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

His father reprimanded him severely, thinking that his behavior was like an ink stain that tarnished the glory accumulated by the family for generations.

Even though he had not brought any substantial harm to the family, his father was displeased with him because he was deeply influenced by his uncle. He resolutely ordered him to embark on a local lobbying journey and forbade him to return home in the short term.

He had the right to turn a blind eye, but he was deeply afraid that doing so would bring more entanglements and troubles to his future.

As a military officer, his father is not only a close relative, but also a superior with authority.

In desperation, he reluctantly picked up his pen and sent a letter to that place of fireworks, informing them that he would be able to return to his hometown in about half a year.

However, when he received the reply, he realized that the redemption had come to nothing.

He originally thought that he could be safe for the time being, but unexpectedly it took him three years to return home.

After returning home, I found the room full of dust and a pile of letters piled haphazardly in one corner.

The branches that bound the letters have withered, as if telling of the ruthless passage of time.

Among them was a letter that, for some unknown reason, showed signs of having been opened.

He carefully opened the envelope, but found that the words in the letter were bland and full of clichés.

However, a dark red stain was clearly visible in the corner of the letter paper.

He glanced at the half-open drawstring purse next to him, which was also stained with the same dark red stain.

He gently opened the purse, but saw two objects inside, tightly wrapped in dirty paper. It was difficult to tell whether they were small branches or clods of earth.

One of them was particularly small and appeared to be rotten.

He carefully looked at the object attached to the branch, and finally realized that these were the ten fingers he once had but now lost.

He heard that there was a curse called "broken fingers" circulating in the world recently.

He rewrapped the two small branches, carefully put them into his purse, hid them close to his body, then mounted his horse and galloped towards the brothel.

The once familiar Hongxia Tower is now in a dilapidated state, with only Go pieces scattered on the ground.

The woman who was as beautiful as Su Qianyinhua in the past was nowhere to be seen. He knew from the sound that the person who was waving the broom and hitting him was undoubtedly the brothel owner.

"Su Qianyin is no longer here."

The madam said coldly.

Being abandoned by the two major brothels, this place of entertainment has lost its reputation and credibility.

The prostitute had no other choice but to live a life of shameful living as a secret prostitute.

Didn't he know what a miserable end this woman would end up having?

If you think about it for a moment, you will understand why.

However, at that time, chess and Go were the only things on his mind, and he had never expected such an outcome.

He could only prostrate himself on the ground and cry out in grief under the gaze of everyone, but everything was already irreversible.

It's all because of my own lack of consideration.

General Zhimou supported his still aching head and slowly got up from the bed.

He knew this room. It was gorgeous yet elegant, and filled with a fragrant aroma.

"Is your Excellency awake?"

A soft voice came.

General Zhimou looked up and saw a face as beautiful as a white jade chess piece. He recognized her from the voice.

"Xiao He, why am I here?"

General Zhimou asked a prostitute in Hongxia Tower.

She used to be a little girl serving Su Qianyin.

General Zhimou vaguely remembered that he was often by Su Qianyin's side at that time, and among the girls who left later, Xiaohe should be one of them.

She would occasionally fiddle with chess clumsily, and the wise general would often play games with her.

Whenever the wise general praised her talent, she would lower her head shyly with a blush on her face.

“A nobleman sent someone to keep you here.

"Speaking of which, your Excellency's face is truly frightening. I don't know how to describe it, should it be reddened to purple, or greenish to black?"

Xiao He said softly.

In this Hongxia Tower, the only one who was willing to treat him well was this prostitute.

Every time General Zhimou came, he was always taken to Xiaohe's room.

"I never expected this to happen."

Xiao He said softly.

Because he saw his daughter drinking generously, he thought the wine was not strong.

General Zhimou knew nothing about different types of wine.

He just took a sip and felt an unbearable pain in his throat as if it was burned by fire.

Seeing a bottle of water on the table, he picked it up and started drinking.

The pungent bitter taste spread wildly in his mouth, making him unable to help but spit it out.

"What kind of wine is this!"

General Zhimou shouted loudly.

"It seems to be made by Lin Zhiruo."

Xiao He half covered her lips with her sleeve, seemingly unable to hold back her laughter.

This should be a hangover cure, but there's a subtle tinge of malice in doing so.

However, General Zhimou couldn't help but laugh heartily. Is there anything wrong with such a reaction?

Next to the water bottle was a paulownia wood box.

"This is……"

General Zhitui asked curiously.

He had sent it as a trophy of a prank, along with a letter.

He opened the wooden box and saw a dried cauliflower inside.

He had never known that even after the flowers had withered, their appearance could be preserved so completely.

The wise general thought of his daughter, who looked like a sorrel, and whose little feet were as cute as a cat's.

Since then, General Zhimou has come to Hongxia Tower and knocked on the door many times, but was beaten up by the madam every time.

She brandished a broom and beat General Zhiwu, cursing:

"There's no baby here, get out of here!"

What a horrible old woman.

General Zhimou sat lazily on the ground, blood gushing from the side of his head.

I saw a little kid next to me pulling out some kind of plant.

The weeds growing against the walls of the buildings had yellow flowers, a plant he had seen elsewhere.

The wise general asked the child what she was doing, and she replied:

"Guess~"

The little child ran away grabbing the weeds with both hands. In the direction she ran, there was a person who walked unsteadily like an old man.

Normally, that face would be as inconspicuous as a chess piece, but now it seemed as majestic as a chess piece.

Moreover, they are not weak pieces such as pawns or horses, but generals among the strong pieces.

General Zhiwu already knew who opened the only opened letter and the stained purse.