Forensic Imperial Concubine

The first time Francis was witness to Harper's sheer ruthlessness, he was glad to see that she was a woman with her own
principles. But when he became the victim of her cruelty, all his merry was overturned to sadness. It was not until that moment,
he realized that he could get treated so ruthlessly by her. It slowly came into his senses that he was nothing special to her, but
just the one who stepped on her bottom line.
Like all those other people who dared to step on her bottom line, he was also retaliated and became just a stranger to her!
"How's your wound?" Jason asked in a light voice while moving through the dark passage.
"I won't die," Francis said, in a hoarse and depressed voice. Though Jason couldn't see his face, he anticipated that he would
look quite livid.
"Don't worry. As long as we stick to this passage, we will soon be out of the imperial capital. We cannot stay in here anymore."
Jason led the way, and Owen, holding Francis' arm, followed. The secret passage was dimly lit with torches, and there was just
the sound of their footsteps to be heard. All their secret guards got killed, and only the three escaped.
Owen hated Harper to the core. Even though she didn't like his master, Francis, there was no excuse for hurting him so badly
without mercy. After all, his master was so concerned about her.
"Prince Jason, where are we going now?" Owen asked under his breath.
"To the South Kingdom." Before Jason could answer, Francis spoke. "We still have some chip in our hands. Contact Diana and
ask her to help us."
After a brief silence, Jason whispered, "Okay."
After a whole day's fight in the Imperial Palace, its floor was completely stained with blood. Even after repeated washing by the
servants, the floor was still stained in red.
The officials were waiting in the Tranquil Hall. They stealthily hoped that Matthew would take over the throne. Matthew was a
rare talent, and no one doubted his capability. If he were to take over the throne, he would certainly bring prosperity to the Bright
Dynasty. However, if the eighth prince, Lucas, ascended the throne, they had no such confidence in him. They were not so sure
about his abilities. His dissolute image was deeply rooted in their minds, and it was not easy to change in a quick time.
In the Imperial Study, Lucas gave the imperial jade seal to Matthew and said, "Uncle, I hope you will inherit the throne. It's not
that I don't like the throne, but I believe that only under your leadership can the Bright Dynasty emerge prosperous."

Matthew stood with his arms folded across his chest. He didn't want to accept it at all. "I have already told you many times about
my lack of interest in the throne, and even now there is no change in my stand. It's all those courtiers' thoughts, and it has
nothing to do with me. If I wanted the throne, I would have already taken it up by deposing the former emperor."
The corners of Lucas' mouth twitched slightly. Although Matthew was cold and ruthless, he enjoyed unparalleled fame among the
commoners and all the civil and military officers. If he raised his arms and called for support, countless people would join to
support him.
"But all the commoners and courtiers want you to be their emperor." Lucas was a little hesitant. He was clear about his own
abilities to rule the empire and believed he was not as good as his uncle.
Matthew looked at Harper and said, "I don't care about others' opinions. What do you think, Harp?"
"If you wish to be a peacock in a golden cage, then I don't mind watching you in the cage every day," Harper teased as she took
a sip of tea.
"You heard your aunt. I don't want to be a peacock in the golden cage. I prefer to be an eagle flying in the sky. Since your father
selected you, it proved that he was not so decrepit or muddleheaded. I also believe that you can be a good emperor and serve
the people justly." Then, he reached out his hand to hold his wife, and was about to leave with her.
"Wait!" Harper suddenly stopped, turned around, and looked at Lucas.
'What does she want to say now?' Lucas wondered nervously.
"The royal family of our Bright Dynasty has the Secret Pavilion, which records unknown secrets, right?" Harper had got the news
about the Secret Pavilion recently. If she wanted to know something about the Qin Clan, there was no better place to start her
search than the Secret Pavilion.
After a moment's silence, Lucas nodded firmly. "The royal family did set up the Secret Pavilion, and innumerable secrets have
been stored there. These secrets are unusual, and according to the rules of the pavilion, only the emperors of our Bright Dynasty
can enter it. Aunt, do you want to enter the Secret Pavilion?"
"Yes, I do," Harper said frankly. "I want to find out about something. Perhaps it is recorded in the pavilion, so I want to enter it."
"It will be my pleasure to let you in. Yet, the guards of the pavilion are strong and stubborn. I'm afraid they won't follow my orders.
Are you still going to ask Uncle Matthew to give up the throne?" Lucas asked and felt his palms were sweating. If Harper wished

to enter the pavilion, the best way for her was to be the empress. Although the empress wasn't qualified to enter it, Matthew
could take her in when he became the emperor.
"You just need to take me to the pavilion. As for how to get in, it is none of your concern. Let me bother about it," Harper said,
with a shallow smile. "An emperor is the soul of the empire. No empire can run smoothly without an emperor. I guess the officials
are waiting for you. Just go and get crowned as the emperor, so that our Bright Dynasty can be stable once again." Harper
patted Lucas on the shoulder. "Don't forget that Lilian is still at the Great Jade Kingdom. She needs your support and you need
to back her up."