Demoting my wife to a concubine? After being reborn, I turned around and married into the imperial f

Nangong Yue understood.

"You mean you want to go to Daqian to buy medicinal herbs?"

The Great Qian and the Great Ning were originally hostile countries.

In the previous life, a drought struck, and Da Ning suffered a complete crop failure, while the Qian Kingdom enjoyed favorable weather.

If we could go to Daqian to purchase medicinal herbs, that would be a good thing.

However, since Daqian and Daning were enemy states, almost no one traded with them.

If you want to enter the Great Qian Dynasty, you must pretend to be a merchant caravan from another country.

If the Daqian people discover that they are from Da Ning, they will die.

If they really manage to bring the medicinal herbs back, then the epidemic won't be such a big disaster.

"Yes, but only three medicinal herbs need to be purchased: honeysuckle, lily bulb, and cicada nymph. These three herbs are essential for making antidotes for epidemics."

Honeysuckle, nine-lily bulb, and golden cicada are medicinal materials unique to the Great Qian Dynasty.

Nangong Yue remembered that in her previous life, the plague originated from the Great Qian Dynasty.

They deliberately sent people infected with the plague to seek help, hoping to infect the people of Daning.

Then the people of Daning spread the word to other people in Daning.

In my past life, that plague killed a staggering 200,000 people.

Nangong Yue addressed Anshun outside the side room, instructing, "Go and count the quantity of all the gold and silver herbs, nine hundred hexagrams, and golden cicada seeds in the storeroom."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Less than half an hour later, Anshun's voice rang out from outside the room: "Your Highness, the count is complete. There are 10,000 gold and silver grass plants, 8,898 nine hundred herbs, and 9,306 golden cicada seeds."

Upon hearing this, Chu Xunzhen's eyes sparkled with delight.

"Anshun, send someone to collect these three herbs again."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Anshun gave the order.

Chu Xunzhen was extremely excited, grabbing his sleeves with both hands and asking in confusion, "Why did Your Highness stockpile these three herbs in advance?"

Nangong Yue seemed to be reminiscing.

He recalled, "When I lived in Baiyun Temple in my early years, the abbot told me that if I wanted to live a peaceful life, I had to go to Daqian to collect these three medicines. He also said that the more I collected, the better. When the time was right, they would come in handy."

Chu Xunzhen was stunned.

If the other party didn't calculate it, then they must know the future development of the world.

Chu Xunzhen breathed a sigh of relief.

She hadn't been able to recall a cure for the epidemic. She kept trying to remember.

It wasn't until recently that I suddenly remembered it.

She used to worry about not having enough time to store the medicinal herbs, but now she's not.

Chu Xunzhen was deep in thought and didn't notice that Nangong Yue was watching her intently.

"Sister, it's late. Shall I serve you to rest?"

Chu Xunzhen was stunned, her cheeks flushed, and she crossed her hands in front of Nangong Yue, whispering, "Your Highness, your injuries haven't healed yet."

Nangong Yue's gaze was extremely aggressive.

He looked at Chu Xunzhen and said with a faint smile, "It's alright. Serving my sister is my duty."

As she spoke, Nangong Yue took the opportunity to hug Chu Xunzhen and press herself against her.

The bed curtains were drawn, and the candlelight flickered.

Inside the curtain, two embracing figures were clearly visible. Their joy soared to the heavens, yet also seemed to dive deep into the ocean, experiencing endless delight.

The next morning.

Nangong Yue felt refreshed and invigorated.

Chu Xunzhen's legs trembled.

Nangong Yue stroked Chu Xunzhen's hair and said to Anshun, who was guarding outside, "Give the order to prepare water. The king and the queen will bathe together."

Chu Xunzhen rolled her eyes and continued to rest.

Nangong Yue chuckled softly and leaned close to Chu Xunzhen's ear, saying, "It's all my fault. I'll give the Princess a good rest."

Upon hearing this, Chu Xunzhen almost jumped up.

"No need, Your Highness, I can do it myself."

Nangong Yue smiled faintly and grabbed Chu Xunzhen's hand: "The Princess Consort is not doing well? Hmm? This king is injured, could it be that even the Princess Consort cannot withstand it?"

Chu Xunzhen's cheeks were flushed as she glared angrily at Nangong Yue.

Last night, she couldn't believe that this was the seriously injured Nangong Yue.

Who would have thought that in just a few days, he would be able to perform many actions on the bed and regain his former vigor.

Chu Xunzhen naturally couldn't admit defeat.

She instructed Chunxi to have the maids bring in two more buckets of water.

If she were to lose to an injured player today, what face would she have left?

Nangong Yue smiled teasingly: "Why does Sister need so many buckets of water? It's broad daylight now, does Sister perhaps want more?"

Chu Xun's true energy was at its peak.

I used to think he was honest and kind because of his innocent heart, but now that he's married, why is he acting like a wolf?

Is this what it feels like to be loved?

Chu Xunzhen recalled how Gu Changfeng treated her with such leniency afterward, which infuriated her.

So, is this the true way for couples to get along?

Seeing Chu Xunzhen's puffed-up face, Nangong Yue smiled indulgently: "Be good, sister. You can have it tonight. Today, sister is coming with me to the palace to visit Grandmother."

Upon hearing this, Chu Xunzhen snapped back to reality.

"What's wrong with Grandmother?" she asked worriedly.

Even though she had never met the Empress Dowager, when she married Nangong Yue, the Empress Dowager sent someone to bestow upon her a precious South China Sea pearl.

"Grandmother is unwell and may not last much longer. Father has urgently summoned all the princes and princesses to visit her."

The two quickly washed up.

Nangong Yue changed into a crimson-gold court robe, which made him look heroic and extraordinary.

Because she had not yet recovered, Nangong Yue planned to visit the Empress Dowager in the palace while in a wheelchair.

Chu Xunzhen was dressed in a moon-white palace gown and wore a white jade hairpin, neither too flamboyant nor too understated.

The two got into the carriage and went to the palace.

The two had just arrived at Shou Kang Palace when they saw Nangong You with a gloomy expression.

"I've met Third Brother."

Nangong Yue spoke first.

Chu Xunzhen, pushing the wheelchair, also spoke up: "Greetings, Third Brother."

Nangong You raised an eyebrow, a forced smile on his face, and said, "Ninth Brother, you've got some skill. I heard you're injured, is that true? Let your elder brother take a look?"

As he spoke, Nangong You actually lifted Nangong Yue's robe.

Chu Xunzhen suddenly grabbed Nangong You's arm and whispered, "Third brother, are you concerned about your younger brother? Just call the imperial physician. Why do it yourself?"

Nangong You raised his right hand, and gently rubbed the spot where Chu Xunzhen had grabbed him with his left fingertips, his gaze lingering on Chu Xunzhen.

An announcement came from the Empress Dowager's palace: "The Empress Dowager summons the Ninth Prince and his wife to an audience."

As soon as I entered the palace, a strong medicinal smell wafted out.

Chu Xunzhen pushed Nangong Yue to the center of the palace and knelt on the ground: "Chu Xunzhen greets the Empress Dowager."

The curtain was lifted. A gaunt, aged figure dressed in fine clothes, supported by palace servants, walked up to Chu Xunzhen.

"Good boy, get up."

The Empress Dowager supported Chu Xunzhen with both hands, her gaze falling on Chu Xunzhen, and she smiled.

Chu Xunzhen had imagined many scenarios, but she never expected the Empress Dowager to be so approachable.

At the same time, a strong, rotten smell emanated from the Empress Dowager.

Chu Xunzhen's gaze fell on the Empress Dowager.

"Thank you, Grandmother." Chu Xunzhen replied, grasping the Empress Dowager's hands and standing up. In that instant, her fingers were still on her pulse.

In the blink of an eye, Chu Xunzhen learned about the Empress Dowager's current condition.

"Seeing how you two get along, I know this marriage is the right one. You are both good children. I don't have much of value here, but seeing the Ninth Princess today has made me very happy. This is a jade ruyi that the late Emperor gave me when I was young. I'm giving it to the Ninth Princess today."

Chu Xunzhen looked at the imperial green jade ruyi and immediately knelt on the ground to express his gratitude.

"Very well. I wish you all the best in the future." After saying this, the Empress Dowager rubbed her head. "I'm tired. You may all leave."

Chu Xunzhen wanted to say something, but saw Nangong Yue shake her head at her.

Chu Xunzhen and Nangong Yue withdrew.

As soon as they stepped out of Shou Kang Palace, several princesses surrounded them.

"Ninth Sister-in-law really knows how to please the Empress Dowager. She got the jade ruyi after just one round."

The speaker was none other than Nangong You's wife, Mingyue Qingli.

"You flatter me, Third Sister-in-law," Chu Xunzhen replied with composure and grace.

In her previous life, the Chongding Marquis's mansion was riddled with problems, essentially a poor family. She managed to manage such a mansion well, even maintaining good relations with various families; she was certainly no naive when it came to social interactions.

"Ninth Sister-in-law is truly beautiful. If she's beautiful, her words must be beautiful too, right? Otherwise, how could she have persuaded the Empress Dowager to give you the jade ruyi?"

The person who spoke was soft-spoken and dressed rather charmingly; she was none other than the eldest prince's wife.

Chu Xunzhen looked at the girl and remembered her background.

She was an ordinary commoner whom the Crown Prince married against all odds. It was because of this woman that the Crown Prince lost the Emperor's favor.

"Elder Sister-in-law, you are mistaken. The Empress Dowager's gift is a blessing to us. Do you perhaps think that the Empress Dowager is too old to be easily pleased by a few flattering words?"

"No, no, no, how could that be? Ninth Sister-in-law really has a sharp tongue."

Nangong Yue's gaze suddenly fell on the eldest princess's sister-in-law, and she said coldly, "Eldest princess's sister-in-law, now that you've become a princess's sister-in-law, you should act like one. Instead of judging my wife as having a sharp tongue upon first meeting her, do you perhaps have some objection to my marriage?"

The eldest prince was startled and quickly pulled her down, apologizing to Nangong Yue: "I'm sorry, Ninth Brother. Your eldest sister-in-law may say that, but she's not a bad person. Xianxian, quickly apologize to your ninth brother and sister-in-law."

Upon hearing this, Li Xianxian's gaze froze, and she said with displeasure, "I am your wife, your queen consort. Now you want me to apologize to Ninth Brother and Ninth Brother's wife? How can I maintain my position as the Grand Queen Consort in the future?"

Nangong You suddenly spoke up, saying in a low voice, "Eldest sister-in-law, you should apologize. Our Ninth Prince's wife has the Gu Sect behind her. If you don't apologize, you might not be able to sleep peacefully when you get back."

Upon hearing this, Li Xianxian turned pale with fright.

Chu Xunzhen's gaze fell on Nangong You, who smiled smugly.

He deliberately told everyone this so that they would be wary of her.

"I'm sorry, Ninth Princess Consort," Li Xianxian apologized nonetheless.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, she knelt down and apologized to Chu Xunzhen.

It's easy to imagine that within half an hour, rumors would spread throughout the palace that the Ninth Princess Consort was arrogant and domineering, forcing the First Princess Consort to apologize.

Suddenly, Nangong Yue sneered, "You're wrong, Eldest Sister-in-law. What you just humiliated wasn't just my Queen Consort, but my dignity. Shouldn't you apologize to me?"