### Chapter 32: Today's Lady Huang Seems Particularly Enchanting - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

### Chapter 32: Today, Lady Huang Seems Particularly Captivating **Great Shang Dynasty.** The Marquis of Jizhou's Residence. A stunningly beautiful young lady's eyelashes fluttered slightly as she gradually woke up from her bedchamber. Unbeknownst to her, at some point, the pillow beneath her was already soaked. Those were the tears she had shed in her dreams. Her eyes, initially hazy from sleep, gradually cleared as she took in her familiar surroundings, leaving Daji a bit bewildered. Could it be... she had returned through rebirth? As she pondered this, Daji felt the witchcraft power within her—pure and untainted. She utilized her powers to check her bone age, and a look of resolve flashed through her eyes. Indeed, she had returned to her sixteen-year-old self. She couldn't fathom what kind of entity could possess the extraordinary power to reverse time, granting her a second chance at life. Before long, she would need to marry the comatose king of Shang for a nuptial ceremony that was meant to bring him good fortune. And my slave, you're likely about to be sent to Zhaoge. Thinking of meeting Su Mo again sent tremors through her heart, stirring an excitement and longing she couldn't quite quell. However, in this life, I won't let you win my heart so easily. Gazing at the whitening horizon outside the window, a delicate smile tugged at the corners of Daji's lips. --- Su Mo placed a segment of orange into his winter jacket pocket and another into his mouth. Despite the dried-out flesh, it was a rare winter treat. After spitting out a few seeds, Su Mo patted Xiao Wang on the shoulder. "Well done." "Send my regards to your uncle." "Sure thing!" After completing the inventory, Su Mo noticed a significant reduction in the amount of fresh vegetables. Checking the procurement records showed no discrepancies. "Xiao Wang, what's going on? Why are there so few fresh vegetables lately?" Su Mo inquired. Xiao Wang quickly replied, "Manager Su, my uncle said the accounting office just funded a new expense, so two liang were deducted from the food budget." "The pickled vegetables prepared before winter should be about ready in the cellar." "We have hundreds of jars, enough to last us." "In a few days, we can purchase a little more to supply Lady and Second Miss." "My uncle wanted to explain personally, but he's been swamped with work and asked me to pass on the message." "I've got a poor memory, nearly forgot if you hadn't asked." Su Mo nodded at the explanation. "Alright, I understand." Having recently assumed the role of dining steward, Su Mo still didn't have the keys for the cellar or the icehouse—those remained with Steward Guo. All purchasing rights for food supplies were under Steward Guo’s control as well. He'd need to find an opportunity to acquire the cellar key; otherwise, his position would be an empty title. The new expenditure from the accounting office was likely his increased monthly allowance. Clearly, even in the General's Residence, money was tight, necessitating cuts to the food budget to give household staff a raise. While Su Mo contemplated, Master Liu strolled in, shaking off the cold as he prepared for work. Upon seeing Su Mo already there, Master Liu's eyes widened, not expecting Su Mo to arrive early today. He hesitated for a moment. "Manager Su, good morning." "Master Liu, it's not that early," Su Mo replied, keeping a composed face and serious tone. Sensing the tense atmosphere, Xiao Wang quickly excused himself, "Manager Su, I'll go report to my uncle now," and hurriedly left. Master Liu, acting unaffected, turned back to his kitchen station, having discussed recent matters with his niece, urging her to relay it privately to the Second Miss. Seeing Master Liu's brazen demeanor, Su Mo pondered. His nephew was wronged, yet Steward Guo hadn’t acted against Master Liu, likely due to some apprehension. Perhaps approaching Lady Huang might be a strategic move. As the matron of the General’s Residence, whatever Lady Huang decided carried weight. But how could he leverage his standing to have Lady Huang intervene on his behalf? Just then, Chunzhu, with her cheerful gait, entered the kitchen. Her rosy cheeks and a nose reddened by the cold made her look endearingly cute. Upon seeing Su Mo, she eagerly approached. "Manager Su! Manager Su! The lady has summoned you to discuss something." Hearing that he was called upon again, Su Mo was surprised. After receiving a pay raise yesterday, what could this be about? Others in the kitchen perked up their ears at this exchange. Whatever fortune Manager Su had stumbled upon certainly earned him the lady's favor. Following Chunzhu outside, Su Mo offered her the orange segment from his pocket upon finding themselves alone at a quiet crossroads. "Here." Seeing the segment, Chunzhu was delighted. "Oh, a Dongting orange! Such a rarity, especially in this season." "Ehehe, go ahead." Laughing, Su Mo gently placed the orange segment into her mouth, as Chunzhu delighted in its sweetness. Munching on the orange, Chunzhu suddenly turned her wide eyes on Su Mo. "Manager Su, do you like me?" Her face turned crimson from her bold question, surprising even herself. Su Mo was taken aback. He hadn't expected this young girl to test him so boldly. This wasn’t something that could simply be answered with a yes or no. However, Su Mo was no longer the timid man from yesterday. With new strength and confidence, he reacted instinctively and leaned in. "Ah! What are you doing? Mm..." Startled by his sudden move, Chunzhu yelped. The lingering sweetness of the orange remained, caressing Su Mo’s tongue. "Chunzhu, didn’t you ask if I like you? I’ve given you my answer!" Her heart drumming wildly, Chunzhu was left breathless and flustered, caught between embarrassment and anger, unsure how to respond. The event was irreversible now. Unversed in matters of affection, her mind whirled in confusion. Then, facing her, Su Mo inquired, "By the way, Chunzhu, do you know why the lady requested me this time? How is her mood?" "I won't say!" Chunzhu retorted hotly, quickening her pace to leave Su Mo behind. Seeing she wasn't truly upset, Su Mo chuckled softly before trailing after her. Reaching Lady Huang’s courtyard, Su Mo’s attention was instantly drawn to a white-robed figure beneath the plum blossom tree—none other than the mistress of the residence, Huang Qingwan. She wore a pristine white silk coat, and the wind outlined her alluring figure. Amidst the cold of winter, she stood out like an ethereal ice lotus, far removed from worldly affairs. Dazzled by her beauty, Su Mo couldn't avert his gaze, captivated as if witnessing a masterpiece. Suddenly, steam hissed from the kettle on a nearby warmer, snapping Su Mo back to reality, and he quickly lowered his head. Today, Lady Huang seemed particularly captivating. *(End of Chapter)*