Drunk on Madness - Chapter 5

Over the next few days, Li Xiang had to learn various rules and familiarize herself with the master’s needs and preferences.

In the long corridor, Eunuch Du led Li Xiang toward the young master’s bedchamber.

Eunuch Du admonished Li Xiang: “Master Mo has an easygoing and righteous temperament and often helps us clean up messes. But you mustn’t grow lazy just because of his protection. Mind your words and attitude, and remember your place. Master Mo is the prince’s adopted son, his status is naturally different from ours.”

Li Xiang replied obediently, “Eunuch Du is right.”

“Having Master Mo’s protection on this trip to Songshan Academy is your good fortune. You’ll serve both the young master and Master Mo, but the young master takes precedence in all matters. Master Mo understands propriety and won’t put you in a difficult position.”

“You won’t usually be needed to attend to the young master’s bedtime or dressing, but you must still know how, just in case.”

“Eunuch Du is right.” What a massive pitfall. Li Xiang felt irritated inside.

Before she knew it, they arrived at the bedchamber. An elderly nurse sat inside. Eunuch Du introduced her: “This is Nurse Zhao, from the princess consort’s side. Today, you’ll learn some rules from her. This old servant must return to attend the young master and won’t linger.” With that, Eunuch Du turned and left.

“Take care, Eunuch Du,” Li Xiang said respectfully, bowing.

“So you’re Li Xiang. You’ve got a fine appearance,” Nurse Zhao remarked with a smile.

“Greetings, Nurse Zhao.” Li Xiang felt like she had to bow everywhere she went. Exhausting.

Nurse Zhao studied her with a meaningful gaze. “Sit.”

Only after scrutinizing her for a long while did Nurse Zhao finally speak. “Thirsty? Have some water.”

“Thank you, Nurse.” She was indeed a little thirsty. Flattered, Li Xiang picked up the cup of water that had been poured earlier and took a sip.

Perhaps it was the sweltering summer heat, but the cicadas chirping outside the window suddenly made Li Xiang drowsy. She couldn’t help but yawn.

“Sleepy?” Nurse Zhao asked.

“A little, but don’t mind me, Nurse. I can endure.” Li Xiang forced herself to stay alert.

“No matter. At my age, I get drowsy easily too. I was already feeling sleepy before you arrived, I’ll take a short nap as well,” Nurse Zhao said.

“But…” There was nowhere to sleep. This was the young master’s bedchamber, she definitely couldn’t touch anything.

“There’s a small side room here where we can both lie down for a bit.” With that, she stood and led Li Xiang inside.

“Here we are.” Nurse Zhao lifted a corner of the curtain, revealing an inconspicuous side chamber with a small couch just big enough for two.

Nurse Zhao chose a corner and lay down without another word.

Li Xiang didn’t think much of it. The drowsiness had come on suddenly, and she really did need to rest.

Before long, both of them had fallen into a deep slumber.

However, not long after, Nurse Zhao, who had appeared to be asleep, suddenly opened her eyes and glanced at the girl beside her. The young woman lay slightly askew on the couch, her raven hair spread like clouds, her red lips slightly parted, a picture of delicate charm.

Nurse Zhao sat up, nudged the girl beside her, and, seeing no reaction, untied the girl’s sash, revealing white cloth tightly wrapped around her chest.

Puzzled as to why the girl would bind herself so tightly, Nurse Zhao painstakingly unraveled the cloth. After removing all of Li Xiang’s clothing, she observed the unconscious girl, her brows like crescent moons, her lashes fluttering faintly.

Nurse Zhao meticulously examined the girl’s body, checking every inch before methodically redressing her. Once the girl showed no trace of her earlier peculiarity, Nurse Zhao quietly left the bedchamber.

In Moyuan Pavilion, Zhou Mingxuan dismissed the maids and attendants around him.

Nurse Zhao bowed to Zhou Mingxuan.

“Your Highness, after repeated examinations by this old servant, the girl remains a virgin.”

“She has three small moles under her left chest, slight calluses on her palms, and over a dozen knife scars on her wrists, likely from multiple attempts to slit her veins.”

“Her body bears whip marks all over, especially on her back. There are also older scars, long healed, which this old servant believes to be scratches, likely inflicted by another woman,” said Nurse Zhao.

Zhou Mingxuan’s gaze darkened. He set down his brush and picked up a nearby towel to wipe his hands.

“Thank you for your efforts, Nurse Zhao. Today’s matter must not be spoken of to others,” Zhou Mingxuan said.

“Yes.”

Nurse Zhao had watched the young master grow up and had never seen him show such curiosity about any woman before. Unable to resist, she asked with concern,

“Does Your Highness have an interest in this girl?”

“What do you mean, Nurse Zhao?”

“This girl’s origins are unknown, and she shows signs of self-harm and despair. Your Highness should not-”

“You overthink, Madam. If I had such intentions, I wouldn’t have troubled you to examine her,” Zhou Mingxuan interrupted.

“Keeping her by my side, I naturally need to know her background.”

“This old servant has overstepped.” Having received a clear response, Madam Zhao dared not press further.

“Speaking of which, the girl is quite pitiable. She doesn’t even have proper undergarments, just wraps herself tightly in cloth.”

Zhou Mingxuan raised an eyebrow. “Go to the Imperial Household Department and have a few suitable outfits made for her.”

“Yes,” Nurse Zhao replied.

Zhou Mingxuan dismissed Nurse Zhao and returned to his paperwork.

Nurse Zhao entered the bedchamber, estimating that the sedative’s effects had worn off, and woke Li Xiang, who had been unconscious in the side room.

“His Highness values cleanliness. He bathes daily, and his bed linens and clothes must be washed frequently. According to the rules of Songshan Academy, only one attendant is allowed to accompany him. If the workload is too much, you may hire help for laundry, use silver to solve problems rather than burden yourself.” Knowing the girl likely came from poverty and might hesitate to spend, Nurse Zhao emphasized this point.

“His Highness favors white and black. If you need to purchase undergarments, try to match the colors of his bedchamber.” As she spoke, Nurse Zhao opened Zhou Mingxuan’s wardrobe.

The training session passed quietly, and before they knew it, the sun had begun to set.

After explaining the young master’s daily habits, Nurse Zhao took a sip of water and poured a cup for Li Xiang as well.

“Since he was twelve, His Highness has been sent to Songshan by the Prince, so the family has spent little time together. The Prince of Yan is occupied with court affairs, and their meetings are brief. His mother, the Princess Consort, worries that prolonged separation will distance them. She also regrets that he lacks a close companion to care for him.”

“As the saying goes, ‘Parents who love their children plan for their future.’ The Princess Consort could not bear the pain of separation but also did not want to confine him to the inner quarters. Fortunately, Lord Mo has been by his side for protection, which has eased her mind somewhat. The Princess Consort initially intended to send her head maid, Liu’er, but His Highness was dissatisfied and refused, insisting on finding someone to his own liking.”

“…” What kind of logic was this? Even choosing a maid had to be picky?

“His Highness will come of age in a year, it’s natural for him to have thoughts of romance.” Nurse Zhao took a sip of tea and dabbed her lips with a silk handkerchief. Glancing at Li Xiang, who was listening attentively, she continued.

“If, after arriving at Songshan, His Highness expresses such desires, you may accommodate him. Once he comes of age and marries, this old servant will personally request the Princess Consort to grant you the status of a concubine.”

“Nurse, have you misunderstood? If you’re looking for a concubine for His Highness, I suggest you replace me now, it’s not too late.” The more Li Xiang listened, the more exasperated she became, finally retorting in anger.

“What kind of attitude is this? Are you saying being the Young Master’s concubine is beneath you?” Old Nurse Zhao slammed the table hard, knocking over the cup on it. Water spilled from the cup onto the table and then dripped onto Li Xiang’s legs, still warm.

Li Xiang quickly stood up, using a handkerchief to wipe her dampened skirt.

“Why is Nurse Zhao so agitated? Though I’m just a maid, I’ve never considered becoming someone’s concubine, never!” Li Xiang replied calmly but firmly.

“You should be grateful if the master even takes a liking to you. How ungrateful!” Old Nurse Zhao fumed.

The conversation had reached a dead end, and Old Nurse Zhao had no intention of saying more. She stormed off in anger.

Though the Young Master had claimed he had no interest in Li Xiang, Old Nurse Zhao didn’t believe it. A man wanting to verify a woman’s purity might stem from curiosity, but insisting on inspecting her in his own room at least meant he didn’t dislike her.

The Young Master was still young, inexperienced in matters of the heart, perhaps he hadn’t even realized it himself. But how could a mere maid defy the heavens? Old Nurse Zhao sighed, too weary to bother with it further.

Li Xiang returned to her quarters in low spirits. Old Nurse Zhao’s words weighed heavily on her, making it impossible to eat or sleep peacefully. She felt she needed to get to the bottom of this.

The next day, after lunch, Li Xiang intercepted Su Mo, who was on his way to take a nap.

With a sharp look, Li Xiang demanded, “Yesterday, Auntie Su mentioned that it was originally Liu’er, the princess’s maid, who was supposed to accompany you and the Young Master to Mount Song.” Why was it suddenly changed to me?”

“What’s so bad about going to Mount Song? It’s just me and the Young Master. Normally, we have our studies, and you’d just handle our meals, what’s the issue?” Su Mo evaded the question.

“But Liu’er was the princess’s choice as his future concubine.” What does it mean for me to go instead? To become his concubine?”

Su Mo gave her a disdainful glance. “Hah. You think too highly of yourself.”If I hadn’t phrased it that way, would the princess have agreed to switch?” Liu’er is the princess’s spy. If she went, the Young Master and I would have another pair of the princess’s eyes watching us, making everything inconvenient. “You’ve noticed, I don’t stand on ceremony around the Young Master, but in front of the Princess and within the manor, some decorum must be maintained. Gossip is dangerous. Words get twisted when passed through too many mouths. What I might say as a joke could be reported to the princess as a grievance, making life unbearable for me and my mother’s position in the manor would suffer too.”

“So that’s it.” Realizing she had been used as a shield, Li Xiang felt relieved.

“Wait, was it you who said Liu’er wasn’t suitable and had me replace her?” Li Xiang finally connected the dots.

Su Mo rubbed his nose. “Guilty as charged.”

Li Xiang rolled her eyes in exasperation. Still, it was clear that Su Mo and the Young Master shared a deep bond. Su Mo didn’t want his actions monitored by the princess’s people, and Zhou Mingxuan had let him choose his own companion.