Destined Hearts of Mu and Yu (GL) - Chapter 2

Wei Hanyu knew she could not break free. Frowning, she turned her face aside, yet Qin Mu pressed closer and asked softly,

“Are you Sister Hanyu?”

A flicker of surprise flashed across Wei Hanyu’s eyes. She did not answer, and Qin Mu, mistaking her silence for assent, immediately released her grip, afraid of hurting her. But the moment her hand loosened, Wei Hanyu raised her palm and struck Qin Mu across the face.

“Insolent knave! Since you know I am from the palace, how dare you behave so rudely?” Her innate authority rang through every word, stunning the entire hall into silence. Yet even as she rebuked him, when her gaze met Qin Mu’s, the unfeigned joy sparkling in his eyes left her momentarily puzzled.

“Great Chief!” The men were shocked by Wei Hanyu’s action, their voices rising in concern. Seeing the five red fingerprints blazing upon Qin Mu’s fair and beautiful face, their fury flared, blades lifting as they rushed at Wei Hanyu.

“None of you are to harm her!” Qin Mu shouted hastily, caring nothing for the sting upon his cheek. His eyes still lingered on Wei Hanyu with quiet fondness.

And why was Qin Mu so certain of her identity? It was as the tale had been told before: her strategist and mentor, Uncle Bo, had divined a hexagram before leaving the mountain. He had foretold that on her eighteenth birthday, she would meet a noble destined to deliver her from her plight. This person would bear a mole at the corner of the right eye—a sign of dragon and phoenix, rare and exalted. Among the court, only a handful could bear such a destiny. And of those, the only unmarried woman with such a mark was none other than Wei Hanyu, the First Princess of Wei.

At the time, Qin Mu had thought Uncle Bo to be jesting. But upon seeing Wei Hanyu in person, realization struck—his words had been true.

Qin Lao-san frowned as he looked at Qin Mu, who gazed at Wei Hanyu in a daze, smiling as if bewitched. He thought to himself: true, there were no women in the stronghold. Since Qin Mu’s arrival, apart from Qiu Chan, she had scarcely seen any. This woman was indeed beautiful, more striking than most—but so fierce, so wild! How could such a savage ever be worthy of their radiant Great Chief?

He stepped forward and whispered in Qin Mu’s ear,

“Great Chief, I had planned that once you turned eighteen, I would take you down to the capital. At Flower-Filled Tower, the women are as gentle as water, their beauty unmatched. Don’t tie yourself too quickly to a single tree.”

“This person is none other than the First Princess of Wei—Wei Hanyu.” Qin Mu’s gaze upon Wei Hanyu was still soft.

Now it was Qin Lao-san’s turn to change face. The disdain in his eyes vanished, replaced by respect.

The crowd, upon hearing that she was the First Princess, at once dropped their weapons to show reverence.

The sudden shift from murderous intent to reverence left Wei Hanyu momentarily unsettled. But as the killing aura dissipated, so too did the chill in her gaze. Huangming Mountain might be a bandit’s den, yet they claimed to punish corruption and aid the people. To have mistakenly captured her had indeed harmed their reputation.

And why did her name alone inspire such awe? Because she was the First Princess of Wei, a woman like a living legend. She had fought the Xiongnu, swept across the deserts, her military feats equal to any man’s.

Thus, what began as battle ended as acquaintance. Wei Hanyu was treated as an honored guest, while Zhou Hankai, the corrupt official taken with her, was not so fortunate. He was thrown into the dungeons of Huangming Mountain.

As for why Wei Hanyu had been traveling with a man like Zhou Hankai, this was no coincidence. She was pursuing a case tied to the rise and fall of the royal house itself, and Zhou Hankai was a key figure. She had hoped to follow the trail to the true mastermind, but before she could, she had been seized by these bandits.

Later, sitting in the west wing, Wei Hanyu heard a noise outside. Rising, she opened the door to see servants pasting red double-happiness characters on the doors and windows. Her curiosity was stirred. By chance, Qin Lao-san passed by. She recognized him as the man who had bound her and brought her to the mountain. Thinking of his formidable martial skill, she considered that if such a man could serve the court, it would be a great boon.

Before she could speak, Qin Lao-san came forward with a broad smile, addressing her with words that startled her.

“Sister-in-law.”

Wei Hanyu could not help but laugh. That single smile left Qin Lao-san dumbstruck. Her beauty was rare in all the world—slender brows, bright eyes, red lips and white teeth, carrying within her the pride of the royal family. Women were few in the stronghold, and though Qin Lao-san had seen many during his days roaming the jianghu, never had he encountered such a vision.

“Brother Qin, you must be over thirty. To address me is truly difficult for me to accept.” Wei Hanyu, seeing him dazed, withdrew her smile and answered coolly. Yet she was sharp-minded. That single “sister-in-law” stirred in her an ominous feeling. The world might belong to the emperor, but Huangming Mountain was its own realm. She thought it best to leave quickly.

So she spoke gently again,

“The hour grows late. If Brother Qin would prepare a carriage to send me down the mountain, I will be deeply grateful. Upon my return to the capital, I shall certainly repay this kindness.”

But Qin Lao-san faltered, stammering unclearly. Wei Hanyu grew more suspicious. Her gaze swept around the courtyard and found no stables. To force her way down the mountain would indeed be difficult. Still, she looked at him with smiling eyes, hoping for aid.

“Miss Wei, if you wish to leave here, I fear it will not be so easy.”

The calm voice came from a side room. Both turned their eyes to see Qin Lao-er, clad in a long blue robe, walking slowly toward them.

“Second Brother, come explain to Sister-in-law. My clumsy tongue might anger her.” Qin Lao-san hurried forward, pushing him ahead as though he were a savior.

Wei Hanyu studied Qin Lao-er. He looked young, no more than twenty. Strange, she thought. In this stronghold, the youngest, scarcely more than a boy, was the Great Chief of Huangming Mountain, feared across the land. Had she not seen Qin Mu’s martial skill with her own eyes, she could not have believed it.

Qin Lao-er bowed politely. “May I ask if Miss Wei believes in the arts of divination?”

Wei Hanyu answered evenly, “The National Preceptor, Mu Ziran, is a master of such arts. Each year he performs rites to bless Wei with peace and prosperity. I believe.”

At her words, Qin Lao-er clapped his hands and laughed. “Then it will be easy.”

“What do you mean by that, Brother Qin?” Wei Hanyu arched her brow, uneasy. She sensed the matter was not heading in a good direction.

Sure enough, Qin Lao-er’s next words made ripples break across her composed face.

“Because the bond between Miss Wei and our Great Chief is a match ordained by destiny itself—an unparalleled union.”