**Chapter 113: First Encounter, the Romantic Rival Dayi** - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

**Chapter 113: First Encounter, the Romantic Rival Dayi** Upon hearing Chang'e's words, Su Mo felt a surge of excitement coursing through his heart, nodding eagerly. "Of course!" "If the fairy loves to eat, I'll cook for you my entire life." It might have been Su Mo's imagination, but he distinctly saw a sigh of relief appear on Chang'e's exquisitely sculpted face. ... For over ten days, they journeyed together, eating and drinking as they pleased, until they finally arrived by foot at the largest city of Yunmengze, Yunmeng City. Yunmeng City was a city built upon trees. Its foundation was an ancient tree of indeterminable age. The trunk resembled a colossal peak, with a canopy that blocked out the sun, and branches laden with tree houses. However, not everyone had the privilege to reside on the trees. Around the roots were several expansive lakes. Within these lakes grew unusual lotuses—enormous and breathtakingly beautiful. Their stems were resilient, and the leaves large enough to serve as boats. Many people constructed homes on these lotus leaves, using simple canoes to navigate in and out. For Su Mo, it was the first time witnessing such a populous settlement. Connecting the lakes was a road paved entirely with neatly cut blue stones, leading straight into the heart of Yunmeng City. Along the path. The road was impeccably clean, clearly well cherished and often cleaned. Upon setting foot on this road alongside Chang'e, they were soon discovered by the city's welcoming party, who immediately blew their horns to announce Chang'e's arrival to Yunmengze. This time, Su Mo did not walk beside Chang'e but instead followed behind her, adopting a respectful demeanor. Seeing his behavior, Chang'e's starry eyes reflected her confusion. However, she dismissed it quickly and continued walking towards Yunmeng City. As they drew nearer, a grand procession approached them, led by a figure astride an elephant, wielding a bow and arrows—a strikingly imposing presence. Su Mo recognized the figure on the elephant instantly. It was none other than Dayi, whom he had previously seen in the royal palace's main hall. Dayi was already eight hundred years old. In this ancient era, individuals with special bloodlines could live for at least five hundred years. Someone like Su Mo, with royal lineage, could potentially live for over a thousand years. This meant that Dayi before him had at least two hundred more years to enjoy. Looking upon Dayi, Su Mo couldn't help but feel a wave of irritation. Yet, understanding the dynamics of power, he was forced to yield. The procession halted when just a hundred meters away, with Dayi eagerly approaching them, his eyes fixed solely on Chang'e, dismissing Su Mo entirely. "Chang'e, you're here." Chang'e nodded, her heart filled with a hint of displeasure at Dayi's grandiose display. "What is all this for?" Dayi laughed heartily. "Oh, nothing, nothing at all." "Let's go now." "Alright." Chang'e glanced back at Su Mo, her ethereal and sacred visage revealing a rare flicker of human emotion. "Come with me." "Who is he?" To Dayi, Su Mo was a mere footnote in history; a member of the Chiqiu royal family, small and inconsequential. Sensing the hostility in Dayi's tone, Chang'e's gaze turned frosty. "He is my servant." Perhaps worried about Dayi causing trouble for Su Mo, Chang'e added, "The one who cooks for me." Upon hearing that Su Mo was just a servant, Dayi shifted his attention entirely to Chang'e. "Chang'e, come with me. I've prepared a moon palace for you, filled with delicacies." With this, Dayi turned and shouted loudly, "Make way!" As the crowd parted, they welcomed Dayi and Chang'e's passage. Chang'e moved forward gracefully, her demeanor frosty and lofty, devoid of any worldly smoke. Su Mo followed closely behind her, matching her steps. As they neared the tree roots, the area became even more bustling. There were numerous vendors and markets teeming with people. Upon seeing Dayi, the residents of Yunmeng City prostrated themselves on the ground. Soon after, a gigantic ship like a shuttle appeared before them. Spanning ten meters in length and three meters in width, it resembled a spinning shuttle used in weaving. Guards directed the trio into the vessel, which subsequently took off towards the treetops. The flight was steady, akin to riding an elevator, Su Mo thought. Reaching the treetops, they found an immense palace perched upon a broad branch. The palace, serene and magnificent, appeared like an ethereal lunar abode. Dayi descended the shuttle, his face flushed with pride, speaking eagerly. "How's this moon palace?" "Isn't it beautiful?" "Yes." Chang'e replied softly, unable to refuse the majestic beauty of the moon palace. "Let's go, have some food first." Dayi promptly led the two inside. Once inside, Su Mo felt enveloped in a gentle glow, surrounded by jade statues carved from unknown precious stones. It exuded a sense of cold solitude. Su Mo realized Dayi had invested much effort into pleasing Chang'e. Such a palace must have required immense resources. Dayi sat boastfully upon the highest jade seat in the hall, with Chang'e beside him. Jade tables were laden with assorted wild fruits. Before long, a flurry of servants appeared, bringing various large cuts of roasted meat. Dayi looked satisfied. These succulent cuts were his favorite, and he eagerly tore into one. Noticing Chang'e's reluctance to eat, Dayi spoke between bites. "Eat, please." "Chang'e, all of this is specially prepared for you." Chang'e's delicate brows knitted together. Facing the greasy roast, she experienced a visceral distaste. The momentary goodwill she had gathered dissipated instantly. Noticing Chang'e's hesitation, Dayi felt a twinge of dissatisfaction but assured himself that Chang'e had rarely eaten before, finding solace in that thought, and continued to relish his meal. Having savored several pieces, wiping his face and hands clean, Dayi then inquired of Chang'e: "Why don't you settle down here for a while?" "This place could become your exclusive palace." Chang'e remained silent, her aloofness reflecting a world beyond mundane concerns. Familiar with Chang'e's temperament, Dayi didn't press further, awkwardly making small talk. However, whenever he posed a question, Chang'e's replies were brief. Chang'e's cool responses only stoked Dayi's frustration. Finally, in anger, he stormed out of the moon palace. Aboard the shuttle, Dayi seethed with irritation. "Why?" "Why does it always end like this? No matter what I do, I'm ignored!" "Does she comprehend the costs of constructing the moon palace?" "That damned woman!" "If she pushes me too far, I might just capture her now!" "Tie her up and take her to Yidu!" A nearby attendant quickly intervened. "Reports from our envoy indicate they've found traces of Queen Mother of the West atop Mount Yu, and if we can offer a sacrifice of ten thousand humans, she might grant us the elixir of immortality." "Then you and Chang'e can be together forever. What need is there for haste?" Dayi still fumed with anger. "Three hundred years ago, I slew the Golden Crow, averting the scourge of the golden fire. In recent years, I've slain the Yayu by the Weak Water Abyss, the Zhaoci in Chouhua's Plains, the Dafeng in Qingqiu Marsh, the Jiuying in the cruel waters of Beidi..." "I've safeguarded the peace of the human world, allowing countless people to live in harmony." "Given my accomplishments, should I not be entitled to a share of the immortal elixir?" The attendant frantically shook his head. "The divine is beyond comprehension." Hearing this, Dayi nodded. "If that's the case, then declare war on the Youxiong Kingdom and seize their people for the sacrifice." "My Yi Kingdom's people must not be sacrificed." "Yes, Chief Yi." ... Within the moon palace, Seeing Dayi's departure, Su Mo relaxed, beginning to explore the abode. Undeniably, the moon palace was constructed with great care. It housed various areas for living, viewing, entertainment, rest, and even a water zone where tree sap gathered for drinking and washing. Able to accommodate at least three hundred people living comfortably. Su Mo first visited the kitchen. Inside, he found Yunmengze residents cleaning. Each appeared sallow and emaciated. Su Mo marveled at how such individuals could work as chefs. To him, a chef's first duty was to feed themselves well enough to become plump and healthy. Yet here they were, these gaunt chefs... How could these chefs possibly create gourmet food? When Su Mo approached, fear flashed in their eyes. His imposing stature coupled with his head of golden hair made him quite intimidating. The ordinary people couldn't muster the courage to meet his gaze directly. Once there, Su Mo walked straight in. Taking a slab of stone and a piece of marbled meat, he began preparing stone-grilled meat. With a complete set of spices available in the kitchen, the strips of meat sizzled, releasing an irresistible aroma. The people nearby had never witnessed such a cooking method before. Su Mo's grilled meat exuded such a tantalizing fragrance that it was hard for anyone to resist. Carrying the stone plate of grilled meat, Su Mo returned to where Chang'e was. At the moment, Chang'e was sitting in the moon palace, lost in thought. She resembled a dust-laden jade mirror, capable of reflecting all things but with eyes that were cold and without emotion. Yet, as Su Mo brought over the steaming stone plate with sizzling meat, Chang'e's delicate nose twitched slightly. This subtle movement caused her to glance in Su Mo's direction. "What is this?" "Freshly cooked grilled meat. Try some." With these words, Su Mo handed Chang'e two twigs as makeshift chopsticks. As the delicious meat entered her mouth, Chang'e displayed a rare expression of enjoyment, her eyes narrowing into crescent moons. After tasting the meat, Chang'e looked at Su Mo. Her gaze was unusually earnest and determined. "Let's leave now, return home, and stop wandering. No more travels in the future." Hearing this, Su Mo wholeheartedly agreed. "We should have done this long ago." "Once we’re back, I'll cook delicious meals for you every day!" "Yes, yes!" Chang'e's eyes glimmered with a hint of delight. Her life, once barren and solitary for hundreds of years, had blossomed with Su Mo's presence. Her character, once as pure and untouched as the bright moonlight, began to shift towards that of an ordinary woman embracing worldly joys. In that moment, Gastronomy reigned eternal. (End of chapter)