Qinde Hall was the sleeping quarters of Emperor Ling of Han, Liu Hong.

He was growing increasingly haggard and thin. He had just finished a bowl of medicine on the dragon bed and was about to rest when someone announced that the eldest princess had come to see him.

Despite his confusion, Liu Hong still had the eunuch summon Liu Hua.

Liu Hua frowned when he saw Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong in the hall.

She knew perfectly well that these two were no different from Empress Dowager Dong.

She did not want Empress Dowager Dong to know that she had come to Liu Hong to persuade Liu Bian to be made crown prince.

He Jin, along with his ministers, advised Liu Hong to establish an heir. Firstly, it could be considered a matter of state, and secondly, as the emperor's brother-in-law, he would certainly side with his nephew.

To anyone, it seems perfectly natural.

Could it be that He Jin advised Liu Hong to make Liu Xie, who had no relation to him, the crown prince?

But when Princess Liu Hua came to persuade him, it was a different story.

She had a close relationship with Liu Yu, the head of the Imperial Clan, and both of her sons married Liu Yu's daughter.

Liu Yu was highly respected and had a strong influence among the imperial family.

If members of the royal family also join in, Empress Dowager Dong's forces will become weak.

Empress Dowager Dong believed that Liu Xie had a chance because Liu Hong disliked the dull and rigid Liu Bian.

Liu Xie was clever and quick-witted, and had a sharp tongue.

If Liu Bian were to succeed to the throne, he would inevitably become a puppet of the He family.

Wouldn't the He family then be able to manipulate the Han dynasty's empire?

This is why Liu Hong has been hesitant to make a decision.

However, Liu Hong could not violate the system of primogeniture, which has been in place since ancient times.

Therefore, he deliberately delayed, even knowing that his time was running out, he still refused to establish an heir.

"Didn't Anyang just leave me? Why are you here again?"

"Your Majesty, I have something to say to you privately." Liu Hua glanced around but did not rush to reveal the purpose of her visit.

"You may all leave!" Liu Hong waved his hand.

"Your Majesty..." Zhang Rang hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping himself.

"Would my sister possibly harm me?" Liu Hong's face darkened.

Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, and the other eunuchs quickly withdrew from the hall and closed the door.

"Your Majesty, my sister has come to see you about the matter of establishing an heir."

"Everyone outside already knows about your illness."

"If we don't establish an heir soon, people will become restless and fearful, which will be detrimental to our Han Dynasty!"

Liu Hua spoke with great earnestness.

"Your Majesty, I have my reasons!"

"As you can see, Bian'er is like a hopeless case, utterly unsatisfactory. If he were the ruler then, I fear the centuries-old foundation of the Han Dynasty would be destroyed in his hands!"

Liu Hong coughed for a moment and said helplessly.

The eldest princess and he were siblings from the same mother, and Liu Hong was closer to Liu Hua than to the other two half-princes.

Liu Hong also doted on her a lot.

If anyone had advised him to designate an heir, he would have been met with a barrage of insults.

Liu Hua, of course, also knew a lot about things in the palace.

She was well aware of Liu Hong's concerns; Liu Bian was indeed hopeless.

But things are different now. If he marries Fu Shou, with the support of the imperial clan, he can manage the Han Dynasty perfectly well without having to rule in person.

Of course, the Fu family will also provide their full assistance.

As the eldest princess, she was both Liu Bian's aunt and the Empress Dowager, so naturally she would help him.

"Your Majesty also knows that you favor the Prince of Chenliu. In comparison, the Prince of Chenliu seems to be more suitable."

"Is Your Majesty worried that if the Prince of Hongnong is established, the He family will become even more unscrupulous?"

Liu Hua's words hit the nail on the head, which made Liu Hong sigh for a long time: "My imperial sister really understands my heart. All the princes and ministers in the court know this, but they pretend not to know anything and keep urging me to establish an heir."

"While I'm alive, they all speak for the He family. If I die, how will Bian'er deal with these foxes?"

In this sense, Liu Hong was actually thinking of Liu Bian's best interests; the throne of the emperor is not an easy position to hold.

The dull-witted Liu Bian will likely find himself in the eye of the storm in the future; it would be better for him to remain a peaceful prince.

"Brother, you don't need to worry anymore!"

Liu Hua immediately smiled slightly, "Just now, my sister went to the Empress's place and arranged a marriage for Shou'er."

"Royal sister, is it my niece, Fu Shou?" Liu Hong exclaimed in surprise.

“That’s right. If Shou’er becomes the Crown Princess and then the Empress, my sister, the Fu family, and the Imperial Clan will all stand firmly to support the Prince of Hongnong!”

"Your Majesty will then have no more concerns. In this way, by making the Prince of Hongnong the Crown Prince, you can stabilize the fluctuating morale of the court and at the same time appease the court officials and the He family."

"To avoid being bothered by those old ministers in the court, who all wish His Majesty's condition would worsen."

Liu Hua's words intrigued Liu Hong, who frowned and began to ponder.

However, he inadvertently noticed a glint of fanaticism in Liu Hua's eyes as he awaited his reply.

As an emperor, how could one not see that this fervor was nothing short of ambition!

My dear sister, how are you any different from He Hui?

Liu Hong sighed inwardly.

Knowing his days were numbered, he had these princes and members of the royal family attend to him, hoping to make up for the lack of family affection he had experienced over the years as he lay dying.

Little did he know that even his own sister had ulterior motives.

Unexpectedly, when he was exhausted and his life was hanging by a thread, no one wanted him to live!

He lived for thirty-one years and reigned for eighteen, yet in the end, he was so unwilling to accept it.

I wonder if my son, who is far away in the Hetao region, has disobeyed the imperial decree and refused to come to Luoyang, even though a month has passed.

Even if he comes, does he have other motives?

Liu Hong was recuperating in the deep palace, rarely attending court or paying attention to outside affairs, but news about Liu Wei continued to arrive at his doorstep.

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