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

Chu Xunzhen's pupils contracted, but he didn't completely believe what he said.

She smiled slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"I never intended for you to repay that 60,000 taels of silver."

Hearing this, Gu Changfeng chuckled inwardly. Sure enough, Chu Xunzhen had feelings for him. She hadn't admitted it before.

"If only you had known then what you know now! Forget about the position of Lady of the Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness. With your current status as a county princess, you might as well be my concubine."

Chu Xunzhen raised an eyebrow, a hint of doubt in his eyes.

"The Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness?"

Gu Changfeng laughed arrogantly and triumphantly.

"I must thank you. Thanks to you, I am unable to inherit the title, and His Majesty has bestowed upon me a marquis's residence instead. Do you regret it now?"

Chu Xunzhen was somewhat shocked, but in an instant, she understood.

This guy has memories of his past life. He probably gave the emperor a secret report in order to turn his life around and get the right to open a new mansion and become a loyal and righteous marquis.

However, all of this is just her speculation, and someone needs to be sent to investigate.

Chu Xunzhen subconsciously pointed at Gu Changfeng and sneered.

"You're a useless marquis who once knelt before me, do you think I'd regret it? Are you dreaming?"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the crowd burst into laughter.

Gu Changfeng's face darkened as he recalled the humiliation of being forced to kneel down that day.

A chill ran through him as he stepped forward, staring intently at Chu Xunzhen, his voice icy.

"Could it be that you've really taken a fancy to that foolish prince? Nangong Yue is about to die. On the first night of the month, I will arrange for a sedan chair to fetch you from the side gate. You'd better get in the sedan chair obediently, or you'll lose your chance to become my concubine."

The people on the street immediately erupted in discussion.

"I've never heard of welcoming a concubine into the house at night!"

"Lord Gu seems to want the best of both worlds. He marries his principal wife during the day and takes in his concubines at night."

"Is Lord Gu deliberately humiliating Princess Huai Ren? This is going too far."

One of them tugged at the man's sleeve and whispered, "Shh, keep your voice down, are you out of your mind? Stop talking and let's go."

The crowd dispersed, and the street suddenly became quiet.

"I don't care about the opportunity to be a concubine. I've said I'll only be the principal wife. If you want a concubine, you can go to a brothel. Anyway, you're not picky about anything." Chu Xunzhen smiled casually.

"Hey, Changfeng, who's this? Isn't this Princess Huai Ren?"

A voice came from behind Chu Xunzhen; it was none other than Lu Ruoying, the wife of the Marquis of Chongding, who held an imperial title.

Today, she wore a green silk dress, looking noble and dignified, a stark contrast to the disheveled appearance she had been seen with the other day.

"Mother, you've arrived just in time. It is indeed the County Princess," Gu Changfeng said immediately.

Lu Ruoying, with an arrogant expression and a haughty look in her eyes, sneered, "The county princess is in a good mood, still browsing the Treasure Pavilion. Perhaps you're looking to buy a gift for Changfeng? But our Changfeng has already taken over the Marquis of Zhongyi's mansion, and His Majesty has bestowed upon him many gifts. He lacks nothing now."

Chu Xunzhen's eyes flashed as she glanced at Lu Ruoying, then turned to Granny Hua behind her and said, "Granny, don't you think the flies here are noisy? They keep buzzing around."

"Isn't that right, young lady? Those flies are so annoying. They always stick to me, they're really asking for trouble." Granny Hua said with a sneer, staring intently at Lu Ruoying.

Lu Ruoying's heart raced, and she couldn't help but take several steps back, her heart pounding with fear.

After realizing what had happened, her face flushed crimson, turning a deep liver color. How could a noblewoman like her be frightened by a mere old woman?

Gu Changfeng helped Lu Ruoying up and looked at Chu Xunzhen with displeasure, saying, "Keep your people in check, or you'll be in big trouble in the backyard later."

The manager of Wanbaoge, who was standing behind the counter, suddenly spoke up: "My lord, the wedding dress you ordered can be picked up in seven days."

"Okay. Oh, by the way, order another pink one for Princess Huai Ren." Gu Changfeng smiled, "She will also be joining my Marquis of Zhongyi's mansion."

The shopkeeper's face stiffened, and he immediately looked at Chu Xunzhen.

"He ordered pink, so send it to Chu Wanrou too. No need to send it to me."

After Chu Xunzhen finished speaking, Gu Changfeng's expression turned ugly. He was about to argue when he heard her voice: "Wait!"

Lu Ruoying sneered inwardly and said, "What is it, Princess Huai Ren? If it's about the 60,000 taels of silver, you can give up now. His Majesty has already granted our request; we don't need to return it to you."

Upon hearing this, Chu Xunzhen smiled and said, "Of course you don't need to return it to me. Because you need to return those 60,000 taels to His Majesty. The 60,000 taels of silver that your Chongding Marquis's Mansion owes me has also been donated to the national treasury by me. Your creditor is His Majesty."

"Impossible." Lu Ruoying's expression changed drastically.

She shook her head violently, indicating that it was absolutely impossible.

"Chu Xunzhen, you lie without even thinking. His Majesty said that you don't need to return the 60,000 taels of silver, so it's naturally waived."

Gu Changfeng didn't care.

Chu Xunzhen smiled: "Then we'll wait and see."

After saying that, Chu Xunzhen led Chunxi and Granny Hua to the manager of Wanbaoge.

"Let me see the most exquisite dagger in the shop."

Upon hearing this, the manager of Wanbaoge immediately pulled out a dagger inlaid with a red gemstone.

"The gem contains anesthetic, which can numb the enemy to the maximum extent."

"I'll take it. By the way, do you have a matching scabbard?"

"Please wait a moment, Your Highness, we have it." The shopkeeper placed the dagger in the brocade box and went to the back to find the scabbard.

Gu Changfeng walked over and immediately noticed that this was a dagger suitable for men to wear.

"Buy me a dagger? No way. This red gemstone doesn't suit my style at all. I prefer golden cat's eye."

As he spoke, Gu Changfeng picked up the dagger, shook his head, and put it back.

"Shopkeeper, I don't want this dagger anymore, I want this dagger inlaid with gold cat's eye stones."

Chu Xunzhen gave a cold laugh: "Gu Changfeng, if you want to buy a dagger, then choose it yourself. Why did you touch the one I picked? This isn't a gift for you. What are you talking about?"

Gu Changfeng paused, then came to his senses and coldly sneered, "This dagger wasn't bought for me? Could it be that you really intend to give this dagger to Nangong Yue?"

"Watch your words. How dare you address His Highness the Ninth Prince by his name?" Chu Xunzhen said, then immediately turned to the shopkeeper who was taking out a scabbard, "I don't want this dagger anymore. I want a new one custom-made, with a mechanism. Here's a deposit of one thousand taels. The dagger will be inlaid with two jade bear carvings."

"No problem. The first draft of the design will be ready in half an hour. The princess can have her meal and rest on the second floor first."

"Chu Xunzhen, you're really going to buy a dagger for another man?" Gu Changfeng grabbed Chu Xunzhen's hand, incredulous and furious.

Chu Xunzhen sneered: "Otherwise what? You, a lowly person who once knelt before me, do you think you deserve my gifts?"

"Okay, you'll regret it."

Gu Changfeng was furious. He shook off Chu Xunzhen and immediately pulled Lu Ruoying, whose face was pale, away.

"Granny Hua, take my token and go to the Wan Yao Ge to fetch some wound medicine."

"Yes, young lady. This old servant will go right away."

"Chunxi, go back and ask Huang Ying to contact His Highness and inquire about his situation."

Chunxi immediately said, "Don't worry, Miss, His Highness will surely be blessed with good fortune."

After saying that, Chunxi turned back the way she came.

An hour later, the shopkeeper brought over the design blueprints for the dagger.

"Young lady, these are the blueprints for the designed dagger. Are there any areas that need improvement?"

On the rice paper, two adorable little black bears are looking at each other, seemingly in perfect harmony.

"Two bear cubs, each with its own secrets. One carries venom in its belly, the other carries anesthetic."

"Okay. This one will do."

"Thank you, Your Highness. You can pick up the goods in seven days with this receipt." After saying this, the shopkeeper handed the receipt to Chu Xunzhen.

Chu Xunzhen left Wanbaoge and returned to the Marquis's residence, where he saw Eunuch Anshun sitting in the inner hall with an unpleasant expression.

"Princess Huai Ren, this servant has finally waited for you. His Highness has been calling your name. Would you be willing to come with me to the palace to see His Highness?"

Chu Xun was about to agree when he saw a figure in red emerge from the corridor.

She was none other than the Ninth Prince's arrogant cousin—Chen Lianxin.

Chen Lianxin stared intently at Chu Xunzhen, her eyes burning with jealousy that seemed almost tangible. She pointed a finger into the air and said, "It was you! No wonder my cousin repeatedly refused my entry into the palace; it was all because of you!"