Time Travel: He is My Dad!

The shackles of power

Princess Shen stood at the gate of the Cold Palace. The air was filled with a dead silence, as if the entire palace's vitality had frozen at that moment. She took a deep breath and glanced back at the palace, which was completely controlled by Cheng Jiahong and his other confidants. Today was destined to be her moment of reversal, and also the moment of the demise of Zhao Hao and the Empress Dowager's camp.

The rebels outside the palace had successfully blocked all exits, and most of the palace's trusted aides had been defeated one by one. Princess Shen's allies and external forces had grown increasingly powerful in the chaos, and she had almost complete control of the situation. The only thing left was the final decisive battle to destroy the core of Zhao Hao and the Empress Dowager's camp.

"Princess, everything is ready." Cheng Jiahong's voice sounded behind her, with a hint of urgency. "Zhao Hao's confidants have been completely eliminated, and the remaining forces in the palace are gathering. Next, we only need to destroy the last stronghold of Zhao Hao and the Empress Dowager in one fell swoop."

Princess Shen's gaze remained impassive, as if she had everything under control. She knew that while the situation was extremely favorable, the ultimate outcome of this palace struggle still depended on her every move. She dared not let her guard down, for she knew that although Zhao Hao had been forced into a difficult situation, he was no easy foe.

"Cheng Jiahong, are you ready?" Princess Shen asked in a low voice.

"Get ready." Cheng Jiahong nodded and clenched his fists. "As long as we can break the last line of defense, victory will be ours."

Princess Shen said nothing more, turning and heading towards the inner palace. She knew that the heart of all this was the Empress Dowager's palace. All the power struggles would finally be fought here.

……

"Emperor..." Deep in the inner palace, Zhao Hao sat atop the high Dragon Throne, his eyes filled with fatigue and anger. His hands gripped the armrests, his expression growing increasingly gloomy. He had originally planned to use the power of internal purges to completely eliminate the Grand Empress Dowager's influence and seize control of the court. However, Princess Shen's counterattack caught him off guard. His closest associates were eliminated one after another, and external forces gradually grew stronger. The current situation left him no room for further delay.

"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has ordered the army to assemble for a final stand," a guard whispered. "We must prepare for the final battle."

Zhao Hao raised his head, his eyes flashing with anger and murderous intent. "Preparation? There's no preparation at all. Princess Shen has already forced us into a desperate situation. If we don't take action, I'm afraid everything will come to nothing."

He turned around, stared coldly at the guard, and said in a low voice: "Notify all your confidants that tonight, we must completely destroy the Empress Dowager's camp and eliminate all potential threats."

The guards withdrew as ordered, and Zhao Hao's gaze once again fell on the inner court of the palace. He knew that this battle was related to the future of the entire empire. Victory would unify the world, while defeat would cost him his life. The current situation did not allow him to retreat.

……

Deep within the palace, Princess Shen had led her trusted aides into the Grand Empress Dowager's palace. Though seemingly marginalized by Zhao Hao, the Grand Empress Dowager's influence remained formidable, and a number of ministers and nobles within the palace remained loyal to her. Princess Shen knew that this final decisive battle would be not just a physical struggle, but also a test of wits and strategy.

"Princess, we have entered the Empress Dowager's inner palace." Cheng Jiahong reported in a low voice, "The palace guards have been controlled, but the Empress Dowager is still the final key."

Princess Shen nodded, thinking calmly: "The Empress Dowager is the last chess piece in this game. As long as she is captured, Zhao Hao will lose his support."

Her eyes gradually became sharp. "Pass the order down. Everyone must control the actions of the Grand Empress Dowager as soon as possible. Tonight, no matter what, she cannot escape."

Following Princess Shen's orders, her trusted followers silently dispersed, sneaking into every corner of the palace and blocking all possible escape routes. Cheng Jiahong and other trusted aides remained in the heart of the palace, quietly awaiting Princess Shen's final orders.

……

"Princess Shen!" The Empress Dowager's voice suddenly rang out from within the palace, tinged with anger and resentment. "How dare you break into my palace? Your courage has exceeded my expectations of you."

Princess Shen slowly walked into the palace, her eyes cold and icy. "Grand Empress Dowager, you have been secretly manipulating this power struggle from behind the scenes, winning over powerful officials and sowing discord. Now, your tactics have been exposed, and the entire chess game will collapse because of you."

The Empress Dowager's face turned pale instantly, a flash of panic flashed in her eyes, and then she regained her composure: "Princess Shen, do you think you can overturn everything in this palace with your own strength? You are just a tool of Zhao Hao. Without him, what can you do?"

Princess Shen sneered, "Zhao Hao is just a pawn. He is not my true opponent. And you, Grand Empress Dowager, are the biggest enemy in this game of power."

Her words were as sharp as a knife, piercing the Empress Dowager's heart. She took a step back, but quickly regained her composure. A vicious glint flashed in her eyes. "You are but a young woman, yet you dare challenge me? You think you have all the support in the palace, but you are mistaken. Zhao Hao and I are the true masters of this palace."

A hint of coldness flashed in Princess Shen's eyes. She spoke word by word, "I will definitely win this power struggle."

As soon as she finished speaking, the palace gates slammed shut, the surrounding guards were completely restrained, and the Empress Dowager could no longer rely on any external forces. Princess Shen's smile gradually appeared, and it was a sense of complete victory - she had already taken control of the situation, and the Empress Dowager had long been firmly under her control.

……

"Come, take the Grand Empress Dowager away." Princess Shen gave the final order. She walked towards the Grand Empress Dowager, her eyes full of determination. "You no longer have any power to resist. I am the new ruler of this palace."

The Empress Dowager was firmly under control, and Princess Shen's power was finally consolidated at this moment.

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Chapter 31: Rifts and Rebirth