Drunk on Madness - Chapter 53

Outside the cave, Su Mo’s hands were tied behind his back with coarse rope, surrounded by five or six guards. When he heard Li Xiang’s scream, his heart shattered. He charged recklessly into the cave.

The people outside had all heard the sound, startled by the sudden cry. They thought to themselves how someone who usually appeared noble and aloof could today bully a woman. Their curiosity about what the two were doing inside grew, and they failed to notice Su Mo’s frantic rush into the cave. By the time they realized something was wrong, Su Mo had already reached the cave entrance.

Gu Ci was the closest. After hearing the slap, he had been pacing restlessly near the entrance, hesitating about whether to go in and intervene. When he heard Li Xiang’s scream, he was at a loss.

Unable to bear the thought of Li Xiang coming to harm, he lifted his foot to step inside but was abruptly shoved aside by Su Mo. Gu Ci watched as a familiar figure dashed in.

The soldiers behind him tried to rush in and pull Su Mo out, but Gu Ci stopped them, shaking his head to signal that they should not disturb.

Zhou Mingxuan, hearing the commotion, immediately covered Li Xiang with a quilt. He turned to glare at Su Mo. “How dare you show your face to me?”

Su Mo’s gaze remained fixed on Li Xiang, who lay collapsed on the bed, her face contorted in distress. “What have you done to Xiangxiang?” he demanded.

Zhou Mingxuan’s eyes were terrifyingly fierce as he sneered, “What happens between husband and wife is none of your concern.”

Su Mo’s expression stiffened. He walked to the bedside and knelt down. When he saw the slap mark on her face, he turned to Zhou Mingxuan in fury. “You hit her?”

“Direct your anger at me! Why hurt her?”

Zhou Mingxuan let out a bitter laugh. “You think I wouldn’t dare?”

He kicked Su Mo, sending him sprawling to the ground. Su Mo struggled to get up, only to be kicked down again.

With his hands bound, Su Mo was powerless to fight back, and he had no intention of doing so. He simply endured the blows.

As he was being beaten, Su Mo said, “You can hit me. I’m the one who forced myself on her while she was asleep. She’s innocent.”

Hearing Su Mo’s words, Zhou Mingxuan’s eyes turned icy, and his kicks grew even more forceful.

Li Xiang, lying on the bed, watched as Zhou Mingxuan brutalized Su Mo. Su Mo was kicked repeatedly on the ground, and she couldn’t bear it. “Zhou Mingxuan, stop hitting him,” she pleaded.

But her voice was weak, and Zhou Mingxuan, with nowhere else to vent his rage, continued to kick Su Mo relentlessly.

Li Xiang sat up, wrapped in the bedsheet, and forced herself to stand despite her discomfort.

Su Mo was beaten until he coughed up blood, yet he still did not resist. His face and clothes were covered in dust and straw.

When Li Xiang tried to intervene, Zhou Mingxuan shoved her away. She fell against the wall, crashing heavily into a nearby table. The table, unable to withstand the impact, sent vegetables, wild fruits, bowls, and chopsticks clattering to the ground, shattering into pieces.

The loud noise jolted Zhou Mingxuan back to his senses. He stopped and turned to see Li Xiang, who was now spitting blood.

Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, and a crimson stream flowed from her forehead, streaking across her pale face. Wrapped loosely in the bedsheet, she appeared severely injured.

Zhou Mingxuan was horrified by the sight. He rushed over to check on Li Xiang’s condition, his hands trembling uncontrollably. He reached out and held her, murmuring to himself, “Xiangxiang, don’t scare me.” His movement caused Li Xiang to cough up another mouthful of blood.

He immediately pressed his sleeve against Li Xiang’s bleeding forehead and straightened the bedsheet covering her. He wanted to call for help but found his voice hoarse and trembling, unable to utter a sound. The anger in his heart was replaced by fear and dread.

Su Mo, who had been beaten half to death, heard the commotion and tried several times to get up but failed. Before long, exhausted, he passed out.

When Li Xiang woke again, it was two days later, in a luxurious inn. The wound on her forehead had been bandaged, and several women were bustling about behind a screen in the room. Seeing her awake, they withdrew.

Shortly after, Zhou Mingxuan pushed the door open. He glanced at her but said nothing. Instead, he walked over, pulled back the quilt, and picked up the unclothed Li Xiang, carrying her behind the screen.

Behind the screen was a two-meter-wide pool, with hot water continuously flowing from several stone carvings.

Zhou Mingxuan placed Li Xiang into the water. Once she was seated, he rolled up his sleeves and began washing her. Li Xiang’s entire body was tense as she allowed him to proceed.

There was only one place she resisted. Zhou Mingxuan frowned slightly, his beautiful eyes flashing with impatience as he stared at her.

After a few moments, Li Xiang finally relented. She gripped the stone carvings at the edge of the pool, her gaze vacant as she stared at the top of his head.

After what felt like an eternity, the washing finally ended. Zhou Mingxuan dried the water droplets from her body and carried her back to the bed.

He removed his soaked robe, changed into clean clothes, and had a bowl of meat congee brought in, which he personally fed to her.

Late at night, Zhou Mingxuan held her tightly in his arms, he couldn’t bring himself to forgive her so easily.

Yet the tears in her eyes ultimately expressed her unwillingness. Seeing her tearful face, Zhou Mingxuan felt a surge of irritation.

He sat up and only then noticed she was injured. Anxious, he asked, “Why didn’t you say it hurt?”

He immediately retrieved a white porcelain bottle from a nearby cabinet, poured out some medicine, and carefully applied it.

The burning pain was instantly soothed by the cooling sensation.

After applying the medicine, Zhou Mingxuan went behind the screen to wash his hands. Returning, he wiped the tear stains from her face, kissed her cheek, and asked, “Su Mo told me he forced you?”

Li Xiang stiffened, unsure how to respond. Zhou Mingxuan snorted lightly and continued disdainfully, “Looking at you now, it doesn’t seem like you were forced.” His arms tightened around her, pulling her closer.

“I don’t care what happened between you two before, it ends here. Consider these past days as the end of your bond from Song Mountain. From now on, you must not betray me again.”

“Even if it’s for our child, for me. The three of us should be enough to outweigh Su Mo in your heart, right? Okay?”

Zhou Mingxuan turned Li Xiang’s face toward him, waiting for her answer. Her mind was in chaos, unable to focus, thoughts tangled and scattered. For a moment, she didn’t know how to respond.

Seeing her silence, Zhou Mingxuan felt the bitterness of his own compromises, which still couldn’t secure her promise. His heart filled with sour resentment.

He lifted her face and bit her lip, punishing her for the injustice she had dealt him.