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

Chapter 317 Rulan's Plea

"Rulan, isn't this supposed to be a remote and impoverished area? Does it look like this?"

Rulan quickly shook her head, "Master, such a poor and remote place doesn't exist. Dongmen Village is the richest village in Qingsha Township. I heard that every household has a fortune of over a thousand taels of silver. You could call them local gentry."

"Gentlemen? A bunch of peasants dare to call themselves gentry?" A hint of contempt flashed in Zhu's eyes.

Rulan dared not refute, and immediately changed the subject, "Master, it's just ahead."

When the carriage stopped, Rulan helped Zhu Shi out of the carriage.

Seeing the high-walled courtyard with its gate tightly shut, Madam Zhu arrogantly ordered, "Go and knock on the door."

Rulan thought for a moment and then chimed in, "Master, the Su Chunsen family are now law-abiding citizens. We need their help now, so you can't treat them the way you used to."

"I know!" Madam Zhu glared at her unhappily.

Rulan hurriedly ran to knock on the door.

The courtyard gate opened a crack, and Su Chuan stepped out. "What are you doing here?"

He did not intend to invite Zhu and her servants inside.

Just as Zhu was about to get angry, she received a look from Rulan and forced herself to hold back. She forced a smile and said, "Su Chuan, I came here today mainly to ask you some questions, and I hope you can answer them for me."

"You don't think we have any connection anymore? Say what you want to say." Su Chuan held the door, looking somewhat impatient.

Rulan pleaded, "Su Chuan, please don't do this. My master was kept in the dark about Cuilan's matter back then. She was also deceived by Cuilan, which is why she misunderstood you. I apologize to you on behalf of my master. We really have something important to ask you. Please help us."

Rulan took out ten taels of silver and was about to give it to Su Chuan.

Su Chuan decisively refused, "I appreciate Miss Rulan's kindness, but you can take the money back. I don't need it. Ask me whatever you want."

"We want to ask where the woman who served your family when you were working for Young Master Zhu is," Rulan said, staring intently at Su Chuan.

Su Chuan suddenly realized and laughed, "What? Young Master Zhu used to keep his mistress a secret, but now that he's just gotten married, he can't wait to reveal everything? What is he planning? Does he regret sending her away? Or is the eldest young mistress of the Zhu family unable to tolerate her mistress's freedom and wants to cause her trouble?"

Ru Lan's expression changed slightly, feeling somewhat embarrassed. She thought to herself, "When did Su Chuan become so clever? He guessed the truth of the matter so accurately with just a few words."

Madam Zhu looked displeased. "Su Chuan, if it weren't for my elder brother, your whole family would still be slaves. You can't be ungrateful. Quickly tell us everything you know!"

"Young Madam Bai, you have quite the nerve! I can't handle such a heavy accusation! No matter which master we follow or where we work, we have a clear conscience and owe no one anything. It was Young Master Zhu's decision to return our indenture, not something we begged for. If you have any objections, you can go find Young Master Zhu!" Su Chuan confronted Madam Zhu without backing down.

Zhu was furious and wanted to say something more, but Rulan quickly stepped forward to stop her, "Master, please get on the carriage first. I'll just talk to Su Chuan."

After getting rid of Zhu, Rulan breathed a sigh of relief, wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, and apologized to Su Chuan, "That's just how my mistress is. She doesn't actually have any bad intentions, she's just willful, capricious, and unreasonable. Don't take it to heart."

Su Chuan, you may not know this, but Madam Bai killed Madam Zhu. Now the Zhu and Bai families are enemies, and my master is caught in the middle in an awkward situation. The eldest young mistress of the Zhu family wants to know the whereabouts of the eldest son's mistress, so we have to make this trip. If you know anything, please tell us everything.

"If you don't speak up, the eldest young mistress of the Zhu family won't let this go easily. Who knows who she'll send to cause trouble later? I'm sure you don't want to invite so much trouble, right?"

Su Chuan gave Ru Lan a deep look. Judging from her words, the master and servant were unaware of their family's relationship with Yun Yun.

Thinking of this, he slowly lowered his eyes, his tone very cold, "For the sake of our past relationship, I can tell you what I know."

When Young Master Zhu returned our indenture, he also told the Ke mother and son to leave Zhaohua County and go far away, in order to prevent them from being persecuted by the Cui family.

Now that my family has regained our freedom, it's impossible for us to continue staying with Ms. Ke and her son. So I sent Ms. Ke and her son to the prefectural city, while my family returned to the village. We visit Ms. Ke once or twice a year when we have time.

Later, Madam Zhu sent a tutor to teach the young master. However, Madam Zhu never met Madam Ke or the young master. She only sent the tutor a tuition fee once a year. Later, Madam Zhu stopped sending the tuition fee altogether. We knew that the Zhu family had made up their minds not to take them and told Madam Ke about the situation.

Following Madam Zhu's wishes, Madam Ke married and left for a distant place; where she went remains unknown.

"Ke remarried?" Rulan was greatly shocked.

After all, Ms. Ke gave birth to a son for the Zhu family, and the Zhu family's wealth is considerable. How could she just give up like that?

Not only did Rulan not believe it, but even Zhu Shi and the coachman in the carriage were deeply skeptical.

Su Chuan scoffed, his face full of mockery, "Is it strange? In your eyes, do all women who become concubines have ulterior motives? Let me tell you the truth, Madam Ke never intended to follow Young Master Zhu. It was Young Master Zhu who took a liking to Madam Ke and insisted on taking her as a concubine."

Madam Ke was in poor health and needed long-term care, all of which required money. Her family was indeed poor and could not afford to support her, so they had no choice but to agree to let Young Master Zhu take Madam Ke away.

Ke was a woman of few desires and no ambitions. Even if Young Master Zhu didn't visit her, she could live a quiet life without vying for anything. When Young Master Zhu asked her to leave with her child, she left without a word. She had never fought for anything from beginning to end and would never return to Lizhou.

If you're looking for her, you're likely to be disappointed. Even if you turn Lizhou upside down, it won't help. That's all I know. Believe it or not, it's up to you."

The courtyard gate slammed shut. Rulan paused for a moment, then hurriedly returned to her horse.

“Miss, I think what Su Chuan said is true. He has no reason to lie to us.”

Zhu bit her lip, very dissatisfied with the result. "How am I supposed to explain this to my sister-in-law?"

Rulan pondered for a moment and said, "Master, just tell the truth. If she doesn't believe us, she will definitely send someone to investigate again. In any case, we have done what we should do and we can give her an answer."

Left with no other option, Zhu had to turn back.

Cen Mingzhu was indeed dissatisfied with the result, but Zhu was so certain and confident that she couldn't continue to investigate. She could only say that Ke was lucky and ran away quickly.

Cui had people keep an eye on the Zhu family's movements. Seeing that even after Madam Zhu was buried, the Zhu family still hadn't made any moves, Cui knew that Cen Mingzhu was unreliable and had to find a new breakthrough.