Drunk on Madness - Chapter 62

After confirming that Su Mo was out of mortal danger, Li Xiang and Zhou Mingxuan returned to the palace together the next day. Gu Ci stayed behind to take care of him.

The following evening, Su Mo was moved back to the General’s residence. The Prince of Yan, now the Emperor, came to visit him.

The atmosphere in the residence was solemn and heavy. The attendants, upon seeing the Emperor’s arrival, knelt in greeting. The Emperor waved his hand lightly, helped Auntie Su to her feet, and gestured for them to dispense with formalities before heading straight to Su Mo’s bedroom.

Inside the room, the scent of medicine lingered. The injured Su Mo lay on the bed, his face pale. When he saw the Emperor, he struggled to rise and bow.

“There’s no need to get up. Your health comes first,” the Emperor said quickly, stepping forward and gently pressing Su Mo’s shoulders with both hands, his tone filled with warmth. He examined Su Mo’s injuries carefully, his brow furrowed, a flicker of sorrow flashing in his eyes.

“Momo, you’ve been injured multiple times for the Crown Prince’s sake. I remember it well. Once you recover, whatever reward you desire, just ask me.” The Emperor had few children, and Su Mo had grown up under his watchful eye. His father had also died saving the Emperor, leaving him with a lingering sense of guilt.

Su Mo knew that Zhou Mingxuan had helped cover up the truth of his injuries.

He forced a faint smile, his voice weak but resolute: “Your humble servant merely did his duty and dares not complain of hardship. I only wish to recover quickly and return to the border to guard this great land for Your Majesty.”

Touched by Su Mo’s loyalty, the Emperor patted the back of his hand in encouragement. “Momo, your bravery is well known to me. Rest and recover first. When the time is right, I will surely send you back to the battlefield to achieve more glory.”

Gritting his teeth against the pain, Su Mo slowly sat up from the bed, gripping the edge tightly as he knelt before the Emperor, beads of sweat forming on his forehead from the effort.

“Though your son is afflicted by illness, matters of the state brook no delay. I humbly request Your Majesty’s decree to personally lead the army to the border, vowing to defend the nation’s territory with my life, in repayment of Your Majesty’s boundless grace.” His voice, though weak, carried an unshakable resolve.

He knew that Gu Ci’s father, the old General Gu, had recently fallen ill, and the border garrison was short-handed. It was a time when capable men were needed.

The Emperor frowned slightly, as if puzzled. “If you go far from the capital, we will rarely see each other again. You and the Crown Prince are close. If you leave for the border, will he agree?”

Seeing Su Mo’s unwavering determination, the Emperor had no choice but to confer upon him the title of Prince of Zhennan, with Youzhou as his fief.

Afterward, the Emperor ordered the imperial physicians accompanying him to tend to Su Mo and had precious medicines brought from the palace to aid his recovery.

A month later, Su Mo’s injuries had improved significantly. Without farewells or leaving a single word behind, he set off for Youzhou with thousands of soldiers to assume his post.

By the time Zhou Mingxuan received the news, Su Mo was already on his way to Youzhou. At this point, meeting again would only bring unnecessary awkwardness.

It seemed as though everything had returned to the beginning. Yet, ever since the incident, Zhou Mingxuan had spent several nights in a row in his study.

As the marks on her body faded, Li Xiang breathed a sigh of relief. Only after many days had passed did she belatedly realize Zhou Mingxuan’s coldness toward her. She pretended not to notice, and the two maintained a state of mutual avoidance.

That evening, as night fell and the twilight deepened,

In the Hall of Preserving Harmony, the Crown Prince remained silent. Zhao Jingrui and the others stayed as well. Since Su Mo had been gravely injured and bedridden, Gu Ci had also stopped appearing. Li Xiang and Princess Qingyi no longer came either, leaving the vast hall feeling empty and desolate.

As evening fell, there was still no word from the Crown Prince about releasing anyone. Zhao Jingrui took the lead in rising to bid farewell, and soon, others followed suit one after another. The hall gradually quieted down.

Zhou Mingxuan’s robes were slightly open, his hair somewhat disheveled, clearly showing signs of intoxication.

On the table, several exquisite wine jugs lay scattered, the air faintly mingled with the intertwined aromas of wine and ink. He still clutched a wine cup in his hand, the liquid inside gently swirling, his eyes clouded with an indescribable melancholy.

Alcohol seemed to be his only solace at this moment. He drank cup after cup, and when the last jug was emptied, he hurled it away in frustration.

The sound of the shattering jug made Chen Minying flinch, causing half the medicinal powder in her hand to spill.

She had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. As soon as the hall emptied, she had discreetly signaled the maids and guards to leave. Turning slightly, she retrieved the powder she had prepared days ago and sprinkled it into a wine jug.

After burning the wrapping paper in the candle flame until it turned to ashes, she picked up the jug and approached Zhou Mingxuan.

Softly, she said, “Your Highness, you’ve finished your wine. Minmin still has some here.” With that, she refilled his cup.

Zhou Mingxuan, however, seemed not to hear her. His face flushed, his drunken eyes glazed as he glanced at her. “Why are you still here?” he muttered before downing the wine in one gulp.

“Minmin noticed you seemed upset and naturally wanted to keep you company,” she replied, refilling his cup once more.

This time, Zhou Mingxuan didn’t drink. Instead, he spoke coldly, “I know what you’re thinking, but I have no interest in you.”

“Choose one of those four men quickly. I don’t have time to waste on you.” Drunk, he abandoned his usual restraint, speaking bluntly.

Chen Minying’s lips twitched, tears welling in her eyes as she glared at Zhou Mingxuan through gritted teeth.

Yet, in an instant, she miraculously regained her composure. The tears that had threatened to spill vanished, forcibly held back.

“Brother Mingxuan, Minmin doesn’t understand what you’re saying. I was sent by His Majesty to bring you a meal. I know nothing else,” she said, deliberately moving the wine cup closer to him.

But Zhou Mingxuan was in no mood to entertain her schemes today. He stood, preparing to return to Shaoyang Courtyard.

Chen Minying couldn’t let him leave so easily. She blocked his path, coquettishly pleading, “Crown Prince, don’t go. Stay with Minmin a little longer.”

Only then did Zhou Mingxuan realize they were the only two left in the hall. His expression darkened. “Guards!”

Instantly, dozens of guards flooded into the hall. Seeing them appear so suddenly, Chen Minying felt a flicker of fear. Seizing the moment while Zhou Mingxuan wasn’t looking, she tried to slip away with the wine jug.

Zhou Mingxuan hadn’t intended to confront her, he’d only called the guards to avoid any misunderstandings from their being alone. But seeing her retreat with the jug, he suddenly sensed something amiss.

He picked up the cup from the table and sniffed it. Though he detected nothing unusual, his instincts screamed warning. As a rising heat began to pulse through his body, realization dawned belatedly. “How bold. Do you truly not fear death?”

…

In the brightly lit Shaoyang Courtyard, the Crown Prince paced restlessly, each step betraying the growing agitation within him.

“Where is she?” the Crown Prince asked in a low voice, addressing Nanny Liu beside Li Xiang, his tone tinged with urgency. He was dressed in an exquisite brocade robe, the collar slightly open, his hair somewhat disheveled, clear signs of his hasty arrival.

The palace attendants immediately lowered their heads, not daring to meet the Crown Prince’s gaze. Nanny Liu kept her head bowed as she replied, “The Noble Consort went to the imperial gardens with Princess Qingyi today. She should be returning soon.”

Just as she spoke, a palace servant announced that the Noble Consort had returned to Shaoyang Courtyard. Zhou Mingxuan couldn’t wait a moment longer and immediately went to meet her.

He walked through the corridors, past the rock garden, feeling as though Shaoyang Courtyard had grown unusually large, the entrance seemed so far away.

When he finally caught sight of Li Xiang after passing the rock garden, Zhou Mingxuan felt as though the torment of the aphrodisiac would be the death of him. He swept her into his arms, ordering the attendants to stay away from the rock garden and forbidding anyone from approaching.

Zhou Mingxuan’s urgency was almost too much for Li Xiang to bear. The rock garden was strewn with stones, and the rough surfaces pressed painfully against her.

Catching the scent of alcohol on him, she turned her face slightly away. Zhou Mingxuan did his best to soothe her discomfort, his intoxicated gaze filled with nothing but her.