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

In the soft glow of the fire, Lin Zhiruo was concentrating on a delicate task. The sweat on her forehead was like morning dew, gleaming with a subtle and soft luster.

"It's just some trivial things."

She answered in a gentle but firm voice, her hands dancing deftly through the intricate operations like a spider weaving a web.

Beside her, a man who claimed to be an excellent cook was busily assisting, although his movements were a little clumsy. Lin Zhiruo's face did not show any blame. Perhaps it was her persistence in perfection that was silently driving her forward.

The two are using the old and outdated stove of the Shangshi Bureau and a peculiarly shaped and exotic pot to perform the art of distillation together.

On the lid of the pot, a thin tube extends gently like a winding stream, and the water drops at the end are carefully collected like precious pearls.

This was a distillation artifact that Lin Zhiruo accidentally discovered when she was tidying up the Shangshi Bureau. She couldn't help but feel regretful that such a precious tool was forgotten in a corner, lamenting the fickleness of fate.

The room was filled with rich floral fragrance, and the pot was filled with delicate flower petals. Lin Zhiruo was transforming the aroma and essence of cauliflower into precious essential oil bit by bit.

“This fragrance is truly intoxicating.”

Eunuch Quan Wushuang still maintained his calm and elegant demeanor, and expressed sincere admiration out of curiosity.

His follower Gao Zhongcheng stood quietly behind him, like a silent guardian, watching everything silently.

"Compared to wild cauliflower, this aroma is quite mild. I'll need to adjust its intensity with oil or water later."

Lin Zhiruo explained with a smile. She knew very well that although the cauliflower that had been carefully cultivated by humans had become more and more gorgeous in appearance, its fragrance was no longer as mellow and natural as before.

Quan Wushuang's eyes were deeply attracted by the wonderful distillation device, and the man with mediocre cooking skills, after noticing Quan Wushuang's presence, immediately tidied his clothes in a panic, as if a young boy was eager to show his beauty and decency in front of the person he liked.

"Master General, I wonder what brings you here today?"

Lin Zhiruo's question was modest and cautious, but it seemed to make Quan Wushuang's face darken slightly.

She slowly stood up from the chair, took out exquisite refreshments from the cupboard, and carefully placed them on the table, like an elegant artist creating a beautiful painting.

She knew very well that Wang Dahai always liked to hide the precious snacks in the highest cupboard, as if guarding his own treasure.

After Quan Wushuang sat down, Lin Zhiruo handed him a piece of pastry that she had personally tested and ensured was non-toxic. Her care and thoughtfulness warmed people's hearts.

"Did you choose to produce it here because there are so many inconveniences in the Liuli Palace?"

Quan Wushuang asked softly, with a hint of curiosity and concern in his tone.

"That's right, but that's not the only reason..."

As Lin Zhiruo spoke, she gently wiped the oil stains off her hands with a silk handkerchief, then stood in front of the stove again and replaced the slender tube with a new container.

Soon, clear essential oil appeared on the surface of the solution, like a bright pearl, sparkling under the light.

"Some essential oils have unexpected magical effects, such as abortion. But as long as the concentration and dosage are controlled, it should be fine."

Lin Zhiruo whispered, looking around vigilantly to make sure that the careless Wang Dahai was not nearby.

Now is not the time to let him know that Concubine Yuyao is pregnant.

She knew very well that in the harem, every word and every action could cause endless waves and disputes.

"Then, there won't be any more restrictions on perfumes and other items in the harem?"

Quan Wushuang asked curiously, with a hint of anticipation and curiosity in his tone.

"Yes, I think it's all right."

Lin Zhiruo replied that she knew very well that if limits were set for everything, management would become extremely cumbersome and it would be impossible to truly eliminate potential hidden dangers.

Quan Wushuang's eyes were once again attracted by the pot on another stove. The aroma emanating from it was fascinating and intoxicating.

"What is that? How can it emit such a charming fragrance?"

He asked curiously, with a hint of exploration and desire in his tone.

"That's alcohol."

Lin Zhiruo replied that the alcohol in the pot was so strong that its smell alone could make people intoxicated and forget worldly troubles.

After countless distillations and refinements, she finally obtained this high-concentration alcohol.

It is not made for drinking, but for disinfection.

With the change of seasons and the rise in temperature, foul air is easily generated and germs are rampant, which is harmful to the body.

There is a young princess in the Liuli Palace, and Lin Zhiruo hopes to create a clean and safe environment for her, so she specially made some more alcohol, which will also be of great benefit to the Shangshi Bureau.

"This alcohol can actually have such a wonderful effect?"

Quan Wushuang asked curiously, with a hint of surprise and confusion in his tone.

"Yes, that's how it's used in the West."

Lin Zhiruo's adoptive father had gone to the West to study, so she knew a thing or two about it.

If there is anything that makes her stand out, it must be the knowledge and wisdom passed down to her by her adoptive father.

They are like bright stars, lighting her way forward.

Just as Quan Wushuang was about to mention Lin Zhiruo's adoptive father, a loud noise suddenly broke the tranquility and harmony in the room.

Gao Zhongcheng quickly walked to the outside of the Shangshi Bureau to check the situation. He saw two eunuchs put a large bag of things at the door and left in a hurry, as if they were carrying out a mysterious and important mission.

"What is this? Why is it so heavy?"

Gao Zhongcheng looked at Wang Dahai doubtfully, with a bit of confusion and curiosity in his eyes.

"Oh, this is the little girl..."

Wang Dahai hesitated and seemed to be hesitant to speak. Lin Zhiruo glared at him fiercely, but it was too late.

Quan Wushuang couldn't wait to open the package, like a curious child opening a mysterious gift.

"Manager Quan, the tea is ready, please sit down and enjoy it."

Lin Zhiruo tried to divert Quan Wushuang's attention, but her voice sounded so weak and pale.

Quan Wushuang's eyes were attracted to the items in the package like a magnet, and he couldn't extricate himself.

"What on earth is this? Why is it so mysterious?"

Quan Wushuang asked excitedly, with a hint of urgency and desire in his tone.

Lin Zhiruo said calmly:

"They are just some packages from my hometown. Nothing special."

However, Quan Wushuang's curious and inquiring gaze made her feel extremely embarrassed and helpless.

She thought to herself: This guy is really too much! Lin Zhiruo is a woman after all. At a time like this, doesn't he know how to maintain some courtesy and respect?

"Inside...inside are my personal belongings."

Lin Zhiruo lowered her head slightly, her voice filled with shyness and helplessness, as if a child who had done something wrong was admitting his mistake.

Upon hearing this, Quan Wushuang awkwardly let go of his hand, as if he was a child who had accidentally touched a taboo and was quickly retracting his hand.

Lin Zhiruo thought to herself: Yes, let’s just leave like this.

However, the reality is always contrary to our wishes.

Gao Zhongcheng happened to notice this insignificant detail and asked curiously:

"It actually took two grown men to carry this personal clothing. What on earth is it made of? Why is it so heavy?"

Upon hearing this, Quan Wushuang couldn't help but open his mouth wide, like a child who had seen something incredible.

Unfortunately, he could not continue to pretend to be ignorant, and the secret in the package was destined to be revealed.

"I believe that the harem's excessive focus on cleanliness is a serious problem."

Lin Zhiruo straightened her back and spoke seriously, with a firm and resolute tone in her voice.

All the palace maids in the harem have the potential to be favored by the emperor, so they are all pure and flawless virgins.

Although there are exceptions, they are extremely rare.

If the emperor takes a fancy to a woman and she happens to be a virgin, one can imagine how nervous and uneasy she would feel when facing the emperor.

This tension and anxiety will not only affect their performance and execution, but may also bring them unpredictable consequences.

If anything goes wrong, the woman will be very pitiful.

Therefore, I believe that it is necessary to preview and prepare in advance to deal with various situations that may arise.

"So, you prepared these things?"

Quan Wushuang stood with his legs apart, staring at Lin Zhiruo with sharp eyes, while Lin Zhiruo knelt on the floor, like a sinner awaiting trial.

For some reason, she always felt that she had been scolded like this by Quan Wushuang before.

The package was slowly unpacked, revealing a large number of recipes and scrolls.

To put it bluntly, these are the books and paintings that are carefully selected to satisfy the lonely time at night.

Lin Zhiruo had ordered these books and scrolls for the emperor many times to comfort his soul, and Concubine Pinglan also had a special liking for them.

This time, Lin Zhiruo wanted to expand her sales channels, so she tried to order more, but she didn't expect the timing to be so unfortunate.

In order to avoid being discovered by the nagging Caiwei, she specially asked someone to send these books and scrolls to the Shangshi Bureau.

However, all of this has now become a bubble and a laughing stock.