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

"Grandfather, you don't know the power of the calamity star."

Chu Mingyuan interrupted Old Master Chu, coldly glancing at Chu Xunzhen beside him. His gaze held not a trace of remorse, but rather a sharp edge.

A jinx that brings misfortune.

Just by standing here, Chu Xunzhen would probably worsen her grandfather's condition.

"Old Master Chu, let me take your pulse."

The old physician suddenly spoke up, addressing Chu Tianxiong.

Upon hearing this, Chu Tianxiong turned to the imperial physician beside him and smiled deeply: "So it's Physician Li, an old acquaintance. You know about my chronic ailment. Whether I see a doctor or not, it's all the same."

The old doctor's expression was complicated, and he seemed hesitant to speak.

Chu Xunzhen frowned.

She always felt that the two of them had a secret that they couldn't tell anyone.

"Shall we take a look?" After a pause, Physician Li continued.

"I don't need it, old man." After saying that, Old Master Chu took out a money bag and handed it to Physician Li.

Physician Li: "?"

"I didn't treat you, so why are you paying for your consultation?"

Although imperial physicians are usually paid extra for treating officials at their homes, this person is now refusing to let him treat them, so he naturally cannot accept payment from the other party.

"No, this is a pre-deposit. Physician Li is a compassionate doctor, and the consultation fee I give you is a prepayment. If one day my granddaughter Xunzhen needs you, I hope you will not hesitate to treat her."

The old doctor: "???"

Although he had long heard that Old Master Chu doted on his found granddaughter, this was the first time he had ever seen such a bizarre move.

"Then I will accept it." After saying this, Physician Li turned to Chu Xunzhen and said, "If you need anything, young lady, you can send a message to the Imperial Hospital to find me. My full name is Li Linjin."

"Thank you, Imperial Physician."

Chu Xunzhen clasped his hands in response, his eyes still showing a hint of confusion.

At the same time, I was mostly moved.

Her grandfather had considered everything so thoroughly for her.

Physician Li has left.

He didn't want to know too much about what happened in the inner quarters.

Your Highness's safety is of utmost importance.

In front of the small ancestral hall, Old Master Chu looked at Chu Mingyuan, his cloudy eyes filled with dissatisfaction and helplessness. His aged voice rang out: "Mingyuan, this is your own sister. In any situation, you should verify the facts first, instead of doubting her."

Chu Mingyuan didn't take it to heart.

Seeing his grandfather's pale hair, he still spoke: "Mingyuan knows."

"The items inside the box are all genuine," Old Master Chu said, glancing at the crowd around him. "Did everyone hear that?"

Lord Chu's expression changed, and he was the first to disagree.

His face flushed red with anger.

"Father, Xunzhen is just a woman who came back from the countryside. How could she possibly run a shop? It would be better to hand the shop over to Mingyuan." Chu Zhanpeng tried to persuade the old man.

"This was left to your granddaughter by your grandmother and me. What? Has the Marquis's mansion fallen so low that it has to use the eldest daughter's belongings? I remember the Marquis's mansion still had ten shops." After a pause, Old Master Chu continued, "What happened last night has been the talk of the entire Marquis's mansion, and I already know about it. Now, you must take a stand and deal with this matter. Otherwise, the Marquis's mansion may cease to exist."

"Yes." Chu Zhanpeng was both terrified and agitated. "Son will handle it right away."

That despicable Li Yi has brought such a terrible disaster upon him.

"Call everyone. Xunzhen, you go too. Grandfather, rest for a bit first, and tell Grandfather what happened when you get back tonight, okay?"

"Grandfather, if you are not feeling well, perhaps you should let..."

Before Chu Xunzhen could finish speaking, Old Master Chu immediately interrupted, "It's no use. Xunzhen, what a pity. If only you were a man."

Old Master Chu sighed, his eyes filled with melancholy.

Chu Mingyuan looked indignant.

What does "grandfather" mean?

If Chu Xunzhen were a man, would he have to give up his position as heir?

Look at Rou'er next to her. She doesn't fight or compete. Even when she is neglected and wronged, she just silently reddens her eyes and sheds tears. She is much better than Chu Xunzhen, who is so arrogant and domineering.

-

Outside Hanshan Temple.

Li Yi knelt upright.

As the mistress of the Marquis's mansion, she had maintained proper conduct and dignity for over twenty years. But today, under the scorching sun, her lips were parched, her clothes were soaked with sweat, and her entire body felt sticky and hot. Her face was ashen, and she stared intently at the gate of Hanshan Courtyard.

But what he received was not the decree from Eunuch Ankang, but from the cold-faced Marquis.

"As the mistress of the Marquis's mansion, Li Yi has offended His Highness the Ninth Prince. Today, I, the Marquis, will give you a small punishment as a warning. Once the imperial decree arrives, you will enter the palace to plead guilty."

After Chu Zhanpeng finished speaking, Li Yi looked embarrassed.

She is the mistress of the Marquis's mansion, yet she is still being punished? She even has to go to the palace to plead guilty.

Her lips trembled, and she couldn't speak.

She made such a mistake; if she were to come back alive, it would be a miracle that her ancestors' graves were emitting auspicious smoke.

"Someone, bring me a long staff."

As Chu Zhanpeng finished speaking, the Ninth Prince walked out of the side room.

He was wearing a white outer robe, his face was pale, and his body was wrapped in bandages.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

The fact that he was able to walk out proves that the injury wasn't too serious.

As long as His Highness the Ninth Prince doesn't pursue the matter, perhaps this incident won't implicate the people of the Marquis's mansion.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Ninth Prince."

Everyone clasped their hands in a gesture of respect.

As Chu Xunzhen bowed, he also took a special look at the Ninth Prince's back.

There was no bleeding from the wound, so it seemed to be well bandaged, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

This fool, he saved her in his past life and he saves her in this one.

How can she repay this favor?

A two-meter-long cane was brought up by a servant. Chu Zhanpeng weighed it before saying to the Ninth Prince, "My wife has offended Your Highness. As her husband, I should discipline her. Today, I will punish the mistress of the Marquis's residence, Li Yi, with one hundred strokes."

One hundred strokes?

Li Yi was so shocked that his body trembled, and he kowtowed repeatedly to admit his mistake.

"My lord, please have mercy..."

"Your Highness, please have mercy..."

A hundred blows would kill her.

"Father, a hundred strokes are too heavy. How can Mother bear it? Let me take Mother's place," Chu Mingyuan immediately stepped forward and spoke up.

Chu Wanrou also spoke up: "Father, it's all my fault. I'm willing to take the punishment for Mother. I beg you and His Highness to forgive Mother."

The maids and servants all knelt down and pleaded for Li Yi.

It's quite a sight.

Only Chu Xunzhen stood still, motionless.

It was as if the person about to be punished had nothing to do with her.

Nangong Yue sat in the pavilion of Hanshan Courtyard, playing with her fingers as usual. Behind her, the eunuchs of the inner court stood.

Chu Zhanpeng's heart softened, but when he looked at the Ninth Prince and saw that he had not spoken, and even the eunuchs behind him had extremely cold eyes, he immediately spoke coldly.

"I will personally punish you with a rod. I hope you will act cautiously in the future and not tarnish the prestige of my manor."

"No!"

Li Yi cried out in surprise and staggered backward.

She stared intently at Chu Xunzhen, who remained silent, and roared, "You unfilial daughter, you've ruined me! You've ruined me! As the legitimate daughter, you should be punished in place of your mother and atone for the sins of not serving your parents all these years!"