Forensic Imperial Concubine

Chapter 190 The Betrothal Gifts (Part One)

As Zack gazed at Harper's receding figure, the bitter smile on his face started to wear off. After all, it was too late now. If he had asked the emperor's permission to marry Harper before he had sanctioned her engagement, they wouldn't have been in their current situation.

Meanwhile, the moment Harper reached their mansion's gate, she saw the steward running towards her. He was in such haste that he almost bumped into her. "What's the matter? Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Oh, My Lady, thank heavens you finally came back. Please come inside and take a look. His Highness, Carlson, is making a scene inside the mansion!" The steward looked at Harper as if she was his savior. Original from NôvelDrama.Org.

"His Highness? Carlson?" Harper couldn't believe it. She immediately wondered why Carlson would have come and caused trouble, especially at this hour.

"That's right. His Highness is making a fuss in our mansion. Please go and check the situation inside." The steward hurriedly led Harper to the hall. Carlson was known as an unruly man, and yet no one dared to offend him because of his identity. If he threw a tantrum, even the emperor would have a headache, not to mention that they were mere citizens.

As soon as Harper arrived at the door to the main hall, she saw Carlson rolling on the floor. Nicole was angry and anxious, but she had no idea what she could do because she was pregnant. She could only try to persuade Carlson to get up, but he refused to listen. Charles was already furious about the whole situation, but he did not dare to do anything to Carlson.

Harper slowly walked in and stood behind Carlson. She kicked him on the back with her left foot before saying, "What is this? Your father stopped giving you pocket money, so you're going to clean the floor of the Chu Clan mansion and ask your aunt for money instead?"

Carlson stiffened and turned around, only to be greeted by Harper's wicked grin. He immediately jumped up, took Harper's hand and dragged her out of there. "We should go, Harper. You can't marry Uncle Matthew!"

Harper was dumbfounded while she listened to his words. She quietly thought to herself, 'What is Carlson talking about? He doesn't want me to marry Prince Matthew? He should really stop thinking that he can do anything at will just because his father is a prince. Matthew is a prince as well!'

"What are you doing, Carlson?" Harper was starting to get anxious. If the news that Carlson had dragged her out of the Chu Clan mansion reached Matthew, he would definitely come over as soon as he could and make a big deal out of it.

Carlson was entirely ignorant of Harper's concerns. "Uncle Matthew is not a good man. If you marry him, you will not be happy. I'll take you away, far away from him."

"Carlson!" Harper stopped Carlson's hand which was tightly secured on her wrist to show that she was unwilling to be dragged away by him. "This is His Majesty's order. The whole country belongs to him. Where are you taking me to? What's more, considering my social status, it's an honor for me to marry His Highness. Why are you acting like this? Let go of me!"

Carlson was actually very anxious. "What honor could you be talking about? His Majesty is not—"

Smack! In a moment of desperation, Harper slapped Carlson in the face. "Do you think before you speak those words? How dare you say anything as you like! Have you forgotten what your father and brother taught you?"

By then, Carlson was so shocked by the slap, and even Nicole was petrified. If Carlson had finished his statement and the emperor heard it, Prince Allen would definitely be blamed. In a way, Nicole felt grateful to Harper for slapping him.

Carlson was taken back because of the slap. He stopped dragging Harper and realized that she was right. Indeed, he said something without thinking much of it. But in his opinion, Matthew's mansion could only be compared to hell, and if Harper married Matthew, she would be like a sheep being placed in a tiger's mouth. He would never allow such a thing to happen, so he took it upon himself and came to the Chu Clan mansion. He had one thought and that was to take her away regardless of any repercussions.

"Harper, you have to trust me on this. Come with me—"

"Where are you taking my fiancee to, Carlson?" Before Carlson could finish speaking, a cold and familiar voice resounded. It startled everyone, making all of them tremble. Still, they turned to the direction of the person who spoke.

Barry pushed the wheelchair, and slowly approached them. Meanwhile, Matthew's gaze was focused on Carlson's hand that was still holding Harper's wrist. He narrowed his eyes and Barry drew his sword, preparing to chop off the hand.

Surprised by the turn of events, Harper pushed Carlson back. He seemed to have felt the danger and drew back his hand to avoid being cut off.

"Carlson!"

Startled, Nicole stumbled to Carlson and pulled him behind her. "Your Highness, I didn't know you were coming. Please forgive me for not welcoming you at the gate."

"Your Highness." Charles bowed to Matthew as well.

Meanwhile, Harper was stunned and she could only stand still. Somehow, she felt that Matthew was displeased, and perhaps it was because she had pushed Carlson away.

"Harper," Charles shouted. All the people present knelt on the ground, but Matthew didn't ask them to get up. Charles secretly looked around and saw that Harper remained standing. Sweat started to form on his forehead again. He tugged at Harper to remind her, but to no avail. She didn't kneel down. Instead, she walked straight to Matthew and made a salute.

Matthew took a closer look at her wrists and his eyes darkened.

"A few days ago, I saw a pair of jade bracelets on your wrists. I thought they looked very beautiful. Why aren't you wearing them today?"

Upon hearing those words, Harper blinked a little. Obviously, she didn't expect that Matthew would even notice the jade bracelets on her wrists so she was taken aback. "I'm afraid that they will break, so I put them away for now."