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

Chu Xunzhen's gaze sharpened, and he immediately asked, "Was it herbs or silver that were stolen?"

The shopkeeper's face was grim as he said, "The Ten Thousand Medicines Pavilion has lost over five thousand herbs, twenty thousand taels of silver, and one hundred and six health-preserving bracelets."

Hearing this terrible news, Chu Xunzhen was extremely angry, but she still tried her best to remain calm.

"How was it stolen? Have you reported it to the authorities?"

The shopkeeper looked at Chu Xunzhen with a guilty expression and said, "Last night, a petty thief rushed into the Wan Yao Ge (Ten Thousand Medicines Pavilion) and brazenly took away the medicine. He also had two accomplices to help him."

Chu Xunzhen immediately realized that this was a premeditated theft.

"Where are the guards protecting the Myriad Medicines Pavilion?"

She paid a hefty price to hire them.

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper said with a sorrowful expression, "All those guards were killed with a deadly poison that kills instantly upon contact with blood. We've already reported it to the authorities, but they said that Lord Gu Changfeng is unwell and hasn't gone to the government office."

As he spoke, the shopkeeper handed Chu Xunzhen the death statistics and the list of stolen items.

Chu Xunzhen checked them one by one.

"This is not your fault. Wan Yao Ge will be closed for two days. You can reopen it the day after tomorrow when the new guards arrive."

"Yes." The shopkeeper paused, then continued, "Your Highness, it was my dereliction of duty."

Chu Xunzhen shook his head and said, "It has nothing to do with you. They are so ruthless and cruel, how can ordinary people deal with them?"

Chu Xunzhen thought of a very famous theft gang from her previous life.

Those were the Three Thieves of the Great Qian Dynasty.

In her past life, she heard that the three thieves of the Great Qian Dynasty had stolen the treasures from the Imperial Preceptor's mansion. She never imagined that in this life, instead of stealing from the Imperial Preceptor's mansion, they would come to steal her medicinal herbs.

Since three people came to steal her medicinal herbs, it is very likely that they were the Three Thieves of Daqian.

Chu Xunzhen wanted to send people to search for the whereabouts of the Three Thieves of Daqian, but she didn't have the manpower.

Considering that Nangong Yue is the leader of the Gu Sect, perhaps she can borrow the power of the Gu Sect.

Meanwhile, Chu Xunzhen hurriedly returned to the side room to find Nangong Yue. As soon as he opened the door, he saw the misty water vapor.

The room was filled with mist. Chu Xunzhen stepped in and was greeted by Nangong Yue, who was resting with her hands on the bathtub and her eyes closed.

His jet-black hair was covered with glistening water droplets.

His eyes were closed, as if he were enjoying the tranquility of the bath.

Chu Xunzhen approached, and a drop of water slid down his cheek and landed on his collarbone.

With broad shoulders and a narrow waist, he looked good in clothes and had a muscular physique when undressed. Chu Xunzhen couldn't help but blush, and a surge of heat rose within her body.

Chu Xunzhen was still hesitating about how to speak when suddenly Nangong Yue in the bathtub opened his eyes, hugged her, and pulled her into the bathtub.

"Sister, would you like to take a bath with me?"

A magnetic voice rang in Chu Xunzhen's ears.

Even though the two were already quite intimate, Chu Xunzhen still felt a little aroused by his words.

"No. I have something important to discuss with you."

As Chu Xunzhen finished speaking, Nangong Yue smiled, the beauty mark under her eye becoming even more vivid. Her jade-like face leaned against Chu Xunzhen's cheek, her voice both alluring and seductive: "Perfect timing, I also have important business to discuss with you, sister."

As he spoke, he bent down.

Inside the bathtub, the once calm water began to surge and splash, scattering everywhere and covering the floor.

Chunxi, who was supposed to be serving him closely, blushed upon hearing the sounds from inside the room and stood guard outside the door, instructing the maids to prepare water.

For a full hour, Chu Xunzhen lay helplessly in Nangong Yue's arms.

"Sister begged for mercy so quickly. You're no good."

Chu Xunzhen rolled her eyes, too weak to speak, and leaned back in the bathtub to rest with her eyes closed. After a while, she realized that she had been carried out of the bathtub and placed on the couch.

She opened her eyes and saw Nangong Yue.

He dried her hair, wiped every drop of water off her body, and then personally changed her clothes.

His gentle hand would occasionally touch her skin, causing her body to tremble slightly.

Nangong Yue chuckled and said, "Don't worry, sister. I know about the Wan Yao Ge incident, and I've already arranged for people from the Gu Sect to help you. Once you wake up, I'll give you the authority to command them."

After saying that, Chu Xunzhen fell asleep peacefully.

Nangong Yue smiled slightly and kissed her on the cheek. Suddenly, his expression turned ugly, and he staggered to his feet.

He braced himself and tried to walk quietly as he ran outside.

He closed the door behind Chu Xunzhen and hurriedly went into the study.

When Ankang saw this scene, his pupils contracted.

"Didn't Anshun say that the Prince wouldn't have another attack? How come he's had another one? Without Chen Lianxin this time, won't the Prince be in excruciating pain?"

An Kang was deeply worried, but as the deputy commander of the secret guards, there was nothing he could do.

If Anshun were here, what would he do?

Nangong Yue was unaware of An Kang's thoughts; at this moment, An Kang had already entered the secret chamber.

In the secret room, he gritted his teeth and locked himself in.

His eyes were bloodshot, and he was almost delirious.

He couldn't let his sister see him like this, otherwise, she would definitely be afraid of him looking like this.

Iron chains, as thick as an arm, tightly bound his arms.

If he wants to leave this place, there is no other way but to cut off his arms.

He didn't want to hurt his sister, nor could he hurt any of his own people in the palace.

Pain spread to his forehead, and Nangong Yue felt as if his head was about to explode.

That damned Chen Lianxin! She lied to him before, saying he was fully recovered. She was clearly holding back.

When Chu Xunzhen woke up groggily, Nangong Yue had already returned to the bed.

Even as he slept, a deep sorrow lingered in his brow, and his pale face seemed to have suffered greatly.

Chu Xunzhen bent down and smoothed his eyebrows. A pleasant scent of pine resin emanated from him and wafted into his nostrils.

Chu Xunzhen looked at his hair, which was wet. Had he taken a bath again?

He truly deserves the title of the most handsome man in Daning; he's also number one in terms of cleanliness.

Suddenly, Chu Xunzhen's gaze sharpened as she noticed the bloodstains at the corner of his mouth.

She stared at the bloodstain, pondering for a long time.

She abruptly stepped out of the room and said to Chunxi, "Chunxi, bring me all the dirty clothes that the Prince wore today."

Chunxi was taken aback at first, then nodded and said respectfully, "Yes, Your Highness."

Chunxi left in a hurry, instructing the maid to put the wooden basin on the ground.

Chu Xunzhen looked at the clothes in the wooden basin and picked them up.

The clothes were not torn at all.

After carefully examining all the clothes, Chu Xunzhen had them removed.

Chunxi asked in confusion, "Your Highness, what's wrong? Is there something you need to investigate?"

"No, Your Highness, I remember it very clearly. After the Prince bathed with you, he came out wearing white. Not long after you fell asleep, he went to the study and didn't return until a full hour later. By then, he had changed his clothes and was wearing the blue casual clothes he is wearing now."

Chu Xunzhen raised an eyebrow.

Sure enough, her intuition was right.

Why did Nangong Yue change her clothes after taking a bath?

His lip was bitten and bled.

Judging from the direction and marks, it can be determined that he did it himself.

Chu Xunzhen asked Chunxi to call Ankang over.

When Ankang arrived, I felt a little flustered.

Could it be that the princess has found out?

When the prince came out, he told him to keep it a secret from the princess and not to tell her.

If the princess asks, then he will simply lie.

Having made up his mind, Eunuch Ankang bowed respectfully to Chu Xunzhen and asked, "Greetings, Your Highness. What are your orders?"

"Eunuch Ankang, what was the Prince doing in the study for so long?"

Chu Xunzhen asked directly.

An Kang broke out in a cold sweat, but remained remarkably calm, saying, "Your Highness, I am unaware. The Prince has kept the door to his study closed and is not allowing anyone to enter."

Chu Xunzhen didn't press further, but instead said, "Bring back the white robe that Your Highness wore today."

"Your Highness, His Highness did not wear white today."

As soon as he finished speaking, Chu Xunzhen's eyes narrowed, and he slammed his hand on the table.

Say it again.

Chu Xunzhen's voice was sharp and his aura was surging.

Ankang's forehead was covered in cold sweat.

The princess's demeanor is becoming more and more like that of a prince.

"Is Your Highness mistaken? His Highness is not wearing white today."

As An Kang finished speaking, Chu Xunzhen laughed instead of getting angry.

If what she had just guessed was now a certainty, she was now certain that there was something wrong with the white robe, otherwise they wouldn't have taken it.

Chu Xunzhen's gaze sharpened as she looked at An Kang and said, "Eunuch, you have served the Prince for many years and are most considerate of him. Can you bear to see the Prince suffer?"

Ankang was dumbfounded.

The princess was intelligent enough to guess that the prince was suffering.

An Kang suddenly bent his knees and knelt on the ground, saying, "It's not that I wanted to hide it from the Princess, but the Prince was afraid that the Princess would worry, so he instructed us not to tell her. That white robe has already been burned by me. The Prince's old injury has flared up again."

Chu Xunzhen suddenly recalled the Gu worm in Nangong Yue's head.

Last time, she used some methods to put the Gu worms to sleep. Could it be that the Gu worms have woken up?

"The prince is too strong-willed and doesn't want me, the princess, to know. You don't need to report to him that I interrogated you. Go and do your work."

"Yes, Your Highness." An Kang breathed a sigh of relief and withdrew.

Having such a princess is truly a blessing for the royal family.

Chu Xunzhen returned to the room and gently placed his right hand on Nangong Yue's wrist. Nangong Yue suddenly opened her eyes and unconsciously withdrew her hand.

"Sister, why aren't you resting yet?" Nangong Yue said, hugging Chu Xunzhen tightly and snuggling against her.

Chu Xunzhen stroked Nangong Yue's smooth, black hair, inhaling his fragrance, and chuckled softly, "You smell so good, and your face is so pale. Are you impotent? I told you to be moderate. Let me take your pulse."

Chu Xunzhen grabbed Nangong Yue's wrist, not allowing him to back down, and placed her hand on his pulse.

Sure enough, the Gu worms in his mind awakened and became unusually active.

Even if the Gu worm is now dormant again, it can be instantly awakened if someone controls it.

Nangong Yue's gaze fell on Chu Xunzhen, and she asked guiltily, "Sister, am I alright?"

Chu Xunzhen smiled and suddenly unbuttoned his shirt.

Nangong Yue couldn't hide it in time, and gave a bitter smile, letting Chu Xunzhen look at the marks on his arm where he had been dragged by the iron chain.

"Nangong Yue, explain this to me, what's going on?"

As soon as Chu Xunzhen finished speaking, Nangong Yue froze.