Drunk on Madness - Chapter 40

In the early spring of the third year of Zhenyuan, someone witnessed the Prince of Yan paying respects to the late emperor at the imperial mausoleum. News that the Prince of Yan was still alive quickly spread throughout Zhongjin.

Rumors circulated that in the first year of Zhenyuan, the Prince of Yan had been assassinated by the current emperor. To protect himself, the prince had gone into hiding under an assumed name to recover from his injuries for three years. His reappearance now was a declaration of war against the reigning emperor.

Since ascending the throne three years ago, Emperor Zhou Zhiyi had executed virtuous ministers and meritorious border generals. With no commendable achievements to his name, officials privately found this capricious emperor a headache. Upon hearing that the Prince of Yan was alive, many couldn’t help but consider defecting to his side.

The news of the Prince of Yan’s survival sent shockwaves through the populace. Immediately, people began inquiring about the location of his army. Strong men sought to join his cause, merchants offered their wealth, and soon, talents of all kinds flocked to the border regions.

As the military camp swelled with recruits, Zhou Mingxuan no longer returned to his residence, staying in the camp day and night. Amidst the busy preparations, the first month arrived, and the army marched north to war.

Knowing that their newlywed days would soon be interrupted by an indefinite separation, the Princess Consort of Yan, Lady Zhao, sent Li Xiang to bid him farewell.

At the city gates, Zhou Mingxuan stood clad in armor, his heroic bearing unmistakable, a trace of delight flickering in his brow.

The two faced each other, the world around them seeming to still. Only the distant whinnying of warhorses and the murmurs of soldiers broke the silence.

Zhou Mingxuan gently took Li Xiang’s hand, his gaze tender. “This battle will take me away for who knows how long. If you miss me, write to me. If-” He paused, glancing down at her abdomen before continuing, “If we are blessed with a child, you must write and tell me.” Li Xiang nodded softly.

He drew an exquisite jade pendant from his robes and placed it in her palm. “This pendant has been with me since birth. Now, I entrust it to you, let it stand in my stead and keep you company.”

Li Xiang accepted the pendant, tears finally spilling over.

Zhou Mingxuan wiped them away, caressing her cheek. “I don’t want to see you cry anymore. I know I’ve caused you much suffering, forcing you to stay by my side against your will.

“I know I’ve been selfish. I can never make up for Su Mo. But I hope you can find some happiness. Wait for me for two years, and I will give you the entire world. I will make you the most treasured woman in it.”

Zhou Mingxuan embraced her, whispering in her ear, “Xiangxiang, I must leave soon. Can you tell me… have you ever felt even a flicker of love for me?”

Pulling back, he searched her eyes intently. Li Xiang looked at him, his expression full of hope. Her lips parted slightly as she prepared to speak, but Zhou Mingxuan covered them with his hand, his gaze dimming. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter anymore. At least you are mine.”

As the war horns blared from the camp, Zhou Mingxuan reluctantly released her hand. He turned, mounted his steed, and cast one last glance at Li Xiang before tugging the reins. With a fierce neigh, the horse galloped away, leaving only dust in its wake.

Li Xiang stood rooted, watching his figure recede into the distance.

Before he had gone far, her gaze drifted involuntarily toward Su Mo in the distance. She longed to bid him farewell but knew their current circumstances made it awkward.

Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, she caught sight of that familiar silhouette. Unable to resist, she waved goodbye and called out to the figures in the crowd, “Take care of yourselves!”

Su Mo and Gu Ci watched their reluctant farewell with a hint of bitterness in their hearts. When they heard her call out, they instantly understood her words were meant for them. Feeling somewhat comforted, he raised his hand and waved back in response.

Seeing him like this, Gu Ci feared it might unsettle Zhou Mingxuan, so he also waved goodbye to Li Xiang. Zhou Mingxuan dismounted, glanced at them indifferently, then turned and waved, acknowledging Li Xiang’s farewell as well.

Seeing all three of them waving at her, Li Xiang felt a wave of relief wash over her. In that moment, they seemed to return to their days as fellow students at Songshan Academy, the close brothers they had once been in each other’s hearts.

Amidst the clashing blades and flying arrows of the battlefield, knowing they had each other’s backs brought Li Xiang some peace. In life-and-death situations, she didn’t want them to drift apart because of her.

After days of marching, the army reached their first battleground near the city of Yizhou.

The war banners fluttered noisily in the wind as the Prince of Yan’s forces set up camp five hundred meters outside Yizhou’s walls. The sight of the dark, sprawling tents sent waves of unease through the city’s inhabitants.

A day later, the Yan army sent envoys into the city to negotiate surrender. As fellow subjects of Zhongjin, the Prince of Yan hoped to avoid bloodshed if possible.

Upon hearing the news, Wang Xiangli, the governor of Yizhou, naturally greeted them with a smile. But before he could even meet the envoys, he was struck down by a blade from his own deputy. When the envoys were finally received, the deputy declared, “The Emperor’s reinforcements will arrive shortly. No one is permitted to surrender. Anyone who betrays us will be executed on the spot.”

With no other choice, the envoys returned empty-handed. Upon receiving the news, the Prince of Yan abandoned any pretense of mercy and immediately launched the attack.

Yizhou’s high walls gave it a formidable advantage, making it easy to defend and hard to attack. Su Mo led his warriors in a fierce assault, while archers and fire arrows rained down from behind, yet little progress was made by day’s end.

That night, the Prince of Yan dispatched skilled martial artists who scaled the walls with ease. Once chaos erupted within the city, the full-scale assault began.

The daytime battle had merely been a feint, the Prince of Yan wanted to test Yizhou’s defenses. Under the cover of darkness, while the enemy was resting, his forces struck from within and without. The Prince had no intention of letting them catch their breath or wait for reinforcements.

The first victory was met with jubilation in the army. The citizens, hiding in their homes, heard the cheers and cautiously peeked out. Officials tasked with post-war pacification soon arrived to reassure them. After a few days of interaction, the people no longer feared the Yan army, and some even joined their ranks as volunteers.

Li Xiang didn’t hear about their victory until ten days later. During this time, she had been dining with Zhou Mingxuan’s family. Perhaps the war had unsettled Princess Consort Zhao, but Li Xiang could sense her kindness.

One evening after dinner, Li Xiang, Qingyi, and Princess Consort Zhao strolled together in the courtyard to aid digestion. When Qingyi mentioned her brother’s triumph in battle, Zhao suddenly summoned the household’s female physician to examine Li Xiang.

Li Xiang complied without protest. After several careful checks, the physician’s eyes widened in astonishment. Gently releasing Li Xiang’s wrist, she turned to Princess Consort Zhao and announced, “Congratulations, Your Highness. The secondary consort is with child. The pulse is steady, and the fetus is healthy.”

Overjoyed, Princess Consort Zhao was about to reward the attendants when the physician added, “However, the pregnancy is still in its early stages. My humble skills cannot yet determine whether it is a single child or twins. We will need to wait two more months to be certain.”

At these words, Zhao rose abruptly from her seat, her voice trembling slightly as she asked, “Is this true? How confident are you that she carries twins?”

The female physician knelt and said, “I dare not deceive Her Highness the Princess Consort. I am fifty percent certain that this pregnancy carries twins.”

Upon hearing this, Lady Zhao stepped forward and grasped Li Xiang’s hand. Gently touching her still-flat belly, her eyes reddened as she murmured, “Mingxuan will have heirs. My Mingxuan is going to be a father.”

Since the war began, she had worried daily for Zhou Mingxuan’s safety, fearing that any mishap would leave her, as his mother, unable to imagine the future. Though the Prince of Yan had repeatedly vowed that their son would return alive, she still found no rest day or night.

Now that the physician had confirmed Li Xiang was carrying Mingxuan’s child, Lady Zhao was overwhelmed with joy. Nanny Zhao stepped forward to steady her, and rewards were distributed among the household servants.

Regaining her composure, Lady Zhao immediately arranged for Li Xiang to move into the Elegant Garden to live with her. Li Xiang could hardly refuse, though she felt slightly displeased, no one truly wished to live with their mother-in-law.

Fortunately, Qingyi, ever considerate, offered to move in as well to keep her company. Lady Zhao naturally did not refuse. In these turbulent times, she wanted those closest to her by her side every day, where she could see them at any moment, only then would she feel at ease.

…

On another battlefield, smoke filled the air as war drums thundered. Soldiers from both sides clashed like tidal waves, the clang of blades unceasing.

Amid the swirling dust, Zhou Mingxuan found himself surrounded, trapped in a desperate situation until Su Mo appeared, spear in hand, his gaze icy like a god of war descending.

Su Mo moved with agility, weaving through enemy ranks. Every sweep of his spear felled foes, and his arrival instantly shifted the tide of battle.

Seeing this, warmth surged in Zhou Mingxuan’s heart. He knew Su Mo had come specifically to save him. With unspoken understanding, a single exchanged glance was all it took for them to fight side by side.

In the heat of battle, Zhou Mingxuan’s armor was slashed by an enemy general’s blade, blood staining his robes.

Su Mo reacted instantly, charging at the general. After a few fierce exchanges, he unhorsed the man with a decisive strike.

Turning swiftly, he steadied Zhou Mingxuan and asked urgently, “Are you alright?”

Zhou Mingxuan forced a smile and shook his head. “I’m fine. Thanks to you.”

With Su Mo’s aid, Zhou Mingxuan gradually stabilized the battle lines and led his troops in a counterattack.

In the end, through their combined efforts, the enemy forces were routed, and control of the battlefield was reclaimed.

…

After the battle, inside the tent.

Zhou Mingxuan finished bandaging his wounds and clapped Su Mo on the shoulder. “Su Mo, thank you for saving my life today.”

Su Mo’s eyes darkened. After a long pause, he gave a faint smile. “No need to thank me. I was merely fulfilling my foster father’s request.”

Standing shoulder to shoulder, Zhou Mingxuan felt a pang of bitterness. He knew that even without the Prince of Yan’s orders, Su Mo would have saved him regardless.

In the past, Zhou Mingxuan wouldn’t have thanked him, such actions were instinctive between them. He had only sought an excuse to speak more with Su Mo, to mend the rift between them.

Just then, the Prince of Yan lifted the tent flap and entered. After checking Zhou Mingxuan’s injuries and reassuring himself, he praised Su Mo at length. But with many duties awaiting him, he soon left to attend to other matters.