Drunk on Madness - Chapter 6

After two months in the Prince’s residence, Li Xiang had gained a general understanding of its dynamics.

Prince Yan, Zhou Chengyan, was the eighth son of the current emperor and had long been stationed at the border. It seemed that the relationship between the prince and his consort, Lady Zhao, had soured. Rumor had it that the prince kept a mistress, Lady Wang, outside the frontier, who had borne him two sons.

According to the servants, the prince and his consort had been deeply in love when they first married, having grown up together as childhood sweethearts. In their happier days, they had lived together at the border. However, after the birth of their second child, Zhou Qingyi, a colleague of the prince surnamed Wang passed away, entrusting his orphaned daughter to the prince’s care.

By the time Lady Zhao learned of this, Lady Wang was already three months pregnant. From then on, their marital bond was severed. Lady Zhao returned to the capital, only to discover she was pregnant herself. Overwhelmed with grief, she nearly miscarried.

In the years that followed, Prince Yan returned to the capital annually to visit, but Lady Zhao always avoided him. The heir, Zhou Mingxuan, had always been close to his father, and Lady Zhao never interfered with their reunions.

With the master of the house often absent and the princess weighed down by melancholy, the household’s management had become relatively lax.

Li Xiang gradually took over Qiuyue’s duties, tending to the heir’s daily routines, from selecting and brewing tea to preparing Zhou Mingxuan’s favorite snacks and dishes, and even arranging his study according to his preferences.

Though Zhou Mingxuan never reprimanded her for mistakes, Eunuch Du would nitpick incessantly, giving Li Xiang a headache.

Soon, the day of departure arrived. Li Xiang used food as leverage to persuade Su Mo to purchase some ingredients and seasonings, wrapping them separately in oiled paper to keep them dry. She also packed a set of spare clothes for each season.

At dawn, servants loaded the luggage onto the carriage one after another. Unable to ride a horse, Li Xiang had no choice but to travel by carriage. The drivers were two unfamiliar middle-aged men whom Su Mo addressed as Uncle Li and Uncle Wang.

The journey to Mount Song Academy was long, about half a month via the official road. Though both Su Mo and the heir were skilled in martial arts and more than capable of defending themselves, Prince Yan, prioritizing safety, had dispatched capable escorts to accompany them.

Li Xiang quietly lifted the carriage curtain, watching the two pairs of mother and child bid their emotional farewells. Su Mo’s mother fussed over him, occasionally straightening his clothes.

Beside Princess Yan stood an eight-year-old girl tugging at the heir’s sleeve, chattering away.

“Brother, brother, there’s a pretty sister in your carriage, I saw her!” The girl, Zhou Qingyi, was the heir’s younger sister.

The heir glanced back at the carriage but saw no one. Still, he knew his sister must be referring to Li Xiang.

“That pretty sister you saw is your Brother Mo’s cousin.”

“Why can she go with you, but Yi’er can’t?” Yi’er was Zhou Qingyi’s nickname.

“She’s different from you. You’re the young lady of Prince Yan’s household, while she’s going to take care of your brother, cooking and washing for him. Just like Yaoqin by your side.” Zhou Mingxuan patiently explained.

“Yi’er is too little to do those things.” Zhou Qingyi shook her small hands.

Hearing this, Princess Zhao smiled faintly and tapped her daughter’s head with a finger.

“Such a little imp. Who do you take after?”

Su Mo’s mother finished adjusting her son’s clothes and stopped her nagging. Slowly, she walked to the carriage and lifted the curtain with one hand.

“Xiangxiang, why didn’t you come down to talk to me before leaving?” Her voice rang softly beside the carriage.

“Auntie, what brings you here?” Li Xiang asked.

“How now, not welcoming this old woman?” Auntie Su replied.

“Of course not! It’s just… we’re about to leave, and I don’t know what to say.” Li Xiang lowered her head.

“Still upset that I asked Su Mo to take you to the academy?” Auntie Su probed.

“No, it’s just… I’m afraid of unfamiliar places,” Li Xiang admitted.

“Don’t be afraid. I’ve told Su Mo to take good care of you. If anyone gives you trouble, come back and tell me, I’ll set them straight.” With that, she pulled out a bundle.

“Inside are some undergarments I embroidered for you, along with a few hard-boiled eggs. Keep them for yourself. Mo has a big appetite, if you give them to him, they’ll barely make a dent. Save them for the journey.” Auntie Su handed the bundle over.

“Thank you, Auntie.” Li Xiang accepted it.

“Good. Young people should travel more, broaden their horizons. When I was young, I never got the chance to be with the one I loved… a regret I’ve carried all my life. Mo has a kind heart. You’re both still young, who knows what the future holds?”

“I can tell he treats you differently. Use this time to get to know each other, nurture your feelings. When you return, I think…” Auntie Su hesitated.

Li Xiang flushed at her bluntness just as Su Mo suddenly appeared.

“Mother, what are you saying about me? Caught you red-handed!”

“Good heavens, you rascal! Popping up out of nowhere, are you trying to scare your own mother to death?” Auntie Su lightly patted her chest.

“Still so unruly at your age. Be careful, or no woman will marry you,” she scolded.

“Mother, what nonsense! Plenty of girls fancy me. I’m just not interested,” Su Mo declared confidently, side-eyeing Li Xiang.

“Oh? Then why not bring one home for your mother to see?” Auntie Su challenged.

Su Mo suddenly muttered under his breath, as if possessed.

“Isn’t she right here beside me?”

His voice was too soft for Li Xiang, seated in the carriage, to hear. But Auntie Su, standing nearby, froze for a moment.

Suppressing a smile, she gently patted her son.

“You little rascal.”

With that, she gave Su Mo a light swat and left Li Xiang looking utterly bewildered.

“Su Mo, time to go,” Zhou Mingxuan’s voice called from outside. Auntie Su could linger no longer. With a fond glance at Su Mo and Li Xiang, she stepped away from the carriage.

Two carriages and four steeds slowly departed the manor, growing ever more distant. Li Xiang’s mind lingered on Auntie Su’s words.

Not long after leaving the city, the crowds thinned, and the carriage picked up speed. Frequently jolting over loose stones, it rocked violently, leaving Li Xiang restless and envious of Su Mo and the others riding on horseback. The thought of enduring this for over ten days was daunting.

By dusk, the carriage halted for rest.

Su Mo dismounted to distribute food while Li Xiang stepped out for fresh air. Uncle Wang had already lit a fire, water boiling over the flames. Nearby, a small pond provided a convenient water source.

Before long, Uncle Li emerged from the depths of the forest. “Young Master, you bagged a pheasant! And Little Mo, impressive! took down a deer.” He tossed the game by the fire.

“Enough to last us three days,” Uncle Li said.

“Su Mo’s archery keeps improving. Soon, you’ll surpass Master Hua, who taught you,” Uncle Wang praised from where he tended the fire.

“Just got lucky today,” Su Mo squatted down to organize the prey, skillfully using a knife to slice open the deer’s limbs, deboning and keeping the meat. Li Xiang wasn’t idle either, fetching clean water to wash the meat before sprinkling it with seasoning, marinating it, and then skewering each piece on branches to roast by the fire.

The sizzling sound of the roasting meat filled the air as hot oil seeped out under the intense flames, slowly dripping down the rich marbling. The aroma quickly stirred the appetites of those nearby.

“Li Xiang, is it ready yet? Any longer and it’ll burn,” Su Mo said impatiently.

“It’s ready. Help yourself,” Li Xiang replied, handing a skewer of roasted meat to the young master beside her.

“Young Master, be careful, it’s hot!” Li Xiang cautioned.

Zhou Mingxuan took the skewer from Li Xiang’s hand and watched as Su Mo, unable to resist, took a big bite despite the heat. “Wow! Hot!” Su Mo exclaimed, his mouth burning as he chewed with exaggerated expressions.

Zhou Mingxuan chuckled softly, lifted his own skewer to smell it, then tore off a piece and placed it in his mouth.

The flavor was rich, sweet with a hint of spice, truly a delightful surprise.

“Who would’ve thought someone as young as Miss Li could roast meat so deliciously,” Uncle Li remarked as he chewed.

“Indeed, it’s a shame not to open a shop with skills like this,” added Uncle Wang.

“Once we return to the capital, we won’t get to enjoy this anymore,” someone said, quickly grabbing a few more skewers.

Li Xiang flipped the chicken roasting over the fire and smiled. “Uncle Li, Uncle Wang, if you don’t mind, when we reach Songshan Academy, I can share some of my seasoning with you. You can roast your own meat on the way back, it’ll be just as good.”

“That would be wonderful! Miss Li, you’re not only beautiful but also so kind,” Uncle Wang thanked her eagerly.

“You flatter me, Uncle Wang,” Li Xiang replied, slightly embarrassed by the praise. But noticing how easygoing everyone was, she gradually relaxed, speaking more freely than before.

In the end, one roasted chicken and one roasted deer, originally meant to last two days, were completely devoured. Satisfied, they patted their full bellies and prepared to sleep.

Zhou Mingxuan, being of noble status, had the luxury of a large carriage to himself. The smaller carriage, previously used for luggage, was now free and luckily assigned to Li Xiang. Su Mo and the others set up tents outside, squeezing three men into one. Once sleeping arrangements were settled and belongings packed away, they turned in early.

In the dead of night, perhaps due to the heatiness of the roasted meat, Li Xiang drank too much water and was awakened by the need to relieve herself. She slowly got up, took a torch, and headed deeper into the mountains.

Zhou Mingxuan, having traveled all day, found himself inexplicably restless. Hearing movement outside, he faintly saw a slender figure holding a torch disappear into the woods.

After a moment’s thought, he realized she might have gone to relieve herself. But with poisonous insects and wild beasts lurking in the mountains, what if something happened? Zhou Mingxuan hesitated, wondering if he should wake Su Mo to follow her.

Watching the distant torchlight fade deeper into the forest, growing farther away, Zhou Mingxuan finally sensed something amiss. He was about to step down and call for help when the torch suddenly went out, vanishing into the woods.

Considering Li Xiang was a young woman and her privacy, Zhou Mingxuan decided against rousing everyone to search. Glancing at the soundly sleeping Su Mo, he frowned, grabbed a torch from the campfire, and ventured into the forest, retracing her steps from memory.

Moonlight spilled through the gaps in the trees, casting silvery streaks on the undergrowth as Zhou Mingxuan walked cautiously into the dark woods.

“Li Xiang?” he called into the shadowy forest.

He hadn’t searched for long when-

“Su Mo?” The surroundings were pitch black, filled with the sounds of buzzing insects and an eerie, inexplicable dread.

The sound of running footsteps approached from afar. Li Xiang’s breath was ragged, the corners of her eyes red, and her cheeks seemed glistening with moisture.

“Young Master?” Li Xiang was somewhat surprised. It was actually the young master who had come looking for her, and alone at that.

“I saw you heading into the woods. Your torch went out, you must have lost your way,” Zhou Mingxuan explained.

Li Xiang said, “I’m sorry to trouble you.”

“Finished your business?”

“Yes, yes.” Earlier, Li Xiang had ventured deeper and stumbled upon a few graves, which frightened her, so she tried to walk further to avoid them.

Little did she know that in her panic, the sudden cry of a bird had startled her so badly she dropped her torch, extinguishing it. The urine she had been holding all night nearly came out right then and there.

After relieving herself on the spot, she groped around in the dark for a while, afraid she might wander even farther away. Eventually, she had no choice but to stop moving.

Her worst-case scenario was to wait until dawn, when she could see clearly and find her way out. Or perhaps Su Mo and the others would notice her absence and come looking for her. But instead of Su Mo, it was the young master who found her.

The two of them retraced their steps one after the other, feeling their way through the darkness. The incessant chirping of insects and the scattered glow of fireflies accompanied them along the way. The panic she had felt earlier gradually subsided as she followed the tall figure ahead, and Li Xiang began to feel much more at ease.

As a high-ranking young master, Zhou Mingxuan was truly considerate of his subordinates. The fact that he had personally come looking for her when she went missing left Li Xiang both flattered and awed. Suddenly, she felt that being his subordinate might not be such a bad thing after all.

Before long, the two returned to the campsite. Li Xiang softly thanked Zhou Mingxuan and, under the faint moonlight, made her way back to her carriage. Letting out a sigh, she slowly drifted into sleep, exhausted from the day’s events.

As the sun rose, the group packed up their belongings.

Li Xiang boiled the eggs given by Auntie Su and distributed them among everyone. With a simple meal of eggs and water from their flasks, they set off on a new day’s journey.

They traveled without pause and finally arrived in Yongjia by sunset.

Finding an inn, everyone freshened up before gathering in the main hall for dinner. Zhou Mingxuan and Su Mo sat at one table, while Li Xiang, Uncle Li, and Uncle Wang shared another.

Before long, the waiter served the dishes, and the group began eating.

Between mouthfuls of rice, Uncle Li asked, “Girl, were you scared last night, sleeping in the mountains?”

Li Xiang hesitated. “It was alright!”

Uncle Wang saw through her bravado. “So you were scared! Yesterday was just the beginning. We’ll be camping out often from here on.”

“If the weather holds, it’ll take us at least ten days, maybe even half a month, to reach Mount Song,” Uncle Li explained. “Don’t worry, girl. Yesterday was safe because we were still close to the capital, no wild beasts or bandits around, so no one kept watch. Once we leave Yongjia County, we’ll take turns standing guard at night. You just focus on getting your rest.”

Li Xiang paused with her rice bowl. “There will be bandits later?”

“Yep, but most are just weaklings. We’ll beat them up as they come, doing the people a favor,” Uncle Wang said.

“Uncle Wang is amazing!” Li Xiang marveled. Having martial skills really made a difference.

Uncle Li shot a disdainful glance at the proud Uncle Wang. “What’s so amazing about that? As bodyguards, that’s our job.”

“Girl, hurry up and eat. Get to bed early, we have another early start tomorrow.”

“Alright.” Li Xiang resumed shoveling rice into her mouth.

After another day of jolting travel, the carriage stopped in a mountain hollow. Li Xiang got out to prepare a meal for the five of them. Su Mo had somehow procured six fresh crucian carp. Using the same seasonings as before, though without the enhancement of scallions, ginger, or garlic, the dish felt like it was missing something.

The man traveled through the dust and wind, savoring the aroma of fish and meat as he ate with great relish.

Li Xiang had little appetite. The jolting of the carriage made her stomach churn, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t suppress the urge to vomit.

Su Mo was eating grilled crucian carp when he noticed Li Xiang looking utterly listless. He handed her two wild fruits.

Li Xiang examined the bright red fruits, brought them to her nose, and inhaled their fresh, sweet fragrance. She took a small bite and was instantly soothed by the delicious flavor, unable to resist taking another.

Uncle Wang watched the two young people with a mischievous grin. “Oh, Xiao Mo’s grown up now, learning to be considerate of others.”

Su Mo blinked and defended himself. “I was just worried she’d starve and slow us all down.”

“Ahem, ahem.” Su Mo coughed awkwardly under the elder’s teasing gaze, his face flushing crimson.

“That blush is as red as a monkey’s backside,” Uncle Wang joked.

Everyone burst into laughter, and the night passed in peaceful slumber.