Forensic Imperial Concubine

Owen went to Matthew's mansion in order to pay Harper a visit. He had assumed that he would be able to see her in person by
claiming that Francis was feeling unwell. Unexpectedly, he was turned away.
Looking at Nina with wide open eyes, he couldn't believe his ears. "Nina, didn't you tell Her Highness that it's me, the one who
works for Prince Francis, wanting to see her?" he asked again for confirmation.
"Her Highness said that you may turn back. She won't go to Prince Francis' mansion now, and even added that she will never go
there again in the future," Nina told him, then turned around and walked away. She dared not let anyone in, because the woman
in the Phoenix House now was not the real Harper. Otherwise, the truth might be revealed for everyone to know.
In shock, Owen's eyes widened even more. He could not understand what had happened. 'What could possibly be wrong with
Her Highness? Hasn't she always got along well with my master? Why was she suddenly refusing to go see him? How could she
even say she would never come back to my master's mansion?' he pondered in utter bafflement.
Owen sensed that something was amiss. He decided he had better tell Francis about this straightaway. So he rushed back to
Francis' mansion and informed him that Harper had shut him out.
"Ahem! Ahem! Ahem!" Francis coughed hoarsely after Owen delivered the news. "Were those her actual words?"
"Yes. Your Highness. Are you all right?" Owen said with concern. He then poured a cup of warm water and handed it over to
Francis to ease his discomfort.
However, Francis merely shook his head and refused the drink. He asked, "Did she really say that she would never come here
again?"
Owen's eyes reddened a bit, and then he replied, "I didn't even manage to see her in person. Nina came to deliver Lady Harper's
answer, and said that she refused to see me and asked me to go back. She told me that Lady Harper also said she would never
come here anymore."
Francis leaned against the headboard, feeling utterly dejected by this news. The light in his eyes dimmed. After a while, he
forced himself to regain his composure and ordered, "Get the carriage ready. I'll go to see her myself."
"But, Your Highness, your condition..." Owen balked. He thought it was a reckless idea for Francis to go out when he was still so
weak.

"I'm fine. I just have a cold," Francis said, taking a deep breath. Then he asked his servants to get him ready. After he was fully
dressed up, Owen put a cloak on him to shield him from the cold.
Francis looked at Owen's hands which were busy tying the cloak for him. He then remembered that on the day of the emperor's
birthday banquet, Harper had also put a cloak for him gently like this. It warmed his heart to recall that. He did not want to lose
that feeling, and he craved it again.
"Your Highness, are you sure about going there now? Your health is not robust. Why don't you go there after you make a
recovery?" Owen suggested. He was still very worried about Francis' health, despite his insistence.
"No, I'm fine. I'll go there without another moment's delay," Francis answered in a firm tone. He knew that the incident at the
birthday banquet had raised suspicions in Harper and Matthew. He couldn't imagine what might happen if he let the matter go.
He didn't want things to get out of hand.
Although Francis went to Matthew's mansion in person, he had to wait in the living room, and neither Matthew nor Harper came
out to see him. Matthew was still at the Imperial Palace, at the regular court session with the emperor. As for Harper, she did not
want to see him.
Francis waited for a long time, yet still no one came to welcome him. So he walked out and stopped Noah, asking, "Steward
Noah, is Aunt Harper at home?"
"Greetings, Your Highness. Yes, Her Highness is in the mansion." Noah told him the truth.
"Would you please show me the way to her place? I want to visit her there... Kaaahhkkk, kaaahhkkk, kaaahhkkk...." Before he
could even finish his words, he had a sudden and violent cough, as if he were about to cough his lungs out. His pale face turned
red suddenly because of the fierce cough.
"Your Highness, if you feel uncomfortable, I think maybe you ought to go back now. When His Highness comes back, I will tell
him about your visit," Noah suggested upon seeing Francis have such a bad cough. He feared the consequences if Francis were
to pass out there.
Francis, however, shook his head and replied, "No, I will stay here. I must see her, and I won't leave until I see her."
Noah stood there in uncertainty for a while, before replying, "Your Highness, Her Highness lives in the Phoenix House, but I'm
not sure whether she will be willing to see you." Then he ordered, "Maid, lead His Highness to the Phoenix House."
"Yes, Steward Noah,"

replied a maid. The maid then led Francis to the Phoenix House. A drizzle began to fall at that moment, so she led Francis along
the corridor to avoid the rain. But the corridor did not go all the way to the Phoenix House. If they wanted to enter the Phoenix
House, they still had to get soaked in the rain for a moment.
They soon arrived near the Phoenix House. The maid then said to Francis, "Your Highness, please wait here a moment. The
Phoenix House is ahead. Allow me to fetch an umbrella for you."
"No need. You can leave now," Francis said, waving his hand to her in dismissal. He stood at the end of the corridor and saw the
plaque not far away. The handwriting was tall and vigorous, cold and murderous. It was obviously written by Matthew.
Looking at the open door of the Phoenix House and then at Francis, Owen suggested in concern, "Your Highness, why don't we
wait for the rain to stop? I think..."
However, before he could finish speaking, Francis had already stepped into the rain. He walked slowly to the Phoenix House, yet
his footsteps were firm. But he stopped at the gate and did not enter.
"Your Highness, please go inside," Owen urged him in worry. The rain was becoming heavier, and Francis was in poor health. If
he stayed in the rain for a long time, Owen feared that his health would suffer.
But Francis merely shook his head. He just stood there without moving. It was true that he was desperate to see Harper, but he
didn't want to break into her house. He didn't want her to think of him as discourteous. Therefore, he preferred to stand outside,
waiting for her to come out. He did not believe that she could be so heartless as to watch him in the rain.
"Your Highness, the rain is becoming heavier. You haven't made a full recovery yet. Why not wait back there in the corridor
instead?" Owen tried desperately to convince him.
But Francis was stubborn and shook his head. He insisted on standing in front of the gate, staring at the gate with his tender
eyes. If Harper didn't see him that day, he was determined to stay there until he saw her. He wouldn't give up so easily.