Time Travel: He is My Dad!

The truth emerges, the power of betrayal

Princess Shen quietly retreated from the secret passage, taking a deep breath to suppress the shock in her heart. She knew that the enemy she faced was far more than Prince Zhao or the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce. A hidden force had quietly risen up behind the scenes, and she had become the most important pawn in this power game.

"Cheng Jiahong, what do you think of what happened today?" Princess Shen spoke calmly, without a trace of nervousness in her tone, as if what she saw was just an insignificant situation.

Cheng Jiahong whispered back, "Princess, it seems we're not just facing the undercurrent of the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce. Furthermore, the power within the secret room doesn't seem to be just the mastermind behind the scenes, but more like some kind of powerful institution with a deep background, perhaps far beyond our imagination."

"You're right." Princess Shen nodded slightly. "We can't rely solely on the clues from the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce. They're just pawns being used. The real manipulator may be a force we've never touched. And I suspect this force's target goes far beyond the Crown Prince."

Cheng Jiahong was silent for a moment, his face solemn. "Princess, do you suspect... this force is targeting the emperor?"

Princess Shen's eyes glared, and her mind suddenly became clear: "That's right, the emperor is their ultimate target. The death of the crown prince is just the beginning, and what happens next is the key. If we don't uncover the truth in time, I'm afraid the palace will fall into even greater chaos."

Cheng Jiahong's heart couldn't help but tremble. He knew very well that in this game of power, if it was true as the princess said that the emperor was the biggest chess piece behind the scenes, then their situation would be even more dangerous.

"Princess, what should we do now?" Cheng Jiahong asked with a hint of anxiety in his eyes.

"The first step is to identify that hidden force. We can't wait any longer; we must take action. Next, I will meet with a key figure." Princess Shen's tone was calm, yet revealed an unquestionable determination. "Are you ready?"

Cheng Jiahong took a deep breath and suppressed his inner anxiety: "I'm ready, Princess. No matter what the situation is, I will accompany you."

Princess Shen and her companions soon set off for another palace. This palace was no ordinary one, but a secret palace privately controlled by the emperor, rarely visited on a daily basis. Her purpose was to locate a hidden figure within the palace—the palace's deepest shadow, an elderly man deeply trusted by the emperor, Master Bai.

Master Bai was the Emperor's childhood tutor, assisting him in managing government affairs before his ascension to the throne. His true identity is virtually unknown throughout history. Even within the Emperor's inner harem, Master Bai rarely appears, yet he consistently plays a decisive role behind the scenes in every palace event, big or small. Princess Shen chooses this moment to seek him out, knowing full well that Master Bai is the key figure who can help her resolve the current palace crisis.

When the palace gates opened, Princess Shen quietly entered the eerie palace. The entire place was silent, as if forgotten. The dim lights in the corridors cast long shadows, as if foreshadowing the secrets that were about to unfold. She knew that every brick and stone here bore the traces of history, and every corner might hide a dangerous foreshadowing.

Walking to a quiet room at the back, Princess Shen gently knocked on the door.

After a moment, a hoarse voice came from inside the door: "Come in."

Princess Shen pushed open the door and entered the room. Inside sat an elderly man with white hair and a deep gaze, as if he could see through time and all its secrets. He didn't appear lonely or downtrodden, but rather exuded an awe-inspiring dignity and profound wisdom.

"Greetings, Master Bai." Princess Shen bowed slightly, her tone respectful.

Mr. Bai looked up and sized her up, as if he could see through everything about her: "Princess Shen, you came at the perfect time."

Princess Shen was startled and secretly surprised, but then she suppressed her doubts and smiled, "Master Bai, since you already know, I will no longer hide it. The situation in the palace has become increasingly complicated, and I came to you to seek your help."

Master Bai smiled slightly, a meaningful look on his face. "You've been involved in this game for a long time, Princess Shen. You're more deeply involved in this political conspiracy than anyone else, and you've even seen all the changes on the chessboard before I did."

Princess Shen raised her eyebrows slightly: "Master Bai, what do you mean?"

Mr. Bai didn't answer immediately. Instead, he lowered his head and remained silent for a moment. Then he spoke, "I know why you came to me. The situation in the palace is already turbulent. The death of the Crown Prince was no accident. The forces behind this aren't just the machinations of the Chamber of Commerce and the princes you've witnessed; there's a deeper plan. The Qingyun Chamber of Commerce and Prince Zhao are merely pawns on the chessboard. Their true purpose is our focus."

Princess Shen's heart suddenly trembled, and her clenched fists loosened slightly: "So, you think the power behind this is targeting the emperor?"

Master Bai looked at her deeply, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes: "It's not just the Emperor, there are deeper forces. You must know that the relationship between the Emperor and the Empress is no longer as simple as it was in the past. The situation in the palace has long been infiltrated by hidden forces. You are smart, Princess Shen. Now, you have reached the core position of the chess game."

Princess Shen's heart surged, and she instantly understood the profound meaning of Master Bai's words. She realized that the person she had always considered her enemy might have been playing a game with her on a different level from the very beginning. And every step she took seemed to be secretly driving all of this.

"Master Bai, what should I do next?" Princess Shen's voice gradually became low, filled with unprecedented determination.

Mr. Bai's eyes were deep, and his tone was slow and powerful. "You have chosen this path, Princess Shen. What you need to do next is not only to uncover the mystery in the palace, but also to pull out those who are truly behind the scenes. You will need to rely not only on your wisdom, but also on courage and decisiveness. And, you'd better remember that every move in the palace will ultimately fall into your hands."

Princess Shen stared at Mr. Bai, and suddenly she had an unprecedented feeling in her heart - she was no longer the abandoned concubine in the cold palace, she had become a key chess piece in this palace turmoil, controlling the fate of countless people.

"I will, Master Bai." Her voice was calm and firm. "I will personally complete this move and uncover all the truths hidden within the palace."

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Chapter 62: Undercurrent, on the eve of the storm