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

Looking back on the old days, the lake of his heart seemed to be gently touched by the breeze, rippling with delicate circles. Quan Wushuang was full of doubts. Which beauty was given a new life by the wise general's generous donation?

Although the two had a tacit understanding, Quan Wushuang had never expected General Zhimou to be so ostentatious. The drastic change in his behavior shocked Quan Wushuang.

"Who is this beautiful woman who could make him so moved?"

"Have you heard any rumors?"

There was a hint of exploration in Quan Wushuang's voice.

Lin Zhiruo slowly closed her eyes, an elusive smile appearing on the corners of her mouth.

"You may already have the answer in your heart, right?"

"Although there are many beauties in the world, none can hide the unique charm of General Manager Quan."

Lin Zhiruo's answer was like a gentle breeze, cleverly avoiding the core of the topic.

(Although I haven't said it out loud, I've silently acknowledged your self-awareness.)

Not only Quan Wushuang, but probably the entire palace, and even inside and outside the capital, are talking about this matter and it is a hot topic.

The redeemed prostitute would dress up carefully but would not easily reveal her true appearance in front of others.

However, the rumors spread rapidly like a spark in a strong wind, becoming more and more intense. People were curious about which beauty could win the favor and favor of that weirdo.

(All of this seemed to be within the madam's expectations and control.)

In a short period of time, Hongxia Tower will surely become the focus of everyone's attention, and rumors and speculations will come like a tide.

It is not difficult to imagine that those officials, driven by curiosity, will visit the brothel one after another. Perhaps they have not been so excited for a long time, and their bodies are restless, longing for a carnival.

Lin Zhiruo, in particular, felt her feet were numb and swollen, as if they were bound by invisible shackles.

Looking down, I saw that the dress was stained with blood, like a blooming red spider lily, which was shocking.

"what!"

Lin Zhiruo screamed and quickly lifted her skirt to try to cover it up.

Seeing this, Quan Wushuang also let out a sharp cry, with a hint of confusion and astonishment in his voice.

"You...what are you doing?"

Lin Zhiruo looked at her left foot with a distorted expression. The numbness, swelling, and burning sensation erupted like a volcano, bringing endless pain.

Lin Zhiruo has become numb to pain due to long-term food experimentation.

She thought the injury on her left foot had healed, but she didn't expect that the dance she just did would cause the wound to break again, like broken porcelain, and it would be difficult to repair it.

"Ah—it's cracked again!"

There was endless despair in Lin Zhiruo's voice.

"Can it be resolved by just one word?"

However, Lin Zhiruo was not discouraged. She fumbled in her coat and took out the disinfectant alcohol and needle and thread that she had prepared long ago.

"How did you prepare so thoroughly?"

There was a hint of curiosity in Quan Wushuang's voice.

"Everything will stand in advance, and nothing will be abandoned if you don't."

Lin Zhiruo's voice was firm and calm. She was about to insert the needle into the instep of her foot when Quan Wushuang suddenly snatched it away.

"Manager Quan, I can't sew it up like this."

"Don't sew here!"

After Quan Wushuang finished speaking, he held Lin Zhiruo under his armpit and, like an eagle spreading its wings, quickly climbed down the high wall that had no ladder to climb.

Lin Zhiruo was so shocked that she didn't even have the strength to struggle.

She thought she would be free once she landed, but unexpectedly Quan Wushuang changed his position and held her tightly in his arms.

"...Why do you want to change positions?"

There was a hint of confusion in Lin Zhiruo's voice.

"That was indeed inconvenient."

Quan Wushuang's voice was brief and powerful.

"Then please let me go."

There was a hint of pleading in Lin Zhiruo's voice.

However, Quan Wushuang ignored her request.

"If I put you down, the wound will get worse."

Quan Wushuang pouted slightly.

Quan Wushuang put his arms around Lin Zhiruo, and the face-to-face posture made Lin Zhiruo feel a little embarrassed and uncomfortable.

(Why such intimacy?)

"What should I do if someone sees me?"

There was a hint of worry in Lin Zhiruo's voice.

"Don't worry, it's pitch black all around, and besides—"

Quan Wushuang gently threw Lin Zhiruo up and caught her steadily to prevent her from falling.

"This is the second time I've hugged you like this."

(A second time? Oh my! An inexplicable feeling welled up in Lin Zhiruo’s heart.)

Lin Zhiruo recalled the time when she injured her foot and was unconscious. It would make sense if Quan Wushuang helped her.

But this time, she was taken away in public. This sudden change made her feel confused and helpless.

However, Lin Zhiruo forgot something more pressing than this.

This matter should have been mentioned earlier, but she didn't say it until now. It was like a huge rock pressing on her heart, making her regretful.

Lin Zhiruo pressed her handkerchief against her bleeding calf, her voice trembling slightly.

"Manager Quan, I'm sorry to bring this up now, but there's something I haven't been able to say."

"...What's wrong? Why are you so serious all of a sudden?"

There was a hint of confusion and puzzlement in Quan Wushuang's voice.

Lin Zhiruo took a deep breath, as if to concentrate all her courage in this moment.

"I must tell you about this."

"...Then tell me."

Quan Wushuang slowed down his pace slightly, as if waiting for Lin Zhiruo's next words.

"So……"

Lin Zhiruo stared at Quan Wushuang's face and spoke word by word:

"Please give me lamb kidneys."

Suddenly, Quan Wushuang's head collided with Lin Zhiruo's forehead. With a bang, golden stars splashed in front of Lin Zhiruo's eyes, like fireworks blooming in the night sky.

(A sudden head-butt! Lin Zhiruo felt an inexplicable surge of anger and disappointment.)

Lin Zhiruo couldn't help but suspect that this guy might not have intended to give the food from the beginning.

"Isn't the steward prepared?"

"Stop talking nonsense!"

Lin Zhiruo's suspicion made Quan Wushuang narrow his eyes slightly, and a hint of dissatisfaction appeared in his voice.

Looking at the eunuch's ever-changing expression, Lin Zhiruo found him quite ridiculous, but this made the conversation a little more relaxed.

Lin Zhiruo swayed gently in Quan Wushuang's arms, her heart filled with mixed emotions, her thoughts surging like a tide.

In a certain big country in the center of the continent, someone leaked the news.

It is rumored that the princes and nobles there are searching for elixirs in an attempt to achieve immortality.

It was not until the afternoon tea party that Lin Zhiruo realized that Quan Wushuang's study was filled with flowers and was difficult to enter.

Lin Zhiruo nibbled on the birthday peach and replied absentmindedly, "Really?"

There was a hint of helplessness and fatigue in his voice, as if he was no longer surprised by all this.