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"Zhou Heng, I'll be waiting for you at the training grounds of the Marquis Manor tomorrow," Li Xia's words caused Zhou Heng to glare at Lu XuanNing.

Unfazed by the glare, Lu XuanNing smiled and suggested to Li Xia, "Xia Xia, why wait until tomorrow? Let's do it today. We have nothing planned this afternoon, I can referee for you two."

"We've already agreed on tomorrow, and I'll definitely be there. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have matters to attend to," Zhou Heng said as he stood up to leave, moving so quickly that he gave neither of them time to respond.

Lu XuanNing sat down next to Li Xia, "I'm sorry for keeping Zhou Heng's situation from you."

Seeing Lu XuanNing's cautious demeanor, as if afraid she might be angry, Li Xia chuckled lightly, "As long as you're both fine, I'm not upset."

The next afternoon, Zhou Heng arrived at the Pingxian Marquis Manor, accompanied by Li Hui and Xiao Changyou. Xiao Changyou had brought his medical kit in case of injuries.

At the training grounds, Lu XuanNing was holding Lu Liucheng, explaining the uses of various weapons to him, regardless of whether the child understood or not. Li Xia was lounging on a chaise longue in the stands.

As the three approached, Li Hui smiled and stepped forward to pick up Lu Liucheng. The child, clearly fond of Li Hui, babbled happily.

Xiao Changyou watched the family of three with joy, unable to resist glancing at Qiu Ling, wishing they could be like that someday.

With everyone present, there was no need for small talk. Lu XuanNing instructed someone to leave, and the group sat in the stands at the training grounds.

Li Xia flexed her wrists; she hadn't engaged in combat since becoming pregnant nearly two years ago. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she made the first move. Li Xia's attacks were fierce, leaving Zhou Heng only able to dodge.

"Is your wife this strong?" Xiao Changyou knew Li Xia was formidable, but he hadn't realized her skills were this advanced.

"Xia Xia is very powerful," Lu XuanNing replied. Although he had never directly fought with Li Xia, he had seen her in action in his dreams. On the training grounds, Li Xia wasn't even using her full abilities. Otherwise, Zhou Heng wouldn't be getting off with just a simple beating.

The most excited spectator was Lu Liucheng, watching his mother fight. He shouted and flailed, as if wanting to join the fray himself.

Li Hui was having trouble controlling the boy, so Lu XuanNing reached over to take him. In his father's arms, Lu Liucheng calmed down a bit.

"Xia Xia isn't using her full strength," Li Hui observed, watching as the fight had become a one-sided beating.

"In terms of martial prowess, even all of us combined are no match for Xia Xia," Lu XuanNing said. Neither of the others disputed this claim.

"Are you saying your wife lacks in strategy, then?" Xiao Changyou glanced at Lu XuanNing.

"Don't forget, Qiu Ling still serves under my wife," Lu XuanNing's retort silenced Xiao Changyou.

Zhou Heng was left battered and bruised by the time Li Xia had vented her frustrations and stopped. Lu XuanNing carried Lu Liucheng to the grounds, where the child reached out for Li Xia to hold him. Li Xia took Lu Liucheng in her arms, where he bounced excitedly.

As Xiao Changyou tended to Zhou Heng's wounds, he couldn't help but comment with a hint of schadenfreude, "This looks terrible."

"Xiao Changyou, I may not be able to beat Li Xia, but I can certainly take you on," Zhou Heng said through gritted teeth. Hearing this, Xiao Changyou fell silent and focused on applying the medicine.

Li Xia took Lu Liucheng away, leaving the space for the men to discuss their affairs.

Li Xia and Lu XuanNing brought Lu Liucheng to the Beining Marquis Manor to pay respects to Old Madam Lu.

In the Qiuzhang Court, Madam Zhou was also present with Lu Xuanyu, as they were soon to return to the border. Madam Zhou had been bringing Lu XuanNing to keep Old Madam Lu company more often. Once they left, it was uncertain when they would return.

Seeing Li Xia enter, Madam Zhou was reminded of her family's recent visit. Due to Old Madam Lu's threats, she had been forced to reject her own mother's suggestion of allowing Lu XuanNing to take Zhou Luoer as a concubine.

The memory of being accused of filial impiety by her own mother soured Madam Zhou's mood. She averted her gaze from Li Xia, finding her presence irritating.

Li Xia paid no mind to Madam Zhou's actions. The woman would be leaving the Capital City soon, and there was no need to dwell on these matters when they wouldn't be seeing each other. She carried Lu Liucheng to pay respects to Old Madam Lu.

Old Madam Lu was delighted to see her great-grandson and had Li Xia place the child on the couch. She took out a cloth tiger toy for Lu Xuanyu and Lu Liucheng to play with.

Sitting nearby, Li Xia observed Old Madam Lu. She sensed the dissipation of life force within the elderly woman's body, a sign typically seen in those nearing death.

Upon returning to the Mansion of Marquis of Pacifying the South, after dismissing the servants, Li Xia looked at Lu XuanNing, unsure of how to broach the subject.

"Xia Xia, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Lu XuanNing, noticing Li Xia's unusual expression, asked with concern.

"I'm fine, it's Grandmother," Li Xia took Lu XuanNing's hand and shared her perception.

"Are you certain?" Lu XuanNing wasn't doubting Li Xia, but Old Madam Lu had appeared to be in good health. He didn't want to believe what Li Xia was saying.

"I wish I had seen wrong," Li Xia replied. She always remembered Old Madam Lu's kindness towards her and hoped the elderly woman would live a long life.

"Don't mention this to anyone else for now. I'll go to the palace tomorrow and have the Imperial physicians give Grandmother a thorough examination," Lu XuanNing said, regaining his composure.

Lu XuanNing personally went to invite the most skilled elderly physician from the Imperial Academy of Medicine to the Beining Marquis Manor. He told the household that it was to check everyone's health before the Marquis and Madam Zhou returned to the border.

The couple had spent many years in the harsh border region, which had taken its toll on their health. Moreover, the Marquis had suffered numerous injuries, both major and minor, from years of warfare.

The elderly physician examined the Marquis and found his health to be reasonably good. Madam Zhou, having given birth at an advanced age, had suffered significant physical depletion, so he prescribed a tonic for her to recuperate. Lu Xuanyu was found to be robust and in excellent health.

Lu XuanNing then had the physician check on Old Marquis Lu and Old Madam Lu for peace of mind. The physician declared them both to be in good health and prescribed some tonics for maintenance.

As Lu XuanNing escorted the elderly physician out, the truth was revealed. As Li Xia had sensed, Old Madam Lu's condition was not good. Her time was limited. Lu XuanNing provided a generous fee for the consultation and asked the physician to keep the matter confidential.

After seeing off the physician, Lu XuanNing turned to find Butler Lu waiting. "Young Master, the Old Marquis requests your presence."

Knowing he couldn't hide the truth from Old Marquis Lu, Lu XuanNing entered the study. Without waiting for the Old Marquis to inquire, he relayed the physician's diagnosis. Old Marquis Lu was momentarily stunned; he had always thought he would precede his wife in death.

"Did the physician say how long your grandmother has?" Old Marquis Lu asked, his voice hoarse.

"One month," Lu XuanNing replied, lowering his head and struggling to hold back his tears.

"It's fortunate that you're all here. The next generation of the Lu family has been born. Your grandmother can depart in peace," Old Marquis Lu said, patting Lu XuanNing's shoulder.

In the days that followed, Old Madam Lu's health declined visibly. Marquis Lu, now aware of his mother's condition, submitted a memorial requesting a delay in their departure.

With the border region having been peaceful for the past two years, the Emperor granted Marquis Lu's request for leave.

Surrounded by her children and grandchildren, Old Madam Lu passed away with a smile half a month later.