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

I used to feel that I was out of tune with this world. After all, I came from another world.

However, fate is always full of variables, and Lin Zhiruo gradually realizes that things may not be as she originally imagined.

She was immersed in this long-lost palace life and enjoying it.

Growing up among many women, Lin Zhiruo seemed to be born to adapt to the red tape of the palace.

Her life went on as usual, she immersed herself in the trivial tasks of food tasting and seasoning every day, but she never got tired of it.

Because of her foot injury, everyone advised her to walk less, but Lin Zhiruo knew that as long as she avoided strenuous exercise to prevent the wound from tearing, she would be fine.

In comparison, the scars on her left hand are more conspicuous, as if telling the story of her past hardships.

There is still no definite news about whether Concubine Yuyao is pregnant.

It is said that when she was pregnant with Princess Ai Ling, her pregnancy symptoms were not obvious and her sense of taste was almost unaffected.

Apart from occasional menstrual irregularities, there are no other significant symptoms.

However, the Liuli Palace has issued a strict order that this matter must not be spread outside to prevent any accidents.

After all, if someone didn't want Concubine Yuyao to get pregnant, they would definitely take advantage of her weakness.

Once someone harbors evil thoughts, the consequences will be disastrous.

Therefore, Lin Zhiruo specifically asked the emperor, who was nicknamed the old pervert, to restrain himself temporarily and avoid being too intimate with Concubine Yuyao.

Ordinary intimacy is naturally fine, but if Concubine Yuyao tries the new and unusual tricks she learned in the concubine education recently, it is difficult to guarantee that there will be no accidents.

Perhaps, I should have been more gentle in my teaching at that time.

But on second thought, how could such an approach satisfy the desires of Concubine Yuyao and the Emperor?

As a result, it only frightened Concubine Dexin so much that she turned pale, and made Concubine Pinglan's maid regard Lin Zhiruo as an alien.

Lin Zhiruo was not in a position to report this matter to the emperor in person, so she asked Quan Wushuang to convey it on her behalf.

After all, it is inappropriate for a maid to discuss this matter without permission.

Although Lin Zhiruo did not want to reduce the number of times the emperor visited Concubine Yuyao, she knew very well that the emperor had more than just Concubine Yuyao.

If the number of visits were suddenly reduced, it would inevitably arouse suspicion from those who had ulterior motives.

However, unexpectedly, the emperor did not reduce the number of visits. He still accompanied his lovely daughter in play and chatted and laughed with Concubine Yuyao.

Recalling the past of Concubine Si Lan, Lin Zhiruo also thought that perhaps the emperor should not be classified as a lecherous old man.

Perhaps the emperor has his own considerations.

The current emperor is recognized as a wise ruler by his subjects.

Of course, this is also because the previous emperor was criticized by the world as a tyrant. In comparison, the current emperor is naturally more wise.

But Lin Zhiruo also didn't think that the late emperor was so foolish as to be called a tyrant.

Never mind, all these past events have gone with the wind.

In short, Lin Zhiruo would be satisfied as long as she could live a stable and prosperous life.

A foolish ruler treats the people like grass, while a wise ruler is well aware of the hardships of the people; at least, the current emperor is the latter.

However, the lonely look that the emperor occasionally revealed made Lin Zhiruo feel pity.

So she gave the emperor the rest of her recipes on this subject, hoping to ease his sorrow.

Although Lin Zhiruo prepared several books just in case, she regretfully discovered that none of the maids were interested in them.

As for what kind of recipe it is, it goes without saying.

Lin Zhiruo quietly placed the recipe in a conspicuous place, which seemed to have attracted the emperor's attention.

Later, when the emperor asked Lin Zhiruo to prepare other kinds of recipes, she was convinced that there was nothing wrong with continuing to regard the emperor as a lecherous old man.

The harem is still filled with gossip and rumors caused by the scarcity of the opposite sex and the monotonous life.

At this time, the maids on duty finished their busy day and started chatting in the kitchen.

The tea snack is the glutinous rice cake left over from the tea party. It is shaped like a silk cocoon, with fine threads wrapped around it. It melts in your mouth and the aroma of tea is intoxicating.

"I always thought that outfit was too complicated." Su Su in the Glazed Palace said incoherently with candy in her mouth.

She is straightforward and speaks her mind.

"But I think the clothes you wore last time were quite unique. Don't you think Hu clothing is very heroic?"

Guiyuan spoke gently, and after eating the candy, his chubby cheeks showed even more happiness and satisfaction.

"That kind of clothing isn't something everyone can pull off, but I think it suits her pretty well."

Xiaomei, who has a slender figure, did not eat dessert. She only took a sip of tea and said calmly.

Su Su showed an expression of being "betrayed" by her own family, and turned to look at the silent Lin Zhiruo.

Although Lin Zhiruo was impatient, she had no choice but to nod in agreement perfunctorily.

However, her smiles ended there.

Su Su, who was waiting for reinforcements in vain, puffed up her cheeks.

"Humph—compared to that person, Si Lanfei is much more beautiful."

Su Su drank her tea in small sips in a huff.

Seeing this, Guiyuan and Xiaomei smiled at each other, with a hint of cunning in their eyes.

"Oh my—Susu, so you are a loyal fan of Empress Si Lan?"

Guiyuan's words made Susu panic.

"No...no!" Su Su quickly denied it.

Xiaomei grinned and comforted him, "It's okay. Although we are loyal to Empress Yuyao, it's no big deal to think this way."

"I've already said it, haven't I—"

Lin Zhiruo remained silent, just listening quietly to the three girls' chat, sighed, and drank the tea in one gulp.

For Lin Zhiruo, who loves salty food, this glutinous rice cake is a bit too sweet.

How she wished she could have a bite of the savory pancake for a change of taste.

Ultimately, the topic of Susu and the others still had to do with the new Imperial Concubine Shuwan.

This concubine attracted much attention because of her uniqueness, and her uniqueness lay in her clothing.

Concubine Shuwan's clothing style varies. Sometimes she wears gorgeous Western dresses, and sometimes she dresses up as a heroic frontier knight.

How can this be described?

Is it because you have plenty of money that you have to change into new clothes every time?

If that were true, the bedroom would definitely be filled with wardrobes.

Therefore, the originally neat and orderly Zixiao Palace has now completely lost its former appearance, as if deliberately erasing all traces of the previous owner Si Lan.

To some extent, what Concubine Shuwan did was both right and wrong.

The harem is a place for pursuing beauty, but it is also a place where turmoil arises.

Concubine Shuwan could have become the latter, but her father was a favorite of the previous emperor and is still highly favored, so no one dares to touch her easily.

It turned out to be the case.

This is indeed enough reason for Si Lan to be expelled from the harem. It can even be said that considering Concubine Shuwan's age, she was late to enter the palace.

Lin Zhiruo inadvertently had an idea: For the emperor, it might be more convenient for Si Lan to stay in the harem.

Although she could not become the mother of the country, her foresight and intelligence are amazing. It's a pity that she was not born a boy.

Moreover, Si Lan is also a reliable person to discuss matters with.

Now she is gone, replaced by a daughter who not only influences the harem, but may even influence the power of the palace.

I'm afraid those dignitaries will also be troubled by this.

The emperor could not ignore her, but if their relationship was too good and she became pregnant, it would become a big problem.

Because the support of a concubine is most reliable only during the isolated and helpless period of the Eastern Palace.

Once one ascends the throne and has children, sometimes this support is no longer needed.

While Lin Zhiruo was daydreaming, she picked up the teapot and poured herself a cup of tea. The aroma of the tea seemed to be telling endless stories in the harem.