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

As the cold winter wind quietly retreats, the breath of spring is like a delicate weaver, slowly weaving warm yarn in the air, gradually spreading to every corner.

Lin Zhiruo was busy hanging up soft quilts to dry in the sun, basking in the warm sunshine. The warmth was like aged wine, almost making her intoxicated and forgetting the troubles of the world.

However, she shook her head gently, as if pushing away ripples on the water, restrained her inner laziness, and continued to work diligently, like an industrious bee.

Time is like a flying bird, passing by quickly, as if given wings, carrying people's laughter and tears, flying to the distant shore.

Recalling the long years spent in Quan Wushuang's building, every minute and every second seemed to be stretched out, becoming slow and heavy, like solidified eternity.

Although Lin Zhiruo had some attachment to the food cabinet of the Outer Court Food Bureau, she knew very well that now she only needed to rely on the Food Bureau of the Harem, which had been renovated by the Imperial Kitchen Manager, to meet her needs.

Those former food cabinets, like dusty memories, lie quietly in the depths of time.

As for the vast recipe library, Gao Zhongcheng only needed to say a few words, and he would be able to see through Lin Zhiruo's thoughts and carefully select suitable recipes for her like a confidant.

Those recipes, like keys to wisdom, opened the door to knowledge for Lin Zhiruo.

The idea of ​​freely entering and leaving the harem attracted Lin Zhiruo like a magnet, making her yearn for it.

However, it is ultimately just an illusory fantasy, like flowers in the mirror and the moon in the water, which is out of reach.

Being in the harem, she was like a bird imprisoned in a golden cage, losing the freedom to soar in the sky.

Concubine Yuyao's belly was swelling like an inflated ball, and the signs of pregnancy were becoming more and more obvious.

Her period was late, her body often felt weak and limp, her temperature seemed slightly elevated, and her bowel movements were as frequent as a summer rainstorm.

For some reason, Princess Ai Ling always pressed her cheek against Concubine Yuyao's abdomen, with a smile as bright as a flower on her face.

Perhaps she has already felt the little life that is about to be born dancing happily in the mother's womb.

"Can she sense the rhythm of life?"

Lin Zhiruo speculated secretly in her heart, her eyes full of doubt and curiosity.

The princess waved goodbye to Concubine Yuyao's belly and, accompanied by Caiwei, jumped towards the nap room like a happy deer.

The children's world is always full of endless mystery and fantasy, like a wonderland in a fairy tale.

The princess began to take her first steps and put on the red shoes given by the emperor. She became more delicate as if she were endowed with magic.

She needed more careful care from the maids, like a flower in a greenhouse.

Whenever she tasted the soft buns, she always responded with a sweet smile, blooming like a flower in spring.

Perhaps this is due to women's nature. Although the palace maids in Liuli Palace have never given birth themselves, they poured their love and enthusiasm into raising the princess.

Caiwei would occasionally sigh softly:

"Alas, I should also plan for my future."

However, the other maids, including Lin Zhiruo, didn't know how to respond.

She seemed a little anxious and confused, but as a head maid with a strong sense of responsibility, she would never leave her job just because of marriage.

Even if someone comes to propose marriage, everyone will definitely try their best to keep Caiwei because she is an indispensable pillar of the Liuli Palace.

Because of Caiwei, Liuli Palace can maintain orderly operations with limited manpower.

Her excessive abilities sometimes make her feel troubled and stressed.

However, this is precisely the embodiment of her value, shining like a bright pearl.

Now, in her spare time, Lin Zhiruo would play with the princess.

On the one hand, her leg injury had not yet fully healed and she needed rest; on the other hand, instead of letting other busy maids take care of the princess, it would be more appropriate to let Lin Zhiruo, who did not have much to do except tasting food, accompany the princess.

That day, Lin Zhiruo played with Princess Ai Ling as usual.

The princess stacked up the blocks and then pushed them down one by one, creating her own world like an architect.

The building blocks are carefully crafted from lightweight wood and are safe and fun, allowing the princess to have a lot of fun playing with them.

The princess developed a great interest in books with pictures and was as excited as if she had discovered a new world.

So Lin Zhiruo asked Gao Zhongcheng to borrow some books. She copied the pictures and wrote the names neatly under the pictures for the princess to see.

Although the princess was only two years old, Lin Zhiruo had heard that getting young children used to looking at pictures could speed up their learning process.

So she tried it with great anticipation, but it was taken away by Caiwei.

"Please draw some ordinary flowers and plants."

Caiwei pointed to the flowers and plants in the courtyard and said.

Her eyes were full of vigilance and caution, as if those poisonous mushrooms would harm the princess.

It seems that no matter how beautiful something is, as long as it is poisonous, it will be banned from appearing in the princess's world.

Lin Zhiruo sighed helplessly and continued her painting.

Lin Zhiruo spent her ordinary yet fulfilling days like this, day after day.

However, at this moment, the handsome eunuch who had not been seen for a long time appeared before her with a tricky question like a reunion gift.

"Green cauliflower?"

Lin Zhiruo looked at the eunuch who looked a little tired and asked, her heart full of doubts and curiosity.

"Yes, everyone is very curious and wants to see it."

Quan Wushuang nodded with embarrassment, his eyes full of anticipation and anxiety.

Even his troubled expression would make the palace maids scream that even a melancholy look is beautiful.

At this moment, three pairs of eyes were peeking through the crack of the door, like curious kittens.

However, this is completely negligible.

Then, Caiwei, whose eyes had turned into an inverted triangle, skillfully grabbed the ears of two people with her right hand and one person with her left hand and pulled them away.

The scene was a spectacular acrobatic display, but that was hardly a concern.

Gao Zhongcheng said admiringly upon seeing this:

“What a superb move.”

However, don't tell anyone about this to avoid causing unnecessary trouble.

Back to the topic, Quan Wushuang expressed his helplessness, as if he was responsible for finding the green cauliflower.

"I've found trouble again."

Lin Zhiruo muttered to herself.

"Master General, do you want me to go and look for you?"

Lin Zhiruo asked tentatively.

"Do you have any idea?"

Quan Wushuang asked anxiously.

"I just run a food store and don't know much about cauliflower."

Lin Zhiruo answered truthfully.

"But I think you can do it."

Quan Wushuang spoke a little unsurely, but his eyes were full of expectation and trust.

"That's true."

Imperial Concubine Yuyao, who was sitting leisurely on General Zhimou's bed, also echoed this, with a hint of ridicule and mockery in her tone.

The princess sat beside her, sipping the fruit juice in small sips, as if she were tasting a delicacy from the world.

It seems that some unknown person said that Concubine Yuyao's maid might know something.

So that's how it is. No wonder it happened to Quan Wushuang.

Lin Zhiruo speculated in her heart.

Could it be that the imperial chef said that?

She couldn't help but have such doubts in her mind.

That gentle uncle, who often praises others, might have leaked the news.

Lin Zhiruo was not completely ignorant of cauliflower.

She knew that the essential oil extracted from the petals was believed to have beauty benefits, so prostitutes often ordered it.

She also used to boil and distill the fragrant wild flower petals to make essential oils to earn pocket money.

However, this green cauliflower is something I have never heard of or seen before.

"It is said that this flower once bloomed in the palace."

Quan Wushuang said this with his arms folded across his chest, his tone tinged with pride and mystery.

After punishing the three girls, Caiwei made tea again and walked in from the door.

There was a hint of displeasure and helplessness on her face, as if she had just experienced a storm.

"I privately thought it was just an illusion."

Caiwei said, with a hint of disdain and suspicion in her tone.

Lin Zhiruo suddenly felt an itch on her calf, as if she had been bitten by a mosquito.

She took advantage of the table blocking her feet and gently scratched herself with her toes.

However, after scratching my legs, I always felt that other parts of my body started to itch as well, as if they were contagious.

"Only one person mentioned it, but when asked, several people claimed to have seen it."

Quan Wushuang said with an indescribable expression, his eyes full of confusion and uneasiness.

"Is opium smoking becoming fashionable?"

Lin Zhiruo suddenly asked, with a hint of teasing and mockery in her tone.

However, Quan Wushuang replied with a serious face:

"If that kind of thing becomes popular in the palace, the country will be destroyed!"

He accidentally changed the way he spoke, causing Concubine Yuyao and Caiwei to widen their eyes and look at each other in bewilderment.

Gao Zhongcheng also frowned and coughed dryly to express his dissatisfaction.

Quan Wushuang showed an angry expression for a moment, but the next moment a heavenly smile appeared on his face.

He looked at Lin Zhiruo with a pleading look of sorrow, as if to say:

"You must help me find this green cauliflower!"

Are there still green cauliflowers in this world?

never mind....

Lin Zhiruo was still not very good at dealing with this radiant face.

She sighed helplessly and said:

"Oh my, Imperial Concubine Yuyao seems to find it very amusing. However, Lin Zhiruo doesn't find it amusing at all."

"Can't do it?"

Quan Wushuang asked, his eyes full of anticipation and anxiety.

"If you come any closer, Lin Zhiruo will be annoyed to death."

Lin Zhiruo muttered to herself.

However, she smiled and replied:

"I will do my best."