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

Li Xianxian bit her lip, gazing at Nangong Yue with a dazed look in her eyes.

She fell in love with him at first sight.

Unfortunately, Nangong Yue was severely mentally challenged at the time. Not only did she play with mud, but she also put her mud-covered fingers into her mouth.

At that time, she had no choice but to settle for the eldest prince.

If she knew that the Ninth Prince would one day revert to this state, she would definitely choose him without hesitation.

Li Xianxian looked at Nangong Yue without saying a word for a long time.

Nangong You chuckled: "Sister-in-law, even if Ninth Brother is very handsome, you don't need to stare in amazement."

Chu Xunzhen's gaze suddenly fell on the eldest prince.

As expected, the Crown Prince's expression turned ugly as soon as Nangong You finished speaking.

"I am merely reflecting on my mistakes. I apologize to Ninth Brother."

Li Xianxian's voice was soft and gentle, even more so than Chu Wanrou's.

Upon hearing this, the eldest prince said, "Ninth brother, I apologize on behalf of your sister-in-law. We brothers should live in harmony so that our grandmother can rest assured and recuperate properly."

Nangong You's eyes flickered slightly, his smile carrying a deeper meaning: "Big brother is right."

Suddenly, a palace maid from the Empress's side announced: "The Empress summons all of you to an audience."

Chu Xunzhen draped a cloak over Nangong Yue and pushed her towards the Phoenix Palace where the Empress resided.

More than a dozen maids dressed in pink and white passed by carrying tea and snacks.

Suddenly, a maid stumbled and spilled the tea and pastries she was holding onto Nangong Yue.

"Your Highness, spare me! Your Highness, spare me! I deserve to die! I didn't mean it, please forgive me, Your Highness and Your Highness!" The maid knelt on the ground, trembling and begging for mercy.

Nangong Yue didn't speak, but just looked coldly at the maid.

A eunuch stepped forward and said to Chu Xunzhen and the other person, "This servant will first escort the Ninth Prince to the side hall to change his clothes, and the Ninth Princess will first go to the Phoenix Palace to pay her respects to Her Majesty the Empress."

Chu Xunzhen smiled and said, "No need!"

As he spoke, Chu Xunzhen lifted Nangong Yue's cloak.

Then everyone saw that there was another cloak on Nangong Yue's body.

His clothes were intact.

Everyone was stunned.

Who would wear two cloaks on their body?

Isn't that wearing way too much?

Noticing the young eunuch's stiff expression, Chu Xunzhen smiled and said, "Why are you blocking the Prince's way? If you delay the Ninth Prince and this Princess's meeting with the Empress, this Princess will not forgive you."

The young eunuch felt a chill run down his spine and could only leave hastily, his face pale.

Chu Xunzhen smiled.

In her past life, she was the matriarch of the Gu family, and she was used to all sorts of tricks, like splashing wine and scattering pastries.

Even if Nangong Yue went with that little eunuch to change clothes, nothing was certain that would happen, but she didn't like it.

However, it's quite interesting that the person in the shadows is trying to lure Nangong Yue away instead of her.

among the crowd.

Nangong You watched Chu Xunzhen's outrageous actions with a hint of interest in his eyes.

Watching Chu Xunzhen's retreating figure, Nangong You sighed deeply.

Unfortunately, such a capable woman was not one of his concubines.

Even though Mingyue Qingli was quite capable, Chu Xunzhen was even more unfathomable to him.

"Eunuch Anshun, please put away the prince's cloak."

As he spoke, Chu Xunzhen handed the cloak, which was stained with pastries and wine, to Anshun.

Noticing that all the princes and princesses were looking at him, Chu Xunzhen smiled at them and said, "Please excuse my poor appearance."

The second princess walked up from the crowd.

She looked at Chu Xunzhen and said with emotion, "How could you have put two cloaks on my brother? How could you have known that someone would spill pastries and wine on him today?"

"Great! But isn't this idea a bit too unique?" said the Second Princess, Nangong Moli.

She had never seen such a magical cloak.

"If we tear off the outer layer, wouldn't only one layer be left?"

"No, the waterproof layer is double-layered. This is a new product in the house."

Nangong You chuckled: "Ninth Sister-in-law, is the new item you're referring to from your adoptive father's merchant family or the Ping'an Marquis's mansion? Look at my memory, you've already severed ties with the Marquis's family. Now you're just a merchant's daughter. If the cloak you present to the Imperial Sister isn't of good quality, this Prince won't be so lenient."

Upon hearing this, Nangong Yue's gaze turned cold as she stared at Nangong You.

Chu Xunzhen only learned today when he arrived at the palace that, apart from the Third Prince, the Ninth Prince was the Emperor's favorite.

No wonder everyone's attention was focused on her and the Ninth Prince.

Chu Xunzhen seemed not to hear Nangong You's words, and instead addressed the princes' consorts: "Ladies and gentlemen, this is a divine garment to prevent being framed. Imagine, if you were to be splashed with wine by a maid or nanny during a banquet, wouldn't you have to leave the banquet to change your clothes? Not only would you be unable to continue attending the banquet, but you might also encounter other dangers on the way. However, if you had this cloak, not only would your safety be guaranteed, but you would also avoid being impolite at the banquet."

After he finished speaking, the women present all looked at the cloak on Chu Xunzhen's body.

Li Xianxian seemed to have forgotten the unpleasantness from before, and quickly stepped forward, asking, "Ninth Princess Consort, is your cloak made of the same material?"

"Indeed, this is a magnolia-white embroidered orchid cloak. If Your Majesty wishes to purchase it, you may send someone to the Chen family's clothing workshop in the capital."

"Thank you, Ninth Princess."

After finding out where the cloak came from, Li Xianxian withdrew.

Nangong Yue looked at Chu Xunzhen with a hint of helplessness in her eyes.

Did your sister think he had no money? Otherwise, how could he be running a business in the palace?

It seems he didn't give his sister enough.

But he remembered that he had even ordered Anshun to give the key to the warehouse to his sister.

Nangong Yue looked at Anshun, who looked completely bewildered.

Looking at Nangong Yue sitting in the wheelchair, Nangong You's gaze was cold and sharp.

He really escaped a disaster today.

The maid who bumped into him just now was arranged by him.

He had thought that Chu Xunzhen would accompany Nangong Yue, but he couldn't have guessed that Nangong Yue's cloak actually had two layers. Once the top layer was torn off, it would be a new embroidered cloak.

Phoenix Palace.

Empress Ma looked radiant.

Even though his complexion was still as pale as last time, he seemed to be in quite good spirits.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Everyone bowed to the Empress.

Empress Ma, dressed in a golden palace gown, exuded a dignified and majestic aura.

She glanced at everyone and laughed: "I knew long ago that the Ninth Princess Consort was extraordinary, but I never expected that with so many princess consorts present, the Empress Dowager would only reward you."

Empress Ma's words made Chu Xunzhen understand why everyone looked at her with envy and jealousy when she came out with the jade ruyi.

It turned out that they had already gone in to visit the Empress Dowager, but she had not given them any reward.

Nangong Yue spoke up: "The jade ruyi that my grandmother gave to the Ninth Prince's wife when she first met her was a gift for our first meeting and a blessing for our marriage."

After he finished speaking, everyone's expressions softened.

Chu Xunzhen glanced at Nangong Yue, his gaze shifting slightly.

He actually spoke up for her.

Just now, he stood up for her and questioned Li Xianxian.

What merit or ability did Chu Xunzhen possess to be able to marry such a good man?

You see, Chu Xunzhen originally liked him because his power could help her rise to power and seek revenge. Moreover, since he was mentally challenged, she didn't have to use her brain too much. In addition, there was the life-saving grace from both her past and present lives, which is why she was with him.

But now, she has to admit that Nangong Yue is simply a role model for men.

Aside from occasional bouts of illness, he's a bit clingy, but doesn't seem to have any other problems.

If it were the Gu Changfeng of her past life, she would have stayed out of it long ago, leaving her to deal with all the difficulties on her own.

Chu Xunzhen certainly doesn't need anyone to protect her, but it feels good to have someone stand firmly in front of her and protect her.

Empress Ma's gaze fell on Chu Xunzhen, and she said, "The health-preserving bracelet you gave me last time has become like this. Ninth Princess Consort, why did you give me a substandard product?"

Empress Ma spoke angrily, pointing at the discolored health-preserving bracelet.

She is the most noble woman in the world, how could she allow anyone to deceive her?

Just as Nangong Yue was about to speak, Chu Xunzhen quietly tugged at his sleeve and said, "The health-preserving bracelet cracked because Mother soaked it in water, right? It's made of Chinese herbal medicine pills strung together. If it didn't change after being soaked in water, then it's fake."

Empress Ma's face darkened, and she sneered, "So I should thank you for sending me this genuine, cracked string of jade?"

"Why is Your Majesty angry? Today, I have brought you the 'King of Flowers,' the Peony."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing the name, Empress Ma became interested.

"Your Majesty is the mistress of the harem, the queen of flowers." Look, this is a health-preserving bracelet that I made for you by hand.

As Chu Xunzhen spoke, he glanced at Shou Er behind him.

Shou'er immediately took out the box hidden in his sleeve.

Chu Xunzhen opened the box, and a rich herbal fragrance wafted out from it.

"This bright red health-preserving bracelet is made from a blend of medicinal herbs such as rose, lily, agarwood, sandalwood, ylang-ylang, magnolia, cyclamen, and honey. Each herb was carefully polished and crafted by me. Wearing this health-preserving bracelet for an extended period can promote skin metabolism, resulting in a radiant complexion. It can also harmonize qi and blood, and calm the mind."

Empress Ma smiled immediately upon hearing this.

"Present it quickly."

"Yes."

Chu Xunzhen handed over the bright red health-preserving bracelet, which Empress Ma liked more and more as she looked at it.

Chu Xunzhen quickly said, "Because the medicinal materials are made from real medicinal powder, this health-preserving bracelet should not come into contact with water, oil, or other liquids."

The princesses were indignant when they saw Chu Xunzhen showing his face in front of the Empress.

However, they also regretted their lack of foresight, as they hadn't thought of bringing anything for the Empress when they entered the palace.

Chu Xunzhen noticed the envious, jealous, and hateful looks in the eyes of everyone present, but she didn't care.

A mediocre person is one who is not envied.

She was destined to be envied.

Empress Ma smiled deeply, her crimson lips parting slightly: "The Ninth Prince's Consort has rendered a service by presenting the 'Peony, the King of Flowers,' and I am delighted. Therefore, I bestow two beauties upon the Ninth Prince. From now on, the Ninth Prince's Consort can focus on making her health-preserving bracelets. What are you standing there for, Ninth Prince's Consort? Why don't you thank me?"