Forensic Imperial Concubine by Erika Black

The two stared at each other. There was just one person in the imperial capital whose arrogance was

really unparalleled. That

person was Harper. Due to her outstanding medical skills and her clan's power before her marriage,

she had been remarkably

arrogant. Although she seemed gentle and restrained after she got married with Matthew, her nature

was unchanged. Even the

emperor couldn't do anything to her!

"In the past, you didn't like Harper and thought no man would marry her because of her temper. But

look at her now! She's

married to Prince Matthew, and he's absolutely devoted to her." Monica put her hand on her forehead.

She was once hit on the

head by Matthew and it left a pink scar. Now, it seemed that he had gone easy on her back then.

"Alas, we can only envy her excellent good luck."

"Yes, not everyone can be so lucky as her." Monica smiled bitterly.

"Ladies." After a while, Minna trotted in. She threw a glance at Monica, and then turned to Sherry. She

wanted to make some

remarks, but she hesitated.

"If you have anything to report, just spit it out. What's holding your tongue?" Sherry prompted her.

Minna gritted her teeth and said, "A maid found a female corpse in the Cold Palace's well. Her body

was swollen, and her face

couldn't be recognized. I heard that she was Lady Cheryl, the one who was promoted as the attendant

a few days ago."

"Cheryl is dead?" Sherry and Monica looked at each other, taken aback. A few days ago, the empress

pretended to be ill in order

to lure the emperor to the Sleek Palace to check on her. Little did she know that the emperor, after

visiting her, would have slept

with her maid! Because he developed a lust for that maid, the emperor even didn't attend the imperial

court session the next day,

and he brought her away from the empress's palace that day to promote her as to the rank of an

attendant. But why was she

found dead today?

Monica's mind was racing. The empress was a harsh and intolerant woman towards those around her.

She would never tolerate any sort of betrayal. Cheryl had been working for the empress, but she dared

to seduce the emperor. Even after becoming an attendant, she couldn't escape the deadly retribution of

the empress. "Cheryl used to belong to the Sleek Palace, and the empress is in charge of all the affairs

of the imperial harem. It's none of our business," Sherry whispered. "Minna, don't look into it any

further. Just drop it." "My Lady, I didn't mean to. But I heard that Lady Cheryl was drowned, and when

her body was pulled out of the well, they also found a voodoo doll on her."

"They found WHAT?!" Monica was shocked. The practice of voodoo was strictly forbidden In the Bright

Dynasty, and it was especially forbidden in the imperial palace. Cheryl had been killed. Why was a

voodoo doll found on her? Was anyone using voodoo curse in the palace? "Sherry, I'm afraid it's a big

deal. Using voodoo stuff is a serious felony!" Monica's face turned pale. As the emperor's concubines,

they didn't dare to get involved in anything related to voodoo. It was like playing with fire. Equally

shocked, Sherry asked at once, "Has the thing been reported to His Majesty?" "His Majesty went to the

Sleek Palace after the court session ended. A eunuch reported Cheryl's death to His Majesty, but His

Majesty just ordered her to be buried."

"How about the voodoo doll?"

"Before the eunuch could say anything more, the empress sent him away. The eunuch had no other

choice but only to bury Lady

Cheryl together with the voodoo material." Minna looked terrified. "I can't believe Cheryl would be so

bold as to use that voodoo

doll in the palace."

"Well, don't talk about it anymore. Since His Majesty doesn't want to have it investigated, just let it go.

You can leave now."

Sherry waved her hand to indicate that Minna could leave.

Monica's mind was full of doubts. The newly-promoted attendant was dead, in circumstances that

involved a voodoo doll. It was strange that the emperor didn't want to look into it. It was well known that

the emperor detested any form of voodoo curse vehemently. If he knew that there was one in the

palace, he should certainly want to have it investigated thoroughly. When the Chu Clan mansion had

been reported to have a voodoo doll hidden in it, the emperor immediately sent people to seal up the

mansion. Why didn't he show any concern this time? "Sherry..."

"Monica, not another word. Just go back to your palace. There is indeed something amiss in the

imperial harem. We have the

highest rank except for the empress, but we must watch very carefully what we say."

"Well then, I'll go back. Don't worry too much about Francis. He will be fine." Monica stood up and took

her leave, feeling more

and more worried and suspicious. She felt as if the whole incident were covered by a veil which made it

impossible to see the

truth behind it.

The news soon spread through the whole palace, and Harper was also informed of it. She burned the

note after reading it. A

minute later, she saw a man enter the gate of the Phoenix House. The figure was impressively elegant

and upright.

"Zack," Harper called.

"Harper." Zack, smiling, walked towards Harper at a steady pace. "I heard you're pregnant. So I came

to see you after the court

session. Congratulations."

Harper asked him to sit down. "You've lost a lot of weight recently. Have your father and mother starved

and malnourished you?"

she jibed at him.

"Yes, they did. So I came here to have lunch with you. But I wonder if His Highness will drive me away."

Zack burst into laughter.

"I heard that being pregnant is quite a challenging time. Are you holding up well?"

Eyes fluttering, Harper kept smiling and replied, "I am very well. I don't feel the least bit tired."

Being a very sensitive man, Zack detected something wrong despite Harper's undiminished smile and

normal tone. He tapped

the table with his fingers and said, "His Highness broke into the Imperial Academy of Medicine in the

middle of the night, took all

the imperial physicians to the academy and ordered them to write the taboos relating to pregnant

women. He caused a sensation

through the whole court. His Majesty's table is piled up with reports to impeach him."