A single-horse carriage carried Wei Lan and Luo Wei through the snowstorm of the Northern Kingdom. Inside the carriage were two charcoal stoves, and all the gaps were plugged with cotton. Luo Wei sat inside, feeling no trace of the cold outside. Wei Lan, on the other hand, was bundled up tightly outside, with only his eyes and nose exposed. Despite his inner strength, the winter of the Northern Kingdom was challenging even for him. However, every time he looked back at the smile on Luo Wei’s face, he no longer felt the cold.
In the capital, the continuous rain finally turned into snow.
In this winter, Emperor Xingwu reached the end of his life on the second day of snowfall in the capital.
Earlier that day, Emperor Xingwu, who had been delirious, had suddenly regained consciousness and said that he was thirsty.
The imperial physicians, initially relieved, thought that Emperor Xingwu had passed the critical point. However, after feeling his pulse, their expressions turned solemn. It was merely a last moment of clarity before the end for their emperor.
Before heading to Changming Hall, Long Xuan ordered someone to forcefully summon all the imperial princes to his study hall to keep an eye on them. He couldn’t allow his younger brothers to betray him in front of their dying father.
“I heard you’ve been ill too?” Emperor Xingwu lay on the dragon couch, looking at his second son kneeling before him.
“I would rather be ill in place of Father,” Long Xuan said, “Now that Father is getting better, I can finally rest assured.”
“It’s no use,” Emperor Xingwu wanted to smile at Long Xuan but couldn’t pull the corners of his lips.
“Father!” Long Xuan’s voice trembled with tears, “You’ll be fine, don’t scare your son!”
Emperor Xingwu blinked and asked, “Where is the Crown Prince? Where is your eldest brother? Ask him to come see me.”
“I’ve already sent someone to summon the Crown Prince,” Long Xuan said hastily, “Father, please wait a moment for Eldest Brother to arrive.”
“Is he still alive?” Emperor Xingwu suddenly asked Long Xuan.
Long Xuan was taken aback.
“He’s gone,” Emperor Xingwu noticed Long Xuan’s changed expression and immediately affirmed, “You want to be Emperor, how could you spare his life?”
“How could I entertain such delusions?” Long Xuan quickly kowtowed, “Eldest Brother will be here shortly, please wait a moment, Father.”
“Standing by the pillar, he just refused to come forward. It seems he has come to escort me.”
Hearing this, Long Xuan felt cold all over his body. It was only because he was mentally strong that he could resist looking past Emperor Xingwu’s gaze.
“There’s still an arrow in his back,” Emperor Xingwu said to Long Xuan faintly, “Did you shoot him to death?”
“Absolutely not,” Long Xuan said, “Father, you are mistaken. Eldest Brother will come from the Eastern Palace soon. This is Changming Palace, how could such supernatural events occur here?”
“Long Xuan,” Emperor Xingwu smiled sadly, “When you ascend the throne, remember to visit the Hu Guo Temple and let Fu Yi take you to the nine-story Pagoda.”
“Is there really such a nine-story Pagoda?” Long Xuan exclaimed.
“Yes, why wouldn’t there be?” Emperor Xingwu said, “By then, you will understand how our Long family came to rule.”
Long Xuan wondered if his father was out of his mind again. Was this another piece of unbelievable nonsense? He had visited the Hu Guo Temple more than once, and there was no nine-story pagoda!
“Indeed, you really think the throne is in your hands,” Emperor Xingwu said to Long Xuan at this moment, “I told you that I would pass the throne to you, and this is how you are accepting it?”
Long Xuan quickly became solemn and kowtowed deeply to Emperor Xingwu, saying, “Your humble son has few talents and little knowledge, and cannot bear such a great responsibility. While Father is still alive, your son and minister will never dare to accept this sacred decree from Father.”
“The dead do not concern themselves with the affairs of the living,” Emperor Xingwu said, “Summon Luo Xiang and the ministers, I have something to say.”
“Father!”
“Don’t worry, I’ve decided to pass the throne to you, so I won’t say anything unfavorable to you,” Emperor Xingwu waved his hand weakly, “Let them in.”
The ministers filed in, each bowing their heads, not letting others see their expressions at this time.
Emperor Xingwu only looked at Luo Zhiqiu, who stood at the forefront among the officials, and said, “Luo Xiang, if you want to resign, I will accept it.”
Luo Zhiqiu quickly knelt down to express his gratitude.
Long Xuan stood aside, his expression turning cold.
After Luo Zhiqiu expressed his gratitude, Emperor Xingwu continued, “The Crown Prince has been unfilial, disappointing me. My second son, Long Xuan, is resolute in character and has been exceptionally talented since childhood, surpassing his brothers. Compared to the Crown Prince, this son is capable of bearing great responsibilities. Now, I hereby pass the throne to him.”
Long Xuan knelt down and kowtowed heavily to Emperor Xingwu.
Then, all the officials knelt down together to congratulate Long Xuan.
Emperor Xingwu reached out his hand to Long Xuan.
Long Xuan held his father’s hand, a hand that had once wielded a sword on the battlefield but was now frail and weak.
“Xuan,” Emperor Xingwu said to Long Xuan, “It is not good for people to have too many murderous thoughts. You must treat your brothers kindly.”
“Your son will definitely treat his brothers well,” Long Xuan said.
“Luo Xiang has devoted his life to the country. After he retires, you must not disturb his peace. Even for the sake of Xiao Wei, you must ensure he lives out his remaining years in peace and happiness.”
“Your Majesty!” Luo Zhiqiu knelt on the ground, crying out.
“Your son will remember Father’s words,” Long Xuan quickly replied, kowtowing deeply to Emperor Xingwu once again.
“In my life, I have done my best for the country,” Emperor Xingwu’s strength was waning at this moment, and his voice weakened, only Long Xuan, kneeling by his bedside, could hear the words of this dying emperor, “I am just ashamed in front of a mother and son. Zhi Mian has not yet worn her wedding dress in her lifetime, and Wei’er has not called me ‘father’ in his lifetime. This throne is too heavy. Long Xuan, from now on, you will be alone, so take care of yourself.”
“Father!” Long Xuan shouted at Emperor Xingwu, tears finally falling.
Emperor Xingwu turned his head. Unexpectedly, there were peach blossoms flying into Changming Hall, and he widened his eyes. Who was the girl with a skirt embroidered with peach blossoms in the midst of the peach blossoms? Emperor Xingwu was about to take a closer look at the girl when the peach blossom rain suddenly became intense. The peach blossoms on the tree were blooming enchantingly. Who was the young man in spring clothes? The swirling peach blossoms confused the eyes of the emperor. He couldn’t see clearly. Emperor Xingwu broke free from Long Xuan’s hand, stretched out his hand, wanting to push aside the peach blossoms that confused his eyes, wanting to get a good look at the two figures, why were they so far away from him? Did they not want to see him again?
Long Xuan reached out and checked Emperor Xingwu’s breath, then quickly shouted, “Imperial Physician!”
Imperial Physician Wei hurried forward and felt Emperor Xingwu’s pulse.
People were already crying in Changming Hall.
“His Majesty has passed away!” the imperial physician cried out to Long Xuan.
Long Xuan also burst into tears.
Changming Hall was filled with a chorus of mourning.
“Long live His Majesty!” When the funeral bell of the palace rang, Long Xuan also received the first bow of obeisance from the ministers.
As soon as the late emperor passed away, the new emperor immediately ascended the throne. The changes of old and new in the world, regardless of status, have always been so inhumane.
Boundless Dao 
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