A whirlwind marriage: The real heiress marries a warlord.

Qin Yan and Ling Manyun had a great understanding of each other; they didn't need to say things too directly, as they understood each other perfectly.

"I'll go down and get it right away," Ling Manyun said.

Soon, she received Song's resignation letter. After Qin Yan signed and stamped it, Ling Manyun filed it, and the matter was settled.

The press and public opinion have been in a frenzy these past few days.

No one sympathized with Liu Jinyao's murder; everyone cheered.

"This man's evil deeds have finally come to pass; Heaven has eyes!"

"He has made countless enemies, and many people want to kill him. Yet he dares to come back. His fate is inevitable."

"I heard that the Hong clan just set off a lot of firecrackers. Back then, the Hong family members died tragically, and all their money ended up in this villain's pocket. He went too far and drove people to the brink of despair."

The newspapers joined in the criticism.

The Baihua Times became famous for criticizing Liu Jinyao back in the day. This time, the chief writers have shown their talents, producing many brilliant articles, and the newspaper's sales have remained number one.

"This is the first time we've become the leader. This guy is bringing us good results," Ling Manyun said.

He then asked, "Does the police department have any inside information? So far, they've only arrested the suspect, Du Zhuojun."

Because Du Zhuojun was originally somewhat famous, she was a controversial figure. Her alleged murder of Liu Jinyao caused an even greater sensation.

"Let's leave it to Lin Zi. Let her play to her strengths this time. She can get inside information and make a name for herself," Qin Yan said.

Ling Manyun: "Okay, I'll assign this task to her."

Liu Jinyao once ate his way through the entire city, but he probably never imagined that people would now be feasting on his blood.

The warlord was in a state of utter distress.

Cen Yan's adoptive father, Cheng Tianxun's maternal uncle, made a special trip back to Nancheng and is still on his way; he has only sent a telegram.

He was supposed to come back for the Dragon Boat Festival to arrange Cen Yan's engagement, but he also had to deal with the special envoy's entanglements.

Qin Yan's newspaper office was very busy, and Cheng Tianxun was also stuck at the governor's mansion. However, when he returned in the evening, he still had a serious talk with Qin Yan.

"I was very worried when you went to kill Liu Jinyao," Cheng Tianxun said. "If I'm not careful, I might become a widower."

Qin Yan: "..."

"Qin Yan, every time you try to expose a weakness in your opponent, you first reveal your own weakness," Cheng Tianxun said.

He had seen Liu Jinyao's body, and then recalled the several finger marks on Qin Yan's right arm that day. Although they weren't deep, they showed that Liu Jinyao had come with great force.

Her left hand was more dexterous, a secret she had never told anyone; but twice she exposed her right hand, using her left to kill enemies.

Her belief was that she could die along with him, but the other person had to die.

"Have you ever considered that even the best horse can stumble? A slight misstep could kill you," Cheng Tianxun said.

Qin Yan remained silent.

Cheng Tianxun looked at her, his heart softening again: "I don't blame you. Uncle Zheng is not only a good shot, but he's also very skilled in combat. Could you learn a safer technique from him that will still allow you to kill the enemy?"

Qin Yan looked up.

Her gaze was calm, her expression exceptionally serious: "Okay."

Giving up a familiar playing style to learn a new one may take one or two years, require perseverance, and the results may not be satisfactory.

But Qin Yan agreed without hesitation.

Cheng Tianxun pulled her into a tight embrace.

Qin Yan nestled quietly against him and whispered, "Tianxun, I won't let you worry. Tell me what I'm doing wrong, and I'll change it from now on."

Cheng Tianxun felt an overwhelming pang of tenderness in his heart, wishing he could offer her all the world's treasures in exchange for a smile.

He said, "Qin Yan, I like you very much!"

"I know what I've said before."

"Even things I've said before, I'll say again now," he said. "I want to live to be a hundred with you. When we're old, we'll walk hand in hand."

"Okay," Qin Yan said, "You are also the one I love."

She paused, then continued, "I want to marry Luo Qisheng simply because I want a home; it could be him, or it could not be him. But I only want to marry you. No one else in your family will do, and no one can replace you."

Cheng Tianxun chuckled.

"Do you think I'm being a spoilsport when I say this?" she asked.

Even when confessing her love, she remained serious. Without embarrassment or a smile, she told him every single word.

Cheng Tianxun loved her like that.

She spoke of everything in a very serious manner, as if it were a matter of national importance.

She was equally cautious and attentive to her own romantic feelings.

"It's not a spoilsport at all," Cheng Tianxun said. "I understand what you mean, Qin Yan. I understand your heart too."

"Does this mean I broke my promise?" she asked again.

She had promised him that she would never fall in love with him and that she wouldn't get a love freak.

Cheng Tianxun understood what he meant, and he choked for a moment: "How about I slap myself a few times to take back what I said before?"

Qin Yan: "...No need to slap me, just kiss me."

Kiss her, and all those past words will be gone with the wind. People change; those words before were from the heart, and this moment's sincerity is completely genuine.

Cheng Tianxun cupped her face and kissed her, his breath engulfing her. Their breaths mingled, as if they were embedded in each other's flesh and blood.

For the first time, Qin Yan seemed certain that her life was no longer just about herself.

She gained the capacity to love others; she knew how to give her heart and how to discern true feelings. Countless times she longed for others to give her roots, so that she could take hold and settle down.

This time, she was certain that she had truly taken root in her own land.

The couple embraced.

After revealing their true feelings and receiving a response, they were at a loss for words; both of them felt light, relaxed, and happy, with little to say.

They leaned against each other like that.

The next day, Cheng Tianxun whistled again when he got up early.

Qin Yan knew he was in a good mood, so she didn't remind him this time.

They need to indulge themselves.

Cheng Tianxun planned to go to the military government.

After Liu Jinyao was killed, the military government was extremely busy with many things to deal with, and the warlord's temper had been extremely bad these past few days.

Of course, it wasn't just because war might break out between the North and the South, but also because his youngest son, Cheng Tianyu, was involved.

Du Zhuojun had no reason to kill Liu Jinyao; she had someone behind her. A pair of precious jade bracelets were found in her bedroom, which the warlord had given to his second concubine years ago.

The warlord said this was a rare piece of jade and that his second concubine would give it as a betrothal gift to his daughter-in-law.

It was in Du Zhuojun's room, and among the police officers who went to search were more than a dozen people, as well as servants from the Du family who came to help.

The news couldn't be kept secret.

Cheng Tianyu cannot clear his name.

The second concubine vehemently argued that her jade bracelet had been stolen and that she was unaware of it.

The warlord asked her when the theft occurred, and she said she didn't know; she only discovered it was missing when she went to open the storeroom.

Her words were incoherent.

The warlord was irritable, so he left many matters to Cheng Tianxun to handle.

Just as Cheng Tianxun was about to go to the military government, Xiang Linchuan arrived.

He rushed over, his steps incredibly fast. This time, he hadn't used any hair oil, and his head was a mess, looking like a bird's nest.

Cheng Tianxun realized for the first time that he should still apply some hair oil, at least to look like a human being.

"Is a ghost chasing you? Why are you in such a hurry?" Cheng Tianxun asked.

"Go to my house quickly and tell your aunt to come too. My uncle beat up my eldest brother and made him kneel in the outer study. He's been kneeling all night," Xiang Linchuan said.

Qin Yan also looked over.

Cheng Tianxun: "What's wrong with him?"

"I don't know," Xiang Linchuan said. "Would I dare to go to my uncle's study to ask? I'm not crazy."

She added, "The servants said my eldest brother's back was covered in blood. My uncle never physically punishes his children; what terrible thing has my brother done?"

Cheng Tianxun glanced at Qin Yan.

Qin Yan: "Go quickly, I'll call Mom."

Cheng Tianxun nodded, then walked away with Xiang Linchuan.