Drunk on Madness - Chapter 10

The two men arrived at an open space, where Su Mo angrily shook off Gu Ci’s sleeve.

“What did you mean by what you said earlier? What do you mean by ‘finders keepers’ and ‘taking responsibility’?”

Gu Ci feigned innocence. “I meant exactly what you think I meant.”

“I met her first,” Su Mo retorted impatiently.

“You may have met her first, but you’re not married to her,” Gu Ci avoided his gaze, speaking with a guilty conscience. “That means I still have a chance.”

“Fine. I considered you a brother, and now you’re trying to steal from me.” As he spoke, Su Mo threw a punch.

“Looks like you’re asking for a beating.”

Gu Ci dodged swiftly. Su Mo pursued him relentlessly.

Both were trained in martial arts, with daily sparring sessions as part of their routine. Gu Ci knew he was no match for Su Mo in combat, so his only option was to flee.

He hadn’t run far when Zhou Mingxuan appeared ahead.

Gu Ci instantly felt he had found his savior. “Brother Mingxuan, save me!”

“Will you two ever stop? Fighting over a woman like this, are you even brothers anymore?” Zhou Mingxuan stepped between them.

Su Mo ignored him, still intent on hitting Gu Ci.

“Su Mo, if you keep acting so recklessly, we won’t be able to keep that girl around anymore.” Zhou Mingxuan’s gaze darkened.

Su Mo looked up at Zhou Mingxuan, realizing he wasn’t joking, and finally stopped.

Gu Ci felt a pang of guilt upon hearing this. From the start, he had noticed Su Mo’s interest in Xiangxiang and had only been teasing him by deliberately getting close to her, just a joke between brothers.

But today, after seeing her in the room, he suddenly wanted to fight for a chance himself.

“Mingxuan, you’ve misunderstood. Brother Mo and I were just sparring,” Gu Ci explained.

Su Mo had always been fond of challenging others to martial arts matches, so this wasn’t unusual. Still, Zhou Mingxuan remained skeptical.

“It better have just been sparring,” Zhou Mingxuan said, unconvinced.

After that, the two tacitly avoided mentioning the matter again. Gu Ci continued coming over daily for meals, and if he arrived early, he would help chop firewood and tend to the stove, just like Su Mo.

Early one morning, as usual, Li Xiang and Qingzhi went to inspect the sprouting vegetables they had planted in the field.

Li Xiang poured the homemade fertilizer over the young shoots while Qingzhi suddenly turned gossipy.

“Xiangxiang, that Young Master Gu treats you differently, doesn’t he?”

Li Xiang continued watering without pause. “He comes over to freeload meals without paying, so he helps out a little.”

“But judging by Young Master Gu’s attire, he doesn’t seem like someone short on money,” Qingzhi remarked.

When Li Xiang didn’t respond, Qingzhi pressed on.

“No, you’re definitely lying to me. A place like Songshan Academy isn’t open to just anyone. Young Master Gu’s status must be anything but ordinary. He comes and goes with your master, his family background must be impressive.” Qingzhi looked at her with disbelief.

Li Xiang paused her work and glanced at Qingzhi. She hadn’t expected her to see through the lie. Amused, she replied, “Hmm, you’re right. So what do you think the reason is?”

With a playful smile, Li Xiang struck a narcissistic pose. “Maybe it’s because I’m so irresistibly charming that he fell for me at first sight.”

“Hmm, I think so too,” Qingzhi nodded in agreement.

“Oh my, I was just joking! How can you believe that?” Li Xiang quickly explained, seeing how serious she looked.

“You and your romantic notions. If helping me chop firewood for a few days means he’s treating me differently, then Su Mo helps me every day, does that mean he’s hopelessly in love with me?” Li Xiang teased.

“Yes, exactly!” Qingzhi eagerly stepped forward, nodding emphatically.

“Young Master Su treats you the best.”

Li Xiang shook her head with a smile. “Qingzhi, little girl, as a woman, I want to give you a piece of well-intentioned advice.”

“Don’t fall in love with a man whose status is unequal to yours, especially if he’s your master,” Li Xiang said earnestly.

“Why not? If the feelings are mutual, what’s the harm?” Qingzhi asked.

“First, his family would never allow you to be together. Second, as your master, he would always look down on you from a position of superiority and control you.”

“For example, if he wanted to marry you, he’d give you the title of a concubine and bestow some jewelry and money as a favor.”

“Isn’t that good enough?” Qingzhi asked, puzzled.

“When two people are of unequal status, you can only stay by his side in such a role. Even you yourself would come to see this as normal. But if you were equals, it would be different. He would respect your thoughts and wishes, seek your family’s approval. Even if one day your beauty fades, your status wouldn’t be reduced to nothing just because his heart changes.”

Just as Li Xiang finished speaking and turned to water the sprouts on the other side, she noticed Zhou Mingxuan, Su Mo, and Gu Ci standing not far away.

For a moment, the group stood in awkward silence. Li Xiang froze on the spot. How long had they been there? How much of her conversation with Qingzhi had they overheard?

Su Mo walked over. “Need any help?”

“No, it’s fine. Why did class end so early today? I haven’t even started cooking yet,” Li Xiang asked.

“Class ended early, so there’s no need to cook. The young master said he wanted pastries from Half-Day Leisure instead,” Su Mo explained.

“Alright, then wait for me. I’ll be quick.” With that, she finished watering the last of the sprouts.

After putting everything away and asking Qingzhi to help carry things back, she set off with Zhou Mingxuan and the others toward Baiyun Town.

Li Xiang had left in such a hurry that she hadn’t washed her hands. Now she was looking for a water source to clean them.

“What are you looking at?” Gu Ci asked.

“I left in a rush earlier and didn’t wash my hands. I was wondering if there’s any water nearby,” Li Xiang replied honestly.

“There’s no water source around here,” Gu Ci said.

“It’s fine. I’ll just wait until we reach Baiyun Town,” Li Xiang said nonchalantly.

Su Mo suddenly seemed to remember something and nudged Zhou Mingxuan with his elbow. Zhou Mingxuan, annoyed, pulled a waterskin from his sleeve and tossed it to Su Mo.

Su Mo immediately brought it to Li Xiang. “The young master brought water. You can wash your hands with this.” He uncorked it and began pouring water for her.

“No, no, the young master still needs to drink it. Don’t waste it on handwashing,” Li Xiang said, embarrassed.

“It’s fine. There’ll be plenty of water at Half-Day Leisure,” Su Mo insisted.

Li Xiang could clearly see Zhou Mingxuan’s reluctance. The way he had flung the waterskin at Su Mo was practically a tantrum. But with Su Mo being so insistent, she felt a headache coming on.

Zhou Mingxuan didn’t wait for them, striding ahead in a huff. Gu Ci followed behind, occasionally glancing back to urge them to catch up at a measured distance. Seeing Su Mo’s persistence, Li Xiang didn’t want to delay everyone. She quickly rinsed her hands and hurried after them.

Inwardly, Li Xiang wondered how Zhou Mingxuan had put up with Su Mo’s knack for reading the room for so long.

Before long, the four arrived in town.

At Half-Day Leisure, they found a table by the window and sat down.

Before long, the waiter brought out the pastries, and Li Xiang poured tea for everyone. She then found a seat at a nearby table, gazing at the distant pond and willow trees, feeling an unusual sense of ease and contentment.

Su Mo noticed Li Xiang sitting alone and was about to get up and invite her over when Zhou Mingxuan grabbed his arm, signaling him not to approach her.

Gu Ci, witnessing the tug-of-war between the two, assumed Zhou Mingxuan was giving him an opportunity. Seizing the moment, he picked up a plate of osmanthus cakes from the table and went over to Li Xiang.

Zhou Mingxuan, still entangled with Su Mo, didn’t notice Gu Ci’s sudden defection. By the time he tried to pull Gu Ci back, Su Mo had already snatched two plates of pastries from the table, leaving behind only a pot of Biluochun tea to accompany the now-solitary Zhou Mingxuan.

A sour feeling rose in Zhou Mingxuan’s chest, bringing with it an inexplicable gloom.

Gu Ci and Su Mo sat down beside Li Xiang one after the other, placing three plates of exquisite pastries in front of her.

Su Mo raised an eyebrow and smiled, “Xiangxiang, these pine nut crystal cakes are the shop’s specialty. Try one.” As he spoke, he handed her a piece.

The pastry was soft, chewy, and translucent, quite beautiful,        but Li Xiang had no appetite. Taking the cake from Su Mo, she asked softly, “Why did you all come over? You’ve left the young master alone.”

Only then did Su Mo and Gu Ci realize their own disloyalty. The three of them turned to look at Zhou Mingxuan’s table.

He sat silently, pouring himself a cup of Biluochun and sipping it slowly, showing no signs of anger despite their departure.

The three exchanged glances and smiled. Li Xiang took the lead, picking up the pastries and walking over to sit beside Zhou Mingxuan, with the other two following closely behind.

Zhou Mingxuan remained expressionless, refilling his cup with hot tea and gently blowing on the steam. With a hint of sarcasm, he remarked, “Miss Xiangxiang, your charm is truly remarkable, to make my two closest friends forget their manners and serve you tea and snacks.” His words were laced with mockery.

Li Xiang had thought the matter was over and had nothing to do with her. She hadn’t expected Zhou Mingxuan to suddenly turn on her and was momentarily stunned, lowering her head in silence.

Su Mo and Gu Ci hadn’t anticipated that their impulsive actions would cause Zhou Mingxuan to take it out on Li Xiang. They were instantly filled with guilt.

Su Mo defended her, “Young Master, this isn’t her fault. I was the one who wanted to be with her.”

Gu Ci clasped his hands and added, “Brother Mingxuan, I misunderstood your intentions. Please don’t be angry.”

Zhou Mingxuan’s gaze turned cold. “Both of you, shut up! Not another word.”

The two immediately fell silent, not daring to speak further.

Li Xiang was surprised, this was the first time she’d seen Zhou Mingxuan treat them so harshly.

He turned back to her and continued, “As you can see, these two brothers of mine are fighting over you. Though it’s not your fault, it’s severely damaging their friendship.”

Zhou Mingxuan narrowed his eyes and said sternly, “I’ll give you one chance now, choose one of them. After today, there must be no more disputes over this matter. Otherwise, I’ll have no choice but to send Miss Xiangxiang back to the prince’s estate. Eunuch Du happens to need a new attendant, and she would make a fine gift for him.”