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

In that magnificent feast, clusters of cauliflowers were like burning flames. They seemed to contain a kind of agility that teased the world, and jumped to become the shining stars that attracted the whole audience.

The wise general's eyes casually swept over the cauliflowers, and the sound of stringed instruments echoed in his ears. The melody was like a whisper in a dream, gently caressing his heart.

At some point, he quietly took off an official's hat, which was covered with a few hairs of unknown origin, making it look particularly ridiculous.

General Zhitui placed his crown gently on the edge of the table in confusion. The official saw this and hurriedly put it back on his head in a panic.

General Zhimou vaguely felt that a pair of eyes were moving over him, but he could not figure out the meaning.

He slowly took off his monocle, carefully wiped the lens with a soft silk cloth, and then put it on his other eye.

The cauliflowers were carefully arranged in the center of the banquet. Their deliberate display seemed to inadvertently reveal the indescribable eccentricity of the flower arranger.

The wise general's thoughts seemed to travel through time and space, returning to the banquet of the past, where the gauze was flowing, the sound of stringed instruments was heard, delicious food was dotted like stars, and the aroma of wine filled the air.

However, he always found it difficult to leave a deep impression on those luxurious things.

He remembered these scenes, but they were fleeting and never truly touched his heart.

When he came to his senses, the banquet had ended quietly. The two concubines, dressed in black and blue, were given cauliflowers representing their respective status by the emperor.

From the discussions around him, it was not difficult for him to infer that they were all peerless beauties, but the wise general seemed indifferent to this.

In his opinion, the beauty of the face is but a fleeting glory that will eventually vanish with the wind.

Despite this, the banquet still felt boring to him.

He couldn't help but ask himself why he was causing himself so much trouble.

Since that’s the case, why not follow my old habit and find someone to tease to relieve the depression in my heart.

Looking around, guests are still coming in an endless stream.

The wise general has never been good at socializing among people.

In his eyes, everyone's faces were like chess pieces on a chessboard. He could easily distinguish between men and women, but he saw men as black pieces and women as white pieces. In his mind, their faces seemed like paintings that were scribbled on at random.

Even his familiar colleagues in the military were nothing more than chess pieces in his eyes.

Most of them were just infantrymen, and as their military rank rose, they became carriages of luxury or horses of luxury.

The task of a military advisor is simply to arrange the troops according to the characteristics of the chess pieces. By using the right pieces for the right roles, most battles can be won.

This was not difficult for him, and as long as he did this, he felt that he had fulfilled his duty.

Even if he lacks the ability, as long as he assigns the task, there will always be someone who can complete it for him.

General Zhimou took this for granted.

He couldn't even recognize the men who were praised by everyone for having a charming smile.

However, he had his own way of finding his target, which was to find the golden general who brought the silver.

Having said that, today's banquet seems to be more dazzling than usual.

The whole place was filled with bright red, and everyone's fingertips were stained with traces of rouge.

Could it be that nail painting is now popular among palace maids?

The nails in his memory were not such a tacky red, but a light red like the marigold.

Just as he was thinking of the name of a prostitute, a petite palace maid suddenly came into his sight.

She was thin but strong-willed, like a tenacious wood sorrel.

She looked over here with empty eyes. When she noticed General Zhiwu's gaze, she turned around slightly, as if silently saying:

"Please come with me."

Opposite the peony garden, there is a small pavilion with a chessboard placed in it. In the tung box, withered cauliflower lies quietly like a lifeless shell.

"My Lord, are you interested in playing a game of chess with me?"

The girl gently picked up a chess piece and asked with a hint of indifference in her tone.

Jin Jiang and Cheng Yin stood beside her, as if to protect him.

General Zhiwu had no way to refuse. Since this pretty girl asked so, the corners of his mouth rose slightly, outlining a playful smile.