26: Section 26

Even if some fox immortals or ghosts set their sights on him, he wouldn't be as afraid as before.

The thought process concluded.

Su Mo then looked at the second reward.

In Su Mo's eyes, this second reward was simply too comfortable.

He received one chance to designate a fated romantic partner in reality.

Since there were no longer any restrictions on identity, the fated romantic partner no longer had to be a married woman.

This meant that he could choose anyone he fancied and live out a lifetime with them in the simulation.

This was truly comfortable!

Thinking of this, Su Mo immediately thought of Madam Huang.

However, he quickly dismissed the idea.

Because Madam Huang had already been simulated once, he knew every mole on her body, so there was no need to use this opportunity on her again.

Once the novelty wore off, even a fairy would become uninteresting.

However, even if there wasn't a suitable target to use it on now, he could always save it.

It wouldn't be too late to use it when he encountered someone later.

Just then.

The sound of a clapper echoed, followed by the cries of the night watchman.

“It’s freezing cold, remember to keep warm! It’s the fifth watch of the Yin hour!”

…

Hearing that it was already the fifth watch, Su Mo immediately got up.

As the Steward of Meals, he could arrive half an hour late, but he was happy today because he had received a reward.

It wouldn't hurt to go early and take a look.

After a simple wash and dressing, Su Mo braved the cold wind and left the house.

However, he now felt no cold from the air that was originally frigid; in fact, his body was steaming and radiating heat.

Su Mo, who had always been sensitive to cold, couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

Having a good Physique truly allowed one to do as one pleased.

Upon arriving at the kitchen.

The assistant cooks and Ma Master had already arrived, but Liu Master was nowhere to be seen.

Everyone was surprised to see Su Mo suddenly appear.

They hadn't expected him to arrive half an hour early today.

“Ma Master, where is Liu Master?”

Seeing Liu Master absent, Su Mo immediately stepped forward to ask.

Perhaps sensing that Su Mo was different from usual, Ma Master carefully replied.

“When I got up earlier, Liu Master also got up, but he probably hasn't arrived yet.”

Hearing Ma Master’s words, Su Mo narrowed his eyes slightly.

It seemed this Liu Master had a habit of being lazy and late. Since he found this fellow annoying, he could use this as an excuse to deal with him.

Of course.

It would be even better if he could directly dismiss him, but he couldn't use such a reason.

Just then, Xiao Wang, who was in charge of procurement, pushed a cart over, filled with freshly purchased fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and other ingredients.

Seeing Su Mo approach, Xiao Wang parked the cart at the kitchen entrance and then scurried over.

“Steward Su, you’re here so early today.”

As he spoke, he pulled out two dried orange segments from his bosom.

In this cold winter month, vegetables could be grown in warm greenhouses, but fruits were very rare.

“Steward Su, these are newly arrived Dongting oranges from the East Market!”

Additional chapter for brother's reward

Chapter 32: Today's Madam Huang Seems Especially Alluring

Great Shang Dynasty.

Ji Province Marquisate.

A stunningly beautiful young lady’s eyelashes fluttered slightly as she slowly awoke from her bedchamber.

However, at some unknown point.

The pillowcase beneath her was already soaked.

Those were tears she had shed in her sleep.

Her hazy eyes upon waking now shifted from blurry to clear.

Looking at the familiar surroundings, Daji felt a little lost.

Had she.

Reborn and returned?

Subsequently.

Daji felt the Witch Power within her; it was pure and clear.

Completely free of any Impurities.

She used her Witch Power to check her bone age.

A hint of certainty flashed in Daji’s eyes.

She had indeed returned to when she was sixteen.

She didn't know what kind of existence possessed such immense power to reverse time, allowing her to live another life.

It wouldn't be long.

Before she would have to go and bring joy to the comatose Shang King.

And my slave.

You should be escorted to Zhaoge soon, right?

The thought of seeing Su Mo again sent a tremor and thrill through Daji’s heart, a longing swirling within her.

But in this life.

I won't let you have him so easily.

Looking at the pale sky outside the window.

A faint smile touched Daji’s lips.

…

Su Mo placed one orange segment into his short jacket's inner pocket and put the other into his mouth. Although the flesh was shriveled, it was a rare delicacy in this winter.

After spitting out a few seeds, Su Mo patted Xiao Wang's shoulder.

“Well done.”

“Give my regards to your uncle.”

“Alright!”

Subsequently, the inventory was completed.

Su Mo noticed that the quantity of fresh vegetables was significantly reduced.

He checked the procurement ledger and found no discrepancies.

“Xiao Wang, what’s going on? Why is the quantity of fresh vegetables so low lately?”

Hearing Su Mo’s question, Xiao Wang immediately replied.

“Steward Su, my uncle said that the accounts department recently spent a sum of silver, so they deducted two taels from the food expenses.”

“The pickled vegetables prepared before winter should be almost ready now; they’re in the cellar.”

“I saw a few hundred jars, which should be enough.”

“In a few more days, you’ll only need to buy a little bit of vegetables to supply Madam and Second Miss.”

“My uncle originally wanted to come and tell you himself, but he had too many things to do, so he asked me to tell you.”

“My memory isn’t great either; if you hadn’t asked me, Steward Su, I almost forgot.”

Su Mo nodded after hearing this.

“Alright, I understand.”

He had only just become the Steward of Meals, and the keys to the cellar and icehouse were still with Butler Guo.

All procurement authority for various ingredients was also not with him, but entirely controlled by Butler Guo.

Next, he needed to find an opportunity to get the cellar keys first.

Otherwise, his position as Steward of Meals would be a mere empty title.

And the new sum of silver spent by the accounts department should be his monthly allowance.

It seemed.

Life in the Generals Residence wasn't easy either.

They had to deduct from the food expenses to raise the servants' wages.

Just as Su Mo was pondering, Liu Master strolled in from outside, shaking his head, brushed off the cold from his body, and prepared to start working.

But upon seeing Su Mo, Liu Master's pupils widened; he hadn't expected Su Mo to arrive early today.

He stammered for a moment.

“St-Steward Su, good morning.”

“Liu Master, it’s not early.”

Su Mo's expression was calm, and his tone was serious.

Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Xiao Wang quickly said:

“Steward Su, I’ll go report to my uncle first.”

With that, he quickly slipped away.

Seeing Su Mo's sarcastic tone, Liu Master didn't respond, turning instead to his own stove.

He had already told his niece about this last night.

He wanted her to keep it in mind.

As the Second Miss's personal maid, anything she said would be taken to heart by the Second Miss.

Seeing Liu Master act like a stubborn rogue, Su Mo thought for a moment.

Since his own nephew had been wronged, Butler Guo hadn't touched Liu Master, perhaps due to some apprehension.

Perhaps.

He could use Madam Huang as an entry point.

As the matriarch of the Generals Residence, whatever Madam Huang said carried weight.

But how could he have such great Face to make Madam Huang personally stand up for him?

Just then, Chun Zhu skipped happily into the kitchen.

Her rosy cheeks were charmingly cute, and the tip of her nose was already red from the cold.