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

Chu Xunzhen checked the beads before helping Zhang Minlan put the bracelet back on, and slowly said, "Mother, would you, Father, and Brother like to stay at my county princess's mansion first?"

Zhang Minlan replied, "Let's talk about it later. We still need to discuss it with your father. If it weren't for the Marquis keeping us here these past few days, we would have left on the night of your wedding."

Chu Xunzhen nodded and said, "Mother, I have severed ties with the Lady of the Marquis. I don't know what's wrong with her coming here today?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Minlan looked at Chu Xunzhen with a gratified smile in her eyes.

She guessed that Li Yi must have regretted it.

Her daughter, Zhenzhen, is so outstanding. On the contrary, Chu Wanrou seems petty and narrow-minded.

this side.

Chu Wanrou was furious when she saw that Li Yi would rather go for a walk than talk to her.

Back in the room, she abruptly pushed over all the books and paintings on the table.

"Rou'er, why are you so angry?"

A familiar voice rang out, and an arm wrapped around Chu Wanrou from behind, holding her tightly.

Chu Wanrou didn't turn her head; she could tell from the voice that it was her second brother.

"Second brother, weren't you called by Father and Mother to study? You have to take the imperial examination this year."

Chu Mingli lowered his head and smiled in Chu Wanrou's ear: "Because your second brother misses you so much, Rou'er."

Chu Mingli wasn't missing Chu Wanrou; he was simply driven mad by the torment he was going to suffer.

He's been plagued by bad luck lately.

I would fall while walking, and when I ate, even though there was no fish in my food, I would inexplicably find fish bones in my food and choke on them.

He even fell into the latrine when he went to use it in the middle of the night.

That day, he reeked of a foul stench. When the maids in the mansion saw him come out of the latrine, they thought he was a thief and even called the servants.

As a result, the guards and servants beat him with sticks.

After explaining for a long time, no one was willing to believe him.

He was internally bleeding.

If Chu Zhanpeng hadn't arrived and recognized him, he probably would have been beaten to death that day.

After soaking in flower petal baths for three consecutive days, he finally lost all his odor today.

But that morning, while he was taking a bath, he suddenly fell asleep and almost drowned in the tub.

He was terrified.

Realizing that Rou'er, the lucky star, might have left the Marquis's mansion, which was why he was so unlucky, he decided to seize this opportunity today.

Chu Mingli stood behind Chu Wanrou and breathed into her ear, "Rou'er, your second brother misses you so much."

As he spoke, his hand actually reached straight into Chu Wanrou's clothes.

Chu Wanrou was stunned, then her eyes lit up with immense joy.

She was caught doing that thing with Chu Mingli that day, and she hadn't even had enough luck yet.

These past few days, Brother Changfeng has been so cold to her, so today she will absorb Chu Mingli's luck once more.

"Jinlan, go outside and stay there. Don't let anyone in."

Jinlan was taken aback, but still nodded and said, "Yes."

Before long, sounds that made one blush could be heard coming from the side room.

Jinlan realized that the person she had just spoken to was the second young master of the Marquis's mansion, and her expression became quite interesting.

Jinlan was filled with fear and anxiety, and was in great agony.

Suddenly, she saw Gu Changfeng and Chu Zhanpeng walking towards her from a distance.

Her face turned pale, and her legs went weak.

Just as she was about to turn around and announce her arrival, Gu Changfeng's personal servant, Qingsong, walked over: "Hey, what are you doing here?"

Jinlan turned pale with fright and could only shout, "It's nothing! You scared me to death!"

Qingsong was puzzled.

In just that short time, Gu Changfeng and Chu Zhanpeng entered the Peony Garden.

Gu Changfeng asked gently, "Where is Rou'er?"

At this moment, he was in a great mood.

We have just reached a consensus with Chu Zhanpeng.

Lord Chu has already agreed to his plan—the plan to ruin Chu Xunzhen's reputation.

"Reporting to the young master, the second young lady is taking a nap in the side room."

Gu Changfeng had no suspicions.

Chu Zhanpeng said, "Nephew Changfeng, let's have our meal together here. We can call Rou'er later, shall we?"

"Then I shall gladly accept your invitation," Gu Changfeng said, adding, "Shall we invite His Highness and the County Princess as well? It's a family banquet after all."

Upon hearing this, Chu Zhanpeng nodded, a fawning smile on his face, and gave the instructions.

Juyuan.

Granny Li came to inform the county princess and the prince to dine at the Peony Garden.

Chu Xunzhen wanted to refuse, but Chen Kangnian shook his head and said, "Zhenzhen, now that you are the Ninth Prince's Consort, you can no longer be as casual as before. I've heard that Gu Changfeng is incredibly influential in court, and he's even provided sweet potato crops. He's a favorite of the court now; you mustn't offend him."

Chu Xunzhen was stunned.

sweet potato?

Isn't that a magical crop that my brother found in his previous life?

In his past life, after his elder brother became lame, he accidentally fell off a cliff and by chance obtained a booklet containing instructions on how to plant sweet potatoes, precautions, and yield per acre.

The older brother brought the sweet potatoes back to her, but then disappeared.

The sweet potatoes were also taken by Gu Changfeng and handed over to the emperor.

In this life, Gu Changfeng actually found the sweet potato before his elder brother?

"Father, I understand. But this is a new crop after all. Does Gu Changfeng know how to grow it?"

In his past life, Gu Changfeng's heart always belonged to Chu Wanrou. After presenting the sweet potatoes, it was Chu Xunzhen who went to guide him on how to grow them. Gu Changfeng, on the other hand, knew absolutely nothing about the specific planting methods.

"You're right. But we still need to be careful. We can't afford to offend them," Chen Kangnian said worriedly, looking at Chu Xunzhen.

"Father-in-law, rest assured, I will protect Zhenzhen," Nangong Yue said solemnly.

Chu Xunzhen smiled, took Nangong Yue's arm, and walked towards the Peony Garden.

At this moment, inside the Peony Garden, Chu Zhanpeng burst into laughter.

Chu Wanrou looked radiant, while Gu Changfeng was beaming with pride.

"I have met my father."

Chu Xunzhen's voice was cold and detached.

Chu Zhanpeng immediately stood up and bowed to Nangong Yue with clasped hands, saying, "Your Highness."

He didn't even glance at Chu Xunzhen.

This rebellious daughter actually gave all those homecoming gifts to Chen Kangnian and his wife.

How could he not be angry?

Nangong Yue nodded and sat down.

He looked at Chu Zhanpeng and said, "Lord Chu, Zhenzhen is now my princess consort. I earnestly hope that you will uphold the rules of the Marquis's residence in the future. Do not neglect your princess consort."

Chu Zhanpeng felt a chill in his heart and could only nod in agreement.

He thought to himself that once the plan succeeded, Chu Xunzhen and his foolish prince would be completely at their mercy.

Seeing that everyone had already taken their seats, Li Yi finally arrived late.

Chu Xunzhen glanced at her and noticed that she was still wearing the poisonous bracelet on her wrist.

Chu Xunzhen shook his head.

People will do stupid things sometimes, there's no stopping them.

She didn't expect that after Li Yi learned Chu Wanrou's true identity, he would simply remain silent and walk away.

It seems she really loves Chu Wanrou.

Chu Mingyuan also arrived.

He just looked at Chu Xunzhen with a look of guilt in his eyes.

Chu Xunzhen ignored him.

Chu Mingli also arrived.

He lowered his eyes and remained silent.

He just didn't notice that his robes were a little wrinkled.

In no time, the table was filled with food.

Nangong Yue frowned and asked in a cold voice, "My lord, why are there no dishes that Zhenzhen likes among all these dishes?"

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned.

Chu Zhanpeng, in particular, looked extremely grim.

He turned to Li Yi and asked, "Madam, what are Zhenzhen's favorite dishes? Didn't you have the kitchen prepare them?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yi paused.

She did not have the kitchen prepare anything.

Chu Xunzhen was nothing more than a jinx she didn't want.

Her jinxed mouth just now cursed her, and now she wants to eat her favorite dishes? How is that possible?

Nangong Yue put down the porcelain bowl in her hand, her gaze cold, and said, "Since the Marquis doesn't genuinely welcome the Ninth Princess back to her parents' home, then please excuse me."

As Nangong Yue spoke, she took Chu Xunzhen's hand and walked outside.

Chu Zhanpeng's expression changed. He stared intently at Li Yi and roared, "You short-sighted woman! Why didn't you prepare any of the dishes that Zhenzhen really likes?"

Li Yi looked bewildered and said angrily, "But these were the same dishes before. Why doesn't she like them anymore? Didn't she always love them before?"

Chunxi, who was left alone, couldn't stand it anymore. She raised her head, stared at Li Yi, and spoke.

"Madam, this dish of stir-fried bamboo shoots is Rou'er's favorite, as is this dish of peanuts and pig's trotters. And this dish of clams is also one of Rou'er's favorites. My princess gets aggravated by bamboo shoots, develops rashes from peanuts, and this dish of clams makes her vomit and have diarrhea. Madam, the princess has never liked these foods; you only forced her to eat them before. She said she couldn't eat them, and you called her pretentious."

After saying that, Chunxi turned around and caught up with Chu Xunzhen.

Everyone froze.

Li Yi, in particular, was stunned and couldn't come to his senses for a long time.

In the past, she would never have let this insolent servant leave, but now, she was completely shocked.

She remembered.

When Chu Xunzhen first came back, he gave her a note with a list of foods she couldn't eat.

She clearly gave the note to the kitchen, so how could the cook make such a mistake?

"Look what you've done."

Chu Zhanpeng was furious.

If Gu Changfeng hadn't been sitting here, he would have flipped the table long ago.

"I already gave the kitchen cook the food that Chu Xunzhen is averse to. It must be that the cook wasn't doing her job properly."

After Li Yi finished speaking, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.

Gu Changfeng looked puzzled.

In both her past and present lives, Rou'er had always told him that her older sister bullied her, couldn't tolerate her, and even wanted to drive her away as her adopted daughter. Only then did he feel pity for her and take better care of her.

But looking at it today, something seems off.

If the Lady of the Marquis really treated Chu Wanrou badly, how could she have prepared such a large table of dishes, all of which were Wanrou's favorites, and even violated Chu Xunzhen's taboos?

Gu Changfeng's face darkened.

Chu Zhanpeng raised his wine glass, about to have a drink with Gu Changfeng, but to his surprise, Gu Changfeng stood up, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Changfeng remembered that there are still matters to attend to at home, so I will not disturb you any longer and will return home first."

After saying that, he turned and left, much to the astonishment of Chu Zhanpeng and the others.

Chu Wanrou was so frightened that she had no choice but to follow.

Chu Zhanpeng was furious.

This family dinner was completely ruined.

Just then, the butler rushed in to report.

"Madam, the box of gifts that the second young lady brought for her return visit consisted entirely of coarse linen clothes."

Everyone was startled, but not surprised. Gu Changfeng's public funds were now empty, so he naturally had no money. Sending coarse linen clothes as a return gift was truly meager.

Chu Zhanpeng angrily asked, "What about the two boxes that the young lady brought back?"

Upon hearing this, the butler stammered, "It's all fruits, pastries, and snacks."

Chu Zhanpeng hurriedly went to the warehouse.

Upon seeing the two boxes of fruits and snacks, he became so angry that he felt dizzy and collapsed to the ground.

Chu Xunzhen was unaware of the situation of the people in the Marquis's mansion. At this moment, she had taken her adoptive parents back to the Prince's mansion.

As soon as I stepped into the Ninth Prince's mansion, I saw Chen Lianxin standing in front of the corridor.

She was wearing an orange-pink ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), and she looked playful and lively. She hopped and skipped, about to pounce on Nangong Yue.

"Cousin, you're back?"