Time Travel: He is My Dad!

uninvited guest

Princess Shen stood at the window. Night had completely enveloped the entire palace. Moonlight filtered through the thin clouds, casting a chilling light over her. She took a deep breath, her eyes gleaming with a calm and sharp glint. She took every step with extreme caution, knowing that every movement in the palace would hold the key to her future.

She didn't turn around when she heard the footsteps of Lord Liu. Lord Liu approached respectfully and said, "Princess, tonight's secret report has been delivered."

Princess Shen nodded calmly, signaling him to hand over the information. She took the report and read it carefully, her expression gradually becoming serious.

"Song Rui..." She whispered his name softly, a deep chill in her eyes. "He's actually planted so many spies in the outer court. It seems he's already prepared to confront me, ready to push everything to the final break."

Lord Liu stood aside, his brow furrowed. "Princess, things are becoming increasingly complicated. If the power struggle between the Outer Court and the Inner Palace intensifies, I'm afraid the situation will be difficult to control."

"Control the situation?" Princess Shen slowly raised her head, her eyes sharp. "This is exactly what I want."

She tossed the secret report aside and walked to her desk, picking up a pre-prepared envelope. Inside was a letter addressed to Wei Neng. Wei Neng was a trusted eunuch, deeply trusted by her. His intelligence network within the palace had already infiltrated countless people. She needed his help, and this letter was her final trump card against him.

"I know what you're thinking," Lord Liu whispered, observing Princess Shen's calm expression. "You want to keep everyone in check and use their conflicts to pave the way for yourself. But if those powerful people outside really want to join forces against you, how could they tear each other apart so easily?"

Princess Shen didn't answer, but the light in her eyes grew brighter. She knew that only by uniting those forces that temporarily sided with her could she break the current impasse. And that "temporarily" meant that she had to quickly build up her power over the next few months and fully prepare for the coming power struggle.

"Princess," Lord Liu spoke again, "I just received news that some nobles outside the palace have begun tentatively contacting Song Rui. They are obviously also observing the situation. If they join forces with Song Rui, it will inevitably further complicate the situation."

Princess Shen sneered, "These people are just taking advantage of the situation. On the surface, they appear to be in awe of Song Rui, but in reality, they are just secretly plotting to gain more benefits from this power struggle."

She walked to the window and whispered, "What we need to do is to win over these people one by one and use their interests to break their dependence on Song Rui."

Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps broke the silence in the palace. Princess Shen frowned slightly, having clearly not expected someone to interrupt her thoughts at this moment. She turned back to the door and saw a figure hurriedly enter.

"Princess." It was Wei Neng who came in, his expression extremely nervous. "I have news. I just got some bad information outside the palace. There is an uninvited guest in the palace, and it seems to be quietly approaching us."

"Uninvited guest?" Princess Shen raised her eyebrows slightly, and a sense of vigilance rose in her heart. "Who is it?"

Wei Neng's eyes flashed, and he whispered, "It's the Third Prince Song Yu."

Princess Shen's heart suddenly trembled, and then she calmly analyzed: "Song Yu...why did he come to the palace at this time?"

Princess Shen frowned slightly. Third Prince Song Yu, though the Emperor's biological son, was not a favored child. For years, he had kept a low profile within the palace, yet through his intelligence and talent, he had gradually gained the support of some of the courtiers. His unique status afforded him both a voice in the Emperor's presence and the protection of powerful officials within the palace. It was impossible to say that he had no desire for Princess Shen.

"Now that he's here, there's no need to rush to avoid him." Princess Shen said calmly, "Arrange the welcoming arrangements and let him in."

Seeing Princess Shen so calm, Wei Neng couldn't help but admire her in his heart, and then he withdrew as ordered.

A few minutes later, Song Yu appeared before Princess Shen. He was dressed in a blue brocade robe and looked very imposing, but with a deep, sharp look in his eyes, it seemed that he was not simply here to discuss state affairs with Princess Shen.

"Princess, I have long admired you." Song Yu stood still, but did not bow his head when he saluted, with a hint of provocation in his tone.

Princess Shen smiled slightly and raised her hand to signal him to sit down. "You are welcome, Third Prince. Please take a seat."

After Song Yu sat down, his eyes swept across Princess Shen's study, finally settling on her. He smiled slightly and said straight to the point, "Princess, I came here today to ask for a favor."

Princess Shen's heart was slightly moved, but she remained calm on the surface. She said softly, "Why do you think that I can cooperate with you, Third Prince? After all, our interests don't seem to overlap."

A complex light flashed in Song Yu's eyes, but he didn't avoid it. Instead, he looked directly into Princess Shen's eyes. "Princess, you may not be unaware that I have been concerned about your situation in the palace. If I say cooperation, it's better to say I'm asking for protection. I understand your concerns and the challenges you face." He paused, his tone slightly raised, "However, if we unite, then dealing with the forces outside the court will not be difficult at all."

Princess Shen's eyes became sharper, "Third Prince, what do you mean?"

Song Yu smiled lightly, "My cooperation with you is not without merit. Not only can I help you relieve the pressure from the outer court, but I can also help you gain more support in the palace."

Princess Shen studied him silently, countless thoughts racing through her mind. The Third Prince before her was clearly no merciful man; his ambition and hidden calculations were self-evident. And she, no longer the weakling at his mercy, was no longer the one to be manipulated. She smiled faintly, a sly glint in her eyes. "Third Prince, our cooperation may not be as simple as you imagine."

Song Yu's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he had noticed something, but he still maintained a gentle smile: "Then let us work together to see who will have the last laugh in this power struggle."

Princess Shen nodded slowly, her mind already made up. She knew clearly that Song Yu's arrival was both an opportunity and a challenge. In the Game of Thrones, there were no such things as permanent allies, only temporary collaborations based on mutual exploitation. And she was ready for the next storm.

(To be continued)

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Chapter 108: Hidden Schemes