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

Everyone looked at each other, wondering what Chu Zhanpeng had said to Old Master Chu that had caused the old man, who would have remained calm even if Mount Tai collapsed before him, to be so shocked.

"Chu Xunzhen, I truly feel sorry for you." Chu Mingyuan suddenly walked over and smiled.

Upon hearing this, Chu Xunzhen looked at him with pity: "For the sake of our blood relationship, I'll give you one last piece of advice: if you can rush to the Heavenly Sect for help right now, perhaps your face can recover."

Chu Mingyuan's smile was strained. He said, "That's alarmist. It's just a little rash. If Brother Changqing could cure me that day, he can cure me again in the future."

Chu Xunzhen smiled and said no more.

In her past life, Chu Wanrou also poisoned him and framed her, saying that she had poisoned Chu Mingyuan.

For Chu Mingyuan's career advancement, she risked her life to detoxify him. Finally, the poison on Chu Mingyuan's face disappeared, but she ended up poisoned herself.

Although she wasn't disfigured, the rash that broke out on her body only made Gu Changfeng even more disgusted.

When Chu Mingyuan later learned that Chu Wanrou had poisoned him, he only said, "You're naughty."

Chu Wanrou's mischievousness, however, affected the entire life of this innocent person. Let Chu Mingyuan experience Chu Wanrou's "mischievousness" for the rest of his life.

Chu Tianxiong has arrived.

He glanced at Chu Wanrou, recalling what his son had just told him about Chu Wanrou's background, and looked helplessly at Chu Xunzhen. His aged voice rang out: "Xunzhen, Rou'er has lived in the Chu family for so long, and she is considered your sister. You must remember to get along peacefully in the future and not fight each other anymore."

As soon as the words were spoken, Chu Wanrou's face lit up with joy, while Chu Xunzhen's pupils contracted.

Her intuition told her that her grandfather's change was related to what Chu Zhanpeng had just told him in private.

She glanced at Granny Hua and saw that Granny Hua's face was pale, clearly indicating that Granny Hua's Gu worms had already conveyed a message to her.

Given how much Grandfather values ​​bloodlines, how could he change his mind and no longer allow Chu Wanrou to go to the estate?

Unless Chu Wanrou's identity changes her grandfather's mind.

Xiao Bai jumped off Chu Tianxiong and back onto Chu Xunzhen, then jumped into the wound on her palm.

A rhythmic movement emanated from him.

Chu Xunzhen already understood why her grandfather had asked her to make peace with Chu Wanrou.

Sure enough, Chu Wanrou was also her father's daughter, but she was an illegitimate daughter of a former dynasty princess, and one who couldn't be brought into the light of day.

Chu Xunzhen's gaze darkened, and he said slowly, "Grandfather, I have never competed with anyone. They were the ones who insisted on taking my silver."

As soon as those words were spoken, everyone's faces turned grim.

Li Yi wanted to speak, but when she met her father-in-law's gaze, she could only purse her lips in resentment and stand aside.

"Xunzhen, this money is indeed useful to your father. Now take it out first and let your father use it to bribe officials." After Chu Tianxiong said this, Chu Xunzhen was speechless for a long time.

She believed that her grandfather was her last support in the Chu family, and the last source of warmth she still had for the Chu family.

Today, with those words spoken, everything vanished like smoke.

Li Yi was surprised. Although he didn't know what the Marquis had said to his father-in-law that caused his father-in-law to change his mind, Li Yi still smiled, a smug smile.

As for the three young masters of Chu, they all had a mocking look on their faces, as if they were laughing at Chu Xunzhen. They had resisted for so long, thinking that their grandfather would be their protector, but their grandfather was actually on their side.

Chu Wanrou's eyes flickered, and she vaguely guessed what her father had said to her grandfather.

She has already suffered so much injustice, isn't it only right that Chu Xunzhen compensates her?

"I can't produce it." Chu Xunzhen replied without any expression.

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed.

Li Yi's eyes widened, and she burst into a tirade: "You unfilial daughter! Now that your grandfather has asked, you are still so greedy, refusing to give your father a single penny for his political maneuvering! We don't have a daughter like you!"

Chu Tianxiong lowered his eyes to look at Chu Xunzhen, remaining silent for a long time, somewhat disappointed.

Chu Xunzhen felt a pang of bitterness in her heart. Just now, those looks belonged to them, but now it was her turn. How the tables have turned.

"Xunzhen, be good." Old Master Chu looked at Chu Xunzhen's appearance and immediately spoke with disappointment.

Ah Lin glanced at Chu Xunzhen, who seemed to have lost all hope and was beginning to feel numb. He anxiously wanted to speak to the old man, but the old man raised his hand and stopped him.

Chu Xunzhen said, "I don't have that much money."

Upon hearing this, Old Master Chu's face darkened, and he said, "If you don't produce it, then you'll be forced to kneel in the ancestral hall for three days as punishment."

If what was said earlier was a shock to Chu Xunzhen, then these words truly stung her heart.

"No, I can't produce it." Chu Xunzhen gave the same answer.

Chu Tianxiong became even more enraged, his eyes bulged, and he roared.

"I have always believed I have treated you well, yet you are unwilling to contribute to the family. I am truly disappointed. I will give you one last chance: will you produce that ninety thousand taels of silver?"

There was no sound in the air except for heavy breathing.

At this moment, Chu Wanrou walked to Chu Tianxiong's side, tugged at his sleeve, and comforted him with a look of tenderness, saying, "Grandfather, don't be angry. Perhaps my sister can't understand it for the time being. Why not give her a few more days? She will surely understand and realize your good intentions."

Chu Tianxiong patted Chu Wanrou's shoulder and stroked her head, saying, "You're thoughtful; you know what's important."

Chu Xunzhen raised her eyes, her gaze now devoid of any bitterness. She turned to look at Granny Hua behind her, and said expressionlessly, "Go, bring me the box I kept by my bedside."

Upon hearing this, the Chu family members smiled.

Chu Mingli crossed his arms and smiled mockingly at Chu Xunzhen, as if watching a play.

As for Li Yi, he showed a look of disgust, as if looking at her too much would cause sores to grow on her mouth and nose.

Chu Xunzhen's gaze was silent, devoid of any light.

Granny Hua brought over the box and glanced at Chu Xunzhen with concern.

Old Master Chu recognized the box; it was the one he had given to Chu Xunzhen. He thought to himself that perhaps Chu Xunzhen had put the silver notes inside the box.

Ah Lin watched as Chu Xunzhen took out the box, her eyes trembling, inwardly screaming: It's over! It's over! The young lady's heart is broken.

Chu Xunzhen took the box handed over by Granny Hua, glanced at everyone, taking in their every expression, and said weakly, "Grandfather wants money to bribe Father, so Xunzhen will now give Father the contract and all the money inside the box."

"Hmm." Old Master Chu didn't think much of it, assuming it was within the ninety thousand taels. As for the things he had given Chu Xunzhen before, they must have been kept safe by him.

"No, sir!" Uncle Lin suddenly exclaimed.

Before he could finish speaking, the angry gazes of the Chu family members all fell upon him.

"Ah Lin, you are my trusted confidant, but this matter concerns the Chu family. You must not interfere."

As Chu Tianxiong finished speaking, Alin closed her eyes: It's over, the old man is about to lose his best and most loving granddaughter.

Chu Zhanpeng took the box, quite pleased with himself. He opened it and searched through it.

He recognized the contents of the box; it was the old man's promise to give Chu Xunzhen. But what about the 90,000 taels of silver notes?

"Chu Xunzhen, these are all the land deeds, jewelry, and medicinal herbs that the old master gave you. Where are those nine ten-thousand-tael silver notes?" Chu Zhanpeng was so angry that his face turned red, and he was practically fuming. The veins on his hand holding the box were bulging, as if he was about to smash it to pieces at any moment.

Chu Tianxiong was stunned, his gaze towards Chu Xunzhen filled with disappointment. He said, "Chu Xunzhen, your grandfather thought you were obedient and kind, but now it seems you have no intention of supporting the family. I punish you by making you kneel in the ancestral hall, forbidding you from eating or drinking, and allowing you only one bowl of water per day. You will only be allowed to leave the ancestral hall when you produce 90,000 taels of silver."

As soon as he finished speaking, Chu Xunzhen glanced at Old Master Chu, his heart filled with despair.

Li Yi glanced at the two old women behind him, and they immediately rolled up their sleeves and rushed towards Chu Xunzhen, grabbing her arms on either side and dragging her towards the cold ancestral hall.

Just then, a familiar and resonant voice rang out: "How dare you! I'll see who dares to touch my future princess consort!"

The newcomer was dressed in black robes and was none other than the Ninth Prince, whom they had parted ways with the previous night.