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"The Xu family was wrongfully framed while petitioning for the people," Lu XuanNing shouted sternly. The anger and disappointment in his tone made Zhou take a step back. As she regained her composure and was about to say something more,

Old Madam Lu loudly rebuked, "Zhou, if you dare say another word, go back to the Zhou family." Zhou was so frightened she didn't dare make a sound.

Not wanting her grandson to be at odds with his mother, Old Madam Lu said, "XuanNing, go back to your mansion. With me here, you can rest assured."

"Grandmother, I'll go now. Please don't be angry," Lu XuanNing said obediently, knowing Old Madam Lu meant well.

After Lu XuanNing left, Old Madam Lu looked at Zhou with eyes full of disappointment.

Upon receiving the news, Marquis Lu strode in quickly, seeing his disgruntled wife and his mother's face full of disappointment.

Seeing Marquis Lu's pleading expression, Old Madam Lu snorted coldly. "Zhou, I'll say it again. If you dare arrange a concubine for my grandson, as your mother-in-law, I'll arrange double for your husband." With that, Old Madam Lu shot Marquis Lu a fierce glare.

Marquis Lu looked at his wife Zhou in confusion and asked, "My dear, why do you want to arrange a concubine for XuanNing?" They were living well as a family, what was the need for a concubine?

Zhou recounted what had happened, explaining that she felt sorry for her niece. Marquis Lu was exasperated, "You feel sorry for your niece, but not for your own son?"

"That Li girl is nothing but the daughter of a concubine, how could she be worthy of XuanNing?" Zhou, who cared greatly about family status, looked down on Li Xia. If not for her grandson, she wouldn't even want to show a pleasant face to Li Xia.

"When choosing a wife, the Lu family values character and whether our child is truly in love. If the Lu family cared about status, you and I would never have been able to marry," Marquis Lu said to his wife in a serious tone.

Zhou looked at Marquis Lu in disbelief.

Without looking at his wife, Marquis Lu continued, "Back then, you weren't even in my mother's range of choices for a daughter-in-law. It was because I chose you that I begged my mother."

"I never knew this," Zhou hadn't imagined it would be like this.

"The men of the Lu family want their wives to be happy and at ease. It's the men's job to shield them from the storms outside." Marquis Lu's words moved Zhou deeply.

Lu XuanNing returned to the Mansion of Marquis of Pacifying the South to find Li Xia playing with Lu Liucheng. He went forward and embraced his wife and child.

"Your mother made her move," Li Xia could tell from Lu XuanNing's expression without even thinking about it.

"In this life, I, Lu XuanNing, will never touch anyone but Xia," Lu XuanNing said, burying his head in Li Xia's neck and shoulder.

Lu Liucheng wasn't having it—this was his spot. He cried out and pushed Lu XuanNing away forcefully, then pressed his face against Li Xia's neck and nibbled twice, marking his territory with drool.

Lu XuanNing was both amused and irritated by Lu Liucheng's actions. This was his wife, and now he wasn't allowed to touch her.

"He's just a child, why are you getting upset with him?" Li Xia gestured for the wet nurse to come and take Lu Liucheng away.

"You are mine," Lu XuanNing held Li Xia tightly, declaring his exclusive claim. He whispered the details of what had happened, including how Old Madam Lu had defended him. Li Xia felt warmth in her heart.

Old Madam Lu had taught Li Xia many things. Li Xia also truly liked this wise great-grandmother-in-law.

However, Li Xia preferred to nip dangers in the bud. As the weather turned cold, it was time for the Zhou family to feel the chill as well.

After sending away the worried Lu XuanNing, Li Xia took Lu Liucheng to pay respects at the Beining Marquis Manor. In Qiuzhang Court, Old Madam Lu had been worried that Li Xia wouldn't come today. To her surprise, Li Xia arrived confidently, carrying Lu Liucheng.

"Come, Cheng Cheng, let's pay our respects to Great-Grandmother," Li Xia said as she gently pressed down on Lu Liucheng's head. The little one thought his mother was playing with him. He laughed happily and reached out to grab Li Xia's hair.

Li Xia wouldn't indulge this habit. She dodged to the side and loosened her grip, dropping Lu Liucheng onto the couch.

Old Madam Lu was a bit worried that throwing the child like this might hurt Lu Liucheng. But she saw that not only was Lu Liucheng not frightened, he looked as if he wanted to continue playing.

"This child is so brave. Just like his father when he was little," Old Madam Lu said, handing a small tiger plush toy to Lu Liucheng. Lu Liucheng grabbed the toy tiger and patted it, laughing happily.

"Was XuanNing this mischievous when he was little?" Li Xia asked with interest.

"Even more so than Cheng Cheng," Old Madam Lu began telling Li Xia amusing stories about Lu XuanNing's childhood. Li Xia found them so interesting that she didn't even mind when Lu Liucheng grabbed her hair.

Zhou stood outside the door, listening to the voices from inside.

"Madam, aren't you going in?" Zhou's maid asked softly.

"No, not now. Go bring XuanYu here to play with Cheng Cheng," Zhou said. Previously, thinking Li Xia was improper, Zhou hadn't allowed Lu Xuanyu to interact much with Lu Liucheng, fearing he might be a bad influence on her young son.

She needed to think about how to respond to her maiden family.

As the end of the year approached, it was time to attend the palace banquet again. Lu Liucheng was left in the care of the wet nurse and Qiushui. Li Xia helped Old Madam Lu and Zhou into the carriage. They set off for the imperial palace, its tall walls strictly separating the palace from the outside world.

At the palace gate, the carriage stopped and palace maids thoroughly checked to ensure they weren't carrying any weapons before allowing them to enter. Upon entering the venue, Mrs. Zhou brought Zhou Luoer over to pay respects to Old Madam Lu.

"Greetings, Old Madam," Zhou Luoer was dressed unusually brightly. But her face was plain, and such vibrant makeup only made her face appear even more lackluster. This was especially apparent when she stood next to Li Xia, the contrast was particularly stark.

Seeming to realize this, Zhou Luoer moved back to stand beside Zhou, "Aunt."

Zhou, feeling guilty, merely grunted in response without saying anything.

"Old Madam, why are you standing in this drafty spot to talk?" Mrs. Lu and Chang'an Princess approached. Although Mrs. Lu's rank wasn't high, as the mother-in-law of a princess, no one dared to disrespect her.

"We're just heading in," Old Madam Lu said, walking towards the banquet hall with Mrs. Lu.

Chang'an stepped back to Li Xia's side. "Sister Xia, you look like a fairy descending to the mortal world today."

"Your words are as sweet as honey," Li Xia graciously accepted Chang'an's compliment.

"I'm telling the truth. There are few in this hall who can compare to Sister Xia's beauty," Chang'an said, linking arms with Li Xia, her tone full of intimacy. This made Zhou Luoer, who was following behind, turn red with jealousy.

"You've offended everyone in the hall with that statement," Li Xia noticed that several people who had overheard their conversation looked displeased.

"I'm just telling the truth. These days, people love to deceive themselves and others. No one wants to hear the truth," Chang'an Princess said, glancing at Zhou Luoer behind them, who looked as if she might collapse at any moment. With that ugly appearance, she still wanted to outshine others.

"I agree with the Princess's words. In this hall, Xia girl stands out the most," Old Madam Xu's voice came from behind.

Li Xia and Chang'an Princess turned to see Old Madam Xu. They both bowed in greeting, "Old Madam."

"Xia girl, we agreed last year that you would come visit me at the Duke's Mansion when you had time. How come you haven't come even once?" Old Madam Xu said, withdrawing her hand from Zhou Mier's grasp.