Drunk on Madness - Chapter 32

In the side chamber of Agarwood Courtyard, after enduring humiliation, Zhou Mingxuan gazed at her dazed expression, his heart aching slightly.

He knew his actions were somewhat despicable, but he wanted her to accept this reality as soon as possible. Reaching out, he pulled her into his embrace again, gripping her hand as he pleaded, “Xiangxiang, forget him, alright?”

Early the next morning, Zhou Mingxuan left for the military camp.

Once Li Xiang saw him depart, she hurried to Shufang Pavilion. Only one thought consumed her mind, she wanted Su Mo to take her away. Zhou Mingxuan had lost his mind. She could no longer stay in the prince’s residence, and her desire to leave had reached its peak.

Zhou Qingyi was still curled up in bed, groggy from being woken up. Li Xiang dismissed the others and squeezed under the covers with Zhou Qingyi, clinging to her like a lifeline.

She could hear the pounding of her own heartbeat in her chest, gradually slowing to a steady rhythm.

Zhou Qingyi studied the strange expression on Li Xiang’s face and asked, “What’s wrong with you?”

Li Xiang tightened her embrace and whispered, “Your brother has gone mad. Can you arrange for me to see Su Mo right away? I can’t wait another second.”

Zhou Qingyi was stunned by her words. Li Xiang didn’t know how to explain. “I want to leave the prince’s residence. Can you help me? I’m… a little scared.” For some reason, tears suddenly spilled from Li Xiang’s eyes right in front of a child.

Zhou Qingyi was startled by Li Xiang’s tears, unsure what had happened to make her want to leave so urgently. She soothed her, “Did my brother bully you? I’ll tell Mother to scold him and stand up for you.”

Li Xiang grabbed Zhou Qingyi before she could get up. “It’s no use. Can I just see Su Mo?”

Zhou Qingyi had already arranged for a message to be sent earlier that day, though the appointed time hadn’t yet arrived. She nodded. “Yes. You’ll see him today.”

With Zhou Qingyi’s assurance, Li Xiang finally relaxed. Exhausted from a sleepless night, she drifted off.

Zhou Qingyi mimicked Nanny Zhao’s comforting gestures, gently patting Li Xiang’s back. She couldn’t help but resent her elder brother, the heir, for not knowing how to cherish Li Xiang and causing her such distress.

By noon, Su Mo arrived at the prince’s residence on horseback. Under Zhou Qingyi’s arrangements, he successfully retrieved Li Xiang.

Su Mo wore an elegant robe, its lapels fluttering lightly in the breeze. Seated steadily atop a tall, majestic steed, he steadied himself when he saw a figure in crimson approaching and smiled at Li Xiang.

Having not seen each other for so long, their eyes seemed to hold countless unspoken words.

After dismounting, Su Mo lifted Li Xiang effortlessly onto the horse. She wrapped her arms lightly around the horse’s neck, sitting side by side with Su Mo. Once settled, Su Mo gave a soft command, and the horse galloped toward the outskirts of the city.

As the sound of hooves grew farther from the prince’s residence, Li Xiang’s tense heart finally eased.

Along the way, birds sang amid fragrant blossoms, the air brimming with the vitality of spring. They traversed a winding forest path until they reached a secluded spot in the countryside.

There stood a massive tree, atop which rested a treehouse. After dismounting, Su Mo nimbly scaled the branches in a few leaps.

Moments later, he lowered a suspended seat cushion. Li Xiang sat on it and was slowly hoisted up into the treehouse.

The treehouse was small, with a narrow bed just wide enough for one person and a low tea table. The two sat beside the table as Su Mo poured Li Xiang a cup of water.

Li Xiang glanced around and asked, “How did you find such a huge tree?”

Su Mo replied, “I passed by this place and noticed the tree. So, I built a little nest here. Sometimes, Gu Ci and I come here to relax.”

Li Xiang gazed at the two small birds perched on the tree branch and said, “Good, this place is quite secluded.”

Listening to the birds’ cheerful chirping, Li Xiang felt somewhat more at ease. She got straight to the point: “When can you take me away? I don’t want to stay in the prince’s mansion anymore.”

Su Mo hadn’t expected her to bring up leaving the mansion herself. His earlier resolve wavered. “Has the young master treated you poorly? Why do you want to leave?”

Li Xiang didn’t understand. “Whether he treats me well or not, I still have to leave. Wasn’t that our agreement?”

Su Mo turned his face away, looking out the window. “The young master likes you.”

Li Xiang clenched her fingers until they turned white, her voice bitter. “So what?”

Silence filled the room before Li Xiang continued, “So you don’t plan to be with me anymore?”

Su Mo replied, “I’m just a guard. In status, I can’t compete with him. And emotionally, we haven’t seen each other in two years, while you’ve been with him day and night, longer than the time we’ve known each other.”

Li Xiang met his gaze, her expression full of sorrow. “Back then, it was you who asked me to protect him, to go with him. I took care of him because he was your sworn brother. I was afraid that if he died, all your sacrifices would be in vain. What did I do wrong?”

Suddenly, she grabbed his hand. “I don’t want to talk about the past anymore. I just want to ask you, do you still want to be with me now?”

Su Mo withdrew his hand. “What if I do? Should I abandon everything and run away with you? Would the young master let you go? If he were willing, things wouldn’t have come to this.”

He let out a light laugh, his eyes sharp as blades. “He really likes you. You know he and I grew up together. I can’t be so selfish. Nor can I disappoint him.”

Su Mo gave her a complicated look before suddenly asking, “Do you really not have any feelings for the young master at all?” That day, when he saw the two of them stepping out of the carriage together, he couldn’t believe there was no affection in Li Xiang’s eyes for the young master.

Listening to his decision, Li Xiang responded bluntly, “That has nothing to do with you anymore.”

She stood up, wanting to leave, but realized that without Su Mo’s help, even escaping would be difficult.

Wiping away the tears that had unknowingly fallen, she began climbing down the tree. Seeing her movements, Su Mo reached out to help her down, but she pushed him away.

Li Xiang first securely tied one end of the rope around the tree trunk, ensuring it was stable. Then, carefully looping the other end around her waist, she tied a knot for safety.

Once everything was ready, she took a deep breath and began descending slowly. The friction of the rope scraped her palms raw, but she endured the pain, maintaining a steady pace.

Su Mo climbed down and watched her descent with a trace of worry in his eyes. Finally, after much effort, Li Xiang safely reached the ground.

As she untied the rope from her waist, Su Mo stepped forward, intending to escort her back to the prince’s mansion. But suddenly, Li Xiang ran in the opposite direction. Su Mo didn’t understand her intention but instinctively chased after her.

In just a few strides, he caught up and blocked her path. “Where are you going?”

Li Xiang sneered. “What’s wrong, Lord Mo? Are you planning to deliver me straight to the young master’s bed?”

Su Mo felt a buzzing in his head, his thoughts freezing in that moment.

Li Xiang clenched her teeth and pleaded softly, “Lord Mo, for the sake of our past affection, won’t you let me leave? Since you no longer have feelings for me, I won’t force the matter. But I truly cannot bear to return and face the heir. When I left today, I had no intention of ever going back to the prince’s residence.”

Su Mo stared at her resolute expression, stunned for a moment before finally speaking. “Are you certain you want to leave?”

Li Xiang met his gaze firmly. “Yes.”

After a long silence, Su Mo said, “Then let’s return to the treehouse first and tend to your wounds before anything else.”

Li Xiang refused. “There’s nothing left to say between us. Since you’ve already made your decision, don’t regret it now.”

Su Mo choked on his words, momentarily speechless. Yet, he couldn’t bear to simply watch her walk away. He pleaded, “I promise I won’t force you back to the prince’s residence. Just let me treat your injuries first. Give me time to think, to sort through my thoughts.”