Chapter 438 Qin Fang was a little strange today, as if he was worried about something.

"You've always been prudent in your work, and I'm very relieved." Chu Ruohan smiled and casually changed the subject. "By the way, how old are you this year?"

Qin Fang was slightly startled, then he replied respectfully, "Madam, I am already twenty-four years old this year."

"Twenty-four is the perfect age to start a family and build a career." Chu Ruohan picked up the teacup and gently moved the floating leaves. "Are you married? Did your wet nurse take care of this for you before she passed away?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the expression on Qin Fang's face froze slightly. The competence he had shown when discussing the affairs of the shop disappeared quietly, replaced by a barely perceptible sadness.

He lowered his eyes, his voice a little deeper than before: "Madam, I come from a humble background, and I am a humble person. I dare not have any extravagant hopes."

"Besides... I'm still tied up with some trivial matters at home. For the time being, I have no intention of starting a family."

Chu Ruohan looked at him carefully and saw that his expression did not seem fake. There was indeed some frustration between his brows, which did not seem like a simple excuse.

Especially when he mentioned the words "burdened with trivial matters", the heavy look that flashed across his eyes made her feel that there might be something else going on.

Thinking back to the look he gave Yuling just now, it was clear that he was not completely unintentional.

This Qin Fang seems to have something to hide.

Chu Ruohan had a plan in mind, but she didn't show it on her face. She just said gently, "A man should focus on his career. It's good that you have this intention. But lifelong matters should not be taken lightly. If you find a suitable family, you should pay more attention to it."

"Thank you, madam, for your advice. I'll take note of it." Qin Fang bowed in response.

After discussing some trivial matters in the shop, Chu Ruohan asked him to leave.

Yuling followed the rules and sent Qin Fang to the second gate.

Under the corridor, a cold wind blew past, blowing up a few dead leaves.

Qin Fang turned his head to look at Yuling several times, his lips moving slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he just sighed softly and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your help today, Miss Yuling. It's cold, please go back to your room early."

After saying that, he did not stay any longer, turned around and left in a hurry, his back looking a little desolate.

Yuling looked at his back as he walked away quickly, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.

She always felt that Qin Fang was a little strange today, as if he was worried about something.

The way he looked at her just now was different from before, with something in his eyes that she couldn't understand.

Chu Ruohan watched this scene by the window, and only looked away when Qin Fang's figure disappeared around the corner.

It seems that in order to understand Qin Fang's thoughts and the so-called "trivial matters", it is necessary to investigate carefully in private.

She didn't want Yuling to be entrusted with the wrong person in the future or get involved in any unnecessary trouble.

After two days, the weather warmed up slightly.

The two sisters sat by the window of the warm room, drinking hot tea and chatting.

"Sister, you asked Qin Fang about Yuling. What did he say?" Chu Yueshu remembered that Chu Ruohan had mentioned it a few days ago, so she asked.

Chu Ruohan put down the teacup in her hand and sighed softly: "I asked him indirectly, and he said that he has no intention of getting married for the time being, and said that he still has trivial matters at home."

"Bogged down by trivial matters?" Chu Yueshu frowned slightly, thinking, "That's strange. My sister told me that Qin Fang is a steady person and does things properly. If he really didn't mean it, he should have just refused directly. Why use such an excuse?"

Chu Ruohan nodded: "I thought so too. Looking at his expression at the time, it didn't seem fake, and there was indeed a bit of depression between his brows."

"I see that he may not be completely unimpressed with Yuling, but I don't know what this 'trivial matter' is."

"Could it be," Chu Yueshu lowered her voice and speculated, "that he already has a lover? Or perhaps there's something unspeakable at home, like an unfinished engagement with an elder, or some other ties?"

"It's all possible." Chu Ruohan said, "So there's no need to rush this matter. We must first find out what's going on with him, so as to avoid causing any harm to Yuling in the future."

Chu Yueshu agreed: "Sister is right. Yuling is a good girl. Her marriage must be handled with great care. We can slowly find out. We will eventually get to the bottom of it."

As the two were talking, a maid came in and reported that the general had returned.

Not long after, Gu Junze strode in from outside, feeling a little cold.

"You're back." Chu Ruohan stood up and walked forward, taking off his cloak for him. "You're back early today."

"Well, it's the end of the year, and there's nothing important happening in the palace." Gu Junze took the hot tea handed to him by Chu Yueshu, took a sip, and dispelled some of the chill.

"Brother-in-law, how is the Qingmo Valley case going now?" Chu Yueshu asked with concern when she saw that he looked a little tired.

Gu Junze's brows were filled with a solemn expression as he said in a deep voice, "We've arrested many people and put them on trial, but the real core figure of Qingmo Valley seems to have disappeared from the face of the earth, with no trace left to this day."

Chu Ruohan's heart tightened slightly when she heard this: "As long as we don't clear it up, we won't be able to rest easy. Be careful at all times, Qingmo Valley might bite back."

"That's right." Gu Junze put down his teacup and looked at Chu Ruohan, his tone becoming more serious. "Those people in the court, seeing that so many people have been arrested, thought the storm was over and began to relax."

"This is perfect. Qingmo Valley might have been waiting for this opportunity. They've been operating for many years and have many followers, including some desperate criminals. I'm worried that they'll become desperate and take risks."

He paused, his eyes sharpening. "Ruohan, you and everyone in the mansion must be extra careful during this period. I've already sent more people to strengthen the mansion's defenses, but it's always good to be more cautious."

Chu Ruohan nodded solemnly: "I understand. I will pass on the instructions so that everyone will be more alert. You should also be more careful when you are out there."

Gu Junze shook her hand and said softly, "Don't worry, I won't have to."

He looked at Chu Yueshu, "Yueshu, you should bring more people with you when you go out, and don't be careless."

"Well, brother-in-law, don't worry, I will be careful."

Chu Yueshu responded, her heart also becoming more alert. For a moment, the atmosphere in the warm room became slightly heavier due to these words.