Destined Hearts of Mu and Yu (GL) - Chapter 29

At dawn, Qin Mu woke up with a splitting headache. She reached out beside her, but the space was empty—Wei Hanyu was already gone.

She rubbed her temples, instantly realizing she had drunk too much again the night before. Slowly, she got up, dressed, and stepped outside.

A bright, tinkling laugh reached her ears. Qin Mu opened her eyes wider—it was Wei Yue’er. The girl was holding her stomach, laughing so hard that her eyes were wet with tears.

Qin Mu frowned. It’s not like it’s the first time she’s seen me. What’s so funny?

“Brother Mu, what’s wrong with your face?” Yue’er pointed at her while laughing.

Qin Mu blinked in confusion and raised a hand to her cheek. Her palm came away stained with ink.

Startled, she rushed back inside and sat in front of the bronze mirror. One look—and she froze, then couldn’t help laughing aloud.

Her reflection showed a crude drawing of a turtle sprawled across her face.

“I always thought my sister was serious and proper,” Yue’er said between laughs. “Who would’ve thought the turtle she drew would be this funny, this cute?” She squatted down, laughing until her stomach hurt.

Qin Mu leaned against the table, laughing helplessly as well. When did Wei Hanyu even draw this on me…?

“Brother Mu, tell the truth—did you offend my sister last night?” Yue’er asked, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

“How could I dare?” Qin Mu hurriedly waved her hands, guilty all the same. She had indeed drunk too much, and her memory was hazy. Who knew if she had said something inappropriate and angered Wei Hanyu?

“Hmph. Still pretending.” Yue’er wrinkled her nose in mock disgust. “You scholars all look refined on the outside, but inside your stomachs are full of schemes.”

“I, Qin Mu, am not such a person,” Qin Mu replied solemnly.

“Don’t deny it. Just look at the mess with Su Wanying—it’s spread all over the palace.” Yue’er gave her a disdainful glance.

Qin Mu sighed. “I can’t help but feel there’s more to Su Wanying’s troublemaking than it seems.”

Yue’er arched a brow. Maybe this scholar wasn’t as dull as she looked; she could think things through.

“That Su Wanying—since she entered the palace, she’s always tried to get close to my sister. But my sister is proud and hardly paid her attention. After being rejected again and again, Su Wanying grew bitter. Anyone who became close to my sister, she schemed against them.

“When my sister was twenty, she once had feelings for a qin player. But not long after, his body was found floating in Moonlit Lake. That same night, a young eunuch swore he had seen Su Wanying with him. But there was no proof, and the Emperor favored her at the time, so the matter was suppressed.

“Since then, any man who got close to my sister ended up with a tragic fate.” Yue’er’s voice grew low.

Her eyes flicked to Qin Mu. “That you’re still alive now already surprises me.”

Qin Mu’s heart sank. From the moment she met Su Wanying, she had sensed her scheming nature, but she hadn’t expected her to kill. Thinking of Wei Hanyu being targeted by such a woman, Qin Mu clenched her fists, her brows knitting tightly. From today onward, she would never show Su Wanying any courtesy. She would stand with Wei Hanyu, side by side.

***

Later, Qin Mu went to her duties, Yue’er following at her heels like a shadow. As they strolled through the back garden, Qin Mu suddenly halted, her expression tightening. Yue’er tilted her head, curious, just as Wei Yanhang strutted into view with a group of attendants.

Qin Mu’s lips curved faintly, though her eyes stayed cold. Instinctively, she drew Yue’er behind her, her gaze scanning the surroundings.

“Poor scholar,” Wei Yanhang sneered, his yellow robe carelessly draped, his crown askew. He swaggered with arrogant airs, shaking his foot as he walked. Truly, even wearing a dragon robe, he couldn’t look the part of a crown prince.

“Greetings to Your Highness the Crown Prince,” Qin Mu bowed properly, her hands clasped. Whatever his behavior, palace etiquette could not be ignored.

“Greetings, my ass.” Wei Yanhang waved dismissively, his words vulgar. “You stole my sister, and you dare greet me? Do you take me for a fool?” His eyes flared as he advanced with his men.

Qin Mu knew she couldn’t avoid this. She slowly backed away, shielding Yue’er, until her heels touched the lakeshore. She had no more room to retreat.

One attendant leaned close and whispered, uneasy: “Your Highness, His Majesty will be leaving court soon. Perhaps… another day?”

But Wei Yanhang’s eyes glinted cruelly. He turned toward the glimmering Moonlit Lake and said coldly: “Push him into the water.”

Qin Mu’s brows drew tight. Raised in the mountains, she had never learned to swim. If they pushed her in, she would be forced to fight.

“Ah—Your Highness, perhaps that’s unwise…” The attendant paled. The palace was already full of rumors: Qin Mu was favored by Wei Hanyu. To harm her was dangerous.

“Do it! Quickly!” Wei Yanhang barked. His attendants rolled up their sleeves and advanced.

“Who dares touch him?” Qin Mu was still weighing whether to strike when Yue’er suddenly jumped forward with a clang, spreading her arms to shield Qin Mu.

The attendants hesitated, looking back at their master.

“Throw them both in.” Wei Yanhang’s voice was icy.

At once, they seized Yue’er. He had long despised her tattling to Wei Hanyu, and now, seeing her protect Qin Mu, his hatred deepened.

With a heavy splash, Yue’er was flung into the lake. The move was so sudden Qin Mu had no time to stop it. Watching Yue’er sink, her brows knit sharply. Without hesitation, she leapt after her.

Underwater, she gathered her inner energy, pushing out with both palms. A surge of water carried Yue’er toward the shallows by the steps. But the recoil dragged Qin Mu deeper into the lake’s center.

Only when she saw Yue’er clutching the stone steps, safe, did Qin Mu allow herself relief—before icy water swallowed her whole. It seeped into her eyes, nose, and ears. She tried to stabilize her breath with qi, but her body refused to obey. She sank further, deeper.

On the shore, Yue’er turned back, searching frantically. The surface of the lake was smooth and still. Qin Mu was nowhere in sight.