Li Yunrui raised her head and looked at him.
"Chengcheng, have you thought about it?"
Her voice was very soft.
"Once the fact that you're the child's father comes out, you'll never be able to take the throne. Are you really willing to give up the throne most likely within your grasp-for a child with a mother like me?"
Zhou Cheng suddenly laughed.
He shook his head, smiling.
"Oh, Aunt, Aunt. You're being muddleheaded again."
He looked into her eyes and said, stressing every word:
"Taking that seat has never depended on Father Emperor's 'favor.' If his 'favor' really mattered, the court wouldn't look the way it does today."
He paused.
"That seat can only be seized. Since I have to seize it, there'll inevitably be a showdown in the end. So why worry about so much?"
Li Yunrui was left speechless.
Candlelight danced across her face, illuminating the complicated emotions in her eyes.
She had heard him say this before.
Back when Zhou Cheng had held little sway at court, she had merely listened casually, thinking it was nothing but a young man's ignorant nonsense.
But hearing it again now...
Only then did she understand that these were his true thoughts, his true resolve.
Zhou Cheng reached out again, resting his hand on her lower abdomen.
"For this child, I think giving up a few things and taking some risks is worthwhile. What do you think, Aunt?"
Li Yunrui did not answer immediately.
She remained silent.
She knew that Zhou Cheng was asking her for a final answer.
If her answer failed to satisfy him, even if they did not go their separate ways, a rift would certainly form between them.
Li Yunrui suddenly gave a laugh.
There was relief in that laugh, and resignation, along with something harder