Time Travel: He is My Dad!

Undercurrent of betrayal

Princess Shen stood by the window, gazing at the dimly lit pond in the courtyard, her mind still preoccupied with the complex situation surrounding Liu Mengyao's betrayal and the Crown Prince's alliance. While Liu Mengyao's surrender offered her a glimmer of hope, she knew the situation was far more perilous than she had anticipated. Throughout the palace, even the smallest details could become lethal weapons. While Liu Mengyao's betrayal offered her a temporary boost, she remained wary.

After days of investigation and scrutiny, Princess Shen had gradually grasped the shifting power structures within the palace. She knew that the Crown Prince's collaboration with the northern forces might appear to be a powerful alliance on the surface, but in reality, the relationship between the Crown Prince and Liu Mengyao was far more complex than the outside world perceived. Liu Mengyao not only had a deep emotional connection with the Crown Prince, but she had also been one of his most trusted figures. This emotional bond was one that Princess Shen could not easily ignore.

The entire situation was like a giant maze, and Princess Shen was already deeply trapped in it. The only thing she could do was to go deeper and faster, looking for every shortcut to victory.

That day, Cheng Jiahong brought a new piece of information that broke her thoughts.

"Princess." Cheng Jiahong stepped forward with a heavy expression. "As for Liu Mengyao, she is not completely on our side. According to my investigation, after she came into contact with you, she quietly contacted one of the prince's confidants." As soon as Cheng Jiahong finished speaking, Princess Shen felt uneasy in her heart.

"What do you mean?" Princess Shen raised her eyebrows, her eyes sharp. "What tricks is she playing?"

Cheng Jiahong calmly reported, "Liu Mengyao and the Crown Prince's confidant, Qin Changfeng, were originally one of the Crown Prince's personal guards. Qin Changfeng is deeply favored by the Crown Prince and holds an extremely high position within the palace, possessing access to many secrets. I've tracked their interactions over the past few days and discovered that Liu Mengyao and Qin Changfeng have been interacting frequently. On one occasion, they even met secretly in the palace."

Princess Shen's gaze suddenly focused, and a slight sneer curled up at the corner of her mouth: "It seems that Liu Mengyao is indeed very scheming. She clearly promised me, but she still hasn't severed her contact with the Crown Prince."

Princess Shen took a deep breath, a complex look flashing in her eyes. She hadn't expected Liu Mengyao to choose to play double duty at such a sensitive moment. This behavior might not be out of loyalty to the Crown Prince, but more likely to be a search for more leverage for her own benefit.

"What exactly does she want?" Princess Shen muttered to herself, her voice low and her eyes darkening. "The promises and opportunities I gave her weren't enough to make her trust me completely. She's actually secretly contacting the Crown Prince's confidants. It seems I have to change my strategy."

Cheng Jiahong stood aside, feeling a little worried. "Princess, does Liu Mengyao's behavior mean that she hasn't really chosen a side yet? She's still waiting and watching. Do we need to reconsider our cooperation with her?"

Princess Shen gently waved her hand. "No, she's already made her choice. Liu Mengyao is a smart person. She knows very well that the threat posed by the Crown Prince in alliance with external forces is far greater than that posed by any individual. If she still dares to contact Qin Changfeng, it means she may not fully trust me, nor is she completely willing to betray the Crown Prince."

She paused, a sneer on her face. "However, her choice will not affect my decision. Since she is still testing me, I will give her a bigger bait."

A cruel light flashed in Princess Shen's eyes, and it seemed that she had a new plan.

……

A few days later, the palace was in turmoil again. Princess Shen had already planned a series of actions, knowing that any test would bring her new opportunities. She chose a crucial moment to expose Liu Mengyao's weakness to the Crown Prince, making it impossible for her to easily betray him.

On a quiet night, Princess Shen quietly entered the Prince's residence, carrying the letter and evidence carefully prepared by Cheng Jiahong, and met with the Prince directly. The Prince was handling state affairs, and when he saw Princess Shen's arrival, a flash of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Princess Shen, is there something important that brings you here so late at night?" The prince's tone was calm, but there was a hint of inquiry in his eyes.

Princess Shen smiled slightly, walked up to him, and handed him the letter: "Prince, there are some things in this letter that you must read in person."

The prince took the letter, his expression fixed, then unfolded it and read it carefully. After a moment, he put the letter down, raised his head, and said with a sharp gaze: "This is..."

"It's about Liu Mengyao's secret contact with Qin Changfeng." Princess Shen said calmly, "I know the relationship between you and her, Crown Prince. This evidence is enough to prove that her loyalty may not be what you think."

The Crown Prince's expression instantly grew heavy. Although he had long suspected something, the direct evidence provided by Princess Shen had clearly shaken him deeply. "Princess Shen, you are..." His words paused, having clearly not expected Princess Shen to be so direct.

"I don't mean to be your enemy, Crown Prince." Princess Shen chuckled, her eyes sharp. "But if you don't want to fall into Liu Mengyao's trap, you'd better make a decision as soon as possible. She has been secretly in contact with Qin Changfeng and the northern forces. Obviously, she is not completely on your side."

The prince was silent for a moment, his eyes gradually becoming colder. "I understand, Princess Shen. Thank you for providing this information. I will make some arrangements."

……

Princess Shen was remarkably calm as she left the Crown Prince's residence. She had already pushed the situation to another climax. Liu Mengyao's betrayal, the Crown Prince's suspicions, the intervention of northern forces—each chess piece was quietly changing the palace's dynamic. She knew that the key to victory lay in who could seize the most crucial bargaining chip at the most crucial moment.

And now, she has begun to control that card.

You said:

Chapter 48: The Temptation of Power