Meanwhile, Ulanara's body was sent to the imperial concubine's mausoleum, and everyone followed Hongli back to the palace. In the past few days, Hongli had not had a proper rest because he was busy with Ulanara's funeral, and many affairs of the court had also been delayed.

As they approached Chonghua Palace, Hongli took Mingyu's hand and looked at her large belly, saying, "You're still pregnant, and you've been working hard these past few days. Go back and rest well."

"Isn't Your Highness going back to the palace?" Seeing that Hongli didn't seem to intend to return to Chonghua Palace, Mingyu asked with some suspicion.

"There are still some matters that haven't been dealt with. Let's go back to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to handle the remaining memorials."

Seeing the weariness in Hongli's eyes, Mingyu felt very sorry for him, but she couldn't stop him, so she could only say, "Your Highness, please don't overwork yourself. I'm also a little worried about you."

Hongli nodded to reassure Mingyu, and then Mingyu led Gao and the others back to Chonghua Palace.

Seeing that Hongli was about to leave, Xueying, who was following behind, did not follow Mingyu and the others back to Chonghua Palace. Instead, she quickly followed Hongli, who was heading towards Yangxin Palace. She walked up to Hongli and said, "Your Highness."

Seeing Xueying following him, Hongli asked suspiciously, "What is it? Why don't you go back to the palace and rest properly?"

"I wish to keep vigil for my aunt. I have not been able to fulfill my filial duties to the Empress all these years. Now I wish to keep my aunt company and not let down the love and care she has given me."

As soon as she finished speaking, tears streamed down Xueying's face. Perhaps she had been crying for a long time, for Xueying's eyes were red and swollen. Hongli felt very sorry for her. He knew that Xueying was very sad because of the death of Ulanara, so Hongli did not refuse Xueying's request and let her go to Jingren Palace to keep vigil.

Hongli raised his hand and gently wiped away Xueying's tears, saying softly, "Alright. If you're tired, don't force yourself."

Xueying looked up and saw the exhaustion in Hongli's expression. She held back her sobs and said slowly, "I understand, Your Highness. Please go back and rest. You have been working hard for the Empress these past few days."

After Xueying and Hongli parted ways, Xueying went to the mourning hall of Jingren Palace. At this time, Xueying could no longer hold back. She knelt in front of Ulanara's mourning hall and cried.

Meanwhile, ten days later, Fourth Master finally received the urgent report, but at this time he and Lanqin had been staying at the Xihai Pai Lou Inn on Huangshan Mountain for three days.

Lanqin looked at the Fourth Prince, who was reading a letter, and asked with a puzzled expression, "Has something serious happened? If it weren't for this, Hongli wouldn't be in such a hurry. With the Seventeenth Prince and He Qinmo assisting him in the palace, he shouldn't have encountered any troublesome matters."

The Fourth Prince looked at the contents of the letter without any change in expression. He then showed the urgent report to Lanqin beside him and said slowly, "Ulanara has passed away."

Upon hearing this, Lanqin took the letter from Fourth Master's hand. After reading it, Lanqin sighed, tore the note into pieces, and threw it out the window. Lanqin murmured, "This day has come."

"Hongli held the funeral according to the etiquette and standards for imperial concubines."

Upon hearing the Fourth Prince's words, Lanqin slowly nodded and said, "This is a proper way to do it. Although she was once the Empress, she cannot be buried with the rites due to being deposed."

But just as Hongli thought, "I do not wish to meet her at the imperial mausoleum a hundred years from now."

Upon hearing the Fourth Prince's words, Lanqin's heart skipped a beat. She quickly turned around and covered the Fourth Prince's mouth, saying, "Your Majesty, I do not wish to hear you utter these words."