Destined Hearts of Mu and Yu (GL) - Chapter 13

“Your Highness visiting so late at night, I failed to welcome you properly. Please forgive me.”

Though Qing Yunlong spoke politely, he blocked Wei Hanyu’s line of sight, keeping her from seeing Wei Yue’er and Qin Mu surrounded by his men behind him.

“Elder Sister!”

A loud, sharp voice came from within the crowd. Wei Hanyu’s eyes froze, a chill flashing through them as she glared at Qing Yunlong. The smile on his face stiffened. At that moment, Wei Yue’er broke free like a little bird and ran joyfully toward Wei Hanyu.

Wei Hanyu looked at her carefully. Seeing that she was unharmed, she let out a breath of relief. Her gaze turned cold again as it landed on Qing Yunlong. She said nothing, but her silence pressed down on him like a heavy weight.

At her side, Qingfeng raised his blade and shouted angrily.

“Qing Yunlong! How dare you—do you mean to imprison a princess of the royal family?”

The charge made Qing Yunlong’s heart jump, but he was an old fox who had seen many storms. His mouth twitched, and he forced a smile.

“Your Highness sees clearly. How could I ever harm the Ninth Princess? She only took something important from my estate. I simply wish for her to return it.”

After speaking, his lips curled into a strange smile, and his eyes grew dark as they swept across the group.

Wei Yue’er shivered at his sinister look. So—he had already recognized her, and still meant to kill her to silence her. It was clear he would not let any of them go. Frightened, she clung tighter to Wei Hanyu’s robes.

“But from what I see,” Wei Hanyu said with a cold smile tugging at her lips, sword in hand as her sharp eyes scanned their surroundings, “your goal is not as simple as just retrieving what was taken.”

Qing Yunlong let out a low, eerie laugh but gave no reply. His body shifted backward several steps, showing signs that he was ready to fight.

Just then, Qin Mu noticed a flash of light under a locust tree. She followed it with her eyes and saw a man crouched in the branches, a crossbow aimed directly at Wei Hanyu.

“ Sister Hanyu, be careful!” Qin Mu cried out.

The arrow gleamed coldly as it shot toward Wei Hanyu, fast and unavoidable. Qin Mu leapt forward without hesitation, wrapping her arms around Wei Hanyu. The faint scent of her clothes filled Qin Mu’s senses, making her dizzy—then came the sharp pain. The arrow pierced her shoulder, and she gasped in pain.

Wei Hanyu’s eyes widened in shock. Faced with Qin Mu’s sudden embrace, her expression changed at once. She was still wondering why Qin Mu was here when she saw the arrow buried deep in Qin Mu’s shoulder. It pierced Qin Mu’s flesh—but it pierced Wei Hanyu’s heart as well.

Holding her steady, Wei Hanyu saw how deeply the arrow had sunk. She quickly sealed Qin Mu’s acupoints, then pulled the arrow out with swift, practiced hands. She thought Qin Mu would scream from the pain, but not once did she blink. Only the beads of sweat dripping from her forehead showed how much she endured.

Qin Mu raised her hand weakly, pointing toward the tree.

Wei Hanyu’s eyes turned icy with rage. She hurled her sword, striking the hidden assassin straight through the chest. He fell from the tree and died instantly.

Her gaze locked on Qing Yunlong. Realizing his scheme had failed, his face twisted awkwardly.

“Qing Yunlong,” Wei Hanyu said coldly, her voice like ice, “for the sake of my father’s ties with you, I will spare you this time. But if you dare block me again, I will see your entire clan wiped from the capital by tomorrow. Believe me, or not.”

The volcano in her chest burned hotter with every word. He had dared to plot against her—killing him a hundred times would not ease her anger. But her eyes fell to Qin Mu, who bit her lip and forced herself to stand. Wei Hanyu’s heart softened. Right now, Qin Mu matters more.

Qing Yunlong had always known Wei Hanyu was dangerous—her spirit no less than any man’s. If not for her being a woman, the position of Crown Prince might have been hers. To offend her was to invite disaster. And now that his plot was revealed, fighting would only destroy them both. His face stiffened.

With a wave of her arm, Wei Hanyu led her guards out of the mansion openly through the front gates.

Though Qing Yunlong’s men stood with blades ready, not one dared step forward. To steal from the Qing estate and leave so boldly—Wei Hanyu was the first. To him, it was the greatest humiliation. He watched her departing figure, and his eyes glowed with a dark, eerie light.

***

Outside the estate, Wei Hanyu’s face stayed cold. She ordered Wei Yue’er to return to the palace at once in her carriage. When the carriage disappeared into the distance, she turned back to Qin Mu, her eyes falling on the wound on her shoulder.

“Does your shoulder hurt badly?” she asked. Her voice carried concern, yet her pride made her tone sound cold.

Qin Mu gave a faint smile, trying to appear calm. “ Sister Hanyu, don’t worry. It’s only a flesh wound. Nothing serious.”

Qingfeng stepped forward and spoke with caution. “Princess, the hour is late. If we do not return to the palace soon and the guards change shifts, too many people will learn of this. His Majesty may find out.”

Wei Hanyu hesitated. She wanted to find a quiet place to tend Qin Mu’s wound, but Qingfeng’s warning was true. While she struggled with the decision, Qin Mu said softly, “It’s already late. I should go. Farewell, Elder Sister Hanyu.”

Wei Hanyu looked up in surprise. Qin Mu gave a polite bow, smiled as if nothing were wrong, and quickly disappeared into the night.

Wei Hanyu stood frozen, her heart unwilling to let her go.

Qingfeng spoke again, reminding her. “Princess, please get in the carriage.”

Wei Hanyu let out a quiet sigh and stepped inside. The carriage jolted forward. Her face remained expressionless while her hands gripped her skirt tightly.

At the same time, Qin Mu staggered into a narrow alley, her forehead dripping with sweat. When the arrow struck her, she had already felt the poison spreading through her veins. Her shoulder quickly went numb. That was why she had not felt pain when Wei Hanyu pulled out the arrow. She only pretended to be fine so that Wei Hanyu would not worry.

Leaning against the wall, she slowly slid down until she sat on the ground. Her eyelids grew heavy, her body trembling as waves of cold swept through her like she had fallen into an ice cellar. Her lips turned pale, her breath shallow. Her thoughts blurred, and her body felt as light as a feather.

By the time Wei Hanyu searched and found her again, Qin Mu was already half-unconscious, curled in the corner of the alley. Wei Hanyu’s heart clenched at the sight. She quickly lifted Qin Mu onto the carriage.

Qingfeng frowned and lowered his voice. 

“Princess, if you bring someone from outside into the palace, the entire court will be in uproar tomorrow.”

Wei Hanyu tightened her hold on Qin Mu, who shivered against her. Her expression turned icy. “Enough. Back to the palace. No more delays.”

Qingfeng dared not argue further. The carriage raced ahead. It was built for one person, but now two sat squeezed together in the narrow space. Wei Hanyu held Qin Mu close, shaking her gently. “Qin Mu, you must not fall asleep.”

Qin Mu opened her eyes weakly. Her face was pale, her body trembling. She whispered a single word. 

“Cold.”

Wei Hanyu set aside her pride and pulled her into her arms, trying to warm her with her own body. Looking down at her, her gaze softened. 

“Qin Mu, do you feel any better?”

Perhaps because of the warmth, Qin Mu leaned closer and rested her head against Wei Hanyu’s chest. A flush spread across Wei Hanyu’s face. Her heartbeat quickened beyond her control, and her breathing grew unsteady. With every bump of the carriage, Qin Mu’s head rubbed against her, making her body burn hotter.

But with Qin Mu in such a state, and with no room to move away, all Wei Hanyu could do was hold her tightly and endure.