The Sound of Sorrow

The entire city was unadorned and covered in plain white silk. It was as if a great snowfall that seeped coldness into people's hearts had fallen in September. Snowflakes seemed to be landing on everyone around the Royal Palace and in each of the streets, alleys, and private residences. They were not true snowflakes. Rather, they were white cloths, pieces of paper, lights, hangings, and lanterns.

The pure whiteness was clean. It subdued the sorrow and tears in the people's chests, who were terrified of disturbing the saddest day Qing Kingdom had experienced in 20 years.

The news of the Emperor's demise could not be hidden forever, particularly as the rumors grew. The empress had to make a prompt decision. She could not wait for the group sent to Dong Mountain to retrieve the Emperor's body or for the various investigations to continue before she announced the earth-shattering news to the world.