Forensic Imperial Concubine by Erika Black

Not many people in the Birch Pass were aware of Harper's return. Yet there was a remarkable change in the atmosphere there.
It was as if, all of a sudden, the gloomy air around the city was lifted. Both Jack and Joshua were still hiding in the military camp.
They didn't dare to show up in the general's residence out of the fear that Matthew would settle accounts with them sooner or
later.
It was morning. The first ray of the sun made its way through the window to touch Harper's closed eyelids. She opened her eyes
to the peace and coziness of her bedroom after a long time. Matthew was sleeping peacefully right beside her. A complacent
smile appeared on Harper's face. Even Matthew had such a restful night after a long time. Harper stretched out her hand and
slowly moved her index finger along his jawline. Just then, Matthew grabbed her hand and planted a kiss at the back of her
hand. "Good girl, don't be naughty," he said with a mischievous smile.
Harper smiled back at him. "I'm planning to go to the imperial capital of the South Kingdom," Harper said after waiting for a few
moments.
"No way," Matthew snapped back immediately. How could he agree to what Harper said? She had just been back from the jaws
of death in the Labyrinth Swamp! The last time when Harper went to the South Kingdom, there were a series of unfortunate
events that pushed him to the limit. He believed that Harper would not risk her life on her own, otherwise, he would have
accompanied her. First, the news of the library collapsing on her made him rush to the South Kingdom. Initially, he was told that
she got buried. Then on his way, he learned that she was fine. Hardly had he heaved a sigh of relief that he got to know that she
had entered the Labyrinth Swamp. If things went on like this, he was afraid that he would be scared to death.
However, Harper looked resolute with her plan. "I have to take care of the business in the South Kingdom. After all, with so many
enemies all around, it's not a good time to enjoy a comfortable and easy life in the Birch Pass," Harper explained.
"Leave everything to me," Matthew said in a reassuring way, stroking Harper's hair. There was no way that he would allow his

wife to take any risk again. It was a matter of luck that she could get out of the Labyrinth Swamp safely. But even luck did not
favor all the time. He could not bear to lose her.

Harper's eyes grew darker, and she became quiet. Matthew got up from the bed and put on his clothes quickly. "I'll take down the
South Kingdom as fast as I can," he said. They indeed needed to have a strong hold over the South Kingdom, or else the matter
could go out their hands. But Matthew did not have the heart to allow Harper to go there alone. Hence, he decided to take the
matter in his own hands.
"And then?" asked Harper. Harper rolled over on her belly and rested her chin on her hands, staring at him calmly. "What about
the Great Jade Kingdom or the Wonder Kingdom? Do you think they will sit quietly and watch you take down the South
Kingdom?" "I'm not afraid of them," Matthew replied confidently. "But if the Bright Dynasty doesn't exist, how will we protect the
people we care about, Matthew?" Harper asked slowly. "Now the South Kingdom is not our enemy. We can cooperate with
them." As Matthew heard her speak, a stiff frown slowly appeared on his forehead. Matthew agreed to every bit of what Harper
said. Yet, he remained silent. He simply didn't want her to put herself in danger again. After all, the South Kingdom was infamous
for being dangerous and unpredictable. There were some uncertain elements hidden at every turn of the way. Matthew feared
that if Harper went there, she would be in danger again. "No matter what you say, I won't agree," Matthew said in a stern voice.
"Do you want me to be a caged canary?" Harper asked in a low voice. "So what are your plans? After you're fed up with me, will
you forsake me?"
"I won't do that! How can you even think like that?" Matthew turned to Harper and replied instantly.
"Then please listen to me. I don't want to be a canary trapped in a cage." Even while convincing Matthew, Harper had a very firm
voice. She looked at her husband with her calm and decisive eyes. "Besides, I have made up my mind to go to the South
Kingdom. I am just informing you and not asking for your opinion."
Matthew looked into Harper's eyes. The fiery determination that she exuded was rare to be seen in any other royal woman.
Matthew was silent for a moment. Harper had always been obedient because he had never touched her bottom line. He had
seen how obedient she was as a wife, and also how bold and ruthless she was when facing her enemies. But he had forgotten

that she would not allow others to rule her life. "What if I break your wings one day? What would you do?" Matthew asked,
looking intently into Harper's eyes. Hearing his words, Harper didn't get mad. Instead, her face broke into a charming smile. Then.

she said firmly, "You won't! I know it for sure." "How can you be so confident that I won't do that to you?" Matthew asked,
sounding a little annoyed. Somehow, the very thought of Harper going to the South Kingdom was very unsettling for him. On top
of that, Harper's obstinate nature was beyond his
control!
"Because you are the man I love! No one knows you better than me," Harper said in a proud tone. "And as much as I know, you
don't need a canary in the cage. Instead, you want an eagle that can soar high in the sky."
After this, Matthew could not make out whether he should love or hate Harper. He said, "You are not an eagle. You are a flying
phoenix. Even if I break your wings countless times, you will be reborn over and over again."
Harper stretched out her hands like an indulgent wife. The conversation seemed to be moving towards the point that Harper
wanted it to go. Matthew heaved a sigh and said, "You can go to the South Kingdom under one condition—I will come with you!"
"Don't you care about what's going on in the Birch Pass?" Harper asked with a smile.
"I don't need to stay here. Joshua and Shawn are here to take care of all the business," Matthew said, taking Harper in his warm
embrace.
"In this case, I will need to bother you to take a trip with me," Harper said lovingly.
"Humph, if I'm not going with you, won't you go there on your own?" Matthew looked into the deep and bright eyes of the woman
he was holding in his arms. He knew he was too indulgent towards her. Yet, he could do nothing about it as he couldn't say no to
her. Even though Matthew was aware that she would put herself into danger and no matter how much he wanted to keep her
safe, he always found himself giving in to her wish just because he could not bear to make her sad.
"I put you ahead of everything else in my life," Harper said, nestling her head against Matthew's chest. "Are you not satisfied with
it, darling?"
"Hmm. But that is how it is. Isn't it? Women always put their husbands first. They obey, admire, and respect their husbands. But
in your case, it's different. When you feel happy, you spoil me. But when you are unhappy, you always leave me alone. Can you
show me one wife who treats her husband like that?" Matthew's words exuded a mix of humor and annoyance. In fact, he could
never understand what kind of person his wife was. But he was so deeply in love with her that he accepted her the way she
was.