Destined Hearts of Mu and Yu (GL) - Chapter 20
But when Qin Mu thought of the white jade lotus in Lord Wei’s hand, it felt as if she were holding onto Wei Hanyu herself. She clenched her teeth, stomped her foot, and nodded, finally agreeing.
“Young man, think carefully—this is three thousand taels of silver,” the Wei Emperor smiled, confirming once more.
“Here are three thousand taels in banknotes, Lord Wei, please count them.” Qin Mu pulled the notes from her robe and was just about to hand them over when a loud voice shouted from the doorway.
“Stop!”
Both turned their heads at once to see Qin Lao’er and Qin Lao-san rushing in. The two of them had been secretly watching from the start, and the more they saw, the more suspicious it looked. Wasn’t this obviously a setup? This so-called Lord Wei was clearly just Shopkeeper Xu’s accomplice.
“Third Brother, don’t fall into their trap!” Qin Lao’er grabbed Qin Mu’s hand and spoke firmly.
“This Han white jade is rare indeed. Spending three thousand taels on it is no surprise. Besides, look at Lord Wei—his bearing alone shows he could never be a swindler. Second Brother, don’t speak nonsense.” Qin Mu flushed with embarrassment that Qin Lao’er would say such things in front of Shopkeeper Xu and Lord Wei. She prided herself on having sharp eyes. Although this Lord Wei’s sudden appearance was suspicious, the grace and authority in his every gesture could not be faked. Since they both admired this piece of jade, it only proved he knew true value.
“But Third Brother, this is our entire family fortune—you must think carefully!” Qin Lao-san urged.
“Silver can always be earned again, but a once-in-a-lifetime treasure like this, if lost, can never be found again,” Qin Mu argued, and without hesitation, handed the three thousand tael note to the Wei Emperor.
The Wei Emperor accepted it with a faint smile curling on his lips, then passed the white jade into Qin Mu’s hands. The joy on her face as she received it was unmistakably genuine.
The Wei Emperor narrowed his eyes slightly, studying Qin Mu up and down. Though her clothes were plain and not silk or brocade, they were spotless and clean. Her features were delicate and handsome, especially those eyes, shining with spirit.
“How old are you, young man?” he asked kindly.
“Eighteen,” Qin Mu answered with a smile.
“A little young… but it’s also the age of vigor.” The Emperor nodded in satisfaction. In ancient times, the gap in years was not as important as in later ages. For his daughter, he thought, a husband young and strong would be ideal—able to care for her even when she grew older. Better this than someone older, who would likely die first and leave her widowed. After this little test, the Wei Emperor’s impression of Qin Mu had improved considerably. And most importantly, he had gained a fine pendant, which pleased him greatly.
But the Qin brothers were not nearly so pleased. Their entire fortune of three thousand taels had vanished in one stroke. Qin Mu always said money should be spent “on the blade’s edge.” But was this really the blade? Qin Lao’er and Qin Lao-san didn’t think so at all, though Qin Mu was convinced it was. Ignoring their exasperated looks, she began planning how to sneak into the palace tomorrow to see her Wei Hanyu and present this birthday gift with her own hands.
***
In the palace, though it was supposed to be Wei Hanyu’s birthday—a day for lights, music, and joyous celebration—the entire place was subdued and silent. Eunuchs and maids, upon seeing Wei Hanyu, lowered their heads quickly and hurried away. Everyone knew: for the twenty-five-year-old Eldest Princess, still unmarried, this birthday was more mockery than blessing.
Wei Hanyu slowly entered the imperial study to ask her father why he had left all the memorials for her to handle yesterday while he himself had been nowhere to be found. Inside, she saw the Emperor sitting alone, absorbed in admiring something in his hand, clearly pleased. Usually, he would sense her presence at once, but not today. Curious, Wei Hanyu stepped closer. Her eyes fell on the object—an antique jade, finely made, though nothing remarkable compared with the treasures in her father’s collection.
Only then did the Emperor notice her. With a proud smile, he waved the jade pendant before her.
“Hanyu, you too are a connoisseur. Tell me, what do you think of this piece?”
Wei Hanyu frowned slightly, thought for a moment, then replied calmly, “Father, it is indeed somewhat unusual. But compared with your luminous jade, it is far less impressive.”
That luminous jade had been presented to the Emperor on his sixtieth birthday by Song and Liao envoys from the Western Regions. It shone like a night pearl, astonishing everyone who saw it. At that time, the Emperor himself had only smiled faintly, not nearly so delighted as he was now with this trinket.
“This jade is different,” the Emperor said, slapping the table with satisfaction. “This jade was given to me for nothing by a fool!”
His laughter left Wei Hanyu speechless. Facing her childlike father—along with her younger siblings, Yue’er and Yanhan, who were equally troublesome—her shoulders felt heavier than ever.
“Father, did you leave the palace?” she asked, her tone accusatory.
The Emperor glanced aside, his eyes shifting. “This time, there was a reason.”
“You said you were busy with state affairs. Yesterday all the memorials submitted by the court were left for me to review. And now you tell me you slipped out of the palace?” Wei Hanyu sighed, pressing her forehead in exasperation, her tone full of reproach. She had worked late into the night, and no wonder she was upset.
The Emperor, smiling gently, took her hand and sat her down. Placing the pendant in her palm, he said warmly, “Hanyu, tell me, how much do you think this is worth?”
Wei Hanyu glanced at it and answered flatly, “No more than a thousand taels.” Truthfully, she could see nothing special in it.
“But it was given to me for free by a fool, so it’s worth it!” the Emperor chuckled smugly.
“Then you had better keep it well. As for today’s memorials—once you finish playing with your new toy, be sure to read them.” Wei Hanyu placed the jade back in his hand, speechless.
The Emperor smiled again, not minding her indifference, and went on talking to himself. “Yesterday I went to an antique shop. I fancied a fine piece of white jade carved as a lotus—fifteen hundred taels. I paid, but then a youth rushed in, begging me to let it go. He said it was a gift he had chosen earlier for his beloved’s birthday—which, by chance, is the same as yours. Imagine that coincidence!”
“If he chose it first, Father, you have so many treasures already. Better to let him have it,” Wei Hanyu replied.
“Why? I liked that jade lotus and meant to give it to you as your birthday gift!” The Emperor blew out his beard and glared. This good daughter of mine—already taking someone else’s side before she’s even wed!
“And then?” Wei Hanyu softened when she realized her father had gone out to find her a gift.
“And then, he told me the jade didn’t suit me, and picked this one instead,” the Emperor said proudly, playing with the pendant again.
Three black lines all but appeared on Wei Hanyu’s forehead. Now she understood perfectly. Her father had first picked a gift for her. But when another person claimed it, he had let himself be persuaded with another jade. And that person was a true fool—handing over a pendant worth a thousand taels to a complete stranger. And her father, who was supposed to prepare a birthday gift for her, had ended up giving her nothing—while she had been stuck all night reviewing memorials. The more she thought about it, the more furious she grew. As she left the study, she heard her father call after her with a cryptic smile:
“If you ever meet the fool who gave me this pendant, remember to thank him on my behalf.”
She turned back and saw his meaningful grin, only able to shake her head helplessly.
***
By dusk, Wei Hanyu only wished to spend her birthday quietly, away from her troublesome father and her brother Yanhan, who caused her endless worry. In past years, it was Yanhan who had celebrated with her, but since he had beaten Qin Mu, she had grown stricter, keeping Qingfeng at his side to watch him, forcing him to copy books daily. He had no chance to celebrate with her now.
It was Lu Xu who had gone to great lengths for her birthday. At the Moon Lake, between the Imperial Study and Biyue Pavilion, he lit the waters with lotus lanterns, waiting for her in the pavilion. But he waited and waited, and Wei Hanyu never came.
From the bamboo grove in the distance, he saw a faint light approaching and felt a surge of joy.
The lantern-bearer was Wei Hanyu herself. When troubled, she often dismissed all her attendants to walk alone by the water, breathing in the night air.
As she neared the lake, she saw the glow of countless lanterns and was about to step closer when suddenly her sleeve was tugged. Wei Hanyu startled. She prided herself on being alert to all things—how could someone have approached unnoticed? Whoever this was, their martial skill was extraordinary. Forcing herself calm, she turned—
And saw Qin Mu, dressed in a eunuch’s uniform.
The soft moonlight fell upon her, glistening on the sweat at her brow, proof of her long search. Qin Mu’s features, delicate and fair to begin with, seemed to fit the deep-blue eunuch robes with surprising harmony. The sight made Wei Hanyu laugh despite herself.