Forensic Imperial Concubine

Chapter 182 Collusion (Part One)

Zack's proposal brought Harper nothing but disquiet. Her steps followed the last quickly one after another, and before she realized it, she had been going the wrong way. Harper was about to turn around when someone blocked her way.

"My Lady," the man addressed her. NôvelDrama.Org: text © owner.

"Lord Josef," she greeted back despite her confusion.

"Lady Katrina has requested your presence." The eunuch Josef had presented it as an invitation, even as his tone was the exact opposite. "This way, please."

Harper had no choice but to follow him. He led the way to the Glorious Palace where Katrina resided. In the beginning, Katrina had disliked Harper because of her headstrong character and the girl's refusal to aid her in fighting for the emperor's favor. She had conspired with Charles to replace her with Hailey as the imperial physician. 'What does she want with me this time?' Harper wondered.

She had braced herself for the worst the moment she stepped inside the Glorious Palace with Josef. To her surprise, Katrina let her in without making any scene.

"Your Highness, good day." Harper curtsied in front of the lady respectfully, not leaving any opening for criticism of her manners.

Katrina looked at the stubborn Harper bowing her head before her. 'Has she finally learned to be well- behaved?'

"It has been a long time. You seem to have changed quite a lot," Katrina said as her fingers fiddled with the fruit on the table. "You have become the vice director of the Imperial Academy of Medicine. My congratulations have come late."

"It is my honor, Your Highness." Harper spoke calmly and kept her composure. Her face belied the trace of complacency. Katrina was surprised at her seemingly relaxed demeanor. She had heard that Harper had changed, but the woman she saw in front of her was too far from the Harper she knew, almost as if she were another person.

"I invited you here today to personally congratulate you. After all, you are holding an important title, not to mention the only woman granted such a position. I am a concubine in the Imperial Palace, and I will have to rely on your skills in the future. Chloe has been pregnant for a long time, and His Majesty favors her. I am no longer young and my beauty has faded along with my youth. I have not been blessed by fortune with a child to rely on, but I share the honor and humiliation with the Chu Clan. We are a family."

Harper just gave her a polite smile but remained silent. She listened to Katrina's words carefully, but she did not miss the slight changes in the Glorious Palace. She had been here before, and the difference was almost inconspicuous to unwatchful eyes, but Harper took notice of the curtains of the inner room, swept to one side. It was the perfect place for hiding.

"Harper Chu, do you understand what I have just said?" Katrina asked, her voice tinged with displeasure with Harper's unresponsiveness.

"Yes, Your Highness. I understand that you want me to carry out some task similar to the one I refused before," Harper said slowly, choosing her words with utmost caution. "But forgive me. My answer will not change. In the past, it was Lady Anita, and now Lady Chloe. But no matter who the person is, I do not wish to cause anyone harm."

"Watch your tongue." Katrina pounded her fist on the table and abruptly stood up from her chair, but she bit her tongue against the venomous words that were to escape. She had called Harper here for a purpose. "Chloe is the apple of His Majesty's eye, and if she gives birth to a prince—"

"But Your Highness, you don't have a child." Harper interrupted Katrina, knowing she had just uttered the most hurtful words. An imperial concubine who could not bear a child was nothing short of a failure. "No matter if Lady Chloe or Lady Anita bears His Majesty a prince or a princess, they will not threaten you at all, because you don't have a child."

At her words, Katrina trembled with anger. "Are you mocking me?"

"I wouldn't dare, Your Highness. I am merely reminding you not to be used as a tool by others. It is easy to be led astray by emotions. You may not have a child, but you are in a high position and have earned His Majesty's trust. If you lose even this, then there will be no longer a place for you in the palace. Besides, His Majesty has so many beautiful women who have sons. They don't even feel threatened, so you have no need to be so anxious," Harper said. She analyzed the situation with logic, but whether Katrina would take her advice was another matter entirely.

"But Chloe holds His Majesty's affections! He favors her so exceedingly that he almost goes to her alone and ignores all the others!" Katrina burst out.

"Your Highness, no matter how favored Lady Chloe is, it does not change the fact that she is just a noble lady. You are one of the four consorts, and above you, there is only the empress." At this time, Harper estimated that the banquet was almost about to start, so she said quickly, "As long as you don't make any foolish moves, your position is guaranteed. No one can take your seat from you, and although you may no longer have His Majesty's affections, you will always have his respect. You know better than anyone how complicated it is in the palace, so I advise you not to do anything reckless. It could cost you dearly. The time for the banquet is approaching. I bid you good day."

With another elegant bow, Harper left, paying no mind to Katrina's flushed face and the way she clenched her jaw. As soon as Harper was gone, the sound of breaking ceramics filled the room as Katrina swept the tea cups to the floor.

"Aunt, now you have seen it for yourself. Harper has become even more of a conceited woman than before!" The curtains parted to reveal Hailey.

A long scar ran on one side of her face, corrupting a beauty that would have been the fall of an entire city. Had it been treated in time, the mark would have disappeared, but she had fled from Charles' disappointment and failed to get a good healer, leaving her disfigured with an ugly scar for the rest of her life.