His gradually fading consciousness seemed to be focused entirely on Zhao, the Empress Dowager, hidden behind the pearl curtain. Despite his bloodshot eyes and his pitiable appearance, his blood-red gaze remained resolute as he struggled to speak, his words tinged with a blood-colored hue:

“Please, Your Majesty… restore power to the Emperor… to pacify… the hearts of the millions in the realm…”

The feeble words ceased abruptly, leaving no further sound. Despite the Empress Dowager’s pressure, his body remained motionless, as if frozen in place.

After a moment of no response, the Empress Dowager instructed a nearby courtier to approach and check on him.

The courtier went forward, called out to Lu Chen a few times, and waved a hand, only to find him unresponsive. He reached out and parted the disheveled black hair from Lu Chen’s face.

When the courtier revealed Lu Chen’s current state to the crowd, the other courtiers couldn’t help but inhale sharply, stunned.

Lu Chen’s eyes were wide open, bloodshot, fixated on the pearl curtain beside the dragon throne. His gaze had not wavered even slightly, as if that was his sole and unwavering determination in life.

“Your Majesty…”

The courtier’s voice trembled slightly, “Your Majesty… he… he has fainted…”

Even though he had lost consciousness completely, his body still followed his indomitable will, standing firm without yielding, resolute in the same spot.

For the Empress, he could stare fearlessly at the ruler who truly held the absolute power of the Da Xia Empire, even if it meant losing his position, becoming a commoner without prospects, or being exiled thousands of miles away!

What profound loyalty and righteousness this was!

Several courtiers were deeply moved.

The Empress’s eyes welled up with a hint of redness, but she quickly returned to her usual timid appearance. As the Empress Dowager stood up with an unpleasant expression, she cast an exceedingly profound gaze at Lu Chen, silently imprinting his figure deeply in her heart.