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

Just as Lin Zhiruo was about to retreat into her quiet retreat, a gentle call like a spring breeze suddenly passed by her ears. It was Gao Zhongcheng's voice, softly asking her to stay:

"Lin Zhiruo, could you please stay with me for a while?"

At this time, Quan Wushuang, who seemed exhausted from a whole day's hard work, was indulging in the tranquility of the bath, exuding the comfort and peace of a post-meal meal.

Lin Zhiruo turned around with a hint of confusion and asked softly:

"What worries Guard Gao so much?"

After hearing this, Gao Zhongcheng gently stroked his chin, a trace of confusion flashed between his brows, and after a moment he slowly spoke:

"I have an item in my hand and I'd like Lin Zhiruo to take a look at it."

Today, Gao Zhongcheng frowned and seemed more calm and reserved.

He carefully unfolded a scroll of wooden slips on the table. It was an ancient document made up of several pieces of wood cleverly pieced together.

Lin Zhiruo stared, her eyes narrowed slightly:

"This appears to be a record of past cases."

The history of the wooden slips can be traced back to ten years ago, recording a poisoning incident caused by overeating puffer fish. The person involved was unfortunately poisoned because he indulged in the delicacy.

Lin Zhiruo couldn't help swallowing her saliva and sighed inwardly:

"Ah—it's so irresistibly delicious."

Gao Zhongcheng was surprised when he saw this.

Lin Zhiruo quickly shook her head, suppressing the smile that was about to appear, and regained her usual solemnity:

"Take me to taste this delicacy some other day."

Gao Zhongcheng quickly warned with his eyes:

"But remember, pufferfish liver is absolutely not edible."

Lin Zhiruo thought to herself:

"Those gluttons always seek that thrilling feeling."

But on second thought, Lin Zhiruo was naturally looking forward to having such a delicious meal.

She studied the wooden slip carefully, her brows furrowed.

"What is so unusual about this case?"

Gao Zhongcheng sighed softly, as if lost in memories of the past:

"I was involved in the investigation of this case, and a former colleague recently visited me and mentioned an incident that was very similar to this case."

Lin Zhiruo secretly speculated in her heart:

"Could this so-called colleague be an old acquaintance of Gao Zhongcheng before he entered the palace? He was indeed once a military officer."

"Similar events? How similar are they?"

Lin Zhiruo's curiosity was completely aroused. She was more eager to know the truth of this poisoning case than Gao Zhongcheng's past.

She temporarily suppressed the doubts in her heart and continued to ask.

"An official fell into a coma after eating puffer fish sashimi."

Gao Zhongcheng's words exploded like thunder in Lin Zhiruo's ears.

Lin Zhiruo had an inexplicable premonition in her heart. Why was this usually taciturn man so talkative today?

She secretly glanced at Gao Zhongcheng and saw that his brows were still furrowed, but he seemed to be observing her reaction.

Lin Zhiruo asked tentatively:

"Guard Gao, should I continue to listen to this matter?"

Gao Zhongcheng nodded slowly, his hands still hidden in his sleeves:

"That's fine. You always know where you stand."

There was a hint of warning in his words, as if reminding Lin Zhiruo to keep her mouth shut.

But Lin Zhiruo read a hint of cunning in his eyes:

"Besides, now that we've come to this, why would you give up halfway?"

Lin Zhiruo smiled helplessly and decided to continue listening.

Gao Zhongcheng pointed at the wooden slip and continued:

"The sashimi this time was made with boiled and chilled puffer fish skin and meat. After the official ate it, he fell into a coma."

"Is it fish meat? Not offal?"

Lin Zhiruo asked in surprise.

Gao Zhongcheng nodded:

"The toxicity of pufferfish cannot be eliminated by heating, but it is mostly concentrated in the liver and other internal organs. Although the fish meat contains less toxicity, it is not completely free of toxicity."

Lin Zhiruo recalled the delicious food she had tasted and secretly rejoiced in her heart:

"That time I ate the part with less toxins."

She occasionally ventured into tasting some liver, but that experience was truly terrifying.

In order to save her, the madam forced her to drink a lot of water until she vomited all the food in her stomach.

"So, there seems to be no doubt?"

Lin Zhiruo pondered.

Gao Zhongcheng slowly shook his head:

"However……"

He stroked the back of his neck and continued:

"The chef insisted that no fugu was used in the dish. This was true in both this case and the previous one."

Gao Zhongcheng frowned, but Lin Zhiruo didn't care and just stuck out her tongue playfully.

There are indeed many similarities between the two cases.

It is said that the unconscious official in this case and the businessman in the previous case were both outstanding gourmets and had an almost obsessive pursuit of delicious food.

They not only prefer delicacies, but also have a special liking for toxin-containing fish such as pufferfish.

Although they are reluctant to admit it, there are indeed some gourmets who enjoy the slight numbness caused by the toxin.

Lin Zhiruo believes that people should respect and accept the preferences of others.

However, the chefs in both cases insisted that fugu was not used in their dishes and that they were innocent.

The owners who ate the dishes developed symptoms of poisoning.

It is said that pufferfish intestines or fish skin were found in kitchen waste as evidence.

Since all the internal organs were discarded, they concluded that the person in question did not eat them.

Lin Zhiruo sincerely admired the investigator's meticulousness.

In this world full of injustice and lies, it is rare to find someone who can investigate the truth so seriously.

Both chefs claimed that the fish had only been used in a dish from the previous day and not that day.

In this cold season, it is not uncommon for food waste to be stored for several days.

The fish sashimi is made from other fish, and scraps of this fish are also found in the waste basket.

But unfortunately, no one has been able to prove whether the chef's words are true.

It is said that the official angered his wife by eating delicacies, so he often enjoyed the food alone in his room.

When the chef brought the fish sashimi, the servant just took a look at it from a distance and could not tell what kind of fish was being chopped.

The victim seemed to have collapsed after eating everything. According to the time calculation, two quarters of an hour had passed from the time he started eating to the time he collapsed.

It is said that the servant only discovered that the official was having difficulty breathing, his lips were blue, and his whole body was convulsing when he brought tea over.

These symptoms are very similar to those of pufferfish poisoning.

However, the information brought by Gao Zhongcheng was still not sufficient for Lin Zhiruo.

She decided to remain silent for the time being and wait for Gao Zhongcheng to investigate further before expressing her opinion.

She muttered to herself:

"What kind of poison is it?"

Just as Lin Zhiruo was lost in thought, a handsome face appeared silently beside her.

Lin Zhiruo's facial expression froze instantly:

"I'm sorry, but your appearance is too much for even me."

Quan Wushuang's voice contained a hint of apology and ridicule.

His hair was wet, and Henghua wiped his hair while crying "Ouch, ouch".

Lin Zhiruo tried hard to make her expression normal again. She must have looked terrified just now.

Quan Wushuang said with a hint of displeasure:

"You seem to really like listening to Gao Zhongcheng talk."

Lin Zhiruo smiled slightly:

“Interesting topics always attract people’s attention.”

Quan Wushuang seemed a little unhappy:

"Wait, you often..."

His words were interrupted, but Lin Zhiruo didn't care.

She knew the most important thing now was to stay calm and rational.

"It's getting late. I should leave now."

Lin Zhiruo bowed to Henghua who was busy and slowly left the room.

Quan Wushuang seemed to want to say something but was stopped by Henghua.

Lin Zhiruo felt that her resistance to curiosity was too weak, but then she thought, maybe this is her nature.

She thought as she returned to her room.