The Empress’s heart pounded wildly as she suddenly looked up at the Grand Empress Dowager.

The Grand Empress Dowager was actually this greedy—holding power wasn’t enough for her; she also wanted to control the prince!

The Grand Empress Dowager’s eyes and brows held a smile, wearing the expression of a victor. Fight with her? Even if the Empress’s entire natal family were twisted together, they wouldn’t be her match!

The Empress’s tears flowed like rain. She took several deep breaths before stopping her sobs.

Prince Hao had nearly been harmed right before her eyes. If he left her sight, who could guarantee his safety? Falling into the Grand Empress Dowager’s hands and being raised poorly would be fortunate—if something went wrong and he lost his life, she’d have nowhere to seek justice.

“Grand Empress Dowager!” The Empress’s voice came out hoarse and sharp. She wanted to argue her case—she absolutely could not lose her son!

Just then, someone gently tugged at her sleeve.

This gesture reminded her to regain her rationality. She hurriedly forced out a smile: “Grand Empress Dowager, your health is important. Such tiring work as caring for a child should still be left to this subject’s wife. Moreover, although this subject’s wife has arranged wet nurses for the First Prince, the child clings to me tightly. Even now, this subject’s wife occasionally still breastfeeds him.”

“Whose milk isn’t milk? It’s not like there aren’t wet nurses in this palace! Even if there weren’t, didn’t children who ate porridge and rice soup in the countryside still grow up?” The Grand Empress Dowager’s attitude was extremely firm.

Was she speaking like a human being?

The Empress was furious. If not for retaining some rationality, she would have already rushed over to tear apart the Grand Empress Dowager’s mouth! The Grand Empress Dowager clearly only cared about herself, disregarding even her own grandson!

She had been blind. After living together for so many years, how had she never discovered that the Grand Empress Dowager was such a profit-seeking creature who disregarded family affection and human relationships!

The Empress could endure no longer and nearly wanted to perish together with the Grand Empress Dowager!

Just at this moment, Qin Yining bowed and said: “Reporting to the Grand Empress Dowager, this subject’s wife believes this matter should be reported to His Majesty before making a decision. Although His Majesty grants autonomy over inner palace matters and doesn’t intervene, the young prince is His Majesty’s only legitimate son. His Majesty must treasure him greatly. Inquiring first and acting according to His Majesty’s wishes would avoid hurting feelings between all parties.”

Qin Yining spoke gently, yet struck right at the vital point and reminded the Empress.

Today’s matter was being handled behind closed doors in the Grand Empress Dowager’s presence—how to leniently treat Consort Yun was entirely the Grand Empress Dowager’s word. But what if the matter reached Li Qitian’s ears?

Although the Empress had aged and lost her beauty, she was still respected by Li Qitian. Otherwise, Li Qitian’s first child wouldn’t have been legitimate—weren’t there plenty of beautiful concubines in the palace?

Based on this alone, the Empress’s words carried weight in Li Qitian’s ears.

If the Empress told Li Qitian that his legitimate son had nearly been harmed, how would Li Qitian handle it? Even if he didn’t fully believe it, planting seeds of doubt in his heart would be enough to vex Consort Yun.

Moreover, due to the previous incident of Marquis Qingyang colluding with Prince Li in the palace coup, Li Qitian was already obviously displeased with the Grand Empress Dowager. The Grand Empress Dowager had been speaking and acting cautiously in the palace during this period precisely to restore their mother-son relationship, hadn’t she?

If he learned that his birth mother only cared about protecting her grand-niece at crucial moments while disregarding her own grandson, wouldn’t all the Grand Empress Dowager’s previous efforts be wasted?

The Empress suddenly understood.

The Grand Empress Dowager now looked at Qin Yining as if she wanted to devour her.

Consort Yun and Li Helan also put away their smug expressions. They knew the Empress would definitely tell His Majesty.

The atmosphere suddenly became so frigid it seemed about to freeze into ice.

Having found her backbone, the Empress wiped away her tears and bowed: “This subject’s wife believes these words are reasonable. The Grand Empress Dowager is advanced in years after all. If she were to care for an infant, it would be beyond her strength. This subject’s wife doesn’t want the Grand Empress Dowager to be too tired. If she were worn out, wouldn’t that all be this subject’s wife’s fault? The Grand Empress Dowager has labored all her life—she should enjoy her later years. As for His Majesty’s side, if His Majesty is comfortable entrusting the First Prince to the Grand Empress Dowager, this subject’s wife will send the child over.”

At this point, the Empress added: “At worst, this subject’s wife will just move to the Grand Empress Dowager’s Palace of Benevolent Peace with her people to help the Grand Empress Dowager care for the child. We mother- and daughter-in-law can even keep each other company. Don’t you think so?”

The Grand Empress Dowager was so angry she gasped heavily, glaring at the Empress with furrowed brows and angry eyes, then giving Qin Yining a vicious look.

Ask the Emperor?

If this matter reached the Emperor, it would definitely be a case of injuring the enemy by a thousand while losing eight hundred oneself.

“Forget it. You can raise the First Prince yourself. This dowager finds children’s crying annoying anyway.”

“Yes.” The Empress was overjoyed—this was the first time she had gained the upper hand in front of the Grand Empress Dowager.

“However, today’s offense of falsely accusing Consort Yun cannot be dismissed so easily…” the Grand Empress Dowager continued with a stern face.

“The Grand Empress Dowager speaks truly.” Before the Grand Empress Dowager could finish, Qin Yining said, “Who falsely accused, who made excuses, who refused to admit—none of these have been determined yet. Since our dynasty has the Court of Imperial Clan, why not turn the matter entirely over to them? That way no one would be wronged. Though this subject’s wife lacks talent, she’s also willing to come forward as a witness. If the Court of Imperial Clan can’t resolve it, there’s still the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review—we can always find a place to seek justice.”

As long as the Grand Empress Dowager felt the imperial family could afford to lose face.

The Grand Empress Dowager’s eyes blazed with fury as she slammed the table hard: “Audacious! Qin Shi, don’t think that just because you’re Pang Zhixi’s princess consort, you can stand tall before this dowager! You’re far from qualified!”

Qin Yining promptly knelt and bowed: “Grand Empress Dowager, please calm your anger. This subject’s wife was merely making a suggestion—whether to act or not is up to the Empress and Grand Empress Dowager. Since the Grand Empress Dowager feels this subject’s wife spoke poorly, this outsider won’t meddle in imperial family affairs. This subject’s wife takes her leave.”

Having said this, she rose, bowed, and withdrew, also bringing Nanny Gong, Ji Yun, and Bingtang out with her.

The Grand Empress Dowager’s index finger trembled as she pointed fiercely in the direction Qin Yining had left, her whole body shaking.

“Look at her behavior! Her husband defies imperial edicts, and she dares to be disrespectful to this dowager! Their whole family must have rebellious intentions!”

The Empress said urgently: “The inner palace cannot interfere in politics. The Grand Empress Dowager should speak cautiously. Whether there’s rebellion or not, His Majesty knows in his heart.”

The Grand Empress Dowager suddenly glared at the Empress.

Upon hearing about Pang Xiao defying edicts, Li Helan feared the Grand Empress Dowager would speak ill of Pang Xiao to Li Qitian and hurriedly said: “Enough, Mother Empress. It’s all in the past. Imperial brother will naturally decide on court matters. Rather, Lan’er feels that today’s matter should just end with imperial sister-in-law apologizing to Consort Yun. Family scandals shouldn’t be aired publicly. If this gets blown up and people laugh at us, what about the imperial family’s dignity?”

Consort Yun also said: “Reporting to the Grand Empress Dowager, this subject is also willing to let this matter pass. This subject suffering some grievance is nothing—this subject only hopes for family harmony.”

The Empress could see that Consort Yun was deliberately speaking this way in front of the Grand Empress Dowager, deliberately provoking her!

Earlier, Qin Yining had risked herself to turn the tables twice before the Grand Empress Dowager. She must maintain this situation and not create new complications. Though she was honored as Empress, she lacked adaptability and quick wit in verbal sparring. She absolutely couldn’t let the Grand Empress Dowager seize another handle.

Thinking of this, the Empress said: “This subject’s wife also doesn’t wish this matter to escalate, but cannot silently suffer losses either. This subject’s wife is His Majesty’s legitimate wife and hasn’t wronged Consort Yun in the slightest. If you force this subject’s wife to apologize, wouldn’t His Majesty’s dignity be completely lost?

“If the Grand Empress Dowager forces this subject’s wife to apologize, then to prove this subject’s wife’s innocence, for the imperial family’s reputation, and so Prince Hao won’t be talked about behind his back in the future for having a mother who falsely accuses people, this subject’s wife can only go beat the Grievance Drum.”

“You! It seems you’re determined to oppose this dowager!”

“This subject’s wife doesn’t dare. It’s just that when the road is uneven, one must speak out.”

“Good, good! Get out of this dowager’s sight!”

The Empress bowed and walked out with dignity.

The Grand Empress Dowager sat rigidly in place, gasping heavily.

Seeing the Grand Empress Dowager so angry, Consort Yun pressed her lips together and approached with a smile: “Grand-aunt, look how arrogant she is! Don’t take it to heart. We’ll deal with her later, Grand-aunt…”

“Get lost!” The Grand Empress Dowager grabbed the dish containing melon seeds and hurled it at Consort Yun.

Consort Yun cried out “Aiya!” in fright, stumbled back two steps, fell to the ground, and began crying delicately while covering her mouth.

Li Helan silently cursed “fool” and turned to comfort the Grand Empress Dowager: “Mother Empress, don’t be sad or angry. We’ll have plenty of opportunities in the future. But today’s matter was ruined by Qin Yining. If she hadn’t suddenly appeared to argue forcefully, wouldn’t imperial sister-in-law have had to kneel and beg you?”

“This dowager underestimated her! After all, she’s a woman who could bewitch a talent like Pang Zhixi—how could she lack methods?”

These words truly pierced Li Helan’s heart. Thinking of Pang Xiao, she still felt stifled inside.

“She’s just lucky and was born with a seductive face!”

“Enough. Speaking of luck, you’re luckier than anyone. You transformed from a village girl to a princess, yet you haven’t captured your husband’s heart!

“You should listen to this dowager’s advice. Though Ji Lan is a bit wooden and cold, if a man has no personality, what kind of man is he? Though he’s not good with words, he’s utterly loyal. This time defeating the Tatars until they submitted—wasn’t that Ji Lan’s achievement?

“Did your imperial brother wrong you by choosing such a prince consort? You should give up those thoughts and get along well with him. Look at why Qin Shi is so successful—she can bear twins while you don’t lay eggs. Not only do you not bear children for the Ji family, you even keep…”

Glancing at the crying Consort Yun, the Grand Empress Dowager ultimately didn’t directly mention keeping male favorites, still leaving Li Helan some face, but glared at her fiercely.

“Enough, you two are both useless things. Get lost! At critical moments, none of you are useful—what does this dowager need you for?”

Li Helan pouted: “As if anyone wants to come. You say I’m useless, but didn’t you also fail to defeat them?”

Before the Grand Empress Dowager could scold her angrily, Li Helan curtsied hastily and strode away, leaving only the Grand Empress Dowager to vent her uncontrollable fury on Consort Yun, who still didn’t dare leave.

At this time, the Empress was walking shoulder to shoulder with Qin Yining on the path back to Kunning Palace.

The Empress felt as if she had fought a battle, completely drained of strength, entirely supported by Nanny Sun.

“Thank you so much earlier. If not for you, today I’m afraid…”

“Your Majesty need not be polite. Actually, even if this subject’s wife hadn’t spoken up, Your Majesty would have thought of a response. It’s just that Your Majesty’s maternal love is so deep that when matters involve the prince, you became flustered and momentarily lost your way.”