A whirlwind marriage: The real heiress marries a warlord.

After the dog days of summer, the morning and evening breezes in the southern part of the city have become cool, and the Ghost Festival is approaching.

"Burn more paper money this year."

The bombing at the small mansion on Hongxia Road caused a sensation, not only known to everyone in the southern part of the city, but also alarming the entire East China region.

The newspapers reported on it for a long time, and the public was also searching for the truth.

Those who burned to death in the small mansion included Governor Cheng's concubine and his illegitimate son, Cheng Tianyu; and the second master and second mistress of the Qin family in Guangzhou.

Four people.

They shouldn't have had any grudges against each other, so why did they die together?

Who planted so many explosives? Not only did they blow up two small mansions, but the entire street was also affected.

A secret passage has been discovered.

But the owner of the café at the end of the secret passage ran away overnight and disappeared. Some people say he is a suspect, while others say he is innocent, arguing that he bought the shop not long ago and didn't have time to build the secret passage.

As for the former owner, he had long since sold the shop and gone to Southeast Asia to make his fortune.

Later, the Vernacular Times uncovered the truth: Governor Cheng's second concubine was a hidden leader of the royalist party.

The second concubine's son, Cheng Tianyu, was dismissed from his official post and harbored resentment towards Governor Cheng, so he tried to sow discord between the Cheng and Qin families.

Their purpose was to kill the second master and second wife of the Qin family, create a "diplomatic" crisis, and make the Qin family in Guangzhou settle accounts with Governor Cheng.

In order to quell the unrest, Governor Cheng might need to rely on the royalists to secretly assassinate Governor Qin in Guangzhou and then annex Guangzhou.

Unexpectedly, the second wife of the Qin family was quick-witted and discovered it in advance. She sent everyone away through a secret passage, and perished together with the second concubine and her son. Her husband, grateful for her righteousness, died for her.

There are two things that the public is interested in: one is whether the Cheng family and the Qin family will go to war, and with the north eyeing them covetously, will there be more war in the south?

This concerns the livelihood of ordinary people.

Secondly, the story of the second master of the Qin family committing suicide for love is a more sensational tale than any opera, and everyone loves to watch and listen to it.

When Governor Cheng returned from his rebellion, the second concubine and Cheng Tianyu were already dead and could not testify; while Cheng Tianxun produced a great deal of evidence.

Governor Cheng was so enraged that he fainted after spitting out a mouthful of blood, perhaps also due to the heat of the weather.

Qin Yao repeatedly came to the military government, demanding an explanation from the Cheng family.

"You murdered my second uncle and second aunt. How am I supposed to tell my father when I get back?" Qin Yao questioned.

Governor Cheng wanted to arrest Qin Yao.

He also took his anger out on Cheng Tianxun.

Later, it was Lan Changming who persuaded Governor Cheng.

Lan Changming is a very skillful communicator.

He first told Governor Cheng, "Among the remains, there are two charred bodies tightly embracing each other; they are the second master and second mistress of the Qin family."

"They deserve to die!"

"Regardless of the cause of their deaths, people love this story. If we let the Qin family continue their charade, you and the Cheng family will become the clowns in this love story, talked about for a thousand years," Lan Changming said.

He reminded Governor Cheng of the fates of the villains in those heart-wrenching tragedies.

Even if it's fictional, it could be turned into a stone statue and cursed every day. But Governor Cheng was a real person.

Governor Cheng was startled, but quickly calmed down.

"Commander, you are very sad right now. Losing your son in your prime is a true tragedy, and no one can comfort you," Lan Changming said again.

Governor Cheng burst into tears again: "Tianyu and the second concubine also died in the incident."

Lan Changming asked him to accept his condolences.

Cheng Tianyu and his second concubine not only died, but also served as foils to Luo Tang and Master Qin's love story; they were utterly worthless.

"If we go to war with the Qin family because of this, I'm afraid the people will be filled with resentment, and the cultural circles will suffer the consequences. Every word and sentence will be remembered for thousands of years," Lan Changming added.

Governor Cheng has recovered.

Qin Yao, representing the Qin family of Guangzhou, negotiated with Governor Cheng.

Finally, Governor Cheng agreed to cede a waterway for transportation and 500,000 silver dollars to settle the matter; Governor Qin also agreed to a reconciliation.

After things were settled, Qin Yao was going back to Guangzhou.

He and Luo Qisheng were both going back, mainly to Fuyu.

Ling Manyun is going back too.

She told Qin Yan, "I didn't know Aunt Luo had such plans. She told me that if anything happened to her in the future, I should be there for her funeral. I promised her."

Qin Yan has been unable to speak for some time.

She had a sore throat and her voice became hoarse; she couldn't speak for several days.

"I should also see her off," Qin Yan said.

Ling Manyun: "You shouldn't go."

She was really scared.

The relationship between the Qin and Cheng families is tense. A member of the Qin family died in Nancheng; who knows what Guangzhou is planning? Qin Yan's identity is too sensitive.

"I'll kowtow three more times for you," Ling Manyun said.

Then she asked Qin Yan, "Are you feeling better?"

"No," Qin Yan replied truthfully.

She underestimated Luo Tang.

Luo Tang didn't want everyone to die with her; she only wanted revenge. She wasn't heartless or insane.

She detonated the explosives before Qin Yan arrived. How exactly she did it remains a mystery to outsiders.

Qin Yan and Luo Tang didn't have a deep relationship, but Luo Tang was one of the children raised by Madam Luo. With her death, Qin Yan felt that another thread in her relationship with Madam Luo had been severed.

Perhaps they all broke apart.

"She got her revenge," Ling Manyun said. "She died a worthy death; that's what she wanted. Qin Yan, whatever the outcome, you should be proud of her, as long as it's what she wanted."

Qin Yan nodded.

Luo Qisheng was leaving, and Qin Yan chatted with him.

"I hope you'll be happy," he said. "I asked you last time why you wanted to get married, and now I have the answer myself."

Qin Yan: "You've avenged your mother and sister, but you've also lost your aunt. Congratulations first, and please accept my condolences."

Luo Qisheng nodded.

"My aunt was very lucky. She did what she wanted to do most. The opportunity was presented to her, and she seized it without hesitation. She fulfilled her dream," Luo Qisheng said.

Luo Tang's ideal is to avenge his sister-in-law.

This may be the only meaning in her life.

"And you and I regret that we didn't personally kill our enemies," Luo Qisheng added.

He also said, "I know you will completely crush the royalists, you still have a chance. But I'm going back, and I probably won't be able to do anything."

"The First Madam loves you very much," Qin Yan said. "Live well, live to a ripe old age, and she will be pleased. This is what you can do."

Luo Qisheng nodded.

The wind blowing under the eaves brought a touch of coolness; the distant sky was a clear, high blue, with fluffy white clouds drifting lazily by.

The sweltering summer has passed, and autumn is coming.

Autumn in the southern part of the city is very pleasant, with clear skies and refreshing air.

Luo Qisheng said goodbye to Qin Yan.

"When I came, you bought this house," Luo Qisheng added.

This house, which I thought would remain vacant for many years, unexpectedly fulfilled such a great mission in the end.

Luo Tang's soul was buried here.

Qin Yao traveled south on a special train dispatched by Governor Cheng, with the coffin occupying a separate carriage; Qin Yao and Luo Qisheng wore mourning clothes, accompanied by Ling Manyun.

There was another person, Xiang Linchuan.

He was going to the port city to find his sister, and he was going with Qin Yao.

Qin Yan and Cheng Tianxun went to the platform to see them off.

Ling Manyun grasped Qin Yan's hand: "I will send you a telegram. I will also write you a long letter."

Qin Yan nodded.

The train rumbled away into the distance. The weather was fine that day, with white mist dispersing in the air, resembling distant clouds.

As Qin Yan walked out of the train station, she gripped Cheng Tianxun's hand tightly.

She felt so light.

Many meanings and ties in her life left her with this special train, leaving her feeling suddenly adrift.

Cheng Tianxun understood her, and held her tightly, giving her some weight.

When the couple walked out of the train station, there were several cars parked at the entrance.

Madam Lan, along with Lan Xiu and her husband, and several other young mistresses, stood at the door.

"Qinyan, I know that this Mrs. Qin is acquainted with you, which is quite significant. Your mother wanted to see her off, but since we are not close, it would be inappropriate to disturb her, so she will just watch her go from here," Madam Lan said with a smile.

Her smile abruptly pulled Qin Yan from his reverie, bringing him back to reality.

"Thank you," Qin Yan said.

Of the Lan family's children, the eldest and second eldest were in the army, and only Lan Xiu was available at home; the three sisters-in-law were all around Madam Lan.

Cheng Tianxun glanced at Qin Yan's expression and suddenly said, "Mother-in-law, would you like to have lunch at our villa?"

Madam Lan was startled.

She couldn't hide her smile, a mixture of surprise and delight: "Alright, then I'll go bother you."

He called her mother-in-law.

"I'm afraid we're in a bit of a rush and haven't had time to prepare anything, so I can only offer you some simple food," Cheng Tianxun added.

Mrs. Lan: "We're family, no need to be so polite."

Qin Yan stood to the side and nodded gently: "Yes, we're family, no need to be so formal."

Everyone laughed.

Qin Yan's mood was like the clouds of early autumn, both high and light.