Drunk on Madness - Chapter 25

In recent days, Zhou Mingxuan and Li Xiang had been preparing to leave Wutong Village for Yaozhou.

Yaozhou was a hub of transportation with a steady flow of people to and from the capital, making it far more informed about court affairs than their small town. Most importantly, it was home to a covert outpost of the Prince of Yan’s estate.

The journey to Yaozhou was somewhat long, so the two planned to buy a carriage. However, after scouring their belongings, they couldn’t scrape together enough money for one.

Zhou Mingxuan discussed the matter with Zhu Dafu and decided to join him on a hunting trip to supplement their funds.

At dawn, as the first light of daybreak tinged the horizon, the two were already geared up and ready to set out.

Zhou Mingxuan, with a long sword at his waist and a bow slung across his back, moved swiftly through the dense forest. The fallen leaves rustled underfoot, and the occasional chirping of birds echoed in the distance.

Guided by Zhu Dafu’s extensive experience, the two scoured the mountains for traces of prey.

Suddenly, they halted. Zhu Dafu crouched low, carefully examining the tracks and droppings on the ground while listening intently to the wind and the calls of animals around them.

A robust wild boar was foraging in the underbrush not far away. Zhou Mingxuan swiftly drew his bowstring taut, took aim, and loosed an arrow that struck the boar’s vital spot. With a pained howl, the boar collapsed.

Afterward, Zhou Mingxuan went on to bag several hares and pheasants, each shot precise and unerring. His exceptional hunting skills left Zhu Dafu thoroughly impressed.

As the sun climbed higher, the mist in the mountains gradually dissipated. Zhou Mingxuan’s haul had piled up like a small hill, and the two returned laden with their bounty.

Li Xiang and Zhu’s wife were already waiting at the village entrance. Their eyes lit up with joy at the sight of the successful hunters.

Li Xiang took some of the lighter game in hand as they walked through the village. A few curious villagers, unfamiliar with Zhou Mingxuan, greeted Zhu Dafu, “Hey, Brother Zhu, did you stumble into a nest of prey today? That’s quite the haul!”

Zhu Dafu laughed. “None of this was my doing, it was all thanks to my friend here. Who’d have thought a scholar could be so skilled in both letters and arms?”

Zhu’s wife, who had been smiling warmly, suddenly frowned at this, displeased that her husband had taken Zhou Mingxuan into the mountains and even helped carry the game back.

She gave Zhu Dafu a light punch, which Li Xiang happened to notice. Understanding the situation, she resolved to share some of the spoils with Zhu Dafu later.

By the stream at the edge of the village, a few young girls carrying bamboo baskets were preparing to wash clothes. Their eyes sparkled with curiosity as the group passed by.

As Zhou Mingxuan drew closer, the girls looked up and saw a strikingly handsome man approaching.

Though dressed in a plain robe with traces of dirt on his lapel, Zhou Mingxuan’s tall, upright figure and the heroic air about his brow were unmistakable.

He carried a wild boar over his shoulder, the game swaying slightly with his steps, emitting faint rustling sounds.

The girls stared at him, their lips parting slightly. They had never seen such a dashing man before, it was as if he had stepped out of a painting, making it impossible to look away.

Soon, the group arrived at Li Xiang’s doorstep. Zhu Dafu was about to set down the game he was carrying when Li Xiang stopped him.

“Thanks to Brother Dafu’s guidance today, you should keep what you’re carrying. Tomorrow, we’ll also need your help to take my husband to town to find buyers.”

Zhu Dafu initially tried to refuse, but Zhu’s wife intervened. After some back-and-forth, Zhu Dafu, not wanting to appear stubborn in front of Zhou Mingxuan and Li Xiang, finally relented.

With a smile, Li Xiang saw the couple off, then quickly brought a basin of clean water to wash Zhou Mingxuan’s face and hands. She served the steaming hot meal she had prepared earlier, and the two sat down together to eat.

On the table, several exquisite dishes exuded an enticing aroma, there was tender and delicious steamed fish, and braised pork that was a feast for both the eyes and the palate.

Li Xiang picked up her chopsticks, carefully selected a piece of braised pork, and placed it gently into Zhou Mingxuan’s bowl, her eyes brimming with joy. In return, Zhou Mingxuan picked up a piece of fish, meticulously removed the bones, and set it in Li Xiang’s bowl.

They exchanged a glance and smiled, their mutual understanding needing no words.

In the morning, the bustling marketplace was alive with noise and chatter.

Amid the throngs of people, Zhou Mingxuan carried a wild boar on his shoulder and made his way to a corner of the market.

The two found an open spot, carefully set the boar down, and began arranging their stall.

Passersby soon gathered around, some inquiring about prices, others marveling at his hunting skills.

Before long, the entire boar was sold. Nearby, Zhu Dafu still had a few rabbits left unsold. Zhou Mingxuan glanced at the distant stalls, exchanged a quick greeting with Zhu Dafu, and walked over.

He passed by several jewelry stalls, carefully examining the ornaments on display.

Picking up a jade hairpin, he ran his fingers over it lightly, asked the price, paid the vendor, then carefully wrapped it and tucked it into his robe.

Just as he turned to head back to Zhu Dafu, a sudden force grabbed his arm and yanked him violently into a narrow alley.

Caught off guard, Zhou Mingxuan staggered a few steps, nearly falling. He quickly steadied himself, his brow furrowing as a flicker of vigilance flashed in his eyes.

Turning around, he saw several burly, unfamiliar men standing at the mouth of the alley.

“What business do you have with me, gentlemen?” Zhou Mingxuan forced calm into his voice, discreetly scanning his surroundings for an escape route while subtly reaching for the sword at his waist.

Yet the men remained silent, merely smiling before suddenly tearing off their disguises, revealing themselves to be none other than the long-unseen guards of the Prince of Yan, led by Uncle Li.

Uncle Li bowed respectfully, then spoke with concern, “Young Master, I have not failed the Prince’s trust. At last, I’ve found you.” His voice trembled with emotion.

Zhou Mingxuan’s eyes lit up. “My father… is alive?”

Uncle Li looked surprised. “Of course he is. His ‘death’ was a ruse to evade the Fifth Prince’s spies. He returned to rescue the Princess Consort and the young mistress.”

Zhou Mingxuan’s heart swelled like a springtime pond, murmuring to himself, “That’s good… that’s good.”

Standing beside him, Uncle Li gazed at the young master with heartache, recalling the proud and spirited nobleman from a year ago.

“You’ve suffered much this past year, Young Master,” Uncle Li said. “I noticed your leg, was it injured?”

Zhou Mingxuan shook his head lightly. “Compared to others, these are nothing.” Uncle Li patted his shoulder, proud of his growth.

Seeing that night had fallen, they exchanged addresses, and Uncle Li instructed Zhou Mingxuan to return home and await further news.

In the quiet courtyard, Zhou Mingxuan passed through the wooden gate and stepped into the backyard kitchen, where a faint wisp of smoke lingered.

Inside, Li Xiang bustled between the stove and counter, her silhouette stretching long in the dim candlelight, exuding a gentle and moving grace.

Her hair was styled in a simple yet elegant bun, with a few stray strands carelessly falling over her forehead. Noticing this, Zhou Mingxuan quietly approached, took out a hairpin from his sleeve, and gently tucked it into her hair.

Li Xiang felt a slight sensation on her scalp and turned to see Zhou Mingxuan standing behind her. She removed the hairpin, glanced at it, and without any pretense of politeness, gently placed it back into her hair though slightly askew, making it look somewhat comical.

Zhou Mingxuan leaned in closer to adjust it for her. His breath brushed lightly against Li Xiang’s ear, warm and intimate. She tilted her head slightly to avoid it, but a faint blush crept onto her cheeks.

The distance between them was so close that they could almost hear each other’s heartbeat, the air thick with an indescribable tension.

Finally, Zhou Mingxuan withdrew his hand. “So beautiful,” he murmured.

The blush on Li Xiang’s cheeks deepened. She turned away quietly, resuming her tasks to mask the fluster in her heart.

As night fell, dotted with stars, the two sat facing each other at a table laden with several exquisite dishes, steaming and fragrant. Zhou Mingxuan brought out a jug of clear wine and filled their cups.

Li Xiang asked curiously, “Is there something to celebrate today?”

Excitement flickered in Zhou Mingxuan’s eyes. “I ran into Uncle Li at the market today. He said my father isn’t dead.”

Li Xiang’s face lit up with joy. “That’s wonderful!” she exclaimed. They raised their cups and drank in unison.

As the wine slid down her throat, Li Xiang suppressed its fiery bite and asked, “What else did Uncle Li say?”

Unaware of the emotions swirling in her eyes, Zhou Mingxuan replied with a trace of warmth, “He said my father faked his death to secretly return and rescue my mother and sister. They’re all waiting for us at the border. Uncle Li also asked about our experiences this past year.”

Seeing that he hadn’t mentioned Su Mo, Li Xiang couldn’t hold back any longer. “Then… is Su Mo still alive?”

Zhou Mingxuan’s expression froze instantly. He picked up a bite of food with his chopsticks, using the act of eating to conceal the turmoil within.

When Uncle Li had told him that his father was alive and well, the news had been so overwhelming that he’d forgotten to ask about Su Mo and the others.

His gaze wavered uncertainly, as if searching for the right words but finding none.

Li Xiang, observing his reaction, understood immediately. She reached for the wine jug, poured herself another cup, and downed it in one gulp. With a bitter smile, she said, “Who would’ve thought that guy’s life would be so short?”

Her heart grew heavy, her eyes betraying an unmistakable sorrow. The usual facade she wore fell away, and all her emotions surged forth like a tide.

Zhou Mingxuan sat beside her, watching helplessly as Li Xiang drank cup after cup.

“You’ve had too much,” he said, concern lacing his voice.

But Li Xiang seemed not to hear, continuing to drink until her vision blurred and the world around her spun and tilted.

Carefully, Zhou Mingxuan lifted Li Xiang in his arms and carried her to the bedroom, gently laying her on the bed. He gazed at her flushed cheeks, rosy from the alcohol, his Adam’s apple bobbing visibly.

He cupped her warm, flushed face and, unable to resist the temptation any longer, leaned in to kiss the one he had longed for day and night.

As his fingers traced her cheek, his mind grew hazy with the thought, so this was what a kiss tasted like.

His fingers slid into her hair, combing through the strands with deliberate slowness. Suddenly, his knuckles tensed as she bit down on her lower lip, the dim light around them thick with intoxication.

A few days later, Uncle Li arrived with Physician Meng for a visit. Since the incident at the Meridian Gate, Physician Meng had stayed far from the capital, hiding in a nearby village.

Uncle Li had noticed Zhou Mingxuan’s limp and, still uneasy, had asked Physician Meng to come and examine him.

After Zhou Mingxuan opened the door for them, he led them inside. The two visitors took in the humble dwelling, its walls peeling and worn, furnished only with a few shabby pieces that barely sustained the semblance of a life.

Uncle Li looked at Zhou Mingxuan, slightly thinner but still standing tall, his eyes filled with sorrow. “The young master has suffered.”

Li Xiang, holding a clay teapot, approached the three of them quietly and poured tea. Seeing this, Uncle Li quickly stood and accepted the cup with both hands.

A year had passed, yet Li Xiang was still by the young master’s side, caring for him. Uncle Li felt a deep sense of relief. But when his gaze fell on the hairpin in her hair, his expression grew complicated.

He stepped forward slowly and bowed. “On behalf of the prince and princess, I thank you, miss, for taking care of the young master this past year.” The day before, Zhou Mingxuan had told him how Li Xiang’s encouragement and care had kept him from giving up on treatment.

Li Xiang hurriedly returned the courtesy. “You flatter me, Uncle Li. The young master and I have supported each other along the way. It’s not a matter of who took care of whom.”

Zhou Mingxuan’s lips curved slightly. “Don’t downplay your role. Without your encouragement and comfort, I wouldn’t have had the courage to live until now.”

Hearing this, the two men looked at Li Xiang with even greater respect. After sitting and chatting for a while, they finally turned to the matter at hand.

Physician Meng placed his fingers on Zhou Mingxuan’s wrist, closing his eyes to concentrate as he carefully assessed the pulse. After a moment, he ran his hands over the stiffened leg, his brow furrowing slightly.

His expression grave, he stood and addressed Zhou Mingxuan. “Young master, your leg ailment is not a recent affliction. To fully cure the limp, I’m afraid we’ll need to rebreak the bone and reset it.”

Zhou Mingxuan stiffened slightly at the words, but then his gaze hardened with resolve. “Then I’ll trouble you, Physician Meng.”

A glimmer of approval flashed in Physician Meng’s eyes. “Rest assured, young master. I’ll do everything I can to minimize your pain.”

To better care for Zhou Mingxuan, Physician Meng moved to Wutong Village, settling temporarily in a tiled house nearby.

This time, with Physician Meng’s daily attention, the surgery was a success. Zhou Mingxuan endured little suffering.

After three months of recovery, Zhou Mingxuan stood in the courtyard. In that moment, it was as if a boulder that had long weighed on his heart had finally been lifted, allowing him to breathe freely again.

He strode toward Li Xiang, arms wide, and pulled her tightly into his embrace.

Startled by the sudden hug, Li Xiang soon sensed his joy. She gently returned the embrace, sharing in his happiness.

Zhou Mingxuan buried his face in her hair, nuzzling lightly against her neck, his voice thick with affection. “Xiangxiang, thank you… for staying with me all this time.”

Ahem. A cough sounded behind them. Both froze, and Li Xiang quickly pulled away from the embrace.

Uncle Li stood not far away, an awkward expression flickering across his face. After a moment of hesitation, he said in a low voice, “Young Master, since your leg has been treated, we should set off for the northern border immediately.”

He slowly approached Zhou Mingxuan and added meaningfully, “The Prince is preparing to march north and has requested your swift return.”

A flash of surprise crossed Zhou Mingxuan’s eyes. He stood frozen for a moment before responding, “Alright, let’s depart at once.”