Chapter 191

From a distance, Lu XuanNing, who saw the situation, gave the Crown Prince an unsatisfied glance, even though he had received assurances from Li Xia. "Why did you leave the eastern palace and visit my mansion?''

Lu XuanNing had been a study companion to the Crown Prince during his childhood. Although Lu XuanNing had lived on the frontier for several years later, their relationship was not affected.

The Prince laughed at his words. "You know Yanyan has a good relationship with the sisters of the Zhou family.”

"What has their relationship got to do with me? Xia is my wife. I won't allow anyone to bully her." Lu XuanNing exclaimed sternly, showing his concern for Li Xia.

"Handsome men, they do lead people astray," Cao Fugui joked from the side.

The joke by Cao Fugui made the Crown Prince laugh out loud. The laughter of the most influential young man drew the attention of many people.

"I will talk to Yanyan," the Crown Prince, aware of the situation between the Lu and Zhou families, said, implying that there was no point arguing over a settled matter.

Xu Xinyue, feeling somewhat disturbed, arrived in a carriage. Originally, Xu Xinyue didn't want to come, but Li Xia personally sent an invitation to the Wang Family. She specifically told Xu Xinyue that if Xu Xinyue didn't come, Li Xia would drive the carriage to invite her personally.

Knowing that Li Xia is a person who keeps her word, Xu Xinyue decided to go alone to the Mansion of Marquis of Pacifying the South to prevent matters from becoming complicated.

Upon leaving the carriage, she found Li Xia already waiting for her.

"Mother," Li Xia supported Xu Xinyue out of the carriage, intending to escort her in personally. Xu Xinyue refused.

"Today you are the hostess with many guests to receive. I can enter myself," Xu Xinyue, accompanied by a maid, entered the courtyard. The surrounding eyes staring at her made Xu Xinyue feel uncomfortable. Just as she was wondering what to do?

"Xinyue," Mrs. Lu beckoned Xu Xinyue over.

As Xu Xinyue walked over, she noticed that sitting next to Mrs. Lu was Old Madam Lu.

Mrs. Lu introduced Xu Xinyue to Old Madam Lu. "Old Madam, this is Xia's biological mother, Wang Xu's wife." She further introduced Old Madam Lu to Xu Xinyue, "Xinyue, this is Xia's great-grandmother."

"Hello, Old Madam," Xu Xinyue quickly bowed to Old Madam Lu, worried that her appearance would upset her.

However, Old Madam Lu was supportive and happy when Li Xia mentioned Xu Xinyue's attendance. She was satisfied that Li Xia hadn't forgotten her biological mother.

Seeing this, Lu XuanNing hesitated, "I'll tell you, but don't get mad."

"I'll only be mad if you don't tell me," Li Xia crossed her arms, waiting for Lu XuanNing to speak.

Lu XuanNing explained the situation in detail. Zhou Luoer was his cousin.

They were close in age and had a good relationship growing up. Madam Zhou, Lu XuanNing's mother, always wanted to strengthen family ties. She suggested arranging a marriage between the two to her brother and sister-in-law. The Zhou family agreed.

But as they were still young at the time, it was merely agreed orally to arrange Lu XuanNing and Zhou Luoer in marriage, but it was never made public.

When Prince YongKang revolted, Lu XuanNing was seriously injured and lay unconscious in bed. Out of desperation, Madam Zhou wrote to her brother, hoping to make Zhou Luoer marry into the Lu family early to take care of Lu XuanNing.

Of course, the Zhou family did not want their daughter to marry into the Lu family: According to the imperial doctor, there was a chance that Lu XuanNing might never wake up. To Zhou Luoer marrying into Lu family it would be essentially a widowhood.

The Zhou family then immediately denied any talk of marriage with the Lu family. They began externally promising to find a husband for Zhou Luoer. Zhou Mier, who had married into the Xu family as sister-in-law to the Crown Prince's wife, even went to the palace to seek the help of the Crown Prince's wife, hoping to find a good family for Zhou Luoer.

The Zhou family found a match for Zhou Luoer, with the wedding scheduled for last May.

However, in April, the mother of Zhou Luoer's fiancé, Jiang Qingyu, died. Jiang Qingyu had to follow the tradition of mourning for three years, hence the wedding was delayed.

"Madam Zhou, my mother-in-law, wasn't quite right in doing this," Li Xia said, considering the matter pragmatically. "How could you ever consider making a young girl a widow?"

"My mother just did that because she loves me too much," Lu XuanNing replied. He too didn't agree with his mother's decision when he woke up and knew everything. But since his mother did it all for his sake, he couldn't complain much.

Li Xia agreed with the situation, although it had nothing to do with her. Why is Zhou Luoer staring at her with such an intense gaze?

"It has some relevance to you," Lu XuanNing grumbled.

"What relevance?" Li Xia was confused.

"Jiang Qingyu's mother, whose maiden name is Liu, is the sister of Liu Jie, the Minister of Works. Madam Jiang's health isn't good and she can't be updated with any alarming news. They didn't tell her about her nephew's issues, and it so happened she passed away from the stress," Lu XuanNing's words gave Li Xia some clarity.

However, in Li Xia's perspective, how is it her concern? All these consequences are the results of their own actions.