Forensic Imperial Concubine novel Chapter 187

Harper acquiesced to their remarks without speaking. Charles was uncertain of how to proceed, seeing her blank expression.

"Do you have anything to say?" he asked.

Harper shook her head. "The emperor has granted me the decree. As you have said, Father, this is a most gracious favor. I have no words to express my gratitude to His Majesty for granting me such a marriage."

Charles nodded, pleased at her obedience. "Since you have acknowledged that it is a good opportunity, I will speak frankly. You are also a member of the Chu Clan, and you will carry our name your whole life. You must never forget that the clan's interest is of utmost importance. Am I understood?"

"Yes. I understand," Harper answered, with her head down. As soon as Charles finished his last sentence, she understood why she had been called. He wanted to use her as a means to get something from Matthew.

"After you marry into the prince's mansion, you will report about his every move to me." The masquerade fell apart to reveal the true intentions behind the marriage proposal. The emperor merely wanted to have someone who would serve as his eyes regarding Matthew's movement. Charles had been given the task to watch the prince.

Harper raised her head and asked with a faint smile, "Father, are you asking me to spy on the prince?"

"Yes!" Charles showed no reluctance in revealing his purpose. "After you enter Prince Matthew's mansion, you must find a way to get the Black Flag Token and bring it to me."

"Father, would it really be that easy to get something out from the prince's mansion?" Harper asked, her expression amused.

"You have no need to worry. Several of my own men will be disguised as guards and sent to assist you in this mission. All you have to do is pass the information to them, and they will take care of the rest," Charles answered. He had not given a single thought about the danger that Harper would be putting herself into.

Harper had already known his selfish nature, but her father's words still sent a chill to her heart. She was nothing else but a tool, and her value was only determined with how useful she would be. "I understand. Is there anything else, Father?"

"No. Just wait for your wedding quietly. If you are needed, I will send my guard to inform you. You may go." Charles was quite satisfied with Harper's seeming obedience. As long as she stayed in Matthew's mansion and did as he asked, he would be able to execute his plans perfectly. Once he got the Black Flag Token, the emperor would surely reward him.

Without delaying any further, Harper went out of the study and walked towards the Emerald House. Her steps were heavy as she crossed the path. She had to meet Matthew and make her proposition as soon as possible. As long as her grandmother was alive, she would not do anything to harm Charles. She had given her word, but that promise excluded Howard and Katrina.

As soon as she arrived at Emerald House, Forsythia greeted her at the door, winking at Harper as she told her to go back to her room. There was someone waiting inside for her.

Harper's eyes lit up. She rushed back into her room expecting the masked man, but her legs were petrified once she had seen her visitor.

It was Matthew. "Your Highness! What can I do for you?" she greeted quickly, snapping out of her shock.

"Harper, save the formalities." He did not miss the shadow of disappointment that crossed her eyes when she saw him. "I know you don't want to marry me."

"I dare not say that!" Harper answered.

"Is that so?" Matthew said. "I don't like forcing others to do things they don't want to."

"Then, do you mean that it would be alright to call off the marriage?" Harper asked, raising her head expectantly.

"What do you think?" Matthew's voice was cold and his face was as hard as in iceberg. Harper kept on smiling even as she could almost feel herself shiver in his gaze.

"Of course not," she answered. "Your Highness, I have a proposal. Please hear me out."

"What proposal?"

"Let me stay at your mansion for three years, during which I will be your nominal wife. In this time, I will certainly carry out the duties of my position, and I will also try my best to cure you, as I am a physician. After three years, you can write a letter of divorce. Don't worry. I guarantee that I would not betray you, and I will never go anywhere far from my living quarters."

A storm was brewing in Matthew's head. "You want me to divorce you after three years?"

"Yes, Your Highness. I am aware that you don't particularly favor me. As for myself, I just want another place to live in. I will relinquish the title of your wife after three years. There must be someone that you truly love. You can take me to meet her. I promise I will return my position to her after three years. I swear it on my honor!" Afraid that the prince wouldn't believe her, Harper raised her hand and swore to him.

"Why do you need three years?" asked Matthew slowly as the storm in his head settled.

Harper remained silent for a while. Then she said in a low voice, "I promised my grandmother that I would never hurt someone in Chu Clan, as long as she is alive."

That someone was no one else but Charles. Harper thought that if she was married, she could finally get out of Chu Clan and she would not have to keep being trapped within the cold walls of the mansion. However, Charles had made things very clear when he called her to his study. Whether she was married or not, he would never set her free and would always find ways to make use of her. She had no one to rely on but herself.

"Ah, I see. Mavis," the prince said.

He had been terse, but Harper felt her chest sting as his words hit the bull's eye. "Grandma is getting older and older." Even as she knew it, it was a difficult thing for Harper to say it out loud. She had tried her best to help Mavis be in a good health, but there was nothing that medicine could do against the natural course of the world. The body gets old and deteriorates. In order to grant her grandmother peace for the rest of her days, Harper would do nothing to cause harm to Charles. After that, there would be no need to hold back.

"Alright. I agree to your terms. Just do as you say. Rest assured I will not let you be treated unfairly. You will be good with me for the next three years."

"Thank you very much, Your Highness!"