Forensic Imperial Concubine

"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
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?"
"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
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.