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

Chu Xunzhen looked and saw that the person holding the sword was none other than Granny Gui, who served the Empress Dowager.

"So it's the Ninth Prince's Consort. This servant deserves to die. I mistook the Consort for a thief, which is why I drew my sword against her."

Granny Gui said in a panic, kneeling on the ground.

Chu Xunzhen looked puzzled.

Logically speaking, Granny Gui was an old servant in the palace, and even if something happened, she wouldn't be so flustered.

Chu Xunzhen was not angry at all; instead, she asked with concern, "What exactly happened? Why is Granny so vigilant? Could it be that an assassin broke in earlier?"

Upon hearing this, Granny Gui suddenly grabbed Chu Xunzhen's sleeve and said, "Your Highness, every night, a dark shadow appears in Shou Kang Palace, weeping and wailing, drifting around. The Empress Dowager is filled with fear and anger, and cannot sleep. Only by smelling the health-preserving bracelet you gave her can she barely fall asleep."

Chu Xunzhen looked puzzled.

"But it's daytime now, there's no need for you to be carrying a long sword, is there?"

When Granny Gui heard Chu Xunzhen's words, her old face trembled with fear.

"The shadowy figure appeared every night before, but three days ago, it even appeared during the day. The Empress Dowager doesn't believe in ghosts and spirits and is convinced that someone is playing tricks on her. The Empress Dowager gave the sword to this servant girl in order to find the shadowy figure."

Chu Xunzhen was somewhat surprised and looked at Granny Gui, asking, "What does Granny Gui think?"

Upon hearing this, Granny Gui said, "This servant is foolish and does not know whether it is human doing or supernatural talk, but carrying a sword can always be a precaution."

"Granny Gui, please rise. I, the Princess Consort, wish to go in and visit the Empress Dowager."

"Yes, Your Highness requests your presence."

As soon as Chu Xunzhen entered Shou Kang Palace, he saw that its design was completely different from what he had seen before.

On the wall, a luminous pearl hangs every foot.

Even though it was a rainy day, the entire Shou Kang Palace looked spacious and bright.

The Empress Dowager seemed to have just woken up from a coma, and was still in a daze as she sat upright in the head seat.

"Chu Xunzhen pays respects to the Empress Dowager."

After a long while, the Empress Dowager's voice rang out: "Good child, come closer and let your grandmother take a good look at you."

Chu Xunzhen moved gracefully and slowly walked to the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager looked at her kindly, a smile appearing on her face, though the smile seemed weary, perhaps due to the mental exhaustion caused by the shadowy figure these past few days.

"Grandmother, your granddaughter-in-law has come to visit you today, bringing with her a new product developed by my Wanyao Pavilion."

Chu Xunzhen took out the health-preserving necklace, and the Empress Dowager couldn't take her eyes off it.

The purple herbal necklace is the most noble deep purple.

When Chu Xunzhen took it out of his bosom, a fragrance of Chinese herbal medicine filled the air and permeated the entire Shou Kang Palace.

"Grandmother, this herbal health necklace is made from medicinal materials such as sandalwood, rose, pine pollen, benzoin, black goji berries, rosemary, lemongrass, and musk."

"Oh?"

The Empress Dowager watched Chu Xunzhen speak eloquently, a hint of appreciation flashing in her eyes.

"The Ninth Princess Consort is very thoughtful."

"Your Majesty, please remember not to let pregnant women touch or get too close to your necklace."

Chu Xunzhen presented the necklace to Granny Gui. Granny Gui took the necklace, and just by taking a light sniff, she felt refreshed and invigorated.

Granny Gui helped the Empress Dowager put on the necklace, and the Empress Dowager instantly perked up.

"Very well, Ninth Princess Consort, is there anything you wish for? I will bestow it upon you."

Upon hearing this, Chu Xunzhen said, "My granddaughter-in-law does indeed have something she wants."

The Empress Dowager was used to people making excuses, so Chu Xun's straightforwardness surprised her.

"The granddaughter-in-law begged the Empress Dowager to allow her to organize a fundraising event. All proceeds would be donated to the national treasury."

The Empress Dowager was taken aback, then burst into laughter.

"Good! Old Ninth has indeed married a good wife."

The Empress Dowager sighed.

When she was about the same age as Chu Xunzhen, she was thinking about pretty jewelry and how to dress more beautifully.

It's almost unbelievable that Chu Xun truly has such awareness.

Granny Gui was also stunned.

While the other girls were studying jewelry and clothes, she was thinking about Da Ning.

The Emperor's voice rang out from outside: "Good! Good! Good! As expected of the Ninth Princess Consort of my Great Ning."

The Emperor, along with Nangong Yue, the imperial physician, Nangong You, the Third Princess Mingyue Qingli, and Princess Jiamin, entered.

This was Chu Xunzhen's second time seeing Mingyue Qingli.

"You're very kind, Ninth Princess. In that case, I'll leave this matter to you."

The Empress Dowager spoke up: "The Ninth Princess Consort is devoted to Da Ning, she deserves a reward. Granny Gui, bring out my favorite set of jewelry."

Granny Gui looked at the Empress Dowager in surprise and said, "Is Your Majesty referring to the shimmering purple gemstone headdress?"

"good."

Granny Gui was shocked, but she still did as she was told.

After a while, Granny Gui came out with a tray.

On the tray was a purple headdress radiating a seven-colored halo.

The crystal-clear purple gemstone shimmers with iridescent colors under the refraction of light.

"What a nice view."

All the women present were stunned.

If one could wear such a headdress even once, it would be worth it even if it cost one's life the next moment.

The bright moon shines on the clear water, and I gaze upon it intently.

Princess Jiamin stared wide-eyed.

The Empress Dowager looked at Chu Xunzhen with affection and said, "This is a set of shimmering purple gemstone jewelry, a birthday gift from the late Emperor to me. Today, I will give this set of jewelry to you."

Chu Xunzhen immediately knelt down and politely declined, saying, "I appreciate Grandmother's kindness, but this is a birthday gift from you, Grandmother, and a gift from the late Emperor. It holds extraordinary significance. How can I possibly take what belongs to someone else?"

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager's expression became even more amiable. She looked at Chu Xunzhen with kindness and said, "Your Majesty is old and there are no longer any occasions where you need to wear it. This headdress is more suitable for you."

Chu Xunzhen no longer declined and respectfully accepted, saying, "Thank you, Grandmother."

Princess Jiamin looked at the dazzling purple gemstone headdress with envy, her eyes reddening.

Such a headdress, such exquisite craftsmanship, is probably unique in the world.

She had asked her grandmother so many times for this amethyst headdress, but her grandmother never gave in.

He's only met Chu Xunzhen twice, yet he wants to give her the purple gemstone jewelry.

She envied Chu Xunzhen, even felt jealous and angry.

Nangong Yue looked at her with a smile.

His sister is just that outstanding.

He had only been to see the Empress Dowager for a short while, yet she already showed him such favor.

How could he not be excited?

At this moment, the imperial physician arrived.

Today's visit was not by the old physician Li, but by a handsome man dressed in a moon-white robe.

"Imperial Physician Zhou, quickly examine the Empress Dowager."

"Yes."

The person referred to as Physician Zhou was a young man.

He looked to be in his early thirties.

He placed his hand on the Empress Dowager's pulse.

After a long pause, he finally spoke: "The Empress Dowager was so frightened that she suddenly fainted."

Upon hearing this, the emperor was stunned. He turned sharply to Granny Gui and asked, "What's going on, Granny Gui?"

"Your Majesty, there may be assassins infiltrating Shou Kang Palace. In the past few days, palace servants have also been taking advantage of the chaos, making various strange noises late at night to disturb the Empress Dowager's rest and attempt to harm her health."

Upon hearing this, the emperor's face darkened, and he said, "Search the entire Shou Kang Palace, not even a single corner should be missed."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager smiled at the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, you are very kind."

After a short while, a guard came to report that there was nothing unusual in the entire Shou Kang Palace.

Suddenly, Mingyue Qingli spoke up: "I heard earlier that the Ninth Princess Consort and the ethereal Taoist priest of Baiyun Temple are good friends. Now that something like this has happened at Shou Kang Palace, the Ninth Princess Consort must have a way to resolve it. Why don't you stay and see what's going on in the palace?"

The moon and the clear water remained quiet and still.

Even when she saw Chu Xunzhen just now, she did not show the slightest hostility.

However, for her to say these words now is truly despicable.

Princess Jiamin also sneered, saying, "Indeed, I've heard that the Ninth Princess Consort has countless experts under her command. To be able to command so many experts, she must be extraordinary. Now that the Empress Dowager is unwell and needs someone to keep watch at night, I suppose the Princess Consort won't refuse, will she?"

Nangong Yue frowned, about to speak up for Chu Xunzhen to refuse, but Chu Xunzhen gently tugged at his sleeve and shook his head slightly.

She turned to the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to stay and keep watch over the Empress Dowager. However, I am afraid I cannot ensure her safety alone. If Princess Jiamin and the Third Princess Consort could stay and take turns guarding the Empress Dowager, I believe those villains would not dare to approach her."

Everyone suddenly looked at Mingyue Qingli and Princess Jiamin.

Mingyue Qingli spoke up: "The baby in the manor is not yet a month old and needs care. I also wish to stay with my grandmother. I will send someone back to the manor now to have the people take good care of the young master."

The Empress Dowager spoke, though her voice was still somewhat tired, saying, "Since you have to take care of You'er's child, Third Princess Consort, you should go back."

The Emperor nodded and said, "Then Princess Jiamin and the Ninth Prince's Consort will stay here to attend to the Empress Dowager."

"Yes."

Princess Jiamin stared intently at Chu Xunzhen and respectfully replied.

Chu Xunzhen's lips curled up slightly.

They're too inexperienced to deal with her.

As for Mingyue Qingli, she remembers this debt.

The emperor left.

Chu Xunzhen said to Nangong Yue, "Your Highness, you should go back first."

"But I'm worried about you being here alone, sister."

Chu Xunzhen smiled: "Your Highness, this is Shou Kang Palace. Even if there were assassins, I would call for help. Besides, you know my abilities."

Nangong Yue knew she was powerful, but when he thought about how her natal Gu worm was injured and had not yet healed, he became worried.

"Sister, I have left eight secret guards in the palace. If needed, you can contact them."

"it is good."

Nangong Yue left.

After all, men cannot linger in the imperial harem.

As he was leaving, the Third Prince, Nangong You, fixed his gaze on Chu Xunzhen.

It was as if he was saying that he would definitely get her.

Chu Xunzhen ignored him and turned away.

Granny Gui approached and said, "Princess Jiamin's room is in the left side hall. The Ninth Prince's room is in the right side hall. Originally, only the Empress was on night watch, but now we need one more person. I wonder which of you two will take over to watch over the Empress Dowager tonight?"

"Granny, I'll go first." Princess Jiamin looked at Chu Xunzhen with a cold and arrogant gaze. "The Ninth Princess Consort wouldn't disagree, would she?"