The next day, Hongli was to attend the morning court session. Xueying got up early to help Hongli change his clothes and escorted him to the entrance of the East Side Hall. Just as Hongli was about to speak with Xueying, a eunuch rushed over and reported to him in a loud voice, "Your Highness, something terrible has happened! Empress Ulanara has passed away!"
Hongli's pupils contracted suddenly in an instant, but he quickly regained his usual calm and composure. He glanced deeply at Xueying, turned around, and strode away from Chonghua Palace, with the eunuch following closely behind him.
Xueying watched Hongli's hurried departure and sighed almost imperceptibly. She had thought Hongli would at least exchange a few words with her before leaving.
In the glamorous Forbidden City, death is not a rare occurrence. If someone were to die from heatstroke, it would not be reported to Hongli. However, this person was none other than Xueying's aunt, the current Empress Ulanara.
"Go and invite Prince He, the Seventeenth Prince, and General Qin Mo to the palace." This is a matter of great importance. The Empress has passed away, and even if she was a deposed empress, Hongli has to be cautious.
Ulanara was a deposed empress and could not be buried with the rites due to an empress, but neither could they be treated with excessive formality. Moreover, this matter could not be kept from the Fourth Prince and Lanqin; with the empress's passing, the emperor's presence was essential.
The biggest problem is that the Fourth Prince is not in the capital now, so how are we going to hold a funeral for Lady Ulanara?
Hongli pondered the matter, but neither how to release the news nor how to hold the funeral was a good solution.
"Your Highness, Prince He, the Seventeenth Prince, and General Qin Mo have all arrived," the eunuch announced.
"Quickly invite them in." Hongli snapped out of his reverie, put down his teacup, and stood up.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince." After Hongli and the others bowed, Hongli quickly told them to dispense with the formalities. "Your Highness summoned us to the palace so urgently, has something important happened?"
"Yes, Ulanara has passed away," Hongli said solemnly.
"What?" Everyone was astonished.
"What do you all think should be done about this matter?" These people present were all trusted by Hongli, and he thought he might be able to get some good advice from them.
After pondering for a moment, the Seventeenth Prince said, "Huizhou is too far from the capital. Even if we travel day and night to inform Father Emperor now, I'm afraid it will be too late."
Hongzhou nodded upon hearing this: "It is currently summer, and the body may not be able to be preserved for long."
Hongli looked at Qin Mo, and Qin Mo had the same attitude.
Given the current situation, this is the only option. Hongli nodded and said, "Then we can only claim to be ill, and then send an urgent message to inform Father and Mother, while the funeral is being held in the palace."
"That's the only way," the others agreed.
Guided by a eunuch, Hongli went to see the remains of Empress Ulanara. He glanced at them briefly, then took a deep breath, ordered his men to dress Empress Ulanara properly, and left.
That evening, Hongli ordered the announcement of Empress Ulanara's death.
Mingyu sent someone to invite him, and Hongli stood at the entrance of Chonghua Hall. After a moment's thought, he turned and went into the east side hall.
There were no palace servants sweeping in the east side hall. Hongli called out Xueying's name, and after a while, A'luo came out with red eyes.
"Greetings, Your Highness," A'luo said, bowing.
"How is Xueying now?" Ulanara was Xueying's aunt. She was dead, and Xueying must be feeling terrible. Hongli thought of this, which is why he came to see her.
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