Forensic Imperial Concubine

Rolando opened the Heavenly Book he owned. What had been troubling him for the longest time was that the final pages of the
book were blank. Where there should have been some content on it, the only thing staring at him were white spaces after white
spaces. Despite his long-time efforts in studying the book, he still couldn't find a way to make anything show itself. He thought
that perhaps, only a member of the Qin Clan knew the secrets which were hidden in the pages.
"What on earth do you think might be concealed in the blank parts of this book?" Rolando subconsciously asked out loud.
Getting a little tired from years of studying the book, he could only get its superficial meaning. He had no idea what secrets might
be written between the lines.
"Your Majesty, since you have studied it for ages, I think you know it very well. Moreover, I still don't think scheming against that
couple is a good idea," Miguel firmly said.
In fact, Rolando already knew that Miguel's statement made a lot of sense. Matthew was already as powerful, cunning, and
sophisticated as he was. On the other hand, Harper was a smart and resourceful person as well. In the past, she had hidden her
talents on purpose, and no one noticed that she was an ingenious woman. In the end, Matthew married her, taking Harper on his
side, which was yet another blessing for that man. It seemed like God had always been smiling to Matthew.
"Of course I know it's not completely wise. But she's the only one who can reveal the secret of the Heavenly Books," Rolando
replied.
"If no one can find the third volume, she won't be able to solve the problem either." Miguel tried to persuade Rolando in giving up
the plan. In his mind, the Great Jade Kingdom had just settled down and it might not survive another battle. If its monarch willfully
insisted on carrying out his plan to deal with Matthew and his wife, then it was quite possible that it would have a war against the
Bright Dynasty.
Rolando smiled before saying, "Maybe no one else can find the third volume, but I'm willing to bet that Harper can definitely do it.
Besides, Matthew could refuse anyone in this world, except Harper. That's why, I must make her stay in our kingdom for as long
as I can."
Miguel totally understood the situation, even if Rolando didn't thoroughly explain it. Harper was the only living descendant of the
Qin Clan. If there were any secrets in the book, then only someone like her could uncover it. Back then, the reasons that
Rolando went to the Bright Dynasty and became one of its monks were not only to avoid the internal strife in the Great Jade
Kingdom, but also to find a way to figure out the book's secret, and search for the only descendant of the Qin Clan.
"Maybe a collateral descendant of the Qin Clan —"

Cutting Miguel off, Rolando seriously said, "A collateral descendant won't know about the family's most well-kept secret. If they
knew, they wouldn't be alive by now. The secrets of the clan and the secrets of the Heavenly Books might all be related to just
one person."
As a matter of fact, Miguel was fully aware that no one but Harper could solve the mystery of the Heavenly Books. He also knew
that it was not an easy task to make her do it.
"Your Majesty, is this really about just solving the mystery?" Miguel suddenly asked. He and Rolando grew up together, so Miguel
knew his friend very well. He thought that since Rolando came back from the Bright Dynasty, there were some significant
changes to him.
"Well, if this isn't for that, what else do you think all of this is for?"
"Is it possible that you're doing all of this for Lady Harper?" Miguel asked while he approached Rolando. He then suddenly took
out a picture from a pile of papers in front of the man. It was a portrait of no one else but Harper. "This had been drawn by you.
How could you have done this if she doesn't have a place in your heart?" he asked.
"You've crossed the line, Miguel. Trying to read my mind and meddle in my business has deeply offended me," Rolando simply
said while he calmly took the portrait away from the prime minister.
"I didn't mean to offend you. In fact, I'm just worried about you, Your Majesty. I'm afraid that you have lost your senses and you're
doing something irrational because of some unrealistic fantasy. We grew up together. I don't know if you remember. But I once
told you that if you become the emperor, I would be your prime minister and make the Great Jade Kingdom the most powerful
kingdom with you. I hope you haven't forgotten our promise," Miguel answered with utmost honesty, not a single hint of attempt
in concealing his worries.
Rolando almost snapped, but still, through an overbearing tone, he said, "I haven't forgotten about it! I always know what I want."
"It's good that you haven't forgotten, Your Majesty. I'm just merely reminding you. After all, you have sacrificed your right arm in
order to save Lady Harper. They owed you such a great debt. Why not just ask Prince Matthew to hand over the Heavenly Book
in return?" Miguel asked, regaining his composure.
"If in the slightest chance that he's willing to give it to us, can you read it?" the emperor asked with a sneer.
The expression on Miguel's face went stiff. Rolando was right. Only Harper could decipher the book. Even if they acquired the
other volumes, it would be useless if Harper refused to cooperate. He knew then that his plan was going nowhere.

"You're right, and Harper might not be cooperative whatsoever even if we let them keep the book," Miguel stated.
"Miguel, I'm going to teach you one more thing today. Don't always expect others to return a favor when you give a helping hand.
You can't assume that everyone will act the way you want them to." The emperor's words were simple, but quite interesting and
meaningful. Harper was a grateful person. If others treated her well, she would generously repay them. Rolando had saved her
life, but he had never asked for anything in return, nor did he want to. For Rolando, becoming friends with her was the best thing
that could ever happen out of that.
"If we don't want to be repaid, won't everything that we've worked so hard for be in vain?" Miguel asked, quite surprised by the
emperor's statements.
Rolando answered with a meaningful smile, "You still have a lot to learn, Miguel. If Matthew heard what I'm saying, I'm sure he
would understand in an instant."
The expression on Miguel's face darkened a little, but he said nothing more about it. "Well, it's late. If you'll excuse me, Your
Majesty."
"You can go," the emperor casually said while the prime minister headed for the door. After Miguel had left, the door
automatically closed with a gust of wind. When the emperor looked at the portrait on the table, the expression on his eyes
instantly softened. "Is it so obvious? Even Miguel can feel my love for you now, Harper. But can you?" Rolando wondered out
loud.
"Your Majesty."
"Come in," Rolando gently ordered while he put away the portrait with one swift move of his hand. His gaze then turned tranquil
when he asked, "Have you found anything?"
"Your Majesty, we found out that the blue stones on the road were replaced with river stones. They look very much alike, except
the river stones are covered with moss, so it's easy to slip on them. That was why Lady Lilian fell and nearly hurt the baby." The
guard informed the emperor about the results of their investigation.