The gunshot, signaling Sun Hao's death, plunged the atmosphere into a deathly stillness. The sound of heavy breathing was all that remained.

Just moments ago, who wasn't mocking Chen Yang? Now, that mockery had transformed into a deathly fear, as if they all had one foot at hell's gate.

"Old Tang, looks like I'll have to trouble you to clean this up," Chen Yang said as he tossed the gun to Tang Jiren and glanced at Sun Jing. "Find someone to investigate the Sun Family as well."

"Yes, Governor!" Tang Jiren took the gun and nodded repeatedly.

"If anyone wants to intervene or protect the Sun Family, tell them to come find me," Chen Yang declared.

Tang Jiren smiled. With those words, he was completely at ease.

He knew the Sun Family's network spanned various sectors, inevitably involving the distribution of benefits. If it were just him, things might be difficult to handle, but now, who would dare to intervene? You might not take me, Tang Jiren, seriously, but do you have the guts to challenge the Zhennan Prince? Go on, ask if the Zhennan Prince approves. Ask if those 800,000 subordinates in Hanyun Valley approve!

Personally, Tang Jiren couldn't help but feel a touch of glee.

With today's incident, regardless of any future dealings with the Governor, my status within the Martial Department is sure to rise significantly! Who am I kidding? I'm someone who has handled affairs for the Governor himself!

Sun Jing's face was ashen, and he looked as if his soul had left his body.

If his Sun Family were completely clean, he would have nothing to fear, but…

His indulgence of Sun Hao's reckless behavior was a clear window into his own character and that of the entire Sun Family. The crimes they had committed were so severe that wiping out their entire family would not be excessive.

"No one will ever force you to do anything again," Chen Yang said, turning to pat Zhou Yufei's shoulder with a smile before striding away.

Zhou Yufei was still in a daze. The shock was simply too much for her.

Zhennan Prince... I've guessed his true identity countless times, but even if I racked my brains, I never would have imagined he was that legendary figure, the revered Zhennan Prince! How… how is this possible?

She only began to return to her senses when Zhou Yinghao and Peng Ya came over to check on her, though her eyes remained somewhat vacant. A moment later, she hurried after Chen Yang.

Walking alongside him, Zhou Yufei stared at him as if he were a monster. "You… you're really good at hiding!" she marveled. "And to think those people kept calling you trash, feeling so superior!"

"SHH!"

Chen Yang quickly made a silencing gesture, whispering cautiously, "Keep your voice down, don't let them hear! I'm telling you, that guy Tang got the wrong person. How could I possibly be the Zhennan Prince?"

He continued, "Think about it, who is the Zhennan Prince? He's always stationed in Hanyun Valley, so how would he have the time to come here? And how could he have married into the minor Qin Family as a live-in son-in-law?"

Chen Yang tapped Zhou Yufei's forehead, slightly annoyed. "They don't know any better, but you should! Have you not used that head of yours to think it through?"

Zhou Yufei was dumbfounded. What he said did make some sense. But the scene just now, and the powerful aura he emanated…

"But…"

"But what?" Chen Yang interrupted her directly. "My back was against the wall! I had to boldly borrow the Zhennan Prince's name to eliminate the Sun Family and suppress your grandfather and uncle. Otherwise, how could this matter have been resolved completely? Did you really think I could take on both the Zhou Family and the Sun Family all by myself?"

Chen Yang patted his chest as if still terrified. "You have no idea. I was drenched in cold sweat just now, my heart was about to leap out of my throat! It was absolutely terrifying!"

Zhou Yufei: "..."

"Fortunately, I made it through, and everything went smoothly," Chen Yang said with a long sigh of relief.

Zhou Yufei stared skeptically at Chen Yang and rolled her eyes. "Keep spinning your tales. How could Tang Jiren possibly mistake you for someone else?"

"Then how do you explain me marrying into the Qin Family?" Chen Yang retorted.

Zhou Yufei was at a loss for words.

That's right. The Zhennan Prince is a legend of this era. How could a man of such lofty stature possibly marry into the insignificant Qin Family?

Though she thought this, she remained skeptical. The whole affair was just too incredible.

Following behind them, Zhou Yinghao and Peng Ya struggled to calm their turbulent thoughts, but the smiles on their faces grew wider until they were grinning from ear to ear.

Our son-in-law is the Zhennan Prince? Hahaha!

When they returned to the courtyard, they didn't press for details. Instead, they looked at Chen Yang as if he were a national treasure, their words and demeanor cautious, afraid they might accidentally bump or bruise him.

After lunch, Chen Yang and Zhou Yufei were basking in the sun in the courtyard, chatting and laughing. Suddenly, several people walked in from outside.

Who else could it be but Zhou Yingqiang and Zhou Songquan?

Their faces were ashen, their spirits crushed. Upon entering the courtyard, they fell to their knees.

Zhou Yufei instinctively stood up. Zhou Yinghao and Peng Ya also came out from the house, their expressions grim as they stared at the two men.

Chen Yang remained indifferent, acting as if he hadn't seen them.

"Chen… Chen Yang, for Yufei's sake, and for the sake of us all being part of the Zhou Family, could you please show mercy and let Songquan off the hook?" Zhou Yingqiang trembled as he spoke. "Songquan worked so hard to advance to Sixth Grade Military General! He can't be knocked all the way down to First Grade!"

Just moments ago, Tang Jiren had delivered a document from the Elders' Court to Zhou Songquan. It stripped him of his Sixth Grade rank, though he retained the title of Military General, effectively demoting him to the lowest First Grade. It also stipulated a one-year assessment period; if he failed, he would be expelled from the Martial Department.

"I, for one, think First Grade suits him," Chen Yang said lightly, holding his teacup. "When your character doesn't match your station, disaster is sure to follow. Is that not so?"

Zhou Yingqiang: "..."

Before he could respond, Chen Yang looked at Zhou Songquan. "You tell me. Do you want me to pull strings to get you to the Sixth Grade, or even Seventh? Or do you want to rely on your own two feet and work your way up, one honest step at a time?"

"I..." Zhou Songquan hesitated for a moment, then clenched his jaw. "I want to rely on my own strength to climb back to the Sixth Grade!"

"Songquan, what are you talking about?!" Zhou Yingqiang stared at him, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Zhou Songquan straightened his back and said with conviction, "Chen Yang is right. True strength comes from within! Even if I reached the Eighth Rank through connections, I'd still be looked down upon in the Martial Department!"

"I'll return to the Martial Department today and head for the frontier!" As he said this, Zhou Songquan seemed to relax, and the light returned to his eyes.

"The frontier? You'll get yourself killed!" Zhou Yingqiang rebuked.

"A man of the Martial Department never fears death!" Zhou Songquan stood up and bowed to Chen Yang. "I will learn from the Governor's example!"

Chen Yang nodded in approval and said bluntly, "If you had chosen to rely on my connections just now, I would have had you kicked out of the Martial Department. The Martial Department doesn't harbor the useless."

Zhou Yingqiang: "..."

He couldn't help but wipe the cold sweat from his forehead, overwhelmed with relief.

Outside the courtyard, Zhou Jingyuan sighed deeply, his figure hunched as he slowly walked away.

After Zhou Songquan and Zhou Yingqiang left, Peng Ya and Zhou Yinghao sat down in the courtyard. Following some idle chatter, the conversation took a turn. "Chen Yang, when are you two planning on holding the wedding?"

Peng Ya continued, "I've checked the almanac, and this weekend is an exceptionally auspicious day. How about we hold it then?"

Chen Yang: "..."

Zhou Yufei: "..."

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