Why Can't a Junk Stock Take the Throne?

Li Lejiao is ranting furiously online when everything suddenly goes black. She thinks the power has gone out at home. But when she opens her eyes, she's seamlessly landed in an ancient setting. A mechanical voice sounds beside her, issuing a notification: #Emperor Growth System loaded. Please choose the main storyline difficulty.# Li Lejiao sits bolt upright. “Easy! It has to be easy!” #Dear, you start as an empress. That's hard mode from the start!# Li Lejiao: “...Fine.” Looking at the hell-mode setting, she figures she can at least scrape by on hard mode. But when she uses the System's appraisal to select a trio of entrepreneurs... #Difficulty increase alert. Hell mode activating.# Li Lejiao: I have something to say, but I'm not sure it's appropriate. Other Hosts become emperors and recruit only genius officials and generals, or at least high-potential talent. But Li Lejiao is stuck with a handful of average picks, duds, and even total garbage! Li Lejiao says, “It's no big deal.” As they say, things turn around after hitting rock bottom. She stacks a hundred or so debuffs. Even if her luck doesn't improve, at least she'll get... a collection achievement, right? #Ding! Complete the all-female set to unlock hidden buff: # #Potential Stock: Every mediocrity held back by the times will have a dazzling future.# A light, easy read. Theme: Even in the dust, a dazzling flower of life can bloom.