Forensic Imperial Concubine novel Chapter 580

The empress's palace was crowded with people, and the ladies from different families all sat in specific seats that represented their status. Upon their arrival, a eunuch announced outside, "Here come Lady Harper, Lady Isabella and Lady Caroline."

"Harper and Isabella are really inseparable friends. They even came here together, like sisters," the empress teased them with a smile. "If I didn't know that Harper is actually a daughter of the Chu Clan, I would have thought that she was actually a daughter of the Bu Clan."

"Greetings, Your Majesty," the three newcomers said in chorus after they came in.

"Arise quickly, please," the empress responded at once. She sounded happy. She fixed her eyes on Harper's outfit, and said, "I was just talking about you two and said that you are such close friends. I'm glad to see you here. Please sit down."

Harper looked at her seat, and then looked at Isabella's seat. She stayed still, not moving to her own seat. Seeing this, the empress got the point right away, and commanded directly, "Maid, put Isabella's seat next to Harper's."

"Yes, Your Majesty," a maid replied at once, and did as she commanded.

"Thank you, Your Majesty,"

Harper said. She then helped Isabella sit down, as if it were a matter of course. Everyone present was eager to see what Harper would say and do, because she was a controversial figure in the imperial capital.

"Today is His Majesty's fiftieth birthday, and it's a beautiful day for our celebration. You don't need to be restrained or formal today. Later, let's go all together to the Grand Hall, to celebrate His Majesty's birthday," the empress then announced to all her guests.

"Yes, Your Majesty," everyone answered.

In her boredom, Harper chatted mainly with Caroline. Isabella, on the other hand, was greeting with several other ladies. Joyce Jun was simmering with resentment over her recent encounter with Harper. But they were in the Imperial Palace now, and Harper's status was very high, so she was totally unable to make a complaint.

"Harper," the empress called abruptly.

Unfortunately, Harper had all her attention focused on her chat with Caroline. Consequently, she didn't hear the empress calling her.

The smile on the empress's face faded slightly. When she was about to call again, Joyce Jun had already called out, "Harper, you are so lofty and arrogant that you don't even take Her Majesty seriously. You just turned a deaf ear to her."

"Harper," Isabella also called at once. She had not paid much attention at first, but when she noticed that the atmosphere in the hall had become awkward, she turned her head and alerted Harper with a hard pinch. The latter then turned around and asked, "What's up?"

"Harper, Her Majesty called your name several times, but you pretended not to hear her. Don't you take her seriously?" said Joyce Jun in a voice dripping with sarcasm.