Drunk on Madness - Chapter 68

Early the next morning, Zhou Mingxuan changed into a sapphire-blue silk robe and deliberately went to Wanxiang Hall to have breakfast with Li Xiang. However, he was informed by her attendants that she had gone to Qingyi’s Brocade Garden.

Determined to see her that day, Zhou Mingxuan immediately changed course and headed to the Brocade Garden upon hearing she was with Qingyi.

Inside the Brocade Garden, Qingyi was learning household management and account-keeping from her matron. When Zhou Mingxuan arrived unannounced, she naturally came out to greet him. After exchanging pleasantries, Zhou Mingxuan inquired about Li Xiang.

Qingyi looked momentarily bewildered before replying, “Sister Xiangxiang hasn’t come here today.”

Zhou Mingxuan’s mind buzzed, and his expression darkened slightly.

Unperturbed, Qingyi continued, “Brother, you just got married yesterday. Shouldn’t you be accompanying your new wife? Why come to my courtyard?”

Hearing this, Zhou Mingxuan’s already slightly furrowed brows tightened further. “Did Xiangxiang ask you to start calling her ‘sister’?”

Qingyi averted her eyes guiltily. “No, it’s just that… I thought since you’ve married your principal consort, Sister Xiangxiang and your wife should be distinguished. Otherwise, when they meet, it might be unclear who I’m addressing.”

Zhou Mingxuan responded, “Yiyi, do you also blame me for marrying Princess Minying and letting Xiangxiang down?”

“Marrying her wasn’t my wish. My previous engagement with her delayed her until now, leaving her without a suitable match.”

“Her father, Chen Zhi, is the current Prime Minister and played an indispensable role in persuading the former dynasty to surrender. Her maternal grandfather, the Northern Ming Prince, saved our entire Yan Prince household. It was through their covert assistance that Father was able to secure the throne so quickly. With her reputation tarnished, how could she face society if I didn’t marry her? How could her father and grandfather accept it?”

Zhou Mingxuan’s jaw tightened. After a long pause, he forced a smile at Qingyi. “But don’t worry, I won’t neglect Xiangxiang. The past few days were just minor disagreements between us, don’t take it to heart. She already said she forgave me yesterday.”

He pressed his lips together, a flicker of helplessness in his eyes. “As for what you call her, there’s no need to change if you’re used to ‘sister-in-law.’ Address the Crown Princess as you see fit. You’re a princess, she wouldn’t dare trouble you.”

After hearing his explanation, Qingyi’s eyes grew dark and inscrutable. After a long silence, she finally said, “Alright.”

Zhou Mingxuan, pleased with her obedient demeanor, asked warmly, “Then can you tell me now where Xiangxiang went?”

Qingyi hesitated before answering, “She really didn’t come here. You could try looking at the Triple Pavilion in the Imperial Garden, she usually loves the view there the most.”

In the end, she softened and gave Zhou Mingxuan a possible location. Watching his retreating figure, Qingyi fell into deep thought.

Zhou Mingxuan, never a patient man, was already displeased after being thwarted twice in one day. Was she deliberately avoiding him?

…

In the Imperial Garden, Li Xiang sat on the third floor of the Triple Pavilion, holding Shiqing and pointing out the garden scenery to him.

She had left early that morning to fetch her younger son from the Empress’s palace and bring him to the Imperial Garden for a stroll. Before leaving, she had specifically told her servants she was going to the Brocade Garden, hoping to avoid Zhou Mingxuan.

But fate had other plans. While she managed to evade Zhou Mingxuan, she couldn’t escape his consort.

A group of palace attendants approached from a distance, led by Chen Minying, Zhou Mingxuan’s newly wedded principal consort. Recognizing her, Li Xiang instinctively ducked to the side, hoping to avoid being seen.

Watching them head toward the Triple Pavilion, Li Xiang grew increasingly anxious. If only she hadn’t come here today.

The Triple Garden was not large, making it difficult for Li Xiang and her companions to hide. She had no choice but to lean on nursemaids for support and curtsy in greeting, saying, “Concubine Li Xiang pays her respects to the Crown Princess.”

Chen Minying had married into the palace the previous day, yet Zhou Mingxuan had been absent from start to finish. When she sent someone to fetch him, the servant returned with the excuse that the Crown Prince was drunk and had fallen asleep. On her very first day in the palace, she had been utterly humiliated.

Seeing Li Xiang, who was heavily pregnant, Chen Minying felt a sense of vindication. In the past, it had always been her who bowed to Li Xiang. Today, however, Li Xiang had no choice but to pay her respects, which brought Chen Minying some comfort.

She did not make things difficult for Li Xiang and, after allowing her to rise, the two strolled together through the Imperial Garden. Li Xiang, being pregnant, could not walk quickly, and Chen Minying did not rush her. Though Chen Minying often visited the palace, she was less familiar with the Imperial Garden than Li Xiang.

Li Xiang pointed out the various flowers, plants, and structures in the garden. As they walked and paused intermittently, they eventually reached a waterside pavilion to rest.

When Chen Minying saw Shiqing, she also wanted to hold the chubby, adorable little one. Aunt Fang felt it was inappropriate and glanced at Li Xiang for guidance. However, Li Xiang picked up Shiqing and said to him, “Qingqing, a beautiful older sister wants to hold you. Are you happy?”

Shiqing didn’t understand much, but as long as Li Xiang was holding him, he was always delighted. Li Xiang placed the overjoyed Shiqing into Chen Minying’s arms.

The matron beside Chen Minying, however, was displeased. She remarked, “According to the rules of the Zhongjin Dynasty, children born of concubines should address the principal wife as ‘Imperial Mother.’ Concubine Li, you must not teach the young imperial grandson incorrectly.”

Li Xiang stiffened at these words, her heart sinking. Forcing a smile, she replied, “I wouldn’t dare. It was my oversight.”

The matron was about to say more when Chen Minying cut her off, “Matron, must you always talk so much? I’m just holding the child. Why must you bring up irrelevant matters?”

Hearing this, Li Xiang felt slightly relieved. The Crown Princess’s temperament seemed fair, and she had not gone out of her way to make things difficult for her.

After playing with Shiqing for a while, Chen Minying found it hard to hold him any longer and returned him to Aunt Fang, who stood by Li Xiang’s side.

Just then, Zhou Mingxuan approached from a distance. As soon as he stepped into the pavilion, everyone knelt and bowed. Chen Minying, delighted by his arrival, hurried forward with a curtsy and said, “What brings you here?”

The palace servants had already knelt in unison, and only then did Li Xiang react. Bracing herself against the stone table, she prepared to kneel as well.

But as soon as she stood, Zhou Mingxuan steadied her, saying, “You’re heavily pregnant, there’s no need for such formalities. I’ve told you this many times, yet you never listen.” He gently tapped her nose, but when he tried a second time, Li Xiang dodged.

His words of concern felt like thorns on her back. She quickly stepped back and bowed, saying, “Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness. The Crown Princess was just thinking of you…” She didn’t know what else to say, only wanting to shift his attention to the Crown Princess.

Seeing Zhou Mingxuan’s expression darken, Li Xiang clenched her fists and forced herself to continue, “…thinking of you accompanying her on a stroll through the Imperial Garden.” Her face had turned pale, and she seemed unsteady. Zhou Mingxuan stepped forward, intending to embrace her.

As he drew near, Li Xiang retreated again and said, “I… I have plans to dine with the princess today. I won’t disturb the two of you any longer.”

With that, she took Aunt Fang, who was holding the child, and was the first to step out of the pavilion.

Seeing that Li Xiang and her companions had tactfully withdrawn, Chen Minying coquettishly said to Zhou Mingxuan, “Your Highness, have you had lunch? Why don’t we have the kitchen bring the meal here?”

Li Xiang did not go to find Qingyi. Instead, she had someone take Shiqing back to Kunning Palace and returned alone to her bedchamber in Wanxiang Hall. Tossing and turning, she found herself unable to sleep. She did not want to see Zhou Mingxuan, yet she had no idea how to avoid him.

She thought Zhou Mingxuan was proud and aloof, if she rejected him enough times, wouldn’t he naturally understand?

Lying in bed, unable to sleep, she realized the entire palace belonged to Zhou Mingxuan’s family. For him to see her was effortless, but for her to refuse him felt as difficult as scaling the heavens. Her head throbbed with pain, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that Zhou Mingxuan might burst into her room at any moment.

She packed a few plain clothes, the ones she usually wore for working in the fields, and quietly slipped into the servants’ quarters of Wanxiang Hall, settling into an empty room. She knew that sooner or later, they would have to confront each other, but she simply didn’t want to see him or speak to him. If possible, she wished she could hide away forever.