Forensic Imperial Concubine by Erika Black

In reaction to the murmurs of the young ladies, Harper slowly smiled. Zack and Francis were both

outstanding, and they were all

unmarried. Although all the young ladies in the imperial capital were eager to marry Francis, Lucas, or

Zack, the truth was that

being married into the Bu Clan was the most attractive option.

Zack had already been accustomed to the blazing and passionate eyes around him whenever he

showed up in public. He smiled

consistently and kept moving onward without looking askance. Francis had seldom appeared outside in

the public, but had

experienced many kinds of occasions. Therefore, he also maintained a calm face, and could always

regain his composure by

glancing occasionally at Harper.

"Are you Matthew's wife?" a hostile voice said abruptly.

Harper stopped and looked at the person blocking her way. She wondered who this person might be.

Francis and Zack were

already bowing to greet that person.

"How delightful to meet you, Aunt Joyce," Francis said respectfully.

The woman who addressed Harper was Joyce Jun, the emperor's sister. Joyce Jun then looked at

Francis. Although the latter

seldom made public appearances, his mother was Sherry, whose family was a powerful source of

support. Even though

everyone thought Francis would not live long, Joyce Jun dared not offend him.

"Arise, please. You don't need to be so ceremonious with me," Joyce Jun said.

"Thank you, Aunt Joyce," Francis said as he straightened his body.

Joyce Jun then turned her eyes to look at Harper and teased her, "I heard that Matthew's wife was

arrogant and supercilious.

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Now I can confirm this to be true."

Harper, on the other hand, simply maintained a calm smile and nodded as a salute. Seeing this, Joyce

Jun squinted her eyes in

disbelief. She was obviously displeased by Harper's response. "Why don't you salute me courteously?"

"Aunt Joyce, please don't be offended. Aunt Harper is a first rank princess. Therefore there is no

requirement for her to make courteous salutes to anyone apart from His Majesty and Her Majesty,"

Francis said quickly on Harper's behalf. Joyce Jun was obviously surprised by his reply. She had never

expected him to defend Harper. She looked again at Harper and found that she merely stood there

quietly, with an unchanging smile on her face.

Joyce Jun took a short step forward. Zack and Francis also moved immediately, standing in front of

Harper to block her way. Joyce Jun was very unhappy about this, but she had no other choice but to

grit her teeth and glare at Harper sternly. Then she turned around and walked away. "God! I was so

scared just now," Francis blurted out as he wiped the sweat off his forehead after Joyce Jun turned

away. "I thought she would find fault with you. Father always indulges her." "Were you scared indeed?

Then why did you stand up to her?" Harper joked. "No matter how scared I was, I couldn't just stand by

while she bullied you!" Francis said quietly. As they walked along, Zack looked at the prince who was

wearing a poker face. "Don't worry. She wasn't as serious as she seemed. After all, I have Matthew's

protection. She wouldn't dare to do anything to me," replied Harper with a smile. "Yes, I know Uncle

Matthew is very capable," Francis murmured.

Harper just smiled and looked at all the other people who were walking in a hurry. "Let's move along to

the Imperial Palace. If we

are late, it will be hard to excuse ourselves," she said.

"Yes." Zack kept his pace with Harper.

Looking at Francis who was walking in front of them, Harper asked softly, "Zack, how are you and

Francis getting?"

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Zack didn't reply immediately. He glanced at Francis and then said gently, "He is quite easy-going."

Hearing this, Harper almost broke into a smile and said, "That's just what he's like. He is always quiet

and never very talkative.

You're not so different from him in that respect. How much do you even communicate with each other

when you two are

together? You both don't talk much." "Of course we communicate often. Even though he is quiet, he is

talented in poetry and Go. We have common interests to talk about." "Excellent. Then I can rest

assured," Harper said. Although Francis didn't seem to pay any mind to the whispers behind him, he

heard the conversation between Harper and Zack. It was heart-warming for him to realize that Harper

was worried about him getting along with Zack. With his back facing them, he

smiled, and his smile grew wider, which made his charm even greater.

The birthday banquet that day was to be held in the Grand Hall.

When the wives of the officers entered the Imperial Palace, they were expected to go to the Sleek

Palace to pay their respects to

the empress. So, the trio separated. The two young men had to go to the front hall to congratulate the

emperor on his birthday,

while Harper had to go to the Sleek Palace to pay respects to the empress.

Harper had brought two maids with her this time. As she was Matthew's wife, she was a princess. This

was normal for a

princess, so it raised nobody's eyebrows.

Not long after Harper got separated from Zack, she met Isabella. "Your Highness," Isabella called.

Harper went straight over to

her and said happily, "Lady Isabella."

With a warm smile on her face, Isabella said, "I am waiting for Caroline here. I'm surprised to meet you

first."

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"Hasn't Caroline come here yet?" asked Harper.

"Yes, she has. She will come here after she has spoken with George for a bit," Isabella replied with a

smile as she turned her

face in the direction of where the footsteps came. As expected, they saw Caroline trotting towards them

with the corners of her

dress in her hands. It was easier for her to move quickly that way.

"Mother, Harper," Caroline said, panting, after she reached them.

"You're a married woman now. How can you still be so naughty and girlish? Put your dress down, now!"

Isabella said in a tone of

motherly reproof, as she glared at her daughter. The maid beside Caroline hastily smoothed the

wrinkles on the latter's dress.

"Let's go to see Her Majesty together."

The three walked to their destination together. Caroline held her mother's arm with one of her hands

and held Harper's arm with

her other hand. Although Isabella felt exasperated with her daughter's unceremonious behavior, she

had a doting and satisfied

smile on her face.

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