Destined Hearts of Mu and Yu (GL) - Chapter 28

Qin Mu hastily hid the wine jug behind her back and scrambled up from the thicket. She found Wei Hanyu leaning ever so slightly closer, her voice soft as she spoke.

“You’ve been drinking.”

“Mm.” Qin Mu knew there was no point denying it and nodded. Still, she couldn’t help but lift her eyes to study Wei Hanyu’s expression. As always, it was serene and unreadable. The moonlight, cold and silver, poured over her flawless face, rendering her impossibly captivating. When Wei Hanyu’s cool gaze shifted and fell upon her, Qin Mu’s heart lurched and she lowered her head in panic.

“I had only meant to deliver the dossiers to the Su residence and return,” Wei Hanyu said with a faint smile, her eyes brimming with gentleness. “But Su Ze insisted I stay for the meal. His hospitality was difficult to refuse, so it delayed me.”

“Oh.” Qin Mu buried her head even deeper, murmuring the reply. Yet inside she thought: Why do you treat me so well? Why must you explain everything so clearly to me? With every kindness, you make it impossible for me not to fall deeper for you. If only you could be crueler, harsher—perhaps then my feelings for you would lessen. But the more tender you are, the further I sink into this mire, unable to escape.

“The night air is cold. Let’s go inside.” Wei Hanyu’s brows arched slightly as she noticed Qin Mu shivering in her thin garments.

Just as Wei Hanyu turned to enter the house, Qin Mu raised her eyes and called softly after her. “Sister Hanyu.”

Wei Hanyu paused, ever so slightly startled.

“I will be taking next month’s imperial examination.” Qin Mu clutched at her sleeve, her brows drawn firm, her gaze steady as she declared with unshakable conviction.

Wei Hanyu chuckled lightly and nodded.

“I—if I pass, then I…” Qin Mu’s mind burned hot. The words then I’ll marry you circled desperately on her tongue, yet she could not force them out.

“Qin Mu, you will certainly pass.” Wei Hanyu’s voice was warm. “If you do, then I can entrust little Wei Yanhang to your care with an easy heart.” She had known long ago of Qin Mu’s intention to sit for the exams—no wonder she spent six hours a day shut away in the library.

“I…” Qin Mu’s face flushed crimson, her momentum broken. Wei Hanyu’s eyes lingered on her deeply, as though waiting for her to finish what she could not say. Yet the fragile courage Qin Mu had gathered scattered like dust in the wind. With nothing left to hold on to, she ducked her head and slipped past Wei Hanyu into the house.

Lately, Qin Mu had been waging war with herself, angry at her own choices. Why did I not choose the official’s path from the start? Why did I become a thief? Had I been in service earlier, perhaps I might have met Wei Hanyu years sooner. The more she thought, the heavier her head grew, until she pressed a hand to her brow and shut her eyes, the world spinning around her.

Wei Hanyu entered to find her slumped in a rattan chair, silent and withdrawn. She knew the drink had overtaken her, and so she stepped forward to touch her forehead.

“Why is your forehead so hot?” Wei Hanyu frowned, about to call for Yin’er to fetch ice from the cellar, when her hand was seized.

“Sister Hanyu, don’t go.” Qin Mu’s wide black eyes pleaded up at her, cheeks flushed as red as ripe apples. Wei Hanyu knew she was drunk.

“Come, lie down.”

“Help me.” Qin Mu looked at her, coaxing shamelessly.

With a helpless sigh, Wei Hanyu reached out. But the moment she did, Qin Mu’s whole weight collapsed against her, head resting on her shoulder like a heap of melting clay. Heat radiated from Qin Mu’s body like a furnace, enveloping her. Taller than Wei Hanyu and though slender, she was not light. It took all of Wei Hanyu’s effort to drag her into the bedchamber.

Just as she tried to set her down upon the white jade bed, Qin Mu clung to her, pulling her down as well. The bed curtains fell closed with the motion, the room now shrouded in shadow, their faces lost to darkness—but their quickened breaths intermingled, fevered and close.

“Sister Hanyu…” The sound of Qin Mu’s voice, husky at her ear, set Wei Hanyu ablaze. For a moment, she felt herself thrust back to that night on Huangming Mountain, when Qin Mu had whispered her name the same way, claiming her completely. The thought tangled her heart into chaos. She tried to push Qin Mu away, to rise—but Qin Mu caught her arm and rolled her beneath.

“Sister Hanyu, I like you.” Qin Mu’s words were murmured as her lips descended to Wei Hanyu’s throat, searing hot, leaving no space for evasion. Her hands began tugging at Wei Hanyu’s robes. Her lips trailed downward to the hollow of her delicate collarbone, each kiss branding her like molten iron. Wei Hanyu bit down, suppressing her voice, yet each kiss sent shivers quaking through her body.

Was it truly she who was uncomprehending of passion, or was it Qin Mu who was simply clumsy? Wei Hanyu almost laughed bitterly at the thought—until a sharp sensation jolted her. She looked down to see Qin Mu had already undone her inner garments, lips sealed over the tender peak of her br3ast. Her face burned, shame and heat flooding through her. She wanted to push Qin Mu away, yet her body was limp and uncooperative.

“’Qin Mu…” Wei Hanyu’s voice trembled, as wave after wave of heat consumed her. Qin Mu’s hands roamed across her body, every touch sparking an involuntary shiver.

A soft cry escaped Wei Hanyu’s lips as her slender form quaked, long-buried desire clawing free, rushing like a tide. Her face flushed deeper, her body beginning, unwillingly, to respond to the one above her—when suddenly, the weight stilled.

No longer did she hear her name whispered against her ear, only the steady rhythm of Qin Mu’s breathing. Wei Hanyu’s chest blazed with fury as realization struck. She shoved Qin Mu aside, finding her fast asleep.

She pulled her disheveled garments back into place. Her face, still flushed, her breath still quick, the rise and fall of her chest betraying all.

“Sister Hanyu…” Even in sleep, Qin Mu murmured her name. Wei Hanyu rolled her eyes heavenward. With a huff, she rose, threw on her robe, and made her way to the bath—only the cold water of the pool could quell the fire raging in her veins.