Forensic Imperial Concubine

While Matthew and his wife were offering their prayers at the Holy Chant Temple for the emperor who had fallen ill, the situation
in the imperial capital was turbulent. Francis had done well to save his father, so the latter exalted him and was trying his best to
support him. However, after the emperor suddenly fell ill, Felix managed the state affairs temporarily, and the empress took
charge of the women in the Imperial Palace. Before Sherry and Francis could rise, they had been suppressed.
At the imperial court, Felix became an unchallengeable force. Since he managed the state affairs, he ordered Francis not to go
out of his mansion, but his words weren't harsh. Francis was weak and needed a good rest, so relieving him of the state affairs
would only help him. Now, all he was asked to do was just stay at home and take care of his health. In this way, the emperor too
wouldn't worry about him.
"Your Highness, how's His Majesty now?" Franklin asked Felix calmly. Recently, the latter had become way too aggressive. He
had been using his power to exterminate his enemies and suppress those courtiers who were not favorable to him. All his hidden
ambitions were becoming more evident, and his intention to fight for the throne became no secret.
"My father is well taken care of by the imperial physicians and he is recovering well. I'm sure he will wake up soon. Don't worry,
Grand Secretary Franklin." Felix cast a glance at the grand secretary. If it weren't that the grand secretary had many supporters,
he wouldn't hesitate to deal with him and his Bu Clan, bringing them under his knees. Also, the atmosphere wasn't favorable for
a conflict.
"Your Highness, since His Majesty is ill, his concubines should serve him. Her Majesty has been staying by his bedside for many
days now. I believe she must be too tired, and needs to take some care of herself. Let the concubines take a turn and help in
taking care of His Majesty," suggested one of the courtiers.
"The imperial harem business is charged by my mother. You may leave it aside and concentrate on state affairs while talking to
me. It's true that my father just fell ill, but I don't know why all of you are staring at the imperial harem. Do you wish to take over
the place of my father?" Felix cast a cold glance at the courtier who spoke. "It would be good if you remember that in the
residence of the imperial harem, besides my father's concubines, only the position of eunuchs is available."
The courtier was taken aback. He knew that Felix meant to punish him, so he got back to his seat as soon as possible. Though
what he said was correct logically, since the crown prince said he was wrong, he couldn't be more wrong.
"Does anybody have anything else to report to me?" Felix had a chilly expression in his eyes, looking like an emperor, only that
he didn't wear the robe or sit on the throne. Now that he had tasted the power of being the emperor, he wouldn't restrain any
longer for making the throne his own.

"Your Highness, I have something to report." Zack stood out. "There has been a heavy downpour in the south region. The
situation has worsened into floods. The rivers are overturned and a lot of stations and houses are drowned. Many people have
lost their homes and there is an urgent need for disaster relief. Moreover, it is the season for spring ploughing now. If the
situation remains critical, there may be no harvest in the south this year."
"Urgent report, Your Highness." Just as Zack finished speaking, an anxious sound came from outside the hall. Felix frowned and
felt a little uneasy.
"Call the messenger in!"
"Good day, Your Highness. Stream County had a sudden earthquake. Mountains collapsed, and the ground was split. Many
people were dead or wounded, their houses destroyed. One village was totally buried and ruined beyond recovery."
Felix stood up from the acting emperor's chair in shock. He couldn't believe his ears. "What did you say? Earthquake? How could
there be an earthquake in Stream County?" he asked.
"Your Highness, the earthquake did happen in Stream County and many people suffered due to it. The government of the county
has asked for immediate military help from the imperial court." The messenger's face was covered in blood. It was clear that he
too was a victim of the incidents in the county and survived grave injuries when the earthquake stroke.
Felix sat down slowly and looked towards the courtiers. "There is a flood in the south region and an earthquake in Stream
County. How can we help them? What are your thoughts?"
"We should send people to help Stream County as soon as possible. Our food supplies are mainly from the south region, and
now it is time for the cultivation of spring crops. If we turn a blind eye to the flood disaster, I'm afraid the imperial government will
run out of food supplies in the coming year." One courtier laid out his suggestion.
"What do you think we should do, Grand Secretary Franklin?" Felix asked, looking at Franklin.
The latter thought for a while and said slowly, "The flood disaster in the south region can be controlled by the construction of
floodways. The rain water can't be discharged due to incessant rain, and this has led to the collapse of riverbanks. We have to
send people immediately to handle it."
"What about Stream County?"

"Stream County had the earthquake and suffered great losses, so it can't return to normalcy in a short time. But there are many
people in Stream County, and it is our duty to help them. Your Highness, please order the nearest city to go to rescue first. Tell
the grain warehouse of the county to give out grains generously and help the people in need. Send medicine and physicians
there. Since the earthquake stroke, the situation should be serious. The people there would urgently need all essential supplies
like food, fresh water, medicines and physicians."
Felix looked dreadfully pale. The emperor had just been in a coma for six days, and the entire kingdom was rocked with
disasters one after the other. As the person in charge, these disasters had made him feel uneasy. But the thought that these
were natural disasters, and not caused by their enemies or rogue individuals, calmed him down. He had no choice but to listen to
God Almighty's orders and do everything he could to help his people.
"Who could go to the south region?" Felix looked at his courtiers and asked. "Minister of the Ministry of Works, you are in charge
of the water power. Do you have any names to recommend?"
The minister concerned stood out and said, "Your Highness, I would like to go to the south region and handle the problems
directly."
"As a minister, you have a lot more responsibilities here, so I don't think it would be advisable for you to leave the imperial
capital. Is the vice minister here?"
"Your Highness," answered the vice minister.