After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

Chapter 234 Two Great Strategists

He had only told these things to a handful of people in the past three years, and even Madam Zhu didn't know the details. He didn't know why he had the urge to confide in her today; perhaps it was the village's wealth and tranquility that gave him a sense of peace.

Su Chuan's eyes reddened as he listened. "Sir, it's good that you can think things through. The past is the past. No one has a smooth life. Please stay with us for a while. The village is nice, and the villagers are kind. You can go out whenever you want, but it's freezing cold, so there might not be many people out and about."

As for the student who will take you to meet him, we need to make some more careful arrangements, so it might not be so quick.

"It's alright!" Tang Yu waved his hand, showing his understanding.

After settling the people in, Su Chuan went back and told Wan Shi about the situation.

Mrs. Wan was surprised that such a refined gentleman had such a tragic past, and couldn't help but sigh, "In that case, we should go and talk to Xiaotai again to explain the situation and let them know."

After discussing it, the mother and son went to the Han family's house.

Madam Han called Su Zhan over, "The day after tomorrow is the 30th. You two brothers still need to go help your eldest sister make guokui (a type of flatbread). While you're at it, tell them about the situation and see what your eldest sister thinks."

Both brothers solemnly agreed.

On the day they were to make the guokui (a type of flatbread), the two of them set off an hour earlier than usual. When they arrived at Su Tai's house, they didn't stop for a while. They helped with some chores first, and then secretly told Su Tai about the situation when she went to work.

Su Tai was somewhat surprised, "You mean that gentleman is quite young, and he has lost his wife and children? And has no relatives or friends in this area?"

Su Zhan nodded emphatically, "My cousin's family has lived in the county town for so many years, and with the connections that Young Master Zhu left for him, he made a special trip to the county town to inquire and can guarantee that this gentleman is indeed from out of town."

Perhaps he was tired after traveling for three years, and his money was almost gone. When he stayed at the Zhu Family Inn, the innkeeper learned about his situation and reported it to Madam Zhu. Madam Zhu met him and had someone test his knowledge. After confirming that his knowledge was solid, she decided to take him in.

"Sister, should we keep this person?"

Su Tai thought for a moment and then said, "When you go back tomorrow, I'll bring Yunyun with me. We'll leave the child with Xiao Xi for now, and we'll meet with that gentleman ourselves. By the way, are Madam Zhu's spies still around?"

"They're long gone! You know our village, the township head's house is right at the village entrance, even a stray cat or dog can't hide there. They tried to bribe the villagers before, but now everyone's got plenty of money, and besides, my eldest cousin married the village head's son, who would dare to target her family!"

In the first two days after Mr. Tang arrived, my cousin encountered a few unfamiliar faces on his way to the county town. He wasn't sure if they were Mrs. Zhu's spies, but they were all gone when he returned.

"We checked carefully before leaving the village today, and everything was normal." Su Zhan told him everything he knew.

To be on the safe side, Su Tai decided to hold off for now and visit her parents' home on the fourteenth of the lunar calendar when they came to work.

However, since the gentleman seemed nice, they still needed to appease him.

So when Su Zhan and his brother returned, Su Tai specially prepared a lot of food for them, including guokui (a type of flatbread), bread and cake, as well as some fried chicken, hamburgers, and milk tea.

The two brothers had never eaten Western food before, so they each ate a portion on the way.

When they returned to the village, they kept their own share and sent the share to Su Chuan's family.

The village returned to its former tranquility.

Madam Zhu, however, couldn't sit still any longer. "You're saying that Mr. Tang is still living in the village and hasn't left at all? You haven't seen him going in or out of Dongmen Village either?"

The servant who reported nodded hesitantly, "Madam, the two of us have been taking turns guarding the treetops day and night, ensuring that no one can spot us. Su Chuan went to the county town once recently and hasn't left since, nor have we seen him with any special people. Su Chuan's cousin did go out, but he went to Su Chuan's cousin's house. I've inquired, and they go to Shenjiazhuang on the first and fifteenth of each month to help with the work. Each time they bring back some good things, they share some with Su Chuan's family. Apart from that, it's just normal interaction between the two families, and Mr. Tang occasionally walks around the village. There's nothing special about it."

"Impossible! How could they be so patient? More than half a month has passed, they must be in Dongmen Village!" Madam Zhu said with certainty.

The old woman beside her hesitated and asked, "If it's not in Dongmen Village, could it be in Shenjiazhuang?"

The two servants exchanged a glance, then shook their heads in denial.

"I also had my doubts and even went to inquire myself. Su Chuan's cousin is called Su Tai. She married Shen Yi from Shen Family Village. Shen Yi had no parents. After he went to serve in the military, Su Tai was left to raise two children alone in the Shen family."

The family business was managed by Su Tai. Their most famous product was guokui (a type of flatbread), and people came to pick it up every day. Occasionally, villagers would come to borrow things from them. When the younger villagers inquired, they all said that no unfamiliar faces ever appeared at their house.

Families like these are definitely not a good choice for Tibetans.

Madam Zhu and the nanny both sighed in disappointment.

"Fine, fine, you can leave now. The child is still young, I can wait. I don't believe they can keep me from seeing anyone for the rest of my life!" Madam Zhu clenched her fists fiercely.

Both of them withdrew gratefully.

The snow was almost melting, and it wasn't safe on the treetops. The two of them were always on edge when they stayed up there every day. Madam Zhu's words made them feel as if they had been granted a pardon.

Su Chuan had no idea that they had almost been exposed.

On the fourteenth, Su Zhan and Su Ming went to help Su Tai with her work as usual.

On the way back, Su Ming drove the carriage with Su Tai and Ke Yunyun.

On the way, Ke Yunyun nervously grabbed Su Tai's hand, "Cousin, is that Mr. Tang really willing to help me?"

Su Tai patted her hand reassuringly, "Whether he agrees or not, we should give it a try. What if it works out? Wouldn't that be great?"

Ke Yunyun swallowed nervously.

After the group arrived home.

Han immediately and secretly took Ke Yunyun to the backyard, while Su Tai went out to greet the villagers, bring them some food, and visit them.

Finally, they went to the Wan family's house.

A short while later, the Wan family and Mr. Tang arrived at the Han family's place.

Tang Yu was still a bit confused, thinking he had only come to join in the fun, but he didn't expect that everyone was staring at him as soon as he entered the room.

He felt extremely uncomfortable under her gaze. "Um, is there anything I can help you with?"

Su Tai put on a kind smile and began to play the victim, "Mr. Tang, I've heard that you are erudite, highly talented, loyal, and have a strong sense of right and wrong."

Tang Yu was almost carried away by Su Tai's flattery. "Stop, stop. Madam, please speak your mind."