Forensic Imperial Concubine

Chapter 704 Not Qualified To Be The Empress (Part Two)

Noticing that Francis was observing him, Zack immediately slowed down his pace. He stopped tapping on the table and pulled his hand back into his sleeve. Now that Francis had the testamentary edict of the late emperor and was named as his legal successor, he would officially become the new emperor after the official ceremony.

"Your Highness, the preparation for your enthronement is almost complete, and the remains of Prince Lucas have been buried according to the rituals. But the investiture of the empress…" The minister of the Ministry of Rites was in a dilemma. Although Harper and Matthew were divorced, it was impossible to change the fact that she was married. A married woman was not qualified to be the empress as she couldn't be a motherly model of the empire.

"The investiture of the empress and the enthronement have to be carried out at the same time. Is there any problem?" Francis asked, looking at the minister softly.

The minister was suddenly under tremendous pressure. He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said, "Your Highness, but the relationship between the candidate for the empress and you…"

"The investiture day will also be our wedding day. After we get married, she will be my wife. Do you have any questions, minister?" Francis asked in a calm tone. No one really understood what his real intentions were.

When the imperial censor saw the minister's hesitation, he stepped in and pointed out at once, "Your Highness, Harper Chu used to be the wife of Prince Matthew. She was married before. So, she doesn't have the qualification to be with you or become the empress or the motherly model of the empire. I don't think Harper is qualified to be the empress!"

Francis gave a cold stare at the censor. He didn't care who Harper had married. His only considerations were her capabilities and ambition. Of course, he also wanted her to care for him. It didn't matter for him if her care was short, but he was willing to do everything to make it longer.

"What kind of morality does the empress exactly need?" Francis asked slowly.

"She naturally needs to be elegant, virtuous, filial, deferential and of course, good-looking. But it's not moral for a woman to marry two men. She is also not tolerant and virtuous as she forbids Prince Matthew from having concubines. How could such a woman take up the responsibility of the empress?"

Upon hearing that, Francis turned his attention to Zack. "What do you think, Zack?" he asked.

"I agree with that," Zack said in a serious tone. Even if Harper wished to become the empress, she couldn't become Francis' empress. He took that stand not because he didn't think she was not qualified to be the empress. If she wanted, she was even qualified to be the queen.

Francis squinted his eyes and seemed a bit displeased with a hint of anger in his eyes. However, Zack had taken over the position of Franklin and was the youngest grand secretary of the Cabinet. Even though Francis was the future emperor, he still couldn't discard Zack's opinion completely.

"Do others also think so?" Francis asked slowly. The anger in his eyes had diminished, and he regained his gentle manner. It seemed that nothing could make him explode with anger. Even though he had been annoyed to the extreme, he would still be gentle and soft.

"Your Highness, please think it over. I don't think it will be a good idea to marry Princess Harper," Zack said.

"She has already divorced Uncle Matthew. She isn't his princess anymore," Francis said mildly. "If Princess Harper is not qualified, then is Harper Chu qualified?"

"Your Highness, neither of them are qualified," Zack replied slowly. 'It's not that she is not qualified. It's only that you can't marry her, ' he thought. Zack was not someone who would change his mind easily. Otherwise, he could never have been the head of his clan at such a young age. But Francis was also quite a stubborn person.

"In fact, I think I'm not the most suitable candidate for the new emperor," Francis added gently. "Whoever you think is the right choice can take up the throne."

"Your Highness, what do you mean?" The officials were anxious after hearing his words. An empire could not survive without its emperor. It was not easy to fix the date for enthronement. Now that everything was well arranged, why did he tell now that he didn't want to be the emperor?

"I mean, if you don't think Harper is qualified to be the empress, then neither am I qualified to be the emperor. You can let whoever you want to be the emperor." Then he took up the teacup and slowly took a sip. "I believe Minister Chen would be a good choice, since he cares a lot about our empire and its people! Zack is also sublimely talented and people adore him very much."

"Your Highness, we don't dare to do that."

"I'm telling you I want Harper as my empress and I am not intending to get your consent for it. If any of you disagree, I'll look for the right candidates to take your positions."

"Your Highness, we dare not." The officials were terrified. Francis had always been gentle. They thought they could change his mind. But they forgot the fact that no matter how gentle he was, he had the majesty of the royal family that couldn't be challenged. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

"Anyone who disagrees with Harper's empress title may step forward now," Francis ordered sternly. Then he picked up his teacup and took a sip.

The officials looked at each other and remained silent. Now that so many princes of the Bright Dynasty had deceased, and Jason was not interested in politics, Francis was the only remaining suitable choice. The officials had no other choice but to surrender to his will and give up their insistence.

"Your Highness, we have no more objections."