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The more Li Xia spoke like this, the more Xu Xinyue worried. She wanted to say more, but Qiu Ling came in to announce that the groom had arrived.

Xu Xinyue hurriedly wiped away her tears and placed the bridal veil over Li Xia's head.

Lu XuanNing entered and saw Li Xia with her red veil. He was finally going to marry Li Xia. He took Li Xia's hand to bid farewell to her parents, Li Ming and Mrs. Lu.

Li Hui carried Li Xia on his back to the sedan chair. "Xia Xia, I know you won't be mistreated, but I'll say this anyway. If you ever face any hardship, come find your big brother."

"Mm," Li Xia responded with a heavy affirmation.

"Big brother, I won't bully Xia Xia," Lu XuanNing promised from the side. He couldn't love Li Xia enough, how could he ever bully her?

Li Hui looked Lu XuanNing up and down, "I'm more worried about Xia Xia bullying you."

"Big brother," Li Xia's voice carried a hint of coyness. Was she really that violent?

"Let's start the procession," Li Hui waved his hand, looking as if he had successfully shifted the blame.

Lu XuanNing mounted his horse and led the procession back to the Beining Marquis Manor.

Li Xia sat in the sedan chair, feeling it being lifted. She was leaving the Li family and heading towards the Lu family. She was going to live in her new home, no longer as the daughter of the Li family, but as the daughter-in-law of the Lu family and the wife of Lu XuanNing.

When the sedan chair arrived at the Beining Marquis Manor, Lu XuanNing dismounted and helped Li Xia out of the chair. He held her hand as they walked into the main hall. The Marquis of Beining had to guard the frontier, and his wife needed to take care of their young child who was just over a year old and couldn't be left alone. Neither of them had returned from the border.

The old Marquis and his wife sat in the seats of honor. They couldn't hide their joy at their eldest grandson's marriage.

Amidst the matchmaker's calls, they bowed to heaven and earth and to their elders. Finally, the ceremony was complete. Lu XuanNing once again took Li Xia's hand and led her to their new room.

Lu XuanNing removed Li Xia's phoenix crown, allowing her to be more comfortable. "You rest first and have something to eat. I need to go toast the guests."

Li Xia twisted her neck, feeling the relief. The phoenix crown had been so heavy, making her neck ache.

Qiu Ling brought in water, while Qiu Kui brought in food. They helped Li Xia wash off her makeup, revealing her clean face.

As Li Xia sat down, she didn't forget to ask, "Have you two eaten?"

"Qiu Ling and I have already eaten. We're here to bring you your meal. Sister Qiu Shui and Qiu Chan went to eat in the small kitchen," Qiu Kui said as she handed chopsticks to Li Xia.

Li Xia knew about the small kitchen. It was specially built on Lu XuanNing's orders before the wedding to allow Li Xia to eat whenever she wanted.

"My lady, the Marquis is very thoughtful. The layout and furnishings of the small kitchen in this courtyard are exactly the same as those in the Orchid Courtyard," Qiu Kui said, happy for her mistress. Lu XuanNing had not only made changes in the Mansion of Marquis of Pacifying the South where they would often reside but had also arranged their temporary residence in the Beining Marquis Manor according to Li Xia's habits.

"This noodle dish was made by Wu Auntie," Qiu Kui said. The bowl in front of Li Xia contained a small portion of noodles with a large amount of shredded chicken, ham, egg, and vegetables. It was clearly prepared according to Li Xia's noodle-eating habits.

"Others might not know how to prepare it to your liking," Wu Auntie had arrived at the Beining Marquis Manor yesterday. She had taken over the small kitchen, tidied it up, and started simmering a rich broth early in the morning, preparing the noodles in advance.

After finishing her meal, Li Xia leaned back comfortably in her chair, feeling drowsy from having woken up so early.

As Qiu Kui and Qiu Ling cleared away the dishes, Qiu Shui entered mysteriously carrying a bundle. "My lady, the eldest young miss instructed me to give this to you today and asked you to look at it carefully," she said, placing the bundle down before leaving and closing the door to stand guard outside.

Li Xia got up and opened the bundle, raising an eyebrow at its contents. She knew what it contained; she had fallen asleep last night without looking at it. She hadn't expected Li Xin to have Qiu Shui bring it over.

Well, she might as well take a look now, to review and learn something new.

As she was reading, a drunken Lu XuanNing was brought back to the room. Li Xia quickly stuffed the book under her pillow and got up to help Lu XuanNing lie down to rest.

Among those who brought Lu XuanNing back was Xiao Changyou. Knowing Li Xia's capabilities, he prevented the others from trying to play wedding night pranks. He knew their personalities; if they went too far, no one would be able to stop Li Xia if she decided to take action.

Li Xia was pleased to see Xiao Changyou tactfully lead the others away.

Qiu Chan brought in some water. There were no maids to attend to Lu XuanNing, and Li Xia didn't want other women touching her husband anyway. She personally wiped Lu XuanNing's hands and face.

After the servants left and closed the door, Li Xia sat on the bed, looking at the sleeping Lu XuanNing. She reached out and poked his cheek.

"Everyone's gone. You can stop pretending now."

Lu XuanNing opened his eyes, clear and without a trace of drunkenness. He pulled Li Xia into his arms and whispered in her ear, "I am drunk." He had been intoxicated since early morning, drunk on the fact that he could finally marry Li Xia and make her his wife. The person he had been yearning for would now always be by his side; he had long been drunk on this thought.

"Get up and wash yourself. You reek of alcohol," Li Xia said, unable to bear the strong smell of alcohol as she lay in Lu XuanNing's arms.

"Alright," Lu XuanNing got up and went to bathe in the adjoining room.

Li Xia sat in front of the mirror and began to undo her hairdo.

Lu XuanNing finished bathing quickly and came behind Li Xia, his body still damp. He helped her undo her hairdo and brush her hair.

Early the next morning, Lu XuanNing woke up and saw Li Xia sleeping beside him. He couldn't resist reaching out to touch her face.

Li Xia's eyes snapped open immediately, looking sharply at Lu XuanNing. After a moment, her gaze softened and she yawned, asking drowsily, "What time is it?" Her hand, hidden under the blanket, dispersed her ability.

Noticing Li Xia's series of actions, Lu XuanNing felt that the Li Xia from a moment ago had been very distant. He pulled her into his arms, "It's still early. Let's sleep a bit more."

As soon as he finished speaking, Qiu Shui's voice came from outside the door, "My lady, the Madam said that as it's the new bride's first day in the family, you shouldn't sleep in."

Li Xia rolled her eyes helplessly and pushed Lu XuanNing, "Get up." She sighed inwardly, wondering just how worried Mrs. Lu was about her to specially instruct Qiu Shui to wake her up.

"Just a moment," Lu XuanNing called out before sitting up.

Li Xia noticed a bruise on Lu XuanNing's back. Remembering that it was caused by her pushing him off the bed last night when it hurt too much, she felt a twinge of guilt. "How about I massage your back first?"

As she spoke, Li Xia tried to get up. The pain in her body made her lie back down in bed. She gasped a couple of times, and the slight guilt she had felt moments ago instantly vanished.

Hearing Li Xia's sharp intake of breath, Lu XuanNing quickly turned around. "Xia Xia, what's wrong? Should we call for a doctor?"

"Say one more word, and you'll be sleeping in the study tonight," Li Xia gritted out. After a moment, she reached for a medicine bottle from the bedside table. Glancing at Lu XuanNing, who was staring at her, she commanded, "Turn around."

Lu XuanNing obediently turned his back. Li Xia applied the medicine to herself, easing her discomfort.

"Xia Xia, can I turn back now?" Lu XuanNing asked softly, listening for any sounds.

"You can turn back," Li Xia said, putting away the medicine bottle.