Drunk on Madness - Chapter 75

The next day, Su Mo brought his mother, Madam Su, to the cave. Even when she saw Li Xiang and her daughter with her own eyes, Madam Su could hardly believe that Li Xiang had truly chosen to be with her son.

Guilt weighed heavily on her heart. If Li Xiang were to follow her son from now on, she would lose all the luxury and privilege she once had. Holding the little one in her arms, Madam Su scolded Su Mo repeatedly, murmuring apologies to Li Xiang, to the Crown Prince, and to the Princess Consort.

Listening to her words, Li Xiang didn’t show much disappointment. She comforted Madam Su, explaining that she could no longer stay in the palace and that Su Mo had rescued her.

Only after Li Xiang recounted how someone had set fire to her palace chambers did Madam Su slowly come to accept this bittersweet outcome.

Bitter, because she felt she had wronged the Prince’s family. Sweet, because she had gained a granddaughter.

Once Madam Su accepted the truth, she refused to return home and chose to stay with them. The family shared a simple reunion meal, marking the occasion as an informal meeting of the families.

Su Mo handed over his military duties to his deputy, Duan Deyao, and sent a resignation letter to the capital. After selling their belongings and converting them into silver notes, the family set off for Mount Song.

Nestled deep within the mountains, far from the clamor of the world, it was like a paradise on earth. Towering peaks stood majestically, as if they were the most mysterious painting between heaven and earth.

Nearby, a clear pool shimmered, its crystal-clear stream flowing gently, the soothing sound of water cleansing the hearts of all who stepped into this pure land.

After seven days of travel, the three stopped halfway up Mount Song. Captivated by the beauty of the place, Li Xiang decided to settle there. They chose a highland near the water and began building a home from scratch.

Dressed in coarse cloth, Su Mo roamed the woods, selecting timber. Alone, he carried each log back, meticulously sanding and fitting them together.

Watching him work so diligently, Li Xiang assisted where she could, bringing him tea, wiping his sweat, fanning him. But whenever she tried to help with the heavier tasks, Su Mo would stop her.

Madam Su sat in the carriage not far away, watching over the little one. Occasionally, she would bring the child over to see the progress on the house.

After a day of hard work by Su Mo, a simple wooden cottage finally stood amidst the mountains.

One by one, their belongings were moved from the carriage into the cottage. Time was pressing, so Su Mo had only managed to build a temporary shelter. Yet, even this humble wooden cottage pained him, as he couldn’t bear to see his loved ones suffer.

The next day, Su Mo somehow found five craftsmen. After discussing the plans with them, they began constructing a larger house.

Meanwhile, back in Youzhou Capital, Zhou Mingxuan led his troops to surround the residence of the “Prince of Zhennan.”

Two maidservants were bound and forced to kneel on the ground. They spoke in rural dialects, and no useful information could be extracted from them. Frustrated, Zhou Mingxuan had no choice but to summon Su Mo’s subordinate, Duan Deyao. When he learned that Su Mo had resigned and left, he became even more certain that Li Xiang was with him.

Zhou Mingxuan sat in the main seat, looking down at Duan Deyao, who knelt before him. “Was there a pregnant woman by General Su’s side?” he asked.

Duan Deyao shook his head. “This subordinate never saw any woman by the Prince’s side. The Prince lived in the woods, while the residence was occupied by his mother. Official documents were usually delivered by Li Ming and Wang Yang.”

Unaware of the details, Duan Deyao only knew that Su Mo and the Crown Prince had been childhood friends, sharing meals and quarters on the battlefield, so he naturally assumed they were on good terms.

Hearing this, Zhou Mingxuan said, “Have those two men take me to see where he usually stayed.”

Duan Deyao bowed. “As you command, Your Highness.”

As the group turned onto the forest path, Zhou Mingxuan, riding on horseback, suddenly asked,

“General Duan, having spent half a year with the Prince of Zhennan, based on your understanding of him, where would he go after suddenly resigning from office?”

Duan Deyao cupped his hands and replied, “The Prince of Zhennan is usually reticent. Beyond official matters, he never discussed anything else with his subordinates. He spends half of each month resting in the woods, and unless urgent matters arise, he forbids us from disturbing him here.”

Hearing this, Zhou Mingxuan frowned. In his memory, Su Mo had always been lively and talkative. He never expected that after coming alone to Youzhou, his temperament would have changed so drastically.

As Zhou Mingxuan took in the increasingly familiar mountain scenery, it suddenly struck him, this was near the cave where he and Su Mo had once lived together.

When the cave came into view, Zhou Mingxuan’s anger flared once more. He kicked open the newly built gate and surveyed the interior.

He remembered smashing everything here when he left. Yet now, it had been restored to its former state, though the furniture had clearly been replaced.

Along the edge of the simple bed frame, delicate and exquisite little bells were embedded, swaying gently in the breeze, their clear, melodious chimes filling the air.

Had the child been born? A boy or a girl? Was she doing well?

When the two of them played with his child here, did they ever think of him?

Zhou Mingxuan’s grip on the bell tightened unconsciously, and with a sharp tug, it came loose in his hand.