Forensic Imperial Concubine

When Harper put down her bowl and chopsticks, Francis casually put down his bowl and chopsticks as well despite not having
eaten much. Seeing that, Cynthia also had to put down her bowl and chopsticks. And after rinsing her mouth, she stood up and
left the table right away.
"What do you want to ask me? Go ahead," Harper flatly said, aware that Francis would definitely ask her since Rufus had come
to her last night.
Seeing how cold Harper was being toward him, Francis felt so distressed. "Given the way you're speaking to me, I just don't
know how I'm supposed to ask you anything. I just really wanted to have breakfast together with you. That's all. You don't have to
think of me as an authoritarian."
Putting down the teacup, Harper said, "Francis, we are both adults. Why don't we go straight to the point? I don't want to waste
my time beating around the bush with you. You live such a scrupulous life and you seem to enjoy it. You may not feel tired, but I
do. If you want to ask me anything, just go ahead and ask it. If you don't ask me right now, I may not give you an answer if you
ask me about it next time."
"Why did Rufus come to you?"
"He didn't come here for me."
"What message did Howard deliver to you?" Francis knew that if he let this opportunity slip away, it would be impossible for him
to get the truth from Harper later on.
As a faint smile appeared on her face, Harper glanced at him and said, "A piece of good news."
Francis' eyes dilated slightly, and he asked again, "A piece of good news for whom?"
"For you, of course," Harper immediately answered, casting a glance at Francis, who didn't seem to believe what she just said. In
a low voice, Harper then added, "He told me the whereabouts of the testamentary edict."
Francis reflexively stood up in a hurry upon hearing that, but soon realized that he had behaved improperly. So, he sat down
slowly and remarked, "So, the testamentary edict really exists."
"It seems that you have already heard about it," Harper said with a gentle smile. "Would you like to make a deal with me?"

"I will never let you out of the Imperial Palace. Earlier today, the courtiers asked me to ascend to the throne as soon as possible.
I have already approved their request and will ascend the throne and become the new emperor on a selected auspicious day,"
Francis resolutely said, taking a deep breath. It would be useless to make the testamentary edict public once he had officially
become the new emperor.
"Is that so? Congratulations then!" Harper said in a flat tone, her eyes without a hint of joyfulness.
"After I ascend the throne, I intend to make you the empress." Francis' statement exploded by Harper's ears like a bomb. She felt
so lightheaded and was left at such a loss for words.
"What did you say?" she asked just to be sure she didn't just mishear it.
Francis stood up and looked down at Harper. Word by word, he said it carefully again, "I intend to make you the empress after I
ascend the throne."
"Are you out of your mind?" Harper asked in a cold tone. "Have you forgotten that not only am I a married woman, but also the
wife of your uncle Matthew!"
"Matthew's wife has died of illness. And you are neither Harper Chu nor his wife. You are just an unmarried girl who has just
been selected for my harem," Francis said in a gentle and rather pleasant voice. "I want to share the throne with you. Please
don't push me away, Harper. All these years, you have been working so hard for the throne, haven't you? Uncle Matthew has no
interest in the throne. Otherwise, he would have usurped the throne long ago. Now, I'm placing the throne in front of you. Would
you like to stand with me and watch the beautiful scenery of the whole country?"
Thinking that Francis must have gone crazy, Harper took a deep breath, took out a piece of bright yellow brocade from her
sleeve, and tossed it to Francis. "Have a look. It's the testamentary edict left by your father."
Francis caught the edict, his eyes filled with surprise. It seemed that he had not expected the edict to actually be in Harper's
possession. What was more, the edict clearly stated that the heir of the late emperor was Francis, his sixth son.
"If my father chose me as his heir, why didn't I get the edict?" Francis asked in confusion.
After taking a quick glance at Francis, Harper said, "There are many people who don't want you to be the emperor. It wouldn't be
hard for them to change or replace the contents of the testamentary edict. Now, you are the perfectly justifiable heir and will
ascend the throne and become the new emperor. As for me, I will never be your wife. Besides, the courtiers will never allow
Prince Matthew's wife to be the new emperor's empress."

With a glimmer of light in his eyes, Francis said, "I have already asked someone to send the divorce agreement you have written
yourself to the Great Jade Kingdom at once. I believe that it will be in Uncle Matthew's hands very soon. The courtiers won't
object to you, who have already divorced Uncle Matthew peacefully."
"When did I write a divorce agreement myself?"
"I have written it on your behalf, complete with your handwriting and your seal, so Uncle Matthew won't doubt it. Out of
everything, he has always hated betrayal the most. Once he receives the divorce agreement, do you think you would still go
back to him?" Francis wore a bright and innocent smile, but Harper could clearly see the viciousness in his smile.
"You..." Harper found herself utterly speechless and didn't know what to say to Francis at that point. Obviously, he had reached a
dead end and was beyond saving.
"He's not going to believe it."
"He will!" Francis slowly said. "Because I have sent not only the divorce agreement but also the token of affection he gave you
when you two got married."
"My ice jade bracelet!" Harper's face turned into a frown. "I remember that I left my ice jade bracelet at home."
"It's quite easy for me to get something from Uncle Matthew's mansion. Harper, you just need to stay at the Sleek Palace safely
and wait until you become the new empress. Your robe as the empress should be completed in a few days. By then, you can try
putting it on. I believe that it will definitely suit you perfectly."