Destined Hearts of Mu and Yu (GL) - Chapter 17

“Heh, this poor scholar actually has a bit of insight.” Hearing Qin Mu’s compliment, Wei Yanhan was delighted. His nervousness eased instantly, and he laughed as he turned to his attendants.

“I am not gifted, I merely call things as I see them.” Qin Mu smiled, but in her eyes there was already a glint of killing intent. With one glance, she had already calculated how to deal with them all and still make it back to the bun shop in time for the next basket to come out of the steamer. She thought of it as a bit of exercise before her meal, humoring these spoiled brats for a while.

Wei Yanhan rolled up his sleeves, revealing pale thin arms, his little white teeth flashing in a proud grin.

“Since your eyes are so sharp, then I will have you beaten to death. When you report to the King of Hell, you’ll know whose hand sent you there.”

“I am Wei Yanhan, Crown Prince of Wei, the future emperor.”

At the sound of his name, Qin Mu’s lips twitched. Had he not spoken it, she might already have left him and his followers sprawled on the ground. But those three characters—Wei Yanhan—made her freeze. The Crown Prince was Wei Hanyu’s younger brother. She had heard the rumors before, that Wei Hanyu remained unmarried out of her deep devotion to him. If he was so important to Wei Hanyu, how could she lay a finger on him.

Wei Yanhan saw her pause and became even more smug, thinking Qin Mu was frightened. He waved his hand. His attendants threw a sack over Qin Mu, tied it tight, and surged forward with fists and clubs.

“We haven’t even had lunch yet, so hit harder!” Wei Yanhan barked, hands on his hips.

But before they could land many blows, a shadow flashed through the air. A whirling kick sent several of the lackeys sprawling. They staggered up, ready to attack again, but when they met Qingfeng’s cold eyes, they shrank back in fear and hid behind Wei Yanhan.

Wei Hanyu arrived in haste, still wearing her pale green palace gown, a golden gauze shawl draped over her shoulders. The wide hem was embroidered with delicate purple flowers. Her black hair was loosely gathered, the rest cascading around her neck, showing her delicate earlobes and a flawless profile.

Her eyes, cold as ice, fell on Wei Yanhan. His arrogance collapsed at once. He ducked his head like a guilty child. Wei Hanyu turned to Wei Yue’er.

“Yue’er, see if the beaten one is unharmed.”

Wei Yue’er ran quickly to Qin Mu, pulled off the sack, and froze in surprise.

“Brother Mu, it’s you?”

The moment she saw it was Qin Mu, Wei Hanyu’s chest burned with anger. She had intended to maintain the dignity of the princess now that she was out in her palace robes, but she could not hold it back. She strode forward, seized Wei Yanhan by the ear, and twisted hard. He yelped in pain, grabbing her arm, his face twisted in misery.

“Elder Sister, let go! It hurts!”

“You were just released from confinement and already you stir up trouble again.” Wei Hanyu frowned, twisting harder. His fair ear turned red-purple, and his cries echoed through the alley like a pig being slaughtered. Onlookers sucked in sharp breaths, but no one dared intervene. Wei Hanyu’s temperament was unpredictable. She could be aloof like an untouchable immortal one moment, and the next turn fierce for the sake of her useless brother.

“Qingfeng, take him back. Have him copy The Doctrine of the Mean. He is not allowed to leave his study until it is finished.” Wei Hanyu shoved Wei Yanhan toward Qingfeng, her tone cold.

“Ah, Brother Mu, you’re hurt!” Wei Yue’er exclaimed when she saw bl00d at the corner of Qin Mu’s lips. She touched his face with concern. Wei Hanyu’s gaze followed, her eyes colder than ever.

“Yue’er, you are to return to the palace with Qingfeng as well. Your confinement is not over.”

“But Brother Mu is hurt. I should take care of him.” Wei Yue’er spoke with an innocent air, the kind that would move someone like Qin Mu, making her think Yue’er was gentle and thoughtful. But Wei Hanyu knew her well. This was clearly just an excuse to play outside the palace longer.

“Return at once.” Wei Hanyu’s voice was icy.

Wei Yue’er cast Qin Mu one last reluctant look, their eyes meeting. Qin Mu even felt a twinge of pity for her. But that look did not escape Wei Hanyu’s eyes either. After Qingfeng led the two back to the palace, only Wei Hanyu and Qin Mu remained in the alley.

Qin Mu, tough as wild grass, climbed to her feet, brushed the dust off, and stood tall again. Only her delicate face now bore a few bruises.

“Why didn’t you fight back?” Wei Hanyu’s cold voice drifted to her. Qin Mu froze. Meeting those eyes, deep as a frozen lake, her heart skipped a beat. She stammered,

“I…I…”

She wanted to say it was because he was Wei Hanyu’s brother, and she could not hurt him. But if she said that, wouldn’t Wei Hanyu only feel more guilt. She struggled to find the words, but none came.

Then, gurgle, gurgle. Her stomach growled loudly, the sound echoing in the quiet alley. Qin Mu’s face flushed red at once. Somehow, being like this before Wei Hanyu felt unbearably embarrassing.

But then she saw something rare. Wei Hanyu’s cold face softened with a faint smile.

“Hungry?” she asked.

Qin Mu shook her head quickly, but her stomach growled again, betraying her.

“Come with me.” Wei Hanyu’s voice was gentler now. She lifted her wide skirt gracefully and walked toward the market.

Qin Mu felt mortified. She was the leader of Huangming Mountain, had weathered storms and blades, yet she could not even control her belly. Following Wei Hanyu through the streets, she realized this was her first time truly seeing the capital. The city was vast, and she had never had the chance to wander.

Walking beside Wei Hanyu, she saw something else. The cold faces of the people turned warm the moment they saw the princess. Even the busiest folk stopped to make way, greeting her not with fear, but with the friendliness of neighbors.

Even the stern woman from the bun shop who had once scolded Qin Mu now came forward, smiling, carrying a steaming basket. She placed it before Wei Hanyu.

Wei Hanyu glanced at Qin Mu. “Aren’t you hungry? Take it.”

Qin Mu nodded and quickly accepted the buns. She reached into her robes for coins, but the woman had already hurried away, delighted.

Soon they reached the front of a tall building. Qin Mu looked up at the golden signboard. Wangyue Tower. The most famous restaurant in the capital. She had heard one dish here could cost a thousand taels. Even a casual meal would be hundreds.

Her mind whirred with calculations. When Wei Hanyu lifted her foot to step inside, Qin Mu tugged at her sleeve, holding up the bun basket with an awkward smile.

“Elder Sister Hanyu, these buns are enough for me.”

Wei Hanyu only looked at her and smiled faintly. Qin Mu felt her head spin. What was she to do—every time she saw Wei Hanyu, she could not move her eyes, nor her feet.

She followed her inside. The waiter led them to the top floor. Wangyue Tower was so named because it reached the heights where one could almost touch the moon. From here the sky stretched endless and blue, the bustling streets far below. Qin Mu, used to life in the mountains, was captivated.

Like a child, she gazed at everything with wonder. Then she heard Wei Hanyu’s quiet voice from beside her.

“Come here.”

Startled, Qin Mu looked at her. Wei Hanyu’s dark eyes shone like obsidian, fixed on her. Her slender hand beckoned lightly. Qin Mu felt her soul fly away. She sat down beside her, inhaling the faint fragrance that clung to her. Her heart raced wildly.

“Closer,” Wei Hanyu murmured.