Drunk on Madness - Chapter 72

Gu Ci wore an expression of speechlessness as he glanced at the baby in the bamboo basket. He thought to himself how they had fought and vied with each other, leaving him caught in the middle and constantly busy. He had even pitied them for being trapped by love. But now, both of them had become fathers, while he remained alone and unattached.

Su Mo paid no attention to his complaints, a smile still lingering at the corners of his lips. “Xiangxiang was always meant to be mine.”

After a moment of silence, Su Mo continued, “I’m truly grateful I returned to the capital this time. I can’t bear to think how she managed all alone. I almost missed them.”

“Having narrowly escaped death this time, all we wish for from now on is to stay together forever, never to part. My identity as the Prince of Zhennan will be declared dead in Youzhou. Then, I will take her and our daughter to find a secluded paradise and live in seclusion. Today’s farewell may be the last time we meet. I brought my daughter for you to see, so you could at least lay eyes on her.”

As Su Mo spoke of his future plans, his eyes, filled with anticipation, remained fixed on the child.

Hearing this, Gu Ci let out a soft chuckle. “That might be for the best. Now that the Crown Prince has taken a principal consort, there’s no way he can give Xiangxiang the exclusivity she wanted. Besides, she was never suited for life in the palace.” Gu Ci suddenly recalled their time on Mount Song, the one and only time they had tried to arrange a meeting, only to be thoroughly rejected by Li Xiang. Fate had its twists and turns, and in the end, the person she chose was still Su Mo.

Gu Ci took out a jade pendant as a gift for their child. Watching Su Mo carry the bamboo basket and disappear into the crowd, neither of them mentioned the Crown Prince. Since they had chosen to leave, Gu Ci didn’t want to burden them with any lingering concerns.

…

In Shaoyang Courtyard, Zhou Mingxuan was still angry with Li Xiang. He didn’t want to seek her out too soon, fearing it would make him appear too desperate. He decided to let her cool off for a while, thinking she might come to coax him the next day.

The Empress had instructed the palace staff to be cautious with their words and remain silent. But deep down, she knew that even if others said nothing, Zhou Mingxuan would eventually find out on his own.

Sure enough, on the following night, Zhou Mingxuan was jolted awake by a nightmare. Lately, he had been plagued by bad dreams, though he could never remember what they were about upon waking. In the stillness of the night, his thoughts drifted back to Xiangxiang.

He had said everything he could, both appropriate and inappropriate. No matter how long he tried to coax her, Li Xiang had not forgiven him. As long as she couldn’t let go of her grievances, they would remain at an impasse. He had exhausted all his tricks and had no idea what to do next.

Unable to sleep, he got up, dressed, and decided to take a distant look at Li Xiang.

…

In Wanxiang Hall

Li Yu stood under the large locust tree, secretly taking out incense, candles, and spirit money to offer sacrifices to Li Xiang.

Empress Zhao had cremated Li Xiang’s body to ashes, fearing that the Crown Prince would be traumatized again. For this reason, she had not erected a tombstone, and no one came to pay their respects.

If Li Yu had known about the fire in advance, he would never have helped Li Xiang keep her whereabouts a secret. He regretted not informing the Crown Prince in time that the consort was in Wanxiang Hall. One misstep had led to another. By the time he arrived, the entire hall was engulfed in flames. The fire was so fierce that there was no possibility of survival.

After the incident, he feared the Crown Prince would blame him for the consort’s death. He had known she was in the hall but had failed to report it, ultimately causing the deaths of the consort and the royal heir. He didn’t dare take that risk.

Tormented by guilt, he had come on the seventh day after her death, under the cover of night, to offer sacrifices to Li Xiang.

The large locust tree was where they had first met and also Li Xiang’s favorite spot. With a heart full of remorse, he dug a small pit in the soil, intending to bury the hairpin she had given him beneath the tree, creating a cenotaph in her memory.

Suddenly, a hoarse voice came from behind: “Who are you mourning? Who died?” Zhou Mingxuan stood behind Li Yu, his eyes bloodshot as he held a palace lantern, staring at him with an eerie intensity.

Li Yu, frightened, quickly knelt: “Your Highness, I was…” He suddenly remembered that the title of concubine was forbidden to be mentioned within the palace.

Zhou Mingxuan, like a demon in the deep night, stepped closer one by one. Li Yu instinctively retreated on his knees.

Zhou Mingxuan glanced at the small grave mound at his feet, his gaze cold and penetrating. Li Yu shivered and nervously explained, “It’s a friend of mine. She passed away recently, and there was no tombstone. I came here to pay my respects.”

Half of Zhou Mingxuan’s face was illuminated by the lantern’s glow, tinged crimson, while the other half was shrouded in darkness. The eye caught in the light appeared sharp and imposing. “When did Wanxiang Hall burn down like this?”

Li Yu dared not lie: “Seven days ago, around sunset.”

An icy aura surrounded Zhou Mingxuan, making everyone keep their distance. “And the Crown Prince’s concubine? Where is she?”

Li Yu’s lips were dry, his palms cold, and his voice trembled as he spoke: “The Crown Prince’s concubine… unfortunately… passed.” Before he could finish the last word, Zhou Mingxuan abruptly grabbed him by the throat, slamming him against the large locust tree, his cold eyes fixed on him.

“Say that again?”

Li Yu’s face instantly turned red, his breathing becoming rapid and labored. “Your Highness… spare me… Wanxiang Hall caught fire, and the concubine perished in the servants’ quarters on the eastern side.”

Zhou Mingxuan’s body stiffened, his eyes bloodshot and terrifyingly fierce. He spoke word by word, “Impossible. Who told you to curse her?”

Li Yu dared not struggle, only begging for mercy: “I saw it with my own eyes. Did you not also see the concubine’s body that day, Your Highness? If you don’t believe me, you can ask the Empress.”

After what felt like an eternity, Zhou Mingxuan released Li Yu, still refusing to believe that Li Xiang was dead.

“Cough, cough…”

Zhou Mingxuan pressed his lips tightly together, his gaze icy as he looked at Li Yu kneeling on the ground.

“Speak!” His voice was low and forceful, each word seeming to be squeezed through clenched teeth, carrying an undeniable authority. “What exactly did you see that night?”

Li Yu’s lips quivered, his eyes darting nervously as he weighed the consequences of telling the truth. However, Zhou Mingxuan’s patience had run out. He suddenly reached out and seized Li Yu’s throat again, his fingers tightening with immense force.

“I’ll ask you one more time. Tell me everything about that night, not a single word missing!” Zhou Mingxuan’s voice was slightly hoarse with anger, but the coldness in it was even more pronounced.

A flicker of despair crossed Li Yu’s eyes. After Zhou Mingxuan released him once more, Li Yu crawled to the small grave, dug it open with his hands, and retrieved a hairpin covered in soil, handing it to Zhou Mingxuan.

At the sight of the hairpin, Zhou Mingxuan froze for a moment, stiffly accepting it.

Li Yu struggled to speak, his voice broken and halting: “On the day I was first assigned here… I encountered the concubine secretly eating here…”

With each word Li Yu uttered, it felt like a hammer striking heavily at Zhou Mingxuan’s heart.