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

As the guards from the manor rushed towards him, Chu Xunzhen's gaze sharpened.

Just as she was about to order the eunuchs behind her to make a move, she saw a man blocking her way.

"stop!"

The speaker was none other than Chu Mingyuan.

He wore a dark blue robe and a black mask that concealed his terrifying face.

"Yuan'er, get out of the way!"

The speaker was Li Yi.

"Mother, you actually ordered Zhenzhen to be arrested? I've told you, Zhenzhen is your own daughter. How could you let someone arrest Zhenzhen without even investigating because of this little trick?"

Li Yi's face was ashen. She suddenly walked up to Chu Mingyuan and said, "Mingyuan, you are a good child. Your mother knows you love your sister and are not afraid of being burdened by her, but your mother is in a dilemma. You are my darling, and Xunzhen is also my darling. But she is now affected by the inauspicious star in her destiny, and it has already affected you both."

Chu Mingyuan looked at the murderous guards and said, "No matter what, anyone who tries to take Zhenzhen away will have to step over my dead body first."

Li Yi looked grim.

She became even angrier when she realized that everyone was looking at her like she was a joke.

"Chu Mingyuan, Chu Xunzhen has caused all the flowers to wither, and the impact is no longer limited to the Ping'an Marquis's residence; it may even spread. If it affects everyone and Da Ning, you cannot bear the blame."

Li Yi roared and shouted angrily.

"Yes, young master, let's follow the rules. Miss Chu is a county princess; even if she's sent to the Ministry of Justice, we must still follow the rules. We won't wrong her."

Upon hearing this, Chu Mingyuan roared, "It's fake! Mother, these are just tricks, can't you see that? Zhenzhen can't possibly be the jinx. The real jinx is Chu Wanrou. Why won't you believe it?"

As soon as Chu Mingyuan finished speaking, everyone fell silent and looked at each other in bewilderment.

Chu Wanrou immediately knelt down, her snow-white clothes spotless, tears falling like pearls, and said, "Brother is right. I've caused my sister, mother, and brother to be separated for so many years, I'm the real jinx."

Li Yi's expression changed, her eyes reddened, and she helped Chu Wanrou up, saying, "Rou'er, don't say that. Saying that is like tearing out your mother's heart and lungs."

Everyone was somewhat moved.

Although Chu Wanrou and Li Yi were not related by blood, they shared such a deep bond.

Chu Xunzhen laughed, bursting into loud laughter.

"Are you all moved? Lady Li Yi of the Marquis of Ping'an's mansion knew perfectly well that the wet nurse had deliberately switched them, yet she insisted that Chu Wanrou was just an infant at the time, knowing nothing, and still kept her in the mansion. May I ask you all, over the years, hasn't Chu Wanrou enjoyed the treatment of a legitimate daughter of the Marquis's mansion? She, a lowly commoner, should have lived a life of humiliation, yet now she can discuss marriage with both legitimate and illegitimate sons. Isn't this enjoying the benefits of my status?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Wanrou burst into tears, saying, "I've wanted to leave the Marquis's mansion for a long time. But I can't bear to leave my mother, father, and three brothers. I know I took your place, sister, and I was wrong. Sister, I won't fight you for it. I just want to serve Father and Mother well."

Upon hearing this, Chu Xunzhen smiled and said, "I have severed ties with the Lady of the Marquis. It is none of my business if you want to serve her. But since you feel you have made a mistake and taken my place, then go back to your original position, sign the indenture, and become a servant of my Ping'an Marquis's mansion. That way, you can also serve my father well as a servant born into the household."

"Chu Xunzhen! Rou'er is our sister, who do you think you are to dare make her a maid?" Chu Mingli roared.

"Second brother is wrong. She said it herself. She felt uneasy because she felt she was taking my place. Now that I'm letting her go back to her original position, she hasn't said she doesn't want to. Even if you like her a lot, you can't just say things like that. Besides, Rou'er isn't my biological sister. It's normal for you to be reluctant."

Upon hearing these ambiguous words, Li Yi's expression immediately changed.

Chu Wanrou's face turned pale, and she retorted, "Why must you ruin Second Brother's reputation, Sister? I, Chu Wanrou, swear to heaven that if I have any improper relationship with Second Brother, may I die a horrible death."

Li Yi's expression turned ugly, and she roared at Chu Xunzhen, "Are you trying to drive your mother to her death?"

Chu Zhanpeng rushed over, puzzled, and asked, "What happened?"

"It's my older sister. She insists that I'm a jinx and ruins my and my second brother's reputations."

As she spoke, Chu Wanrou burst into tears.

Chu Zhanpeng roared, "Chu Xunzhen, you're the jinx! The Imperial Advisor is here today. Do you want him to tell you personally?"

Chu Xunzhen curled her lips coldly and said, "So, Father means I should obediently let myself be arrested and sent to the Ministry of Justice for a thorough investigation?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Zhanpeng was stunned.

He didn't like Chu Xunzhen causing trouble, but her marriage to the Ninth Prince was a good thing. Why would he deliberately let her get arrested?

"What do you say, Your Highness?"

Li Yi suddenly spoke up, asking the Third Prince who was standing to the side.

The Third Prince looked thoughtful and said, "Miss Chu is a county princess. How can she be taken away by the guards? If she is to be taken away, there must be evidence. Otherwise, wouldn't the government office become a lawless zone permitted by the royal family?"

Li Yi's face showed a hint of resentment, but he still smiled. His Highness was right, but with this calamity descending upon the world, they had to be on guard.

Chu Xunzhen looked at Li Yi, expressionless.

Is this the first miracle?

They were indeed well-prepared.

If it were a weak woman without status, she would have no choice but to follow Li Yi's arrangements.

"Your Highness is right. Even if Xunzhen is a jinx, isn't Rou'er a lucky star? Where there is a jinx, there is also a lucky star. With the blessing of a lucky star, the jinx cannot succeed in causing trouble."

Chu Mingyuan spoke, and Chu Xunzhen glanced at him.

Seemingly noticing Chu Xunzhen's gaze, Chu Mingyuan said, "Zhenzhen, don't worry, your older brother is here. No matter what, I won't let anyone hurt you."

"Mother, please stop talking. Let the maids serve the fruits and vegetables quickly. Everyone is hungry."

As soon as Chu Wanrou finished speaking, Li Yi still looked somewhat unwilling, but he still smiled and said, "Someone, bring out a fruit platter and pastries."

Plates of exquisite pastries were served.

Chu Wanrou said to Li Yi, "Mother, when we hold a banquet, we should let the birds have a good meal too."

Upon hearing this, Li Yi smiled leisurely: "Rou'er is truly kind-hearted. Men, bring out the millet and other grains and distribute them to everyone."

Chu Wanrou held a handful of chestnuts and walked to the willow tree. The next moment, a bird landed on her palm and began to eat the chestnuts.

Another bird landed on Chu Wanrou's arm and began eating the millet in her hand.

Chu Wanrou suddenly looked at Chu Xunzhen and said with a casual smile, "Sister, why don't you feed the birds too? They're so intelligent."

Chu Xunzhen paused for a moment, then looked at Chu Wanrou with a half-smile.