Drunk on Madness - Chapter 85

Li Xiang was locked in Zhou Mingxuan’s embrace when a tear slipped from her eye. Trembling, she spoke, “You are the exalted Crown Prince, raised with a golden spoon in your mouth, surrounded and pampered by everyone since childhood. I was born lowly, fortunate to have met Su Mo, or I would have died on the streets. We are simply not meant to walk the same path. Let me go, alright? It’s not so bad for us to part ways and forget each other.”

Zhou Mingxuan tightened his arms around her at her words, frowning. “I refuse.”

Li Xiang pushed away from his embrace and looked at him. “In this lifetime, no one can live without regrets. I don’t regret meeting you. We once had Yiyi and Qingqing. We had love. We tried our best to bridge the gap between us, but there are realities we just can’t overcome. You cannot leave the palace, and I despise it. Yet, that is where your dreams and ambitions lie, your future is limitless.”

Suddenly, she smiled at him, her half-lowered peach-blossom eyes intoxicating like aged wine. “Su Mo has been very good to me. I’ve always been grateful that fate led me to him. For my sake, he severed ties with you, abandoned his title, and lived an ordinary life with me in the mountains. I promised him I would never let go of his hand again.”

Her eyes brimmed with affection for Su Mo as she declared firmly, “I love him deeply, and he loves me too. Promise me you won’t tear us apart.”

Zhou Mingxuan forced a weak smile, his voice hoarse as he choked out, “Then what about me? What am I supposed to do?”

Noticing his pallor, Li Xiang said, “Time heals all wounds. Barring any mishaps, you will ascend to the throne one day. You’ll meet a woman who shares your heart, love her well. Forget about us and live your life to the fullest.”

Zhou Mingxuan buried his head, his voice muffled. “Stop. I don’t want to hear it.” With that, he released Li Xiang, turned around, and reached for the door to leave.

The door creaked open.

Su Mo, caught off guard, tumbled inside. Zhou Mingxuan didn’t seem surprised, merely casting him a cold glance before walking out.

Su Mo hurried over and pulled Li Xiang into his arms, his face flushed as he gazed down at her. “Xiangxiang, I heard everything you just said. You must stand firm, don’t soften your heart.” Then he leaned in and kissed her.

“Su Mo, come out.” Zhou Mingxuan’s voice rang from outside. Su Mo had no choice but to pull away, calling back, “Coming!”

He whispered into Li Xiang’s ear, “Xiangxiang, once I see him off, we’ll…”

The desire in Su Mo’s eyes was unmistakable. Amused by his eagerness, Li Xiang pinched his lips playfully in mock punishment and smiled. “Go on, hurry.”

Seeing she didn’t refuse, the tacit understanding between husband and wife told him she agreed. Delighted, he strode out of the room.

In the study, Zhou Mingxuan sat behind the desk, watching as Su Mo walked in with a triumphant, tender expression.

Unable to stomach his joy, Zhou Mingxuan stated bluntly, “I will never let go of Xiangxiang.”

Su Mo’s face stiffened at his words, displeased. “Since when did you become so persistent?”

Zhou Mingxuan paused, his tone laced with sarcasm. “If not for your interference, Xiangxiang and I would still be husband and wife. How did things come to this?”

At this point, Su Mo no longer concealed the resentment in his heart and spoke bluntly, “You’ve got it backward. If it weren’t for Gu Ci and me diverting the pursuers during the Songshan trip, you wouldn’t have had the chance to be alone with her for two years. If not for those two years giving you an opening, would she have fallen for you?”

Crash! The sound of a shattering cup rang out, and Su Mo barely managed to dodge.

“Momo, are you okay?” Li Xiang’s voice came from outside. Afraid she’d worry, Su Mo quickly called back, “I’m fine!”

Zhou Mingxuan exhaled a heavy breath and said sternly, “Since we can’t reach an agreement, let’s split Xiangxiang’s time equally between us.”

Finally voicing these words, Zhou Mingxuan felt an overwhelming turmoil inside. Few men could be as pathetic as him unable to even bring himself to kill a rival in love.

Her words alone had softened his heart. He was exhausted. The moment he heard she had feelings for him, he had relented. He didn’t want to hurt either of them. Since he couldn’t separate them, this arrangement would have to do. Who knew what the future held?

Su Mo frowned at the suggestion. “What do you mean, ‘split equally’?” For a moment, he didn’t grasp Zhou Mingxuan’s meaning.

“Since neither of us is willing to let go, for fairness’ sake, we’ll divide Xiangxiang’s time, one month for each of us.”

Su Mo refused to accept it. They had fought hard to reach this point. “Impossible. Xiangxiang said she chose me alone. Why should I share her with you?”

Zhou Mingxuan’s tone turned icy, laced with mockery. “Of course, you can refuse. Then we’ll wait and see, neither of us will get what we want.”

Su Mo had never heard anything so absurd. Clenching his fists, he wanted to throw a punch. “Xiangxiang said she only wants me. Can’t you understand human speech?”

Zhou Mingxuan frowned. “You’re the one acting aggrieved here. If I don’t mind, what right do you have?”

“I’m informing you, not asking for your opinion. Agree, and we’ll continue this discussion. Refuse, and I’ll have your entire family imprisoned. Once we return to the capital, I’ll take my time wearing you down.”

Su Mo glared at him, the injustice and anger boiling inside him.

“Xiangxiang would never agree to this.”