Time Travel: He is My Dad!

On the eve of the decisive battle

Princess Shen's steps were no longer as calm as usual as she left the Emperor's chambers, but rather a chill and haste. Rumors swirled throughout the palace, and everyone seemed to be making final preparations for what was to come. She knew that every decision she made would determine the outcome of this palace turmoil, and tonight might be the crucial turning point.

As she returned to her residence, her heart grew heavier. Walking through the long corridors and into her meticulously decorated study, Princess Shen directed her maids to make tea while she closed her eyes in thought. Zhao Han's disappearance, the covert manipulations of the Grand Empress Dowager's faction, and the Emperor's probing of her—all of this made her mind even more complicated.

"Princess, there is some movement outside." The guard outside the door suddenly reported.

"What's going on?" Princess Shen raised her eyebrows slightly, and a hint of vigilance flashed in her eyes.

"According to reports outside the palace, the Empress Dowager's faction seems to be secretly gathering, seemingly intent on targeting Your Majesty." The guard's voice was low. "There are even rumors that Your Majesty has begun to consider accepting new alliances."

Princess Shen was shocked. She had always known that the Grand Empress Dowager's faction had been secretly plotting. This faction was powerful and cunning, and they controlled many of the palace's veteran officials. If they really joined forces with external forces, the balance of the palace would collapse in an instant.

She slowly sat back at the desk and took a sip of tea, her eyes flashing with a calm and profound light: "It seems that the situation tonight has far exceeded my expectations."

She remained silent, her mind rapidly calculating everything. Three factions had now emerged within the palace: the faction she represented, the Princesses' faction. While Princess Shen controlled numerous resources, she still faced pressure from the Grand Empress Dowager's faction, and the Emperor's attitude still left her uncertain. Zhao Han's disappearance had sown numerous hidden dangers in this chess game. If not handled properly, the entire situation could collapse in an instant.

Princess Shen knew that she had to make a decision tonight. Only by acting quickly could she stand out in this palace storm.

Meanwhile, in another corner of the palace, He Qingqing stood by a window, her gaze far-reaching, her thoughts swirling. She had long been aware of Princess Shen's complex thoughts, especially her delicate relationship with Zhao Han, which she could no longer ignore. However, she refused to stand aside as a mere spectator. The power struggles within the palace were no longer something she could control alone, and she could no longer remain aloof.

"Ms. He." A familiar voice suddenly sounded behind me.

He Qingqing turned around and saw her personal maid, Li Fang. She stepped forward and whispered, "There's news from outside that the Empress Dowager's forces are stepping up their efforts and seem to be planning to cooperate with certain ministers in the palace and prepare to take action."

He Qingqing's eyes lit up slightly, and then she nodded gently: "I understand."

He Qingqing raised the corner of her mouth with a sneer: "These forces are just pawns for you to fight for. The real battle is still to come."

Her eyes gradually became deep, and she had already decided in her heart that she would find her place in this storm.

At this moment, a burst of hurried horse hooves suddenly came from outside the palace. Several guards quickly rushed into the palace and brought a piece of news that shocked everyone: "Zhao Han's body has been found outside the palace."

This news was like a bolt from the blue, instantly shattering the peace within the palace. Princess Shen's teacup trembled slightly, spilling some of the tea. She looked at the guard, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes: "Zhao Han's body? How did she die?"

"We haven't found enough evidence, but the condition of the body makes it impossible to confirm the cause of death. We only know that Zhao Han's body was deliberately placed by the river outside the palace." The guard replied in a low voice.

"The actions of the Empress Dowager's faction are faster than I thought." Princess Shen's tone was cold, and she began to have a clearer plan in her mind.

Meanwhile, He Qingqing's face darkened slightly upon learning of Zhao Han's death. She knew the power struggle within the palace was no longer a simple tug-of-war, but had become bloody and brutal. Zhao Han's untimely death was clearly the result of a harsh measure by a certain force, and the person behind it had already launched an all-out attack.

"It seems that Princess Shen will not let this situation go easily." He Qingqing said in a low voice, with an elusive light in her eyes.

She quickly decided that she had to act more quickly to prevent other forces from taking the initiative. Zhao Han's death might just be the beginning; the situation in the palace was no longer under her control.

At this moment, Princess Shen no longer had any hesitation in her heart. She knew that Zhao Han's death had pushed everyone to the brink of collapse, and now all the chess pieces would start to move.

"Tonight will definitely be the critical moment that determines my fate." She whispered to herself, her eyes full of determination and ruthlessness.

Princess Shen has decided that she will completely control this game, and no one can stop her.

Just as she was about to leave the study, a loud shout suddenly came from outside the palace gate: "Princess Shen, the emperor summons you!"

Without pausing for a moment, she calmly walked out of the room and headed towards the palace path that seemed destined to change everything. The situation in the palace had finally reached its most tense moment, and everyone was waiting for the final decisive battle.

No one could predict the outcome of this duel.

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Chapter 17: The Balance of Power