lcionline Chapter 437 The aloof and ascetic man, once he lets loose, is indeed irresistible.
Chapter 437 The aloof and ascetic man, once he lets loose, is indeed irresistible.
As night deepened, Gu Junze finished dealing with some follow-up matters at Qingmo Valley before returning to his residence, still feeling the chill of the night.
Chu Ruohan had already prepared hot soup and clean clothes for him.
"You're back." Chu Ruohan stepped forward and took the outer robe he had taken off; it was icy cold to the touch.
Gu Junze nodded, changed into casual clothes, and drank some hot soup, which slightly eased the weariness between his brows. "Was the manor lively today?"
Thinking of the wedding that day, Chu Ruohan smiled and pulled Gu Junze to sit down on the edge of the bed, describing it vividly.
"You wouldn't believe it, Song Ruyan really stole the show today. During the wedding ceremony, she declared that she would protect Doctor Qian, and at the banquet, she even rolled up her sleeves and played drinking games with the guards, winning quite a few prizes!"
Gu Junze listened and couldn't help but smile, imagining Song Ruyan's heroic and spirited appearance, and felt a greater appreciation for her frankness: "She is indeed a true person."
“That’s right,” Chu Ruohan laughed. “Dr. Qian was watching from the side, looking both helpless and indulgent. His eyes, tsk tsk, were so sweet they were almost sickening. Yue Shu even said that Dr. Qian is a lucky man.”
"It is truly a blessing to have someone who treats you with sincerity," Gu Junze said softly, squeezing his wife's hand.
Chu Ruohan leaned on his shoulder and brought up another matter: "By the way, I also saw Qin Fang giving Yu Ling some things today. They looked like little trinkets for girls."
"I'm thinking that Qin Fang is a man of upright character and steady in his work. He's also the son of the wet nurse, so we know him well. He and Yu Ling seem to be a good match. I'd like to find out what they think after some time."
Gu Junze pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Qin Fang is indeed a reliable person. Yu Ling has been with you for many years, so it's only right to find her a good home."
"If you think it's suitable, then make arrangements to see. If they are mutually attracted, that would naturally be a good thing."
"That's what I think too." Chu Ruohan sighed softly. "These are turbulent times, so it would be good to have a few happy events to cheer us up."
Gu Junze pulled her into his arms and gently patted her back: "Don't worry, everything will be alright. The remnants of Qingmo Valley won't be able to cause trouble for long."
Chu Ruohan nodded in his arms, feeling somewhat relieved.
I only hope that the storm will subside soon, that my family will be safe and sound, and that everyone around me can find their own happiness.
As Gu Junze listened to his wife's rambling about the interesting things happening in the mansion, the weariness between his brows was gradually replaced by tenderness.
He enjoyed listening to her talk and watching her animated expressions, which allowed him to temporarily forget the intrigues of the court and the fatigue of his days of travel.
"You've had a long day, get some rest." Gu Junze lowered his head, his nose brushing against her hair, his voice slightly hoarse.
Chu Ruohan hummed in agreement, adjusted herself into a comfortable position in his arms, but did not fall asleep immediately. Instead, she raised her head and gently traced the outline of his jaw with her fingertips, where some green stubble seemed to have sprouted again.
"You've lost some weight," she said softly, her voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of heartache.
Gu Junze caught her mischievous hand, kissed it, and a smile flashed in his eyes: "With such care from my wife, all the hard work is worth it."
"You're being indecent again." Chu Ruohan glared at him and tried to pull her hand back, but he held it even tighter.
"Where is it improper?" Gu Junze raised an eyebrow, leaned closer to her, and his warm breath sprayed on the nape of her neck. "Everything I said is true."
His voice was deep and magnetic, with a hint of deliberate seduction, causing Chu Ruohan's ears to blush involuntarily.
She turned her head slightly, avoiding his overly intense gaze: "You smooth talker."
Gu Junze chuckled softly, wrapping his other arm around her waist and pulling her closer into his embrace, inhaling the delicate fragrance of her hair. "You smell wonderful, Madam."
"Stop fooling around," Chu Ruohan pushed his firm chest, but she didn't have much strength. "You should rest. You have to get up early tomorrow."
"It's alright." Gu Junze's kisses landed lightly on her neck, his voice muffled. "With my wife here, I have plenty of energy."
Chu Ruohan felt a little ticklish from his kiss and couldn't help but shrink her neck, chuckling softly: "Nonsense, who was it that was so tired a few days ago that they fell asleep as soon as their head hit the bed and couldn't even speak?"
"That's so that we can get rid of those parasites as soon as possible, and have more time to spend with you." Gu Junze's lips and tongue gradually moved upwards, reaching her earlobe, and he gently kissed it.
Chu Ruohan trembled, feeling a tingling sensation. "You...you still say that..."
"What did I say?" Gu Junze asked knowingly, his voice laced with a triumphant smile, his hands becoming restless.
The candlelight in the dormitory flickered gently, elongating their shadows, which overlapped and were reflected on the wall, adding a touch of ambiguous warmth.
Several days later, the festive atmosphere brought about by Song Ruyan and Doctor Qian's wedding had not completely dissipated, and red decorations could still be seen everywhere.
Thinking about Yu Ling's matter, Chu Ruohan found an excuse to check the accounts of several dowry shops and specially summoned the manager Qin Fang to the mansion to report.
Inside the flower hall, the stove was burning brightly, dispelling the chill from outside.
Chu Ruohan sat at the head of the table, holding an account book in her hands, while Yu Ling stood quietly to the side, head bowed and eyes lowered, adding tea for the two of them.
"Manager Qin, how has business been at these shops lately?" Chu Ruohan put down the ledger and looked gently at Qin Fang, who was standing below her.
Qin Fang was dressed in an indigo cotton robe today. He was tall and straight with a calm expression. He cupped his hands and replied, "Replying to Madam, thanks to Madam's blessing, the shops did quite well last year."
"The rice shops in the south of the city are making 20% more profit than in previous years because they stocked up on grain in time before the New Year. The new batch of Suzhou and Hangzhou brocades that the cloth shops have brought in is also very popular."
@However, with the opening of several new cosmetic shops in the capital, the profit margins at the cosmetic shops have thinned slightly. I'm currently trying to figure out if we can introduce some novel perfumes and cosmetics to attract customers.
He spoke clearly and logically, and could readily recall the figures for various incomes and expenditures, clearly indicating that he had put in considerable effort.
Chu Ruohan nodded in satisfaction, her gaze inadvertently sweeping over Yu Ling, who was serving tea to the side.
Yu Ling was carefully refilling Qin Fang's cup of hot tea, her fingertips white and her movements gentle.
Perhaps sensing Qin Fang's gaze, she paused slightly, then casually stepped aside, still maintaining her respectful and quiet demeanor.
Qin Fang's gaze lingered on Yu Ling for a brief moment, so fast that it was almost imperceptible.
But the complex glint in his eyes, carrying a hint of unspoken inquiry, did not escape Chu Ruohan's notice.