Forensic Imperial Concubine

Without wasting another breath, Harper took the Heavenly Book from Matthew and opened it. To anyone else, the messy
writings on the book looked like ghost paintings. But to Harper, they looked lovely as if the words were welcoming her, which was
fitting because she could actually read them. She was a member of the Qin Clan, so it was like second nature to her.
"When I was in the Phoenix House, I was very careful about the food that I eat. Except for the designated few people, no one
was allowed to enter the kitchen. Unauthorized people weren't able to touch my food because they didn't have a chance to enter
the kitchen in the first place. No one had the opportunity to poison me at all." Harper's words sounded so sweet like flowers
falling from their trees. But then, it started to have a different tone. "When I was in the Phoenix House, I knew that I wasn't
pregnant. So how could I have been expecting after staying in the Pine House for a few days?"
Matthew immediately turned to look at Harper with wide eyes and a slightly opened mouth. To say that he was shocked was an
understatement. He heard her words very clearly. But he didn't seem to understand what she meant. "Harp, what do you mean
by that?"
Harper, on the other hand, ignored his question and didn't respond to him. Instead, she continued to speak while looking at Jack.
"On the night of the emperor's birthday, you realized that it was a rare opportunity as soon as you found out that Matthew took
me back. So you decided there and then to take advantage when the food was served to him. You know well enough that I have
excellent medical skills. So if you were to poison me, I would discover it at once. So you chose the Terminalia Chebula because
not only is it colorless, it's also odorless."
The admiration in Jack's eyes grew stronger and stronger while he listened to her assertions. "My master had been saying that
we shouldn't underestimate you. I realize now that he's right.
Lady Harper, it's not easy to get ahold of the Terminalia Chebula because it's not an ordinary poison. If it is permitted to stay in
your body for half a year, there's a high possibility that it will kill you. But if you choose to detoxify yourself and use every means
possible to drive the poison out of your body, there's no doubt that it will cause you harm. Your body has already been damaged,
and there's no possible way to fully recover. If you try to cure yourself by chance, I'm afraid that it will be hard for you to get
pregnant in the future." The smile on Jack's face was full of vicious intent and it could almost be mistaken for a smirk.
While Matthew was listening to every word that was coming out of Jack's mouth, a strong desire to murder the man ignited in
him. It was so intense that it overflew in the room. Jack noticed this so he immediately added, "Your Highness, don't be mad. If
you killed me right now, it would be very difficult to get the antidote to save your wife."

Meanwhile, Harper who had been listening to their exchange put a smile on her face. There was no trace of anger in her. She
then turned to look at Jack and calmly asked, "Do you really think that you can force him to give in and hand you the Heavenly
Book in exchange for the antidote?"
Disregarding Matthew and how furious the prince was, Jack looked back at her while wearing a wide smile on his face. With so
much amusement, he said, "What a clever lady you are! I must admit that's exactly what I'm thinking. So Your Highness, will you
exchange the antidote with the Heavenly Book? This is about your future offspring. I suggest you think twice before you make a
decision."
"Jack, have you forgotten that I'm the one who can make the decisions about the Heavenly Book? Why aren't you asking me
instead of him?" Harper asked. Her voice grew gentler. Masked in that tender voice that even Jack couldn't detect was the
danger that was contained within.
"Well, you're right. So let me ask you. Do you want the Heavenly Book or the antidote?" Jack asked. His voice was kind, but it
was full of evil intentions. "Lady Harper, you have very proficient medical skills. You should know how powerful the Terminalia
Chebula is. As a woman, especially a prince's wife, you won't keep your position for long if you don't produce an heir. Not only
that, you'll also lose the prince's love."
Harper held the Heavenly Book tightly. While walking towards Jack with confident steps, she said, "Oh? Is that so? Thank you for
that very educational speech. Do you really want the Heavenly Book?"
"Of course. The only thing I want is the Heavenly Book. I only did everything that I have done because of it. I can assure you that
it would be better for everyone else if the book is in my hands," Jack replied while looking at Harper with the same smile that he
had earlier.
"Okay, why not?" Harper casually said.
With those few words, there was a subtle twinkle in Jack's eyes. He was a bit surprised to hear that Harper would give such a
favorable response. Yet, he wasn't completely convinced that it would be that easy. He knew that he still needed to be vigilant.
Although Harper could fight a bit, she did not have sufficient internal force. So he thought that as long as he was well prepared,
he shouldn't have to worry about Harper making things difficult for him.
"That's great. Thank you very much, then, Lady Harper,"

Jack stated. With so much interest on his face, he watched Harper's every step as she approached him. When she was close
enough, he tried to surprise her by stepping forward and grabbing her by the arms. But unexpectedly, Harper, who had been
three meters away from him, suddenly appeared inches from his face. She stretched out her hand and bound him into a choke
hold. Before he could even react, Harper had already restrained him.
In great astonishment, Jack tried to muster his internal force to push Harper away. Unfortunately for him, no matter how hard he
tried, he soon realized that he was limp and had no strength to resist at all. Unable to move even by just a little bit, he could only
stand there weakly while Harper pinched his neck.
"What... What did you do?" he stammered, incapable of forming coherent sentences.
"I'm doing you a favor by sending you to the nether world. You have been working for Matthew for such a long time. And don't
you know that the No. 1 rule in this mansion is to never ever offend me?" Harper asked in a voice full of seduction while giving a
coquettish and charming smile. Just like a rose, she was beautiful, captivating even. With just one look, you would be tempted to
touch her but all roses had thorns and if you were not careful, you would bleed.
Jack was extremely surprised. He had not expected that Harper would be able to act in such a way. She did not have any
internal force, yet she could immobilize him so effectively. What surprised him the most was that he didn't even know what was
happening until it happened.
"Do you really think that the Terminalia Chebula can threaten me? Are you just too naive or too stupid to think like that? Jack, I
don't think you know me enough. Well, here's one thing you should know about me. What I hate the most is someone
threatening me! I don't ever allow someone to do that!" As soon as she finished speaking, Harper snapped his neck without the
slightest bit of hesitation.