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

A hint of sadness flashed across Chu Tianxiong's eyes before he spoke.

"Grandfather is getting old, I... cough cough..."

Before he could finish speaking, Old Master Chu started coughing so hard he could barely breathe.

"vomit."

Old Master Chu suddenly vomited.

The bright red blood on the white handkerchief looked like a suddenly blooming red plum blossom, stinging the eyes.

"grandfather......"

Chu Xunzhen was shocked and immediately patted his back lightly.

Beneath the dark green robe, the bones felt very sharp to the touch.

So thin, as if a gust of wind could blow him over. Was this really the robust grandfather she used to know?

"It's nothing. It's an old ailment." Chu Tianxiong waved his hand dismissively, "A little medicine will stop the cough."

As he spoke, he called out, "Ah Lin, bring the medicine."

"Yes, sir."

Ah Lin, dressed in a gray servant's robe, immediately brought over the medicine.

On the tray, the jet-black medicinal soup emitted a rich aroma.

Old Master Chu picked up the medicine bowl, drank it all in one gulp, and his face flushed slightly, making him look much better.

"Grandfather, may I take your pulse?" Chu Xunzhen asked, frowning.

She always felt that something was wrong with her grandfather's expression.

Chu Tianxiong was taken aback, then nodded and said, "Of course. You also know medicine?"

Chu Xunzhen smiled and said, "When I was in the countryside, I studied medicine with a passing itinerant doctor for a while. I can't say I'm an expert, but I do know a little about it."

Chu Tianxiong laughed heartily, stretched out his arm, and said, "Back then, I was shot by an arrow in the battle of Luocheng, which injured my lungs. I cough several times every year. I'm used to it now."

Upon hearing this, Chu Xunzhen felt a pang of sadness.

Her grandfather was unwell, but he still worried about her.

Although she hated the Chu family, her grandfather was the only one who genuinely cared for her after her return. Otherwise, she would have turned the Chu family into a living hell long ago.

Ah Lin stood aside, watching Chu Xunzhen with curiosity.

Although I don't believe in Chu Xunzhen's medical skills, as long as the old man is happy, that's all that matters.

The old man has been drinking herbal medicine for so many years, but he hasn't gotten better.

If the old man were still in good health, this found legitimate daughter wouldn't have had to suffer so much injustice.

"Your pulse is weak and feeble, your Qi and blood are blocked, and evil Qi is accumulating... Grandfather, you have been poisoned." Chu Xunzhen paused and said.

My grandfather was actually poisoned by a Gu curse.

Who poisoned him? What a cruel heart.

"That's impossible. The imperial physician came years ago and said the old man had an old ailment, but didn't mention poisoning." Ah Lin frowned, looking incredulous. He then looked at Chu Xunzhen, his words laced with sarcasm, "Young lady, I know you want to gain Old Master Chu's attention, but you can't just say things like that."

Chu Xun was really stunned.

Yes.

She is now nothing more than a young lady who has returned to the Marquis's mansion three years ago.

The highly respected imperial physician had stated that Grandfather's cough and weakness were caused by an old ailment, so it's understandable that Uncle Lin didn't believe her.

"Uncle Lin, you have to believe me..."

Before she could finish speaking, Old Master Chu suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood. Bright red blood splattered and fell onto the bluestone tiles.

With a thud, Old Master Chu fell to the ground.

"grandfather."

Chu Xunzhen cried out in surprise, her heart skipped a beat, and she went forward to help him up.

Just as they helped Chu Tianxiong up, the door of the small ancestral hall was suddenly slammed open with a bang.

Chu Zhanpeng, Chu Mingyuan, and Chu Wanrou, who should have been confined to her quarters, stormed in with a large group of servants.

Upon seeing Chu Tianxiong lying on the ground, everyone's expression changed drastically, and they all rushed over to him.

"father!"

"grandfather!"

Chu Zhanpeng checked Old Master Chu's breathing, and after a long while, he finally breathed a sigh of relief and said to everyone, "Father has fainted. Let's help him to the couch over there."

The servants worked together to carry Chu Tianxiong onto the bed, and everyone's eyes fell on Chu Xunzhen.

Looking into her eyes, it was as if she were the one who had persecuted Old Master Chu.

What are you doing here?

Chu Zhanpeng's face was ashen, and his voice was icy.

Is a jinx running around everywhere because he thinks the house isn't chaotic enough already?

"Chu Xunzhen, what did you do to Grandfather?"

Chu Mingyuan's eyes flashed with a fierce light as he shouted loudly.

"Sister, I know you don't like me. But Grandfather is innocent. Why are you treating him like this? Even if you are dissatisfied with Grandfather, you shouldn't persecute him like this." Chu Wanrou held her handkerchief, her voice weak, her eyes glistening with tears, looking utterly aggrieved.

Chu Xunzhen raised an eyebrow, her eyes growing even colder.

Chu Wanrou, who was under house arrest, actually walked around the mansion openly and appeared in the small ancestral hall.

The Marquis is truly bewitched; he has fallen for this woman to the point of brazenly disobeying the Ninth Prince's orders.

"Chu Xunzhen, how dare you be so disobedient? Do you even have any sense of morality, ethics, or blood ties?" Chu Zhanpeng said angrily, pointing at her and rebuking her.

He once refused to believe the imperial oracle's prediction, thinking that Li Yi had given birth to an ordinary girl.

But wherever Chu Xunzhen went, disaster followed.

First, Lady Li Yi was implicated by her and assaulted the prince. Now, even her own grandfather is being persecuted by her.

Such a jinx is truly a calamity for the Chu family.

"What is that in your hand? Is it for this that you persecuted your grandfather?"

Suddenly, Chu Mingyuan's gaze darkened, and he spoke in a cold voice. At the same time, he gestured to his servants to bring the box from Chu Xunzhen's arms.

"If you want to find fault, you can always find a pretext."

Chu Xunzhen hugged the box tightly and replied in a cold voice.

Are these people crazy?

Because of that so-called jinx, they've pinned all sorts of things on her.

"Xunzhen, hand the box to your father. Let me see what's inside."

Chu Zhanpeng's gaze was cold.

Even though his voice was gentle, Chu Xunzhen could still detect the murderous intent within it.

Chu Wanrou glanced at the mahogany box, tears welling in her eyes, and said, "Sister, I know you don't like me. But Grandfather has treated you so well. How can you harm him for some material possessions?"

After saying that, she looked at Chu Zhanpeng and said, "Father, the Imperial Physician Li who treated the Ninth Prince happens to be in the manor. Why don't we ask him to come and examine Grandfather? That way, we can also clear my sister's name."

Chu Zhanpeng looked satisfied upon hearing this.

She truly deserves to be his most beloved daughter.

"Rou'er's suggestion is excellent. Mingyuan, go to Hanshan Courtyard and check on the Ninth Prince's condition. If possible, invite the imperial physician; if the imperial physician is unavailable, have the family physician come."

"Yes," Chu Mingyuan said and stepped back.

As he left, he gave Chu Xunzhen a cold glance, his eyes filled with a warning.

"Xunzhen, hand the box to your father."

Chu Zhanpeng spoke calmly, but his eyes held a fierce glint in them.

It was as if he would make her suffer if Chu Xun didn't hand over the box.

In her past life, Chu Xunzhen would have definitely handed it in. But in this life, she was unwilling.

"I'm sorry, I can't accept that. This box was a gift from my grandfather to my daughter."

Chu Zhanpeng sneered and looked at the servants behind him.

The two servants walked towards Chu Xunzhen.

"Xunzhen, hand the box over to them. I'll just take a look and won't make things difficult for you," Chu Zhanpeng said coldly.

"Father wants to see it? What a pity, Grandfather won't allow it. This is a box Grandfather gave me."

Chu Xunzhen said coldly, without yielding an inch.

Chu Zhanpeng sneered, "I know this box contains land deeds and shop deeds, as well as treasures bestowed by His Majesty. Xunzhen, hand this box to me now, and I'll verify it again."

"Sister, the shop deed is just an external thing. Why did you steal these possessions and cause Grandfather so much grief?"

Like an innocent young girl, she posed a question, her voice soft but her eyes filled with disapproval.

"Xunzhen, you are still young. You can't handle these shop deeds and the treasures inside. Hand them over to your father first."

As Chu Zhanpeng spoke, he gestured for the two servants to continue forward and take the box.

"What if I say no?" Chu Xunzhen sneered.