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

Lin Zhiruo is not the kind of creature that is greedy for vulgar things, but if she does not make a living by this way,

Her adoptive father, who lived in the world of red-blooded pleasures, probably couldn't even survive on simple meals and light tea.

My adoptive father was kind-hearted and always fell easily into the trap woven by the madam's sweet words, taking on one trivial job after another that had almost no profit.

When Quan Wushuang heard this, although he felt helpless, he had to admit that what Lin Zhiruo said was absolutely right.

When he learned that this was the emperor's order and that it was difficult to disobey, a complex expression appeared on Quan Wushuang's face, and he finally silently accepted this established fact.

Gao Zhongcheng had a solemn expression on his face, immersed in the vast world constructed by the books. Lin Zhiruo half-closed her eyes, quietly watching this strange scene.

"The exquisite production of this book is rare in the world."

She exclaimed sincerely, as if she had understood the profound meaning of Gao Zhongcheng.

Lin Zhiruo almost thought that he was an introverted, deep and elusive person, but it turned out that he had a special liking for the contents of these books.

“The paper used is all of the highest quality, and you can feel its quality when you touch it.”

These books, which record various secret techniques of sex, are very valuable and can sometimes even be used as a daughter's dowry. Those who have dabbled in this area are willing to spend all their wealth to obtain them.

There are many pictures in the book, and even if you can't read, you can still appreciate its beauty.

Although the cost is high, the profit is also quite substantial and there will never be any loss.

“This is a masterpiece of printmaking.”

Quan Wushuang was also attracted by the illustrations in the book, but looking at the patterns, he could only shake his head and sigh, lamenting their absurdity.

The quack doctor standing by was so ashamed that he stole glances at them from time to time.

"I heard this isn't a woodblock print, but a metal plate print."

"It's truly an amazing skill."

This is a sophisticated technique originating from the West.

Although Lin Zhiruo didn't know much about the detailed production process, since Quan Wushuang praised it highly, it must be an extremely rare and precious skill.

"Indeed, such a precious item should be appreciated by more noble people."

Lin Zhiruo said seriously.

"How can these two be compared?"

Quan Wushuang rejected Lin Zhiruo's idea with just one sentence.

However, he seemed quite interested in the books themselves and was carefully reading them to confirm their contents.

Lin Zhiruo was quite distressed by his open reading, so she could only stare at him with half-closed eyes as usual.

Perhaps noticing Lin Zhiruo's expression, Gao Zhongcheng gently touched Quan Wushuang.

"If the steward likes it, why not take a copy back with you?"

"Uh, no, I absolutely do not mean that!"

Quan Wushuang quickly put down the book in his hand, looking a little flustered.

Lin Zhiruo carefully put the book back to its original place, fearing that it would leave any creases.

Quan Wushuang added:

"That is not my intention."

After saying this, he touched his chin and fell into deep thought.

"I'll spare you this time."

Although Quan Wushuang spoke in an arrogant tone, he was a man of high power after all, and Lin Zhiruo could do nothing about it.

"Master Steward is willing to forgive?"

A glimmer of light flashed in Lin Zhiruo's eyes.

"I just want you to tell me which store sells this book."

Lin Zhiruo's eyes instantly turned from eager to indifferent.

Gao Zhongcheng gently touched Quan Wushuang again.

"No, I'm just interested in this printing technology."

Quan Wushuang hurriedly explained.

What kind of confusing conversation is this?

"What the chief steward said is absolutely right."

Lin Zhiruo continued to write the name of the bookstore in the notebook smoothly with an expression of watching a joke.

"I am not kidding."

"Yes, I understand."

For a handsome man like Quan Wushuang, it would not be difficult to watch as many live performances as he wants, so why would he need to be comforted by these flat pictures?

However, I heard that sometimes characters on paper are better than real people, but Quan Wushuang should not have such a preference.

Lin Zhiruo thought to herself as she tore off a piece of paper from the notebook and handed it to Quan Wushuang.

This notebook was used by a quack doctor, but it was surprisingly smooth to write in, and the feel of the paper made Lin Zhiruo praise it endlessly.

The jokes ended there, and Lin Zhiruo guessed that Quan Wushuang might want to start a new money-making business.

The core of so-called political affairs lies in how to extract taxes from the people without arousing public resentment.

To this end, we must find ways to increase people's income, so taxes must be used for initial investment.

However, Lin Zhiruo didn't care about it and just wanted to stay out of it.

"But I don't care how you act."

More important than this matter is that Lin Zhiruo has to put those scattered books in order.

As soon as Quan Wushuang arrived, he attracted a crowd of onlookers.

If people knew that the elegant eunuch was reading such books, she wondered how they would view him. Lin Zhiruo didn't want to take that risk.

While Lin Zhiruo was hurriedly packing, Gao Zhongcheng quietly pressed down the box.

"What advice does Guard Gao have?"

Gao Zhongcheng looked a little hesitant.

“Perhaps some of the content needs to be reviewed…”

It turned out that he was referring to the contents of the books, some of which had a very unique style, which was exactly what the emperor liked.

Lin Zhiruo really couldn't praise the current emperor's preferences.

"Because the Emperor said that all the books he read before were boring."

"No."

Lin Zhiruo refused outright.

Lin Zhiruo had specially asked the madam to carefully select her, but got such a result, so she was naturally unwilling.

Lin Zhiruo reluctantly handed over the obscene books to Gao Zhongcheng.

About ten days later, Lin Zhiruo was slacking off in the laundry as usual.

"I wonder what's buried beneath the ground."

Xiao Cui said this in a slightly childish tone.

She was holding the laundry basket in one hand, leaning against the wall in a daze.

The weather is clear and sunny today, and the laundry yard is bustling with people.

The eunuchs diligently fetched water and washed clothes.

The maids' clothes were washed with ash water and stepped on by feet, while the concubines' clothes were hand-washed with special detergents, making them look particularly noble.

"I don't know either."

Lin Zhiruo took out a delicate snack wrapped in bamboo shoots from her bosom and handed it to Xiao Cui.

Xiao Cui took it with a beautiful smile.

"I wonder what's buried under the ground." This seems to be a line from a novel.

I heard that reading novels has become popular in the harem recently.

"Deep within that flowery palace, what do I long to unearth from the earth?"

Xiao Cui's eyes sparkled with excitement as she spoke joyfully.

Xiao Cui came from a rural background and was illiterate, so someone must have read it to her.

"What could it be?"

There were snack crumbs on the corners of Xiao Cui's mouth, making her look like a cute little squirrel.

“Maybe horse manure?”

Lin Zhiruo's answer made Xiao Cui spit out a mouthful of snacks.

She choked and tears welled up in her eyes as she stared at Lin Zhiruo.

Lin Zhiruo fetched some water and fed Xiao Cui while stroking her back.

"Who told you to eat so quickly?"

"It's all Lin Zhiruo's fault!"

Xiao Cui said this angrily, but what Lin Zhiruo said was not wrong.

Growing vegetables requires not only water, but also poor soil will only produce withered vegetables, so fertilizer is needed.

If the flowers bloom brilliantly, it must be because they have been fertilized with the appropriate fertilizer.

However, for a young girl immersed in a beautiful story, this answer may be too depressing.

Lin Zhiruo decided to be more cautious next time.

As they were chatting, it was their turn to wash clothes.

The novel mentioned by Xiao Cui was widely circulated in the harem, and Liuli Palace was no exception.

As soon as Lin Zhiruo returned, she saw the three girls couldn't wait to open the booklet and read it with great interest.

"Lin Zhiruo, you're back."

Gui Yuan, the steady and good-tempered palace maid, said to Lin Zhiruo.

The other two, Susu and Xiaomei, looked at the contents of the booklet with bated breath.

They pulled the sleeves of Guiyuan, who was responsible for turning the pages, and urged her to turn to the next page quickly.

Lin Zhiruo leaned sideways and glanced at the picture on the cover. It showed a tree in bloom with colorful flowers and silhouettes of people, like a fairyland.

I guess this is the novel that Xiao Cui mentioned.

"Lin Zhiruo, do you want to take a look too?"

Guiyuan seemed to read very quickly and was much calmer than the other two.

"No. Where did this book come from?"

Lin Zhiruo asked, tilting her head.

"It was a gift from His Majesty. It's a bit unexpected, but quite interesting."

Since he is the Majesty, he must be the emperor.

I say it's unexpected because among princes and nobles, novels were generally regarded as something of low quality, due to the idea that creative stories were far less important than historical facts.

"I heard that all the concubines received it, and they said that after they have read it, they can show it to others."

Guiyuan seemed to be a little dissatisfied about the fact that Concubine Yuyao was not the only one who enjoyed it, and the corners of her mouth were slightly pouted.

"This is really..."

Lin Zhiruo pondered while looking at the cover.

Inadvertently, she discovered a familiar mark on it.

That was the seal of the calligraphy book that Lin Zhiruo had told Quan Wushuang about a few days ago.

"I see--"

Lin Zhiruo suddenly understood.