Drunk on Madness - Chapter 7

After a long and arduous journey spanning dozens of days, they finally arrived at Songshan Academy. With classes yet to begin, there were only a few students on the premises.

Uncle Wang and Uncle Li carried the luggage into the dormitory before hurrying back to report their mission. Before leaving, Uncle Wang even remembered to ask Li Xiang for some seasonings.

The academy had its own dining hall, but since the term hadn’t started, there was no food available. After helping the two settle their beds in Hanqiu Courtyard, Li Xiang immediately rushed to prepare a meal, his hands full with tasks.

The side courtyard had shared stoves and kitchenware for students to use freely, though firewood had to be bought or chopped themselves.

By the time Li Xiang had finished prepping the ingredients, Su Mo had already returned with firewood, carrying three rabbits tied to his back.

“It’s only been three months, and the rabbits are already swarming,” Su Mo remarked as he set down the firewood.

“Hand me a knife. I’ll clean them,” he said, reaching out to Li Xiang.

“Here.” Li Xiang passed him the knife. “I’ll go with you.”

Being new to the academy, Li Xiang wasn’t familiar with the layout and wanted to explore more with Su Mo.

They hadn’t walked far when they heard the sound of flowing water. In the distance, a large waterfall cascaded down, its stream passing by Hanqiu Courtyard and forming a small, crystal-clear pool. The refreshing water was home to a few plump carp swimming leisurely.

“This is where we usually fetch water. You can come here to wash clothes tomorrow,” Su Mo said as he deftly gutted one of the rabbits.

He tossed the crimson innards into the pool to feed the fish, handling the rabbit meat with remarkable efficiency.

Li Xiang watched in awe at the fluidity of his knife skills.

Taking the cleaned rabbit, Li Xiang carefully rinsed off the blood while making small talk.

“It’s a shame you’re not a chef with knife skills like that.”

“Good knife work doesn’t mean I’m a good cook.”

“You could specialize in prepping ingredients,” Li Xiang joked. “Don’t forget what I did at the prince’s residence, I was in charge of chopping.”

Suddenly, Su Mo glanced around and lowered his voice. “Let’s talk seriously.”

“Once we’re here, don’t mention anything about the prince’s residence to anyone. And never reveal the young master’s identity.”

“The head of Songshan Academy was established by the current emperor’s uncle. The students here are either wealthy, noble, or exceptionally talented. In short, they’re the empire’s future officials, the most promising candidates.”

“The academy has three thousand students, and the instructors come from various nations, including many foreign experts. After you arrive, be careful not to let anyone fish for information. The prince’s status is sensitive, if exposed, it could invite assassination attempts.”

“Also, don’t gossip about others, lest you get silenced.” Su Mo spoke with grave seriousness.

It took Li Xiang a moment to process this. “Understood.”

After that, the two lost their enthusiasm for conversation and hurriedly finished preparing the rabbit meat before returning to the courtyard to cook.

The next day, the three took advantage of their free time to visit the nearest market town, Baiyun Town, to buy daily necessities. The bustling streets were alive with the shouts of vendors, and Li Xiang, experiencing such a lively scene for the first time, was overjoyed.

They watched traditional acrobatics, ate sugar figurines, and sampled fruits sold by street vendors. After a round of sightseeing, they settled in a tavern for a meal.

Upon reaching the second floor, Li Xiang stood to the side, dutifully pouring wine for his two superiors.

“No outsiders here. Sit down,” Su Mo said, tugging at Li Xiang’s sleeve.

Li Xiang glanced at Zhou Mingxuan, who nodded in approval. Only then did Li Xiang take his seat.

The dinner hour had passed, and there weren’t many customers left in the restaurant. The food arrived quickly, and the three of them were just about to pick up their chopsticks and start eating when two men approached, one dressed in blue, the other in black.

“Well, well, Mingxuan, Mo. Fancy seeing you two here for a meal,” said the man in blue, his handsome face sharp and angular, with striking sword-like eyebrows that slanted upward toward his temples. His eyes held a trace of shrewdness beneath their mirth.

“Brother Gu Ci, it’s been a while. Why don’t you join us?” Zhou Mingxuan set down his bamboo chopsticks but directed his words past the speaker to the silent man in black behind him.

The black-clad man was a refined and gentle-looking youth, his features as delicate as a painting, exuding an air of scholarly elegance. His demeanor was poised and graceful.

“Very well,” Gu Ci replied. The two men took their seats, and the waiter brought over two additional sets of bowls and chopsticks. Li Xiang, acting as the maid, promptly poured wine for them as well.

“And who might this young lady be?” asked the man in blue. There was a faint hint of something unnatural in his tone, or perhaps it was just an illusion.

Li Xiang, with her eyes bright as spring water and an ethereal beauty, stood beside Zhou Mingxuan and Su Mo without a trace of timidity, carrying herself like a graceful and virtuous lady from a noble family.

In an instant, four pairs of eyes at the table turned toward her.

Zhou Mingxuan explained, “My mother was worried about me being unattended outside, so she gifted her to me.”

The two men’s expressions shifted subtly, some with understanding, others with curiosity. Li Xiang’s attire and appearance were far from ordinary, and the fact that she was seated at the same table as Zhou Mingxuan and the others made Chen Bolin skeptical of her being just a simple maid.

Suppressing his doubts, Chen Bolin ate absentmindedly, stealing glances at Li Xiang, who stood nearby. His odd behavior didn’t escape Su Mo’s notice.

Chen Bolin was usually the type to ingratiate himself and chatter endlessly. Normally, Su Mo disliked associating with him, but today, for some reason, he had turned mute after seeing Li Xiang. Could it be that this fool had taken a liking to her? Su Mo frowned. “Enjoying the view?”

Snapping out of his daze, Chen Bolin withdrew his gaze and turned to the impatient Su Mo.

“You’re usually the most talkative one. What’s made you mute today?” Su Mo remarked sarcastically. “Staring at a young lady like that, are you that desperate?”

Silence fell over the table. No one had expected Su Mo to suddenly lash out, leaving Chen Bolin momentarily at a loss for words.

After a few tense breaths, Chen Bolin stood up and said, “My apologies. The young lady bears a striking resemblance to a deceased relative of mine. I was thoughtless. Please forgive my rudeness.” With that, he bowed to Li Xiang.

Before she could react, he turned and bowed to Su Mo and the others. “Gentlemen, I’ve behaved improperly today and shall not disturb your pleasant gathering further. Farewell.” Without waiting for a response, he left alone.

“Quite the temper,” Su Mo sneered.

“He wouldn’t have done anything to your maid in front of everyone,” Zhou Mingxuan chided, disapproving of Su Mo’s aggressive tone. Though he didn’t think much of Chen Bolin either, speaking so harshly over a woman would only make future encounters awkward.

Su Mo wasn’t convinced but didn’t argue further, silently taking another bite of rice instead.

Seeing Su Mo’s sullen expression, Li Xiang felt he had been scolded because of her. She stepped forward to pour him a cup of wine and, after doing so, gently patted his back in a comforting gesture.

Su Mo noticed her attentiveness, filling his cup and patting his back and realized she was trying to console him. Suddenly, his earlier actions didn’t seem so pointless.

Zhou Mingxuan paid no mind to their little exchange, engrossed in small talk with Gu Ci.

The three of them were about the same age and had grown up together. Gu Ci’s father, Gu Hui, was a colleague of Prince Yan, and the three of them had spent their childhood in the borderlands.

As kids, Gu Ci especially loved tagging along with Zhou Mingxuan and Su Mo, spending their days causing mischief, riding horses, and hunting with falcons. They often played games in the military camp, pretending to be great generals and heroes.

Later, due to the breakdown of Prince Yan’s marriage, the three went their separate ways. Years passed, and Zhou Mingxuan never expected to encounter them again at Songshan Academy, now as his classmates.

Gu Ci’s mother had died during childbirth, and as a result, his father paid him little attention. After leaving the borderlands, he became increasingly withdrawn. When he heard that Zhou Mingxuan and the others were at Songshan Academy, he begged his father to pull some strings to send him there as well.

“Just so happens I need to buy some books too. Let’s go together,” Zhou Mingxuan suddenly stood up.

“Su Mo, you take Li Xiang to get all the supplies she needs. Gu Ci and I will check out the bookstore. We’ll meet back here at sunset to return together.”

“Understood,” Su Mo and Li Xiang replied before Zhou Mingxuan and Gu Ci turned and left.

Once they were gone, Su Mo quickly pulled Li Xiang to sit down.

“You must be hungry, eat up,” he said, serving her a bowl of rice and handing it to her.

“Should we order fresh dishes?” Su Mo asked, worried she might dislike the leftovers.

“No need, no need. These dishes are barely touched,” Li Xiang replied between bites.

“You should eat too. I noticed you didn’t have much earlier.”

Watching Li Xiang eat like a little hamster, Su Mo suddenly felt his appetite return. “Alright,” he said, serving himself a bowl as well.

Meanwhile, on the street, Zhou Mingxuan and Gu Ci were on their way to the bookstore.

“Brother Mo seems quite protective of that girl of yours?” Gu Ci asked curiously.

“Yeah, he picked her himself. Said he didn’t trust the servants my mother assigned, afraid they’d report back to her.”

Zhou Mingxuan sighed helplessly.

“Does he even remember who his master is? He guards that girl more fiercely than he guards me. Can’t even let people look at her too long.”

“Brother Mingxuan, you’re not jealous of a little maid, are you?” Gu Ci teased.

Zhou Mingxuan gave a wry smile in response before the two entered the bookstore.

Back with Su Mo and Li Xiang, after finishing their meal, Su Mo took Li Xiang to the west market to buy oil, salt, vinegar, and other condiments. Then they made a round through the vegetable market, picking up ingredients for the next three days.

Fresh vegetables didn’t keep long in ancient times, so Li Xiang didn’t dare buy too much. She also grabbed some seeds and dried goods, planning to cultivate a small vegetable plot near Songshan Academy for easy access to ingredients.

Before they knew it, the two had wandered around and bought far more than expected. Only when their hands were completely full did they finally stop and return to the inn to wait for Zhou Mingxuan and Gu Ci.

When the group reunited, Zhou Mingxuan and Gu Ci took one look at Su Mo, laden with bags, and without a word, each grabbed a few of the heavier items to lighten his load.

Seeing most of the burden lifted, Su Mo then took a few more things from Li Xiang and carried them himself.

In the end, Su Mo was still the one carrying the most and the heaviest, while Li Xiang walked unburdened.

On the way back, Gu Ci couldn’t help but find the sight amusing, Zhou Mingxuan suppressing his irritation while Su Mo struggled under a mountain of goods.