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

Upon closer inspection, Chu Wanrou's face was covered in heavy makeup, making her look at least ten years older.

Chu Wanrou, who usually wears light makeup and loves to act like a delicate flower, looked less fragile and more mature today.

It's like a teenage girl trying to wear makeup that belongs to a woman in her twenties or thirties—it creates a strong sense of incongruity.

"Sister is here, just in time." Chu Wanrou smiled gently and, taking advantage of everyone's attention being on Chu Xunzhen, lifted the veil from her face.

Chu Xunzhen remained expressionless, but his fingertips tightened slightly.

At this moment, the woman sitting in the hall was none other than the Lady of the Marquis of Chongding, who had been tormenting her in her previous life.

She devoted herself wholeheartedly to the Chongding Marquis's household, spending money and building connections, but the Chongding Marquis's wife was never satisfied with her.

If the other party hadn't made trouble out of nothing and insisted on showing off her abilities as a mother-in-law, how could her daughter have left her?

A hint of hatred flashed in Chu Xunzhen's eyes.

With her eyes closed, she regained her calm and composed demeanor.

This scene was witnessed by Gu Changfeng, who was standing to the side.

Today, he was wearing a white long gown with red flowers, and he looked radiant.

"Xunzhen, I know you're angry, but we're no longer engaged. The betrothal gifts here belong to Rou'er and have nothing to do with you." Gu Changfeng smiled coldly.

Wasn't she looking down on herself and saying that the Marquis of Chongding's mansion had no money?

Today, let her see that even without Chu Xunzhen's subsidies, Gu Changfeng can still offer betrothal gifts to Rou'er.

Chu Xunzhen: "?"

"Xunzhen, I know you feel wronged. Don't worry, once you enter the manor, as long as you put the mistress Wanrou first and do your duty as a concubine, I will definitely persuade Changfeng to treat you equally."

Lady Chongding put on a fake smile, like a tolerant and kind elder.

Li Yi spoke up: "With the Lady of the Marquis keeping an eye on things, I am at ease. This child has been wild since he was little. If he makes a mistake, the Lady of the Marquis should not let him off lightly because of my sake. He must be disciplined properly."

"The Imperial Advisor once said that Chu Xunzhen is truly a help to Rou'er. If Lady Hou wants Rou'er to enjoy good fortune and prosperity in the household, then Chu Xunzhen will need to suffer some hardship." Chu Mingli left it at that, but who among those present wasn't shrewd?

Everyone understood what he meant.

That means: if you want the lucky star to have even more good fortune, then the unlucky star must suffer.

Lady Chongding smiled politely: "Young Master Chu is too kind. Rou'er and Xunzhen are both good children, and I will certainly treat them equally. Today, Changfeng came in a hurry and did not bring any betrothal gifts for Xunzhen. Why don't we sign a contract today, and from now on, Xunzhen will be a member of the Marquis's household?"

Ting Han took out the contract of indenture, presented it with both hands, and respectfully handed it to Li Yi.

"Eight hundred taels?"

Li Yi was shocked.

This rebellious daughter is actually worth eight hundred taels?

The indenture stated that the Chongding Marquis's Mansion would pay 800 taels of silver to the Ping'an Marquis's Mansion, and Chu Xunzhen would become the concubine of Gu Changfeng, the heir of the Chongding Marquis's Mansion.

"Ordinary concubines are priced between three hundred and six hundred taels. My son is kind-hearted and grateful for Xunzhen's continued help to my Chongding Marquis's mansion, so the price has been raised to eight hundred taels. I wonder what Madam thinks?" Madam Lu Ruoying, the wife of the Chongding Marquis, asked Li Yi with a smile.

Li Yi, his face filled with emotion, exclaimed, "Madam Hou is truly a kind person. Xunzhen, so unruly and mischievous, what merit does he possess to deserve eight hundred taels?"

As she spoke, Li Yi looked at Chu Xunzhen and frowned, saying, "What are you still standing there for? Do I have to ask you to come over and sign this document? Today, the Lady of the Chongding Marquis's Mansion thinks highly of you and bestows upon you immense wealth and honor. I hope that you will cultivate yourself and assist the Heir Apparent in the future and help him have many children."

Chu Xunzhen smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.

She walked gracefully to Li Yi and glanced at the contract of indenture.

The humiliation I suffered in my past life before my death flashed before my eyes.

Gu Changfeng's ruthlessness and coldness, Chu Wanrou's smug arrogance, and the indifference of her own siblings.

Tear!

She tore the indenture to shreds and threw it into the air, where it scattered on the ground like a shower of flowers.

Everyone was stunned.

Li Yi was first annoyed, then roared, "How dare she tear up the indenture! Guards, seize this rebellious woman!"

As soon as Li Yi finished speaking, the servants and maids began to rub their hands together in anticipation.

Chu Xunzhen scoffed, "Does Father know that Madam made me sign a contract of servitude?"

Li Yi was taken aback, then noticed Lu Ruoying's gaze, his face turned ugly, and he said, "I am your mother. How dare you call me Lady Hou?"

She feels comfortable calling out like that on ordinary days.

She didn't want to be the mother of a jinx, but today the Lady of Chongding Marquis's Mansion and the Heir Apparent were both present. Did this rebellious daughter even know what she was saying?

"After the Marquis returns from the palace, I will naturally inform him. As the legitimate daughter, you disobeyed your mother's orders and tore up your indenture. Who gave you the audacity?" Li Yi slammed her hand on the table, causing the tea on it to tremble and spill.

I was barely managing to sit on the cushions today to officiate her wedding.

That rebellious daughter!

She was happy for Rou'er, who was to become the Crown Prince's principal wife and accept the betrothal gifts today.

She endured the pain in her buttocks and made Chu Xunzhen sign the papers to become her concubine. Wasn't that for her own good?

If she continues this manipulative and manipulative behavior, and Prince Gu really doesn't want her anymore, then it will be troublesome. She is a country girl who has been touched by the current emperor's mentally challenged prince. If she can't even be the prince's concubine, she will probably have no choice but to cut off her hair and become a nun.

"Chu Xunzhen, stop making a scene. Our mothers are both here today. Sign the papers quickly. Otherwise, your mother won't be so accommodating when you join the family."

Gu Changfeng ordered Tinghan to take out another sheet of Xuan paper.

He wrote with great speed and skill, and soon produced a new contract.

Of the eight hundred taels stated in the indenture, Gu Changfeng wrote nine hundred taels.

Lady Chongding took the document, glanced at it, and said to Chu Xunzhen, "My son sincerely wishes to take you as a concubine and is willing to give the Ping'an Marquis's mansion nine hundred taels. Sign it now."

Chu Mingli's eyes darted around, a hint of calculation in them, and he smiled, "Chu Xunzhen, although Changfeng has taken you as a concubine, you are the legitimate daughter of the Marquis's household, and he will naturally treat you well in the future. Moreover, the mistress is Rou'er. She is kind-hearted, and wouldn't it be a wonderful story if the two of you assisted the heir together?"

Chu Wanrou also spoke up: "Sister, don't worry. No matter whether you become a concubine or something else in the future, I will always respect you, just as I do now in the manor. I will never compete with you for the prince's favor."

Gu Changfeng looked at Chu Wanrou with a touched expression and said with heartache, "How can you be so kind?"

He reached out and teased Chu Wanrou's delicate nose before turning his cold gaze to Chu Xunzhen: "What are you still standing there for? Rou'er has already promised you that she will respect you as always. What else are you dissatisfied with? Surely you don't think the money is too little? I'm giving you one last chance. Nine hundred and ninety-nine taels, for a long and lasting relationship. If you continue like this, you will lose the chance to become one of my people."

Chu Xunzhen's smile vanished as she looked at the indenture Gu Changfeng handed her.

Without saying a word, she crumpled the indenture into a ball, grabbed Gu Changfeng's chin, and shoved it into his mouth.

"This opportunity is yours!"