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

"Father, I damaged my health in my youth and no longer have the strength to push someone into the water. I have been back in the manor for three years, and the family physician has been treating my health. He knows my condition best. I beg you, Father, to investigate."

Crystal-clear water droplets dripped down her hair, making her pale face and tear-filled eyes shine like black pearls.

There was no rebuttal, only a statement, yet it aptly evoked the father's compassion for his daughter.

Even though Lord Chu had no feelings for his biological daughter who had only returned three years ago, he didn't want his two daughters' reputations to be tarnished in front of everyone.

"Since you both accidentally fell into the water, go down and clean up." He paused slightly, "and let this matter rest."

Chu Xunzhen naturally wouldn't let Chu Zhanpeng handle it lightly.

She spoke again: "Father, Xunzhen was pushed into the water. For the safety of all the masters of the Marquis's mansion, I beg you to thoroughly investigate this matter."

Chu Zhanpeng's expression was rather unpleasant.

This daughter is not as well-behaved as Rou'er.

He knew perfectly well that something was fishy going on.

He didn't want to investigate, but this rebellious woman insisted that he do.

"You dare question me?" Chu Zhanpeng's voice rang out coldly. He had never been questioned before.

His daughter had only been back for three years, and troubles were constantly arising in the backyard of the mansion. This was truly troubling for him.

"I dare not presume to do so, but I have a way to find the culprit. The guards of the Marquis's residence have seriously neglected their duties. This scoundrel dared to push me into the water today; if any other master of the Marquis's residence passes by this pond tomorrow, they too will be secretly harmed by him. How can the Marquis's residence still be at peace?"

As soon as Chu Xunzhen finished speaking, Chu Zhanpeng's face turned ashen.

Being roasted like this by one's daughter is not a pleasant experience.

It was just a push, wasn't it? Even if it was Rou'er who did it, it certainly wasn't intentional.

Is she making such a big deal out of nothing?

He is a civil official. If things go wrong at home, His Majesty will value him even less.

In front of all the guests, although he was impatient, he could only listen and see what Chu Xun was really going to say.

Chu Wanrou suddenly stepped forward, her eyes dim, and her delicate, aggrieved voice rang out: "Sister, I know you don't like me. I'm the one who took your place. Since you think it was me, then just accept it as my doing."

He looked utterly miserable and wretched.

"Chu Xunzhen, don't be so unreasonable. Rou'er is frail, unlike you who came from a mountain village. No matter how much you cause trouble, I will not marry you. Rou'er, go back and change your clothes."

Gu Changfeng suddenly spoke up and beckoned to Zitao, Chu Wanrou's personal maid, to come over and help Chu Wanrou back.

Chu Xunzhen's eyes reddened.

She felt sorry for her past self. She had sacrificed so much in her past life, and if Gu Changfeng were a person, he would have realized how humiliating it was for him to say such things.

He really knows how to humiliate her like that.

Today, she will not give up easily.

"Is Young Master Gu afraid? Afraid to know the truth? The weather is so hot today, and you can't even wait for a single sentence? Could it be that you feel guilty and want to cover for the villains? Well, it's normal that Young Master looks down on me. After all, although I am my parents' biological daughter, I didn't grow up in the Marquis's mansion. It's understandable that Young Master is more willing to believe the Marquis's adopted daughter."

Chu Wanrou's face darkened.

What she hated most was the word "adopted daughter," and Chu Xunzhen specifically pointed it out.

Gu Changfeng's eyes widened in disbelief.

The Chu Xunzhen before him not only disobeyed him, but even threw dirty water on him and Wanrou. Was this still the steady and dignified wife from his previous life?

Isn't she just someone who's submissive, rigid, and boring?

Thinking that Chu Xunzhen had only returned from the mountain village three years ago, and was not yet the dignified lady she was in her previous life, and still had a wild temperament, he mocked, "Then please provide evidence, Miss Chu."

This same thing happened in my previous life, and it happened to Chu Xunzhenqian.

At that time, she was speechless.

Even if his rebirth in this life caused a butterfly effect, what was bound to happen still happened.

This matter must have been done by Chu Xunzhen.

Chu Xunzhen tightened the cloak that the Ninth Prince had handed her and stepped forward.

The Ninth Prince felt his arms suddenly empty, and the sweet fragrance vanished. His eyes were dazed as he glanced at the girl chatting away not far away, then sat down beside her, playing with his fingers.

Gu Changfeng's cold voice continued, "Chu Xunzhen, you have truly disappointed me. Your sister Wanrou is still freezing, yet you insist on playing the role of a righteous official here? If you want to catch a thief, you have guards. Why do you need Rou'er to accompany you, leaving you to suffer in the cold wind?"

Lord Chu's face was icy, his voice cruel: "You unfilial daughter! I have spoiled you far too much. If your sister catches a cold, I will not tolerate it. Your mother is right here; matters of the inner quarters are under her jurisdiction."

"It's obvious without even investigating that this matter has nothing to do with Rou'er. You've returned from the countryside, and you don't care about your reputation, but Rou'er is the daughter of my Marquis's family. She's delicate and frail, and cannot be exposed to the cold. Chu Xunzhen, you are jealous of your sister, your conduct is improper, and you're trying to gain attention from the crowd. I punish you by sending you to the ancestral hall to kneel for three days. You should reflect on your actions." The speaker was none other than Chu Xunzhen's birth mother—Li Yi.

Her willow-leaf eyebrows stood up, and her gaze towards Chu Xunzhen was full of disdain and disgust.

She had just come from the inner courtyard, and when she was about to reach Chu Xunzhen, she deliberately stopped, just to stand further away from this rebellious daughter.

The onlookers began to discuss it amongst themselves.

"Does she, a young lady confined to her chambers, really think she's a righteous and just judge?"

"I think Chu Xun is definitely of despicable character. Otherwise, why don't Lord Chu and his wife believe their own daughter?"

"Miss Wanrou is a well-known benevolent bodhisattva in the capital. Chu Xunzhen is so narrow-minded, wasting everyone's time. He's truly unworthy of respect."

"Luckily, it really wasn't Prince Gu who saved Chu Xun just now, but the mentally challenged Prince. I think they're a perfect match..."

......

The onlookers' comments became increasingly offensive, pointing and whispering about Chu Xunzhen and Nangong Yue.

Chu Xunzhen scoffed, stepping in front of Nangong Yue and coldly said, "His Highness the Ninth Prince is here. How dare you insult him? Disrespecting His Highness is disrespecting His Majesty. His Highness is a son of the dragon; how dare you act so presumptuously here?"

Nangong Yue paused in playing with her fingers, lowered her head, sucked on her fingers, and made soft, whimpering noises.

Everyone immediately fell silent, trembling with fear.

"Since you say I'm just trying to attract attention and making trouble out of nothing, then please see the evidence I have to present." Chu Xunzhen's expression was calm and composed as she slowly spoke: "When I was pushed into the water just now, I scratched the hand of the person who pushed me. Whoever has my scratch on their wrist is the one who pushed me into the water."

As Chu Xunzhen finished speaking, everyone subconsciously looked at Chu Wanrou's hand.

The wide black robe completely enveloped Chu Wanrou.

No one could see anything.

"Chu Wanrou, do you dare to extend your hand?"

As soon as Chu Xunzhen finished speaking, Chu Wanrou's heart skipped a beat.

Of course, her hands were scratched; she had been scratched by that bitch's fingernails when she was holding her down.

The wound is still burning and painful.

Do not!

You must not expose your wrists; you must not let others see them.

Chu Wanrou swayed, about to reach out her delicate hand, when she suddenly fainted.

Seeing this, Gu Changfeng caught Chu Wanrou, glared at Chu Xunzhen, and said, "Are you satisfied now?"

"Heh!" Chu Xunzhen smiled meaningfully, his gaze deep. He glanced at Chu Wanrou and said to Gu Changfeng, "Not satisfied."

The next moment, Chu Wanrou's screams and gasps suddenly rang out.