Forensic Imperial Concubine

"It's noon already. There's no need for that. Just tell all the ladies to come and pay respects to me tomorrow." The empress
played with the petals as she spoke slowly. "Prepare an outfit with a low collar for me tomorrow."
"Yes, Your Majesty," said Nancy, as her eyes lit up.
The emperor stayed only with the empress, which made his concubines feel neglected. After all, even though the empress was
still elegant and graceful, she was not in the bloom of youth. Even though she was still well maintained, she could hardly be as
delicate and beautiful as the young ladies of the palace. It was well known that the emperor had a passion for young beauties.
Even if he held the empress in high esteem, it was impossible to believe that he wanted to sleep with her in the Sleek Palace
every night.
"Lady Sherry, what is going on with His Majesty nowadays?" one of the emperor's concubines asked curiously.
Sherry kept herself calm, as if she didn't even care. "He is the emperor. How can we know what His Majesty is thinking about?
He can do whatever he wants. It's not for others to pry into his business. Don't start talking like that, Lady. I'm afraid His Majesty
will be displeased if he hears that we're gossiping about him."
"Yes, Lady Sherry."
Monica noticed something wrong in the imperial harem in recent days. She had a suspicion that something was about to happen.
Ever since her daughter Lilian had come of age, Monica had become more sensitive and alert to the social atmosphere. After all,
she had only one daughter, and she didn't want her to marry someone randomly.
"Well, Her Majesty doesn't need our greetings. We should all go back now. What's the point of staying here?" Monica finally
spoke.
"Yes, Lady Monica."
The concubines all stood up and said goodbye to each other. Soon, only Sherry and Monica were left in the hall. Monica looked
at Sherry and asked, "Sherry, how's Francis nowadays?"
"He's much better now. He could hardly walk for so many years, but he can walk outside now. It's just that he is still a bit weaker
than an average person. I don't expect much from life. All I want is his safety and health. But..." Sherry said in distress.
"Don't worry, Sherry. Francis is a good man and he has good fortune. God will bless him." Monica held Sherry's hand. "Do you
feel that something is strange in the palace recently and a storm is coming?"

Sherry raised her eyebrows and looked at Monica. "Lady Monica, you just encouraged me not to worry. Now you seem even
more worried than me. I don't think there's anything to be alarmed about, but it's incredible how much His Majesty suddenly
favors Her Majesty alone. We've both been living in the Imperial Palace for many years. We know what sort of man His Majesty
is. He has a passion for beauties. In his advancing years, he has always favored the young and beautiful women more and
more."
"I find it very strange, too. His Majesty seems to have changed his habits entirely, as if he lost his interest in young girls, and now
prefers mature women. It's rather inconceivable, isn't it? Sherry, do you think Her Majesty has used some sort of witchery on
him?" Monica asked in a low voice.
"Monica, don't talk nonsense." Sherry looked around, anxious to see that they were the only two there, and whispered, "There
are no secrets in the Imperial Palace. We should watch our words carefully. Both of us have children, and if we get in trouble, so
will our children."
Monica's face changed slightly. "I wasn't raising the idea seriously. It's just incredible that a man who used to like young girls
suddenly cares only for one particular older woman to the exclusion of everyone else."
"He's had so many young women that he's in the mood for something different."
"When he changes his mood, he looks for another young woman with a different style. I've never seen him prefer an older one,"
Monica added.
"If the woman in the Sleek Palace hears your words, get ready for that she will make trouble for you and your daughter. She's the
empress! If she interferes in Lilian's marriage, there will be nothing you can do," Sherry reproached her with a frown. "Besides,
seeing that she has kept her position for so many years, she must have some tricks up her sleeve."
"You are right. Now I'm worried about Lilian's marriage." Monica looked worried. "The girl is so stubborn. She just loves Master
Chodak, but he's a monk! Even though she loves him, she can't even get close to him. What can I do? She hates me for
confining her to the palace. She didn't come back after she ran away yesterday. If I hadn't sent people to take her back, who
knows what she would have done."
Hearing this, Sherry shook her head and said, "Lilian is a tough girl. She's been pursuing Master Chodak for so many years and
still hasn't given up. Maybe she has her own ideas. You are her mother, after all, and won't harm her. If possible, talk to her and
try to find out what she has in mind. Not many princesses in the royal family have reached adulthood."

Sherry's words made Monica nervous. Lilian alone, among the princesses in the Imperial Palace, had already come of age. Even
though that fact wasn't on the minds of the emperor and empress at present, they would remember it sooner or later, so she had
to make arrangements for her daughter without delay.
"His Majesty mentioned Lilian's marriage in an offhand manner the other day. I have a reputation to be arrogant and bossy in the
Imperial Palace. Everyone says that His Majesty spoils me very much. But who is really the arrogant one in this palace?" Monica
heaved a sigh.