AI Model: gemini-2.5-flash
After this descent ended, Chen Cheng did not return to the "modern era"; instead, he seemed to remain in this period. He vaguely felt that this was a "perspective."
After the person he descended into completed their life, he could use this perspective to observe a short period of events after "he" departed.
Chen Cheng also felt that the ability to repeatedly shuttle back and forth during this descent was because it was his first descent, and he needed to adapt to the repulsion of the long river of history.
After this descent, there would be no more shuttling back and forth during the descent process; instead, he would only return after the descended person's death.
Chen Cheng did not care; he simply watched the Han Dynasty, observing what happened after his death.
The first year of Emperor Wen's reign, third month of spring.
Less than a month after the Guandu Marquis died.
Ever since Chen Xi died, the "status" of the Guandu Marquis Residence seemed to decline sharply. This was normal; after the "old master" of any meritorious family died, the family's status would change to varying degrees.
This change was based on whether there were still members of the family serving as important officials in the court. At this time, the Chen clan's decline was already considered quite low.
After all, Chen Yun, the grandson of the Chen clan and the Guandu Marquis's heir, was not far from the imperial court at this time; on the contrary, he even occupied an important part of the imperial court's structure.
For example, the Lang Zhong Ling and the Neili of the Prime Minister's Office.
Originally, the Neili of the Prime Minister's Office was just a mid-level position, but Chen Yun also concurrently held the position of Lang Zhong Ling, a close minister to the Emperor!
This led to Chen Yun's actual status being very high.
After all, he could directly contact the Emperor and also directly access the affairs of all officials—Chen Yun, in a sense, became the bridge between the Emperor and these governmental affairs.
Such a status would naturally be very high.
The reason for the slight decline in the Chen clan's status was simply because the Emperor, for some unknown reason, had not yet bestowed an additional title upon the deceased Guandu Marquis of the Chen clan.
Generally speaking, a "Three Dukes" position would be added, but Chen Xi was already the Prime Minister, the head of the Three Dukes, before his death! So this additional conferment was very difficult.
No one knew if the additional conferment would be delayed and eventually disappear.
.....
Zhou Residence
Zhou Bo listened to Chen Ping recounting the rumors outside and couldn't help but sneer, "The Chen clan losing power? How is that possible?"
"When that fellow Chen Xi died earlier, he said nothing about his own family's affairs; instead, he did his utmost to help His Majesty stabilize the situation. Because of this, even though he has been dead for two months, we still cannot intervene in court affairs."
"The current Emperor's greatest similarity to Emperor Gaozu is that he is willing to give up power and fame, and he truly knows how to repay kindness."
"The Guandu Marquis was His Majesty's teacher. Even without this relationship, how could the Guandu Marquis, who gave His Majesty such a great gift before his death, not receive an additional conferment?"
He sighed faintly, "I am just very curious, was the Guandu Marquis intentional, or was he truly wholeheartedly devoted to the country?"
Chen Ping smiled bitterly when he heard this, "What difference does it make?"
"In short, by doing such a thing, he has already left a debt of gratitude in His Majesty's heart!"
Zhou Bo shook his head indifferently, "Chen Xi thought that by doing this, he could preserve his family's power, but he did not know that only power held tightly in one's own hands is the most real!"
"He handed over his protégés and old subordinates to His Majesty. Although he won His Majesty's heart, he lost the real power he held!"
"Just wait and see, the decline of the Chen clan is now! It will be soon!"
.....
Guandu Marquis Residence
Chen Zhen also had some dissatisfaction with his father Chen Xi's decision, but he did not comment on it. He merely looked at his nephew, who had become increasingly busy recently, and said, "Yun'er, you don't need to be under too much pressure."
"Father also said, everything follows your heart, and everything depends on destiny!"
Chen Lang also said, "Yes, Yun'er, what you have done is already good enough. The Chen clan has not declined."
"Rise and fall are merely the work of destiny."
The work of destiny?
Chen Yun chuckled. He looked at his somewhat overly "naive" and foolish father and uncle, shook his head, and said, "Father, Third Uncle, the so-called destiny is merely the Emperor's 'statement.' The Chen clan's 'silence' during this period is not a decline; on the contrary, it is a prelude to further advancement."
"The Marquis of Jiang and the Marquis of Qu'ni have endured this period longer than His Majesty and I expected, but they will not endure any longer!"
Chen Lang and Chen Zhen did not quite believe Chen Yun's judgment, but at this time, Chen Yun was the head of the Chen clan, and they actually did not know where the Chen clan should go, so they merely offered some advice.
Now that Chen Yun had made a decision, they would follow Chen Yun's lead.
After the two left, Chen Yun slowly exhaled.
He looked at the distant sky and softly said, "Grandfather, please rest assured, I will definitely fulfill your last wish!"
.....
The first year of Emperor Wen's reign, April thirteenth.
"Yun'er—Yun'er—"
Chen Lang rushed over, his face filled with astonishment, as if he had completely unforeseen the development of events.
"His Majesty has an edict!"
Only then did Chen Yun relax.
Although he had spoken so confidently before, he was not entirely certain that the Emperor would do this, but now... the answer had arrived, what reason did he have not to believe?
So he followed Chen Lang's steps to the front of the residence.
Generally speaking, imperial edicts would not be read in this place, unless the Emperor had special requirements—either a severe punishment to warn others, or a great reward to "buy horse bones with a thousand gold."
At this time, the Inner Attendant who came to read the edict was beaming with joy, looking at Chen Yun and the others with great respect, even more respectful than when the Guandu Marquis was alive.
This made the servants of various families, who were observing in secret, very curious. What was going on?
Only after all the members of the Chen clan were present did they hear the Inner Attendant read the Emperor's edict.
"Guandu Marquis Chen Xi, his merits are unparalleled, possessing the merit of saving the Emperor twice, and the merit of stabilizing the nation."
"Strictly adhering to Emperor Xian's last wishes, additional posthumous honors are bestowed, advancing to the Respect of King of Qin, and buried with the rites of a King."
"Permitted to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple."
"His eldest legitimate son, Chen Lang, is ordered to inherit the peerage as Guandu Marquis, with an additional grant of three thousand households."
After this edict was announced, before everyone could express their gratitude, the Inner Attendant took out another imperial edict.
"Lang Zhong Ling, Neili of the Prime Minister's Office Chen Yun, has always upheld integrity and impartiality, eradicating corruption and purifying customs, cultivating virtue through frugality, and serving duty with impartiality. He possesses broad vision, profound talent, decisive action in affairs, and appropriate arrangements in all matters."
"Now promoted to the peerage of "Wen Marquis," with five thousand households."
The imperial edict fell, and everyone was astonished.
PS: Second update.