Forensic Imperial Concubine

The empress's palace was crowded with people, and the ladies from different families all sat in specific seats that represented their status. Upon their arrival, a eunuch announced outside, "Here come Lady Harper, Lady Isabella and Lady Caroline."

"Harper and Isabella are really inseparable friends. They even came here together, like sisters," the empress teased them with a smile. "If I didn't know that Harper is actually a daughter of the Chu Clan, I would have thought that she was actually a daughter of the Bu Clan."

"Greetings, Your Majesty," the three newcomers said in chorus after they came in.

"Arise quickly, please," the empress responded at once. She sounded happy. She fixed her eyes on Harper's outfit, and said, "I was just talking about you two and said that you are such close friends. I'm glad to see you here. Please sit down."

Harper looked at her seat, and then looked at Isabella's seat. She stayed still, not moving to her own seat. Seeing this, the empress got the point right away, and commanded directly, "Maid, put Isabella's seat next to Harper's."

"Yes, Your Majesty," a maid replied at once, and did as she commanded.

"Thank you, Your Majesty,"

Harper said. She then helped Isabella sit down, as if it were a matter of course. Everyone present was eager to see what Harper would say and do, because she was a controversial figure in the imperial capital.

"Today is His Majesty's fiftieth birthday, and it's a beautiful day for our celebration. You don't need to be restrained or formal today. Later, let's go all together to the Grand Hall, to celebrate His Majesty's birthday," the empress then announced to all her guests.

Majesty," everyone

several other ladies. Joyce Jun was simmering with resentment over her recent encounter with Harper. But they were in the Imperial Palace now, and Harper's status was very

the empress

her attention focused on her chat with Caroline. Consequently, she didn't hear the empress

again, Joyce Jun had already called out, "Harper, you are so lofty and arrogant that you

atmosphere in the hall had become awkward, she

Her Majesty called your name several times, but you pretended not to hear her. Don't you take

and bowed to the empress. "Please forgive me, Your Majesty. The noise in the hall prevented me from hearing you. Please

the empress said as she waved her hand and gestured for Harper to

tolerate such disrespect?"

She was actually annoyed about Joyce Jun. This day was a major event and she was not supposed to make a stir like this. In particular, the empress didn't want to clash with Harper for the time being. If Harper was put on the alert by this, she would be unable to carry

she didn't dare to go against the empress, so she just turned her

get from Matthew this time? Do you

face. Despite being Matthew's wife, she wasn't required to prepare a gift for the emperor. Besides, even though the emperor's birthday was a big

claimed to know nothing of Matthew's gift. She only cared