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.

Your Majesty,"

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 high, so she was totally

the empress called

on her chat

smile on the empress's face faded slightly. When she was about to call again, Joyce Jun had already called out, "Harper, you are so lofty and arrogant that you don't even

once. She had not paid much attention at first, but when she noticed that the atmosphere in the hall had become awkward, she turned her head and alerted Harper with a hard pinch. The latter then turned around and asked,

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

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

as she waved her hand and gestured for Harper

Majesty, how can you tolerate such disrespect?"

stir like this. In particular, the empress didn't want

so she just turned her head and pretended to ignore Harper. The empress then turned to Harper with

gift will His Majesty get from Matthew this

Matthew, so I have no idea about that. I'm sorry I can't give you any clue," Harper replied with a smiling 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 event, it meant nothing to her

empress said. She didn't really care that Harper claimed to know nothing of Matthew's