Drunk on Madness - Chapter 31

They leaned against the corner of the bath, resting by the edge. The water churned, and Zhou Mingxuan’s face flushed red. His dark, profound eyes seemed to pierce through her.

Perhaps his gaze was too intense, Li Xiang couldn’t withstand it and turned her head away again. Once the water stilled, Zhou Mingxuan released his grip on her.

Li Xiang didn’t want to look at him. Suppressing the turmoil in her chest, she turned to climb out of the bath once more.

Her hands were too stiff, still numb from the lack of circulation. Li Xiang strained to push herself up but failed several times. Watching her struggle, Zhou Mingxuan let out a low chuckle from his throat.

His laughter rumbled, his shoulders and chest trembling slightly. Li Xiang, already frustrated from her failed attempts, turned to glare at him, annoyed by his amusement.

Zhou Mingxuan knew she was angry. He stepped forward, wrapped his arms around her legs, and lifted her up to help her out of the bath. Once she was safely on the edge, he grabbed a towel from the nearby screen to cover himself before leaving. But not without receiving a disdainful glare from her as she walked away.

Zhou Mingxuan froze for a moment then felt the urge to laugh again.

Li Xiang returned to her room and changed out of her soaked clothes. Sitting before the mirror, Pearl helped dry her damp hair.

Lost in thought, she replayed the earlier scene in her mind, her emotions tangled. Her relationship with Zhou Mingxuan had not been complicated for long. Initially, she had believed it would be easy to persuade him to give up.

But now, it felt increasingly difficult to disentangle herself. Their intimacy had grown, and she feared that if Zhou Mingxuan ever crossed a line, there would be no future left for her and Su Mo.

She absolutely refused to become a mistress or a concubine for any man. That was her moral boundary. Su Mo was kind with him, she felt respected and cherished. He was her best possible future.

Li Xiang took out a hairpin from a small box, her heart settling on a decision.

A wisp of delicate smoke curled from an incense burner, lulling the senses into drowsiness. Li Xiang lay quietly on the soft bed, her long hair cascading like a waterfall over the pillow, her breathing even and slow.

Zhou Mingxuan dismissed Pearl and Coral, gazing at Li Xiang’s peaceful sleeping face. Unable to resist, he lightly brushed his fingers against her cheek.

He stared at her for a long moment, conflict flickering in his eyes. But desire burned within him, he wanted her. After all, she would be his sooner or later. He was only claiming her a little early.

Clothes scattered. The moment their skin touched, his mind went blank.

He stared down at Li Xiang, an indescribable emotion surging in his gaze, teetering on the edge of losing control.

He had wanted this since before Wutong Village. He wanted her to forget Su Mo, to openly embrace intimacy with him, to understand that she belonged to him. He wanted to know everything about her, her body, her thoughts.

He had planned to solidify their relationship on the journey here, even going so far as to ask Uncle Li to conceal the truth about Su Mo’s survival. He had abandoned his pride, taking the initiative to care for her. But time had been too short.

Her rejection hadn’t surprised him, but when she admitted outright that she felt nothing for him, he couldn’t help the sting in his eyes.

He knew his excessive closeness frightened her. But only this way could she understand, there was no future left with Su Mo. Only this way could she realize that she was his… Zhou Mingxuan’s.

The woman in her slumber furrowed her brows slightly, making Zhou Mingxuan’s heart race wildly. He thought it would be good if she woke up now, that way, he could rightfully claim her as his own.

A drop of water fell onto Li Xiang, sending a flush of red to the tips of Zhou Mingxuan’s ears. This was the most unrestrained moment of his life, and an inexplicable sweetness bubbled up in his heart.

The next day, after finishing lunch with his family, Zhou Mingxuan escorted Lady Zhao on her way to the Elegant Garden.

He cut straight to the chase with the Princess Consort of Yan: “Mother, I wish to marry Xiangxiang as soon as possible.” With war looming and no certainty of when it would end, Zhou Mingxuan feared complications might arise. Better to marry early and set Li Xiang’s heart at ease.

Princess Consort Zhao was taken aback. “You haven’t even taken a principal wife yet, how can you take a concubine first?”

Zhou Mingxuan frowned. “I know Xiangxiang’s status is humble, but she did save me in my time of peril. Moreover, she is the woman I love, how could I relegate her to the position of a mere concubine?”

Lady Zhao halted and looked at him. “Then what status do you intend to give her?”

Zhou Mingxuan replied, “She could be my secondary consort.”

For now, he couldn’t offer her the position of principal wife. He planned to wait until Li Xiang bore him a child before pressing for more.

Lady Zhao didn’t refuse. She stepped forward to straighten his robes and said, “Back in the capital, I never saw you show such tenderness toward women. You spent all your time fooling around with Su Mo and his lot, utterly clueless about matters of the heart. Who would’ve thought you’d come pleading before your mother for a woman’s sake?”

A faint smile touched her lips as she continued, “You’ve grown up. You wish to spend your life with the woman you love, I understand that. If you were asking me today to make her your principal consort, I could agree.”

“But in the future, when your father ascends to greater heights, your marriage will no longer be just your own affair. It will concern the future of an entire nation. Only through alliances with noble families will your path remain smooth. When that time comes, will she be able to hold her position firmly? Will the daughters of great houses submit to her?”

Seeing him lost in thought, she added, “However, if you wish to take her as your secondary consort now, I can still make that decision for you. Naturally, I’ll grant your request.”

A faint smile curled at Zhou Mingxuan’s lips upon hearing this. He immediately bowed. “Your son thanks Mother for your kindness.” With his mother’s promise secured, his heart settled considerably.

Inside the Shufang Pavilion, Zhou Qingyi handed Li Xiang a letter. Delighted, Li Xiang opened it, Su Mo had written that he would come to fetch her at noon the next day and told her to be ready.

Zhou Qingyi noticed her lack of joy after reading the letter. “What did Brother Su Mo say? Why aren’t you happy?”

Li Xiang forced a smile. “It’s nothing. We haven’t seen each other in so long, yet his letter didn’t even ask how I’ve been. Just these few words, it left me feeling uneasy.”

Zhou Qingyi asked, “Uneasy about what?”

Suppressing her doubts, Li Xiang replied, “Nothing. Maybe I’m overthinking it.”

As dusk approached, Li Xiang returned to the Agarwood Courtyard. Seeing her, Zhou Mingxuan motioned for Eunuch Du to serve the meal.

Only after she sat down did Zhou Mingxuan speak. “Did you have fun with Yiyi?”

Li Xiang watched as he poured her a cup of tea. Without ceremony, she drained it in one go and answered dismissively, “It was alright.”

Dish after dish was laid out, but before he could pick up his chopsticks, she began eating on her own. Seeing her reluctance to engage, Zhou Mingxuan fell silent as well, merely placing a piece of duck into her bowl.

She glanced at the duck meat in her bowl but didn’t touch it, continuing to pick at other dishes instead. Zhou Mingxuan didn’t press her further and simply ate by himself.

Before long, she set down her chopsticks and said, “I’m full. Take your time.” With that, she returned to her room and closed the door.

Zhou Mingxuan frowned slightly as he looked at the untouched duck meat in her bowl.

He stood up, had the dishes cleared away, and went back to his own room.

After bathing, Li Xiang changed into her nightgown. It was still early, and she couldn’t sleep. Thinking of tomorrow’s outing, she got up and opened her wardrobe, pulling out the peach-red peony-embroidered dress Su Mo had given her. She put it on and stood in front of the mirror, carefully selecting accessories for the next day.

Suddenly, Zhou Mingxuan’s voice came from behind her: “What are you looking for?”

Startled, Li Xiang turned around and saw Zhou Mingxuan standing there in white undergarments. Angrily, she demanded, “What are you doing here?”

Zhou Mingxuan stepped forward, and Li Xiang retreated a few steps. “Stay away from me,” she warned. Zhou Mingxuan frowned slightly, puzzled by her sudden aversion to his closeness today.

“What are you afraid of?” he said. “I saw you were still awake and came to talk.”

Li Xiang ignored that and repeated, “How did you get into my room without a sound?”

Zhou Mingxuan no longer hid it. “Our rooms are connected. I can come and go as I please.”

Li Xiang’s face flushed with anger, but she couldn’t find the words to scold him. “You’re unbelievable.”

Zhou Mingxuan suddenly said, “I spoke to my mother about our marriage today. She agreed.”

Li Xiang let out a cold laugh. “What does her agreement matter? I haven’t agreed.”

Zhou Mingxuan replied, half-joking, “Whether you agree or not, it doesn’t matter. If necessary, I’ll drag you to the ceremony myself.”

Li Xiang’s eyes widened. “How many times do I have to tell you? I don’t like you.”

Zhou Mingxuan’s expression darkened, and in an instant, he was right in front of her. “And how many times do I have to tell you to forget about Su Mo? Do you really think wearing the dress he gave you means there’s still a chance for you two?”

Li Xiang stared at him, so close she could feel his breath, and a flicker of fear rose in her heart.

She tried to avoid his intense gaze, unwilling to argue further, nothing she said ever seemed to get through to him. Provoking him in this state only made her uneasy.

She walked toward the large bed and said, “I’m going to sleep. Get out.” With that, she pulled the covers over her head, refusing to look at him.

Zhou Mingxuan leaned slightly over her, his profile as flawless as jade, long lashes casting faint shadows. His entire demeanor exuded an icy calm.

He stepped closer to the bed, pulled back the silk quilt, and bent down, pinning Li Xiang’s wrists with one hand while undoing her clothes with the other.

Li Xiang was terrified by his actions and struggled violently. “Zhou Mingxuan, stop! If you don’t let go, I’ll scream!”

When he remained unmoved, she turned toward the shadows by the door and shouted, “Pearl! Coral! Come quick! your master has lost his mind!”

Outside, Pearl and Coral exchanged glances. Neither dared to enter and face the young master.

Zhou Mingxuan ignored her protests and continued stripping off her clothes. The buttons of her dress came undone, revealing glimpses of porcelain-white skin.

Seeing no one coming to her aid, Li Xiang felt despair. Her struggles had drained her strength. In her desperation, she thought of Su Mo and whispered weakly, “Su Mo… Su Mo… save me.”

Zhou Mingxuan’s fingers trembled slightly upon hearing this, his gaze chilling to the bone. With one swift motion, he tore off her clothes and used them to gag her mouth.

Li Xiang’s heart skipped a beat as her garments were ripped away in mere moments. The shredded fabric was then used to bind her hands and feet. The scene was terrifying, she had never imagined he could be like this.

Zhou Mingxuan stared at the frightened Li Xiang with an inscrutable expression as he removed his own clothes. Trembling uncontrollably, Li Xiang braced herself for what was to come.