."

Lin Zhiruo said.

"Why bother? Come have a drink with me."

Concubine Si Lan took out the wine glass, and Lin Zhiruo had no way to refuse.

Normally, she would decline politely because of Imperial Concubine Yuyao, but at this moment, she did not want to spoil the last pleasure of this concubine who was about to leave the harem.

It was not the wine that tempted her. Lin Zhiruo took the wine glass with both hands and tasted the sweetness of the wine.

The wine has a rich aroma, is sweet but not cloying, and the alcohol doesn't seem overpowering.

Princess Si Lan proudly picked up the wine jug and drank it all.

"Do I look like a man?"

Si Lanfei asked.

"The Empress seems to have done this on purpose."

Lin Zhiruo replied.

"Haha, you're so straightforward."

Si Lanfei knelt on one knee with her chin resting on her knee.

Her straight nose and eyes framed by long eyelashes made Lin Zhiruo feel like she had seen her before.

She felt that Si Lanfei looked very much like someone, but her mind was a little dizzy.

"Ever since my son left me, I have been the emperor's friend. Or perhaps I should say, I have become a friend again."

Concubine Si Lan did not regard herself as a concubine, but accompanied the emperor as a friend.

They had known each other since childhood, and she had never thought that she would become a concubine.

She was originally chosen only as a guide for their first sexual experience, but out of sympathy she became a concubine in name only, and this lasted for more than ten years.

She had long been eager to transfer this position to someone else.

Why are you reluctant to leave?

Concubine Si Lan continued to speak, regardless of whether Lin Zhiruo was willing to listen or whether anyone cared, she poured out the words in her heart.

Tomorrow, this concubine will leave the palace, and no matter what rumors are circulating in the palace, it will no longer matter.

Lin Zhiruo listened silently to Concubine Si Lan's monologue.

When Concubine Si Lan finished speaking, she stood up, turned the wine jug upside down, and poured the wine outside the wall and into the moat.

Watching the wine flow away like a farewell, Lin Zhiruo thought of the maid who committed suicide the day before.

"The water must be very cold."

"Yes."

"It must be very difficult."

"Yes."

"What a fool."

"……maybe."

"Everyone is so stupid."

"maybe."

Lin Zhiruo seemed to understand something.

The maid had indeed committed suicide, and Concubine Si Lan knew it very well.

Perhaps she knew the maid, and the "everyone" she was referring to might also include Qingluo.

Maybe she was involved in the suicide plot.

In order to prevent Concubine Si Lan from becoming a suspect, the maid sank to the bottom of the cold water.

Qingluo guarded the unknown secret and went to the gallows herself.

Regardless of Si Lanfei's will, some people are willing to pay the price of their lives for her.

A trace of regret welled up in Lin Zhiruo's heart.

If this concubine, who has the talent and qualifications to command the people, could accompany the emperor in a different capacity, perhaps government affairs would run more smoothly.

Lin Zhiruo was thinking about these trivial things while gazing at the starry sky.

Concubine Si Lan left first, and Lin Zhiruo also felt a chill.

Just as he was about to climb down the palace wall, he asked, "What are you doing?"

A sudden voice startled Lin Zhiruo.

She lost her footing and fell from the top of the wall.

A sharp pain shot through my back and hips.

"Who is it, suddenly appearing?"

Lin Zhiruo muttered.

"Feel sorry."

I heard Quan Wushuang's whisper in my ears.

She turned around in surprise, only to see Quan Wushuang standing there with an unhappy look on his face.

"Why is Chief Minister Quan here?"

Lin Zhiruo asked doubtfully.

"I want to ask you that, too."

Only then did Lin Zhiruo realize that although she fell, she did not feel any severe impact.

Only the aftermath of the impact resonated within the body, but did not actually touch the ground.

If you have to ask the reason, it can only be that Quan Wushuang is standing below her at this moment, catching her steadily.

Lin Zhiruo tried to stand up, but found that her body was tightly bound.

"Manager Quan, could you please let me go?"

Lin Zhiruo requested respectfully, but Quan Wushuang held her waist tightly and ignored her.

Lin Zhiruo turned to look at Quan Wushuang's face and found that his face was slightly red and there was a smell of alcohol in his breath.