Of course, the Empress Dowager couldn't understand it, which is why she blamed this and that.

The Empress Dowager originally intended to confront Lu Cang of Dongli, hoping he would spare Shi Qingyun's life. However, she returned empty-handed, and now had something to worry about.

So, after returning to Cixi Palace, she had no time to pay attention to her daughter. Instead, she directly instructed the nanny beside her, saying, "Caiyun, go and investigate for me thoroughly. See what's going on in the prince's harem. How come it's been so long and not a single one of them is pregnant?"

"Yes, this servant will go and investigate immediately."

When the eldest princess saw that the Empress Dowager had gone to plead for Qingyun on her behalf, but had returned to inquire about her brother's harem, she was immediately displeased and said directly, "Mother, what's wrong with you? Didn't you go to plead for Qingyun? Why are you now concerned about the pregnant concubines in my brother's harem?"

The Empress Dowager's expression darkened upon hearing her daughter's complaints. She was especially furious, particularly considering that Lu Cang of Dongli had completely disregarded her, the Empress Dowager.

She looked at her daughter and said coldly, "He's determined to kill Qingyun. You'd better think of another way."

"What? Dongli Lu Cang won't even give you face?" The Grand Princess was somewhat incredulous. Although Dongli Lu Cang was the Regent, the Empress Dowager was not only the Empress Dowager but also his sister-in-law. It is said that an elder sister-in-law is like a mother; how could Dongli Lu Cang dare to disobey the Empress Dowager?

"When has he ever given me any face?" The Empress Dowager was clearly displeased. What good was wishing Dongli Lu Cang dead? She had tried to kill him, she had tried to poison him, yet he was still alive and well.

As for putting pressure on Dongli Lu Cang, that would be even less effective. Not only were two-thirds of the court officials on Dongli Lu Cang's side, but the rest were mostly incompetent.

"What about our daughter?"

"The execution is tomorrow; we have no choice but to storm the execution ground."

"A rescue at the execution ground?" The princess was astonished; she had never considered this possibility before. She had only ever heard of people attempting to rescue prisoners at execution grounds, only to meet a bad end. Was it going to be her turn now?

Will she end up like those people before her, dying in the execution ground?

But she couldn't bear to watch her son die.

After some hesitation, she decided to heed the Empress Dowager's advice and send men to storm the execution ground. As long as her son was alive, there was still hope.

With that thought in mind, she didn't linger in the palace any longer and hurriedly returned to her own residence.

Dongli Lu Cang had no idea that the eldest princess was about to take a dangerous gamble and prepare to storm the execution ground. After he finished reviewing the memorials and saw that it was still early, he left the palace first.

He didn't need to worry about Shi Qingyun's execution tomorrow. He should focus on making his presence felt by the Xu family and trying to get them on his side as soon as possible so he could marry his beloved.

Unexpectedly, when he arrived at the villa, he found it empty; Yunzhi had led the Xu family members out.

The next day, Zhou Linshan had someone deliver Shi Qingyun's last meal before his execution.

Seeing the food, which was clearly better than usual, Shi Qingyun felt a bad premonition. So he asked the person who brought the food, "Why is the food more lavish than before?"

"Young Master Shi, what do you say?"

Although the other party didn't say anything, Shi Qingyun already understood that this was a last meal before his execution. For a moment, he couldn't bring himself to eat.

Whether Shi Qingyun eats or not will not affect his execution.

Of course, he wasn't the only one executed; there were others who participated in the assassination of Yunzhi.