Forensic Imperial Concubine by Erika Black

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Harper looked at the peak and saw a figure standing on top of a tree, seeming to look for something. Soon, the figure flew
towards her and Matthew.
Matthew slowed down, still holding on to Harper's waist. In a moment, the Holy Maiden of South Kingdom was standing in front
of them. She glanced at Matthew and then at Harper. "Is this your husband?"
Harper nodded. "Yes, Your Grace. He is not good at making conversation. Please forgive him."
"It doesn't matter." The Holy Maiden looked at Matthew and turned around to lead the way. She confessed, "When I didn't see
you coming up after waiting for a while, I was worried something had happened to you, especially when I realized there was
something wrong with the spiritual creatures in the mountain. That's why I came out to look for you. Luckily, there's nothing
wrong, or I'd have felt very guilty."
"Your Grace, please don't worry. This is the Holy Mountain. How could something happen here? Besides, with you here, no
monster or demon would dare approach us." The Holy Maiden's consideration quite moved Harper. As the lofty Holy Maiden, it
was unnecessary for her to pick them up in person, but she still came.
"You saved my life. I can't let my savior get in trouble in my place. Besides, I'm not so mighty as to have that effect on the
monsters. There are many poisonous insects and snakes in this mountain. They would be very dangerous to you but are
considered treasures to our people in South Kingdom. People here are good with poison, and those kinds of poisonous stuff are
the best material for making poison," the Holy Maiden said with a smile.
"I understand that people in South Kingdom need them in their poisoning skill. Even deadly poisonous bugs have their own uses.
I'm sure you have the amazing power to make the best use of those things," Harper responded thoughtfully.
The sincere smile on Harper's face somehow dazzled the Holy Maiden. She looked away and said, "Your smile makes you look
adorable. I like it."
Hearing this, Harper smiled brighter. "Your Grace, I'm sure your smile will be even more charming. You should smile more."
The Holy Maiden gave them a shy smile. She did a lot of that recently. With her identity, she couldn't show any emotion. But for
some reason, she felt happy whenever she saw Harper and couldn't help but smile at the sight of her.
"I recall seeing my youngest sister laugh so much as a child, just like you. It's a pity I haven't seen her since I became the Holy
Maiden," she said.
"Why don't you go back to visit your family? You're quite powerful, Your Grace. It will thrill them to see you," Harper said

sincerely.
"Will they be happy?" The Holy Maiden sighed weakly. Although she was whispering, Harper could hear her clearly. After
becoming the Holy Maiden, she had to forget her previous life and turn a blind eye to any feelings, including love. Assuming she
wanted to go back, the rules would not allow it. And even if she went back, she could not return to her previous life, the way

things once were. Her parents would have to treat her with reverence and respect instead.
Matthew didn't say a word during the entire exchange, but he didn't let go of Harper. Their intimacy made the friendless Holy
Maiden look even lonelier. "Why aren't you saying anything, sir?" the Holy Maiden asked him softly. "Your Grace, please forgive
my husband. He doesn't talk much to others. Not to mention, your honorable status makes him worry he'd say the wrong thing
and offend you," Harper responded at once. It was impossible for Matthew to talk to any other woman with a trace of friendliness.
"It doesn't matter. I don't care." The Holy Maiden's voice was both tender and sweet. However, Matthew remained silent. He
focused his attention on Harper. Seeing that she'd slowed down, he frowned. Then he stretched out his hands to pick her up and
said, "If you feel tired, just tell me." A flush rose to Harper's cheeks. "I... I'm not tired. Put me down. Her Grace is still watching
us." The Holy Maiden was also shocked by Matthew's behavior. She then said warmly, "You are still very weak. It will take a lot of
energy to climb the Holy Mountain. It was thoughtless of me not to consider that." "No, it's nothing. I just feel a little tired from the
lengthy walk. I can go on after resting a little. Your Grace, please don't worry. I'm fine." Harper looked at Matthew, urging him to
put her down. Even though she didn't get embarrassed easily, it was uncomfortable to be stared at by such a beauty. Matthew
tightened his hold on her and said, "Don't move. You must be tired after walking for such a long time. It won't bother me to carry
you up the mountain." Looking at Matthew's face, the Holy Maiden was stunned. Although people in South Kingdom were open-
minded, the men weren't that considerate to women. Climbing from here to the top of the mountain whilst carrying a woman
would be too tiring for him and his arms would go numb.
"How about this? I can fly her up there myself. That would help ease this on both of you," the Holy Maiden suggested. "No need
for that. She's my wife. No matter how heavy she is, I can carry her," Matthew said calmly, with no trace of guilt or

evasion in his eyes. The look on his face was full of confidence.
The Holy Maiden's face didn't show any reaction to his words. "You two love each other so much that it's enviable."
"How about carrying me on your back? It would be much easier." While it felt good to be held by Matthew, Harper worried about
the strain on his arms to carry her all the way up.
"I like holding you." Matthew juggled her weight and said, "You have gained some weight, but it doesn't matter. I still think you are
light."
Harper didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Even after claiming she'd put on some weight, he still claimed not to mind it at all. His
response left her speechless.
The Holy Maiden's footsteps quickened. Matthew followed in her wake, but at a more moderate speed. He wasn't right behind
her, but kept her in his line of sight.
Feeling a little sorry for Matthew, Harper wiped off the sweat on his forehead. Suddenly, something came in their path. Since
Matthew couldn't move his hands, Harper lifted her wrist, and three silver needles shot out. The needles pinned a snake on the
verge of attack to a tree trunk.
It took a moment for the Holy Maiden to notice that something was wrong. By then, Harper had already made her move. With a

mysterious light flashing across her eyes, the Holy Maiden sprinkled something in the air while murmuring some words.
Whatever she did had the snakes and bugs scatter and leave instantly. "I don't think they will be approaching us anymore. Let's
go." An hour later, they finally reached the top of the mountain. Looking at the palace made of white jade in front of them, Harper
couldn't help but admire the sight. "I heard that the Starry Palace is as beautiful as the fairy palace in the sky. Today I finally get
to see it. It's fantastic."
"Do you like this kind of palace?" Matthew asked in a low voice. "I'll build one for you someday."
"It would cost a lot to build such a palace, and it's befitting to hide a beauty in it." Harper rolled her eyes at him. "You want to hide
a beauty in it?"
"I just told you I'd give you whatever you like. In this way, you don't need to admire anyone," said Matthew casually.

Harper felt awkward as she let out a sigh. The Holy Maiden would surely be furious if she heard what he said.
"The Starry Palace looks fabulous and magnificent, but it is desolate like the Cold Palace. I would prefer to live in a smaller
house, with relatives, friends, and..." The Holy Maiden paused for a while. "It's too cold to live here all alone."
Harper had some sympathy for the Holy Maiden. Living in the cold Starry Palace alone since she was a child, she must have
yearned for life outside of it. But as the Holy Maiden, all she could do was restrain her envy, and she was even not allowed to
show her emotions.
"Everyone thinks it is a great honor to live in the beautiful Starry Palace, but no one knows how cold it is here. It's too barren to
live in such an enormous palace alone. You should find someone to give you company, even if it's just a maid," Harper
suggested.
"It's not as if I didn't feel the same way. However, once inside the Starry Palace, there are rules to follow. No one could stand the
rules and regulations, so they left after a while. After that, I stopped asking people to come and stay with me." The Holy Maiden
turned to Harper and gently asked, "Harper, do you feel lonely sometimes?"
After thinking it over, Harper shook her head without hesitation. "No. My husband will always be with me."
Matthew smiled pleasantly. He looked at Harper with approval. It drove the Holy Maiden to feel a little envious of Harper, who
didn't know what it was like to have worries.
"I am so envious of you."
"Your Grace, there are countless people in South Kingdom who admire you. I don't understand why you'd be envious of me."
Harper had been studying the Holy Maiden's expression. When she was done talking, the Holy Maiden's eyes flickered to
Matthew.
A trace of suspicion flashed in Harper's eyes. 'Is the Holy Maiden desperate for love? But according to the rules of South
Kingdom, she can never get married nor have children. So, is that the reason why she is envious of me?' But it was human
nature. The Holy Maiden was young and certainly wanted to be loved. Being so inherently human and romantic made her even
more adorable.
"Everyone believes that as the Holy Maiden, in a lofty position, I can get anything I want. However, they do not understand that
there are many rules I have to abide by. I can't get what I long for and instead should get what I don't want. I have many worries
that ordinary people don't know of, and many people can't understand," the Holy Maiden said as she opened the gate. "Let's go.
I'll show you around the Starry Palace first."
"Thank you so much, Your Grace."