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

Li Yi's gaze was icy cold. The way he looked at Chu Xunzhen was not like he was looking at his own daughter, but rather like he was looking at a stranger.

Chu Xunzhen didn't care.

Anyway, this isn't the first or second time something like this has happened.

"Eldest daughter-in-law, what evidence did you find? Where did you find it?" Old Master Chu's voice was authoritative, with a hint of questioning.

Li Yi looked at Old Master Chu and, sensing the warning in his gaze, immediately said without hesitation, "Under Chu Xunzhen's bed in her room, there was a jar of 'Bieyanghong' (a type of red wine). This is the 'Bieyanghong' that was found under her bed."

As she spoke, Li Yi's nanny gritted her teeth and raised the brown porcelain bottle in her hand.

Old Master Chu's face turned ashen, and he gestured for the family physician, Gao, to examine him.

Just as Physician Gao was about to take the Bieyanghong, Chu Wanrou suddenly shouted, "No! We can't let Physician Gao examine it. He'll definitely help my sister, and even if it is Bieyanghong, he'll say it's not it!"

Chu Wanrou's words surprised everyone.

What's going on?

Even Li Yi looked at Gao Mingshan with suspicion and uncertainty.

Gao Mingshan remained composed and did not touch the brown porcelain bottle again. Instead, he addressed Old Master Chu, saying, "Miss Rou'er, why do you not trust the physician of this household? Although I am young, my father served in the Marquis's household for over thirty years, only entrusting his mantle to me on his deathbed. I grew up in the Marquis's household and have been treating the master here for over twenty years. If Miss Rou'er does not trust me, you may summon other physicians from the household to come along."

Gao Mingshan's nonchalant and indifferent demeanor deeply pierced Chu Wanrou's heart.

Can she say that she kidnapped his sister and sent people to humiliate her?

No.

"Don't be ridiculous. The physician Gao is in the manor and remains neutral. He won't take sides with anyone." Old Master Chu's voice rang out. "If we're talking about being ridiculous, it's the eldest daughter-in-law who went into Xunzhen's room alone without any witnesses, claiming that she found the porcelain bottle under Xunzhen's bed. Perhaps it was a cunning servant who deliberately put the porcelain bottle in before the mistress was paying attention, framing the eldest daughter."

Li Yi's gaze suddenly became unfocused.

That porcelain bottle was the one she placed under Chu Xunzhen's bed.

This rebellious daughter is so uncontrollable. She will teach her a lesson so that she will know who is really in charge of the Ping'an Marquis's mansion.

"Rou'er, Physician Gao has been treating the masters in the manor and is trustworthy. Rest assured, Physician Gao will be fair and impartial and will not show favoritism or side with anyone." Li Yi paused and continued, "However, since this concerns the reputation of the Marquis's eldest daughter, as the mistress of the house, I will also have the other two physicians come to examine her at the same time."

Old Master Chu nodded in agreement.

Chu Wanrou's face lit up with joy.

She knew that her mother loved her the most.

Her mother always agreed to whatever she suggested.

The other two physicians were also present, so even if Physician Gao wanted to favor Chu Xunzhen, it would be impossible.

As Chu Xunzhen watched the mother and daughter sing in unison, although she had long since given up hope, she still felt a pang of bitterness deep in her heart at this moment.

There was no poison like "Other Red" under her bed.

This poison is extremely insidious.

Those poisoned by this substance first develop red rashes, then their faces rot, and finally their appearance is completely ruined.

The poison on her body surface, which looks very serious to ordinary people, actually dissipates in just two or three days.

Li Yi—her biological mother—framed Chu Wanrou in front of everyone.

If it actually happens, her reputation will be even worse.

Her reputation as a jinx is already enough to strike fear into people's hearts. If we add another trait—cruel, vicious, and jealous—then she'll likely end up either as someone's concubine or spending her life in seclusion with a Buddhist lamp and a monk.

Li Yi is truly heartless.

Chu Xunzhen flicked his left thumb, and a black Gu worm, about the size of a mosquito, swiftly crawled toward the brown porcelain bottle.

Two physicians from the prefecture have arrived.

The three physicians began to examine the liquid inside the porcelain bottle one after another.

In front of everyone, the physician opened the lid of the porcelain bottle.

Just as he was about to pick it up and take a sniff, he saw a black insect crawl into the mouth of the bottle with lightning speed.

The insect was too small for anyone to notice.

Even if someone saw him climb in, they didn't think much of it.

The physician picked up the porcelain bottle, sniffed it, and examined the contents.

He was inwardly surprised, but remained calm as he addressed the crowd, announcing loudly, "There is no other red inside the porcelain bottle. It is just an ordinary porcelain bottle."

"Impossible," Li Yi said immediately.

She poured the medicine in, how could it be missing? Doctor Gao was indeed talking nonsense. Rou'er was right, Doctor Gao and Chu Xunzhen were in cahoots.

Li Yi's gaze suddenly fell on the two elderly doctors beside him.

Their hands were trembling slightly.

Trembling, the two physicians took the porcelain bottle. After examining it, they looked at each other and said, "There is no poison in the porcelain bottle."

"You need to check carefully!" Li Yi's voice was hysterical.

She even went so far as to walk over to the physician, pick up the brown porcelain bottle, and suddenly turn it upside down to pour the contents onto the bottle, because she didn't trust him.

However, nothing came out.

Chu Xunzhen's gaze sharpened as she suddenly fixed her eyes on Li Yi. She said, "I know the Imperial Preceptor predicted I'm a jinx, and that my mother dislikes me. But she insists I admit to things I didn't do. A woman's reputation is paramount, but what if it affects all the other women of my age in the Marquis's clan? Is my mother trying to force me to my death?"

"Enough!" Old Master Chu slammed his fist on the table in anger. "This matter is over. Xunzhen, get up. As for the two of you, the family physicians will take turns examining your faces. If you bring up the poisoning again, don't blame me, Chu Tianxiong, for being ruthless. As for you, Li Yi, as the mistress of the house, you didn't even know if there was poison in the porcelain bottle before coming here to frame your own daughter. It's truly disappointing. Your management authority will be temporarily revoked and Xunzhen will take over."

"What?" Li Yi stared at Chu Xunzhen in disbelief, saying, "How could a woman who just returned from the countryside know how to manage a household? If she can't manage it well, won't the Marquis's mansion be in chaos? Why don't we let Rou'er manage the household first?"

"How can a mere adopted daughter manage a household? Li, have you lost your mind?" Old Master Chu said, exasperated. "If there's nothing else, everyone may leave. Xunzhen, stay."

Chu Wanrou and Chu Mingyuan's eyes flashed with malice as they reluctantly left.

As for Li Yi, he was even more unwilling.

She clearly put the poison into the porcelain bottle, so how come there isn't a single drop left in it?

This is truly a ghost story!

In the blink of an eye, only Chu Xunzhen, Old Master Chu, and Ah Lin remained in the entire Songhe Hall.

"Child, your mother is confused, you have been wronged." Old Master Chu lay on the rocking chair, looking exhausted.

Chu Xunzhen shook his head and chuckled: "I'm not aggrieved. It would be my fault to cause Grandfather worry. Now, I have a question that I hope Grandfather can answer truthfully."

Grandpa Chu nodded in curiosity.

Chu Xunzhen immediately spoke, her voice as clear as a spring: "Grandfather already knew he was under a spell, didn't he?"