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."
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"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.
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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."
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"Dabao, go to your mother. We'll play later," said Lu Liucheng from the side.
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Seeing that both his aunt and Brother Liucheng suggested the same, Cao Dabao reluctantly agreed with a grunt and followed Li Yu.
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"Second Miss, regarding our lady..." Li Yu, looking at Li Xia, wanted to say something but swallowed her words.
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"Quickly take Dabao away," Li Xia urged them to leave. As for what Li Yu wanted to say, Li Xia had a guess.
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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.
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"Mother, what happened between you and Aunt?" Lu Liucheng ran to Li Xia and asked in a hushed voice.
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"Why would you ask that?" Li Xia, looking at Lu Liucheng, wondered who could have said something to him.
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"I can tell that mother is upset," Lu Liucheng said as he gently stroked Li Xia's furrowed brow with his small hand.
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Li Xia embraced Lu Liucheng. "With Liucheng here, your mother will always be happy."
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"I will always be with mother," Lu Liucheng murmured into her ear.
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"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.
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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.
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"Dad," Lu Liucheng extended his hands towards Lu XuanNing.
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Lu XuanNing bent down, lifted Lu Liucheng up so he could get a clear view. Lu Liucheng, his eyes wide with excitement, watched everything.
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The actions of Lu XuanNing drew surprised glances from those around; there wasn't a single father who would lift their child in such a public place, merely for them to get a better view of the Washing Three Ceremony.
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Ignoring the onlookers, Lu XuanNing, Li Xia, and their excited son savored this sweet moment, much to the envy of others.
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One of such people was Li Xin. She envied the unending love Li Xia received from Lu XuanNing. Unlike her own experience, Cao Fugui promised of a life where she would be the only one, yet he broke his word by falling for another woman.
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Li Xin didn't understand why Cao Fugui didn't bring his mistress home. But she didn't dare ask, fearing that she would lose the happiness she worked so hard to maintain. The constant worry was something she disliked.
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Even though she had resolved to be an obedient wife before marriage, she wondered why her life had taken such a turn. Then she saw Li Xia who was once nowhere near her own status, leading a blissful life. Everyone outside lauded Li Xia, and back home, her family took pride in her. Li Xin, in contrast, was left with nothing.
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Even Cao Dabao, who had a rebellious nature and was hard to discipline, adored Li Xia, constantly expressing his longing for his aunt. This stark contrast made Li Xin envious. Thus, when Li Xia pointed out that Li Xin was biased in taking care of the children, she exploded, indiscriminately accusing Li Xia.
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Li Xin knew Li Xia was not wrong; all of these were her own problems. But she could not control herself. She wanted to apologize to Li Xia, but each glimpse of Li Xia's happiness sparked a new surge of envy.
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After learning about the matter involving Lu Liucheng, Li Xi decided to play with him. Accompanied by Lu XuanNing, they set out.0
Li Xia arrived at the garden gazebo. It was somewhat colder there and less crowded.
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The Crown Princess walked over, but Li Xia didn't move. Given her present ranking, there was no need to salute when meeting the Crown Princess.
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The Crown Princess knew Li Xia was not as she used to be and even made a concession when facing her, "Should I address you as Mrs. Lu, or General Li?"
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"Whichever you prefer?" Li Xia responded casually, which made the Crown Princess feel as ineffective as punching a ball of cotton.
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When the Crown Princess learned that Li Xia had established a regiment of women warriors using the Token of Women Warriors, she had returned to the Duke's Mansion to ask her grandmother why she hadn't given the token to her instead. Her grandmother's response was, "She is worthy of the Token of Women Warriors." Was she implying that as the legitimate daughter of the Duke's Mansion and Crown Princess, and the future queen, she wasn't worthy?
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The Crown Princess was not convinced, but she could not replicate what Li Xia achieved at the border.
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"My grandmother likes you a lot." The Crown Princess suddenly stated.
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"It's my honor to be liked by the Old Lady Xu," Li Xia replied gracefully.
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"Your Highness, His Highness requests your presence," the eunuch by the Crown Prince's side came to fetch the Crown Princess. She swallowed whatever she wanted to say and then departed.
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After the Crown Princess and her entourage left, Lu XuanNing walked over.
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"Where is Liucheng?"
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"He's playing with Li Xi," Lu XuanNing's response made Li Xia raise an eyebrow in surprise.
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"Li Xi put his book down to play with Liucheng?" Li Xia clearly did not believe that.
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"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.
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Lu XuanNing sat down next to Li Xia. "Did she bully you?"
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"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.
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"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.
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"Xia, you're too generous. You tolerate everyone's bullying." Sometimes, Lu XuanNing sincerely wished Li Xia could be a bit more petty.
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"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.
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This was also because her time was limited, she didn't want to waste it on irrelevant people.
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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.
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"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.
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"Don't go back to the Mansion of Marquis of Pacifying the South tonight, stay over," Li Hui instructed before leaving.
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"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.
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"Just avoid hitting the face, it won't be good if people could tell," Li Xia warned.
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"Don't worry, I understand," Lu XuanNing was no stranger to fights. He was quite experienced in causing pain without leaving visible marks.
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