Chapter 231

Cao Dabao didn't want to leave. He wanted to hear more about the hunting adventures from Lu Liucheng. "Aunt Yu, tell this to mother. I'll play a bit more and then go back."0

"Young Master, Madam has instructed you to go over right now," Li Yu emphasized the words "right now", indicating the stance that Li Xin had taken. 0

Li Xia came forth to coax Cao Dabao. "Dabao, your mother is calling for you. She might have something for you. Check on her first; then you can come back and play with Brother Liucheng." 0

"Dabao, go to your mother. We'll play later," said Lu Liucheng from the side.0

Seeing that both his aunt and Brother Liucheng suggested the same, Cao Dabao reluctantly agreed with a grunt and followed Li Yu.0

"Second Miss, regarding our lady..." Li Yu, looking at Li Xia, wanted to say something but swallowed her words. 0

"Quickly take Dabao away," Li Xia urged them to leave. As for what Li Yu wanted to say, Li Xia had a guess.0

Cao Dabao was taken to the garden by Li Yu to meet Li Xin, who was chatting with some ladies. Looking at Li Xin who could have a friendly face with others but not with her own kin, Li Yu was anxious for her mistress but found that her words fell on deaf ears.0

"Mother, what happened between you and Aunt?" Lu Liucheng ran to Li Xia and asked in a hushed voice.0

"Why would you ask that?" Li Xia, looking at Lu Liucheng, wondered who could have said something to him.0

"I can tell that mother is upset," Lu Liucheng said as he gently stroked Li Xia's furrowed brow with his small hand.0

Li Xia embraced Lu Liucheng. "With Liucheng here, your mother will always be happy."0

"I will always be with mother," Lu Liucheng murmured into her ear.0

"Fool," Li Xia murmured. Li Xin's discontentment had dissolved. Some people, perhaps, were just not meant to journey together. But there would always be those who would stick by her, just like Lu Liucheng, just like Lu XuanNing.0

Qiu Shui entered and reminded Li Xia that the Washing Three Ceremony was about to begin. Li Xia, along with Lu Liucheng, went to see how the ceremony was conducted. Lu Liucheng, full of curiosity, wanted to watch, but there were too many people and he couldn't see.0

"Dad," Lu Liucheng extended his hands towards Lu XuanNing.0

Lu XuanNing bent down, lifted Lu Liucheng up so he could get a clear view. Lu Liucheng, his eyes wide with excitement, watched everything. 0

After the Crown Princess and her entourage left, Lu XuanNing walked over.0

"Where is Liucheng?"0

"He's playing with Li Xi," Lu XuanNing's response made Li Xia raise an eyebrow in surprise.0

"Li Xi put his book down to play with Liucheng?" Li Xia clearly did not believe that.0

"Li Xi just doesn't have the physical energy that Liucheng has," Lu XuanNing's comment made Li Xia imagine a helpless Li Xi getting dragged around for play by Lu Liucheng, which made her chuckle.0

Lu XuanNing sat down next to Li Xia. "Did she bully you?"0

"She's not capable of bullying me." As the future queen mother, the Crown Princess had to be careful with her words and actions. Even if she wanted to do something, she dared not.0

"She is, after all, the lady's granddaughter. Out of respect for the old lady, I won't mind her," Li Xia said this for Lu XuanNing's benefit as well.0

"Xia, you're too generous. You tolerate everyone's bullying." Sometimes, Lu XuanNing sincerely wished Li Xia could be a bit more petty.0

"That's because my heart is small," Li Xia only cared about those close to her. If outsiders didn't hurt those that she cared about, she would not bother with what they did or said.0

This was also because her time was limited, she didn't want to waste it on irrelevant people.0

Lu XuanNing embraced Li Xia. They sat there peacefully until Li Hui walked over, clearing his throat twice to remind them that they were in public and needed to observe proper decorum.0

"Big brother, they're just envious of our sweet marital affection," Li Xia's words made Li Hui cough several times - she really was fearless with her words.0

"Don't go back to the Mansion of Marquis of Pacifying the South tonight, stay over," Li Hui instructed before leaving.0

"I'll go and have a chat with Cao Fugui." The issues between Cao Fugui and Li Xin, his wife, were affecting his own lady. Lu XuanNing was far from pleased about this and decided to confront Cao Fugui.0

"Just avoid hitting the face, it won't be good if people could tell," Li Xia warned.0

"Don't worry, I understand," Lu XuanNing was no stranger to fights. He was quite experienced in causing pain without leaving visible marks.0