Drunk on Madness - Chapter 50

Zhou Mingxuan, traveling with the army, couldn’t move too quickly. After five days, he grew too impatient to wait and decided to split from the main forces. Along with Gu Ci, he led a cavalry unit ahead to the border, leaving the bulk of the army to proceed at a slower pace.

Ten days later, he encountered his mother, Princess Consort Zhao, and the others on the official road of Yizhou. Spotting the insignia of his family’s estate, Zhou Mingxuan immediately spurred his horse forward. Uncle Li naturally noticed the young master as well. He halted the procession and approached the carriage curtain, announcing, “Princess Consort, the young master has arrived.”

Upon hearing this, Lady Zhao swiftly pushed aside the carriage curtain. When she saw her son, whom she hadn’t laid eyes on for months, her eyes reddened, and her nose tingled with emotion. “Mingxuan.”

As Zhou Mingxuan dismounted, Lady Zhao quickly grasped his hands. Half a year apart, coupled with a brush with life and death, made their reunion deeply poignant. “It’s good that you’re safe, it’s good that you’re safe.” With the land finally secured, their family would never be separated again.

While comforting his mother, Zhou Mingxuan kept glancing at the carriage, watching as his younger sister stepped down and the children, one then another, were carried out by the nursemaids.

Yet, Li Xiang was nowhere to be seen. Puzzled, he turned to his mother. “Where’s Xiangxiang?”

At his question, the joy on Lady Zhao’s face instantly gave way to sorrow. She had been worrying about Xiangxiang all these days, dreading how Mingxuan would react when he found out.

Seeing his mother’s silence, Zhou Mingxuan grew uneasy. He turned to Qingyi and asked, “Yiyi, where’s your sister-in-law?”

Qingyi, still young, couldn’t hold back her tears at his question. “Sister-in-law was taken away by them. So many people are gone.”

Zhou Mingxuan pressed urgently, “Xiangxiang was taken?” Qingyi, seeing the faint redness in her brother’s eyes, burst into tears. As if unwilling to believe it, Zhou Mingxuan looked to his mother, silently pleading for her to answer.

Lady Zhao reassured him, “Don’t panic yet. Su Mo and the others are still searching. There might already be news by now.”

His lips pressed into a tight line, his gaze chilling, the usual composed air around him suddenly turned inscrutable. Handing the child in his arms to Lady Zhao, he said, “I must go find her. She’s waiting for me.”

Lady Zhao understood that persuading him to return to the capital now was impossible. Still, she couldn’t help but worry about the few hundred men accompanying him. “Are you sure this is enough?”

Zhou Mingxuan was already beyond listening. Mounting his horse, he sped toward the border. Watching his retreating figure, Lady Zhao turned to Uncle Li. “Follow the young master and ensure his safety.”

Uncle Li bowed in farewell and rode after the young master’s party.

By the time Li Xiang woke, it was already noon the next day. Covered by Su Mo’s clothes, she noticed her own garments drying by a nearby campfire. Glancing around, she saw no sign of Su Mo. A pang of loneliness struck her, mingled with a faint sense of relief. After what had transpired between them the night before, she wasn’t sure how to face him.

She couldn’t fathom how Su Mo had mustered the courage to cross that line with her. Had he hidden away, repenting his moment of abandon?

Now, she was utterly lost. She had already resigned herself to staying with Zhou Mingxuan, but last night’s passion had thrown everything into disarray.

Guilt toward Zhou Mingxuan gnawed at her, alongside longing for her children. If she left Zhou Mingxuan, what would become of them?

She put on Su Mo’s clothes and walked over to sit on the stone stool by the fire. Before long, the sound of hoofbeats came from outside the cave. Li Xiang instinctively felt a bit afraid and picked up the dagger by the woodpile, growing alert. Only when she saw it was Su Mo did she finally relax.

While she was asleep, Su Mo had ridden to town to buy some supplies. Watching him carry in the goods, Li Xiang got the sense that he intended to stay here for a long time.

Truth be told, Su Mo had initially considered taking Li Xiang to stay in town. But as he looked at her sleeping face, he suddenly didn’t want to let her see anyone else. He wanted to stay here, just the two of them, even if only for a few days.

Subconsciously, he feared that someone might come and take her away. He hoped that person would never find them.

Su Mo told Li Xiang to have some pastries first while he unpacked the supplies. Gradually, the cave began to look more and more like a proper home, warm and comfortable.

Watching him busily moving about with such a serious expression, Li Xiang suddenly understood something. She ate the pastries without voicing her realization.

Once Su Mo finished organizing, he immediately started cooking. Li Xiang offered to help, but Su Mo refused, saying she was still recovering and that he would handle it.

He made a minced meat and vegetable porridge, brought it to Li Xiang, scooped half a spoonful, blew on it, and held it to her lips. “Be careful, it’s hot.” Li Xiang reached out to take the bowl and spoon, intending to feed herself, but Su Mo dodged her hand. Seeing his insistence, she stopped resisting and let him feed her.

Before long, Su Mo had fed her the entire bowl of porridge. He set the bowl aside and suddenly, with a faint glint in his eyes, said, “Let me have a taste too.”

With that, he leaned in, wrapped his arms around Li Xiang, and kissed her.

Li Xiang turned uncomfortably to the side, but Su Mo pressed close against her.

…

Another day, Su Mo took Li Xiang’s hand and led her for a walk in the woods. Calling it a surprise, he insisted on taking her to see something. When Li Xiang asked what it was, Su Mo refused to say.

After walking for nearly an hour, they arrived at a mist-shrouded pool. Bubbles rose from the spring at its center. Li Xiang tentatively dipped a finger into the water, the temperature was just right.

The warm, moist air gradually brought a rosy flush to Li Xiang’s cheeks. Gazing at the steaming pool, she couldn’t help but complain lightly, “Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I would’ve brought a change of clothes.”

Su Mo pulled her close and kissed her. “Don’t worry, I’ll make them appear for you later.”

Li Xiang looked skeptical and called him out, “You’ve been here before without telling me, haven’t you?”

Su Mo walked over to a crevice in the rocks and pulled out some clothes and food, grinning. “Of course I’ve been here. How else would I know about this hot spring?”

Since they were outdoors, Li Xiang didn’t dare strip completely and stepped into the water wearing her undergarments. In contrast, Su Mo was far bolder, diving in stark naked with a splash. Li Xiang blushed furiously at his unabashed nudity, barely registering his sudden movement.

All she saw was a flash of bare skin before a loud “splash” sent a wave of water crashing over her face and hair.

Li Xiang choked on the water, swallowing several mouthfuls of spring water. Angry, she slapped the surface and shouted, “Su Mo!” Seeing her irritation, Su Mo quickly wrapped his arms around her.

Li Xiang immediately splashed water back at his face. Su Mo shut his eyes and let her have her way.