Time Travel: He is My Dad!

Palace intrigue

He Qingqing spent several days in the palace, gradually sensing the undercurrents surging within. Despite the apparent calm, each individual was meticulously strategizing their positions, each with their own hidden agenda. She was assigned to the palace cabinet, assisting the family with official duties, but behind every task and document lay a hidden secret.

The emperor's attitude towards her was cold yet profound. Every word and instruction he gave her was brief, offering her little guidance or care. She understood that this indifference wasn't due to a lack of concern, but rather a test of her: everyone in the palace could only rely on their own wisdom and tactics, not on any external forces.

However, besides the emperor, there were others in the palace who were quietly observing her, trying to find her weaknesses in this silent war. Former allies of the He family, and even the closest confidants of certain ministers, began to approach her frequently. Their outward politeness and gentleness were actually filled with temptations and challenges.

"Miss He, I heard that you are a very talented person in your family. How come you are involved in palace affairs at such a young age? It is really admirable." A middle-aged woman in luxurious palace clothes approached her with a smile. Her tone was gentle, but with a hint of imperceptible hostility.

He Qingqing looked up at her. This woman, Zhao Rulan, was the wife of a powerful official in the palace. She had a complicated background and was scheming. She appeared gentle and refined on the surface, but secretly manipulated power in the court, having already amassed considerable prestige within the palace.

"Mrs. Zhao, you're so kind," He Qingqing said gently, but her heart was already on edge. This Mrs. Zhao was clearly more than just a social butterfly. She had keenly sensed He Qingqing's potential and had approached her personally, perhaps paving the way for further cooperation or hoping to eliminate this potential threat at the right moment.

Zhao Rulan seemed to notice He Qingqing's composure. She smiled slightly, her eyes flickering. "The relationship between family and the imperial court has always been complicated, especially for a family like the He family, with its deep business background and connections to important figures in the court." She paused and said lightly, "I heard that Miss He's father has always been tacitly aware of the power struggles in the palace and has never been deeply involved. But if the family's interests are ever threatened, I'm afraid they will still have to rely on the power of the palace to protect them."

He Qingqing's heart trembled secretly. Zhao Rulan's words sounded like she was being considerate of her, but in reality, they were testing her stance. She had brought up the topic of the power struggle within the palace, clearly hoping to gauge her reaction. Her every move would be firmly monitored by this ruthless woman, Zhao Rulan.

"The family and the court do need to work closely together," He Qingqing replied casually, not wanting Zhao Rulan to see her thoughts. "But the family's strength doesn't rely solely on external forces. The most important thing is to consolidate our own foundation."

After hearing this, Zhao Rulan's eyes flashed with approval, and then she smiled: "Ms. He is really smart. It is still up to you to take the lead in family affairs." After she said that, she bowed lightly and left.

He Qingqing, however, was not at ease. Zhao Rulan's attitude wasn't as gentle as she'd imagined. Behind that seemingly gentle air lay a deep aggression and calculation. She knew that no matter how cautious she was in this game, she would inevitably be tested and manipulated. Every step was fraught with danger, and everyone in the palace seemed to be waiting for her to make a mistake, waiting for their chance to strike.

That evening, He Qingqing was summoned to the palace to meet with a prominent official, Lord Wei. Lord Wei held military power, was a trusted confidant of the Emperor, and was one of the most powerful men in the court. He Qingqing had heard that Lord Wei was elderly, experienced, and well-connected. His wealth and power made him a figure that many in the court had to be wary of.

She was ushered into a spacious study. Lord Wei sat at his desk, flipping through official documents. Seeing her enter, he put down the papers and looked her over. Lord Wei was about fifty years old, with an elegant face and a look that revealed an extraordinary demeanor and wisdom.

"Miss He, I've heard you're incredibly talented, and today I see you're truly extraordinary." Lord Wei's tone was gentle, with a hint of teasing, "Young man, you're truly driven."

He Qingqing nodded slightly and politely replied, "Master Wei, you are so kind." She looked at Master Wei calmly, knowing that this meeting was more than just a casual exchange. A man of Master Wei's stature would never associate with a young woman from the same family for no apparent reason; there must be a deeper meaning behind it.

"I summoned you this time because I have a few words to say to you." Lord Wei put down the documents in his hand, stood up, and his tone gradually became serious. "The He family's influence in the court is indeed not to be underestimated, but we must also be clear that the power struggle in the court is intricate and complex. Any misstep by any party could fundamentally change the situation. Especially His Majesty's layout in the court, everyone is aware of it."

He Qingqing nodded. She understood the implicit meaning behind Lord Wei's words—the situation in the palace had become increasingly unstable, with enemies outside and traitors within. The emperor was struggling to balance the forces on this chaotic chessboard. If the He family wanted to survive in this game, they would need to take sides at critical moments, otherwise they would be swallowed up by the various forces at court.

He Qingqing felt the coldness and profound meaning in Lord Wei's words, and understood that what he said was not empty advice, but a direct statement of his own position in the court and his prediction of the future.

"Lord Wei is absolutely right." He Qingqing remained calm, but a sense of alarm had already grown within her. She began to realize that every move within the palace went far beyond a simple power struggle. It was more about how to survive in an ever-changing landscape, how to find a foothold in the various conflicts of interest.

Lord Wei smiled faintly, seeming to admire He Qingqing's intelligence. "In that case, I won't say any more. If you have any questions, you can always come to me." He paused, his eyes falling on He Qingqing. "But you must remember, in the palace, no one is your friend forever. Even those who seem closest to you may become your enemy at a critical moment."

He Qingqing's heart trembled slightly. Although she remained respectful on the surface, she had already fully understood that this was not just a contest concerning family, power, and wealth, but also a game of desire and calculation in everyone's heart. And she had been firmly drawn into this game.

"I will keep your teachings in mind," she whispered back, her resolve growing stronger.

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Chapter 7: Troubles Rise Again