Forensic Imperial Concubine by Erika Black

Felicia was supposed to be Hansen's future wife, but he had abandoned her. Not only did he break off

the engagement, but he

had also sent over a letter announcing divorce. She had become a divorcee before she was even

called a wife. At that point, her

reputation was ruined.

Yvonne's reputation succeeded itself from just being a concubine's daughter to being a daughter of

Charles' wife. She became

Hansen's fiancee now and would become his wife. Carrie was now temporarily managing the domestic

affairs of the mansion,

enjoying the fame and prestige that came with the title. Not only that, but she was also doing everything

in her power to bring

more goods to Yvonne's house.

Nina and Anabel returned the next day. When they heard of the events that had unfolded in the

mansion, Anabel was the first

one to react. "My Lady, you've helped Yvonne so much, and she didn't even visit you to express her

thanks. Doesn't she know

that she wouldn't have become your mother's daughter and His Highness's fiancee if not because of

you?" she harshly

whispered, scowling at the thought.

Harper glanced at her. "Have you forgotten what I've told you?"

Anabel paled at her reprimanding words. Never criticize a lady in the mansion behind her back—a

golden rule that Harper had

stressed. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that."

"Yvonne has just become His Highness's future wife. It's understandable that she forgot to come and

visit me. As the temporary

hostess for the family, Carrie's also rushing back and forth the mansion, so she also doesn't have any

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time to spare." Harper

played with the zither. "Don't be too talkative, Anabel. Others might misinterpret you."

Although Anabel was not convinced, she knew of Harper's short temper. "I just think it's unfair."

"But I'm okay with that." Harper continued to play, its enchanting music echoing throughout the

hallways. The two maids sat and

swayed their heads to the melody. Though they thought Harper was wronged, they found that they

couldn't say anything more.

Being just two maids, they didn't really have much of a say in these household matters.

Ever since Carrie reigned over the family affairs, she got a taste of power. Everything was going to her

liking. Felicia was beaten

and locked in the ancestral hall. Sue had been so busy assisting Felicia that she had no time to go

against Carrie. And now that

Carrie was the hostess, she could do everything in her power to support Yvonne. She was over the

moon!

"Mother, have you visited Harper?" Yvonne asked casually as she gingerly took a bite of the bird's nest

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soup.

"Why should I?" Carrie said indifferently. "I'm in charge of the mansion now, so we don't have to please

her anymore."

"Shouldn't we thank her? I mean, without her, I wouldn't have become a daughter of Father's wife or

His Highness's fiancee,"

Yvonne said, shrugging. Though she brought it up, she couldn't care less if they'd thank her or not. In

her eyes, Harper was

doing all of these to suck up to her because she needed her in the future.

"Fine. I'll send someone with some gifts to thank her." Carrie tugged her food with a fork. "A hostess is

really so different from the

others. Back then, we didn't have the right to eat such food. That bitch Sue used to feed her brats with

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best food. Now look

where she and her bastards are now."

Yvonne shot her a warning look. "Don't say that. Someone else might overhear." She wiped her mouth.

"After I give birth to my

first son and stabilize my position in Prince Kevin's mansion, I will ask His Highness to put pressure on

my father and make him take you as his wife. That way, you'd be in a much higher position compared

to Sue." "I always know you are promising." Carrie smirked. If she became Charles' wife, she'd make

Sue rot in the hall with Felicia. Even Harper, the daughter of Charles' late wife, could do nothing to her

then! Yvonne was now Hansen's fiancee instead of his future concubine. Because of this, Charles

provided a house for her to live alone called Grace House. After Carrie had left the house, she bumped

into Harper in the backyard garden. Carrie blinked in surprise, approaching her with the maid in tail.

"Harper, what a surprise. Are you out on a walk?" "Lady Carrie," Harper greeted her. "You look happy."

Hearing that, Carrie touched the golden hairpin on her head and smiled. "Oh, Charles has asked me to

manage the household affairs, and Yvonne's wedding date is approaching! Unlike you, I don't have the

luxury of spare time." Harper narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean by that?" "Nothing. It's just that

with everything getting so hectic, it's my priority to take care of Yvonne now since she is to wed His

Highness. Please don't take it to heart. We just don't have time to visit you," Carrie said indifferently.

"Well, I guess there is no bird's nest at your residence. I'll ask someone to send some to you later."

"Well, thank you, Lady Carrie." Harper didn't even throw a smile on her way, but rolled her eyes at the

hypocritical expression Carrie had plastered on her face. As expected, Carrie had gotten

disappointingly arrogant in her position. Sue had been in the mansion for years, studying and building

the place up as it was. If she wasn't too busy taking care of her daughter, Carrie would've already been

six feet under for daring to go against them. "I'll leave now, much to do! Enjoy yourself, Harper." Carrie

swayed her hips as she turned.

As Carrie's back disappeared in the distance, Harper tilted her head. "Be careful, Lady Carrie," she

called. "Your legs might get injured if you walk too fast. Father only wants you to take care of the

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mansion temporarily." "What are you trying to say?" Carrie whirled around and stalked towards her.

She poked her finger on Harper's nose.

Harper looked at the finger pointing at her nose and said, "I just remind you of what you said, Lady

Carrie."

"What did I say?" Carrie placed her other hand on her waist and cocked her hips. "I tell you now girl, if

you didn't offer my

daughter to be recorded under your mother's name, you wouldn't be eating bird's nest soup. Harper,

you should start

remembering where you stand."

Harper scoffed. She stretched out her arm, grabbed Carrie's hand, and twisted it right in front of her.

Carrie's scream could knock

over the roof of their mansion.

Harper took out a handkerchief and wiped her hands in disgust. "I think it's you who should remember

your place. You're just a

concubine, and I'm the daughter of Father's wife. If you dare disrespect me again, Lady Carrie, I'll have

to start taking offense."

She left Carrie with her imagination on what she could do with her, heading to Peony House with Nina.

Harper didn't care of

teaching her a lesson. Besides, Charles was never that fond of Carrie. In his eyes, she was vulgar and

ignorant. She was not fit

for handling the clan's affairs in the long run.

Nina, however, was already jumping in joy the moment she saw Harper fight back. "My Lady, it's really

unnecessary for you to do

it yourself."

"Maybe I'll ask you to do it for me next time." Harper's lips curved. "Do not tell any of this to Grandma."

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"My Lady, please rest assured. My lips are sealed." Mavis had sprained her waist after being pushed

by Felicia. Now, she spent most of her days lying in bed. Every day, Harper would come in her room

and give her the needle treatment and massage to quicken the healing rate. Now, she was late. Annie,

confused as to why, decided to ask another maid in private. "Grandma, I'm sorry for being late. It won't

happen again." Harper kept her head bowed as she rushed into her grandmother's room, quickly

massaging her points to release the pressure.

"It has been a bit of a mess in the mansion recently. You have been wronged." Mavis was powerless

with what had happened in the mansion. "Don't put Felicia's mistake close to heart; the girl wasn't

thinking! It's Sue's fault for not setting a good enough

example."

"Grandma, I won't be mad at Felicia, but I'm afraid that if she gets out, she might get back at Yvonne.

You've heard what

Princess Kate said the other day. If anything happens to Yvonne and her baby, there might be conflicts

between the Chu Clan

mansion and Prince Kevin's mansion," Harper comforted, implying that Felicia shouldn't be released

until Yvonne got married.

"That's true, but Felicia is badly beaten. She's too weak and might need time to heal herself. Sue has

already pleaded your

father, so he wants to let her out." Mavis rubbed her forehead. Though she never really liked Sue and

Felicia, it seemed as if she

had absolutely no say in this matter. Sue was lucky to have given birth to Charles' son, or else Mavis

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would've already found a

way to kick her out.

"Grandma, since Father asked, we can tell the servants to move Felicia out of the ancestral hall and

just lock her in Splendor

House. That way, Felicia would be more comfortable in her house. Plus it's more convenient for Mother

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to take care of her."

Harper was calm, careful to not show any anger or annoyance with her words. Mavis stared at her for a

very long time before

nodding her head.

"Well, we'll do as you say. Tell Felicia to stay in Splendor House and reflect on her mistakes. She's still

not allowed to be

released from her residence. Also tell the servants to take good care of Yvonne. We mustn't make any

mistakes." Mavis was

afraid of something happening to Yvonne during the pregnancy. She was still in the Chu Clan mansion,

and was in their

responsibility. If something were to happen to either her or her baby, it would affect their relationship

with Prince Kevin and could

threaten Charles' future.

"Yes, Grandma."

Harper rubbed Mavis' back and handed her the medicine. After a few minutes of making sure that

everything was in shape, she

left the room. Mavis watched her, musing to herself. "She's more reserved, isn't she? Sometimes, I just

can't see through her."

"My Lady, it's good that Lady Harper is reserved. The Imperial Palace isn't the same as the Chu Clan

mansion, and there are too

many snakes there. If she were more transparent, she'd be dead before she could even step foot in the

Imperial Palace. This

change can be a good thing for her." Annie patted Mavis' legs. "Lady Harper came in late today, so I

was curious on her

whereabouts. When I asked around, I was told that Lady Carrie stopped Lady Harper on the way and

acted out. Lady Harper

scolded her accordingly."

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"She is a fool!" Mavis turned bright red at the thought of Carrie even approaching Harper. "Though

Sue's vicious herself, she

always knows how to act on the surface. Carrie's a fool for barging in out-of-place. If it weren't for

Harper, her daughter would've

never been His Highness's fiancee She wishes! The ungrateful wench!"

"Well, she was from a more ordinary family." Annie smiled. "Now that her daughter's soaring up the

ranks, she thinks she's better

than anyone else."

"You can remind her of her position."

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