Drunk on Madness - Chapter 11

Upon hearing this, Li Xiang frowned, replaying the past few days in her mind to see if she had somehow offended him with her words or actions, provoking such an insult.

For a moment, the room fell silent. The gazes of all three men were fixed on Li Xiang, awaiting her response.

With a slight furrow in her brow, Li Xiang said, “I haven’t spent much time with Young Master Gu, so I fear my judgment may not be fair. Would you allow me some time to consider before giving my answer?”

At that moment, she couldn’t think of any other way out and could only use this excuse to buy herself some time.

Hearing this, the three men reacted differently. Zhou Mingxuan raised an eyebrow slightly. “How long do you need to consider? Don’t think you can brush me off with this. I’ll give you three days. If you can’t decide by then, I’ll choose for you.”

He then turned to warn the other two. “Gu Ci, these three days are up to you. I’ll make sure Su Mo doesn’t interfere with your time together.”

Gu Ci, realizing he wasn’t confident he could win Li Xiang’s heart in just three days, barely had time to respond before Su Mo cut in.

Su Mo scoffed dismissively. “Three days it is. After that, no more fighting over her.”

Li Xiang felt utterly frustrated. Her good mood had been ruined by this sudden “disaster.”

The men chatted for a while about their studies, a topic Li Xiang couldn’t follow. She stayed silent, quietly nibbling on the pastries on the table. Before long, she began to doze off.

Su Mo and Gu Ci, perhaps having eaten too much, excused themselves to the privy together, leaving only Zhou Mingxuan and the drowsy Li Xiang behind.

Due to her posture, Li Xiang’s face was turned toward Zhou Mingxuan. As she lay slumped on the table, a few crumbs clung to the corner of her lips, and strands of her hair had found their way into her mouth.

Zhou Mingxuan found the sight uncomfortable. Gently, he brushed the stray hairs away, his fingers grazing her rosy lips.

A tickling sensation at the corner of her mouth made Li Xiang purse her lips unconsciously, her tongue darting out slightly in her sleep. The fleeting touch sent an inexplicable thrill through Zhou Mingxuan, quickening his heartbeat.

But before he could dwell on the sensation, the sound of approaching footsteps interrupted him. Zhou Mingxuan swiftly withdrew his hand.

The next day, Gu Ci arrived early, having taken leave to visit Li Xiang, hoping to invite her for a walk to Rainbow Pool in the mountains.

Li Xiang didn’t refuse, treating it as a three-day vacation for herself.

The so-called Rainbow Pool was the source of the small pond where Li Xiang usually washed her clothes, fed by the waterfall upstream.

Amidst the vibrant mountain flowers, the babbling brook, and the birdsong echoing through the spring valley, the scenery was like a painting of a hidden paradise. Taking a deep breath of the fragrant mountain air, Li Xiang felt her worries melt away.

The two found a flat spot, laid out the snacks and water they had brought, and sat down to chat.

Seeing Li Xiang’s enthusiasm, Gu Ci smiled. “Miss Xiang, having grown up in Yanjing, you must rarely see such scenery?”

Li Xiang gazed at the distant spring landscape and replied, “I don’t even know if I grew up in Yanjing.”

Gu Ci was puzzled. “You don’t know yourself?”

Li Xiang glanced at his confusion and decided to be honest. “To be frank, Young Master, six months ago, I lost my memory and was abandoned. I remember nothing of my past. It was Su Mo’s kindness that brought me into Prince Yan’s household.”

Li Xiang felt no particular attachment to Gu Ci. Her agreement to spend time with him had been forced by circumstances. She might as well make things clear now. “Young Master, your family is noble and distinguished, and you are ambitious and talented. But I have neither parents nor status, your family would never approve. Perhaps it’s best we stop here before things go too far.”

Gu Ci hadn’t expected that she would withdraw her opportunity before the three days were up. He realized she truly had no interest in him, otherwise, she wouldn’t have spoken so frankly.

Yet he couldn’t help but persist. “You’re overthinking it. My mother passed away long ago, and my father is stationed at the border year-round. His world consists of soldiers and military strategy, he doesn’t interfere in my personal affairs.”

Li Xiang met his gaze and replied, “But marriage is no trivial matter, nor is it merely a personal affair. Families like yours surely have arranged engagements, waiting for alliances to be sealed once you come of age.”

Gu Ci faltered, momentarily speechless. Under her scrutiny, his eyes flickered away uneasily.

Li Xiang continued, “I’m just a woman with no aspirations for wealth or status. All I seek is a harmonious marriage with a man devoted to me alone. Thank you for your affection, Young Master Gu, but our stations are too far apart, we were never meant to walk the same path.”

Seeing her resolve was unshakable, Gu Ci relented, though not without regret. “Then… do you like Su Mo?”

At the mention of Su Mo, Li Xiang’s expression softened, a faint smile touching her lips. “Su Mo is a good man.” Otherwise, he wouldn’t have taken her in.

Gu Ci pressed further, “And?”

Her smile deepened. “He’s bright, cheerful, handsome, and skilled in martial arts. Being with him makes me feel safe.”

Gu Ci didn’t argue. Instead, he asked, “Then why didn’t you choose him outright yesterday? I thought I still had a chance.”

Li Xiang’s eye twitched, her expression turning awkward. “The Young Master’s proposal was sudden. It wasn’t until last night that I sorted out my feelings. I never expected such luck to have two handsome men laid before me to choose from.”

Gu Ci’s expression eased, a smile tugging at his lips. “It was rather unexpected. It was also the first time I’ve ever seen your master so furious. Could it be… jealousy?”

Li Xiang froze. “Jealousy?” Her voice hitched before she suddenly laughed, covering her mouth as she leaned back slightly, as if suppressing her amusement. “Are you saying the Young Master was jealous because Su Mo was clinging to me?”

Gu Ci chuckled along. “Exactly. They’ve been inseparable since childhood, I wouldn’t dare compare.”

Yesterday at the teahouse, Su Mo had gone to the restroom with him, but Gu Ci had returned first after relieving himself. At the corner, he’d seen Zhou Mingxuan smoothing her hair and wiping her lips, gazing at her in a way that suggested she was no ordinary maid.

Perhaps he was overthinking it. He didn’t dare mention it to Su Mo, so he probed Li Xiang’s thoughts on Zhou Mingxuan instead.

In a leisurely tone, he asked, “What kind of person do you think the Young Master is?”

Li Xiang stiffened. “The Young Master is nobility, a relative of the imperial family. Who am I, a mere woman, to pass judgment?”

Her tone shifted, tension creeping into her voice. “Why does Young Master Gu bring him up? Have I done something wrong recently? Does the Young Master wish to replace me?”

Gu Ci’s expression stiffened slightly, his voice neutral. “Not at all. Don’t overthink it. I just wanted to hear your thoughts on them.”

Relieved, Li Xiang exhaled. “That’s good.”

Time passed quickly as they chatted about Su Mo’s misadventures. Noticing the sun dipping westward, Li Xiang prepared to return to make dinner, by now, the academy students had been dismissed, and the kitchen fires had long gone out.

Su Mo, bare-chested and visibly irritated, was chopping firewood in the courtyard. Spotting Gu Ci and Li Xiang returning, his eyes lit up. He set down the axe, wiping the thin sheen of sweat from his brow.

Su Mo’s waist was lean and powerful, with not an ounce of excess fat, just firm, taut muscles. The moment Li Xiang stepped in, her eyes landed on the well-defined abs of his waist.

Su Mo, oblivious to his own state of undress, walked forward and said, “Finally decided to come back? Any later, and I would’ve gone looking for you.”

As he drew closer, the heat radiating from his body enveloped her entirely. Nervous, she took a step back and hastily averted her gaze.

Gu Ci stepped in front of Su Mo, blocking him. “Put some clothes on first,” he said.

Only then did Su Mo realize the situation. He glanced at Li Xiang, who had turned her head away, catching a faint blush on her cheeks. He quickly turned back and threw on his robe.

Once he was properly dressed, Gu Ci stepped forward, gave him a pat on the shoulder, and left, leaving the two flustered figures behind.

For some reason, Su Mo’s heart raced, his blood surging with an intense, unfamiliar emotion burning fiercely in his chest.