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

"Does Senior Sister know Sister?" A soft voice sounded from behind Chen Lianxin.

She was none other than Chu Wanrou, a young girl dressed in a pink silk dress.

"Sister?" Chen Lianxin scoffed. "Rou'er, some people may be related by blood, but they have no affection for each other. Her own brother is so ill, yet she, a young lady from a secluded family, still goes out and shows her face in public. She can't compare to your deep affection and loyalty."

Upon hearing this, Chu Wanrou glanced at Chu Xunzhen subconsciously before clutching her handkerchief and speaking in a soft voice, "Senior sister must have misunderstood you. You know a Gu Sect master, and I believe you're going out this time to find that person to treat my brother."

Chu Xunzhen was too lazy to listen to their nonsense and said to Eunuch Anshun, "Eunuch, let's set off."

"Yes."

Upon hearing this, An Shun was about to leave with Chu Xunzhen when suddenly, a delicate shout rang out.

"Wait a minute! Anshun, how can you just bring outsiders to see your cousin like that?"

Chen Lianxin looked arrogantly at Chu Xunzhen, her gaze revealing a hint of displeasure.

Upon hearing this, Anshun immediately said, "This is His Highness's order, Miss, please don't make things difficult for this servant."

Upon hearing this, Chen Lianxin snorted coldly and followed behind the two.

"Senior sister, I also want to go see His Highness," Chu Wanrou said softly to Chen Lianxin. "If you let me go, I will definitely help you."

Chen Lianxin initially wanted to refuse, but upon hearing the second half of Chu Wanrou's sentence, her eyes lit up and she was tempted.

Chu Xunzhen followed Eunuch Anshun into the palace.

Jinghe Palace.

The palace where the Ninth Prince resides.

As soon as Chu Xunzhen stepped into the main hall, a strong smell of blood wafted over.

A basin of bloody water was brought out.

Chu Xunzhen's expression changed, and he rushed inside.

"Sister, don't leave my sister..."

The person who came into view was Nangong Yue.

He lay on the bed, shaking his head from side to side, his brows furrowed, sleeping restlessly, muttering to himself, sometimes calling out to Chu Xunzhen not to leave, sometimes calling out to his mother.

Chu Xunzhen walked over, took his hand, and said worriedly, "Your Highness, it's me."

"Sister...is that you?"

Nangong Yue murmured to herself.

Chen Lianxin, who followed behind, saw the two holding hands tightly and was so angry that she was about to rush up to them.

"Senior sister, please don't." Chu Wanrou grabbed Chen Lianxin's hand, shook her head, and stood at the back, whispering, "If you do this, even if you stop it this time, there's no guarantee that the same thing won't happen again in the future."

"Then what do you suggest we do?" Chen Lianxin clenched her right fist tightly, her face filled with anger, her voice distorted with rage.

His Highness is hers; how could she allow anyone else to get close?

"In a few days, it will be my grandfather's birthday banquet. On that day, I will make sure that Chu Xunzhen is utterly disgraced."

Upon hearing this, Chen Lianxin smiled, a satisfied smile: "Good, if this matter is handled well, then I will transfer you from the outer sect to the inner sect."

Upon hearing this, Chu Wanrou was overjoyed.

The disciples of the Heavenly Sect are unapproachable. Only the inner disciples are the true backbone of the Heavenly Sect. As for the outer disciples, they are called the inner disciples' reserve force, but in reality, most of them can only be the Heavenly Sect's outer disciples who do odd jobs for their entire lives.

Chu Wanrou dreamed of entering the inner sect of the Heavenly Sect.

Seeing that time was running out, Chu Wanrou pulled Chen Lianxin away, while Chu Xunzhen ignored their scheme and grabbed Nangong Yue's hand.

The two held hands tightly, Chu Xunzhen frowned as he took Nangong Yue's pulse.

The Gu worm in his mind was surprisingly active, and it even caused him headaches.

"Your Highness, I'm here. Don't worry."

Chu Xunzhen ordered someone to bring a zither, and sat down in front of Nangong Yue, where she gently stroked the strings.

The next instant, a melody flowed from his fingertips.

The gentle sound of the zither flowed like water, softly brushing across Nangong Yue's brow.

His brows unconsciously relaxed, and the pain in his head seemed to be easing.

Under the eaves outside the hall.

Chu Wanrou pulled Chen Lianxin out of the mansion and into a secluded alley.

The herbal medicine shop they were going to had to be secluded enough. Otherwise, if something happened, they would be easily discovered.

Inside the inner palace, an hour later, the music ended, and Nangong Yue's breathing slowed down; she finally fell asleep comfortably.

Chu Xunzhen breathed a sigh of relief.

This calming melody was indeed effective.

"Thank you, Princess." Eunuch Anshun wiped away tears from the corners of his eyes, choking back sobs. "If it weren't for you, Princess, if His Highness had fallen seriously ill tonight, this old servant wouldn't know what to do."

"Your Highness, why was His Highness punished?" Chu Xunzhen asked curiously upon hearing this.

Eunuch Anshun opened his mouth, then shook his head violently, saying, "Without His Highness's permission, I dare not speak recklessly."

Chu Xunzhen raised an eyebrow and chuckled, saying, "Eunuch Anshun, you saw my friend Big Black Bear that day. Even if you tell me secretly now, I won't tell His Highness."

"Oh dear, my dear lady. This old servant has told you. It's because His Highness insisted on marrying you, the county princess, but His Majesty seems to have changed his mind and is unwilling to issue the decree."

Hearing this, Chu Xunzhen was deeply moved.

His Highness was punished because of her?

"Anshun, I'll have Granny Hua bring over some wound medicine later. If you think it's suitable, please give it to His Highness. It's getting late, I have to go back now. I'll come to see His Highness again tomorrow."

"Thank you, Princess Huai Ren."

After leaving the palace, Chu Xunzhen returned to the Marquis's residence.

The front yard was filled with a joyous atmosphere.

Red silk was scattered all over the ground, and maroon boxes filled the entire courtyard.

Chu Wanrou looked on with delight and shyly admired the betrothal gifts.

These were all specially made extra gifts for her by Brother Changfeng. This time, the quantity and quality of the betrothal gifts were perfect.

Seeing Chu Xunzhen return, her eyes lit up, and she immediately ran over, grabbing Chu Xunzhen's sleeve and saying, "Sister, what wonderful news! Young Master Gu is now the Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness. Aren't you unhappy that you gave up your engagement to me?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Xunzhen was speechless.

"I am a county princess, while he is merely a marquis, his status is not even as noble as mine, why should I be unhappy?"

Chu Wanrou was speechless, a hint of jealousy flashing in her eyes. She then said shyly, "Sister, Brother Changfeng said he would help me obtain an imperial title in the future. I'm afraid I'm not up to the task."

Upon hearing this, Chu Xunzhen's lips curled up, and he said, "If he's not up to the task, then he shouldn't try to get you an imperial title. Talking to me is useless."

After saying that, Chu Xunzhen, with Chunxi behind him, strode away.

Chu Wanrou stood there, coldly watching Chu Xunzhen's back, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes.

Chu Xunzhen, your smugness won't last long.

Suddenly, Uncle Lin from Songhetang arrived.

His expression was complicated as he looked at Chu Xunzhen and said, "Young Miss, the old master has suddenly fallen ill. Could you go and see him?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Xunzhen raised an eyebrow and said, "Uncle Lin, I am just a young lady from a respectable family. If my grandfather is ill, you can ask the family physician to come and examine him."

"This old servant understands." Uncle Lin knew that Old Master Chu had truly lost his beloved granddaughter.

Chu Xun slept soundly through the night.

Soon, however, a noisy commotion echoed throughout the mansion.

"Miss, are you up yet?" Chunxi asked anxiously, knocking on the door repeatedly.

"What is it?" Chu Xunzhen asked, somewhat surprised. Chunxi wouldn't usually call her so early unless it was something extremely important.