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

Seeing that no one had any objections, Su Tai changed the subject and said, "Next, let's talk about your monthly allowance."

The group of people looked up abruptly, all of them stunned.

Su Tai laughed, "Do you think selling yourself to me means becoming my slave?"

Everyone lowered their heads in shame, like children who had done something wrong.

Su Tai shook her head and pondered, "Here, as long as you do a good job, you get paid more. No one says whose work is more important or whose work is less important. The people I can trust are the ones who are useful."

Adults receive 800 coins per month, and children receive 500 coins per month. Depending on your performance, there will be opportunities for a raise each year. You will also receive two sets of clothes and a pair of shoes for each of the four seasons.

Besides that, I have one more requirement: when working in my house, the most important thing is to keep your mouth shut. Observe more, learn more, do more, and talk less. You are not allowed to reveal a single word about family matters to outsiders. If I find out, you will all be sent back to where you came from!

"Yes!" everyone responded loudly.

Su Tai's brows relaxed considerably.

They went out to ask Huang Xinghua and Xu for help, leaving Yu Mei and Shi Daniu in their care. The other three adults stayed at home to learn some cooking skills from her. When Ma Xingteng came back next time, they would hire a chef to teach them.

The children needed to learn manners, so Su Tai asked someone to pass on a message to Su Yu. In just two days, Su Yu brought the children over.

She met with the children first, asked them some concise yet sharp questions, and then sent them away. She said to Su Tai, "You really are a man of few words, but when you do speak, you amaze everyone. I kept advising you to buy people, but you kept making excuses. Now you've finally seen the light and brought back twenty people."

My second aunt wanted to come and see for herself after she found out.

"Then why didn't she come?" Su Tai pouted.

Su Yu was speechless. "Because A-Ming's wife gave birth to another son and hasn't finished her postpartum confinement, can Second Aunt leave?"

"How come I didn't know?" Su Tai frowned involuntarily.

Su Yu rolled her eyes at her. "Your second aunt sent someone over to inform you that none of your family was there. However, A-Ming's wife's family did go over and brought a lot of gifts. They said that your family had gone on a long trip, so your second uncle and aunt didn't say anything."

I reckon Ah Ming's wife's parents didn't tell you because you were so busy. The baby's not even a month old yet, so it's not too late for them to find out now."

"That's true! I'll go visit them again when they're a month old. Dear cousin, I'll be troubling you with their care during this time. I'll definitely repay you handsomely!" Su Tai said coquettishly, shaking Su Yu's arm.

Su Yu said helplessly, "You've already asked, so I won't say anything even if you don't give me anything. But my child needs to study in your village, is that okay?"

"That's easy! I'll talk to the village chief, it's no big deal." Su Tai readily agreed and asked Shi Daniu to clean up the room in the backyard of the cellar for Su Yu and her son to stay in temporarily.

With Su Yu's help, in just three or four days, Su Tai clearly noticed the changes in the children. At least their behavior and way of addressing them had changed, and the house no longer looked as noisy as a kindergarten.

After several days of diligent study, Chi Zhaodi and the other two made significant progress, and Huang Xinghua also said that Yu Mei did a very good job.

The two young cart drivers were learning quite well, and it was time to let them go out and try it out. Su Tai left the household affairs to Shen Yuezhang and Su Yu, and asked the two novice drivers to take her to Dongmen Village.

When Madam Han saw the two unfamiliar little boys bringing Su Tai over, she couldn't help but ask curiously, "These are the servants you bought? Why are they so young? What kind of work can they do?"

Su Tai smiled and raised the corners of her mouth. "Mother, I didn't buy them to farm. It's better to train them when they're young. Look, both of them can drive a carriage now. Tomorrow I'll have them take me to the county town. One of them can stay by Shen Yi's side and be at his beck and call, while the other will take me back. Wouldn't that be perfect?"

"Alright, alright! I can't help you with that, but buying people will ease your mind. I have a question for you." Madam Han looked around warily, then pulled Su Tai into the house and whispered, "Ah Zhan came back and said that all our children need to go to school and study hard. He kept telling your father and me this. What's going on?"

When Su Zhan returned this time, besides giving her money, he only talked about this one thing, and he even gave her a serious lecture. His serious demeanor made her uneasy. She asked Wan Shi about it, but Wan Shi also knew nothing. The village chief's family had the same situation.

The young men were acting all mysterious, which made the old folks feel uneasy, like they were being scratched by a cat, but they just couldn't get any information out of them.

Su Tai was speechless. "Mom, are you all too busy with your good life? There's so much work to do, why do you have to dig so deep? Do you think Zhan and your cousin and brother-in-law would harm the children?"
You don't need to understand all the intricacies. Just know that they're merchants from abroad, and their experience is far broader than yours. There must be a reason for this arrangement; just listen to them!

Han was speechless, unable to utter a single word in rebuttal, and could only glare at him, "You brat! I was just worried! It's not a big deal, why can't you explain it clearly?"

Su Tai waved her hand, "I don't know either, please don't ask anymore. They've worked themselves to the bone, and instead of letting them relax when they come back, you're just adding to their stress. Is that fair?"

Han: "."

After fooling Han Shi, Su Tai turned around and went to talk to Shen Xiang and Ruan Xiaoyu. She left before dawn the next day, afraid that if she stayed any longer, Han Shi would nag her again.

The carriage arrived in the county town smoothly.

Su Tai was very satisfied with the two children's driving skills and said, "I originally wanted you to keep your own names, since they were given to you by your parents or elders. I heard that you only have nicknames and no formal names?"

The two children nodded obediently. "Yes, madam. We lost our parents when we were two or three years old. Our grandmother was worried that we wouldn't survive, so she said that humble names would make us easier to raise. A few years later, our grandmother also passed away, and no one gave us proper names."

Su Tai paused for a moment, then said softly, "Then I will give you formal names. From now on, one of you will be called Yu Dong and the other Yu Bei. After we arrive in the county town, Yu Bei will follow the master and obey his orders, while Yu Dong will come back to the village with me."

"Yes!" The two children smiled at each other with satisfaction.

Because half of the county's residents have moved to a wasteland twenty miles outside the city, the area is being redeveloped and is undergoing large-scale construction.

As the carriage passed by, Su Tai deliberately lifted the curtain to take a closer look. She happened to see several familiar constables mounting their horses and quickly greeted them.

Upon seeing Su Tai, Constable Li quickly bowed and greeted her, "Is the County Magistrate's wife heading into the city?"

Su Tai nodded.

Officer Li frowned and advised, "Madam Shen, the wealthy families in the county have been protesting lately. A group of people are kneeling outside the county government office, blocking the officers from demolishing their houses. Some are even threatening suicide. To be honest, it's not safe in the county. I suggest you don't go. If you absolutely must go, then come with us!" (End of Chapter)