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

Lin Zhiruo was forced to board a gorgeous carriage and drive to a mansion in the north of the capital.

She sighed inwardly, as tonight's mission seemed to be a feast attended by dignitaries.

Inside the palace, the lights are bright and the flowers are in full bloom.

Every guest was dressed in gorgeous clothes and had a rosy face, and she was no exception, which made her inexplicably anxious.

The group walked through the corridor, climbed the stairs, and entered a spacious hall.

Lanterns were hung from the ceiling, with crimson tassels swaying in the wind. The floor was covered with a red carpet, on which layers of animal skins were stacked. Guests were chatting and laughing in these luxurious seats.

(He is truly wealthy.)

There were about five guests at the table, all of them young, even younger than Lin Zhiruo had expected.

In the light of the fire, the young men were extraordinarily handsome. Miss Bai Ling couldn't help licking her lips, and Miss Nuhua next to her gently poked her waist.

This charming woman was so agile that even the brothel owner was helpless against her.

(Why didn’t you introduce it earlier?)

It is said that tonight's distinguished guest is a nobleman in the court, who was introduced by Liu Wu.

Since she is Liu Wu's friend, Lin Zhiruo's debt may be reduced or forgiven.

Moreover, the severance pay was quite generous, and she did not need to sell herself into slavery, she only needed to do this kind of short-term work.

(The old woman still sneered at me.)

The madam is determined to make her fall into prostitution, and her behavior has become even worse in recent years.

She repeatedly advised Lin Zhiruo to give up her cooking career, but the girl remained determined.

How can the joy of cooking be compared to that of singing and dancing?

In the hall, wine jars are lined up and the cushions are colorful, which is a feast for the eyes.

(If I steal something, no one will notice.)

No, Lin Zhiruo shook her head.

Summoning a brothel girl to your house costs much more than holding a banquet in the brothel.

What's more, the price of wine spent by this famous prostitute in one night was equivalent to a year's harvest.

Tonight, the three most beautiful courtesans in the Green House - Meimei, Bailing and Nuhua - were invited here together. It really shows that money can make the world go round.

Lin Zhiruo is just one of the supporting roles to serve as a foil to the courtesan.

Although he received basic education, he was not good at poetry, chess, or dancing.

All she could do was keep an eye on the guests' wine glasses to make sure they were not empty.

Lin Zhiruo forced a smile and slowly poured wine for the guests.

Everyone was engrossed in the poetry and dancing of the courtesans and had no time to pay attention to her, which made her feel a little relieved.

Someone even played chess with a maid.

(Eh? Are you bored?)

Amidst the laughter and cheers, there was only one young man with his head lowered, dressed in gorgeous clothes, kneeling on one knee, drinking alone.

The air there seemed to be tinged with a bit of haze.

(It would cost me my job.)

Lin Zhiruo, who was unusually serious in some aspects, picked up a bottle of wine and sat next to the gloomy young man.

The young man's bangs covered half of his face, making it impossible to see his expression.

"do not disturb."

This voice seems familiar.

Lin Zhiruo stretched out her hand involuntarily while thinking.

She didn't realize there was anything wrong with this.

She carefully lifted the young man's bangs, revealing a face as gentle as jade.

The unhappy look instantly turned into astonishment.

"Manager Quan?"

Although her voice was not as sweet as honey and her smile was not bright enough, she had indeed seen the eunuch in front of her countless times.

Quan Wushuang blinked. For some reason, he stared at Lin Zhiruo, making her feel uncomfortable.

"Who are you?"

“People often ask this question.”

"Has anyone ever told you that you look like two different people before and after makeup?"

"People often say that."

This conversation seems familiar.

Lin Zhiruo put her bangs back in place, but Quan Wushuang suddenly reached out and tried to hold her hand.

"Why are you hiding?"

He looked at her with some emotion.

"Don't touch the prostitutes."

This is the rule. If you touch it casually, you will have to pay extra.

"Then I would like to ask you, why are you dressed like this?"

Lin Zhiruo looked away and answered awkwardly.

"I am doing odd jobs."

"In a brothel?"

“…I’ve never received a customer alone.”

Quan Wushuang seemed to have guessed something, and Lin Zhiruo glared at him.

This person always likes to doubt the innocence of others.

"How about I buy you?"

"what?"

Lin Zhiruo originally wanted to say, "The steward is joking," but suddenly an idea came to her mind.

"Maybe it's a good idea."

"!"

Quan Wushuang was shocked and looked extremely surprised.

He always radiates light on ordinary days, but today he seems particularly real.

His smile, though as beautiful as a fairy's, was not of this worldly kind.

Lin Zhiruo sometimes even felt that he seemed to have two souls.

"It would be nice to return to the harem."

Quan Wushuang said dejectedly.

Lin Zhiruo tilted her head, not understanding what he meant.

"Didn't you quit because you hated it there?"

"When did I say this?"

At first, in order to pay off her debts, she begged Quan Wushuang to let her stay, but Quan Wushuang insisted on firing her.

Despite the constant troubles, being Concubine Yuyao's maid is a good job after all.

Being a poison tester maid is a rare profession that you can't become just because you want to.

"If I have to be picky, it's just that I can't do poison experiments."

"I will never allow this."

Quan Wushuang rested his chin on his knees, first in shock, then with a wry smile.

"You, that's the kind of person you are."

"Why do you say that, Chief Steward?"

"Has anyone ever told you that you're short-spoken?"

“…People often say that.”

The bitter smile gradually turned into an innocent smile, and Lin Zhiruo lowered her head in displeasure.

At this time, Quan Wushuang stretched out his hand again.

"I told you, why are you hiding?"

"That's the rule."

No matter what, Quan Wushuang refused to take his hand back.

He stared at Lin Zhiruo with wide eyes, and an ominous premonition came to his mind.

"Just a little touch is okay, right?"

"No."

"It won't cost you a piece of meat."

"It will drain my energy."

"Then just use one hand, fingertips only, right?"

"..."

How annoying! Lin Zhiruo only then remembered that this man was always pestering her.

Helplessly, she closed her eyes and sighed.

“You can only use your fingertips.”

Before she finished speaking, a hint of red appeared on her lips.

When she opened her eyes, she saw rouge on Quan Wushuang's slender fingertips.

While Lin Zhiruo was stunned, Quan Wushuang retracted his fingertips and gently applied the rouge on his lips.

(This guy……)

After the two fingers moved away, a delicate red color was left on his lips.

Quan Wushuang narrowed his eyes, and his smile became even more innocent.

Her cheeks seemed to be stained with rouge, showing a light Susu color.

Lin Zhiruo's shoulders trembled slightly. Quan Wushuang looked at her with a childlike smile, leaving her speechless. She could only lower her head and avoid his gaze.

(It will be contagious to me.)

Lin Zhiruo pursed her lips tightly, and her cheeks flushed like Susu.

She clearly didn't put rouge on her cheeks.

She seemed to hear some snickering, and when she looked up, she saw that the guests around her were all looking at them.

The ladies' strange smiles made her even more uneasy.

I really don’t know how to deal with the situation that will follow.

She felt very uncomfortable and uneasy.

At some point, Gao Zhongcheng appeared, standing aside with his arms folded across his chest, looking tired.

As if to say: Finally succeeded.

Lin Zhiruo was confused and distressed, and only had a vague memory of what happened afterwards.

I just remember the ladies kept asking questions, which was really annoying...