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

Following the order, Lin Zhiruo began to huddle in the archives filled with official documents from the afternoon of the next day.

This building was built specifically to preserve government documents. The air is filled with the unique musty smell of old paper, as if time has stopped here.

A civil servant with a slightly pale face, holding a heavy bundle of files, walked lightly into this quiet space. There seemed to be no one around, only the tranquility and peace unique to government agencies filled the air.

(Occasionally, the sun shines through the clouds, dispelling the gloom and bringing a touch of warmth and vitality.)

Lin Zhiruo carefully unfolded the files carefully made of high-grade paper, which were densely packed with records of various accidents and cases that had occurred inside and outside the palace in recent years.

These are not top secret documents and can be viewed at will by simply submitting an application.

Lin Zhiruo browsed through the entries thoughtfully. Most of them were trivial daily matters, but a few of them attracted her attention like magnets.

(For example, the food poisoning incident.)

People often think that such incidents mostly occur in the hot summer, but they don’t know that they can occasionally happen in winter as well. In autumn, there is a greater possibility of tragedy of poisoning due to accidentally eating poisonous mushrooms.

Lin Zhiruo then asked the civil servant for more files.

The official had nothing to do, but he was not unhappy about it at all. Instead, he seemed to feel a little happy about being busy.

Obviously, he was not willing to waste time in this deserted place, and he showed great interest in what Lin Zhiruo was investigating, secretly glancing at her from time to time.

However, Lin Zhiruo completely ignored the official's gaze and buried her head in the pages of the book that met the requirements until she found the information related to the case a few days ago.

(Ministry of Rites?)

The poisoned official seemed to be affiliated with the Ministry of Rites, and this information was clearly recorded in the files.

Lin Zhiruo's slightly dull memory told her that the Ministry of Rites seemed to be a department responsible for education or diplomatic affairs.

If she had ever seriously prepared for the female official selection, she might remember it more clearly.

"Is there anything you don't understand?"

The official with a sallow face took the initiative to talk, obviously he was bored and wanted to find some topics to relieve his boredom.

"I do have something I want to ask you. What is this official position?"

Lin Zhiruo was no longer ashamed of her ignorance and asked frankly.

This question may sound naive, but it is full of curiosity.

"Oh, this is the official position responsible for sacrifices."

The official explained with a hint of pride.

"Sacrifice?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhiruo couldn't help but think of the person who had previously managed the sacrificial vessels.

"Yes, do you need me to get you some relevant books and explain it in detail?"

The official spoke in a friendly tone, but Lin Zhiruo ignored him. She was secretly calculating in her heart and couldn't help but slam the long table in front of her.

The sudden loud noise frightened the official so much that he trembled all over and stood frozen on the spot.

"Do you have a pen and paper?"

Lin Zhiruo asked.

"Ah, yes."

Lin Zhiruo flipped through the case records she had just reviewed page by page. For each official business, the relevant government office and the time of occurrence were clearly listed.

The overlap of coincidences will eventually become the inevitability of fate.

She connected those seemingly accidental incidents one by one, looking for the common points among them.

"Sacrifice, sacrificial utensils..."

Sacrificial ceremonies are held all year round and are not uncommon.

Grand sacrifices were presided over by the royal family themselves, while smaller sacrifices were sometimes presided over by people of lower positions such as village chiefs; and only sacrifices of medium or larger size could use the sacrificial utensils that were recently stolen.

(It is a middle sacrifice.)

Lin Zhiruo thought to herself that Quan Wushuang also often held purification ceremonies.

If you want to know about the sacrifice, it might be quicker to ask the eunuch.

"Are you also interested in sacrifices?"

The official was not only free but also kind-hearted. He actually brought a huge blueprint.

"This is……"

In the design drawing, the layout of the sacrificial site is depicted in great detail, with an altar in the center and silk above it fluttering in the wind, making it look like a fairyland.

Below it is a large pot-like vessel, perhaps used to burn sacrifices, solemn and mysterious.

“It’s a truly ingenious design.”

Lin Zhiruo exclaimed sincerely.

The atmosphere at the sacrificial site was solemn and dignified. There seemed to be some words written on the silk hanging from the ceiling. Perhaps new content would be added every time a sacrifice was held to pray for the protection of the gods.

(It must be very tiring to have to do this every time.)

Lin Zhiruo's thoughts are always so realistic and delicate.

The silk was hung high in the air, and even setting up a ladder was not an easy task, which shows how solemn and pious the sacrifice was.

Just as Lin Zhiruo was watching and thinking, the official suddenly spoke:

"This sacrificial site has a unique structure, with large pillars suspended from the ceiling. Every time a sacrifice is performed, the pillars must be lowered and the prayers recited."

"...Your Excellency is truly knowledgeable and erudite."

Lin Zhiruo stared at the official with a sallow face and said.

"You're too kind. To be honest, I used to hold a much more important position than I do now. I was demoted to this position simply because of a momentary oversight and a minor mistake."

He added:

"I used to work in the Ministry of Rites."

So that's why. No wonder he was so keen on talking with Lin Zhiruo and knew everything about sacrifices.

Then, the official said something thought-provoking:

"At first, I was worried that the pillar, hanging from the ceiling, might not be stable enough. However, it turned out to be no problem at all, so I was relieved."

"Stability?"

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

"That column hangs above the ceiling and is massive. If it falls, the consequences will be disastrous. Therefore, I once offered advice on the stability issue, but that's why I was demoted to this level."

Lin Zhiruo widened her eyes and stared at the design drawing.

If the pillar really fell from the ceiling, the people performing sacrifices directly below would be in danger of their lives.

In that case, even noble people will not be able to escape disaster.

(Stability is indeed a big problem.)

If you want to hang a post from above, it must be secured in some way.

If the metal parts used for fixing are damaged...