Destined Hearts of Mu and Yu (GL) - Chapter 19

At the Zhuangyuan Inn, Qin Mu counted the days as she lived, always rushing out whenever there was a sound at the gate, thinking it might be Qingfeng sent by Wei Hanyu to fetch her. But each time, she came back disappointed. It had already been four days since she last saw Wei Hanyu, and Qin Mu felt her heart empty and hollow. Even her motivation for studying seemed to fade with her mood.

That day, as she came downstairs, she sensed something unusual. The inn’s lobby, usually bustling with guests, had only a few people that day—and they were unfamiliar faces. Qin Mu descended slowly, overhearing the conversation of two men seated at a table, both dressed in clothing finer than that of common folk.

“Tomorrow is the Eldest Princess’s birthday,” one of them said.

“Indeed. I hear the entire palace will hold a grand feast to celebrate her birthday,” the other quickly agreed.

“I was fortunate enough to receive an invitation, but I don’t know what gift to prepare. It troubles me greatly,” the first man sighed with a frown.

Tomorrow was Hanyu’s birthday. Qin Mu’s eyes lit up at once. Should I also prepare a gift for Hanyu? What should I give her? Just a moment ago, she had been brooding, waiting for Qingfeng to appear. Now her mind was completely taken over by the thought of what gift she should prepare for Wei Hanyu.

The moment Qin Mu stepped out of the inn, the two men exchanged a glance, then went upstairs. Pushing open a private room door, they entered where a round sandalwood incense burner gave off curling smoke. At a table, one man sat playing with another.

“Reporting to Master Wei, we said everything you instructed,” one of the men reported.

“Oh?” The man raised an eyebrow, interest shifting away from the game. He took a sip of tea and asked with a smile,

“And how did he react?”

“From his expression—seemed rather dull.” The two looked at each other and answered truthfully.

That response amused the man, who shook his head lightly and waved them off.

“Go investigate further.”

“Yes!” The two men withdrew.

***

Meanwhile, Qin Mu, who had grown up in Huangming Mountain, had no idea how to buy a gift that would win the favor of someone she admired. She wandered left and right, troubled, until she passed an antique shop. There, a white jade Pixiu displayed at the entrance caught her eye. Its eyes were like bronze bells, even the whiskers carved with lifelike detail. A true treasure.

Back in the mountain stronghold, she had intercepted tributes bound for the Wei Emperor, so she had developed a sharp eye for appraising valuables.

At the antique shop entrance, many rare pieces were displayed—some genuine, some counterfeit—all meant to lure in customers. Seeing that Qin Mu had immediately spotted the shop’s prized treasure, Shopkeeper Xu instantly recognized her as a connoisseur and greeted her with a smile.

“Sir, come inside and have a look.”

Qin Mu hadn’t brought much silver with her. She gave an awkward smile and prepared to leave. But then the shopkeeper called out,

“We have many fine jade pieces inside. As the saying goes: ‘A treasure jade suits a hero.’ Even if you don’t buy, why not come in and admire them?”

At the mention of jade, Qin Mu froze. Jade… Hanyu. Giving Wei Hanyu jade would be the perfect gift! With that thought, her attitude flipped completely. Straightening her chest, she marched into the antique shop.

Inside, her eyes widened at the dazzling collection of rare treasures. In her mind, she quickly estimated the value of each piece.

“Sir, please look. This is a fine seal carved from golden turquoise,” Shopkeeper Xu began his pitch eagerly.

But Qin Mu only smiled and shook her head, walking straight to a corner where she found a jade pendant.

Seeing this, Shopkeeper Xu walked over, giving her a thumbs-up.

“Excellent eye, sir. This is high-quality Han white jade, weathered by wind and rain, absorbing the essence of sun and moon—without any artificial carving.”

“It truly is beautiful.” Qin Mu looked at the flawless white jade lotus. The first thought that came to mind was Wei Hanyu. Wasn’t she just like this piece of jade—pure, unadorned, and ethereal?

“Shopkeeper, I want this jade pendant,” Qin Mu said excitedly.

“Fifteen hundred taels,” Shopkeeper Xu replied. He knew he had met a true connoisseur, so he didn’t bother with price haggling. Better to let this treasure follow the one who recognized it.

“Good.” Qin Mu nodded. She liked the shopkeeper’s straightforwardness. Reaching into her pocket, she found nothing. Embarrassed, she asked,

“When do you close?”

“You hour,” Shopkeeper Xu replied.

Qin Mu glanced at the sun—still an hour left. If she hurried back to the outskirts and returned, she could make it in time. Bowing, she said,

“I’ll fetch the money right away. Please hold this jade for me.”

The shopkeeper nodded, sending her off. Qin Mu rushed to the post station, took her white horse, and galloped to the outskirts.

At home, Qin Lao’er and Qin Lao-san happened to be resting. Seeing Qin Mu rush inside in a panic, they grew curious. She darted into her room, rummaging noisily, and emerged with three thousand taels of silver notes stuffed into her robe, about to leave.

The two exchanged a look. Qin Lao-san asked,

“Second brother, you know how big sis usually guards money like her life. Why’s she taking it out now?”

“No idea.” Qin Lao’er shook his head, baffled.

“Could she have fallen for a scam?” Qin Lao-san, an old hand in the underworld, frowned. “Like a staged trick to cheat her out of her money?”

“Let’s follow her.” Qin Lao’er agreed, exchanging a glance with his brother. The two quietly followed Qin Mu back to the capital.

***

Returning to the antique shop, it was not yet closing. Qin Mu, excited, rushed in with the fifteen hundred taels in hand—only to see Shopkeeper Xu chatting with a man in a dark-blue robe. And in that man’s hand was the very jade pendant she had chosen.

Startled, Qin Mu hurried forward, but the man had already handed silver notes to Shopkeeper Xu.

“Sorry, sir,” Shopkeeper Xu said apologetically. “You’re too late. This gentleman has bought the jade.”

Disappointment flooded Qin Mu’s face as her eyes turned to the buyer. The man’s gaze was as deep as obsidian, his brows exuding heroism. Even silent, he radiated quiet authority.

“May I ask your name, sir?” Qin Mu greeted him politely, knowing it was too late to blame the shopkeeper. Her only hope now was persuading the buyer.

“Wei,” the man replied.

“The same surname as His Majesty?” Qin Mu asked in surprise.

“This Wei is not that Wei. Mine is the Wei with a ‘blade and stroke.’” The man gave a faint smile at her quick wit.

Qin Mu nodded. If not for that explanation, she might really have thought of the Wei Emperor. Seeing the man’s polite manner, she bowed again.

“Sir, I have a few questions I’d like to ask you.”

“Go ahead,” he said with a smile.

“Do you intend to wear this jade yourself—or give it as a gift?” Qin Mu asked curiously.

The man raised an eyebrow, interest sparked, and countered, “What difference does it make?”

“The difference is great. So, is it for yourself—or for someone else?” Qin Mu pressed, sensing his interest and feigning seriousness.

“For myself, then,” the man answered casually.

Qin Mu’s eyes lit up—there was hope! She explained, “This white jade is light and pure, flawless and beautiful. If you gifted it to a lady, paired with colorful silks, it would be perfect. But if worn by a man in robes, it would appear rather feminine.”

Since the man looked to be in his fifties, she guessed he would not be giving it to a woman.

The man chuckled to himself. This seemingly naive scholar has quite a tongue. He decided to test her further.

“In that case, why don’t you choose another jade for me instead?”

“I’ll try.” Qin Mu walked around the shop, then returned with a tiger’s-eye jade pendant.

The man took it, feeling its solid weight and sharp angles, glowing yet steady, shaped by years yet naturally whole. He liked it immediately, unable to set it down.

Qin Mu was overjoyed.

“How much for this pendant?” he asked Shopkeeper Xu.

“Fifteen hundred taels,” the shopkeeper replied.

The same price. Qin Mu’s heart leapt—this is it!

The man smiled faintly, his deep gaze carrying a hint of cunning as he looked at Qin Mu.

“You truly want this white jade, don’t you?”

“Yes.” Qin Mu nodded firmly, her eyes full of sincerity. She truly felt this jade suited Wei Hanyu best, so she was determined to buy it.

“Then let’s make a deal. I like this tiger’s-eye pendant very much. If you give it to me, I’ll part with the white jade and sell it to you instead. How about that?” He held the tiger’s-eye in one hand and the white jade in the other, speaking unhurriedly.

Hearing this, Qin Mu finally understood. So this Lord Wei just wants to double the price and sell me the white jade for three thousand taels.

She touched the silver notes hidden in her robe, heart aching terribly. That was all she owned.