Drunk on Madness - Chapter 74

Without delay, Zhou Mingxuan requested the emperor’s permission to head to the border. The emperor assumed he wanted to travel to ease his mind and seek solace with Su Mo in Youzhou to alleviate his melancholy. He reminded Zhou Mingxuan that his sister Qingyi’s wedding was approaching and urged him to wait until after she was married before leaving for Youzhou.

Kunning Palace was serene and dignified.

Qingyi sat gracefully on an exquisitely carved pearwood chair, her gaze tenderly fixed on two little bundles nestled on a soft cushion. Zhou Shiqing and Zhou Huaiyi clutched various toys in their small hands. Children’s memories are fleeting; though they had been calling for their mother just days before, they no longer cried out for her now.

In just a few days, she would marry Zhao Jingrui. The empress, seeing Qingyi’s sorrow and fearing it might affect her wedding, had already revealed the truth about the fire at Wanxiang Hall.

With Qingyi soon to leave the palace and Li Xiang still missing, she couldn’t help but worry about the children. Understanding her concerns, the empress repeatedly assured her of their safety, which finally brought a faint smile to Qingyi’s lips.

Zhou Mingxuan had just obtained the emperor’s approval and came to see the children, intending to inform the Zhao family of his travel plans.

As soon as the children spotted Zhou Mingxuan, they crawled toward him with their toys, babbling joyfully.

Huaiyi touched his shoes and wobbled to his feet. Zhou Mingxuan was surprised to see him standing steadily on his own. Gently picking up Zhou Huaiyi, he stroked the child’s head and asked softly, “Have you been listening to Grandmother lately?”

Zhou Huaiyi, still limited in speech, replied, “Huaiyi good.”

A strained smile tugged at Zhou Mingxuan’s lips. Seeing her father holding her brother, Shiqing felt aggrieved and tugged persistently at Zhou Mingxuan’s trousers.

Glancing down at her, Zhou Mingxuan settled onto the cushion to join them.

Shiqing, still upset, immediately wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his cheek.

Zhou Mingxuan was taken aback, his expression softening as an almost imperceptible smile touched his lips. He hugged Shiqing back and kissed her little face in return.

Empress Zhao watched the interaction between father and children with heartfelt warmth.

When Zhou Mingxuan explained his purpose for visiting, she was astonished. “Why venture so far? Could it be that Xiangxiang is there?” She knew he had been searching for Li Xiang’s whereabouts recently.

Qingyi, standing nearby, frowned and asked, “When will you depart?”

Zhou Mingxuan understood her concern. “I’ll leave after your wedding.”

Hearing this, Qingyi’s expression eased. She was already saddened that Li Xiang couldn’t attend her wedding and didn’t want her brother to miss such an important day as well.

…

In a forest cave in Youzhou.

Li Xiang was deeply moved by the arrangements outside the cave. Su Mo unloaded their belongings from the carriage, planning for them to stay there for a few days while he resolved matters in Youzhou before leaving together.

Inside, the cave was more exquisitely and warmly furnished than before. Li Xiang realized that Su Mo must have frequented this place over the past several months.

She placed the soundly sleeping little one into the bed and looked around, reminiscing about the days she had spent with Su Mo and the torment they endured after Zhou Mingxuan captured them.

Suddenly, she asked, “Will we live here from now on?”

Su Mo paused his tidying and looked at her. “Don’t you want to stay here?”

Li Xiang remained silent upon hearing this. Su Mo was puzzled; this cave held profound significance for him. It was the place of their first time, every brick and tile arranged by their own hands. He couldn’t understand why Li Xiang would reject it now.

Pale-faced, Li Xiang sat down and explained, “I just keep feeling like he’ll find us here.”

Su Mo suddenly recalled that final day when Zhou Mingxuan had been alone with her in this cave. He approached Li Xiang, crouching down to meet her gaze. “Did he hit you here that day?”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t think this through properly. Let’s leave now.” He made to stand up, but Li Xiang grabbed his arm.

“It’s alright, just… let’s not stay too long.” She slowly wrapped her arms around his waist. For some reason, seeing this place made her anxious, perhaps she’d been truly frightened by Zhou Mingxuan that day, leaving her unsettled.

Su Mo embraced her in return. “It’s fine. Another place will be just the same.” They held each other tightly, and Su Mo nodded, promising, “Give me three days. We’ll leave Youzhou together. My mother is here, we’ll pick her up and leave this place together.”

At the mention of Mother Su, Li Xiang stiffened slightly. She didn’t know if Su Mo’s mother would accept her as a daughter-in-law, especially since she had previously been with Zhou Mingxuan.

Sensing her tension, Su Mo pulled back to look into her eyes. “Don’t worry. My mother would never oppose us.”

He continued confidently, “When she sees our little one, she’ll be overjoyed.”

Li Xiang met his gaze seriously. “But what if she doesn’t agree? What would we do then?”

Su Mo sighed and kissed her cheek. “Then there’s no helping it. You’re already mine, and we have a child together. She’ll have to accept it whether she wants to or not.”

Hearing this, Li Xiang smiled faintly.

Seeing even this slight smile finally appear on her face, Su Mo felt relieved. He lowered his head and gently kissed her lips.

Closing his eyes, Su Mo struggled to restrain his inner longing, his voice slightly hoarse and trembling: “Xiangxiang, I want you.” After speaking, he breathed in her hair’s fragrance, completely captivated.

His arms held her like unyielding steel, pressing against her as his trembling kisses carried deep affection, leaving no room for refusal.

Unable to resist his advances, Li Xiang tilted her head back and let him have his way. But when his hand was about to reach between her legs, she stopped him firmly.

Seeing Su Mo’s aggrieved expression, Li Xiang had no choice but to help him instead.

When everything had settled, Su Mo’s heavy breaths brushed against Li Xiang’s ear, her earlobes blushing shyly with a faint red hue.