Drunk on Madness - Chapter 57

In the bathhouse, lanterns were lit along the edge of the pool, their faint glow shimmering and dancing on the water’s surface, as if gently enveloping the entire space in a soft embrace.

The air carried a faint metallic scent as Zhou Mingxuan washed Li Xiang’s body. Gazing at their reflections in the water, Li Xiang felt a deep aversion to his touch but lacked the strength to resist. Unable to contain her grievances any longer, a few silent tears traced paths down her cheeks.

Zhou Mingxuan paused his movements, tilting her head to face him. “Why are you crying? Was it uncomfortable earlier?” To be fair, Zhou Mingxuan had been gentler than usual, but today, even after she had told him she was menstruating, he had still forced himself on her. It was too domineering.

Li Xiang looked at him, her eyes brimming with tears. Seeing her aggrieved expression, Zhou Mingxuan felt a flicker of pity stir within him. He took the initiative to apologize, “Alright, don’t cry. I promise I won’t act recklessly like this again in the future.”

Hearing this, Li Xiang’s sense of injustice only deepened. She shook her head, breaking free from his grasp, and retorted, “I don’t want your fake kindness.”

Seeing her display a hint of temper, Zhou Mingxuan felt the inexplicable frustration that had been weighing on him vanish, replaced by a sweetness he couldn’t quite understand.

He placed his hands on Li Xiang’s shoulders and began massaging her back. Leaning close to her damp ear, he whispered, “Xiangxiang, come to the Hall of Preserving Harmony tomorrow at noon to have lunch with us? It’s been a long time since I’ve had the fish in chili oil you make.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Li Xiang’s eyes. She buried her head, her voice muffled, “I’m not going.”

Zhou Mingxuan’s hands stilled for a moment before he asked, “Why not?”

Li Xiang rolled her eyes, speaking to him over her shoulder, “Won’t someone get jealous if I see Su Mo?” In the end, she would be the one to suffer.

Zhou Mingxuan was left speechless, momentarily at a loss for words.

It had been a long time since Li Xiang had acted so willfully toward him. Over the past six months, they had been together every day, and Zhou Mingxuan had watched her carefully cater to his every whim. An inexplicable anger had always simmered in his chest, though he couldn’t pinpoint its source. Despite their apparent closeness, it felt as though an invisible wall stood between them.

Su Mo had always been a forbidden topic between them; they had tacitly avoided mentioning his name. He hadn’t expected her to bring it up so suddenly today.

Zhou Mingxuan’s prolonged silence made Li Xiang uneasy. Would he lose his temper again?

Finally, he spoke, “Since you know I’ll be jealous, then don’t pay him any attention. Don’t talk to him.” Li Xiang turned to look at him suspiciously and asked, “What’s wrong with you today? How come you’re so generous as to let me see him?”

Her blunt question laid bare the concerns in Zhou Mingxuan’s heart. He met her gaze and asked, “Are you happy? You get to see him.”

Li Xiang’s eyes involuntarily drifted away, but Zhou Mingxuan turned her face back toward him. “Don’t avoid the question.”

Seeing his serious expression, Li Xiang had no choice but to answer truthfully, “With you standing right there, how would I dare to look at him?”

Hearing this, Zhou Mingxuan’s expression softened slightly, a faint, almost imperceptible smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Her answer wasn’t entirely satisfying, but it was honest, far better than the timid, evasive responses she had given him before.

He tapped the tip of her nose and said, “You’re quite clever.”

…

A few days later, in the Hall of Preserving Harmony, Li Xiang arrived late, carrying a basket of ingredients. Zhou Mingxuan, knowing she would come that day, had deliberately saved the seat beside him for her.

Li Xiang instructed the palace attendants to divide the fish into several portions and distribute them among those present to share. Zhou Mingxuan, who had been waiting for days, finally had the chance to see Li Xiang arrive. His appetite improved noticeably.

Chen Minying watched the two serving each other food, her displeasure clearly written on her face. She didn’t touch a single bite of the fish Li Xiang had prepared, leaving it untouched on the side.

Over this period, Chen Minying had naturally come to realize that the Crown Prince had no interest in her. Every time she visited, a group of unmarried young men would accompany her in conversation, while he paid her little attention, clearly trying to distance himself. Today was even worse, he had brought Li Xiang along, as if to make her back down willingly.

Her family had already given her an ultimatum: if the Crown Prince still showed no interest in her by the end of the year, she would have to comply with their arrangements.

In terms of talent, appearance, and family background, how was she inferior to Li Xiang? Losing to someone like that left her deeply resentful.

Chen Minying lowered her head, staring blankly at the unappetizing meal before her, lost in thought. Slowly, a plan began to form in her mind.

Deep into the night, within the Shaoyang Courtyard of the Kunning Palace, Li Xiang finished putting the child to sleep and returned to her bedchamber.

Zhou Mingxuan was sitting on the couch, holding a booklet and flipping through its pages. It was the first time Li Xiang had seen him reading a book in the bedchamber, but she didn’t think much of it.

Several palace maids helped remove her hair ornaments and change her into sleepwear. Her dark hair cascaded down, lending her an elegant and charming appearance. Zhou Mingxuan stood up and dismissed the maids.

Mysteriously, he motioned for her to come closer. Puzzled, Li Xiang glanced at the book in his hands.

Although Li Xiang was a modern woman who had seen her share of risqué magazines, the vivid illustrations in this booklet still made her blush. She immediately shook her head and firmly refused.

Zhou Mingxuan had just entered the room and discovered the book lying there. Assuming it belonged to Li Xiang, he had flipped through a few pages, and it stirred an inevitable impulse.

Seeing her reluctance, Zhou Mingxuan didn’t press further. He quickly turned to the next page, his eyes suddenly burning with intensity as he leaned in and whispered something in her ear.

Upon hearing it, Li Xiang immediately turned her head away, covering her eyes to show she didn’t want to look. Zhou Mingxuan tightened his embrace, wrapping his arms around her, and said, “We’re husband and wife, what haven’t we done before? Why be shy?”

And so, Zhou Mingxuan pestered her for half an hour, not relenting until she finally agreed.