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

A series of hurried footsteps sounded.

The gatekeeper scrambled in and reported, "My lord, someone from the palace has arrived."

As soon as he finished speaking, an inner court eunuch dressed in a gray-black robe strode in from outside.

The person in the lead was none other than Eunuch Anshun, a close attendant of the Ninth Prince.

His high-pitched and narrow voice rang out: "By order of the Ninth Prince, I have come to deliver a message to Miss Chu, the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Ping'an."

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances and immediately stepped back.

The eight old women exchanged glances, sensing something was amiss, and quickly retreated to the side.

Chu Xunzhen was taken aback at first, then stepped out.

"Miss Chu, what a joyous occasion!"

Anshun's father-in-law beamed with joy, his gaze towards Chu Xunzhen burning with fervor.

Chu Xunzhen was finding it somewhat strange.

After all this time, the gazes that fell upon her were either disdain, disgust, hatred, or condescending pity.

Apart from her grandfather, she had almost never seen such a look in her eyes, like an elder looking at a satisfied junior.

"Please forgive me, Father-in-law, I am truly foolish. What is there to be happy about?" Chu Xunzhen smiled self-deprecatingly.

She was almost sent to a temple by this whole family, along with Gu Changfeng, to be tortured.

"His Highness has instructed: No one is to make things difficult for the young lady, bully her, or force her to do things she doesn't want to do or go to places she doesn't want to go, in any way." As he spoke, Eunuch Anshun gave a special glance to everyone from the Marquis of Ping'an's residence.

In particular, Lord Chu and Lady Chu, Anshun's gaze lingered on them for a long time.

Those warning looks sent a chill down Chu Zhanpeng and his wife's spines.

Chu Xunzhen was taken aback.

It's him again—Nangong Yue.

Even though he was unwell, he still kept an eye on her and helped her.

Chu Xunzhen felt a warmth in his heart; the heart that had been frozen by the people in his family seemed to regain its strong beating.

"Thank you for your concern, Eunuch. I wonder if Your Highness... is in good health?"

Chu Xunzhen recalled the last time Nangong Yue fainted in public.

She knew there were imperial physicians in the palace, but did they treat him with care?

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Anshun's smile softened even more: "Please don't worry, young lady. His Highness has regained consciousness, but he still needs to rest for a while."

"Thank you for your hard work, Father-in-law."

After Chu Xunzhen finished speaking, An Shun remained calm on the surface, but his heart trembled.

Ordinary people would only see these eunuchs as dogs.

Unexpectedly, the young woman looked at him with pure eyes and even said "You've worked hard" to him.

An Shun was deeply moved, but remained outwardly calm. He glanced around at everyone and smiled lightly at Chu Xunzhen: "His Highness has already submitted a memorial to His Majesty, requesting to marry you as his principal wife. Please wait patiently at the Marquis's residence for news. His Highness has said he will not go back on his word."

impossible!

Chu Wanrou stared intently at the eunuch Anshun.

She almost thought she had misheard.

The high and mighty Ninth Prince actually wrote a memorial proposing to marry Chu Xunzhen as his principal wife?

What makes Chu Xunzhen so special?

Isn't the Ninth Prince supposed to be mentally challenged? How come he actually knows to write a memorial requesting a marriage decree?

Li Yi found it even more unbelievable.

The Ninth Prince actually wants to marry this jinx as his concubine?

Is he courting death?

The imperial astrologer predicted: A calamity star is about to descend upon the world.

People avoid her like the plague, yet someone is willing to marry her?

Chu Zhanpeng was dumbfounded.

Chu Xunzhen, a girl who returned from the countryside and had no manners, actually managed to catch the eye of the Ninth Prince.

If that's true, it would be great news for his career.

The one whose heart was most unsettled was Gu Changfeng.

Chu Xunzhen—his former wife whom he had discarded like trash, is now being sought after by the high and mighty Ninth Prince, who requests permission from His Majesty to marry her.

How dare he do that?

Nangong Yue—a fool, always acting crazy.

In his previous life, if His Majesty hadn't been wary of Rou'er's reputation as a lucky star and had deliberately betrothed her to him, forbidding her from helping other princes, how could he have gotten married?

In this life, Rou'er fell into the water and embraced him tightly; she was destined to be his.

But Nangong Yue actually set her sights on Chu Xunzhen.

He even dared to covet the woman of a high-ranking general.

Even if in his eyes Chu Xunzhen was just a lowly concubine, she should still belong to him.

Gu Changfeng felt uneasy.

The feeling of having his wife taken away caused his face to contort with rage for a moment.

Chu Wanrou saw Gu Changfeng's ugly expression, and her heart was filled with turmoil.

Didn't you say you've always been in love with her?

Why is the Crown Prince so angry that Chu Xunzhen is being asked to marry Nangong Yue?

Could it be that the Crown Prince holds a place for Chu Xunzhen in his heart?

Chu Wanrou nearly crumpled the handkerchief in her hand and went straight back.

No one noticed her, after all, everyone was affected by the shock.

Especially Chu Xunzhen, her eyelashes trembled slightly, her heart was not at peace.

She smiled slightly and replied politely to Eunuch Anshun, "Thank you for informing me, I understand."

"By the way, these two are maids His Highness ordered to be given to you. If you have any requests, you can contact His Highness through them. His Highness said that anyone who dares to touch a single hair on your head will be making trouble for him."

As Anshun spoke, his sharp gaze swept over the people in the Marquis's residence.

Chu Xunzhen imagined Nangong Yue earnestly saying that he would stand up for her, and couldn't help but laugh.

"Please thank His Highness on my behalf, sir. Xunzhen will certainly take good care of them."

Two slender palace maids walked behind Chu Xunzhen, acting as the Ninth Prince's spies, keeping a watchful eye on everyone.

Li Yi was furious.

"You unfilial daughter! Are you trying to drive me to my death? All I asked you to do was go to the Mingshan Stone Temple to pray for me and your brother, and you refused. You are utterly rebellious."

She didn't mention Chu Wanrou, after all, to the royal family, Chu Wanrou was just an adopted daughter of the Marquis's family.

Now that she's burdened with filial piety, even if Chu Xun really has the Ninth Prince's men protecting her, she should still obediently listen to them. Otherwise, she'll face public condemnation.

If she is unfilial, even if the Ninth Prince wants to marry her, there will definitely be many obstacles.

Chu Zhanpeng's expression changed, and he suddenly turned around and slapped Li Yi across the face.

Li Yi was stunned, feeling both wronged and angry, but noticing the gazes of everyone, she dared not speak out.

"What nonsense are you spouting, you wretch?" Chu Zhanpeng smiled obsequiously at Eunuch Anshun and said, "Xunzhen is so well-behaved and adorable. She fell into the water a few days ago, but thanks to His Highness the Ninth Prince, she was rescued. The two of them are a match made in heaven. Xunzhen should stay in the manor to recuperate. As for Qifu, let Rou'er go."

Chu Zhanpeng was unaware that Chu Wanrou had developed a rash on her face the previous night.

He is quick-witted.

If Chu Wanrou could go to pray for blessings, it would be beneficial for her to gain fame in the capital.

Pity.

If her identity weren't kept secret, she could have married a prince or grandson of the emperor based on her status as his birth mother.

Now, they have no choice but to settle for a marriage alliance with the Gu family.

Although becoming the Crown Prince's wife might not be a big help, if Gu Changfeng rises to prominence and becomes a first-rank official in the future, it will certainly be a boost.

Eunuch Anshun smiled with satisfaction: "Your Excellency has great courage. You should know that all ten fingers are connected to the heart. Although they may be of different lengths, they must be treated equally. If a finger is cut off, it will affect the whole body."

Lord Chu fell into deep thought. Chu Xunzhen gave a look to Granny Hua, who immediately handed Eunuch Anshun a heavy money bag.

Anshun bowed in gratitude and left.

Disturbed, Gu Changfeng turned quickly and fled as if escaping.

Chu Xunzhen watched his hasty retreat and sneered, "You're quick on your way. Come on, let's go to the ancestral hall."

Just then, the guards rushed in again, saying, "My lord, something terrible has happened!"