A whirlwind marriage: The real heiress marries a warlord.

After Qin Yan and Luo Tang talked, they interacted normally.

Luo Tang did indeed call the Cheng family, wanting to pay them a visit.

As usual, the warlord's wife declined. She was not one for socializing, and the Cheng family's social engagements were handled by the old mansion.

Luo Tang called the Cheng family's old residence again, and the second concubine was very welcoming.

"...You speak official jargon so well," the second concubine praised Luo Tang.

Luo Tang smiled and said, "I grew up in Nancheng until I was a teenager before I went to Gangcheng. My father and my eldest brother have to leave home because of family matters."

The second concubine knew that the changes in the political landscape of Nancheng before the emperor abdicated had forced the Luo family to evacuate.

This was a brilliant move; the Luo family now controls the headquarters of the Hongmen.

"The warlord received a telegram informing you of your arrival," the second concubine said with a smile.

Luo Tang said, "My elder brother had always refused to let me go back to my hometown to sweep the tombs. Only recently, when things have calmed down, did he agree to let us come."

The second concubine inquired about Luo Tang's purpose in coming.

Luo Tang was lively and talkative, and got along well with the second concubine.

"Where do you live now?" the second concubine asked her.

"Stay at a hotel."

"You can move in with us," the second concubine said warmly.

Luo Tang quickly refused, "How could I dare to disturb you like this? I'm about to go back."

"I'll be staying longer; it's a rare opportunity to come back."

"I'll come again next time," Luo Tang said with a smile.

As Luo Tang emerged from the old house, she couldn't help but chuckle: "Another one who thinks he's so clever."

She immediately called Luo Qisheng.

She wanted to find a place to stay, not a hotel.

The second concubine knew her hotel room number, and she inadvertently let it slip. She was testing Luo Tang's intentions.

As the second wife of the Qin family and the sister-in-law of Governor Qin, Luo Tang should not have been suspected of anything unless she revealed something while staying at the hotel.

The second concubine suspected that Luo Tang and his wife were spies from the Qin family in Guangzhou, with some kind of political motive.

Luo Tang planned to move out immediately, feigning suspicion and making the second concubine believe that she had guessed correctly.

"This direction of suspicion is good; let her think in this direction," Luo Tang thought.

"...Next to my house, there's an empty mansion that Qin Yan bought." Luo Qisheng paused for a moment on the phone before saying to Luo Tang, "Ask her if she wants you to stay there; she won't be living there by herself anyway."

He added, "If she won't lend it, I'll rent you another house."

"Where is it located?" Luo Tang asked.

Luo Qisheng: "You've been to Qin Yan's newspaper office? It's on Hongxia Road, not far from there."

"That place is nice, the streets are bustling and lively," Luo Tang said with a smile.

She hung up the phone and told her husband that they were moving.

Her husband, Second Master Qin, wasn't too keen: "We're just here for a visit. What if people start speculating about us if we find somewhere else to stay?"

"Then let them kill us," Luo Tang said.

Second Master Qin: "..."

Luo Tang called Qin Yan and asked if she could lend her the small mansion on Hongxia Road to stay in.

Qin Yan told her, "My husband paid for this small apartment. We're husband and wife now, and I need to discuss this with him first. I'll give you an answer tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay," Luo Tang said with a smile.

That evening, Qin Yan indeed discussed this matter with Cheng Tianxun.

"You bought that small apartment yourself. If you think she's okay with it, you can let her stay there," Cheng Tianxun said.

Qin Yan: "She's just a woman. Whether it's the Luo family or the Qin family, she's just an idle person."

Cheng Tianxun: "You don't need to vouch for her. People change."

Qin Yan looked up at him.

Cheng Tianxun: "What I mean is, she asked you for help as a friend, and you lent her your vacant mansion, that's all. Whether she's idle or not is none of your business."

Qin Yan was silent for a moment before saying, "You seem quite unwilling to have anything to do with the Qin family or the Luo family. I can refuse her."

"When have I ever been so stingy?" Cheng Tianxun chuckled.

His smile looked a bit forced.

Qin Yan: "I'm not saying you're stingy, I'm saying you're cautious."

Cheng Tianxun: "..."

He said it was fine and agreed to let Qin Yan lend out the small mansion.

The atmosphere just wasn't right.

Cheng Tianxun was about to hold a meeting with his confidants, and anyone could tell he was in a bad mood. Things were going perfectly smoothly, though.

"My men took some photos," Cen Yan said, handing the photos to Cheng Tianxun.

Cheng Tianxun casually flipped through the pages and spotted a tall and imposing man. He was about thirty-four or thirty-five years old, looked very shrewd and capable, and wore a fashionable suit and vest, but his thuggish air was impossible to hide.

"...Is it Liu Jinyao?" Cheng Tianxun frowned.

He knew Liu Jinyao, but he never expected that the person they were going to talk about was him.

"Yes, the peace envoy sent from the North is Liu Jinyao. He is now highly regarded by the Northern cabinet," Cen Yan said.

He added, "This is a character. If he weren't wicked, he could be of use to you."

Liu Jinyao was born into a fallen aristocratic family. After his father squandered the family fortune, he went out to make a living on his own at the age of sixteen.

Later, by being ruthless and killing indiscriminately, he used countless lives as stepping stones to become the head of the law enforcement department; and then he served as the chief of the security department.

He was only thirty years old at the time.

He has both ability and means, and is enjoying great success.

Later, he offended Qin Yan, who used public opinion to "destroy" his social status, causing him to be dismissed from his post and leave for Beicheng.

He had been a ruthless and aggressive man for over a decade, probably never expecting to be caught off guard and have his future so easily ruined by a scholar.

Perhaps in his eyes, he never valued people in the cultural sphere, let alone paid attention to a young woman.

"Putting aside the possibility of peace talks, be careful that he doesn't use this opportunity to settle personal scores. He'll definitely target his younger brother and sister-in-law," Cen Yan added.

Cheng Tianxun put down the photo: "I will arrange for someone to protect Qin Yan."

He frowned slightly.

After the meeting ended and everyone else left, Cen Yan stayed behind to say a few words.

"Why do you look so troubled? Have you encountered some difficulties?" Cen Yan asked him.

Cheng Tianxun: "No."

"You can talk to me about it, and I'll help you resolve it. Even if it's a private matter," Cen Yan said. "The situation is good right now, and Liu Jinyao's return can't cause any trouble. Don't let personal matters affect your mood and ruin this sure-win situation."

Cheng Tianxun: "What have I ever messed up?"

"Back then, he competed with Cheng Tianyu for Du Zhuojun."

Cheng Tianxun: "..."

This isn't important, but it's disgusting.

I've been disgusted by him for years, and I still can't get over it.

Cheng Tianxun lit a cigarette, took two deep drags, and then said, "Qin Yan has been restless these past few days."

Cen Yan: "Did you offend her?"

"Why would I go and provoke her?" Cheng Tianxun said unhappily. "It's that bastard, her aunt came. I don't know what her relationship with Qin Yan is, but she's been acting strangely ever since that day."

"The second wife of the Qin family?" Cen Yan knew about this. "It has nothing to do with Luo Qisheng, so you don't need to worry."

"Qin Yan rarely acts like this," Cheng Tianxun said.

"Why don't you ask her?"

"I asked, but she deliberately avoided answering. She still wants to lend the small mansion to that woman. That small mansion is right next to Luo Qisheng's mansion," Cheng Tianxun said.

Cen Yan: "It's a coincidence."

"Of course it's a coincidence. Qin Yan isn't blind; why would I stay next door to him when I don't live here?" Cheng Tianxun said.

Cen Yan: "...You've said everything. You're quite clear-headed, so what's the problem?"

Cheng Tianxun did not answer.

"I understand, but that won't stop you from being jealous, will it?"

Cheng Tianxun glanced at him.

Seeing that he was indeed alright, Cen Yan got up and left.