A whirlwind marriage: The real heiress marries a warlord.

The warlord was quite frightened.

He was terrified that Cheng Tianxun, that reckless scoundrel, would kill Liu Jinyao.

Killing the Northern peace envoy without any reason was a provocation, a deliberate attempt to provoke war, and an excuse for the Northern commander-in-chief Ge to lash out.

Neither Governor Cheng nor Xiang Shichang wanted war. Otherwise, why would the Cheng and Xiang families treat Liu Jinyao, this rogue, as an honored guest?

Cheng Tianxun was young and full of enthusiasm.

When he proposed the duel, Governor Cheng didn't think much of it; but when he saw the weapons scattered all over the ground, Governor Cheng was both amused and exasperated.

It was precisely because of the weapons he threw out that the onlookers thought he was useless, just a rich kid who relied on his ability to cheat.

It wasn't until the fight started that Cheng Tianxun initially fell behind, but then suddenly unleashed his power, and Governor Cheng remembered that he had practiced martial arts since childhood.

His maternal grandfather sent someone to teach him special skills; it was real, genuine kung fu.

He was more skilled than Liu Jinyao. At first, they fought back and forth, seemingly with each side winning and losing, but this was simply to make Liu Jinyao lower his guard.

Liu Jinyao cannot be killed like this, at least not without a pretext, but Cheng Tianxun also wants to intimidate him.

Nothing is more powerful than piercing and breaking his collarbone.

Because it's close to the neck.

Liu Jinyao wondered whether he had let him go or failed to kill him; in any case, he had just been on the verge of death.

"Commander Cheng, how did things escalate to the point of bloodshed?" someone in the special mission complained.

"No weapons were used." Cheng Tianxun stood tall and imposing, exuding an air of intimidation. "You're afraid of chopsticks? From now on, you won't be eating."

Liu Jinyao was in so much pain that he broke out in a cold sweat.

"It was a friendly sparring match, and no weapons were used," Cen Yan said, trying to smooth things over. "Let's take Special Envoy Liu to the hospital for treatment first."

"This matter cannot be resolved so easily. I will send a telegram to Commander Ge," said the member of the special mission.

They helped Liu Jinyao walk away.

Liu Jinyao's pupils were dark as he stared silently at Cheng Tianxun. Covered in blood, he didn't furrow his brow once more.

Cheng Tianxun looked back at him, his face expressionless.

With things getting out of hand like this, the audience dispersed.

Governor Cheng asked Cen Yan, "Did the martial arts performer you arranged deliberately fall so that Tianxun could take advantage of the situation?"

Cen Yan: "The Governor has misunderstood; I was unaware of this."

Governor Cheng sneered, "You'd better watch yourselves and don't be so arrogant. If war breaks out, your grandfather and your father will not let you off the hook."

"Yes, I know the responsibility is great," Cen Yan said. "Rest assured, Commander-in-Chief, I did not follow Tianxun's nonsense."

He added, "The reason Tianxun insisted on making such a scene is because Liu Jinyao threatened his wife."

The warlord also remembered this matter.

Even Governor Cheng admired Qin Yan when this was mentioned.

If I had known she was so capable, I shouldn't have been prejudiced by bloodline and shouldn't have looked down on her because she was an illegitimate child. I should have married her off to Cheng Tianyu.

In this way, the assistance would belong to the third brother, Cheng Tianyu, instead of the second brother adding to the glory, thus preventing an imbalance of power among the brothers.

The warlord was a self-confident father who hoped his three sons could be evenly matched and that none of them would fall too far behind.

Originally, Lan Changming intended to marry his illegitimate daughter to Cheng Tianyu, but the warlord changed his mind at the last minute. It's a bit of a pity.

"Liu Jinyao's threats against the Cheng family damaged the military government's reputation, which is why Tianxun took action. His concern is still for you, the Governor," Cen Yan added.

Cheng Tianxun stood to the side, still looking in the direction Liu Jinyao had left.

He ignored Cen Yan's nonsense.

After Cen Yan finished speaking, Governor Cheng snorted coldly, telling them to think carefully before acting, and then left with his men.

Cen Yan and Cheng Tianxun went back together.

"Are you regretting not killing Liu Jinyao?" Cen Yan asked him.

Cheng Tianxun was silent for a moment, then said, "The opportunity is excellent."

"Impulsive actions, giving the North an excuse to send troops? This is not a good opportunity. Even your actions today are irrational," Cen Yan said.

"I don't believe he would dare to send a telegram to complain about such a minor injury," Cheng Tianxun sneered. "If he dared, Liu Jinyao would be considered incompetent by Commander Ge and his staff."

An incompetent person cannot shoulder great responsibilities.

Therefore, knives and guns cannot be used.

Cheng Tianxun chose to use chopsticks to injure Liu Jinyao.

Didn't Liu Jinyao train a group of men and teach them whipping techniques that would hurt people but leave no obvious external injuries?

Cheng Tianxun wanted to make him feel pain, but he couldn't make a big deal out of the wound.

Let him taste the bitter fruit of his own actions.

"...You're right, now is not the right time to kill him." Cheng Tianxun calmed down a bit. "We need to plan carefully."

Cen Yan said, "Okay."

When Cheng Tianxun got home, it was already nine o'clock in the evening. He deliberately left his dirty military uniform in another guest room instead of taking it to the maid to wash.

He remembered something and went to the guest room to look for his clothes, but they were gone.

Cheng Tianxun went downstairs and asked Aunt Zhou, "Where are the clothes in the guest room?"

"The lady took it down and told me to clean it."

Cheng Tianxun: "Where's the stuff in your pocket?"

"There's nothing there. Your wife probably already searched for you," said Mrs. Zhou.

Sister-in-law Zhou was reliable, and Cheng Tianxun didn't doubt her words. He waved his hand and told her to go about her business.

Qin Yan happened to come downstairs at that moment.

She had already eaten dinner, but was still wearing the same clothes she wore during the day, presumably to work and wait for him to return: "What are you looking for?"

"The gardenias you gave me that day, I put them in my pocket. I meant to take them out, but then I got busy and forgot," he said.

Qin Yan: "In the box on the grid." She pointed casually.

There's a clutter shelf in the living room, filled with all sorts of odds and ends. There's also a small box for odds and ends, inside which is a withered, yellowed gardenia.

Cheng Tianxun sniffed it: "It smells quite nice."

Then she asked Qin Yan, "I thought you threw it away."

"You didn't throw any away," Qin Yan said.

He added, "Are you having a late-night snack? If not, you should rest now, it's quite late."

"I won't eat it."

Qin Yan turned and went upstairs.

Cheng Tianxun followed him up.

Qin Yan pulled her hair back, preparing to take a shower: "I was very busy today. I brought back a lot of documents after work."

Cheng Tianxun stood behind her and kissed the back of her neck: "Are you done with your work?"

"almost."

"Let's not go to the newspaper office these next couple of days, how about we go have some fun instead?" he asked.

It wasn't appropriate to tell her that he was celebrating his birthday. After all, he wasn't her son; what kind of logic was it for her to celebrate his birthday on his behalf?

But I also want to be with her.

There was no particular purpose; the two of them were simply strolling around. They ate, took walks, and whiled away the time in bed.

"Where should we go?" Qin Yan asked.

She turned her face, her eyes bright as she looked at him, as if she was waiting for him to come up with a plan.

Cheng Tianxun wasn't one to play games, and he paused for a moment. Then, a sudden inspiration struck him, and he remembered Cen Yan's words.

Before he could speak, Qin Yan suddenly said, "Lin Zi invited me to hang out. She wants to use my older brother's house to dance. It's a very trendy band these days."

This is like a pillow being delivered to someone who's sleepy.

"When are you going?"

"The day after tomorrow night. The day after tomorrow is Friday, so I can get completely drunk and sleep all weekend," Qin Yan said.

Cheng Tianxun: "Then don't go out tomorrow either. We'll go horseback riding tomorrow and dancing the day after."

Qin Yan: "Do you have anything to celebrate?"

"I hit Liu Jinyao today," Cheng Tianxun said.

Qin Yan was slightly surprised.

"Didn't the warlord blame you?"

"I hit him in front of him because I was afraid he would pick a fight and yell at me," Cheng Tianxun said.

He briefly explained the matter to Qin Yan.

Qin Yan: "Thank you."

"How about we go on a two-day trip?"

"Okay," Qin Yan said. "You've been away for half a month, and since you came back, you've been planning this matter non-stop. You should relax for a few days."

Cheng Tianxun kissed her deeply on the lips: "Let's take a shower together!"

An hour later, Qin Yan finally came out of the bathroom, her legs weak.

Cheng Tianxun held her, dried her hair, and then instructed the maid to light the fireplace in the guest room.

The two sat close together, and Qin Yan asked her to explain in detail how she had provoked Liu Jinyao in the beginning and what she planned to do next.

Cheng Tianxun then spoke to her in detail.

He could have easily taken down Liu Jinyao, but fearing the warlord would provoke him, he deliberately fought back and forth with him several times, taking several blows in the process.

He had several visible bruises on his body.

Cheng Tianxun said it hurt a little, but it wouldn't bother him much; he was used to this minor injury.

Qin Yan probably got a brain fart from spending too much time in the bathroom.

She said, "Aren't you afraid of accidentally losing to him in this 'cat and mouse' game? He looks very strong."

Cheng Tianxun: "Am I not strong?"

Qin Yan: "...That's not what I meant."

"What does 'Madam' mean?" he asked. "Does she think I didn't work hard enough just now?"

Qin Yan: "..."