Destined Hearts of Mu and Yu (GL) - Chapter 18

Qin Mu’s face flushed red. This was the first time Wei Hanyu had ever taken the initiative to let her come closer. Her heart pounded so hard it felt like it might leap out of her chest. She dragged her stool over, inching until she was nearly right in front of Wei Hanyu.

But when Wei Hanyu’s cool gaze met hers, Qin Mu thought she had gone too far. She knew she was the kind of person who, when asked to come closer by a foot, would come closer by a yard. Embarrassed, she was about to move the stool back when she felt soft, slender hands touch her face.

It was like being bitten by a tiny bug—her whole body jolted. Wei Hanyu leaned in little by little. Qin Mu’s mind went blank. She could feel the faint warmth of Wei Hanyu’s breath brushing her skin, and her own breath faltered.

Just as she panicked, something hot pressed against her cheek. Her thoughts snapped back at once. Being a glutton, she recognized it instantly—it was the smell of a boiled egg.

Wei Hanyu had wrapped the egg in a cloth and was gently pressing it to Qin Mu’s bruised face. Qin Mu’s chest filled with warmth. Back in the mountains, bruises and scrapes were nothing to her. A night’s sleep and she would bounce back, tougher than before.

But both times she had been hurt recently, Wei Hanyu had tended to her so carefully, with such patience, that something deep inside Qin Mu stirred. A selfish thought suddenly came to her—so what if she was a woman? If she liked someone, she should be brave enough to pursue it. But the thought quickly faded. Wei Hanyu had saved her the first time only because Qin Mu had risked herself to protect her. And this time? Only because the injury had been caused by Wei Yanhan.

If Wei Hanyu truly cared, why hadn’t she appeared at Zhuangyuan Tower when she promised? Qin Mu had waited day after day, her neck stretched long, but Wei Hanyu never came. Thinking of this, Qin Mu felt a quiet pang of disappointment.

“This bruise—remember to apply the egg to it every day. It will heal faster,” Wei Hanyu said softly, handing her the egg.

“Oh.” Qin Mu nodded and, absentmindedly, stuffed the egg straight into her mouth. Her heart was still tangled with disappointment. In the next second, she was choking, her face turning scarlet, tears welling in her eyes.

Wei Hanyu immediately handed her a cup of water, then stepped forward to pat her back, guiding her breath.

The moment Wei Hanyu’s hand touched her, Qin Mu felt as though lightning had struck her. Her body froze, her mind went blank, and she nearly died of embarrassment over a single egg. Fortunately, Wei Hanyu reminded her to drink, and Qin Mu managed to swallow it down.

Just then, dishes began to arrive, one after another, filling the table. Qin Mu’s eyes lit up like stars. Forgetting her near-death by egg, she dove in with unrestrained joy. She had been living frugally since arriving in the capital—meat and rich food were things she only dreamed about. Now, in her heart, she shouted again and again: Elder Sister Hanyu, long live, long live, long live forever!

“You should slow down. No one is taking it from you.” Seeing her stuff her cheeks like a chipmunk, Wei Hanyu frowned slightly, her tone worried.

“It’s fine. I won’t choke,” Qin Mu mumbled, mouth full.

Wei Hanyu shook her head with a sigh.

“You grew up in Huangming Mountain, always provided for. Why have you fallen into such hardship now?”

“The bandits have had a hard time since the last government raid. So I came down the mountain to see if I could make another life,” Qin Mu replied cheerfully, swallowing a chicken leg. Her eyes flickered as she prayed silently that Wei Hanyu would forgive the lie. How could she say she had abandoned her bandit life, left her men behind, all to follow her here? If she admitted that, wouldn’t Wei Hanyu run from her?

“Banditry is not a righteous path. Coming to the capital is better for you.” Wei Hanyu nodded, taking her words at face value. She picked up her chopsticks and quietly added a few ribs to Qin Mu’s bowl.

“I know the owner of the Sanlu Winery. If you haven’t found a proper place yet, you can work there. Would that suit you?”

Qin Mu shook her head. She was about to refuse when her eyes brightened with a thought.

“Elder Sister Hanyu, I’ve heard the palace library holds the most complete collection of books in the world. Is that true?”

Wei Hanyu nodded. “Yes.”

“Then… does the library happen to need someone to sweep the floors? I could do it.” Qin Mu grinned, eyes shining with hope. Her little abacus clicked away in her heart—studying and reviewing for the exams, and at the same time, being near Wei Hanyu. It was perfect.

“This palace…” Wei Hanyu hesitated. Men were not allowed inside. But Qin Mu was actually a woman. If disguised as a eunuch, no one would suspect. Still, Wei Hanyu felt it was unfair to her.

“You truly want to work in the library?”

“Yes!” Qin Mu nodded vigorously. Just imagining seeing Wei Hanyu every day inside the palace made her giddy.

Wei Hanyu’s lips curved faintly. “I understand. I’ll arrange it. Qingfeng will come fetch you.”

“I live in the right-side room on the third floor of Zhuangyuan Tower,” Qin Mu said happily, setting down her chopsticks. Wei Hanyu’s lips curved in a subtle smile. Qin Mu noticed she hadn’t eaten much, so she picked up her chopsticks and placed food in her bowl.

“Elder Sister Hanyu, you should eat too.”

They chatted for a while longer. Then, seeing the sky had darkened, Wei Hanyu rose. “It’s late. I must return to the palace.”

Qin Mu looked outside. Sure enough, night had fallen without her realizing. Time flew when she was with Wei Hanyu. Her gaze lingered with reluctant longing as she stood too.

“So Elder Sister Hanyu is returning now,” she murmured.

Wei Hanyu glanced back and saw the yearning in her eyes. She gave a small nod. They left Wangyue Tower together. But Qin Mu continued to follow, step after step. Finally Wei Hanyu stopped.

“Qin Mu, Zhuangyuan Tower is that way.”

“I know.” Qin Mu bit her lip, her dark eyes fixed on Wei Hanyu. “I just want to see you to the palace gates.”

Wei Hanyu lowered her head, saying nothing, but she did not stop her. The two walked on, one behind the other, in silence. Wei Hanyu’s steps slowed, as if she too wished to prolong the moment.

But however slowly they walked, the towering red palace walls soon loomed before them. To Qin Mu, they felt like the barrier that separated her from Wei Hanyu.

“It’s late. Go back and rest,” Wei Hanyu said.

“I… I don’t mind. I’ll wait until you go in before I leave,” Qin Mu answered softly, unwilling to part.

Wei Hanyu said no more and stepped through the red gates. Qin Mu stood, watching her figure disappear. Only when she could see her no longer did she finally turn back.

But she did not know—up on the wall, Wei Hanyu too stood watching her departing figure, eyes lingering for a long time.