Female Novel
Chapter 182 Collusion (Part One)
Zack's proposal brought Harper nothing but disquiet. Her steps followed the last quickly one afteranother, and before she realized it, she had been going the wrong way. Harper was about to turnaround when someone blocked her way.
"My Lady," the man addressed her.novelbin
"Lord Josef," she greeted back despite her confusion.
"Lady Katrina has requested your presence." The eunuch Josef had presented it as an invitation, evenas his tone was the exact opposite. "This way, please."
Harper had no choice but to follow him. He led the way to the Glorious Palace where Katrina resided.In the beginning, Katrina had disliked Harper because of her headstrong character and the girl's refusalto aid her in fighting for the emperor's favor. She had conspired with Charles to replace her with Haileyas the imperial physician. 'What does she want with me this time?' Harper wondered.
She had braced herself for the worst the moment she stepped inside the Glorious Palace with Josef. Toher surprise, Katrina let her in without making any scene.
"Your Highness, good day." Harper curtsied in front of the lady respectfully, not leaving any opening forcriticism of her manners.
Katrina looked at the stubborn Harper bowing her head before her. 'Has she finally learned to be well-behaved?'
"It has been a long time. You seem to have changed quite a lot," Katrina said as her fingers fiddled withthe fruit on the table. "You have become the vice director of the Imperial Academy of Medicine. Mycongratulations have come late."
"It is my honor, Your Highness." Harper spoke calmly and kept her composure. Her face belied thetrace of complacency. Katrina was surprised at her seemingly relaxed demeanor. She had heard thatHarper had changed, but the woman she saw in front of her was too far from the Harper she knew,almost as if she were another person.
"I invited you here today to personally congratulate you. After all, you are holding an important title, notto mention the only woman granted such a position. I am a concubine in the Imperial Palace, and I willhave to rely on your skills in the future. Chloe has been pregnant for a long time, and His Majestyfavors her. I am no longer young and my beauty has faded along with my youth. I have not beenblessed by fortune with a child to rely on, but I share the honor and humiliation with the Chu Clan. Weare a family."
Harper just gave her a polite smile but remained silent. She listened to Katrina's words carefully, butshe did not miss the slight changes in the Glorious Palace. She had been here before, and thedifference was almost inconspicuous to unwatchful eyes, but Harper took notice of the curtains of theinner room, swept to one side. It was the perfect place for hiding.
"Harper Chu, do you understand what I have just said?" Katrina asked, her voice tinged withdispleasure with Harper's unresponsiveness.
"Yes, Your Highness. I understand that you want me to carry out some task similar to the one I refusedbefore," Harper said slowly, choosing her words with utmost caution. "But forgive me. My answer willnot change. In the past, it was Lady Anita, and now Lady Chloe. But no matter who the person is, I donot wish to cause anyone harm."
"Watch your tongue." Katrina pounded her fist on the table and abruptly stood up from her chair, butshe bit her tongue against the venomous words that were to escape. She had called Harper here for apurpose. "Chloe is the apple of His Majesty's eye, and if she gives birth to a prince—"
"But Your Highness, you don't have a child." Harper interrupted Katrina, knowing she had just utteredthe most hurtful words. An imperial concubine who could not bear a child was nothing short of a failure."No matter if Lady Chloe or Lady Anita bears His Majesty a prince or a princess, they will not threatenyou at all, because you don't have a child."
At her words, Katrina trembled with anger. "Are you mocking me?"
"I wouldn't dare, Your Highness. I am merely reminding you not to be used as a tool by others. It iseasy to be led astray by emotions. You may not have a child, but you are in a high position and haveearned His Majesty's trust. If you lose even this, then there will be no longer a place for you in thepalace. Besides, His Majesty has so many beautiful women who have sons. They don't even feelthreatened, so you have no need to be so anxious," Harper said. She analyzed the situation with logic,but whether Katrina would take her advice was another matter entirely.
"But Chloe holds His Majesty's affections! He favors her so exceedingly that he almost goes to heralone and ignores all the others!" Katrina burst out.
"Your Highness, no matter how favored Lady Chloe is, it does not change the fact that she is just anoble lady. You are one of the four consorts, and above you, there is only the empress." At this time,Harper estimated that the banquet was almost about to start, so she said quickly, "As long as you don'tmake any foolish moves, your position is guaranteed. No one can take your seat from you, andalthough you may no longer have His Majesty's affections, you will always have his respect. You knowbetter than anyone how complicated it is in the palace, so I advise you not to do anything reckless. Itcould cost you dearly. The time for the banquet is approaching. I bid you good day."
With another elegant bow, Harper left, paying no mind to Katrina's flushed face and the way sheclenched her jaw. As soon as Harper was gone, the sound of breaking ceramics filled the room asKatrina swept the tea cups to the floor.
"Aunt, now you have seen it for yourself. Harper has become even more of a conceited woman thanbefore!" The curtains parted to reveal Hailey.
A long scar ran on one side of her face, corrupting a beauty that would have been the fall of an entirecity. Had it been treated in time, the mark would have disappeared, but she had fled from Charles'disappointment and failed to get a good healer, leaving her disfigured with an ugly scar for the rest ofher life.