Drunk on Madness - Chapter 54

On the second day after Li Xiang woke up, Zhou Mingxuan prepared to return to the capital. However, unwilling to see Su Mo, he divided the group into two teams. He and Li Xiang set off first for the capital.

Inside the tent, Gu Ci glanced at the injured Su Mo lying on the bed, feeling both helpless and pity for him. At this point, all he could do was persuade him to let go. If the heir no longer pursued the matter, it would be for the best.

Su Mo stared out the window, his heart barren. If he gave up, would Zhou Mingxuan spare Li Xiang? He vaguely remembered how Zhou Mingxuan had struck her that day and mistreated her.

Su Mo turned to Gu Ci: “Did the heir have anyone examine Li Xiang’s injuries today?”

Gu Ci glanced at him and lied, “She’s fine. Worry about yourself.”

That day, Gu Ci had been summoned by Zhou Mingxuan into the cave, where he saw the heir tightly holding an unconscious Li Xiang amidst the chaos. Seeing half of Li Xiang’s small face stained with blood, he felt an inexplicable resentment toward Zhou Mingxuan. But witnessing the anxiety and fear in Zhou Mingxuan’s eyes, that anger was inexplicably suppressed.

Gu Ci poured him a cup of water and placed it on the bedside table before suddenly asking, “Do you regret it?” Su Mo looked at him.

Gu Ci continued, “Was it worth it? Regretting these few days as husband and wife with Li Xiang, losing a friend you grew up with?” Gu Ci had always known that, compared to the three of them, Zhou Mingxuan and Su Mo were the closest.

Su Mo pursed his lips, glanced at Gu Ci, and said, “I used to think it was wrong to fight with a brother over a woman.”

“Now, looking back, I realize how foolish I was. The heir once said he had been watching Li Xiang since Songshan. Because of me, he suppressed it and never spoke up.”

“Then why, after he and Li Xiang disappeared for two years, did he insist on having her and interfere in our relationship?”

“He always knew I would care about his feelings, that I would step aside for him.”

“From beginning to end, he never asked me, he just took Li Xiang.” Rage burned in Su Mo’s eyes, his injured chest heaving slightly.

Gu Ci quickly stepped forward to soothe him: “Take your time, no rush.”

After a moment, Su Mo continued, “Why should I be the one to step aside for him? Why couldn’t he give up Li Xiang? Clearly, she has always loved me.” Su Mo’s eyes were filled with accusation toward Zhou Mingxuan.

Gu Ci listened and remained silent for a long while. “But after all, Li Xiang is now his concubine, and they even have a child. If you recklessly take her now, how will she face the heir and their child in the future?”

Su Mo was struck speechless. His eyes reddened, and he finally said, “That was my only chance.”

It took Gu Ci a moment to understand his meaning. Just like their parting today, Li Xiang and Su Mo would have no chance to meet again.

The half-month journey passed in a flash, but for Li Xiang, each day felt like a year.

Every night, she could not escape Zhou Mingxuan’s dominance, each time he plunged deeper, each time she sank further. She dared not refuse, fearing it would provoke even fiercer pursuit.

One night, they camped in the forest, the carriage parked beside a bonfire. The luxurious carriage rocked gently as the man inside paused and habitually glanced at Li Xiang. Frowning, he silently applied medicine to her.

Zhou Mingxuan calculated the days, they would reach the capital in three. He wrapped his arm around Li Xiang’s waist, holding her as he drifted into a deep sleep.

Three days later, Zhou Mingxuan and his party arrived at the imperial palace. The couple paid their respects to Emperor Zhou Chengyan, while Li Xiang eagerly made her way to the residence of Empress Zhao.

Inside Kunning Palace, two little toddlers were rolling and tumbling on the plush carpet, fighting over a small wooden toy. The moment Li Xiang entered, she spotted the adorable pair, and her days of longing compelled her to pick up the nearest child, Yiyi, and plant a kiss on him.

Zhou Mingxuan followed behind her, scooping up Qingqing from the carpet. Just then, Empress Zhao, having heard of her son and daughter-in-law’s return, hurried out from the inner chambers. Seeing the family reunited, she genuinely felt the two made an exceptionally well-matched pair.

The three of them sat on the carpet and exchanged pleasantries for a while. As dusk approached, they decided to have dinner together at Kunning Palace.

Just as Li Xiang was about to stand up, Yiyi tugged at her collar, revealing several red marks on her neck. Recognizing the familiar scent, Yiyi clung to her, unwilling to be handed over to any nursemaid.

Unaware of her disheveled collar, Li Xiang focused solely on comforting her son. Zhou Mingxuan frowned, swiftly took Yiyi from her, and handed him to a nursemaid before straightening Li Xiang’s collar.

With a loud “Waaah,” Yiyi burst into tears, feeling ignored for the first time and overwhelmed with grievance.

Li Xiang shot Zhou Mingxuan a reproachful look and said, “Don’t cry, Yiyi. Mother will hold you soon.”

Empress Zhao observed their interaction in silence, inwardly blaming her son for his lack of restraint in bed. She thought Li Xiang must have endured much hardship, deepening her own sense of guilt toward her daughter-in-law.

After dinner, the couple returned to the Kunning Palace with their children. Zhou Mingxuan headed to his study to attend to urgent official matters, while Li Xiang stayed in the children’s room, bathing them, telling stories, and lulling them to sleep. Before she knew it, she had dozed off alongside them.

Late at night, Zhou Mingxuan pushed open the door and gazed at the three sleeping figures on the bed. For a moment, the emptiness in his heart eased. He lifted Li Xiang, only to realize she had grown much thinner than before.

Though he claimed to have let go of the past, memories inevitably resurfaced in bed.

He could forgive her for holding Su Mo in her heart, but he could not forgive her for giving her body to Su Mo. Because he had only ever possessed her physically, while Su Mo now held both her heart and her body. It felt unjust.

Gently, he carried her back to their quarters and laid her on the couch. Retrieving a pill from a hidden compartment, he placed it in his mouth, lifted Li Xiang’s chin, and fed it to her.

Zhou Mingxuan’s kiss was forceful, leaving Li Xiang breathless.

He glanced at her and remarked, “You’re awake.”

Amid their entanglement, as Li Xiang regained some clarity, she looked at Zhou Mingxuan.

He murmured her name, “Xiangxiang.”

Li Xiang spoke deliberately, “Zhou… Mingxuan.” Her words were interrupted by his actions.

Lost in a haze of tenderness, Zhou Mingxuan said, “Call me Mingxuan.”

Under the intensity of his gaze, Li Xiang finally obliged, whispering, “Mingxuan.”

Her response spurred him on.

She pressed on with the question weighing on her mind, “Did you… drug me?”