Chapter 203

Madam Zhou had always wanted her niece, Zhou Luoer, to become her daughter-in-law. So when the two children were young, Madam Zhou had verbally arranged the marriage with her brother and sister-in-law.

When Lu XuanNing was lying unconscious in bed, Madam Zhou was worried about her son. She had heard that in the border regions, there were similar cases to Lu XuanNing's that were resolved through a "lucky marriage." So she hurriedly wrote a letter to her brother and sister-in-law, hoping Zhou Luoer could bring good fortune to Lu XuanNing through marriage.

Unexpectedly, her brother and sister-in-law refused to acknowledge this engagement and had arranged another marriage for Zhou Luoer.

Madam Zhou knew that her natal family looked down on her son, who was now disfigured and had a lame leg. She harbored great resentment towards her natal family. When she learned that the old Marquis Lu had arranged a marriage for Lu XuanNing with the Li family, Madam Zhou didn't object much. However, she still felt wronged for her son, marrying a wife of low birth.

The bride had already been brought home and had given birth to the Lu family's first legitimate grandson. Madam Zhou couldn't say much at this point.

After dinner, the family of three returned to the Mansion of Marquis of Pacifying the South. Lu Xuanyu was very reluctant to part with his older brother and younger brother. He cried and clung to Lu XuanNing's leg, refusing to let go. Seeing this, Lu XuanNing and Li Xia had no choice but to bring him back to the mansion.

In the evening, Lu Xuanyu and Lu Liucheng played on Li Xia and the others' bed, and insisted on sleeping with their brother and sister-in-law. Lu Xuanyu was only a three-year-old child, so there was nothing to be concerned about. Li Xia agreed to let Lu Xuanyu and Lu Liucheng sleep with them.

After breakfast, they went to the Beining Marquis Manor. Madam Zhou had been worried about Lu Xuanyu all night, concerned that he might be fussy or look for her. Unexpectedly, Lu Xuanyu had slept very well. When he saw Madam Zhou, he ran over to hug her, chattering about sleeping in the same bed with his brother and sister-in-law last night.

Madam Zhou frowned slightly, thinking how Li Xia could sleep in the same bed with her younger brother-in-law. Indeed, she was a concubine's daughter who knew nothing about proper etiquette. Madam Zhou scolded the wet nurse and maid who followed Lu Xuanyu.

Although Madam Zhou's voice wasn't loud, Li Xia, who had keen ears, heard clearly. She looked at Lu XuanNing beside her.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"You never told me your mother values etiquette so much," Li Xia said in a flat tone.

"Mother does value etiquette. But you married me, not her. If she's dissatisfied with you, you don't need to pay attention. I'll handle everything," Lu XuanNing reached out to hold Li Xia's hand firmly, expressing his stance.

Madam Zhou brought her husband, son, and daughter-in-law to the Zhou Family. No matter how unsatisfied she was with her natal family, her own mother was still alive, so she had to visit. Old Madam Zhou spent most of her time studying Buddhism and didn't concern herself with external affairs.

Old Madam Zhou was very happy when her daughter brought the whole family to visit. She was particularly fond of Lu Xuanyu, holding him in her arms and not letting go. After a while, Lu Xuanyu became restless and asked Li Xia to take him out.

"Take Xuanyu out to play for a while," Madam Zhou instructed Li Xia. Li Xia complied and took Lu Xuanyu out to play.

Lu XuanNing smiled, "Xia Xia, if I ever do anything to wrong you, you don't need to act. I'll do it myself." He wouldn't let Li Xia be tainted by anything unpleasant.

"Words are useless," Li Xia liked sweet talk, but she valued actions more.

Within two days, Madam Zhou sent someone to summon Lu XuanNing to the Beining Marquis Manor, where she mentioned wanting Lu XuanNing to take Zhou Luoer as a secondary wife.

"Impossible. In this life, I will only have Xia Xia as my wife," he declared, refusing to marry anyone else.

"Luoer is your cousin. Can you bear to see her all alone and helpless?" Madam Zhou, after all, cared for her niece and had agreed to Old Madam Zhou's suggestion.

"What does that have to do with me? This is all her own doing," Lu XuanNing said coldly.

"When did you become so hard-hearted? Is it that Li Xia? Has she corrupted you?" Madam Zhou was now very dissatisfied with Li Xia.

"Mother, I'm an adult. I have my own judgement. No one can influence me. This is impossible," Lu XuanNing was irritated by Madam Zhou's decision.

In his heart, he felt even less fondness for the Zhou Family. The Zhou Family was so thick-skinned; he had originally wanted to leave them some face, but now it seemed he had been too soft-hearted.

"No matter how grown up you are, you're still my son. You must obey your parents' wishes."

"That's right, children should obey their parents' wishes. Since you think so, tomorrow I'll find a secondary wife for your husband," Old Madam Lu's strong voice came from outside the door.

"Mother, what have I done wrong for you to treat me like this?" Madam Zhou's face was full of panic.

"Xia Xia, you've done wrong again. You want to break up this young couple. I'm telling you now, if you dare to find a secondary wife or concubine for my grandson, I'll do the same for your husband, twice over," Old Madam Lu's words made Madam Zhou's face turn pale. She never imagined this would happen to her.

"Mother, all these years I've given birth to two sons for the Lu family. You can't treat me like this," Madam Zhou cried out, unwilling to accept.

"Considering that you've given birth to two sons for the Lu family, I've turned a blind eye to your usual behavior. Besides, your daughter-in-law has also given birth to a son for the Lu family. What has she done wrong for you to insult her like this?" Old Madam Lu hoped Madam Zhou could empathize.

"What's so good about that Li Xia? She's nothing but a concubine's daughter. Her mother even came from that kind of place," As soon as Madam Zhou spoke, Old Madam Lu's face turned ashen.