Destined Hearts of Mu and Yu (GL) - Chapter 23

Su Wanying’s red lips curved, her voice teasing.
“You do have a rather pleasing face… smooth skin, tender flesh.”

As she spoke, her long sleeves swept across, revealing only her foxlike eyes. They glimmered with allure, locking onto Qin Mu as she laughed with seductive charm.

Qin Mu dared not meet her gaze. Her head lowered, cheeks burning. If Wei Hanyu was like a pure lotus untouched by mud, then Su Wanying was a peony blooming wantonly in the mortal world—too fiery to approach.

“Your Grace, I was ordered to escort this new recruit, Xiao Muzi, to his post at the library. If we delay, the time will be wrong.” Yin’er frowned, gathering her courage to speak softly.

“How bold of a servant to interrupt when my mistress speaks.” The maid beside Su Wanying gave a cold glare. “Do not think being from Biyue Pavilion makes you untouchable. Do not forget who now holds His Majesty’s deepest favor.”

Yin’er’s shoulders stiffened. She dared not reply further and stepped back, biting her lip. She could not bear to watch the licentious look in Su Wanying’s eyes as they fell on Qin Mu. Like Emperor Wei, Wei Hanyu was cold in nature, disliking the pleasures of men and women. Since Wei Hanyu’s mother had passed, he had grown even more restrained. Only toward Su Wanying did he show preference. With her noble birth—her brother Su Mu being a general defending the borders—her place in the palace was secure. No wonder she was arrogant.

Qin Mu lowered her head almost to the ground. Then Su Wanying’s slender fingers brushed her shoulder, a single touch making it go numb. Her lips leaned close, breath warm against Qin Mu’s ear.

“Don’t be afraid. Elder Sister won’t eat you.”

But as she spoke, her lips grazed Qin Mu’s ear, leaving it as red as bl00d.

Just then, a lively figure dashed forward like a sparrow and broke them apart. Su Wanying’s eyes narrowed. Who dared ruin her amusement? She looked up and saw Wei Yue’er’s innocent smile.

Su Wanying straightened her sleeve and cast her a lazy glance.
“What now, Ninth Princess? Have you also taken a liking to this new little eunuch from Biyue Pavilion?” The words little eunuch dripped with ridicule.

“Yes,” Wei Yue’er answered sweetly, widening her eyes. “He belongs to my royal sister. Of course I must keep a close watch.” She stressed the royal sister heavily, a clear warning.

Su Wanying laughed like a cunning fox. “Then watch him well. But legs belong to their owner. You can’t keep them still.” She threw Qin Mu a sultry glance, then swept away with her attendants, leaving behind the faint fragrance of perfume.

Once she was gone, both Yin’er and Wei Yue’er let out a breath of relief. Qin Mu, too, felt the weight on her shoulders lift. Though Su Wanying had no martial skills, her presence alone had nearly crushed her.

“Still dazed?” Wei Yue’er snapped, annoyed, and smacked Qin Mu’s shoulder. Qin Mu winced, teeth gritting at the sting.

“I thought you were steady. Turns out men are all fickle after all.” Wei Yue’er folded her arms and sighed dramatically.

“Miss Yue’er, you’ve misunderstood.” Qin Mu waved her hands, flustered.

“Enough. Your matters don’t concern me.” Wei Yue’er cut her off.

Qin Mu pressed her lips together and nodded silently. Wei Yue’er studied her, secretly bitter. She had thought Qin Mu could serve as her ticket out of the palace. But never did she expect her royal sister to value Qin Mu so highly. In just a week, Wei Hanyu had sent away every library eunuch, only to place Qin Mu there. Now her own plan was ruined. Naturally, her attitude toward Qin Mu cooled. Yet when she saw Su Wanying bullying her, she still stepped in to help.

Looking at Qin Mu’s blank, innocent face, Wei Yue’er shook her head again. With a sigh, she said, “Since you’re my royal sister’s person, you should learn to respect yourself.” With that, she turned and left.

Qin Mu stood watching her go, the words replaying in her mind. Her heart pounded wildly.

***

Inside the Imperial Library, Qin Mu was awestruck. She had never seen such a sea of books.

“The Book of Changes—a handwritten copy!” She lifted one scroll in amazement.

“And here, The Art of War!”

“And this… and this too!” Qin Mu rushed about like a child at a marketplace, muttering to herself, too excited to stop.

“This smell… so good.” She lowered her head and inhaled deeply, savoring the rich scent of ink. She didn’t notice Yin’er staring at her in shock. So this is a book fool, Yin’er thought. Shaking her head, she slipped away, leaving Qin Mu alone.

Soon Qin Mu sat at a desk, grinding ink and unrolling paper, completely immersed in study. All else faded from her mind.

As night fell, Wei Hanyu returned to Biyue Pavilion after discussing court matters with the emperor. Yet Qin Mu was nowhere to be seen. She immediately summoned Yin’er.

“Where is Qin Mu?”

“Your Highness, as ordered, I escorted him to the library and told him to return by dusk. But night has already fallen, and he has yet to come back. I was about to fetch him.”

“No need.” Wei Hanyu’s voice was cool.

Yin’er stopped at once, bowing. The rain outside poured heavy, thunder rolling across the sky. The library wasn’t far from Biyue Pavilion—surely Qin Mu would return soon.

But Wei Hanyu wrapped herself in a cloak, took up an umbrella, and headed out.

“Your Highness has just returned, the roads are slippery. Please don’t go out in this storm,” Yin’er pleaded.

“Too meddlesome.” Wei Hanyu’s eyes flashed coldly, and Yin’er fell silent. She could only watch as her mistress disappeared into the rain. How much fortune must Qin Mu have earned in a past life to be cherished like this? Yin’er thought.

Wei Hanyu walked quickly down the stone steps, rain pounding on the umbrella above. Why had Qin Mu rejected the fine post she arranged outside, only to insist on the library? Curiosity and unease drove her forward.

The library door was ajar, a candle flickering inside. Qin Mu sat at a large desk, surrounded by neatly stacked volumes, writing intently.

Wei Hanyu paused, her gaze softening. She had once thought Qin Mu was nothing but a young rascal. But her hidden skills, her kindness, her art—each had surprised her. Now, as she read over Qin Mu’s neat lines of writing, she was stunned. Qin Mu’s essays outlined detailed methods for lowering taxes, building merchant guilds, developing trade, reforming bureaucracy, and even creating an anti-corruption bureau. Every word was logical and precise.

Wei Hanyu stood silently, watching. Qin Mu wrote, and she watched. Only when a sudden growl broke the silence did Qin Mu stir. She clutched her stomach, looked up—and froze. She had not noticed Wei Hanyu at all until their eyes met. Her heart leapt, her hand stiff, and in panic she covered her papers with a book.

“Why hide it from me?” Wei Hanyu asked coolly.

“It’s nothing, just wild ideas. I was only scribbling. I’ll sort them later.” Qin Mu’s cheeks flushed. She bowed her head, embarrassed.

Looking up again, she saw Wei Hanyu no longer in the striking red gown from the morning, but in a plain white dress that made her appear even more serene. Candlelight fell across her face, her lips softly pursed, and Qin Mu’s heart skipped. Yin’er’s teasing words echoed in her ears. Her face grew hot. Just then, her stomach rumbled again, breaking the moment.

“Hungry?” Wei Hanyu’s brow arched slightly.

“Mm.” Qin Mu nodded, knowing denial was useless.

“Come with me.” Wei Hanyu turned to leave. Qin Mu quickly blew out the candle and followed.

The rain was still falling. Wei Hanyu opened the umbrella, but Qin Mu trailed behind, refusing to step beneath it. Wei Hanyu pressed her lips together, then said, “Hold it.”

Qin Mu hurried forward, taking the umbrella. Yet she stood half outside it, careful not to let Wei Hanyu get wet. Wei Hanyu gave a small tug, pulling her inside. Their shoulders nearly touched. Qin Mu inhaled the faint fragrance clinging to her, heart racing.

Her eyes fell lower—on the white jade lotus hanging at Wei Hanyu’s waist. Joy filled her chest. She was so distracted that she slipped on the mossy stones. She almost fell, but Wei Hanyu caught her hand, steadying the umbrella with her own.

The warmth of her palm spread through Qin Mu’s skin. Looking up, Qin Mu met Wei Hanyu’s gaze, filled with concern. The rain pattered on the umbrella, tapping the stone path like a quiet song, but all Qin Mu felt was the warmth of that gaze sinking deep into her heart.