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,"

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 high, so she was totally unable to make

the

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

When she was about to call again, Joyce Jun had already called out, "Harper, you are so lofty

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, "What's

not to hear her. Don't you

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty. The

gestured for Harper

Majesty, how can you tolerate such disrespect?" Joyce

a major event and she was not supposed to make a stir like this. In particular, the empress didn't want to

go against the empress, so she just turned her head and pretended to

Majesty get from Matthew this time? Do you have any idea?"

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

didn't really care that Harper claimed to know nothing of Matthew's gift. She only cared about her plans that day. If