Destined Hearts of Mu and Yu (GL) - Chapter 14

By the time Qin Mu was brought back to the palace, the night was already late. Wei Hanyu immediately summoned all the court physicians on duty to Biyue Pavilion to examine Qin Mu together. They checked for a long while, whispering among themselves, yet came to no clear result. Wei Hanyu’s cold eyes narrowed as she asked in a low voice.

“How is her injury exactly?”

“Replying to the princess, the poison this young master carries was refined from the venom of a giant serpent of the Western Regions. Though its effect is fierce, causing numbness, unconsciousness, and even fainting, it is not fatal,” one physician hurriedly explained, uneasy at the sight of Wei Hanyu’s darkened expression.

“If it is not fatal, why has no treatment been given?” Wei Hanyu asked. Her tone softened slightly, some of the tension easing from her eyes.

“From a quick look, the wound has already festered deeply and the venom has seeped into the flesh. To root it out completely, a perfect method must be found,” another physician explained.

“Do you not understand that the longer this drags on, the harder it will be to cleanse the wound?” Wei Hanyu rebuked sharply, her gaze like ice.

“There is one method. It is the fastest and most effective,” a third physician spoke up.

“Speak quickly,” Wei Hanyu urged. Qin Mu had already been unconscious for an hour, and her worry was rising.

“It is a folk remedy, but it is indeed the best way to clear serpent venom. Use a bamboo tube on the wound to draw out the poisoned bl00d again and again. Afterward, apply the trauma medicine and the detoxifying salve together,” the physician explained unhurriedly.

Wei Hanyu nodded lightly. “Leave the medicine here. You may all withdraw.”

The physicians bowed and backed away. One young doctor wished to stay and help, but an older physician pulled him back. As they stepped into the moonlight outside Biyue Pavilion, the elder looked at him and said.

“Are you a fool? Could you not see the princess’s eyes made it clear enough that no help was needed?”

Another physician added. “Indeed. To appear in the princess’s bedchamber at such an hour, it is best not to ask questions or involve oneself too much.”

A third shook his head. “Within the deep palace, one must not act carelessly or speak recklessly.”

They exchanged glances and fell silent. At last, they all agreed in low voices.

“This must not be spread outside.”

Inside the vast chamber, Wei Hanyu’s gaze fell on Qin Mu’s pale face. Under the glow of the candles, she looked utterly lifeless. For the first time, Wei Hanyu saw the lively and bright Qin Mu so still. She gently turned her over and cut open the fabric at her shoulder. The sight of the dreadful arrow wound made her frown. The once fair skin had turned a sickly purple-black. Pressing lightly with her fingers, dark bl00d oozed out. Qin Mu’s shoulder trembled faintly from the pain. Wei Hanyu stroked her shoulder softly and whispered by her ear.

“Qin Mu, this will hurt. Endure it.”

Qin Mu frowned slightly, as if she understood. Wei Hanyu picked up the bamboo tube, slid it carefully into the wound, then pressed her lips to it, sucking hard to draw out the poisoned bl00d. She spat it out, then repeated the process. But the wound was too deep, the bl00d too thick. Qin Mu’s body was growing colder by the moment. Wei Hanyu could no longer care for caution. She cast aside the tube, steadied Qin Mu’s shoulder, and bent down directly. Her lips sealed over the wound, drawing out the poisoned bl00d again and again. When at last fresh red bl00d flowed from the wound, she let out a breath of relief.

She sprinkled trauma powder and detoxifying salve on the wound and bandaged it skillfully. Years of military life had made her well practiced in tending to injuries. After securing the bandage, she gently turned Qin Mu over again and pulled the blanket up over her. She wiped the sweat from her forehead with a cloth. Then, with the bamboo tube, she fed the liquid medicine into Qin Mu’s mouth little by little until some warmth returned to her body. Only then did Wei Hanyu’s heart ease.

Moonlight spilled across the empty chamber. On the white jade bed, Qin Mu lay still, while Wei Hanyu sat at her side, fingers lightly brushing across her pale face. She traced her brow, her nose, her thin chin. A quiet sigh escaped her. She could not tell what feelings she held for Qin Mu. What kind of feelings should one woman have for another? She gave a bitter, helpless smile.

The night passed slowly. Qin Mu’s condition shifted between cold and burning. When she was cold, Wei Hanyu brought a brazier close to warm her. When she burned, Wei Hanyu wiped her with cool water. Over and over, until dawn broke. She did not even notice the night had gone until Wei Yue’er pushed open the door, letting the morning light spill into the chamber.

“Elder Sister, I heard Brother Mu was brought back with you?” Wei Yue’er rushed to her side.

Wei Hanyu rose to her feet, cold eyes fixed on her younger sister. “This trouble is all your doing. How could I not intervene?”

Seeing her elder sister’s icy expression, Wei Yue’er stuck out her tongue and said. “I did not force him to come with me.”

“And you still dare speak such irresponsible words?” Wei Hanyu’s gaze sharpened as she looked at her sternly.

Wei Yue’er touched her own cheek, putting on a smug look. “We only met yesterday. Perhaps he was bewitched by my beauty and followed me willingly.”

At that, disdain flickered in Wei Hanyu’s eyes. She knew her younger sister too well. Wei Yue’er’s talent for shameless excuses had always been unmatched. Feeling the atmosphere turn cold, Wei Yue’er thought to shift attention.

Just then, a faint groan came from the bed. Wei Yue’er’s brows lifted. “Brother Mu is awake. I will go look.” She ran past Wei Hanyu to the bedside. Qin Mu opened her eyes, dazed, staring at the unfamiliar room. Wei Yue’er leaned close with a smile.

“Brother Mu, you are finally awake.”

Qin Mu met her smiling face and started, quickly sitting up. The pull of her shoulder wound made her wince in pain.

“Miss Yue’er, why are you here?” Qin Mu asked, her eyes darting around the strange chamber.

“This is my elder sister’s bedchamber,” Wei Yue’er said with a grin, amused at her confusion.

Qin Mu’s gaze passed her and fell on Wei Hanyu. The morning light shone on her figure. She wore a plain white robe tied with a pale blue sash, her shoulders slender, her waist slim. Her long black hair spilled loosely over her shoulders, setting off skin as white as snow. Her brows were delicate, her eyes bright, her lips like red jade. With just that one glance, Qin Mu’s heart seemed to stop. The whole world stilled, leaving only her and Wei Hanyu.