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

In the quiet study, Quan Wushuang frowned and stared deeply at the documents on the table.

There was endless worry in his tone.

Gao Zhongcheng, the taciturn attendant standing by, was also staring at the document.

I also feel very troubled.

This case is indeed a headache.

"Regarding the Qingluo case, this is a list of her hometown and related people, but..."

There was a hint of hesitation in Quan Wushuang's words.

Qingluo was executed directly. Although her nine clans were not implicated, all the property of her relatives was confiscated.

Regardless of the severity of the crime, all were sentenced to corporal punishment.

The only thing to be thankful for was that the master, Concubine Si Lan, was spared, because the whole incident was regarded as Qingluo's personal decision.

This list not only includes Qingluo's hometown, but also many buyers with whom she has business dealings.

Among them are some seemingly ordinary beekeeping farmers, but in fact they have a large-scale business.

What is even more surprising is that there are eighty people in the harem, who are the children of these related people.

"Out of 2,000 people, there are 80. This ratio is really not low."

Gao Zhongcheng couldn't help but sigh.

Quan Wushuang nodded slightly, his expression becoming more solemn.

He turned to Gao Zhongcheng and asked, "Have you managed to hide it?"

"If the general manager is willing, we will do our best."

Gao Zhongcheng's answer was firm and decisive.

Regardless of whether Quan Wushuang's decision is right or wrong, he will carry it out without reservation.

Quan Wushuang sighed, and a familiar name in the roster came into view.

The buyer who had kidnapped a medicine-selling woman and forced her into slavery was among them.

"What should we do..."

Quan Wushuang pondered in his heart.

He knew that he could make the decision easily, but he was afraid to see the disappointment and sadness on the woman's face.

Giving the order wasn't difficult, but if it went against her wishes, how would she feel about it?

Commoners and nobles, Lin Zhiruo once made such a clear distinction between herself and Quan Wushuang.

No matter how difficult the order was, she would eventually endure it silently.

Quan Wushuang felt that the gap between them seemed to have widened a bit.

However, is it appropriate to conceal her identity?

Is it really okay for Quan Wushuang to force her to stay in a place she doesn't want to go?

Moreover, if this matter was discovered by that perceptive woman...

"Manager Quan."

Gao Zhongcheng's call interrupted Quan Wushuang's thoughts.

"You once said she was a useful chess piece, didn't you?"

The attendant's words were calm and rational, and Quan Wushuang couldn't help but lift his bangs from his forehead.

"Collective dismissal?"

Xiao Cui spoke vaguely while tasting the persimmon cake.

This persimmon cake was made by Lin Zhiruo who picked persimmons from the orchard without permission and secretly hung them under the eaves to dry.

Once exposed, I'm afraid I'll be scolded.

However, in reality, she had been caught by Caiwei.

Fortunately, Gao Zhongcheng happened to visit and rescued her.

Although Caiwei was reluctant, she finally let Lin Zhiruo go after Gao Zhongcheng's plea, but warned her not to do it again.

"I heard that, like punishing the entire clan, the daughters of merchants we've done business with have to resign."

Xiao Cui continued to speak, and Lin Zhiruo nodded when she heard it, with an ominous premonition in her heart.

Lin Zhiruo's hometown is a merchant family, while Qingluo's hometown is a beekeeping family. The two may have had some intersection.

Once fired, Lin Zhiruo will be in trouble.

Although she likes her current life, if she goes back to the red-light district, she will be caught and sold by the madam.

Since introducing Liu Wu, Lin Zhiruo has never seen off any other distinguished guests, which is undoubtedly a big problem.

After saying goodbye to Xiao Cui, Lin Zhiruo decided to go find the person she didn't want to see on a daily basis.

"It's really rare, why are you running so fast?"

Quan Wushuang asked in a relaxed tone at the main entrance of the harem, with his jade-like gentle face.

Lin Zhiruo not only ran to the Liuli Palace, but also ran to the mansions of the other four ladies.

"...!"

Lin Zhiruo was panting and speechless for a moment.

"Calm down, your face is red."

A trace of anxiety flashed across Quan Wushuang's angelic face.

"My little...my little girl, I have...something to say."

Lin Zhiruo finally squeezed out a few words.

Quan Wushuang narrowed his eyes slightly, with a look of sadness on his face, but he did not say anything. He just gestured for Lin Zhiruo to come into the house.

Lin Zhiruo was taken to the imperial chef's room and once again made the chef wait outside the door, feeling very guilty.

During this period, Quan Wushuang seemed to be very busy with Si Lanfei's affairs.

Lin Zhiruo bowed to the imperial chef and entered the room.

Quan Wushuang was already sitting in a chair, examining the documents on the table.

"You must be skeptical about this collective dismissal."

Quan Wushuang finally spoke.

"Yes, may I ask what kind of punishment will I receive?"

Lin Zhiruo asked nervously.

Quan Wushuang did not answer directly, but handed the document to Lin Zhiruo.

Lin Zhiruo's name was clearly listed on the high-quality paper.

"In other words, I'm going to be fired."

Lin Zhiruo pondered in her heart.

Once she was fired, she would not be able to refuse given her status.

She knew very well that she was just a little palace maid, so she tried hard not to show a pleading look in her eyes. However, due to her usual habit, her expression turned into a dazed one, like staring at a caterpillar.

"What do you want?"

There was a hint of tentativeness in Quan Wushuang's tone, lacking his usual sweet talk. Instead, he sounded a bit coquettish and childish.

However, his face was filled with a serious and stiff expression, exactly the same as the voice Si Lanfei had expressed the night before she left.

"I am only a humble maid. As long as the steward orders me to do odd jobs, cook, or test poisons, I am willing to obey."

Lin Zhiruo answered sincerely.

She is willing to do her best to fulfill her duties and has no complaints even if her salary is reduced.

As long as she can postpone the days of selling herself, she will have the opportunity to find a new way out.

However, Quan Wushuang's expression remained stiff. He suddenly looked away and sighed softly.

"I understand. I'll give you more severance pay."

Quan Wushuang's voice was cold, and his lowered face hid his expression.

Lin Zhiruo's negotiations failed.

Gao Zhongcheng looked at Quan Wushuang's back and sighed deeply.

I don’t know how many days in a row I have seen my master in such a bad mood.

Although his official duties were not affected, Quan Wushuang sat in the corner depressed as soon as he returned to his room, which made Gao Zhongcheng feel helpless.

The gloomy atmosphere seemed to be condensing into mold.

The young man who once had a beautiful smile and a voice as sweet as honey is now gone.

Lin Zhiruo left the palace the following week after receiving the notice of dismissal.

Although she was not good at speaking, she knew etiquette and said goodbye to all the places that had taken care of her before leaving.

Imperial Concubine Yuyao was originally hesitant, but after hearing that it was Quan Wushuang's decision, she had no choice but to give in temporarily and left a harsh word: "If you regret it in the future, don't come to me."

"Maybe I should have kept her."

Gao Zhongcheng pondered in his heart.

"do not talk."

Quan Wushuang interrupted Gao Zhongcheng, crossed his arms over his chest, and the wrinkles between his brows deepened.

He thought back to the past and wondered how he would react when his favorite toys were lost.

How much effort did Gao Zhongcheng put in to find a new toy for him?

Perhaps, he couldn't just regard Lin Zhiruo as a toy.

The reason why Quan Wushuang gave up trying to keep her was because he didn't want to use her as a tool.

So, what's the point of arranging a girl of a different nature for him?

This is a really tough conundrum.

“If there is no substitute, we have no choice but to prepare the real thing.”

Gao Zhongcheng muttered to himself in a low voice, but Quan Wushuang did not hear him.

He inadvertently thought of a military officer who was quite familiar with Lin Zhiruo's hometown.

"It's really troublesome."

Gao Zhongcheng shook his head helplessly.