Time Travel: He is My Dad!

Balance of Power

Princess Shen walked out of the study, followed by two guards. The atmosphere in the palace was unusually silent. Every inch of air seemed to be waiting for the coming storm, and at the center of this storm was her.

Her heartbeat remained steady, her steps steady. Whether it was Zhao Han's death or the Grand Empress Dowager's covert plotting, these events were no longer enough to cause her panic. She knew she was in a vortex of power, and she not only had to survive, but also become the winner of this game.

After walking through the winding palace path, she entered the emperor's chambers. The palace remained as solemn and dignified as ever, the atmosphere unusually heavy. The guards gently pushed the door open, and Princess Shen stepped inside without hesitation, gazing directly at the emperor seated on the dragon throne.

The emperor's expression today was more serious than usual, his brow furrowed, as if he was contemplating a major decision. Upon seeing her enter, the emperor raised his head slightly, his gaze deep, "Princess Shen, you've arrived just in time."

"Your Majesty, I heard that Zhao Han's body has been found." Princess Shen spoke frankly, without a trace of panic in her tone, as if everything was within her expectations.

The emperor nodded, his eyes still cold: "Who do you think is behind Zhao Han's death?"

"Your Majesty, Zhao Han's death is not a simple case." Princess Shen spoke slowly, a complex light flashing in her eyes. "Her death must be closely related to the power struggle in the palace."

"Are you referring to the Empress Dowager's faction?" The emperor narrowed his eyes slightly, obviously having made some guesses.

Princess Shen didn't answer immediately. Instead, she paused and pondered for a moment before saying, "Zhao Han was close to the Grand Empress Dowager. Her death was clearly no accident. The situation in the palace is so complicated. The Grand Empress Dowager wouldn't have let go so easily without a far-reaching plan."

The emperor's expression darkened. He was silent for a moment, his eyes growing fiercer as he asked, "Do you suspect the Grand Empress Dowager deliberately provoked this disturbance?"

"Yes." Princess Shen's voice was low, but it carried a hint of uncontrollable sharpness. "The Empress Dowager has enormous power. She holds many senior officials and powerful people in the palace under her control. If she truly wants to undermine my position, then Zhao Han's death is her test."

"She wants to use Zhao Han to contain me?" The emperor sneered, his lips curled up, "She's quite bold."

"The Grand Empress Dowager doesn't just want to contain you; she wants to control the entire palace." Princess Shen's gaze was like a knife, piercing the emperor. "Her influence has penetrated every corner of the palace. She can even stir up greater disturbances at any time and disrupt the entire court."

The emperor's eyes grew deep. He slowly stood up and walked steadily to Princess Shen. "What do you think we should do?"

"You mean, let me completely break free from the constraints of the Empress Dowager?" The emperor's tone was a little doubtful, but he was more testing Princess Shen's bottom line.

The emperor's expression grew increasingly gloomy, and doubts and uneasiness began to rise in his heart. He knew that Princess Shen had a point, but the determination and decisiveness revealed in her words also made him realize that if he wanted to escape the control of the Empress Dowager, he would have to pay a huge price.

"But if we completely break with the Grand Empress Dowager, the situation within the palace will become even more complicated," the Emperor whispered. "Can you guarantee that our plan won't fail?"

"Your Majesty, the situation in the palace is already complicated. If we don't act soon, I'm afraid that by the time the Grand Empress Dowager has completely taken control of the court, even you won't be able to escape." Princess Shen's tone became increasingly firm. "Instead of passively waiting, it's better to take the initiative and turn the tide."

Her eyes gleamed coldly, as if she had foreseen future victory. "I have a plan to help Your Majesty completely break free from the Grand Empress Dowager's shackles. But it all must begin tonight."

"You have a plan?" The emperor's eyes flashed with interest. He approached Princess Shen with a sharp gaze. "What are you going to do?"

"The core figures of the Grand Empress Dowager's faction have surfaced, and the power struggle within the palace is intensifying." Princess Shen said calmly, "I will stir up a greater disturbance. Through this disturbance, on the one hand, I will put the Grand Empress Dowager in a difficult position, and on the other hand, I will reshuffle the power dynamic within the palace."

"This sounds like a gamble." The emperor frowned, obviously having doubts about this extremely risky plan.

"Yes." Princess Shen sneered, "But as long as we bet right, we can completely break the shadow of the Empress Dowager and regain control of the palace."

"Are you sure you can do it?" the emperor asked in a low voice.

"I've never failed." Princess Shen looked directly into the emperor's eyes, her eyes full of confidence. "Tonight is the time for us to break the deadlock."

The emperor was silent for a moment, then finally nodded. "Okay, we will proceed according to your plan. Tonight will determine everything."

Princess Shen bowed slightly and smiled: "Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. I will not let you down."

She knew that every step forward would be a turning point in her fate, and she was ready for this power game.

As Princess Shen left the Emperor's chambers, her mind quickly replayed the details of tonight's plan, her heart filled with a fierce determination. The situation in the palace had reached a fever pitch. Her every move would determine the future.

And this storm is destined to leave no one out.

You said:

Chapter 18: Undercurrent