Drunk on Madness - Chapter 44

A month later in Yizhou City, the lives of the common people remained undisturbed by the war, proceeding in an orderly fashion as usual. Shortly after the truce, a group of outsiders arrived outside Yizhou. Among the hundred-strong entourage was an unassuming yet stately carriage. Su Mo and Gu Ci immediately recognized it as belonging to Zhou Yanqing, the headmaster of Songshan Academy, also the uncle of both the Prince of Yan and the current emperor, the King of Mingbei.

After paying their respects to the King of Mingbei inside the carriage, Su Mo and Gu Ci welcomed him into the city.

The Prince of Yan was naturally overjoyed at his uncle’s arrival and quickly ordered his servants to prepare a feast. The two exchanged pleasantries upon meeting, and only after everyone else had withdrawn did they begin discussing serious matters.

It turned out that the imperial court was now a place where everyone treaded on thin ice. Emperor Zhou Zhiyi had suffered numerous defeats in battle over the past year and had grown suspicious of everyone around him, fearing they might defect to the Prince of Yan. Over time, the officials harbored grievances but dared not voice them openly. Most of the court’s civil officials had been promoted by the King of Mingbei himself, and he could not bear to see them persecuted by a foolish ruler. They had collectively petitioned him, hoping the Prince of Yan would replace the current emperor.

The King of Mingbei handed the Prince of Yan a list of names and arranged to meet again in the imperial capital.

Before leaving, the Prince of Yan expressed his gratitude for the King of Mingbei’s covert assistance during the raid on his estate. At the time, his only concern had been saving his wife and daughter, leaving him no capacity to care for others in the household. With few men at his disposal, rescuing so many would not have been possible without the King of Mingbei’s secret aid.

Only then did the King of Mingbei recall his beloved disciple, Zhou Mingxuan. Upon hearing that he already had a concubine and twin sons, he was both surprised and slightly displeased, his brow furrowing. The Prince of Yan noticed his displeasure and understood his concerns.

The King of Mingbei knew that the battlefield was unpredictable, and it was understandable for a man to marry and have children early. Still, he felt it was unfair to his granddaughter. Minying had waited for him for three years, only for this boy to take a concubine first and father two illegitimate sons. He would have to talk some sense into her when he returned.

Under the hazy moonlight, Su Mo sat alone in a courtyard, clutching a flask of clear wine. The moon’s glow flowed like a gentle stream, softly illuminating his face.

Earlier that day, Su Mo had stood not far from the Prince of Yan and the King of Mingbei, overhearing their conversation. Before entering Songshan Academy, the two families had verbally agreed to a marriage between Zhou Mingxuan and Princess Chen Minying. Though the two had met only a few times, they had spent some time together at the academy due to the King of Mingbei’s influence. Su Mo couldn’t say Zhou Mingxuan had no feelings for Chen Minying, but he had always been indifferent to women, except for his later affection for Xiangxiang.

Su Mo slowly raised his hand, bringing the wine cup to his lips for a sip. The crisp aroma of the liquor slid down his throat, yet he tasted an indescribable bitterness.

He closed his eyes, letting his thoughts drift with the moonlight. The heir should have reached the border by now, he must have seen Xiangxiang by this point.

The Prince of Yan had forbidden the heir from returning, so Su Mo had impersonated him to remain in the camp. He had even begged Uncle Li to escort them along the way. The Prince of Yan discovered the ruse within a day but did not reprimand him. After all, the Prince knew that once the heir set his mind to something, no one could stop him. He had only feared that the heir, still injured, might come to harm on the journey, so he had sent another team to escort him.

Calculating the time, Su Mo knew that Li Xiang’s child had already been born. He longed to return and see her, but given their different statuses, he could only let Zhou Mingxuan go back to accompany her. He understood that at this moment, she needed someone by her side the most. He didn’t want to witness their affectionate scenes again.

Since she had already accepted the heir apparent, he should learn to let go. The bitter consequences of it all would be swallowed by him alone.

Gazing at the bright moon in the night sky, he silently swore to himself: if Zhou Mingxuan ever betrayed Li Xiang, whether he became an all-powerful emperor in the future or remained the brother he had grown up with, he would never let go again, even if it meant death. Even if he had to wander the ends of the earth with her, he would never give Zhou Mingxuan another chance.

…

At the border, inside the Yan Prince’s Manor, Zhou Mingxuan received a letter from the Prince of Yan urging him to return to Yizhou. With the Northern Underworld King joining their forces, victory for the Yan army was only a matter of time. The Lantern Festival was in three days, and he wanted to celebrate it before heading back to Yizhou. He had consulted the physician and learned that a woman could only resume marital relations three months after childbirth. He had waited so long for this moment,

there was no reason to leave without easing his longing.

After dinner with his family, Zhou Mingxuan retired early to his chambers and had Nanny Li take the child away. As an experienced servant, Nanny Li immediately understood the heir’s intentions.

She felt some concern. The concubine had just given birth, yet the heir was already so eager for intimacy. His favor toward her was evident, should she continue administering the medicine? But before she could ponder further, Zhou Mingxuan was about to finish his bath. She quickly brewed a cup of light tea and handed it to Li Xiang. Without waiting to see if she drank it, Nanny Li left the room. Whether it was consumed or not would be left to fate.

As all the servants withdrew, Zhou Mingxuan emerged from the bath, steam still clinging to his body, with only a towel loosely draped around his waist. Droplets of water trailed down his chest, over his waist, and finally disappeared along the seductive lines of his hips.

Li Xiang was startled by the intensity in his gaze. She picked up the teacup and took a small sip, trying to suppress the blush on her cheeks. Zhou Mingxuan, seeing her feigning indifference, stepped closer and said, “What tea is this? It must be delicious.” With that, he took the cup from her hand and drained it in one gulp.

Li Xiang hadn’t expected him to snatch her drink. Her eyes swept over his chest, where she noticed a faint pink scar. She reached out to trace it and asked, “You were injured?”

Zhou Mingxuan pressed her hand down firmly. “I don’t think that’s the point right now.” In one swift motion, he lifted her from the table and carried her slowly toward the bed.

By dawn, Nanny Li stared at the gray morning sky, the sounds from the room still unceasing. She began to wonder if she had overdosed the medicine.

When the noises finally stopped, she let out a long sigh of relief. Upon opening the door, she found both of them unconscious. Not daring to look further, she flung open the windows to let the morning breeze disperse the lingering scent in the room.

Lady Zhao, who had risen early, found it odd that Li Xiang and Zhou Mingxuan hadn’t emerged by noon. Upon questioning Nanny Li, she learned that the two had been intimate until daybreak. She couldn’t help but blame the old nurse inwardly.

The pill was meant to aid fertility in women, but Li Xiang had just given birth to two children. Another pregnancy would be too much for her body to bear. Moreover, if a man accidentally consumed the medicine, he would lose all restraint in bed, greatly increasing the chances of conception. Lady Zhao felt a headache coming on. Given last night’s events, her son must have inadvertently ingested some of it. While she wanted more grandchildren, she didn’t want Li Xiang’s health to suffer lasting damage.

After all, it was she who had ordered the medicine to be given to Li Xiang, so she couldn’t very well say anything more. She simply instructed Nanny Li to stop administering the medicine for the time being.

By evening, the two of them finally woke up groggily. When Li Xiang realized it was already night, her face burned with embarrassment. Now everyone would know they had slept in. After washing up and having dinner, they checked on their child before it was time to sleep again. As usual, Zhou Mingxuan dismissed all the servants. He began fumbling around again, but Li Xiang swatted his mischievous hand away and said, “Aren’t you afraid of exhausting yourself to death? You’ve already humiliated me enough today. You’re not allowed to touch me tonight.” With that, she turned away, ignoring him.

Zhou Mingxuan pouted, looking aggrieved and unsatisfied. “I’m returning to the army the day after tomorrow, Xiangxiang. Can’t you let me enjoy myself for these last two days?”

Hearing that he was leaving so soon, Li Xiang turned back to look at him. “So soon?” Sensing an opportunity in her reaction, Zhou Mingxuan flipped over and pinned her hands down, showering her with slow, tender kisses.

That night, they took their time, savoring each other’s presence without the urgency of the previous night. The insatiable hunger had faded, replaced by Zhou Mingxuan’s lingering, affectionate attentions.

Though Li Xiang felt reluctant to part with him, her body no longer burned with the same wild desire.

She found it strange but assumed it was simply because they had overdone it the night before, leaving her physically drained. Zhou Mingxuan, too, noticed her subdued response and redoubled his efforts. But when her body no longer reacted to him as it once had, a sudden fear gripped his heart, as if the last proof of her love for him had vanished.

Hiding his unease, he distractedly went through the motions of their usual intimacy. Li Xiang sensed his distraction and, feeling guilty for her own coldness, tried to respond to him. Though not as fervent as the night before, her efforts still brought Zhou Mingxuan some measure of reassurance.