Drunk on Madness - Chapter 67

Deep in the western woods outside Youzhou, Su Mo returned from hunting and prepared a roasted chicken for himself. He had tried several times but could never replicate the flavor Li Xiang achieved. Even with the same seasonings, it always felt like something was missing.

After the meal, he chopped some thick branches to build a fence around the cave. When he first arrived, the vegetable patch beside the cave was overgrown with weeds, which Su Mo meticulously cleared. Some leaves had been nibbled by animals, while others were too old and tough to eat.

Su Mo decided to level the entire plot, vegetables and weeds alike, planning to return to the capital the next day to buy new seeds and start afresh.

As he worked, the sound of hoofbeats approached. Two Zhongjin soldiers on horseback drew near, dismounted, and respectfully presented a letter. “Your Highness, a confidential message from the capital.”

Su Mo paused, brushed the wood chips from his hands, took the letter, tore it open, and read. It reported that the emperor had decreed the crown prince would marry his principal consort on February 16th. After the Lantern Festival, the secondary consort had moved to Wanxiang Hall and had been neglected by the crown prince for many days. On February 1st, they seemed to have had a disagreement; after quarreling, they had not seen each other since.

After reading, Su Mo frowned, a mix of anger and an unwarranted flicker of hope rising within him. The crown prince was to marry Princess Chen Minying. What would become of her?

The letter had taken at least half a month to reach Youzhou, and now there were only about ten days left until Zhou Mingxuan’s wedding. He wondered how she had been coping during this time, and her child must be due soon.

The thought of her possible suffering made Su Mo’s hand tremble slightly as he clutched the letter. He wanted to rush to her, to mock her, to demand: Do you regret it? Was it worth it?

He had said he could wait for her, wait until the crown prince grew tired of her, wait for her freedom. Why was even this slim hope denied him?

That familiar resentment surged again, he couldn’t accept that she had abandoned him for such a man. Was it worth it? He needed to ask her in person: Do you regret it?

After instructing his subordinates, Su Mo donned a disguise to conceal his identity and set off alone for the capital.

Night had fallen, and the palace was adorned with lanterns and decorations. Colorful fireworks bloomed in the night sky, creating a lively atmosphere.

It was Zhou Mingxuan’s wedding day, yet he was not in Shaoyang Courtyard. Dressed in his wedding robes, he stood on the roof of Wanxiang Hall, sipping clear wine.

The spring night breeze, carrying a slight chill, rustled the hem of his clothes. He watched the distant, bustling crowd as if it had nothing to do with him.

All this time, Zhou Mingxuan had been waiting for her to come and appease him. In the past, whenever he was displeased, Li Xiang would quickly discern what he wanted, saying the words he loved to hear and doing the things that pleased him.

He had clung to her past with Su Mo, holding it against her. He had humiliated and forced her. Knowing she felt guilty, he had dared to speak harshly that day.

He missed her deeply; by his count, they hadn’t seen each other for a month. What if she continued to avoid him?

Perhaps he should apologize first. Li Xiang was soft-hearted; she might forgive him quickly.

After all, in a marriage, someone has to yield first.

Zhou Mingxuan took a sip of wine to bolster his courage. Glancing at the figure beneath the tiles, he made a decision. With a light step, he leaped down from the roof, tossed the wine jar into the grass, and walked to Li Xiang’s chamber, knocking on the door.

Li Xiang was about to retire for the night when she heard a noise and found it strange. Today was the Crown Prince’s wedding day, and many places were short-staffed. The attendants in her hall had all gone to help. She was in a bad mood and afraid of being seen, so she had dismissed all the servants around her.

“Who is it?” Li Xiang picked up a hairpin from the table. In the dead of night, she felt a little frightened.

Seeing that the person remained silent, she grew nervous and continued, “Who’s there?”

“If you don’t speak, I’ll call for help,” she said anxiously.

“Don’t be afraid. It’s me, Xiangxiang.” Zhou Mingxuan found it difficult to speak. He had come to apologize and had mustered all his courage just to make a sound.

He pushed the door, but it wouldn’t open. He continued, “Xiangxiang, let’s make up. It’s been a month since we last saw each other. I’ve missed you so much.”

Upon recognizing Zhou Mingxuan’s voice, Li Xiang breathed a sigh of relief. She placed the hairpin back on the table. But when she heard his subsequent words, she found it laughable.

Li Xiang sat back down on the bed and, after a long pause, said calmly, “You should leave. Today is your wedding day. Your bride is waiting for you.”

Zhou Mingxuan remained unmoved. “Xiangxiang, don’t say things out of anger.”

“I was wrong that day. I shouldn’t have brought up the past. You ignored me for half a month and even wore that Buddhist bracelet to provoke me. I was wrong. Will you forgive me?”

“Talk to me, even if you hit or scold me. Just don’t ignore me. I’m scared.” Fueled by alcohol, he poured out his grievances.

Inside the room, Li Xiang listened to his apology, tears streaming down her face.

She quickly wiped her tears with her sleeve and said, “Alright, I forgive you. Now go back.”

Zhou Mingxuan was overjoyed by her response and pushed the door with renewed force.

“Xiangxiang, open the door. I want to see you.”

Li Xiang spoke through the door, “It’s too late. I need to sleep. You should go back.”

Zhou Mingxuan frowned, unwilling to give up. “Can’t you come out and see me? It’s been so long since we last met.”

Li Xiang shook her head, tears uncontrollably falling onto the quilt and her clothes. Her lips parted slightly as she said, “It’s too late. I’m very tired.”

With that, Li Xiang extinguished the lamp in her room.

Hearing this, Zhou Mingxuan had no choice but to relent. He stopped pushing the door and stared longingly at the room, wondering if she might suddenly open the door to see him.

After a long wait, Li Xiang saw the figure at the door slowly depart.

…

As the Crown Prince’s Junior Guardian, Gu Ci had been overwhelmed with tasks all day. In the middle of the wedding ceremony, Zhou Mingxuan had disappeared.

Gu Ci knew exactly where he had gone but said nothing, covering for Zhou Mingxuan. When Zhou Mingxuan returned, he looked utterly dejected. Gu Ci asked if he had seen Xiangxiang, but Zhou Mingxuan remained silent.

Gu Ci couldn’t be bothered with their affairs. Su Mo’s past experience had left Gu Ci with little fondness for Li Xiang. Though he didn’t blame her directly, since the trouble had started because of her, he couldn’t help feeling some resentment.

As a friend who had weathered hardships together, Gu Ci hoped they could reconcile and be happy. But given Zhou Mingxuan’s status, how could he have only her? She ought to understand the stakes better than anyone.

Gu Ci helped the drunken Zhou Mingxuan to his feet and settled him in the study where he usually slept. He thought to himself, “What cursed luck! Am I destined to be surrounded by drunkards? First, I had to take care of a drunken Su Mo in the military camp, and now I’m looking after a drunken Zhou Mingxuan in the palace.”

Gu Ci grumbled inwardly, thinking that Su Mo really intended to cut ties with even him. It had been almost a year without a single message.