Empress Dowager Zhou was scolded so much by the Grand Empress Dowager that she could hardly raise her head. She said, "I never wanted Yuning to divorce. I just wanted Jiayun to be an insignificant concubine."

The Grand Empress Dowager angrily asked, "When you were in love with Prince Duan, what would you have thought if I had arranged for you to have my niece as a concubine for no reason? We are all women, and you don't understand what your niece is thinking."

Queen Mother Zhou knelt before the Grand Empress Dowager and said, "Mother, I am also thinking about Zhao Jie. The Qi family will eventually become a major threat to North City. That's why I thought of marrying my niece to Lu Ze to contain the Qi family..."

The Empress Dowager was furious when she heard this. "You are so confused! You have always been honest. Did the Zhou family tell you to use the marriage to restrain the Qi family?"

Queen Mother Zhou replied, "Yes!"

The Empress Dowager said, "The young prince of the Qi family in North City is my grandson, and Ze'er is also my grandson. They are cousins. You want to destroy the Lu and Qi families by marrying your Zhou family's daughter to Lu Ze? What are you dreaming of?"

Also, if Qi Yuan or Ze'er had any rebellious intentions, would your son still be able to ascend the throne now?

The Zhou family is Zhao Jie's cousin, and the future commander of the Qi family army is also Jie'er's cousin. They are all cousins, and aunt cousins ​​are closer than aunt cousins. You don't even know that you are being used as a pawn."

Empress Dowager Zhou suddenly realized that many people could not think of Princess Zhao Shu for a while, and she had forgotten that the future prince of the Qi family was indeed Zhao Jie's cousin.

"Mother, what should I do now? Rumors are flying everywhere, and the censor is still kneeling outside the palace. I..."

The Grand Empress Dowager said, "What should we do? Why don't you quickly withdraw the imperial decree? And don't let this matter spread to Beicheng and frustrate the Qi family army, causing the people all over the world to accuse the royal family of being ungrateful."

Empress Dowager Zhou said, "I will withdraw the decree right away."

The Grand Empress Dowager said, "It's not enough to just withdraw the decree. You should go visit Yuning in person and ask her what she wants."

Queen Mother Zhou replied, "Yes."

The Empress Dowager said, "Also, the late emperor only gave the imperial edict of succession to Qi Yuning. I'm afraid that the fact that Jie'er was able to ascend to the throne by sheer luck is all thanks to Yuning and Lu Ze.

Instead of trusting your mother's family who relies on you, you might as well trust Ze'er and Yuning. After all, if they want to rebel, they can do so now!

You also experienced the pain of losing your daughter and husband at a young age. Now that your son has become so rich, if it is really for his good, don't interfere in political affairs. You are not cut out for manipulating political power.

Jie'er has become an emperor at such a young age, so it is enough for you to be a loving mother."

Empress Dowager Zhou agreed repeatedly and went to Prince Qi's mansion to visit Qi Yuning in person despite the fact that it was already dusk.

When Qi Yuning saw Queen Mother Zhou, she claimed to be ill and asked her to wait for two quarters of an hour. When it was dark, she finally arrived at the reception hall of the palace. "Thank you for waiting for me, Queen Mother."

"Yuning." Queen Mother Zhou looked at Qi Yuning and said, "I'm relieved to see that you look okay."

"Yu Ning, I really don't have the intention to divorce you. Oh, don't worry, I won't force any concubines on Lu Ze's side anymore. You should go back to the princess's mansion as soon as possible, and don't be angry. I feel so sorry for you being sick."

Qi Yuning looked at Empress Dowager Zhou and said, "Your Majesty, I've made such a big fuss about this matter today. I've never suffered such injustice since I was a child. I don't know how the Zhou family persuaded you to issue this imperial decree granting the marriage, but I can't stand by and watch the Zhou family bully me like this."

Empress Dowager Zhou said, "Yuning, I have already apologized to you..."

Qi Yuning said, "Your Majesty, this grievance that I have endured cannot be in vain, nor can my illness be in vain.

"Miss Zhou wants to be a concubine, doesn't she? Just arrange a marriage for her as a concubine, and the matter will be settled!"

"This..." Empress Dowager Zhou said, "Yuning, you are also a girl. Jiayun is still a sixteen-year-old girl. Isn't it too unfair for her to be someone else's concubine?"

"Isn't it unfair to be Lu Ze's concubine?" Qi Yuning said sarcastically, "Now I feel that being a concubine is unfair."

Empress Dowager Zhou was shocked and said, "Yuning, Jiayun is only a sixteen-year-old girl after all. The decision to make her Lu Ze's concubine was made by the family."

Qi Yuning said, "When I was still in confinement after giving birth, she was flirting with Lu Ze. Don't talk about a 16-year-old girl! Miss Zhou flirted with Lu Ze right in front of me while I was in confinement after giving birth. Did she ever consider that I was just a woman who had just given birth?

Now, one option is to marry Miss Zhou to a commoner as his principal wife, and keep her away from Shengjing City. I will just ignore her and not bother her. The other option is that if Miss Zhou wants to stay in Shengjing City, she can only be someone's concubine.

When you issue an order granting Miss Zhou a marriage, I will return to the Princess's residence the same day I recover. The longer I delay, the worse the Zhou family's reputation will be. You decide what to do!"

"Yuning..." Empress Dowager Zhou looked at Qi Yuning and said, "Jiayun is your Majesty's cousin after all. Even for your Majesty's sake, please forgive her this time!"