The Starship raced onward, heading straight for the Central Star.

When the familiar sight of the villa came into view, a flicker of excitement that even she hadn’t noticed stirred within Yu Lan.

’I wonder what Yu Wenzhou is doing right now.’

CLICK—

The villa door was pushed open.

The group filed inside.

The commotion caused the fingers of Yu Wenzhou, who was lying on the bed in the bedroom, to tremble.

’Is Yu Wenzhou not home today?’

When she didn’t see Yu Wenzhou in the villa’s living room, a look of disappointment flashed across Yu Lan’s face.

She had to admit that, at this moment, she really wanted to see Yu Wenzhou, and Shen Zueran as well.

’She’d thought that after receiving the news, even if they didn’t go to the Star Port, the two of them would be waiting for her at home.’

Standing beside Yu Lan, Huo Zhanting frowned imperceptibly, a flicker of suspicion flashing through his golden eyes.

’What on earth is going on with Yu Wenzhou today?’

’It was already strange not seeing him at the Star Port just now.’

’And now he’s not even in the villa.’

’Does he really have something to hide? Is he afraid we’ve come back to settle accounts, so he ran off ahead of time?’

’No, that’s not right. It’s one thing for Yu Wenzhou to be gone, but where on earth did Shen Zueran run off to?’

The whole situation was shrouded in mystery.

Just then, the sound of pounding footsteps came from outside as someone rushed toward them.

The group looked up and saw fully armed members of the Imperial Palace Guard.

"Phew~"

The guards’ faces were all slightly flushed from the run.

"Princess Yu Lan, we’ve finally found you."

"Her Majesty the Queen requests your presence at the Imperial Palace as soon as possible. She has an important matter to discuss with you."

Before Huo Zhanting and the others could refuse, the guard quickly turned to them.

"Marshal Huo, you may come as well."

"Princess Louisa is already at the Imperial Palace."

Apparently, this matter might have something to do with Louisa as well.

Yu Lan, Huo Zhanting, and the others all frowned. They couldn’t imagine what good could possibly come from Belina summoning the two of them at the same time.

But it was an order from the Queen, and they had to obey.

Seeing the guards’ urgent expressions, Yu Lan and the men exchanged a look, nodded, and headed straight for the Imperial Palace.

*

"I have decided to announce my abdication."

The moment Yu Lan, Huo Zhanting, and the others stepped into the Imperial Palace, they were met with Belina’s announcement of her decision to abdicate.

It was so abrupt, no one knew what to make of it.

No one had expected her to make such a decision.

Standing by her side, Louisa looked panicked and cried out anxiously.

"Mother!"

’Is Mother going to give the throne to Yu Lan today?’

If Yu Lan really ascended the throne, Louisa could already imagine her own fate would be anything but pleasant.

"Mother, you are still in your prime. Why must you do this?"

"We, your children, still need to learn under your guidance for many years to come."

In contrast to Louisa’s anxiety, Yu Lan’s expression remained unchanged.

She simply stood there quietly, watching the scene unfold.

’It was best to meet shifts with stillness.’

’For all she knew, this could be another one of Belina’s schemes against her.’

Seeing Yu Lan’s calm expression, a trace of hidden resentment flashed through Belina’s eyes.

’As expected,’ she thought. ’One that isn’t your own flesh and blood can never be tamed.’

If it weren’t for the massive scandal Qi Jingshen exposed before his defection, which caused a huge uproar and public outrage, even the nobles on the Central Star wouldn’t have started to question her ability to rule.

There was no way Belina would have proposed to abdicate on her own initiative.

The truth was, if she didn’t bring it up, she would be facing an overthrow.

She had no desire to become the first Queen in history to be deposed by the people. By proposing it herself, she could at least retain some dignity.

Belina took a deep breath and patted the back of Louisa’s hand, which was gripping her own tightly. Her voice was listless as she said,

"I’m sure you all know about the recent events through the Star Network."

"Countless people are questioning the education of the Royal Family, and our reputation has fallen to an all-time low."

"Even more are demanding the abolition of the Royal Family entirely."

"The thousands of years of the Empire’s glory cannot end on my watch. When you get to the bottom of it, all this recent conflict has been about the throne."

"Since that is the case," Belina paused, her gaze falling upon Yu Lan, "I will give you both a fair and just opportunity to compete."

"The choice of the next Queen will be left to the people. Let them choose the successor they want in their hearts."

As Belina finished speaking, Louisa’s expression changed instantly.

When it came to public appeal, there was no way she could compete with Yu Lan, the creator of the Hope Potion that could solve the problem of the male estrus cycle.

As for reputation, after Qi Jingshen’s exposé, public perception of her had shifted from gentle and kind to vicious and cruel as a scorpion.

Belina’s choice to abdicate was also made with the intention of helping Louisa resolve this final hurdle.

When she announced her abdication, she planned to take all the blame for the recent scandals upon herself.

That way, Louisa could become the next Queen with a clean slate.

Now, facing the pensive expressions of everyone present, Belina waved her hand.

A guard waiting at the door immediately came forward, presenting a device that was clearly meant for drawing lots.

Belina’s voice rang out.

"Inside this are the names of two different planets."

"They are nearly identical in terms of size, frequency of disasters, economic output, and their approval ratings for the Empire."

"You can have this verified at any time. It is absolutely fair and just."

"Now, draw your lots. Afterward, you will depart immediately for your assigned planets to begin governing."

"Whoever governs their planet better and achieves a higher approval rating for the Empire will be the next Queen."

On the surface, it seemed like a perfectly fair choice.

Since Belina could say this so openly, she must be confident that no superficial investigation would reveal any foul play.

But before Yu Lan could consider what hidden pitfalls might lie beneath the surface, Belina’s gaze fell upon her.

"Lanlan."

Belina gestured to the lottery device in front of her. "You go first."

’This way, no matter what happens, no one can blame me,’ she thought.

Louisa, who had been about to step forward, froze for a moment. She quickly withdrew her hand and stepped aside.

"Lanlan is my younger sister. She should go first."

Yu Lan glanced at Li Yucheng and the other men, who all gave her an imperceptible nod.

’No matter what, they would help their Female Master achieve victory.’

Just as Yu Lan placed her hand on one of the wooden slips to draw it, Belina added lightly,

"Oh, right. To ensure fairness."

"For this competition, you are not allowed to use any of your assets as a Princess."

"You can only rely on your own intellect to solve the problems you will face."

"Of course, this includes any help from your Beast Husbands. That is also forbidden."

"Only then can it be considered truly fair."

"Wouldn’t you agree, Lanlan?"

’Fairness itself is the greatest unfairness.’