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

Old Master Chu's pupils contracted.

He hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Xunzhen, how wonderful it would be if you were a man?"

Old Master Chu was helpless.

Although the eldest son of the family, Chu Mingyuan, is both literate and martial, he is also stubborn, self-confident, and does not study the affairs of the court. Instead, he focuses on the struggle between an adopted daughter and the legitimate daughter in the backyard.

He saw it all and was deeply worried.

On the contrary, the legitimate daughter, Chu Xunzhen, handled the numerous traps with ease and resolved them all on her own.

Most importantly, he has exceptional eyesight.

"Whether Xunzhen is a man or a woman, he is the grandfather's grandson."

Chu Xunzhen's voice was gentle.

"Okay, okay, okay! Haha..."

Old Master Chu laughed heartily.

Whether it's a man or a woman, what difference does it make?

After all, they are all his grandsons.

"My grandfather followed the late emperor, spending his life on the battlefield. After the late emperor became emperor, he gave us followers a Gu worm to take. We took the offspring Gu worm, while the emperors of each generation controlled the mother Gu worm. His Majesty already knew that you expelled the bloodthirsty Gu worm that day. His Majesty did not issue a summons because the location of the Gu worm was still in my body. But if even the last Gu worm is expelled, I'm afraid His Majesty will issue a summons for your father to take the Gu worm."

Upon hearing this, Chu Xunzhen's pupils contracted.

Throughout history, Your Majesty has used such methods to control the military and civil officials in the court. No wonder no one dares to disobey Your Majesty's orders.

"Grandfather, don't worry. I have a treasure—the Soul-Gu Bell. With this bell, as long as the expelled locating Gu worms are placed in your room, it will create the illusion that you've always been there, and the other party won't be able to detect it."

The Soul-Sealing Bell?

Old Master Chu was shocked and gave Chu Xunzhen a deep look.

"This was once the national treasure of the Southern Kingdom. Xunzhen, you actually possess the Soul-Sealing Bell?"

He underestimated his granddaughter; she was surprisingly capable.

"Grandfather, let me expel the location-locating Gu for you."

"it is good."

Old Master Chu nodded, his eyes weary.

He closed his eyes and sat back in the rocking chair.

As a marquis, Chu Zhanpeng was very moderate.

With the support of a virtuous wife, the Marquis's mansion will surely rise to a higher level.

I thought Li Yi was a suitable candidate to assist me, but now it seems he was utterly foolish.

Which noble lady would fawn over a ridiculous adopted daughter and then turn against her own biological daughter?

Chu Xunzhen gestured for Uncle Lin to stand guard outside.

She walked around the four corners of the Shokakuin courtyard, setting up a small maze.

Locating the Gu worms is no small matter, and she absolutely will not allow anyone to break in recklessly.

She took out the Soul-Sealing Bell from her sleeve.

The black Gu Soul Bell flows with a mysterious and profound black light.

Chu Xunzhen shook the Gu Soul Bell in front of Chu Tianxiong.

"Ring ring!"

With just a clear, ringing bell, Chu Tianxiong's forehead was instantly covered in a fine layer of cold sweat.

"Grandfather, bear with it."

The sound of the Gu Soul Bell grew clearer, and An Shun, who was waiting outside the Ping An Marquis's residence, raised an eyebrow.

He had been standing outside Songhe Courtyard, intending to descend from the sky and bring in the Ninth Prince to save Chu Xunzhen when she was being harassed. But now, the entire courtyard was quiet, as if no one was inside.

In fact, he had heard their conversation.

What Chu Tianxiong said was not a secret. An Shun was a master of the Imperial Guard, so he naturally knew these secrets.

Unexpectedly, Chu Xunzhen had the ability to remove the Gu worms from Chu Tianxiong's body.

Upon realizing that the courtyard had been set up with an array, An Shun turned his head and smiled, his eyes gleaming with admiration.

"No wonder His Highness is so fond of this woman; she is truly extraordinary."

At the Songhe Hall courtyard.

The sound of the Gu Soul Bell, like a deadly temptation, drove a gray, spider-like Gu worm to crawl up the esophagus.

"vomit!"

Chu Tianxiong couldn't help but vomit.

Just then, Chu Xunzhen reacted quickly, opening the jade bottle containing the Gu worms on his body and taking the stabilizing Gu worm that was about to escape into it.

"How is Grandfather feeling?" Chu Xunzhen asked.

Chu Tianxiong closed his eyes and carefully sensed the sensation, feeling an indescribable comfort throughout his body.

Previously, after the bloodthirsty worms were expelled, although his body became much more agile, it always felt as if something was weighing on his heart.

Now, even the location-tracking Gu worms have been expelled, and Old Master Chu has undergone a complete transformation.

"He's in great spirits. He could kill several tigers."

Upon hearing this, Chu Xunzhen chuckled a few times: "Grandfather, the palace has sent some tonics, and you can take them without worry now. Those medicines are just right to nourish your body. In the past, those medicines were used to strengthen the power of the Gu worms, but now that the Gu worms have been expelled, you will naturally benefit."

Chu Xunzhen left Songheyuan and returned to Juyuan, only to find an uninvited guest sitting in the pavilion.

"What wind could possibly blow the pampered lady of a noble family to my humble chrysanthemum garden?"

Chu Xunzhen's gaze was cold and his voice was slightly chilly as he stared at the person in front of him, showing no goodwill whatsoever.

"Why can't I be here?"

Chu Xunzhen scoffed, "What, is Madam trying to frame me again?"

Li Yi's gaze turned cold as she said, "You harmed your sister first, then destroyed evidence. And you dare accuse me of framing you?"

Chu Xunzhen scoffed.

"The 'Different Red' is poison. Even if I were to disfigure someone, it would be Chu Wanrou. Why would I use such a cruel method on Chu Mingyuan?"

Li Yi sneered, "Your elder brother has always been close to Rou'er. It's quite obvious that you dislike him and want to ruin him."

"Madam, did you come here just to say these things? If there's nothing else, I'd like to rest now."

"Of course not. The affairs of a steward are complicated and chaotic; you wouldn't be able to manage them well."

"That won't trouble you, Madam. By the way, starting today, everyone in the household must cut back on expenses and increase income. All servants, maids, and masters, except for my grandfather and me, will have their monthly allowances reduced by 50%."

"Why should I?" Li Yi was furious. "If you manage the household haphazardly and cause chaos, then I won't be responsible for it anymore."

"Madam has gone to great lengths. From today onwards, all the meals delivered to the three young masters and the second young lady will be changed to my usual food. From now on, my rations will be the same as the second young lady's before."

Li Yi said angrily, "Don't change the diet arbitrarily. How can you bear the responsibility if someone falls ill because of you?"

"No need for you to worry, Madam. Chunxi respectfully sees you off."

As soon as Chu Xunzhen finished speaking, Chunxi understood and gestured to Li Yi to invite him to speak.

Li Yi flicked his long sleeves and hurriedly left, his voice echoing, "I'd like to see just how well you can manage the household!"

"Miss, with this change today, the young masters and that Chu Wanrou must be furious." Chunxi laughed excitedly.

Chu Xunzhen sneered, "I've been eating simple meals for three years. It's time for a change, so they can taste the pain I went through."

As they spoke, the master and servant pushed open the door and entered.

Just then, Chu Xunzhen suddenly froze, because someone she never expected was standing in front of her.