Drunk on Madness - Chapter 14

At the sound of the familiar voice, Li Xiang slowly raised her head, her gaze searching behind the group of people, a layer of panic flashing in her eyes. A teardrop hung precariously on the tip of her nose before rolling down her cheek, making her appear pitifully fragile.

When Li Xiang recognized Su Mo and the others, her expression softened slightly. She slowly stood up, brushing the dust off her clothes, and explained to Su Mo, “It’s not your fault. It was too dark, I just didn’t see clearly.”

Her face was pale, and her eyes flickered a few times. “I’ve worried everyone. It’s late, let’s head back early.”

The group returned to Hanqiu Courtyard in silence, with Su Mo escorting Li Xiang to Linfeng Residence.

Inside the dormitory of Hanqiu Courtyard, Gu Ci poured two cups of light tea. Zhou Mingxuan stood tall and composed by the window, the distant moonlight casting a faint chill in his eyes.

Watching Zhou Mingxuan lost in thought, Gu Ci studied him with a hint of scrutiny. “What’s on your mind? You seem so absorbed.”

Zhou Mingxuan turned around, his eyes filled with confusion. “Don’t you think what just happened was strange? Out of nowhere, she was scared to tears.”

“Women are naturally timid. It’s perfectly normal for her to be frightened after being alone for so long,” Gu Ci said, his deep gaze lingering on him. “If she’s scared, Su Mo will take care of her. You shouldn’t overthink it.”

Zhou Mingxuan didn’t rush to refute. His voice remained unreadable as he said, “I’m not concerned about her. It’s just that something feels off.” His eyes turned slightly colder. “On the way back, did you notice the strangulation marks on her neck?”

Gu Ci pondered for a moment. On the way back, she had rubbed her neck several times, it was hard to miss. But it was entirely possible she had done it to herself.

“You think she did it herself?” Zhou Mingxuan saw through his thoughts and continued, “If she had rubbed it herself, the redness would be in patches. But the mark was the size of a whole hand.”

Gu Ci pressed his lips together, tightening his grip on the cup in his hand. “Then what do you suspect?”

Zhou Mingxuan’s eyes turned icy. “Two possibilities. First, she might have encountered someone she knew on the academy path and was threatened by them.” His tone shifted, a dangerous glint flashing in his eyes. “Second, that person has leverage over her, which is why she didn’t speak up and didn’t dare tell us.”

After a few moments, Gu Ci pieced together the clues, as if finally understanding something. His heart tightened. “You suspect her amnesia is fake?”

Zhou Mingxuan’s already slightly furrowed brows tightened further.

Linfeng Residence, Li Xiang’s room.

Su Mo gently tucked Li Xiang into bed, staring blankly at the strangulation marks on her neck. He didn’t speak, simply watching her sleeping face in silence. Only when the girl on the bed had fallen deeply into slumber, her breathing slow and steady, did he quietly close the door.

Su Mo returned to Hanqiu Courtyard, where Gu Ci had yet to retire to his room. He poured himself a cup of tea and drank it in one gulp.

The two of them stared at him, as if waiting for him to explain something.

Unable to hold back any longer, Gu Ci finally spoke to the silent Su Mo, “After you returned to the room, did she explain anything to you?”

Su Mo’s eyes flickered. “No.”

A trace of disappointment flashed in Gu Ci’s eyes, but he spoke bluntly nonetheless. “Mingxuan and I think she hasn’t lost her memory.”

“Her getting close to you and entering the prince’s residence might be part of a scheme. You need to be careful.”

Su Mo cast a faint glance at the two men, yet there was an inexplicable sense of oppression in his demeanor. “What has she lied to me about? Did she try to pry information about the prince’s residence from me? Or did she poison my food?”

His brows furrowed slightly, and a layer of tenderness surfaced in his eyes. “If she were a spy, she wouldn’t have agreed to be with me. She would have chosen you or the heir apparent, never someone like me, a lowly guard.”

Gu Ci looked at his old friend, his well-intentioned reminder met with sarcasm. Just as he was about to lose his temper, Zhou Mingxuan tapped his arm with a folding fan, signaling him to stay silent.

Zhou Mingxuan observed Su Mo’s indifferent expression. “After spending so much time together, we don’t want to suspect her either. But her reaction today was quite intense. It’s only natural for Brother Gu and me to have doubts.”

His deep, shimmering pupils continued, “There’s no need for you to rush to her defense. If she truly is a spy, she’ll slip up eventually. The prince’s residence is vast and not so fragile. We’re just worried you’ll get too deeply involved and end up hurt.”

Su Mo’s long lashes veiled the disappointment in his eyes. “I understand. I’ll stay by her side these next few days. If she really has ulterior motives, I’ll take responsibility…”

Zhou Mingxuan interrupted, “Let’s wait until we figure out what’s going on first.” He added, “Keep an eye on the students at the academy who’ve interacted with Xiangxiang recently. Be extra cautious.”

Gu Ci’s eyes flickered, his brows tightening. “Wait, Chen Bolin returned recently. Could it be him?”

He elaborated, “When he saw Xiangxiang at the tavern before, he seemed completely distracted. The next day, he took leave from the academy and only came back a few days ago. Coincidentally, Xiangxiang just…”

Su Mo’s pupils instantly turned cold. “I’ll go question that bastard right now.” With that, he turned to leave.

Zhou Mingxuan stopped him with a firm grip. His dark eyes showed no ripple of emotion as he said, “Confronting him now will only alert him. Since we have a suspect, he won’t get away. We’ll observe him discreetly, see what he’s up to, and act accordingly.”

Night had deepened, and the three spoke no more, each retiring to their quarters.

At the first light of dawn, Li Xiang rose as usual. Only when she was washing up did she notice the bruises on her neck. No wonder her throat felt so sore. Frowning, she dabbed on some powder, but it did little to conceal the marks.

Zhou Mingxuan and Su Mo would be up soon. With no time to cover them properly, she hurried to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

During the meal, Zhou Mingxuan frowned at the visible bruises on Li Xiang’s neck. Su Mo’s gaze was tinged with pity, saying he’d take leave later to stay with her. Neither pressed her about the origin of the injuries, which eased her mind somewhat.

After breakfast, they each went about their tasks.

Li Xiang headed to the vegetable garden she tended. The seedlings had matured, bearing sparse fruits and vegetables.

She uprooted a few weeds with a hoe, the blossoms attracting fluttering butterflies and bees.

Under the willow tree by the riverbank stood a man in dark robes, tall and straight as a pine.

It was Su Mo. Li Xiang stood up, her eyes crinkling with a smile. “Why didn’t you say anything when you arrived? Trying to scare me again?”

Su Mo’s gaze flickered. “I’m sorry.”

Seeing his guilt, Li Xiang casually plucked a cucumber and led him to sit under the nearby willow tree.

Su Mo watched as she placed the cucumber on the ground, stepped on it a few times, and then handed it to him.

Li Xiang said with a hint of mischief, “Eat this, and I’ll forgive you.” Su Mo frowned slightly, took the rotten cucumber from her hand, and began eating the misshapen, dripping, dirt-covered food with some reluctance.

Watching his foolish expression as he ate, a trace of melancholy and relief flickered in Li Xiang’s eyes. She had been thinking for a long time, Chen Bolin had forced her yesterday, and it was clear that the original owner’s relationship with him was far from a normal romance.

Rather than letting Chen Bolin expose her as someone who had already been involved with him, she might as well test Su Mo first to see if he had any severe obsession with virginity. Consider it a trial for him.