Forensic Imperial Concubine by Erika Black

"Father, monks can still resume a secular life," Francis reminded his father in a low voice. "Besides, like

the sun up in the air,

Master Chodak has the love and support of the people. If he resumes a secular life, he could be a

formidable enemy. But if he

becomes secular and marries a princess of the Bright Dynasty, he would be a powerful source of

support."

The emperor's eyes lit up upon the advice. This idea had also occurred to him before, and he had even

encouraged Lilian to get

along with Chodak. However, to his disappointment, Lilian had totally failed, even though she was

eager and willing. She had

been unable to get into bed with Chodak to ensnare him into marriage. She wasn't even able to get

close to him.

"Lilian can't get close to him."

"Father, sometimes you don't understand Lilian," Francis said, coughing from his illness.

"Bring a chair for Francis," the emperor ordered.

Andy hurried to bring a chair and invited Francis to sit down. He knew that Francis was in fragile health,

so he had to take good

care of him.

"I don't understand what you mean."

"Even though Lilian can't get close to Master Chodak, there is another person who can do that,"

Francis said, with his eyes

shining in his pale face. "When Lilian wants to enter the imperial monk's mansion, she is sensible

enough to bring that person

with her. Father, how could you miss that fact?"

The emperor's eyes brightened as he understood Francis directly. Harper was in Chodak's good

graces. Previously when the

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emperor had sent assassins against Harper, Chodak had rescued her, nearly at the cost of his own life.

Being a shrewd man, the

emperor understood in a flash why those events had unrolled in the way they did.

"Was that the real reason why you visited Matthew's mansion?" "Father, I was only thinking about you,

and about Lilian's marriage." Francis covered his mouth to muffle his cough, and his voice sounded

weak. The emperor cast a thoughtful glance at him. Francis' health had improved a lot, but his father

knew clearly how his health had suffered after being poisoned by him for so many years. Although the

emperor didn't know why Francis was recently able to improve his health, he believed that Francis had

only gained one or two more years. "You are not in good health. Don't worry too much. I know you care

about me and the rest of our big family," the emperor said softly. "Go back to your mansion and have a

good rest. I'll think it over carefully."

"I heard that Aunt Harper is pregnant now, so I want to have someone send a present to her." "Go

ahead; it's appropriate to send her a gift to congratulate her. I've already sent them some presents," the

emperor said, narrowing his eyes and smiling happily. He was overjoyed whenever he thought of that

woman in Matthew's mansion being pregnant. 'Matthew, you have always been so wily and cautious,

but have you ever foreseen the possibility that the woman sleeping on the same bed with you is not

your wife?' he thought to himself in delight. "Yes, Father. Please allow me to take my leave." As soon

as Francis emerged from the Imperial Study, Owen strode over to him and supported him. Francis

pressed his full

weight on Owen. They walked towards the gate of the Imperial Palace. Not long after, Andy and a few

other people caught up

with them.

"Your Highness, please stop."

Francis stood still in his tracks, turned around and looked at Andy. "Lord Andy, does Father have some

orders for me?"

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"His Majesty knows that Your Highness is not feeling well, so he told me to bring you a sedan chair to

bear you out of the

Imperial Palace," Andy said with a kindly face. Then he told the others to bring the sedan chair near

Francis and let him sit

inside. "Say thanks to Father for me. And thank you, Lord Andy." "You're welcome, Your Highness. It's

only my duty." Andy commanded the bearers to walk at a steady pace, so as not to jolt Francis

uncomfortably. Then he turned his heels and went back to the Imperial Palace. In the sedan chair,

Francis looked solemn for a moment, but then his face changed in the blink of an eye. He took out his

handkerchief and coughed. Suddenly, he heard a ringing voice from outside the sedan.

"Is Francis inside?"

Francis lifted open the curtain and saw Lilian, who had a radiant smile on her face. "It's you, Lilian. Are

you coming back from the

outside, or are you leaving the Imperial Palace?"

"I just came out of the Imperial Palace," Lilian answered quickly. "I've been in the Imperial Palace for

many days in a row, and I

feel very bored. I just wanted to get out of there and pay a visit to Lucas. Then I saw Owen. I thought

he must have been inside

the palace with you, so I came here to say hi to you. Are you going back to your mansion now?"

"Yeah. I'm not strong enough. Even this trip to the Imperial Palace has exhausted me."

"Francis, you're indeed too weak to go traveling around. You need to recuperate and take better care of

yourself. If you don't

mind, can I go out of the Imperial Palace together with you?"

Francis looked at Lilian for a moment, and since he didn't care much, he said "Okay."

Lilian cheered and rushed directly into the sedan chair, huddling up to Francis. "Thank you very much,

Francis. I haven't slept

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well nowadays. Let me take a nap first. When we arrive, please wake me up."

"That's fine. Get some sleep now," Francis said, looking at Lilian, who put her head on his shoulder

innocently, without the least

bit of apprehension. The expression on his face didn't change. He tried his best to keep his raspy

breathing and coughing down,

so as not to disturb the sleeping Lilian.

Holding Francis' arm in hers, with her head on his shoulder, Lilian slept soundly, as if she was

exhausted. For the past several

days, Monica had kept locking her up in the palace and forced her to embroider her wedding dress, for

fear that she would make

some trouble outside if she were allowed to roam freely. Lillian knew she would be in trouble later, but

she didn't care, and now

she slept as soundly as a baby.

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