Drunk on Madness - Chapter 29

When Li Xiang woke up, Pearl came in to help her wash and dress. Her hair was adorned with a golden silk and pearl headdress, her neck graced with a red gold choker featuring coiled serpent designs, and her skirt fastened with a pea-green palace sash.

She wore a narrow-waisted, crimson satin jacket embroidered with golden butterflies and flowers, layered with a multicolored, stone-blue raincoat intricately woven with silver threads. The layers upon layers of clothing seemed overly complicated to Li Xiang just by the look of them.

Once dressed, Li Xiang remembered the peach-colored embroidered peony robe and the jewelry Su Mo had given her the day before. She rummaged around from memory and asked, “Pearl, have you seen the outfit I wore yesterday? And the hairpin and earrings?”

Pearl quickly curtsied in reply. “The clothes have been sent for washing, miss. The jewelry is here.” She pointed to a small box nearby. Li Xiang opened it and nodded. “Yes, these are the ones.”

Pearl watched as Li Xiang carefully cradled the jewelry in the box. As maids, they had never worn fine jewelry themselves, but they had seen plenty of exquisite pieces and fabrics. The items in the small box weren’t particularly valuable, so Pearl couldn’t understand why Li Xiang treasured them so much.

Kindly, Pearl reminded her, “Miss, there are many more in these chests.” She opened one jewelry box after another, revealing an assortment of hairpins, jade earrings, gold and silver necklaces, jade pendants, and more.

Pearl then walked over to a carved wooden cabinet and opened its doors, revealing dozens of exquisite garments neatly displayed inside. With pride, she said, “There are also some clothes here. Though they may not be your exact size, most should fit. The young master has already ordered new sets tailored to your measurements to be sent over.”

Li Xiang gazed at the room filled with chests of fine ornaments, her heart heavy with mixed emotions. She asked herself honestly: over these two years of interaction, she had indeed developed a faint fondness for Zhou Mingxuan. Had they still been in Wutong Village, she might have been willing to continue their relationship as husband and wife.

But now that they were at the border, her heart leaned more toward Su Mo. With him, she felt more at ease and relaxed.

Zhou Mingxuan, on the other hand, was of noble status, and his household had too many rules, she wanted no part of it. Given the current circumstances, his father was more than just a prince; there was even a chance he could ascend to the throne.

With such a position, Li Xiang couldn’t even imagine what a future with him would look like.

She understood that no matter how fine something was, if it didn’t belong to her, she shouldn’t reach for it. She had crossed into this world and, forced by circumstance, become a maid, there was no shame in that. But if one day she were to become a concubine or a third wife, fighting over a man, she would despise herself.

Looking at the room full of gold and silver jewelry, Li Xiang said, “I appreciate the young master’s kindness, but as a simple person, I’m not accustomed to such things. Please tell him not to send any more.”

A flicker of determination passed through her eyes. “If he insists, then so be it.”

A faint trace of surprise flashed in Pearl’s eyes. She had never imagined a woman would refuse the young master’s favor. Zhou Mingxuan was elegant, noble, and handsome, accomplished in both literary and martial arts.

With such lineage and looks, wherever he went, women would admire him, yearning for his attention and affection.

At the Yan Prince’s military camp, wisps of cooking smoke rose into the air, blending with the distant mountain ranges to form a serene and harmonious scene.

Zhou Mingxuan strode into the camp, clad in military attire, his heroic bearing a stark contrast to his usual gentle and refined demeanor.

The Prince of Yan introduced Zhou Mingxuan’s identity to the crowd and laid out the military campaign plan for the next month. To quickly train Zhou Mingxuan, the prince specially selected three thousand brave soldiers for him, allowing him to try leading troops into battle on his own.

As the horns sounded, the soldiers swiftly assembled, clad in uniform armor and wielding sharp weapons, their steps firm and resolute.

On the training grounds, dust swirled as the soldiers drilled in formation. Shouts and the clashing of weapons rose and fell, echoing to the heavens.

Gu Ci watched his old friend standing on the high platform, unable to suppress his excitement. He patted Su Mo beside him and said with satisfaction, “Standing there like that, he really does have the aura of the Prince of Yan.”

Su Mo, however, replied with earnest sincerity, “He was born a prodigy of heaven, now he’s merely returning to his destined path. His bloodline and family background don’t permit him to be ordinary.”

Gu Ci nodded in agreement.

Su Mo lowered his eyelids, a trace of unwillingness still lingering in his heart. He already has so much… why must he also take Xiangxiang from me?

At the old residence of the Prince of Yan, Lady Zhao, the princess consort, rose early and inquired about the whereabouts of her son, Zhou Mingxuan. Learning that he had gone to the military camp at dawn did not surprise her.

Though the prince usually did not discuss military affairs with her, since arriving at the border, she understood this war was unavoidable. The current emperor would never tolerate the Prince of Yan.

By lunchtime, servants brought in the meal. Lady Zhao and her daughter, Princess Qingyi, were about to eat when Qingyi suddenly said, “Mother, it’s dull with just the two of us. Why not invite Sister-in-law to join us?”

Lady Zhao’s eyes darkened slightly. “What sister-in-law? Nothing’s been settled yet. Don’t call her that carelessly.”

Qingyi hesitated. “But didn’t Brother say yesterday that he wants to marry Lady Li?”

A breeze swept by, stirring the loose strands of hair at Lady Zhao’s forehead. Her upturned phoenix eyes flickered with emotions Qingyi couldn’t decipher. “Making her a secondary consort is already elevating her status. The position of principal consort must be reserved for someone else.”

Lady Zhao did not hide her thoughts, how could someone of lowly status command respect? If the Prince of Yan ascended the throne without mishap, Mingxuan’s marriage would no longer be his own decision. His union would merely be a political tool. Moreover, her own husband, the Prince of Yan, was no exception.

Lady Zhao had married the prince at sixteen, never imagining her husband would one day become emperor. She had hoped for a peaceful life with him. But circumstances forced their hand, if the prince did not seize the throne, not only would the entire household of the Prince of Yan be doomed, but his subordinates and officials would also face certain death.

Having lived to this day, she had long abandoned romantic notions. She only hoped they would soon recognize the situation and understand what they truly needed.

Before the meal even began, Lady Zhao had already lost her appetite. Lately, she had been prone to drowsiness. She said to her daughter, “I’m feeling a little tired. Why not have her come keep you company for lunch?”

Zhou Qingyi couldn’t hide her anticipation but was also afraid of facing a stranger alone. “Mother, won’t you join us?”

Understanding her daughter’s fear, Lady Zhao encouraged her. “I’ll have Nanny Zhao accompany you, there’s nothing to fear. This is your home, and she’s someone your brother brought back. You’ll have to get to know her sooner or later.”

Qingyi obediently nodded. Lady Zhao immediately instructed the servants to summon Li Xiang to join the meal, then returned to her Elegant Garden to rest.

Before long, Li Xiang arrived in the main hall. Seeing only Zhou Qingyi there, the weight in her heart lightened considerably.

Zhou Qingyi smiled warmly at Li Xiang, who returned the smile before naturally taking a seat beside her.

The two ate in comfortable silence, neither feeling the need to fill the air with words. Zhou Qingyi, having few friends, wasn’t quite sure what to say.

After a few bites, Li Xiang broke the quiet. “What’s your name?”

Swallowing her food, Zhou Qingyi replied, “Zhou Qingyi. You can call me Yiyi.”

Li Xiang grinned. “Yiyi… that’s easy to remember. I’m Li Xiang. You can call me Xiangxiang.”

Suddenly leaning closer, Li Xiang asked, “Yiyi, can I move into your courtyard? I don’t want to stay in Agarwood Courtyard anymore.”

Zhou Qingyi nodded. “Of course, as long as Eldest Brother agrees.”

Li Xiang’s smile faltered slightly. “He’ll be at the military camp every day, and I’ll be stuck in Agarwood Courtyard… so boring.”

A shadow of sadness crossed Zhou Qingyi’s face. “Yes, Father is never home either. Brother just returned last night, and now he’s leaving again.”

Li Xiang picked up a piece of chicken and placed it in Zhou Qingyi’s bowl. “We’re both girls, it’d be nice to keep each other company.”

Zhou Qingyi considered it and agreed. “Alright. Later, you can come see my courtyard and pick a room before moving in.”

Delight sparkled in Li Xiang’s eyes. “Yiyi, you’re as kind as you are beautiful.”

It was the first time Zhou Qingyi had been praised so openly. Flustered, she quickly took another bite of rice to hide her blush.