Time Travel: He is My Dad!

A last-ditch effort

The night breeze in the palace was chilly, its gentle whispers sweeping through the halls, as if whispering about some hidden bargain and calculation. Princess Shen stood at the palace window, moonlight filtering through the slats onto her face, illuminating her stern yet profound features. She was no longer the abandoned concubine she once was, but had gradually taken control of her own destiny, becoming one of the most powerful forces within the palace. However, the road ahead was still fraught with thorns and undercurrents.

"Princess, things seem to have changed." Cheng Jiahong's voice sounded behind her, breaking the silence.

Princess Shen turned around and stared at Cheng Jiahong with a hint of anxiety in her eyes: "Tell me, what happened?"

Cheng Jiahong stepped forward and whispered, "It seems the Empress Dowager's people are contacting the Emperor's confidants. They're probably planning to take action."

"Take action?" Princess Shen raised her eyebrows, slightly startled. "What exactly is the plan?"

Cheng Jiahong said in a deep voice, "News has arrived that the Grand Empress Dowager has raised the issue of 'frontier military power' with the Emperor through several of her closest confidants, implying that if Your Majesty doesn't promptly remove obstacles, his rule will be in jeopardy. At the same time, some ministers within the palace with ambiguous attitudes have also been wooed into this circle. If this situation isn't resolved quickly, I'm afraid Your Majesty will find it difficult to regain true autonomy."

Princess Shen's eyes suddenly grew sharper, as if a flame had been ignited. She understood that the Empress Dowager was trying to completely crush the Emperor and forcibly control the government. If she didn't react in time, not only her own situation, but the fate of the entire country would be affected.

"This time, we must completely suppress her." Princess Shen said coldly, her tone revealing a sense of determination. "Cheng Jiahong, you must immediately arrange for personnel to screen out those traitors and the Empress Dowager's followers one by one. At the same time, send people to contact certain forces outside the palace and prepare to begin action."

Cheng Jiahong nodded, a trace of admiration flashing in his eyes: "Princess, you are indeed courageous. I will arrange it right away."

"Wait a moment." Princess Shen raised her hand to stop him. "Go arrange security measures inside and outside the palace first. If the Grand Empress Dowager wants to take action, she will definitely choose a time that is difficult to detect. We cannot give her any chance to strike back."

Cheng Jiahong immediately bowed his head and saluted: "Yes, Princess."

He turned and left, but Princess Shen remained standing by the window, gazing at the deep night sky in the distance. She knew that the outcome of this struggle hinged not only on her own survival, but also on the future of the entire imperial court. If the Emperor failed to effectively control power, the Grand Empress Dowager would be able to exert absolute control, potentially even changing the course of the nation.

However, she herself had no way out.

Within the palace, all the undercurrents and calculations have quietly converged, and the air is filled with an unprecedented tension. Princess Shen knows that she has embarked on a path of no return. For her own survival, and even for the future she hopes for, she must quickly seize more initiative for herself.

……

The next morning, the atmosphere in the palace remained tense, like a taut string. Princess Shen, as planned, arrived at the emperor's chambers. Instead of heading directly to the side hall where Zhao Hao was staying, she walked straight to the steps of the main hall and stood outside the imperial study.

"Princess." The guards outside the door saluted immediately upon seeing her coming.

Princess Shen nodded, signaling him to let her in. She pushed open the door and walked into the room.

Zhao Hao was sitting at the table, his brows slightly furrowed, seemingly dealing with government affairs. Seeing Princess Shen enter, he raised his head, his eyes deep and with a barely perceptible chill: "Princess Shen, is there anything going on today?"

Princess Shen approached gently and stood before Zhao Hao. A sharp glint flashed in her eyes. "Your Majesty, the Grand Empress Dowager has already taken action in the palace, and the ministers in the palace are quietly turning to her side. If we don't take action, I'm afraid she will force us into a corner sooner or later."

Zhao Hao frowned, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes: "I know what you said. But you also know that my situation is not easy."

Princess Shen smiled slightly, her tone calm but powerful, "Your Majesty, if you rely solely on the Grand Empress Dowager's tolerance in your current situation, wouldn't that be too dangerous? You can either choose to deal with it calmly, or choose to rely on yourself and completely break this situation."

Zhao Hao looked at her, his eyes seeming to ponder every word she said: "What do you mean?"

"I'm saying, if Your Majesty doesn't make up your mind and challenge the Grand Empress Dowager soon, she'll eventually resort to more tactics behind the scenes. And those ministers she's bribed will sooner or later become your greatest threat." Princess Shen's words remained calm, but her tone brooked no argument. "If you wish to completely control the government, you must eliminate her connections completely at this critical juncture."

Zhao Hao was silent for a moment, lowering his head, as if considering her words. After a moment, he slowly spoke, "You're right. If we don't act now, the situation will only become more complicated."

Princess Shen's gaze grew even more resolute. "Your Majesty, your enemies are not only the Grand Empress Dowager, but also those ministers with ulterior motives. If Your Majesty is determined not to be controlled by others, you must take action. Otherwise, sooner or later, you will be dragged into a dead end by the situation."

Zhao Hao raised his head, his eyes filled with an indescribable determination. "Okay, in that case, I'll follow your advice and start this counterattack."

Princess Shen smiled faintly, secretly relieved. She understood that if Zhao Hao could make a decision, then the balance of power in this struggle might finally tilt.

"I will arrange it immediately," Princess Shen said. "The situation in the palace has already gathered momentum. We cannot delay any longer."

Zhao Hao nodded, his eyes twinkling: "I am very grateful that you can support me."

Princess Shen said nothing more, merely nodding gently. She knew that what was about to happen would be a life-or-death struggle. She also understood that her future was tied to Zhao Hao's. Regardless of whether he could ultimately pull off this counterattack, she would bear the consequences of this power struggle alongside him.

As Princess Shen turned to leave, an indescribable wave of emotions welled up within her. She understood the dangers of power, but she also knew that unless she faced challenges head-on, she would never truly control her own destiny. And this palace, this bottomless vortex, had sealed her fate.

The situation is turbulent and the direction of the situation is unpredictable.

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Chapter 24: All or Nothing