After being exiled with her husband and children, she returned with great power to rule the world

"He Hong is dead." His voice was very soft, but it was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly causing ripples.

Chu Lingfeng's expression did not change, as if this news was just an insignificant trifle to him. He just raised his eyes slightly, his eyes as calm as water, glanced at Zhao Hao lightly, and then looked away again.

Zhao Hao pondered inwardly upon seeing this, but remained calm as he continued, "He's already passed away, so it's time for you to hand over his family. As long as you don't touch the He family, I guarantee that the Lin family will be able to successfully enter the Northern Frontier. This will be a good situation for both you and me."

Chu Lingfeng frowned slightly, his heart filled with confusion and displeasure. He looked Zhao Hao straight in the eye and asked, "What do you mean, Your Highness? Why do you think He Hong's family is in my hands? Although I, Chu Lingfeng, have fallen to this point, I am definitely not someone who bullies the weak or abuses their power."

Zhao Hao stared at Chu Lingfeng's face closely, his eyes like a sharp eagle's, trying to penetrate his expression and find even the slightest trace of disguise.

But the doubt on Chu Lingfeng's face was so genuine, the surprise was not artificial at all, and even the undisguised contempt was so natural. His expression was frank and there was no sign of pretense.

"You really don't hate him?" Zhao Hao narrowed his eyes slightly and asked softly, "He has tried to kill you many times, and he was also involved in the Chu Palace case. How can you have no connection with his family?"

Chu Lingfeng couldn't help but laugh when he heard this. He slowly raised his head and looked at the noble yet mirthful Crown Prince before him. His voice was filled with sarcasm, "Your Highness, are you joking? He Hong is your right-hand man. How could he not have acted under your orders? In this situation, your Highness is blaming everything on him alone? Isn't that strange?"

Zhao Hao shook his head slightly, a look of helplessness on his face. "I'll tell you the truth about this matter. It was He Hong who made the decision without authorization. He got involved in the affairs of the Prince of Chu's Palace. Although I know he is loyal, I didn't take the lead, let alone participate in the planning of the details."

Chu Lingfeng sneered, then suddenly asked back: "Then your highness the Crown Prince has not participated in the plan to kill me?" His eyes were like torches, tightly locked on Zhao Hao, as if he wanted to see through his soul.

Zhao Hao was suddenly speechless, as if his throat was choked by something, and he couldn't speak for a long time. He knew in his heart that in order to make up for the many loopholes and hidden dangers left after He Hong's death, he had indeed sent people to secretly kill Chu Lingfeng. This was a fact that was beyond doubt and could not be denied at all.

The courtyard was silent, with only the gentle sound of the wind blowing past, as if whispering the conspiracies and secrets of the palace power struggle.

After a long moment, Zhao Hao finally broke his silence. Although he was in the wrong, he still tried to struggle. He slowly said, "Prince Chu, I did send assassins to harm you, but now He Hong is dead. If you hand over his family, I will forgive you. From now on, you and I will keep our distance and live in peace."

Chu Lingfeng sneered in his heart. He knew very well that there was no true reconciliation and peace in this palace.

What Zhao Hao said at this moment was just a temporary measure. Because He Hong's affairs involved too many people, he had to do his best to deal with it and try to find a glimmer of hope in this chaotic situation and get rid of the possible crisis.

And how could I be easily deceived by his words and drawn into this deeper vortex?

Chu Lingfeng had never imagined that Zhao Hao would go to such lengths over He Hong's case. A thought suddenly crossed his mind: if Zhao Hao knew there was someone else behind He Hong's actions, how shocked and furious would he be? With this in mind, Chu Lingfeng slowly spoke, "I wonder if Your Highness the Crown Prince knows what He Hong said before he died?"

Zhao Hao's heart trembled, and Lin Yi's figure instantly appeared in his mind. He forced himself to remain calm and said, "Prince Chu, please speak freely. I am all ears."

Chu Lingfeng didn't say much, but took out the letter sent by Lin Yi from his sleeve and handed it to Zhao Hao.

Seeing this, Zhao Hao's eyes flashed with surprise and he reached out to take it.

As he unfolded the letter, Zhao Hao's expression gradually became gloomy and ugly. The content on it was like a sharp blade, piercing straight into his heart.

He Hong's betrayal caught him off guard. It turned out that the conspiracy against the Chu family was planned by the person behind He Hong. His purpose was to involve him in this dispute and reap the benefits.

Fortunately, he had no intention of becoming an enemy of the Chu family, so he did not get deeply involved.

"This is all what He Hong said himself." Chu Lingfeng added, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince will know after reading this. He Hong's family members are not with me."

Zhao Hao now fully understood. He Hong's words in the letter were sincere and every sentence was defending himself. He mentioned his helplessness and expressed the pain of being manipulated. He even asked Lin Yi about Zhao Hao's situation and finally asked Lin Yi to help pass on the message.

All this shows that He Hong was not willing to become a pawn in this conspiracy.

Zhao Hao remained silent for a long time, his regret and self-blame growing stronger. He knew that it was his own negligence in dealing with his subordinates that had given the enemy an opportunity to exploit, putting He Hong in such a desperate situation and nearly pushing himself and Chu Lingfeng into the abyss.

"While the snipe and the clam quarrel, the fisherman benefits. This palace and the Prince of Chu have both become pawns in the hands of others."

After this setback, the relationship between Zhao Hao and Chu Lingfeng has subtly eased. They both realized that their biggest enemy at the moment is not each other, but the mastermind who is hiding in the dark and controlling everything.

They stood there, all lost in thought about the identity of the person behind the scenes.

On the cliff, the wind was howling and the atmosphere was as solemn as the calm before the storm.

Suddenly, a dull roar broke the silence, and the rocks on the top of the cliff began to loosen and roll down.

"Prince, be careful!" Zhao Wei exclaimed, his voice filled with anxiety and fear.

"Prince, be careful!" Almost at the same time, Lin Yu also shouted loudly, and the two figures rushed towards the direction of the rolling rocks like lightning.

Just as they flew into the air, several black shadows rushed out from all directions like ghosts, rushing straight towards Zhao Hao with a clear target.

These people had strange movements and were extremely fast, and were obviously well-trained killers.

Chu Lingfeng's eyes flashed, and he drew the soft sword from his waist without hesitation. The soft sword flashed with cold light under the sunlight, just like a nimble silver snake.

He flashed and rushed towards the killer as fast as an arrow.

"Prince, hurry up!" Chu Lingfeng shouted as he rushed forward. His voice was firm and decisive, echoing in the valley.

Zhao Hao looked at Chu Lingfeng who stood in front of him without hesitation, and heard his shout, and a complex emotion surged in his heart.

He did not choose to retreat. Instead, he bit his lower lip, gripped the hilt of the sword tightly, and rushed towards the killer.

At this critical moment, he and Chu Lingfeng seemed to have reached a silent understanding to fight against this sudden danger together.