Time Travel: He is My Dad!

Surging

Princess Shen stood by the window, her eyes deep, gazing out at the gloomy night. Moonlight shone on the palace walls, and a stillness reigned, as if everything was silently gathering strength for the coming storm. She knew this power struggle was irreversible; every move was a matter of life and death, every chess move crucial.

The situation within the palace was far more complex than she had anticipated. While the Grand Empress Dowager had bared her fangs, she wasn't the only threat. The Emperor, the powerful officials within the palace, and even some of those she once trusted might all play significant roles in this conspiracy. If she hoped to survive this vast ocean, she would have to be even more cautious and resolute.

She secretly planned to seize the initiative as soon as possible, forcing the Emperor to make a choice and not giving the Grand Empress Dowager any more opportunities. If the various forces within the palace could unite, perhaps they could become the force for her counterattack.

Just as she was deep in thought, a slight knock on the door broke her thoughts.

"Come in." Princess Shen came back to her senses and said calmly.

The door slowly opened, and Cheng Jiahong appeared at the entrance. His expression was serious, and his steps were no longer as relaxed as usual. After he walked in, he whispered, "Princess, things have changed. The Empress Dowager's plan doesn't seem to be going as smoothly as we expected."

"Oh?" Princess Shen raised her eyebrows slightly, a hint of vigilance flashing in her eyes. "What happened?"

Cheng Jiahong was silent for a moment before he slowly spoke: "It seems that the Grand Empress Dowager's ministers are not completely loyal. Although they support the Grand Empress Dowager's position on the surface, some of them have quietly contacted some of our allies behind the scenes. The situation in the palace is far more complicated than we imagined."

Upon hearing this, Princess Shen's eyes flashed with deep thought. She wasn't surprised, but rather moved. The Grand Empress Dowager was, after all, a powerful and influential figure; it was impossible for her to completely control everyone in the palace. Human hearts were the most difficult to grasp, and these wavering officials were precisely the pawns she could exploit.

Cheng Jiahong nodded: "Yes, Princess."

"Also, I want to see the emperor." Princess Shen suddenly spoke in a voice that brooked no refusal.

Cheng Jiahong was stunned, obviously not expecting Princess Shen to take the initiative to make such a request. Although Princess Shen's power in the palace could not be underestimated, it was still very risky for her to personally meet the emperor, especially under the threat of the Empress Dowager.

"Princess, is this appropriate? The Empress Dowager seems to have decided to increase the pressure on you during this period. If you rashly go to see His Majesty, it may cause unnecessary misunderstandings." Cheng Jiahong still had some concerns.

Princess Shen smiled faintly, her gaze sharp. "Since the Grand Empress Dowager wants me to completely lose my position in front of the Emperor, then I should take the initiative, meet the Emperor directly, tell him the truth, and prove that I am still his most reliable helper. If I don't even fight for it myself, how can I expect him to have full confidence in me?"

Cheng Jiahong was silent for a moment, and finally nodded: "Okay, Princess, I'll make the arrangements."

Princess Shen sighed softly and stood up, her gaze piercing the long night outside the palace window. She seemed to be able to see the court situation ahead, gradually becoming turbulent. She knew that today's decision could affect the entire situation. She dared not slack off, even when facing the deepest conspiracy in the palace.

After Cheng Jiahong left, Princess Shen sat back at her table, contemplating her upcoming meeting with the Emperor. She knew that every powerful official in the palace was using her as a pawn, and the Emperor was the key to her successful counterattack. If she could convince the Emperor of her value and not be easily swayed by the Grand Empress Dowager's influence, she would be able to secure her position in this power struggle.

Princess Shen took a deep breath and made a decision. She wasn't afraid of struggle. As long as she could preserve her position, even if it meant taking a risk in this gamble, she was willing to give it a try.

……

Inside the palace, the night was gloomy. Princess Shen was led to a side hall, usually deserted and deserted, with even the few palace lanterns dim. She stood outside the doorway, a hint of uncertainty in her eyes, but she quickly suppressed it. She knew she couldn't hesitate any longer.

After the guard knocked gently on the door, he was allowed in. Princess Shen stepped into the palace and saw a familiar figure - Emperor Zhao Hao.

Zhao Hao wasn't wearing the usual imperial robes, but rather a simple black ensemble, and he looked a little exhausted. Standing before him, Princess Shen couldn't help but feel a pang of anxiety. The emperor's fatigue was far more evident than she had imagined. The struggles within the palace had clearly weighed heavily on him.

"You're here." Zhao Hao's voice was low, as if he was thinking about something.

Princess Shen bent her knees slightly, saluted, and then stood up straight. She looked through him and looked at a corner of the hall. "Your Majesty, the princess has come here specifically to explain an urgent matter to Your Majesty."

Zhao Hao tilted his head slightly, his eyes filled with curiosity: "Tell me about it."

Princess Shen silently composed her words in her mind, her eyes firm. "Your Majesty, the Grand Empress Dowager has begun to intensify her suppression of me. She has already rallied certain forces within the palace, intending to force Your Majesty to make a choice. As for me, Princess Shen, I have never considered yielding. I beg Your Majesty to distinguish right from wrong and not allow outsiders to take advantage of this opportunity to sow discord."

Her words were concise and powerful, but each one was filled with determination. Zhao Hao didn't respond immediately after hearing this. He was silent for a moment, his eyes becoming deep.

"Princess Shen, what do you think I should choose?" Zhao Hao suddenly asked, with an indescribable complex emotion in his tone.

Princess Shen's heartbeat quickened slightly, but she didn't flinch. Instead, she met his gaze. "Your Majesty should choose to be discerning and find out the true intentions of those behind this, rather than letting them sway you. Otherwise, the various forces within the palace will be out of control, the entire situation will descend into chaos, and no one will be able to escape unscathed."

Zhao Hao was silent for a long time, then suddenly smiled faintly, his eyes becoming sharp: "You are more courageous than I thought."

Princess Shen smiled faintly, her mind already made up. She knew that tonight's meeting wasn't just about asserting her position, but also a test, a provocation to the Emperor's intentions. The dynamics within the palace, who was leading and controlling, were perhaps something even she herself didn't fully grasp at this moment.

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Chapter 22: Love is hard to escape