This move was like thunder, and everyone in the hall fell to their knees. Xue Jiyan stood there at a loss, looking frantically for Xue Yonghuai.
Xue Yonghuai's eyes welled with tears, but he nodded firmly. At that moment, the gratitude for twenty years of upbringing and the truth of his bloodline collided fiercely in his heart, ultimately turning into a long sigh: "Child, this is your fate."
Eunuch Xia brought a bronze mirror just in time. Xue Jiyan looked at himself in the mirror and suddenly understood why people always said that he looked different from the Xue family. His high nose bridge and slightly upturned eyes were exactly like those in the portrait of the late emperor.
"I..." His voice was hoarse, "really..."
The imperial concubine stood up and pulled out a small portrait from her bosom. The portrait showed Imperial Concubine Mei with beautiful features, holding a baby in her arms. The child's features were almost identical to those of Xue Jiyan before her.
"This is the only portrait the Queen left of you," the Concubine said softly, "Her greatest wish before her death was that you grow up safely."
Xue Jiyan's tears finally burst out. He took the portrait tremblingly, and the mystery of his life was completely solved at this moment.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps were heard outside the palace, and a commander of the imperial guards hurried in: "Report! Lord Zhao, the commander of the Jinyiwei, has led his troops to surround the Qianqing Palace!"
A glimmer of hope flashed in Li Longze's eyes, but the concubine just sneered: "It's too late."
She clapped her hands, and the palace door opened again. Ding Dayong's personal guards came in, escorting the heavily bound Jinyiwei commander. The commander's face was covered in blood, having obviously been through a fierce fight.
"Your Majesty..." The commander knelt and wailed, "Your Majesty...Your Majesty is incompetent..."
Li Longze's last hope was shattered. He collapsed on the dragon couch, the light in his eyes gradually dimming. "So... today... you are trying to force me to abdicate..."
The concubine shook her head. "The late emperor said that if the seventh prince were still alive, the clan clan office and the cabinet would discuss and choose a virtuous successor." She glanced meaningfully at the dying emperor. "But now it seems that heaven has made its choice."
Xue Jiyan suddenly stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, I...I have a favor to ask of you."
Everyone in the palace looked in surprise at the young man who had suddenly spoken. The concubine said gently, "Your Highness, please feel free to speak."
"No matter what my background may be," Xue Jiyan's voice gradually became firm, "I will never forget the fifteen years of nurturing and care that Lord Xue has given me. I beg the Concubine Dowager to allow me to retain the surname 'Xue' as a nickname to repay your kindness."
These words were spoken with such sincerity that even Eunuch Xia could not help but wipe his eyes. The Concubine Dowager nodded with satisfaction: "Your Highness is so kind and filial, how can I refuse your permission?"
She turned to Xue Yonghuai and said, "Lord Xue has taught me well. The spirit of the late emperor would surely be pleased."
Xue Yonghuai kowtowed deeply, his shoulders trembling slightly. At this moment, he was both loyal as a minister and reluctant to leave as a father.
Outside the hall, the morning light finally penetrated the clouds, and the first ray of sunlight slanted into the hall, falling right on Xue Jiyan—or Li Longheng.
The golden lock sparkled in the sun, as if heralding a new dawn for the dynasty.
Lying on the dragon couch, Li Longze uttered a final, unwilling sigh, the light in his eyes completely extinguished. The imperial physician approached, taking his breath, then knelt to report, "Your Majesty... has passed away..."
The palace fell silent again. A moment later, the Dowager's solemn voice rang out: "According to the late emperor's will, I and the cabinet will serve as co-regents until the new emperor ascends the throne. The Seventh Prince, Li Longheng, will reside in the Eastern Palace effective immediately, and an auspicious date will be chosen for his coronation ceremony!"
The wheel of fate quietly turned at this moment. Standing at this turning point, the young man looked at the gradually brightening sky outside the temple and knew that his life would never be the same again.
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