Forensic Imperial Concubine by Erika Black

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While still in poor health, Francis entered the Imperial Palace and broke into the Golden Hall where Felix and the courtiers were
having the regular imperial court session. All of the courtiers were shocked. They didn't expect that Francis would be so bold to
go against Felix at such a time.
Felix glared at Francis and stated, "Francis, what are you doing here? Since you're not feeling well, you should stay in your
mansion. Tell me, why did you come to the Golden Hall?"
Although Francis looked pale, he walked toward Felix with strong and firm footsteps. "Felix, why didn't you ask your men to deal
with the locust plague in the Orchid City? On top of that, there's also a deadly plague in the Golden City right now. Not only did
you fail to send someone to cure it, you even closed the city off. Don't you realize that you're just letting the people in the city
die? They're defenseless and left to fend on their own. Is this what the crown prince of this country should do?"
With those words, Felix pounded the arms of his chair in anger. "How dare you! Francis, Father is seriously ill. I've tried my best
to do everything I can. But now, we're lacking in financial support and human resources. I literally don't have the power to do
anything more! I'm helpless!"
Francis sneered, before responding, "You're helpless? Father is in a critical condition and you won't allow anyone to visit him. We
don't have a single clue about what's happening to him right now. Everything that we knew about him and his condition came
from you. Are you placing Father in a house arrest in the Tranquil Hall so the other courtiers will obey your every command? And
when the time is right, will you rebel and seize power to claim the throne?"
"Nonsense! That's utter nonsense!" Felix exclaimed.
Francis then raised his voice a little and argued with Felix even more, "Am I wrong then? Father's condition is getting very
serious. And as princes and his sons, we have the right to visit him! I would even go as far as to say that it's our responsibility to
stay by his side and take care of him. But you forbid us and the courtiers from visiting Father. The Tranquil Hall is closed and not

even a fly could get in. So you can see how easy to believe that you don't have the purest of intentions." Understandably, Felix
became even more furious at that. Even if he was indeed up to something, he wouldn't want others to reveal it so openly.

"Francis! Disasters are happening everywhere right now. The people are constantly complaining to us. Instead of concerning
yourself with the people and the country, you're throwing accusations at me. Do you really think I would hesitate in punishing
you?" At that, Francis laughed quite loudly and sarcastically said, "Wow! Felix, you're so powerful now. First, you now control the
court. Second, you imprison our father. Who would dare to oppose you, now? Well, now that you mentioned my supposed
crimes, I'm
trembling in fear that you'll kill me!" Felix narrowed his eyes at Francis. He was so annoyed with how Francis' unreasonable
judgment was causing so much trouble. "I think you're the one who is planning all of those heinous things. It's true, Father's
condition is getting worse, but Mother is taking care of him. She stays by his side day and night. The imperial physicians said
that Father needed to have a good rest, so I refused all visits in order to help him recover faster. And you barged in here,
distorted the facts and claimed that everything I did was only to seize the throne and try to make all the courtiers obey me?
Francis, do you really think that I would take an unfortunate event as an opportunity to claim the throne? Have you forgotten that
I'm the crown prince? Even if I don't do anything, the throne will still be mine anyways."
"I didn't say that!" Francis argued back.
Felix was even more furious with that. "I think that's exactly what you mean! Guards, come and arrest Francis. Put him in prison
at once. When Father wakes up, he'll judge everything that you did."
"Felix, are you upset because I just described what exactly you are doing? Do you want to get rid of me so your plan can
continue as you wish? Is that it?" Francis broke free from the guards and exclaimed, "Don't touch me. I'll go by myself!"
"Stubborn!" Felix reproached.
"Before I go, there's one thing I wish to remind you, Felix. When you are doing every single thing, even in secret, always
remember that the higher being is watching. Father may be sick now, but it doesn't mean that he will be ill forever. Once he finds

out what you've done, can you imagine what he will do to you?" After taking one last look at Felix, Francis turned and left the hall
in big strides. His body was still a little weak but his posture didn't waver in the strong breeze. Just like how he was no longer
afraid of people's words or their power that could suppress him. Felix grinned wickedly while he watched the guards take Francis

away. While he had been racking his brain on how to deal with Francis, the man himself came to him! Now, his troubles had
gone away. Meanwhile, Harper had been lying on the Golden Hall's roof with Matthew. Witnessing the farce below, she couldn't
help but
laugh silently. She turned to Matthew and whispered, "Darling, what's wrong with Francis? Why did he come here and argue with
Felix just now?"
"Just watch and you'll know. Francis hasn't been involved in the imperial affairs for a long time, but there're a lot of people in the
court who support him. If Francis didn't do this, Felix can't find any other sound reason to take Francis down," Matthew explained
slowly in a low voice. "But we can go and add fuel to the fire."
A smile appeared on Harper's face before she said, "You mean, to spice things up?"
Matthew said in a mocking tone, "Of course. Lady Sherry has only one son, and she cares about him so much. Now that her son
is in prison, she must plead for mercy. If she doesn't, it will ruin her image as a loving mother. The grand show in the palace is
getting more and more interesting."
"It's fascinating indeed. Let's go to the Tranquil Hall to see how the emperor is doing," Harper suggested.
"Sure, let's go." Matthew said while he reached out his hand to Harper.
The Tranquil Hall was heavily guarded. It was said that the empress was taking care of the emperor, but in reality, she was
indulging in all sorts of entertainment and pleasure. In fact, it was Andy who was doing all the chores and serving the emperor.
"Andy was a loyal and devoted eunuch. During these trying times, he remains by the emperor's side all the time," Harper
exclaimed. "I didn't expect that this old, cunning eunuch would be so loyal."
"Well, after all, everyone in the palace must be wise. They must not act too harshly or reveal their ill intentions if they do have
those. The emperor is in a critical condition, but he is not dead." Matthew and Harper successfully sneaked into the Tranquil Hall.
While Andy went out to fetch the emperor's medicine, Harper tried to make a diagnosis and give some treatment for the emperor.
Even though they didn't have much time, it was enough.
When Andy was back, Harper and Matthew were already in their hiding place. Matthew lifted his eyebrow and quietly asked
Harper how the emperor was doing.