Time Travel: He is My Dad!

Undercurrent, on the eve of the storm

The nights in the palace were always shrouded in mystery. After Princess Shen emerged from Master Bai's secret chamber, her steps grew more determined. She knew the road ahead was incredibly difficult and dangerous, and with every step, she was drawing closer to death. Master Bai's warnings were not groundless. The situation in the palace had quietly shifted, and she was no longer the abandoned concubine at the mercy of others, but a pawn at the center of a vortex.

Returning to her own chambers, Princess Shen began to make new arrangements. Each of her decisions seemed more decisive and calm. She not only relied on the power within the palace, but also began to gradually establish her presence outside. She needed more leverage, more power, to support her to the final step.

Cheng Jiahong remained by her side, silently observing Princess Shen's every decision. He knew she was no longer the simple woman she once was. Beneath her gentle exterior lay boundless wisdom and unfathomable ambition. No woman he had ever met could compare to Princess Shen, whose sharp edge made him fear the slightest disdain.

"Cheng Jiahong, please make some arrangements. I want to see the queen tonight." Princess Shen said calmly.

Cheng Jiahong was slightly stunned: "Princess, Queen? She is one of the most powerful people in the palace. What do you want to see her for?"

Princess Shen's eyes flickered. "Tonight's palace banquet may conceal hidden dangers. There are already too many undercurrents surging in the palace. If we don't take the initiative, we will be passively attacked. The Queen is the symbol of power in this palace. If we can establish a relationship with her, perhaps we can break the current deadlock."

Cheng Jiahong was deeply shocked, yet he couldn't deny Princess Shen's analysis. As the head of the imperial palace, the Empress embodied the Emperor's authority and decisions, holding supreme power within the palace. If he could establish a tacit understanding with the Empress, he would surely secure a seat at the table in this political conspiracy.

"Yes, I understand, Princess. I will arrange it right away." Cheng Jiahong replied with his head down.

As night fell, the palace lights shone brightly. Tonight's palace banquet was a crucial gathering, attended by nearly every minister and dignitary. Princess Shen, however, found an opportunity to meet with the Empress. Dressed in a white palace gown, she looked as ethereal as a swallow, her face elegant yet hinting at a chill. She didn't rely solely on Cheng Jiahong's arrangements, opting for a more discreet approach to the banquet. She understood that the closer one got to the center of power, the less she could afford to expose her edge.

The atmosphere of the palace banquet was extravagant, with glazed lanterns casting a warm glow, jewels and silks everywhere, and the entire palace adorned with a dreamlike beauty. However, behind this glitz and glamour, undercurrents surged, and the struggle for power lurked like a hidden blade, ready to rip everything apart.

Princess Shen quickly found the Queen amid the crowd. Dressed in a golden palace gown, her hair tied high in a bun, she looked dignified and majestic. Her gaze was as sharp as a hawk's, yet tinged with a subtle weariness. A gentle smile graced her face, as if everything was under control. But Princess Shen knew the Queen must be harboring countless secrets.

She approached the Queen, bowed her head and saluted softly: "Greetings, Queen."

The Queen smiled softly and said gently, "Princess Shen, I have long heard of your great name, and today I finally get to meet you. You appear to be even more intelligent and clever than the rumors say, truly worthy of being someone who cannot be ignored."

Princess Shen replied respectfully, "You are so kind, Queen. It is truly a great honor for me to meet you here today."

The Queen gently raised her wine glass, her eyes still fixed on Princess Shen, as if observing her with an indescribable gaze. She did not speak immediately, but took a sip of wine, as if waiting for Princess Shen's response.

"I heard that the Queen is deeply favored by the Emperor, and that all the government affairs in the palace are progressing smoothly. It is really admirable." Princess Shen smiled, her tone carrying a hint of tentativeness and respect.

A subtle change flashed across the Queen's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure. She smiled softly, "Since ascending the throne, Your Majesty has indeed handled a great deal of palace affairs. However, the game of power is ultimately endless. The situation in the palace is now complicated, and many people are secretly competing with each other."

The Queen's smile remained unchanged, but the sharpness in her eyes gradually became apparent: "Princess Shen, that being said, is the turmoil in the palace really as simple as you say? Do you think it's really that easy for you to gain a place in this power struggle and get what you want?"

Princess Shen's heart tightened upon hearing this, but a gentle smile remained on her face. "Every struggle is a political conspiracy. Now that I'm in it, there's no turning back. I only hope to find my place in this palace."

The Queen glanced at her, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes. "It is most important that you understand your position, Princess Shen. The palace is no joke. If you cannot understand the essence of the situation, then you are destined to be swallowed up by this game."

Though the words were soft, Princess Shen could hear a deeper meaning in them. The Queen's words were both a warning and a reminder: the struggles within the palace were far more complex than she had imagined, and once caught up in them, there was no turning back.

During the banquet, Princess Shen and the Queen didn't engage in much conversation, opting for silence. She wasn't eager to gain the Queen's trust or express her opinion, but rather, she calmly observed the situation within the palace, almost like a bystander. She knew that the Queen, like the enemies she faced, was a dangerous presence, and her role in this storm was not to be underestimated.

After returning to her bedroom, Princess Shen thought carefully about the conversation tonight, and a truth became more and more apparent in her mind: the struggle in the palace never stops, and she is just a chess piece in this situation, always ready to face the next round of storm.

She knew very well that the days ahead would be even more difficult, with endless dangers ahead, and she could no longer turn back.

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Chapter 63: Power and Intrigue Intertwined, Plan Before Acting