A scumbag husband fakes his death to escape his marriage? I'll burn down his funeral hall and s

Chapter 438 Qin Fang was acting strangely today, seemingly preoccupied.

“You’re always reliable in your work, so I trust you completely,” Chu Ruohan said with a smile, casually changing the subject. “By the way, how old are you this year?”

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

"Twenty-four years old is the perfect age to settle down and start a family." Chu Ruohan picked up her teacup and gently stirred the floating leaves. "Are you married? Before your wet nurse passed away, did she arrange this for you?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Fang's expression faltered slightly. The competence he had displayed earlier while discussing shop affairs vanished, replaced by a barely perceptible hint of sadness.

He lowered his eyes, his voice a few decibels lower than before: "Madam, I come from humble origins and am of modest appearance; I dare not aspire to such things."

"Furthermore, I still have some trivial matters to attend to at home, so I have no intention of starting a family for the time being."

Chu Ruohan scrutinized him closely and saw that his expression did not seem fake, and there was indeed a hint of melancholy between his brows, which did not seem like a simple excuse.

Especially when he mentioned the phrase "beset by trivial matters," the fleeting heaviness in his eyes made her feel that there was probably more to the story.

Considering the glance he gave Yuling earlier, it was clear that he wasn't entirely unmoved.

Qin Fang seems to have some unspeakable secret.

Chu Ruohan had a plan in mind, but she didn't show it on her face. She only said gently, "A man should prioritize his career, and it's good that you have this idea. However, you shouldn't take your marriage too lightly. If you find a suitable family, you should pay more attention."

"Thank you for your guidance, Madam. I will remember it," Qin Fang replied with a bow.

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

Following the rules, Yu Ling escorted Qin Fang to the second gate.

A cold wind swept through the corridor, swirling up a few withered leaves.

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

After saying that, he didn't linger and turned to leave in a hurry, his back view looking somewhat desolate.

Yu Ling watched his retreating figure, her delicate brows furrowing slightly.

She felt that Qin Fang was acting strangely today, as if he had something on his mind.

The way he looked at her just now was different from usual; there was something in it that she couldn't understand.

Chu Ruohan watched this scene from the window until Qin Fang's figure disappeared around the corner before she looked away.

It seems that to figure out Qin Fang's thoughts and the so-called "trivial matters," we still need to investigate more carefully in private.

She didn't want Yuling to entrust herself to the wrong person in the future, or to get involved in any unnecessary trouble.

Two days later, the weather warmed up slightly.

The two sisters sat by the window in the warm pavilion, drinking hot tea and chatting.

"Sister, about Yu Ling's matter, you asked Qin Fang, what did he say?" Chu Yueshu asked, recalling that Chu Ruohan had mentioned it a few days ago.

Chu Ruohan put down her teacup and sighed softly: "I asked him indirectly, and he said he had no intention of getting married for the time being, and that he was still tied up with some trivial matters at home."

"Trivial matters?" Chu Yueshu frowned slightly, pondering, "That's strange. My elder sister said that Qin Fang is a steady person and does things properly. If he really had no intention of refusing, he could have just refused directly. Why use such an excuse?"

Chu Ruohan nodded: "That's what I think too. Judging from his expression at the time, it didn't seem fake; there was indeed a sense of melancholy between his brows."

"I think he might not be completely unfriendly to Yuling, but I don't know what this 'trivial matter' is."

"Could it be," Chu Yueshu whispered, guessing, "that he already has someone he likes? Or perhaps there's some unspeakable reason at home, like an unfinished engagement with an elder, or some other entanglement?"

“Anything is possible,” Chu Ruohan said. “So we can’t rush this. We need to find out what’s going on with him first, so that Yuling won’t be wronged in the future.”

Chu Yueshu wholeheartedly agreed: "What you say is true, Sister. Yuling is a good girl, and we must be careful about her marriage. We can investigate slowly and eventually find out the truth."

As the two were talking, a maid came in to report that the general had returned.

Before long, Gu Junze strode in from outside, looking slightly chilly.

"You're back." Chu Ruohan stood up to greet him and took off his cloak. "You're back early today."

"Well, with the year drawing to a close, there's nothing urgent in the palace." Gu Junze took the hot tea Chu Yueshu offered, took a sip, and dispelled some of the chill.

"Brother-in-law, how is the case at Qingmo Valley going?" Chu Yueshu asked with concern, noticing his slightly tired expression.

Gu Junze's brows furrowed with seriousness as he said in a deep voice, "We've arrested quite a few people and interrogated them, but the true core figure of Qingmo Valley seems to have vanished into thin air, leaving no trace to this day."

Upon hearing this, Chu Ruohan felt a slight tightness in her heart: "I won't be at ease until this is eliminated. I must be careful at all times, lest Qingmo Valley turn around and bite me."

“That’s right.” Gu Junze put down his teacup, looked at Chu Ruohan, and said in a more serious tone, “Those people in the court, seeing that so many have been arrested, think that the storm has passed and have begun to relax.”

"That's perfect. Qingmo Valley might also be waiting for this opportunity. They've been operating for many years and have a large following, including some desperate criminals. I'm worried that they might resort to desperate measures."

He paused, his gaze sharpening: "Ruohan, you and everyone in the manor must be extra careful these days. I have already increased manpower and strengthened the manor's defenses, but it's always good to be cautious."

Chu Ruohan nodded solemnly: "I understand. I will pass on the message and make sure everyone is on their guard. You should also be careful while you are out there."

Gu Junze squeezed her hand and said gently, "Don't worry, I understand."

He looked at Chu Yueshu and said, "Yueshu, you should also take more people with you when you go out. Don't be careless."

"Yes, brother-in-law, don't worry, I'll be careful."

Chu Yueshu responded, a growing sense of vigilance creeping into her heart. For a moment, the atmosphere in the warm pavilion became slightly heavy because of these words.