Destined Hearts of Mu and Yu (GL) - Chapter 26
“Ah! Master Qin Mu, you’re bleeding!” Yin’er exclaimed softly.
Wei Hanyu, who had been reviewing memorials, lifted her eyes. Her gaze, deep as a dark pool, met Qin Mu’s. Qin Mu panicked at once, fumbling to wipe her nose with her sleeve. But before she could, Wei Hanyu had already risen and walked over, saying in a cool voice,
“Don’t move.”
Wei Hanyu’s words worked on Qin Mu like a spell. She immediately stood obediently still.
“Lift your face.” Wei Hanyu pressed a finger under Qin Mu’s chin, tilting it upward. The same motion, if Su Wanying had done it, would have made Qin Mu shiver with disgust. But when Wei Hanyu did it, it felt as though a thin veil over her heart had been gently lifted away. It was like a thousand tiny ants crawling across her chest—ticklish, almost unbearable. Yet, despite herself, she smiled faintly, enjoying it.
Wei Hanyu ordered Yin’er to fetch ice from the ice cellar to press against Qin Mu’s nose.
“The capital’s autumn is always this dry. From now on, replace the sweet tonic with stewed snow pear and snow toad. Stop using wild ginseng.” Wei Hanyu gave Yin’er a slight glare. Yin’er, seeing the playful meaning in her eyes, stuck out her tongue and thought privately, Why wild ginseng? Wasn’t it all for the princess’s happiness?
“Leave us.” Wei Hanyu read the teasing in Yin’er’s expression, frowned slightly, and dismissed her. Yin’er quickly withdrew, taking the maids and eunuchs with her.
“It seems to have stopped,” Qin Mu said softly when she noticed the worry lingering in Wei Hanyu’s eyes. Not wanting her to worry further, she took the ice pack from Wei Hanyu’s hand.
Wei Hanyu’s gaze lingered on her. Seeing Qin Mu’s nose still red but no longer bleeding, her lips curved into a faint smile. She turned back to the desk and resumed reviewing the memorials. Qin Mu dragged a stool over and sat right beside her, propping her chin in her hands, staring at her without blinking.
“Why aren’t you going to sleep?” Wei Hanyu, unnerved by that intense gaze, asked quietly.
“I want to stay with with you” Qin Mu’s black eyes gleamed as she stared straight at her. The candlelight lit up Wei Hanyu’s face, her beautiful eyes and luminous lips, and especially that tiny mole at the corner of her right eye, which exuded an irresistible charm. Qin Mu felt inspiration stir within her. On impulse, she picked up a brush, spread out a sheet of paper, and sketched the moment that had made her heart stir.
When Wei Hanyu finished marking the memorial, she glanced at Qin Mu and saw that she had drawn her likeness. Something stirred faintly in her heart. At the end, Qin Mu carefully added that tiny mole to her flawless face and smiled in delight. Lifting her gaze, she met Wei Hanyu’s eyes. They were as soft as flowing water, as if they could melt her heart entirely. Qin Mu felt another rush of heat inside her. Flustered, she fanned her face with her hand, stood up suddenly, and said,
“Elder Sister Hanyu, I’m going to bathe.”
She ran out. But as soon as she stepped outside, her nose started bleeding again. Tilting her head back, she took several deep breaths before calming down.
Left alone in the room, Wei Hanyu gazed at the portrait Qin Mu had drawn of her. Slowly, her lips curved into a gentle, sweet smile.
***
After bathing, Qin Mu wrestled with herself. Should she shamelessly go back to Wei Hanyu? But if she didn’t, how could she possibly sleep? Even after only one night apart, she missed Wei Hanyu’s scent terribly—missed the feeling of holding her soft, fragrant body while sleeping. Thinking this, it was as though she were bewitched. Step by step, she walked to Wei Hanyu’s bedchamber.
The door was slightly ajar, so she pushed it open. This time, she found only one candle lit by the bedside. Wei Hanyu was already asleep. Perhaps she had expected Qin Mu would come, for she had left a wide space on the bed for her, and that single candle still burning.
Qin Mu’s heart leapt with joy. She closed the door quietly, walked to the bed, and sat down.
Looking at Wei Hanyu’s closed eyes, she thought, At last, I can gaze at her freely.
She crouched by the bed, rested her chin on her hand, and stared intently at her sleeping form. Her brows were neat and fine, each hair lying perfectly in place, as though combed. Her nose bridge was high, her nose sharp and delicate, her lips perfectly curved. Qin Mu carefully lifted her hand, tracing Wei Hanyu’s brows and eyes with her fingertips. She had studied them so closely, no wonder she could capture her likeness so vividly in her paintings.
Looking at that face, a strong impulse surged within Qin Mu. She didn’t just want to touch her with her hand. She wanted more. She bit her lip hard, her eyes locked on Wei Hanyu.
Listening to her steady breathing, Qin Mu slowed her movements, leaning down inch by inch. Her lips brushed against Wei Hanyu’s cheek. She drew in a deep breath of her scent, her palm pressed against her heart, feeling the violent pounding shake her whole body. The pain almost stung. But once that gate of desire had been nudged open, she couldn’t stop herself.
Her lips moved to Wei Hanyu’s soft red lips. At the touch, Qin Mu’s mind flashed with a strange familiarity. This feeling—it was as though she had experienced it once before. She only brushed them lightly, then shot upright in panic, gasping for breath. Gazing at Wei Hanyu’s sleeping face, her heart thundered like a drum.
She spun around, saw the bronze basin filled with water, and plunged her head in, the icy chill forcing her back to clarity. Lifting her head, she berated herself. Heavens, I must be insane. Elder Sister Hanyu trusted me enough to share a bed, and I’ve gone and desecrated that trust.
Only after all the wild, shameful thoughts had scattered did Qin Mu dare creep into bed beside her. She lifted her hand, but could not bring herself to rest it on Wei Hanyu. She was terrified she wouldn’t be able to control herself. So she lay stiffly on her back, eyes wide, staring at the canopy above. Slowly, her eyelids grew heavy, and she drifted into sleep.