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

In the spring capital, the warm sun shines on the glazed tiles of the imperial palace, making them sparkle.

Chu Lingfeng had just stepped out of the palace gate when the sound of his steady footsteps was particularly clear on the stone road. His mind was still lingering with the astonished looks he had received in the court after he refused the title, and he was full of thoughts about the unknown future.

"Lingfeng, wait a minute!" Lin Yi's voice came hurriedly from behind. He walked hurriedly, the corners of his robe fluttering in the wind, and he finally caught up with Chu Lingfeng.

Since they were ordered to return to the capital, the two have been busy with many things and have never found a chance to reminisce about the past. Today, when he has some free time, Lin Yixin thought of bringing Chu Lingfeng back to his house to have a good chat and share his experiences and thoughts over the years.

The two walked side by side, chatting and laughing all the way to the Chu Mansion.

Just as he stepped into the vermilion lacquered gate of the Chu Mansion, he heard hurried footsteps and loud shouts of "The imperial edict has arrived."

Chu Lingfeng and Lin Yi looked at each other with surprise in their eyes. They quickly straightened their clothes and knelt down to receive the order.

The eunuch announcing the decree cleared his throat and read in a shrill voice, "By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: Chu Lingfeng and his wife Murong Ling'er, both loyal and courageous, have repeatedly saved me from danger and saved the State of Zhao from the brink of disaster. Their contributions were immense, and the late Emperor praised them highly. Now, Chu Lingfeng is injured and can no longer serve the court, but his achievements are indelible. Considering the generations of loyalty of the Chu family, I hereby order his beloved son, Chu Chen, to carry on his father's aspirations and inherit his legacy. I designate Chu Chen as the Crown Prince of Chu and grant him a fiefdom of a thousand miles, a hundred acres of fertile farmland, ten thousand taels of gold, and a thousand bolts of silk..."

Upon hearing this, Chu Lingfeng's heart suddenly shook, and his fist, which had been subconsciously clenched, slowly loosened.

He looked up at the sky, his eyes full of complexity.

He thought that after refusing the title, he would be able to find an opportunity to leave Kyoto and go to Donghai Island to wait for Murong Linger's return, but this imperial edict was like an invisible shackle that tied him and Chu Chen tightly to Kyoto.

Not only Chu Lingfeng, the entire Lin Mansion was in shock and excitement.

The servants of the Lin Mansion who were waiting on the side could not help but whisper to each other, marveling at the unprecedented favor of the new emperor.

The Chu family members who had been secretly disappointed because Chu Lingfeng declined the reward were now all smiling and their faces flushed with excitement, as if this honor had already made them the most powerful people in Kyoto.

"Accept the decree, young Prince Chu." The eunuch who announced the decree had a flattering smile on his face. He bowed slightly and handed the bright yellow imperial edict forward.

The young Chu Chen was a little dazed by this sudden and huge surprise. He stood there at a loss, his little hands unconsciously tugging at the corner of his clothes.

Seeing this, Chu Lingfeng's eyes were filled with love, and he gently reminded him, "Chen'er, quickly accept the imperial edict." Chu Chen finally came to his senses and respectfully took the imperial edict with both hands, his voice still trembling, "Thank you, Lord, for your grace."

After the person who announced the decree left, Lin Yi stepped forward. His previous look of worry over Chu Lingfeng's refusal had long since vanished, replaced by a face filled with relief and emotion: "The new emperor's move is truly beyond everyone's expectations, yet it demonstrates his wisdom. Lingfeng, it is truly a blessing for our State of Zhao to have such a wise ruler on the throne!"

"Dad..." Chu Chen held the imperial edict in his hand and looked up at Chu Lingfeng, his eyes full of anxiety and confusion. His small body seemed a little thin in the spacious mansion.

Chu Lingfeng sighed softly and reached out to touch Chu Chen's head. The warm touch made Chu Chen feel a little relieved.

He had planned to wait until everything was settled, then take Chu Chen away from the prosperous yet turbulent Kyoto, return to Donghai Island, and wait for Murong Linger in that quiet place.

But now, this imperial edict has in disguise kept them in Kyoto. At least they can't leave until Chu Chen can stand on his own.

"Don't worry, Dad will always be with you until you become a person in power who can truly shoulder responsibilities." Chu Lingfeng's voice was low and firm, like a reassurance to Chu Chen.

"Dad..." Chu Chen's eyes were slightly red. He knew very well what his father was thinking. He missed his mother, and he also knew that his father must have missed his mother day and night. If it weren't for this imperial decree, his father would not have been forced to stay here with him.

"Dad, I will definitely grow up as soon as possible. Before mother passed away, she handed over all her forces and some things to me. I will not let you down." Chu Chen bit his lip, and a hint of determination flashed in his eyes.

What he didn't say was that he took over Longhu Villa and He Mansion in Longmen City from his mother, as well as those mysterious snake demons who had been protecting him closely, and the mountains of gold and silver left by his mother. Those were the confidence and responsibility his mother left him.

Chu Lingfeng moved his Adam's apple and wanted to say something to reject this fate, but when he saw Chu Chen's determined eyes with a hint of expectation, he swallowed it back.

He picked up Chu Chen and turned to Lin Yi and said, "Let's go! Let's talk in the study."

In the study, the aroma of tea wafted through the air. Chu Lingfeng gently put Chu Chen down and watched him sitting obediently beside him. He turned to Lin Yi and said, "This imperial decree came so suddenly. I originally thought... that was it. Now that Chen'er has been named the Crown Prince, we must make careful plans for his future."

Lin Yi nodded slightly, his expression solemn. "Although Chu Chen is young, he is extremely intelligent. With the foundation left by you and Miss Murong, he will definitely become a great man in the future. However, the situation in Kyoto is complicated, and the forces of various parties are intertwined. We have to be on guard."

Chu Lingfeng looked out the window, his thoughts drifting away. "During the years I've been away from the court, Kyoto has changed dramatically. Now that Chu Chen has been conferred a title, he's bound to become a target for wooing or targeting by various parties. We must help him establish his own power and consolidate his foundation as quickly as possible."

Lin Yi pondered for a moment and said, "I still have some connections in the court, and I can help Chu Chen get to know some loyal and honest people. As for the forces left by Miss Murong, we must sort out and integrate them carefully and must not act too hastily."

Chu Lingfeng nodded slightly, turned to look at Chu Chen, his eyes full of expectation: "Chen'er, you still have a long way to go. You must remember that responsibility is heavier than Mount Tai. You must not let down the expectations of the emperor and your mother's instructions."

Chu Chen nodded vigorously, his young face full of seriousness and determination. He stared into his father Chu Lingfeng's eyes, as if he wanted to engrave his father's words deeply in his heart.

The afterglow of the setting sun shines through the carved window lattices like a golden veil, gently pouring into the study.

The soft light illuminated the faces of Chu Lingfeng and Chu Chen, and their expressions appeared particularly resolute in the afterglow.

Chu Lingfeng stared at Chu Chen, feeling a myriad of emotions in his heart. He knew that from this moment on, his fate and Chu Chen's fate were like being tightly entangled by an invisible thread, and the other end of this thread was the turbulent and unpredictable situation in Kyoto.

The road ahead is full of unknowns and challenges, just like the endless darkness, making it difficult to see the road ahead. However, for Chu Chen and to wait for Murong Ling'er's return, Chu Lingfeng is determined to move forward without hesitation.

He will go all out to protect all that he has worked so hard to gain. No matter how many difficulties and obstacles he encounters, he will not back down, because he knows that only by persevering can he see the dawn of hope and realize his wishes.