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

The night was as dark as ink. Lin Zhiruo wandered in the courtyard of the Glass Palace, with a myriad of thoughts in her mind.

She looked up at the starry sky, which was dotted with stars, as if telling endless secrets.

The cold wind blew gently, and she couldn't help but wrap her cloak tightly around herself.

(In this deep palace, who can truly understand each other's thoughts?)

She sighed softly and continued walking forward.

Not far away, Quan Wushuang was leaning against an old tree, holding a cup of warm wine in his hand.

His eyes were distant, as if he was thinking about something.

Lin Zhiruo walked closer and smiled slightly.

"How many drinks did the steward have?"

Quan Wushuang smiled gently and turned his gaze to the clear winter night sky.

"It's just a social occasion, I have no choice."

Lin Zhiruo nodded, but was thinking secretly in her heart.

(In this harem, the word "entertainment" always arouses suspicion.)

Even though he had lost his most beloved thing, the emperor's indulgence of Quan Wushuang seemed to have gone too far.

She didn't reveal anything, just spoke softly.

"Please let go, sir."

Quan Wushuang seemed not to hear and just whispered.

"The night wind is so cold, how can I bear to let go?"

His face was as gentle as jade, but his words were somewhat childish.

Quan Wushuang was wearing only a single layer of clothing without an overcoat, which made him look particularly thin in this cold night.

Lin Zhiruo couldn't help but think in her heart.

(Where is Gao Zhongcheng now?)

"Butler, you should go back to your room and rest, lest you catch a cold."

Lin Zhiruo advised again.

Whether she returned to her own residence or sought shelter from the person who had given her the wine, it had nothing to do with her.

However, Quan Wushuang gently rested his forehead on Lin Zhiruo's neck, as if looking for a hint of warmth.

"The owner invited me to drink, but after three rounds of drinks, he disappeared. When he returned, he was in a good mood, but he kicked me out."

When Lin Zhiruo heard this, she inexplicably felt a sense of admiration in her heart.

In this harem, there is actually someone who dares to treat Quan Wushuang like this.

However, admiration aside, the current predicament cannot be ignored.

"Please spare me. I don't want to be with drunkards."

Lin Zhiruo muttered to herself that the harassment of drunkards always gave her a headache.

Just as Lin Zhiruo was trying to make another request, she felt a drop of warm water falling on her neck.

The water droplets slid down her skin to her vest.

"Stay with me for a while."

Quan Wushuang's voice was filled with pleading, and his arm around Lin Zhiruo's waist tightened.

"Give me some warmth."

Lin Zhiruo sighed helplessly, looked up at the bright starry sky, and began to count the stars.

The next morning, a crowd of onlookers gathered in front of the main gate.

Princess Si Lan was wearing inappropriately large sleeves and a dress, completely different from her outfit from last night.

Among the palace maids around, some were biting their handkerchiefs, their eyes full of admiration.

Concubine Si Lan's handsome appearance like a young man made her the idol of countless young palace maids.

Quan Wushuang stood in front of Concubine Si Lan and took over an item - it was the crown that represented her status as Concubine Shu.

The scene of drinking last night was still vivid in Lin Zhiruo's mind. She had thought that they would be hungover, but it seemed that both of them had recovered.

Quan Wushuang took over the crown, which meant that the ornament would soon change hands.

Lin Zhiruo looked at Si Lanfei and Quan Wushuang, and suddenly an idea came to her mind.

"It would be great if they could exchange clothes."

Concubine Si Lan's angelic appearance and Quan Wushuang's handsome appearance should be completely different, but in Lin Zhiruo's eyes, they are inexplicably similar.

Last night, Lin Zhiruo felt that Si Lanfei was similar to someone. At this moment, she suddenly realized that the person was Quan Wushuang.

What would happen if Concubine Si Lan was in Quan Wushuang's position?

Lin Zhiruo couldn't help but fall into reverie.

However, these thoughts are just entertainment when you are bored.

Concubine Si Lan's behavior did not show any of the sadness and helplessness of being expelled from the harem.

She held her head high and chest out, looking majestic, as if she was completing a mission.

An absurd guess emerged in Lin Zhiruo's mind.

(Why was she so calm? She had not fulfilled her duties as a concubine.)

"Ever since my son left my arms..."

Concubine Si Lan’s words yesterday echoed in Lin Zhiruo’s ears.

Leaving the embrace? Does that mean death?

No, if you think about it from another angle, it can also be understood that the son is still alive in this world.

The reason why Concubine Si Lan was unable to have another child was that her due date coincided with that of the Empress Dowager.

The emperor's younger brother and Concubine Si Lan's son are uncle and nephew. If they were born almost at the same time, they might look like twin brothers.

What if... it was switched?

When she is about to give birth, Concubine Si Lan will definitely be able to realize which child will be more favored.

And that protected environment would definitely not be with Concubine Si Lan, the daughter of the wet nurse, but with the Empress Dowager.

At that time, Concubine Si Lan was weak after giving birth and might not be able to distinguish right from wrong.

But if switching the baby could save her son, that would be her greatest wish.

If the truth is revealed in the future... If the real emperor's brother is already dead...

It makes sense that my father was expelled from the harem and subjected to corporal punishment.

Because he didn't notice that the child had been switched.

That is why the emperor's younger brother has no status in the palace, and that is why the resolute and decisive Concubine Si Lan stays in the harem.

Lin Zhiruo shook her head and threw these absurd thoughts out of her mind.

It's just nonsense and not worth mentioning.

Even the three girls in the Glazed Palace might not have such wild fantasies.

Just as Lin Zhiruo was about to return to the palace, a little girl came running in front of her - Concubine Dexin.

She paid no attention to Lin Zhiruo and ran straight to the main gate.

Following behind was the woman who tasted the food, panting, while the other maids looked as if they were tired of the trouble and were unwilling to even run.

Lin Zhiruo sighed helplessly. She had to solve her own family problems by herself, otherwise it would be difficult for her to gain a foothold in this country of women.

But at least, Concubine Dexin is not alone now.

This may be much better than in the past.

Concubine Dexin ran to Concubine Silan and stretched out her right hand and right foot at the same time like a puppet.

But she accidentally stepped on the hem of her skirt and fell head over heels.

The sound of the palace maids trying to suppress their laughter made Concubine Dexin almost cry, while Concubine Silan gently wiped her cheeks with a handkerchief.

At that moment, Si Lanfei, who was as handsome as a young man, showed a maternal glow in her eyes.