Hua Manman’s attitude was extremely forceful, as if she were ready to take them all down with her.
The system was so scared it barely dared to speak.
Backed into a corner, the system could only say it would go negotiate with the main brain again to see if it could come up with a solution that was best for both worlds.
Seeing there was still a chance for a turnaround, Hua Manman’s attitude softened.
"I’ll do my best to accomplish whatever you need me to, but you have to consider my feelings. Even a cornered rabbit will bite, let alone a living, breathing person like me."
At this, the system relaxed a little.
"I’ll do my best to plead your case. Just wait to hear from me."
"Mm."
The system went offline again.
However, Hua Manman no longer felt sleepy.
She lay in bed, wide awake, her mind filled with what the system had just said.
She had been reluctant to fall for Li Ji precisely because she feared she might one day suddenly have to leave this world.
Now, her worst fear had finally come to pass.
She suddenly felt a pang of regret.
’If I hadn’t fallen for Li Ji, I could leave this world right now without a second thought.’
As if sensing its mother’s emotions, the baby in her womb suddenly gave a gentle stir.
The movement in her womb snapped Hua Manman back to the present.
She placed a hand on her belly and cursed herself inwardly.
’I’m already pregnant, so what’s the point of thinking about all this nonsense?!’
’I should use this energy to figure out how to deal with that wretched main brain!’
...
「Inside Hanzhang Hall.」
The underfloor heating was fired up, making the bedchamber intensely hot.
After only a moment, Hua Qingqing’s and the Lady’s backs began to sweat, and their throats felt dry.
The Empress Dowager wiped her tears and choked out her words.
"Your Majesty, don’t say such things. It’s just your old ailment flaring up again. You’ll be fine, don’t dwell on it."
The Emperor’s lips twisted into a self-deprecating smile.
"I know my own body better than anyone."
"Besides, even if I were to recover this time, the Great Zhou Dynasty still needs a Crown Prince."
The Empress Dowager said no more. She simply turned away, weeping silently in her grief.
She didn’t care who became Crown Prince. All the princes were her grandsons, so it made no difference to her.
The Emperor seemed tired. He closed his eyes and rested for a long moment before speaking again.
"Lady, Princess Consort Zhen, who do you think is more suitable to be Crown Prince? The Sixth Prince or the Seventh Prince?"
While Hua Qingqing was still pondering how to answer, the Lady spoke first.
"I am but a humble woman and know nothing of politics."
"I only know that Yi’er has always been timid. He overthinks his actions and is easily swayed by the emotions of others."
"In any respect, Yi’er is not a suitable candidate for Crown Prince. I pray Your Majesty will reconsider."
Although the Sixth Prince, Li Yi, was not the Lady’s biological son, after more than a year together, she had come to regard him as her own.
She knew very well that Li Yi was not suited to be Crown Prince.
Leaving aside his personality, the death of his birth mother, Yichongyuan, was a major hidden danger in itself.
If he were to be swept into the struggle for the throne, he would likely end up like the princes before him, losing his life far too soon.
It would be better for him to live out his days peacefully as a prince of leisure than to die a pointless, mysterious death.
Hua Qingqing was inwardly furious with herself. ’I shouldn’t have overthought it. I missed my chance to speak first.’
But it wasn’t too late.
She spoke in a soft, quiet voice, "Qiong’er is not yet even one year old. Forgive my bluntness, but it’s uncertain if he’ll even survive to adulthood, let alone be named Crown Prince. I implore Your Majesty to choose someone more worthy."
If the Seventh Prince were older and could make his own decisions, Hua Qingqing wouldn’t mind helping him fight for the throne.
But as it was, the Seventh Prince was still just an infant in swaddling clothes.
Making him Crown Prince would be tantamount to throwing him into a fiery pit, making him a target for everyone. He wouldn’t even know what hit him when he died.
As his mother, how could Hua Qingqing possibly bear to let her precious son face such a danger?!
The Emperor gave them a long, searching look.
Others would trample one another to seize the throne, yet to these two, it was a hot potato that neither would touch.
He didn’t know whether they were foolish or clever.
The Emperor sighed and said in a hoarse voice.
"I know that neither Yi’er nor Qiong’er is a suitable candidate for Crown Prince, but I have no better options."
"I want to choose one of them to be installed as Crown Prince, with Prince Wu Zhang and Prince Zhao serving as regents."
"With those two to guide and protect them, even though Yi’er and Qiong’er are young, they should be able to secure the Great Zhou Dynasty."
But upon hearing the Emperor’s words, the Lady only became more determined not to let Li Yi become the Crown Prince.
Neither Prince Wu Zhang nor Prince Zhao was a simple man.
If they were truly to assist a young emperor, he would, in all likelihood, become a puppet in their hands.
The very thought was infuriating.
The Lady had never been one to tolerate indignity, so she immediately spoke up.
"Ever since Yichongyuan passed away, it has weighed heavily on Yi’er’s mind. If he were to ascend the throne, he would surely do everything in his power to uncover the truth behind her death."
Her words struck the Emperor’s most sensitive nerve.
Yichongyuan’s death had been disgraceful, and the Emperor had deliberately concealed the truth to preserve his own dignity.
He did not want the old affair dredged up, nor did he want Li Yi to know his birth mother had died so brutally.
Thus, the Emperor’s gaze shifted to Princess Consort Zhen.
Hua Qingqing grew so anxious that sweat beaded on her forehead.
"Qiong’er is still an unweaned child. He truly cannot bear such a great responsibility."
The Emperor frowned, feeling another pang of pain in his chest.
He didn’t let it show, however, and endured the pain as he spoke hoarsely.
"Since neither of you is willing for your son to be the Crown Prince, we shall decide by drawing lots."
Everyone present was stunned.
They all thought they had misheard.
To think that a matter as important as appointing a Crown Prince would be decided by drawing lots.
Was this not far too absurd?!
Even the Empress Dowager couldn’t help but speak up, saying hesitantly, "I’m afraid that isn’t proper, is it?"
The Emperor gave a bitter smile. "I know drawing lots is improper, but there is no better way now. Since we cannot make the choice, let us allow Heaven to choose for us."
He knew his days were numbered. If he didn’t make a choice soon, he feared it would lead to instability.
Drawing lots was the fastest method of selection he could think of.
Zuo Ji followed the Emperor’s command and prepared two lots.
The words "Crown Prince" were written on the end of one of the lots.
He placed the two lots on the table, face down, for the Lady and Princess Consort Zhen to choose from.
They would each choose one lot. Whoever picked the one with the writing on it, her son would be named Crown Prince.