Forensic Imperial Concubine by Erika Black

When Matthew and Harper returned to the Dragon Pass, Zack was just about to go back to the imperial capital as there was no
need for him to stay anymore. He should be back home, fulfilling his promise to his family.
"I thought I wouldn't see you. I didn't expect you to come here. You look thinner these days. It seems that you had a hard time for
the past few days," Zack said as he looked at Harper with wide smile on his lips.
Harper smiled back, asking him, "Zack, are you going back to the imperial capital?"
"Yes. The Great Jade Kingdom is no longer a threat, and more importantly, Prince Matthew is here. Since I'm not needed here
anymore, I'm going back," Zack said as he poured Harper a warm cup of newly brewed tea. "It seems like you have something
on your mind."
"Rolando has escaped," said Harper softly before sipping from the tea.
"I knew it," Zack said, knowing that her dilemma involved none other than Rolando. "When we were outside the Dragon Pass,
Rolando fought with His Highness. It was an earth-shaking duel! Though His Highness was able to inflict Rolando with injuries
that are far more serious and devastating, he was still injured. Taking the chance, Rolando escaped."
Harper nodded slightly. Silence followed that, but after a while, she finally revealed what happened between her and Rolando,
saying, "Rolando came to find me." She was deep in thought, idly looking at the tea leaves that were floating in her cup. "He has
the other half of the Sacred Seal, but I want to give it up," she continued.
"You can't give up." As soon as Zack finished his sentence, he realized that he got too excited, and that he had to explain why he
thought that. He then continued, "Felton told me that the Sacred Seal is a matter of life and death for everyone in the Qin Clan,
including you. Harper, you can't give up no matter how much you want to." Harper knew that. She knew that she just couldn't
give it all up, because this was not only about her. If she was under the threat of losing her life, the other members of the Qin
Clan were as well! After twenty years they have been struggling, should they give up now? "Rolando is a very determined person
and hard to deal with. When he became a monk, he endured endless humiliation. He hid for five years in our country, just to get
the Heavenly Book which was, back in, in the hands of the royal family. He won't give it to you that easily, Harper, but you don't

have to give up. I believe that you won't lose to Rolando." Zack's trust in Harper's abilities was endless. If it were somebody else,
he might worry about them not being as strong as Rolando, but when it came to Harper, he didn't worry about that.
"Do you trust me so much, Zack?" "I believe in you, Harper. I believe in you more than I believe in myself. So you should not give
up! Besides, you are already so far into this. If you give up, all the efforts you've painstakingly done would be for naught. So don't
give up!" Zack said seriously, looking at Harper straight in the eyes.
Harper took a deep breath, put down the cup and replied, "I see. Don't worry. I won't give up. No matter how cunning or terrible
Rolando is, I won't be afraid."
"I hope you never forget that. And if you have time, remember to go back home. Anyway, General Maxwell must be waiting for
me. I should go now." As Zack said this, his eyes started to become a little red. It was because he couldn't help but feel that
Harper was drifting farther and farther away from him. Even though she was just in front of him and he could touch her, he still
felt they were oceans away, making him feel incredibly uncomfortable and emotional.
"Zack, wish you have a happy life," Harper said, as if reading his mind. Without turning around, he paused for a second and said,
"Don't worry, Harper. By the way, you should, too. Always take care of yourself." Zack then left. He didn't persuade Harper to stay
in their country, nor did he ask her if she would leave, because he knew that it would be useless. Harper wasn't an ordinary
woman who would just stay at home—she was destined to be unusual. Harper went to see Zack and the others off. She stood at
the entrance of the city gates, looking at their receding figures. Her
eyes were deep and mysterious, and no one could see through them.
"Your Highness," Shawn saluted.
"Shawn, why are you still using honorifics? I have told you countless times that you can just call me by name," Harper said firmly.
"By the way, how is your family?"
"Great! My father has already arranged my younger sister's marriage." Shawn looked happy. He then looked into the distance
and continued, "There was news from Marquis Pearce. Some people attacked his mansion. Apparently they were planning on

kidnapping Alexander. Fortunately, the whole ploy was found out early and Alexander is safe."
Harper nodded. "I see. Marquis Pearce is capable indeed. By the way, General Maxwell is looking good lately."
"After the death of the late emperor, General Maxwell dismissed the women in his mansion silently, and then married a woman. It
is said that the couple have a good relationship. It's quite enviable." Shawn had clearly realized that the country was getting
better and better. The current emperor was not like his father and wouldn't have so many dirty tricks.
"Shawn, you have reached the age of getting married. Do you have a girl you like?" asked Harper suddenly.
Shawn flushed and didn't know what to say. But Harper noticed that and thought she had guessed right.
"You have a girl? If you have one, don't hesitate, or you won't even have a place to cry if someone snatches her," Harper said
knowingly.
Shawn would be alright if they didn't talk about this matter. At the mention of this, he felt that it was so bad. At the very beginning,
he had thought that Harper was still young and he could wait for a few years. But it turned out he made the wrong decision, as
she got married while he was still waiting.