Drunk on Madness - Chapter 13

And so, under the witness of Zhou Mingxuan and Gu Ci, the two came together. When time allowed, Su Mo would take her to savor delicious food or rent a boat to drift across the lake. In moments of deep affection, their cheeks would flush as they embraced and kissed. Even amid busy daily studies, Su Mo would carve out time to be alone with Li Xiang.

One evening after dinner, Su Mo, as usual, took Li Xiang for a stroll around the academy to aid digestion. Walking along the corridor, they arrived at a lotus pond.

Under the moonlight, the pond’s surface shimmered with silver reflections, accompanied by the croaking of frogs. Entranced by the dreamlike scene of the moonlit lotus pond, Li Xiang found it hard to look away.

Su Mo, having indulged a bit too much at dinner, felt his stomach churning and had been thinking of excusing himself. But seeing Li Xiang so engrossed in the view, he hesitated to bring it up.

Noticing his discomfort, Li Xiang urged him to go ahead while she stayed behind to enjoy the night scenery, waiting for his return.

Nature’s call couldn’t be ignored, and Su Mo had no time for second thoughts. Watching him dash off in a hurry, Li Xiang couldn’t help but smile, her eyes crinkling with amusement.

A cool breeze swept through the corridor, rustling the lotus leaves and lifting the strands of hair from Li Xiang’s forehead.

“Lanyan, is that you?” A man’s voice suddenly called from behind. Li Xiang turned toward the shadowy figure in the darkness.

As the man approached, the lantern light revealed a scholarly figure dressed in white robes, his refined features exuding an air of intellect. Yet, a shadow of gloom lingered between his brows.

This was Chen Bolin, who had just returned from the capital. For some reason, in the days before his planned departure, the capital had suddenly tightened security as if something major was about to happen. Passing through checkpoints became difficult, stretching what should have been a ten-day journey into a month.

Upon his return, he learned from Gu Ci that the two had already become engaged. Chen Bolin was frantic but afraid of offending Su Mo, so he began tailing them daily, seeking any opportunity to approach Li Xiang.

A flicker of wariness crossed Li Xiang’s eyes as she studied the man behind her. Chen Bolin appeared calm and composed. “I mean no harm. Don’t be afraid.”

He spoke slowly and deliberately, “Miss Xiang, you bear an uncanny resemblance to my cousin, Li Lanyan. We grew up together, childhood sweethearts with no secrets between us. Sadly, her parents passed away early, and she moved into our home. Later, my father also died unexpectedly. My mother, being devoutly Buddhist, blamed her for these tragedies, believing she brought misfortune to her parents and those around her. She saw Lanyan as an orphan with no standing, unworthy of me.”

Chen Bolin paused meaningfully before continuing, “But our love ran deep, and we pledged ourselves to each other in secret, hiding it from my mother. However, with so many eyes in the household, one day a servant led my mother to catch us in bed. After days of punishment, I thought that since the deed was done, my mother would eventually accept Lanyan. But instead, while I was away at the academy, she sold Lanyan far away.”

Li Xiang hadn’t expected the man’s brief tale to send a chill down her spine. The Li Lanyan he spoke of must have been the original owner of this body. Seeing that he intended to continue, she feigned indifference and cut him off.

“Sir, why are you telling a stranger such things in the middle of the night? I don’t know you, nor any Li Lanyan. And I have no interest in your family’s dirty laundry.”

Without waiting for Chen Bolin’s response, she turned to leave for Hanqiu Courtyard. But Chen Bolin stepped forward and grabbed her arm, his eyes filled with hidden meaning. “If you don’t care for this story, perhaps I should tell you something you’d rather hear.”

Li Xiang’s brows were furrowed with disgust, yet she couldn’t shake off the man’s grip. He leaned close to her ear and whispered, “My Sister Lan, there are three moles here.” As he spoke, he lightly tapped the left side of her chest with his finger.

Her face darkened, her eyes turning cold and sharp. She raised her right hand and struck, smack! the sound cutting sharply through the silent moonlight.

A breeze picked up, causing the lotus flowers in the pond to sway gently.

The man pressed his tongue against the stinging spot on his cheek, scoffed lightly, and gave her a meaningful look before continuing, “Getting angry over this? We’ve done far worse things together.”

Seeing the woman’s forced composure, Chen Bolin was certain, she was Li Lanyan. He no longer held back his words.

His gaze burned as his low, husky voice murmured by her ear, his warm breath brushing her face, “I’ve touched and kissed your waist, your legs. Even that place of yours-”

Li Xiang’s hatred surged uncontrollably as his words grew increasingly vulgar. Smack! another slap “rewarded” Chen Bolin.

Though not from a prestigious family, Chen Bolin had never been openly humiliated. The two slaps enraged him. He grabbed her by the neck, pulling her close, and growled, “Do you think I’m being too nice? Believe me, I’ll take you right here if I want.”

Li Xiang stared at Chen Bolin’s twisted face inches away, her limbs turning icy. Struggling to mask her fear, she retorted, “If the young master isn’t afraid of offending Zhou Mingxuan, the heir of Prince Yan, then go ahead.”

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, her voice trembling slightly, “If the academy learns that Young Master Chen has assaulted a respectable woman, your reputation will be ruined. Do you think they’d still keep you?”

Hearing this, Chen Bolin gradually loosened his grip, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes. “Zhou Mingxuan… the crown prince of Prince Yan?”

Li Xiang’s long lashes veiled the loathing in her eyes. Chen Bolin didn’t press further, releasing her with a scornful smirk. “I don’t care if he’s an heir or a prince, you’re already mine. He has no say.”

His expression hardened. “I’ll give you three days to leave. After that, I’ll be waiting for you at the Green Mountain Inn in Baiyun Town.”

“Don’t even think of exposing me. Figure out your own excuse for leaving.” With that, Chen Bolin turned and walked away.

Li Xiang clenched her teeth, suppressing the nausea rising in her stomach, and trudged step by step toward Linfeng Residence. Along the way, she replayed every word and action from Chen Bolin. He wanted to take her away? To where?

Something felt off about his words, but she couldn’t pinpoint what.

As she wandered along the cobblestone path, Su Mo approached from the opposite direction. As they passed each other, he tapped her shoulder from behind.

She spun around defensively, her legs unsteady as she staggered back several steps. Raising a hand, she opened her mouth to speak only to turn deathly pale. With a thud, she collapsed to the ground.

Preoccupied with her thoughts, Li Xiang hadn’t noticed him earlier, mistaking him for Chen Bolin returning. The terror in her heart peaked in an instant.

Su Mo looked bewildered, unsure why she was so afraid of him. He stepped forward to comfort her, but his approach only heightened her panic.

Nearby, Zhou Mingxuan and Gu Ci, hearing the commotion, hurried over, fearing something was amiss. They found Li Xiang crouched on the ground, her hair slightly disheveled, her entire body trembling, unwilling to lift her head.

The three of them froze at the sight.

Zhou Mingxuan’s eyes turned icy as he glanced at Su Mo beside him. “What happened?”

Su Mo looked guilty. “I just went to the restroom. When I came back, she seemed distracted, so I patted her from behind. I must have startled her.”