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

Inside the imperial study, it was so quiet that only the sound of breathing could be heard.

The emperor was not in a hurry and just stared at Chu Xunzhen.

At this moment, Chu Xunzhen was certain that there must be an imperial spy by his grandfather's side.

But none of these are the most important things. What's important is how to answer these three questions.

"Your Majesty, I know a friend who is a member of the Gu sect. As for my grandfather, he did indeed have Gu poison in his body, specifically a location-tracking Gu worm. My friend has already removed the location-tracking Gu worm."

After Chu Xunzhen finished speaking, the emperor remained silent for a long time.

Half an hour passed before the emperor spoke: "The Chongding Marquis's mansion has embezzled a huge amount of silver, a full 150,000 taels. How does Miss Chu plan to spend it?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Xunzhen did not hesitate at all and immediately said, "Xunzhen is willing to donate 100,000 taels of silver to replenish the national treasury."

Nangong Chen was surprised, and his hand, which was writing, stopped.

Outside the palace, Eunuch Cao, who had overheard the conversation in the Imperial Study, stared wide-eyed for a long while before he came to his senses.

"Miss Chu is very righteous, and I thank you on behalf of the people. I will not treat you unfairly. You only need to hand over 40,000 taels to the national treasury, and I will collect the remaining 60,000 taels from the Marquis of Chongding's residence."

Upon hearing this, Chu Xunzhen felt a surge of joy, but his expression remained calm: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"On behalf of all the people of the world, I thank you," the emperor said slowly, scrutinizing Chu Xunzhen.

Chu Xunzhen noticed that the emperor's gaze was fixed on her, scrutinizing her as if measuring her clearly from top to bottom and left to right.

Chu Xunzhen was furious inside, but his face remained calm and composed.

"The Ninth Prince has submitted a memorial to me, proposing to marry you as his Crown Princess. Chu Xunzhen, are you willing? If not, I will allow you to refuse, considering the fact that you have recently enriched the national treasury."

Chu Xunzhen's mind raced with a multitude of thoughts, and she immediately said sincerely, "Your Highness the Ninth Prince is a son of the dragon, of noble birth and illustrious status. I am merely the adopted daughter of a merchant, and only returned to the Marquis's mansion to recognize my family three years ago. To be able to marry the Ninth Prince is truly my good fortune."

The emperor's eyes flickered slightly as he continued reviewing the memorials, saying, "Since you are willing, there is no changing it. Do you have any other requests?"

"Seeking the truth, I wish to become a foster parent and obtain the title of Imperial Merchant."

Nangong Chen chuckled: "Your mind is indeed pure. In that case, I grant your permission."

After leaving the Imperial Study, Chu Xunzhen saw Eunuch Cao waiting to the side.

Eunuch Cao's eyes flashed, and he said to Chu Xunzhen, "Miss Chu, please. I will escort you out of the palace now."

Upon hearing this, Chu Xunzhen nodded and smiled, "Thank you for your trouble, sir."

Chu Xunzhen's gaze was sincere, and Eunuch Cao's smile deepened.

The two walked along the bluestone official road toward the palace gate, where a gilded sedan chair came towards them.

Four women dressed in blue and pink maid-like gowns stood at the four corners of the sedan chair, looking proudly ahead.

Chu Xunzhen and Eunuch Cao, following palace etiquette, stepped aside and bowed their heads to make way.

In her previous life, Li Yi deliberately did not teach her palace rules. On the day she entered the palace, she made a fool of herself everywhere and was even beaten with a cane. Later, she married Gu Changfeng and found a nanny who had served in the palace in the streets. She studied hard day and night and finally learned these rules.

However, the sedan chair stopped when it passed Chu Xunzhen.

"Who are you?" A clear, melodious female voice rang out from inside the sedan chair.

"Chu Xunzhen, the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Ping'an." Chu Xunzhen answered without looking to the side, her manners impeccable.

"So it was you. You are indeed more beautiful than flowers, a beauty that could topple kingdoms." The woman inside the sedan chair exclaimed, then suddenly asked, "It's a pity you smell like a country bumpkin."

The visitor is not good.

Chu Xunzhen spoke slowly and respectfully, "Perhaps the Third Prince's Consort has a problem with her sense of smell. I just met His Majesty in the Imperial Study, and the Emperor did not mention any unusual smell on me. Just now, I even passed through the flower bushes in the Imperial Garden with Eunuch Cao, and I was covered in the fragrance of flowers. His Majesty once said: Agriculture is the foundation of the country. Without wild animals, where would the people get meat to eat? It is often said that depression in the heart can lead to a loss of smell. If the Third Prince's Consort is feeling unwell, she can seek treatment from the Imperial Physician."

As soon as he finished speaking, Eunuch Cao's eyes lit up with admiration.

What a sharp-tongued legitimate daughter! She's unwilling to suffer even the slightest loss.

The Third Prince's wife suddenly threw back the curtain and said coldly, "Chu Xunzhen, you..."

Dressed in all black, Nangong Yue slowly walked out from the front. He had witnessed the confrontation just now.

In the past, there was a hint of foolishness in his eyes, but today, his gaze was sharp as he looked at the Third Prince's consort's sedan chair.

"Is Third Sister-in-law quite free today?"

"Ninth Brother, this woman is defying her superior and has even cursed me to fall ill," the Third Prince's wife said angrily.

Nangong Yue laughed: "If your third sister-in-law is ill, then summon the imperial physician. Don't hide your illness and avoid seeking medical treatment. Chu Xunzhen was summoned to the palace by Father Emperor. If you insist on punishing him, it will damage Father Emperor's reputation, and even your third brother can't save you."

The Third Prince's Consort gave Chu Xunzhen a cold stare with a gloomy look, snorted, and then left in her sedan chair.

Chu Xunzhen's gaze fell on Nangong Yue, and for a moment she couldn't tell if he was still the same person who would call her "sister" in a soft and sweet voice.

"My sister doesn't recognize me anymore, huh?"

Nangong Yue walked to Chu Xunzhen's side, spoke tenderly, her voice carrying a seductive undertone.

Unlike her previous naiveté, Nangong Yue now gave Chu Xunzhen an unusually dangerous feeling.

"Greetings, Your Highness. Today, Your Highness displayed a more dignified and imposing presence than usual. It must be because Your Highness's cousin possesses extraordinary medical skills that you were able to cure Your Highness."

Thinking of the scene of Chen Lianxin embracing Nangong Yue that day, Chu Xunzhen felt an inexplicable irritation in his chest, and his tone of voice was also somewhat uncomfortable.

Eunuch Cao was shocked by the way the Ninth Prince addressed Chu Xunzhen, but he didn't say anything. He slowed his pace and followed the two at a distance.

"Sister's medical skills are the best. Yue misses sister very much." Nangong Yue's ears turned slightly red, but she was no longer as shy as before. Instead, she looked at Chu Xunzhen proactively.

Unlike before, Chu Xunzhen walked quickly today, as if she wanted to finish this journey and leave the palace as soon as possible.

Chu Xunzhen's mind was racing.

Nangong Yue approached her because it would prolong his periods of lucidity. So, did he like her as a person, or did he like her as a form of medicine?

Feeling increasingly agitated, Chu Xunzhen quickened her pace.

Suddenly, Chu Xunzhen stepped into a puddle, his body trembled violently, and he slid forward.

Upon seeing a massive boulder in front of him, Chu Xunzhen's pupils constricted sharply.

The next instant, a warm, large hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her back into Nangong Yue's arms.

"uh-huh?"

Nangong Yue groaned and looked at Chu Xunzhen with concern.

"Sister, are you alright?"

A fragrant scent of grass and trees wafted into Chu Xunzhen's nostrils, and Chu Xunzhen vaguely felt her right hand pressing against Nangong Yue's strong and powerful chest.

Thump-thump, the sound of Nangong Yue's heartbeat echoed clearly in Chu Xunzhen's ears.

Chu Xunzhen looked up and met Nangong Yue's eyes, which were sparkling with grievance in the moonlight.

Their eyes met, and Chu Xunzhen was so startled that she suddenly withdrew her hand.