Drunk on Madness - Chapter 4

The bright moon gradually rose high into the sky. A wisp of translucent gray cloud veiled its faint glow.

The atmosphere in the corridor was somewhat awkward. Li Xiang, seeing that the matter was already settled, decided there was no use dwelling on it. Instead, he thought it better to gather some information and prepare for his upcoming time at the academy.

“Momo, what should I do to get ready for the academy?” Li Xiang asked.

“Don’t call me Momo!” Su Mo retorted.

“Why not? Momo sounds nice. Even Auntie Su calls you that,” Li Xiang said with a laugh.

Su Mo replied, “My mother is my mother. I don’t mind what she calls me. But you’re younger than me, if others hear you calling me that, they’ll laugh at me.”

“Remember, from now on, call me Lord Mo!” Su Mo corrected sternly, watching Li Xiang cover his mouth to stifle a laugh.

“Got it. Grandpa Momo.” With that, Li Xiang grinned even more foolishly.

“You! if you keep calling me nonsense, I’ll kick you out,” Su Mo snapped.

“Oh.” Seeing Su Mo’s anger flare, Li Xiang pouted, his smile vanishing.

For a moment, neither spoke, and the air between them grew stiff again, broken only by the distant croaking of frogs in the corridor.

Su Mo glanced at Li Xiang, who had suddenly fallen silent, wondering if he had been too harsh earlier.

… …

Before long, the two arrived at Moyuan Pavilion. Su Mo led Li Xiang to a guest room and said, “It’s too late tonight. Rest early. Tomorrow morning, after meeting the heir, we’ll make further arrangements.”

“Understood. Lord Mo.” Li Xiang bowed expressionlessly.

Though Su Mo heard the address he preferred, he felt an inexplicable discomfort. Yet, he couldn’t find the right words to say.

“If you really don’t want to call me Lord Mo, you can call me Brother Mo instead,” Su Mo offered as a compromise.

“In your dreams.” With that, Li Xiang shut the door.

After a long pause, Su Mo finally left.

Once Su Mo was gone, Li Xiang reminded himself inwardly not to speak carelessly. Just because someone had helped him a few times didn’t mean they saw him as an equal.

This wasn’t the 21st century. In ancient times, where hierarchy was strictly observed, it was best not to joke around recklessly. After all, they weren’t from the same era, one misstep could cost him her life.

The next day, just as Li Xiang finished washing up, Su Mo knocked on his door. He had brought simple porridge for breakfast, and after the two ate, they headed to the study to meet the heir.

Upon arriving, Su Mo signaled for Li Xiang to wait outside while he casually knocked and entered.

Zhou Mingxuan, who had been sipping porridge, set down his bowl and spoon. “How rare for you to report to my courtyard so early. Have you eaten? Join me.”

“Just had a little,” Su Mo replied, but his tone shifted when he saw the table laden with exquisite pastries.

“You’re eating so much in the morning. Let me do you a favor and help you finish some.” With that, he pulled up a nearby stool and reached for the pastries in the white porcelain dish, only for Zhou Mingxuan’s slender fingers to stop him.

Zhou Mingxuan raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing. “Oh, so I should thank you? Eunuch Du hasn’t eaten yet. I’d rather save these for him than let you, the ungrateful one, have them.”

No sooner had Zhou Mingxuan spoken than a sleeve flashed before his eyes. Su Mo had already snatched a pastry from another bowl and stuffed it into his mouth, his eyes gleaming mischievously. “Fine. If you won’t give, I’ll take.” Before Zhou Mingxuan could react, he grabbed two more from the table and darted out the door.

Outside the study, Su Mo handed two steamed buns to Li Xiang. Seeing Su Mo holding them out, she instinctively took them.

“Hurry up and eat. Among the breakfast options at the Young Master’s place, these meat buns are the best, thin skin and plenty of filling,” Su Mo said, chewing on his own bun.

Li Xiang looked at Su Mo’s expectant face and took a bite of the bun in her hand.

“Good, right?” Su Mo asked eagerly.

“It is quite tasty,” came a soft yet sudden female voice.

The morning sunlight shone on Su Mo, making him look both radiant and a bit silly, giving Li Xiang an unexpected sense of long-lost security.

After the two silently finished their buns, a gaunt-faced Eunuch Du emerged from the room.

“Mo, the Young Master wants you inside,” Eunuch Du said, addressing Su Mo but sneaking a glance at Li Xiang.

“I’ll be right back. Wait here,” Su Mo told Li Xiang before turning and entering the study.

Zhou Mingxuan heard the noise but said nothing. He merely set down his bowl, having lost his appetite, rinsed his mouth with tea, and gestured for Eunuch Du to clear the table.

As Su Mo passed by, he grabbed another bun and took a bite. “You’re so wasteful,” he remarked.

“Didn’t expect you to be so chivalrous. Giving away my buns to impress someone, you sure know how to play the hero,” Zhou Mingxuan said, curious about the girl who had captured Su Mo’s attention.

Su Mo didn’t reply, just grinned foolishly while eating.

“Since she’s here, let her come in,” Zhou Mingxuan said.

Getting down to business, Su Mo quickly swallowed the bun and stepped outside.

“Li Xiang, the Young Master wants to see you,” Su Mo said, winking at her by the door.

Upon entering, Li Xiang saw a young man in white seated in the main chair, his gaze filled with scrutiny.

Mimicking the servants’ manner, Li Xiang knelt. “This maid, Li Xiang, greets the Young Master.”

Her voice was gentle yet clear. Zhou Mingxuan couldn’t help but study her closely. Though young, she carried an air of quiet elegance.

Her eyes held none of a servant’s fear or timidity, staring directly at him, which inexplicably made his heart race and left him momentarily speechless.

Standing nearby, Su Mo nudged his arm, snapping him out of it.

“Rise,” Zhou Mingxuan said. Li Xiang slowly stood up.

“Su Mo mentioned you suffered from a soul-loss condition?” Zhou Mingxuan asked.

“Yes. Perhaps it was due to a fever. I had no money for treatment, and it damaged my mind. I don’t remember anything from before,” Li Xiang replied.

“If you don’t remember, how do you know you can read?”

“Read? I’m not sure. I just instinctively recognize some characters, but not all,” Li Xiang admitted, stumped.

“So it’s selective amnesia?” Zhou Mingxuan pressed.

“…” Li Xiang had no answer and could only glance helplessly at Su Mo.

“Never mind. Summon Physician Meng to examine her again,” Zhou Mingxuan said, relenting when he saw her pleading look.

“Yes,” Su Mo replied, shooting Li Xiang a glance before leaving.

With a familiar face gone, Li Xiang suddenly felt uneasy. Though the Young Master was just a boy of sixteen or seventeen, he was still her future superior.

“Come grind the ink,” Zhou Mingxuan’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

“Yes,” Li Xiang replied, thinking to herself, Capitalists really know how to exploit, already ordering me around.

As the faint scent of ink dispersed in the room, the woman carefully ground the ink stick in her hand, while the man beside her held a book of scriptures, occasionally glancing up.

A morning breeze blew in, causing the wind chimes hanging beneath the window eaves to jingle softly. The air seemed to grow sweeter. Zhou Mingxuan suddenly recalled the phrase “a beauty adding fragrance to the scholar’s study.”

“Your Highness, Physician Meng is here,” Su Mo announced as he entered.

“Let Physician Meng examine her again,” Zhou Mingxuan signaled.

After briefly washing her hands, Li Xiang obediently rolled up her sleeves, allowing Physician Meng to take her pulse. The scars on her wrists were wrapped in cloth strips, concealing their appearance.

Su Mo helped her roll up her sleeves and thoughtfully removed the cloth strips covering the scars on her wrists. When several pale pink scars were revealed, even Physician Meng was taken aback.

“Young lady, so young, what could have driven you to harm yourself so severely? What a pity, what a pity,” Physician Meng, the royal physician who had spent his younger years treating patients far and wide, couldn’t bear to see someone so self-destructive and couldn’t help but speak up.

“I won’t do it again,” Li Xiang replied sheepishly.

Hearing this, the young master Zhou, who had been at the desk, walked over. None of the three had noticed him.

Physician Meng sighed earnestly. “Ah, this old man doesn’t mean to meddle, but life is hard, there’s always hope if you keep living.” After saying this, he carefully checked Li Xiang’s pulse.

The other two seemed lost in thought and remained silent. Only then did Su Mo notice the young master standing nearby and was about to rise to offer his seat, but Zhou Mingxuan gestured for him to stay put.

After a while, Physician Meng suddenly asked, “Young lady, you lost your memory two months ago. Do you occasionally recall fragments of the past now?”

“No,” Li Xiang shook her head.

Not long after, Physician Meng stood up and said, “Your pulse is steady, your heartbeat strong. There’s nothing wrong with your health.” As he spoke, he took out a small white porcelain jar from his medical box.

“This is a scar ointment. Your wounds are old, so the effect may not be as strong, but with long-term use, most of the scars should fade.” He handed the jar to Li Xiang.

“This servant thanks Physician Meng,” Li Xiang said, bowing deeply.

“No need for thanks. Just cherish your life and don’t harm yourself again,” he replied before bidding farewell to the young master. “Your Highness, if there’s nothing else, this old man will take his leave.”

Zhou Mingxuan waved his hand in acknowledgment.

After Physician Meng left, Su Mo immediately took the physician’s seat. He opened the jar, sniffed the ointment, and scooped some out with his finger. “Come on, let me apply it for you.”

“I don’t want you to do it,” Li Xiang said disdainfully, though she didn’t voice the reason, his unwashed hands.

“If you won’t let me, do you expect His Highness to apply it for you?” Su Mo teased, looking at her.

Ahem. Zhou Mingxuan, suddenly brought into the conversation, was speechless.

“I never said I wanted His Highness to do it! I’ll do it myself,” Li Xiang retorted, her cheeks puffing up in frustration. She snatched the jar from Su Mo’s hand, scooped out some ointment, and began applying it herself.

Once she finished, Li Xiang prepared to seal the jar, but Su Mo interjected, “What about the other hand?”

“What?” Li Xiang pretended not to understand.

“Your other wrist is also injured. Apply it there too,” Su Mo said, reaching to roll up her sleeve.

Slap! Li Xiang swatted his hand away.

“Fine, fine,” she relented, rolling up her right sleeve. When the red cloth strip was untied, revealing deeper scars on her other wrist, Su Mo’s eyes filled with pity. “Physician Meng didn’t give us enough ointment. I’ll have to ask him for more later.”

Li Xiang furrowed her brows slightly and said, “I understand. Could you say a little less?”

She didn’t want to reveal her wounds in front of strangers, she had only just met the heir today. As a leader, he should have known better than to disregard propriety. What kind of situation was this, with two grown men watching her apply medicine? She had no choice but to endure the awkwardness and tend to her injuries herself.

Looking at his childhood friend, whose concern was practically overflowing, Zhou Mingxuan couldn’t help but feel the woman was being somewhat ungrateful, given her faint frown and impatient expression.

The woman was dressed in plain clothes, her delicate features soft and refined, with a hint of dimples when she moved. Every gesture carried an effortless grace.

Though her appearance and bearing were rare and admirable, it was a pity she had fallen into such circumstances, even harming herself. Who knew if her purity remained intact? A trace of something cold flickered imperceptibly in Zhou Mingxuan’s gaze.