Forensic Imperial Concubine

"The Bu Clan?" Harper was taken totally aback. Many of the officials were Franklin's students, so the idea of joining Francis
together with the Bu Clan seemed far too bold a move. What on earth could the emperor be playing at? Did he want to make a
new crown prince?
Noticing Harper's puzzlement, Matthew explained to her softly, "The Bu Clan won't befriend any prince. His Majesty knows that
perfectly well. His only purpose in doing this is to mislead Francis into thinking that His Majesty thinks highly of him. It also
carries the side benefit of making Felix feel uneasy."
"What a devious plot!" Harper never had any good impression of the emperor, and now she was even more displeased to see
him plotting against Francis. "Even vicious tigers don't eat their own offspring. But monarchs are all heartless. There is very little
love in them. They just can't seem to build any filial love, even between father and son, or husband and wife."
"I love you with all my heart," Matthew said immediately. "I'm not like them at all. They are fakers and schemers, but I'm sincere."
"You know I didn't say anything bad about you." Harper poked Matthew's forehead. "It has been an exhausting day. That long
journey and the visit to Francis have worn me out. I'm going to take a nap now. Don't wake me up until dinner."
"All right. I must deal with some paper work."
Matthew carried Harper up to bed, tucked her in, and then went out to review the official files. So many files had piled up in the
past few days and he needed to read all of them in case any important information was contained in them.
The next morning, Harper brought gifts to visit Franklin and Isabella. When she arrived, Franklin and his son had still not
returned from the imperial court session. So she chatted with Isabella for a while, then took her leave and went off to the Kong
Clan.
As the Kong Clan had just hosted a wedding not long ago, and the wedding decoration at their door hadn't been taken away yet,
the whole mansion seemed to have a festive atmosphere. Harper sent a servant to knock at their door. The steward recognized
them by Matthew's carriage, and immediately invited them in.
Harper was ushered into the parlor and she sat there for a moment. A moment later, a pretty girl ran into the room and called out,
"Harper!"
With a resigned smile on her face, Harper said, "Calm down. You're a married woman now. How can you still be so naughty?"

Caroline made a silly face at Harper and sat down beside her. "Harper, you're finally back! But you missed my wedding
ceremony!"
"That's why I had to come here and see you directly after I came back," Harper said with a smile. "How is your new married life?
Is George treating you well?"
Caroline blushed slightly and stole a shy glance at Harper. Twisting the handkerchief around her fingers, she said, "George treats
me very well."
"Your happy face shows me that you're telling the truth. So, George is a court official, and now the other members of the Kong
Clan are all in the south. I'm sure you must be working hard to take charge of all the arrangements for the mansion. If you have
any problems, don't hesitate to go back to the Bu Clan and ask your mother for advice, or send someone to inform me."
"Yes Harper, don't worry. I will keep that in mind." Then Caroline took Harper to walk around and see her new home. It was not
big, but it was decorated in fine and delicate taste. The Kong Clan had bought this house in a hurry, but George had already
converted it into an elegant, comfortable home. The pavilions, rockeries and waterfalls were quite a treat for the eyes.
"Harper, His Majesty intended for Prince Francis to join the court," Caroline whispered in a low voice after she sent the servants
away. "Besides, His Majesty has been dropping hints to my father that he wants my father to give his support to Prince Francis.
He also wants my father to familiarize Prince Francis with the Cabinet as soon as he recovers from his injuries."
Harper raised her eyes. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. The emperor had actually told Franklin to help Francis get
familiar with the Cabinet. She would never have guessed that the emperor would be interested in such a thing.
"What did your brother say about it?"
"His Majesty wants my brother to spend more time with Prince Francis. He said something to the effect that they're both young
men and must share some common interests. My father has been worried to death nowadays." Although Caroline was a girl, she
was not entirely ignorant of the court. After all, she was Franklin's daughter, so her political antennas were better tuned than
most.
"His Majesty has plenty of good reasons to do so. Anyway, your father and brother will deal with it. Rest your heart. The Bu Clan
always takes His Majesty's side. His Majesty would never weaken himself for someone else." Harper understood that the old
emperor just wanted the Bu Clan to play along with him to deceive everyone.

"But we still don't know who was behind the assassination, and now His Majesty is trying to push us into a prominent position.
I'm concerned about the safety of my father and brother." Caroline remembered the day Zack was nearly killed. If it hadn't been
for Harper, Caroline and Zack would have died.
Harper took Caroline's hand in hers. "Don't worry. I understand why you are scared, but lightning doesn't strike twice. We were
just caught off guard last time. If the enemy tries to make a move again, we will not let them go."
"Harper, my brother asked me to tell you..." Caroline looked a little awkward as she said this. "Beware of Prince Matthew."