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

The visitor was none other than Lord Chu's father, Old Master Chu.

Although Mr. Chu is over sixty years old, he looks vigorous and spirited.

"Greetings, Old Master Chu."

Everyone bowed in respect.

Even though Old Master Chu no longer holds an official position and has retired, his former demeanor as a marquis remains.

"Father-in-law, Wanrou has been in the household for over ten years and is a very pleasing person. I intend to summon all the clan elders to the manor to recognize her as our legitimate daughter and to record her name in the Chu family genealogy. The marriage agreement remains unchanged, but the person to be married is Rou'er."

As soon as Madam Chu finished speaking, everyone's eyes fell on Chu Wanrou.

If this matter succeeds, this adopted daughter will truly become the legitimate daughter, and her status will be unshakeable.

As for the newly recognized legitimate daughter, the Marquis's mansion not only did not hold a grand banquet, but she was also unfavored, and even her fiancé was stolen away.

It's a pity, what a waste.

The ladies were filled with emotion, and their gazes toward Chu Xunzhen were now tinged with pity.

Chu Wanrou's hopeful gaze fell on Old Master Chu.

Even though she didn't say anything, you could tell she was excited.

Even Gu Changfeng was happy for her.

Chu Xunzhen, like a spectator, was forgotten in a corner.

In her past life, Chu Wanrou married the Ninth Prince. Later, the Ninth Prince died, and the Marquis's wife and husband added her name to the family genealogy, making her the legitimate daughter of the Marquis's family. She then remarried Gu Changfeng, enjoying great prestige.

Not long after Chu Wanrou became the legitimate daughter, her grandfather died suddenly from illness.

Old Master Chu stepped forward, sat in the head seat, and his cane fell heavily to the ground.

"Xunzhen, come here."

The old man didn't glance at anyone else; instead, his gaze fell on Chu Xunzhen.

Looking at her grandfather's graying temples, Chu Xunzhen felt a pang of sadness.

In her past life, her grandfather had said that Gu Changfeng was too arrogant and not a good man, but she didn't believe it and insisted on going her own way.

To ensure she could establish herself in the Gu family after marriage, he hired the best tutors to teach her music, chess, calligraphy, painting, strategy, riding, and archery.

Her grandfather worried himself sick over her, but he died young.

Thinking of this, and looking at the old man in front of her, her eyes couldn't help but redden.

"grandfather."

Old Master Chu's gaze swept over the crowd, passing over Chu Wanrou before finally settling on Li Yi. He slammed his cane heavily on the ground and sneered, "To be the legitimate daughter of my Marquis's mansion, one must possess the bloodline of the Marquis's mansion. Chu Wanrou is an adopted daughter; how can she be the legitimate daughter of my Marquis's mansion? Li Yi, are you perhaps trying to confuse the bloodline of my Marquis's mansion?"

Li Yi was startled.

She dared not admit to this crime.

"I am innocent. It's just that Rou'er has a tragic past, and my desire for her to marry into the Gu family as a legitimate daughter was out of concern for her. Although Rou'er and I are not related by blood, we are as close as family."

Li Yi spoke.

"Yes, Grandfather. Sister Rou'er is exceptional. Let alone the position of a legitimate daughter, even the most precious treasure in the world is worthy of being presented to her." The speaker was Chu Mingyuan.

He is the biological son of Li Yi and Lord Chu, and also Chu Xunzhen's elder brother.

He had just returned from meeting his friends when he stumbled upon this scene, and couldn't help but speak up to defend Chu Wanrou.

"Shut up!"

Old Master Chu glared at Chu Mingyuan, his eyes filled with disappointment and frustration.

"Xunzhen is the legitimate daughter of my Marquis's mansion, and Wanrou is my adopted daughter. This will never change. The bloodline of the Marquis's mansion must not be confused. Since the marriage has already been arranged, the engagement is null and void."

After saying that, Old Master Chu tore up the marriage certificate and stormed off.

The others also clasped their hands in greeting, made excuses about family matters, and left quickly.

Although it's lively and interesting, the banquet can't be held now that things have come to this point.

It's best not to listen to other people's family affairs.

Suddenly, only the Chu family members remained in the hall.

Chu Xunzhen remained rooted to the spot, a sense of unease settling in his mind.

Just now, when my grandfather was speaking, his expression suddenly changed, as if he was unwell.

She has to go and see.

Since she had already obtained the betrothal letter and the token, there was no need for her to stay here.

After taking only a few steps, Chu Mingyuan blocked Chu Xunzhen's path.

"You vile woman, what right do you have to stop Rou'er from becoming the legitimate daughter? Are you so jealous? How could I, Chu Mingyuan, have a sister like you? You go and beg your grandfather right now to rescind his decision."

Li Yi also spoke up: "That's right! Over the years, you haven't been by your mother's side, and Rou'er has been taking care of her in your place. She's your sister, how can you be jealous of your sister and speak ill of her in front of your grandfather?"

Gu Changfeng sneered, "Chu Xunzhen, you wouldn't be thinking of using this to blackmail me into marrying you, would you? I will not be coerced into marrying you. I love Rou'er. In the future, only Rou'er can become my wife."

Chu Wanrou suddenly tugged at Gu Changfeng's sleeve and said softly, "Brother Changfeng, I know everyone is thinking of me. Please don't make things difficult for my sister. It doesn't matter whether Rou'er becomes the legitimate daughter or not. All Rou'er wants is to be with everyone."

Li Yi poked her head disapprovingly, with a hint of affection: "You're just too kind-hearted, unlike the cunning women who come back from the countryside. Rou'er, you have to be careful."

Chu Xunzhen looked at Li Yi with a slightly cold gaze.

Those who don't know the situation might think that Chu Wanrou is Li Yi's long-lost daughter, while Chu Xunzhen is just an adopted daughter.

"What a coward! You call yourself the legitimate son of a marquis's mansion, yet you dare not personally plead with Chu Wanrou, an outsider, to become the legitimate daughter. Instead, you stand here making things difficult for me, a weak woman who has suffered so much outside. What kind of legitimate son of a marquis's mansion do you think you are?"

As soon as Chu Xunzhen finished speaking, Chu Mingyuan's eyes widened.

Ever since Chu Xunzhen returned, every time he saw her, he would fawn over her, calling her "Big Brother" over and over again.

How dare she speak to him like that?

"Chu Xunzhen, you shameless woman, you have not a shred of Rou'er's gentleness, yet you spout such nonsense. You have no ladylike restraint whatsoever. Grandfather may not know that you are jealous, vicious, and petty, but I, Chu Mingyuan, know it all. If you do not go and beg Grandfather today to agree to let Rou'er become the legitimate daughter, then I, Chu Mingyuan, will not have you as my sister."

Chu Mingyuan gave a cold laugh.

He was certain that Chu Xunzhen, this scheming woman whose eyes were only for him, would definitely agree for his sake.

"That's good, the dog won't block the way."

Chu Xunzhen gestured for him to enter.

Her eyes flashed with impatience, as if she were a completely different person from the girl who used to look at him with adoration.

"You are so vulgar, you are not even as good as a hair on Rou'er's head." Chu Mingyuan was so angry that he spoke without thinking.

"Chu Xunzhen, stop pretending. I know you're sad because you can't be my wife. Don't worry, I'll keep the concubine position for you. Rou'er needs your help now. As long as you persuade Old Master Chu to let Rou'er become your legitimate sister, I can make an exception and visit you twice a month once you're officially married into the family."