Drunk on Madness - Chapter 64

In the eleventh month of the first year of Yuanwu, Emperor Zhou Chengyan issued an edict betrothing Princess Qingyi to Zhao Jingrui, the eldest son of Grand Tutor Zhao, with the wedding scheduled for early March of the following year.

As the princess prepared for marriage, she had numerous rules and etiquette to learn. Li Xiang, now without her playmate, lost interest in going out. She gifted the scarf she had knitted to Zhou Mingxuan, though the pattern was somewhat clumsy, he still liked it quite a bit.

On the day of the Lantern Festival, the emperor hosted a night banquet at Huaqing Palace, celebrating with the families of his ministers and the common people. Li Xiang’s belly had grown increasingly large, making it inconvenient for her to venture out. Zhou Mingxuan had intended to stay with her, but she refused.

Given his noble status, the banquet would lose its significance without the host. The emperor was already displeased with Zhou Mingxuan’s exclusive favor toward Li Xiang, and she feared that if he were accused of encouraging the crown prince to neglect his duties, she would bear the blame.

As night fell, the Forbidden City was brilliantly illuminated, its glazed tiles reflecting the golden splendor of the palace halls.

Officials arrived at the banquet venue one after another. Palace maids moved among them, holding glazed lanterns that lit the path to the festivities.

Boom! A loud explosion echoed.

Fireworks burst in the night sky, their golden flames soaring into the heavens and casting dazzling beams of light.

Inside the banquet, songs and dances filled the air. Dancers floated gracefully in their flowing sleeves, their melodies lingering sweetly.

The night banquet by the Taiye Pond had a unique charm. The wives and daughters of officials gathered in the pavilions, savoring delicacies meticulously prepared by the imperial chefs. Chen Minying gazed at the crown prince, whom she hadn’t seen in days, her heart filled with resentment.

After her failed attempt to drug Zhou Mingxuan that day, he had barred her from freely entering and leaving Baohe Palace the very next day. Though he never explicitly mentioned the incident, he simply stopped seeing her.

Her family had already begun arranging potential marriages for her, and Chen Minying had resigned herself to the situation. Yet, seeing him again, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of trepidation.

Zhou Mingxuan sat to the emperor’s left, dressed in a black robe embroidered with dark golden pythons, exuding an air of noble elegance. His features were as exquisite as a painting, his demeanor cool and detached, making him appear almost otherworldly from a distance. Many unmarried noblewomen at the banquet stole discreet glances at him.

Zhou Mingxuan rose and approached Gu Ci’s table. Gu Ci glanced at him and sighed inwardly, reluctantly getting up to follow behind him.

Since Su Mo had left the capital, Gu Ci had been unwilling to seek out Zhou Mingxuan. He felt that Su Mo had suffered too much, nearly losing his life over a woman. In his heart, he somewhat blamed Zhou Mingxuan for prioritizing romance over friendship.

The two made their way to a rockery, where Zhou Mingxuan got straight to the point: “Are you still angry with me?”

Gu Ci replied, “How would I dare?” though his tone lacked sincerity.

Zhou Mingxuan hesitated before asking, “It’s been almost half a year since Su Mo left. I wonder how he’s doing now. Have you corresponded with him?”

Gu Ci was taken aback. He had indeed written letters to Su Mo, but they had all gone unanswered, like stones sinking into the sea.

Seeing Gu Ci’s lack of response, Zhou Mingxuan understood. Su Mo had left with a death wish, how could he easily turn the page?

Zhou Mingxuan suddenly said, “There’s a vacancy by my side, the position of Junior Guardian was originally reserved for Su Mo. Now that he has left the capital for an external post, would you be willing to follow me?”

Gu Ci was well aware of the importance of the Crown Prince’s Junior Guardian position, but he had no desire to take what rightfully belonged to Su Mo. He declined, saying, “You know my capabilities, they’re certainly not as strong as Su Mo’s. I don’t wish to take what was originally his.”

Gu Ci’s words carried a subtle jab, but Zhou Mingxuan didn’t take it to heart. “If you’re not as capable as him, then focus on improving yourself. I don’t have many friends around me, and I don’t want you to drift away too.”

This was the first time Zhou Mingxuan had shown vulnerability in front of Gu Ci. Over the past six months, Gu Ci had barely acknowledged him. Accustomed to his own pride, Zhou Mingxuan had refrained from imposing himself when Gu Ci seemed unwilling to engage. Today, under the guise of the banquet, the two finally cleared the air.

Gu Ci sighed inwardly once more and accepted the task.

They returned to their respective seats, and with a weight lifted from his mind, Zhou Mingxuan felt a surge of joy. Naturally, he drank a few extra cups.

During the banquet, ministers toasted him one after another, and he accepted every offer without hesitation. As the alcohol churned in his stomach, he excused himself, intending to use the restroom before returning to Shaoyang Hall.

Staggering unsteadily, his consciousness grew hazy. Six palace attendants flanked him, holding crystal lanterns to light his way.

Finally reaching the elegant chamber, Zhou Mingxuan relieved himself, but exhaustion overwhelmed him. He instructed a palace maid to inform Li Xiang that he would rest there for a while before returning.

Unbeknownst to Zhou Mingxuan, this misguided decision would forever alter his relationship with Li Xiang.

Zhou Mingxuan drifted into a sensual dream, where Li Xiang clung to him willingly, showering him with kisses.

In his half-awake state, his blurred gaze fell upon the person beneath him. Suddenly, her face transformed into Chen Minying’s, jolting him from his daze.

His face flushed, still lingering in the throes of passion, he stared speechlessly at the scene before him. It felt as though a bucket of ice-cold water had been poured over him from head to toe.

He bolted upright, drenched in sweat, and scanned his surroundings. Swiftly, he dressed and glared at the timid Chen Minying on the bed as if she were an inanimate object.

Enraged, he snatched a stool by the bed and hurled it at her. Terrified by his outburst, Chen Minying paled, but the stool merely grazed past her and struck the carved bedpost.

Chen Minying immediately knelt. “Your Highness, Minmin was wrong.” She hadn’t expected him to be so furious, his eyes cold and murderous, as if he wished to end her life.

She had followed him after he left the banquet, hoping for a glimpse. Noticing his prolonged absence from the room and the mere two guards stationed outside, she seized the rare opportunity, driven by greed.

She had her personal maid drug the guards and lit an aphrodisiac incense in the room. Her scheme had succeeded, but this version of Zhou Mingxuan left her feeling alienated and fearful.

The commotion inside drew several guards, who discovered the unconscious attendants in the corner. They forced the door open, but upon assessing the situation, they silently retreated.

Soon after, the Emperor arrived upon hearing the news and surveyed the disarray. By then, Chen Minying had dressed and knelt on the floor, awaiting judgment.

Chancellor Chen Zhi and his wife, Princess Zhou Yanlan, arrived shortly after, aware their daughter had committed a grave offense. Yet, they showed no concern.

Chen Minying’s father, Chen Zhi, had rendered meritorious service in persuading former dynasty officials. Her mother, Princess Zhou Yanlan, was the legitimate daughter of the King of Mingbei, who also happened to be Zhou Mingxuan’s mentor.

The two had once been betrothed, and it was because of Zhou Mingxuan that Chen Minying’s youth had been spent waiting. Now that matters had unfolded this way, it seemed all the more fitting. In their hearts, Chen Zhi and Zhou Yanlan saw no fault in their daughter’s actions.

The group deliberated late into the night. Ultimately, despite Zhou Mingxuan’s solitary opposition, the Emperor issued an imperial decree for their marriage, ordering them to wed as soon as possible.

Zhou Mingxuan knew the matter was already settled, so he argued on Li Xiang’s behalf to secure her the position of a concubine.