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

(What an ignorant woman...)

Lin Zhiruo slowly stood up, walked to the corner of the room, and slowly sat down with her knees hugged.

Time passed by unknowingly, and soon Xiaohe walked into the room and brought the news that the guest had left.

She did not shrink back like the naive little girl before, but walked into the dim space calmly.

"Thank you for your hard work—"

Lin Zhiruo gently put down the round cushion, and Xiaohe sat on it gracefully. Then she looked at the sleeping patient with a gentle smile.

The patient was unaware of this and had fallen into a deep dream.

"Lin Zhiruo, he brought up that matter again."

There was a hint of helplessness in Xiao He's words. Lin Zhiruo already understood it in her heart, and just thinking about it made her feel cold.

"That uncle is so stubborn. I don't know how the young lady puts up with him."

Xiao He chuckled and continued,

"Actually, if you can be more indifferent, he can be a good guest. Seeing how generous he is, my mother-in-law stopped talking."

Lin Zhiruo smiled bitterly, thinking to herself:

“If Quan Wushuang hadn’t rescued me, I would have fallen into that person’s hands and become a member of this brothel.”

"I just can't imagine it."

Lin Zhiruo's distorted face came into Xiaohe's sight, and she couldn't help but sigh.

"In the eyes of others, this is a perfect marriage."

"what?"

Lin Zhiruo was surprised.

"Okay, stop making that face."

Xiao He patted her shoulder gently, trying to calm her down.

"You know how difficult it is for a prostitute to find a husband of her dreams."

"If Mammy were here, she would definitely use the weight of silver to kick this idea away."

"That was also to save up money for the trip to the Pure Land. It was really a helpless move."

Xiao He laughed, and while laughing, she gently combed the patient's hair with her fingers and tucked it behind her ears.

"After a while, it seems that mother-in-law is planning to sell one of us off. After all, time is not forgiving."

Although Xiao He is not yet thirty, she is already in her twilight years in the prostitution industry.

My mother-in-law will definitely sell them when they are no longer young.

Lin Zhiruo silently stared at Xiaohe's profile. That still beautiful face seemed to carry endless sorrow and complex emotions, but Lin Zhiruo didn't want to delve into it.

She still hasn't been able to understand that feeling. Perhaps, the so-called love had already been left in the womb of the mother she had never met since the moment she was born.

"How about we open our own store?"

Lin Zhiruo asked tentatively.

After hearing this, Xiao He laughed out loud.

"Haha! I don't want to be targeted by that old woman."

Although she had accumulated enough money, she was unable to escape the shackles of the brothel due to her lack of determination.

"I'll do this for a while."

After Xiao He finished speaking, her smile revealed a hint of helplessness and relief.

……

Quan Wushuang reviewed the documents with a tired look on his face, and the seal in his hand fell lightly. It was obvious that what happened yesterday had exhausted him.

He didn't expect that the store where they agreed to meet would actually provide services similar to a fireworks display.

Quan Wushuang sighed deeply. He was not on this trip for pleasure.

He went on a secret visit in order to deal with a matter that should not be made public.

However, they actually let Lin Zhiruo participate and even let her walk with him halfway, which even he himself did not expect.

This suggestion came from Gao Zhongcheng, the follower of Quan Wushuang who was silently organizing documents.

He served Quan Wushuang for many years and often gave him advice.

Gao Zhongcheng always seems to be thinking about Quan Wushuang, but some of his actions confuse him.

"Gao Zhongcheng, are you planning something in secret?"

Quan Wushuang asked tentatively.

Gao Zhongcheng quickly shook his head, indicating that he dared not slack off in the slightest.

"Let's put that aside for now. What do you think of strolling around the streets?"

Quan Wushuang pondered for a moment, not knowing how to answer, so he could only speak vaguely while drinking tea.

Obviously, Gao Zhongcheng was silently caring about him.

In order to change the subject, Quan Wushuang began to look for new topics to talk about.

"By the way, that girl's adoptive father was once a eunuch and the head cook of the imperial kitchen. Later, he ran away to become a chef in the red-light district."

Quan Wushuang suddenly mentioned this matter.

"Are you talking about Lin Zhiruo? If she had been taught by the former imperial chef, it wouldn't be surprising for her to possess such knowledge. However, as a eunuch..."

"Yes, he is indeed a eunuch."

Quan Wushuang admitted that the level of the imperial chefs in the harem varied greatly, and most people who could become the imperial chefs did not need to ruin their future and serve in the palace.

Generally speaking, only those imperial chefs with defects would be sent to the harem.

"Among the eunuchs, is there really such an outstanding imperial chef?"

Quan Wushuang was full of doubts.

"That's what puzzles me."

Gao Zhongcheng touched his chin and fell into deep thought.

As soon as the matter was mentioned, this attentive follower would take the initiative to investigate.

Just then, a clear bell sound was heard.

There is a mechanism in Quan Wushuang's study. Once someone visits, a slight vibration will trigger a bell.

Gao Zhongcheng immediately put down the work in his hands, stood in front of the door, and waited for the visitor to arrive.

Today, the weird man wearing glasses visited Quan Wushuang's study again. He did not do anything, but just lay on General Zhimou's bed, leisurely tasting the fruit juice.

"Thank you for your care the other day, butler. Alas, things seem to be getting more interesting."

General Zhimou narrowed his eyes, touched his chin, and a playful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"It seems that among the three brothers, the most capable one is the youngest son."

Quan Wushuang responded casually while flipping through the documents.

The military advisor had already known this matter.

After that incident, the three brothers seemed to be reconciled on the surface, but undercurrents were actually brewing.

Now, the younger brother who was once neglected has begun to show his talent, and everyone believes that he will become the craftsman who makes sacrifices for the palace in the future.

Even Quan Wushuang couldn't help but admire the exquisite handicrafts he made.

Although Quan Wushuang didn't know the reason, the chef girl must have known the inside story but deliberately remained silent.

"If such artwork were used as offerings, it would definitely add a lot of color."

"Indeed."

The wise general's words always had a hidden meaning, which made a man of Quan Wushuang's status, who should not have anything to do with things like sacrificial vessels, fall into deep thought.

"The craftsman's final work was equally breathtaking. Although it was just a piece of metal, it was comparable to a sacrificial vessel."

"I was wondering why the military advisor mentioned that craftsman. It turns out..."

"It doesn't matter. Isn't it a pity that talented people are buried?"

Although the wise general's behavior was suspicious, his words were very powerful.

Even if there is another deeper meaning, his ability to judge people is unquestionable.

It is precisely because of this that he was able to rise step by step by relying on this advantage.

At this moment, he seemed lazy, but Quan Wushuang knew very well that those talents he discovered were now doing their jobs and handling heavy official business.

In a sense, this is indeed enviable.

“Regardless of age, as long as they have talent, they should be promoted.”

The wise general's words were taken for granted, but they also revealed his reliability.

However, his troublesome aspects are equally obvious.

Quan Wushuang sorted out the documents, handed them to the civil servant, and signaled him to leave.

"By the way, Master Military Advisor, please finish what you left unsaid last time."

Quan Wushuang is referring to the prostitution mentioned earlier.

Could it be that General Zhimou still wants to play dumb about this matter?

The wise general held his chin with his hand and smiled.

"As for this matter, it would be faster to ask someone in the know."

After he finished speaking, he stood up, and the officials accompanying him seemed relieved, as if they had finally waited until he was willing to leave.

"Alas, it's getting late. If I stay any longer, I'm afraid my subordinates will blame me."

General Zhimou picked up the fruit juice and placed another wine jug on Quan Wushuang's table.

"This is for the maid in the steward's room. It's not too sweet and has a smooth texture."

The middle-aged military officer waved his hand.

"See you tomorrow, then."

After saying this, he strode away.