Forensic Imperial Concubine

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."