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

Lin Zhiruo stood in the corner of the imperial kitchen, listening to the sad news that the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace had passed away.

All palace maids were required to wear black cloth for seven days as a sign of mourning.

"There's not even any meat left." The palace maid beside her complained softly, looking at today's dinner.

The meals during this period were even lighter, and the already scarce meat was completely gone.

The palace maids had two meals a day, which were just some grains and clear soup, and only occasionally could they see a decent dish.

This was enough for the skinny Lin Zhiruo, but others obviously didn't think so.

Even though they were all maids, their backgrounds were very different.

Some were peasant girls, some were from the market, and there were even a few daughters from official families, but they were not many in number.

If my father were an official, the treatment would naturally be better.

If you can still only do odd jobs, then there is something wrong with your upbringing.

After all, it is impossible for someone who can't even read to become a concubine with her own room.

Being a concubine was a job and came with a salary.

Lin Zhiruo silently drank the bowl of soup in front of her with a little chopped fish meat in it.

She knew the cause of death of the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace.

Imperial Concubine Pinglan and her maids all used a special seasoning, which was a luxury that even ordinary people could not afford.

The top girls in brothels also like to use this thing.

Those prostitutes can earn in one night as much as a farmer can earn in a lifetime.

Some people bought them themselves, and some were given to them by customers.

This seasoning may seem harmless, but it will slowly erode your body.

Many people have already died as a result.

My father had warned those people many times: "This thing can't be used."

But they just wouldn't listen.

Lin Zhiruo had seen too many examples around her father.

The prostitutes first gradually became thinner and finally died of exhaustion.

They exchanged their lives for beauty, but in the end it was all in vain.

So Lin Zhiruo broke off a branch, dipped it in soy sauce, and wrote a simple letter to the two concubines.

But she knew in her heart that these two nobles would not trust a maid who couldn't even get paper and pen.

When the mourning period was over and the black cloth belt disappeared, she heard about Concubine Yuyao.

It is said that the emperor was heartbroken because of the loss of the crown prince, and now gives all his love to the surviving princess.

However, no one mentioned Concubine Pinglan, who also lost her child.

Lin Zhiruo finished her soup, cleaned up the dishes, and prepared to go on duty.

"The palace official summoned you?"

She was holding the laundry basket when a eunuch called her.

He said he was going to the palace chief's room in the center.

Palace officials are one of the three major departments in the harem, referring specifically to palace maids of lower ranks.

The other two departments were the Nei Guan (Inner Court) – the concubines who had their own rooms, and the Nei Shi Sheng (Eunuchs) – the eunuchs.

The eunuch was still talking to the other maids.

(It seems that they are not the only one looking for me. Maybe they are short of manpower.) Lin Zhiruo thought.

She put the basket outside the room and followed the eunuch.

The palace chief's building is right next to the main gate.

Every time the emperor comes to the harem, he has to pass by here.

Although I was summoned here, this place still makes me feel uneasy.

Although this building is not as good as the residence of the eunuch next door, it is more magnificent than the residence of ordinary concubines.

Each railing is carved with patterns, and lifelike golden dragons are coiled on the vermilion pillars.

The eunuch urged Lin Zhiruo to enter the room.

There was only a large, plain table in front of me, which seemed a bit depressing.

There were about ten maids gathered in the room, all of them with a look of anxiety and anticipation, as well as unconcealable excitement on their faces.

"Okay, that's enough. You can go back." A pleasant voice sounded.

Lin Zhiruo felt strange and wondered why they were separated.

All the other maids were sent away, leaving only her.

Although they said they had enough staff, the room was still spacious.

She tilted her head and looked around, and suddenly found that all the palace maids were looking at one place.

There was a man sitting in the corner, served by eunuchs, and there was an older woman not far away.

Lin Zhiruo recognized the middle-aged woman; she was the head palace official.

But who is the "woman" who looks more imposing?

The man had broad shoulders, was dressed simply, and had a turban on his head with a few strands of hair hanging down.

She had a celestial smile on her face, which made the palace officials blush.

Lin Zhiruo suddenly understood why the others were so out of control.

(This must be the incredibly beautiful eunuch in the legend.)

Indeed, this person has black hair as smooth as silk, delicate features, slender phoenix eyes and willow eyebrows.

Even the fairies in the paintings could not compare to his looks.

But Lin Zhiruo did not blush or feel her heart beating like the others.

She just thought that the men in the harem were eunuchs who had lost something.

They will never be able to have children.

(How wonderful it would be if such a person could have children.)

Just as she was lost in thought, the man stood up gracefully.

He walked to the table, picked up a pen, and wrote a few words with flowing movements.

With a sweet smile on his face, he held up the paper and showed it to everyone.

The moment Lin Zhiruo saw the words, she froze in place.

"That woman over there, you stay."

That's the content.

The man seemed to notice her reaction and his smile widened.

After putting away the paper, he clapped his hands twice.

"We are dismissed for today. You can go back to your rooms."

Although the other maids were reluctant to leave, they still left the room.

They obviously didn't understand the meaning of the paper.

Only then did Lin Zhiruo realize that the maids who had left were all like her, petite and with freckles all over their faces.

(They can't read.)

Thinking of this, she also prepared to leave.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed her shoulder tightly.

She looked back timidly and was almost blinded by the dazzling smile.

“You’ll probably stay, right?”

That irresistible smile is right within reach.