Destined Hearts of Mu and Yu (GL) - Chapter 31

“No!”

Almost at the same time, both Wei Yue’er and Qin Mu shouted together. The two looked at each other in surprise, not expecting to be so in sync on this matter.

“Oh?” The emperor frowned and spoke slowly.

Qin Mu’s face turned pale. She thought to herself, Defying the emperor’s will… my fate now is probably to be executed at noon. How miserable. I haven’t even become an official yet, and I’m about to die already.

The emperor looked at her and said, “Young man, you’ve always been good with words. I’d like to hear why you think this shouldn’t be allowed.”

“Because Miss Yue’er fell into the water because of me,” Qin Mu answered honestly, since she thought she was doomed anyway. “It should be me who is punished, not rewarded.”

“Oh?” The emperor raised his brows, and Qin Mu continued.

“Besides, I risked my life to save Miss Yue’er. That should cancel out my fault.”

The emperor let out a laugh. “Interesting.”

Qin Mu went on, “But this matter all started because of the Crown Prince. If I had died unjustly, the fault would be his. But Sister Hanyu risked her own life to save me, which also saved the Crown Prince from being blamed. If anyone deserves a reward, it should be Sister Hanyu.”

Hearing this, the emperor’s stern expression softened into a smile. “True. After court today, Hanyu ran straight to the lake. She stayed in that freezing water just as long as you did, until she finally found you.” His sharp gaze fell on Qin Mu. At least this boy has some conscience. If he had accepted my marriage decree just now, I wouldn’t have let any of my daughters marry him.

“Sister Hanyu,” Qin Mu called softly. Her heart was warm and full of gratitude.

“Hanyu, what would you like?” The emperor turned to his daughter. “As long as it’s your request, I’ll grant it.” He expected her to bring up marriage to Qin Mu. But Wei Hanyu only smiled faintly and said,

“Why not give Qin Mu a special pardon instead? If one day she commits a crime, I hope Father will remember today and forgive her.”

The emperor frowned deeply and stared at her for a long while before finally saying,

“Granted.”

Wei Hanyu looked at Qin Mu with a faint smile. Qin Mu understood well—Hanyu’s request was all for her sake.

When everyone else had left, only the two of them remained in the room. Wei Hanyu stood to change Qin Mu’s medicine, but Qin Mu caught her hand. Looking into Hanyu’s deep black eyes, her heart stirred as she heard Qin Mu say seriously,

“Sister Hanyu, you treat me so well. How should I ever repay you?”

Wei Hanyu smiled lightly, sat back down by the bed, and said,

“If you one day succeed in the imperial exam, I only hope you can assist my foolish younger brother.”

Hearing this, Qin Mu felt a pang of disappointment. In her mind, Yin’er’s words echoed—If you become an official, you can’t be a prince consort. Still, she lifted her head and nodded firmly.

“The Crown Prince may be reckless, but it’s only because he loves his sister deeply. If he can be guided, he will achieve something.”

“Exactly. My brother is mischievous, yes, but he memorized the Book of Songs at six, mastered history at eight, and could recite Confucian classics by twelve. His nature is fiery, but if he can be guided properly, perhaps he won’t be as great as our father, but at least he won’t become a foolish ruler despised by all.” Wei Hanyu sighed, clearly troubled by her brother.

“I understand. If I become an official, I’ll do my best to assist him,” Qin Mu promised. Yet in her heart, she couldn’t help but feel a trace of jealousy. Wei Yanhan had someone like Wei Hanyu protecting him. Still, the jealousy soon faded, because her true wish was only to stay by Wei Hanyu’s side. No matter how, as long as she could remain with her, her life would be enough.

***

In the days that followed, Qin Mu lived peacefully in the palace. Wei Yanhan was grounded again after this incident. Nearly causing the deaths of Qin Mu and Wei Yue’er weighed on him, so he resolved that next time, he would only give Qin Mu a beating, not risk lives.

Qin Mu spent more and more time in the library. The pressure of preparing for the exam left her restless, unable to eat or sleep. Eventually, Wei Hanyu herself brought her meals every day, staying up late to grind ink and keep her company while she studied.

Rumors about Qin Mu in the palace never stopped. Word of mouth gradually exaggerated her into something almost mythical. People said she was fated under lucky stars, that Wei Hanyu had chosen her at first sight because of this sign. They claimed Qin Mu knew everything—past and present, heaven and earth, a scholar of unmatched talent. Soon, she became the favorite to top the exam. The tales of the mountain bandits were completely overshadowed by the legend of Qin Mu.

When Wei Yue’er visited teahouses, hoping to hear news about the bandits, she found that every storyteller instead spoke about Qin Mu—stories so exaggerated they made her roll her eyes. They said Qin Mu had stayed underwater for hours without harm, or that she had shielded the princess from a thousand arrows and survived unscathed. Each tale more ridiculous than the last. Wei Yue’er almost wanted to drag the storytellers down and tell the truth, but who would believe her now?

At those same teahouses, she noticed a man in a black cloak, always sitting quietly in the corner, calmly listening. He looked familiar. Just as she was about to approach, the man seemed to notice her, turned, and left. By the time she tried to follow, he had vanished.

Deep in an alley, hidden in the shadows of a wall, a black-clad man leapt down from outside, knelt, and bowed.

“Young Master.”

The cloaked man removed his hat, revealing a cold, stern face. It was none other than Lu Xu, son of the great general Lu Youwei. His lips curled in a chilling smile.

“Any news?” he asked.

“Reporting to Young Master—this Qin Mu is indeed suspicious. I went to her hometown in Shandong with her portrait, but none of the neighbors recognized her.”

“Just as I thought.” Lu Xu’s eyes narrowed, his smile deepening.

“What do you plan to do next?” the black-clad man asked, his tone carrying a trace of murderous intent.

“No hurry. Let her enjoy her moment of glory a little longer.” Lu Xu put his hat back on and disappeared into the alley.

***

The next day was the imperial exam, held once every three years. Scholars from all over the land gathered, three years of effort all for this one chance at success.

Qin Mu walked nervously among them. Others had studied for three years; she had only three months.

“Brother Qin!”

Huang Ming spotted her among the crowd, carrying only a simple pack on her back. She looked plain, almost unnoticed among the other candidates. Huang Ming, on the other hand, was surrounded by servants in an impressive display, as though he were already the top scholar.

Qin Mu smiled politely and bowed. “Young Master Huang.”

Huang Ming smirked. “Not long ago, you disappeared without a word. I didn’t know you’d entered the palace as the princess’s favorite.” He looked her up and down, still in her rough white robe, shabby and plain, and feigned envy.

“I really admire your luck. They say only women can fly up the branches and become phoenixes, but you’ve managed it as a man. Surely, you had no time for studying—too busy enjoying the princess’s favor, eh?” His mocking eyes swept her up and down.

Qin Mu only raised her brows and stayed silent, knowing he was provoking her. More students came over, watching with disdain, clearly waiting for a show. She turned to leave for the exam hall, but Huang Ming spoke again.

“Brother Qin, why are you here alone?”

She stopped, puzzled.

He smiled smugly. “Before entering, all belongings are confiscated. That’s why most bring servants to keep valuables safe. But you—” His eyes swept over her. “You don’t seem to have anything worth keeping. To be favored by a princess yet still look this poor… it really makes us feel sorry for you.”

The young masters beside him laughed. One pointed at his servant carrying a fine food box.

“The exam lasts four hours. Without food, you’ll be starving before you finish your paper.”

Qin Mu only smiled faintly. She was used to hunger; in fact, her mind worked faster when she was hungry.

Just then, from not far away, a grand sedan chair carried by eight men came slowly toward them. Adorned with jewels and carved with dragons and phoenixes, it was a mark of royalty. Everyone in the capital knew this sedan belonged to Wei Hanyu.

The mocking smiles on the candidates’ faces froze.

The sedan lowered, and the head eunuch lifted the curtain.

Wei Hanyu appeared, dressed in a light blue gauze robe. Simple, yet elegant. Her brows arched slightly, her eyes soft and bright. A plum blossom was painted at her brow, a beauty mark at the corner of her eye adding to her allure. Her lips were like red cherries, her nose high and delicate. Even without stepping out, just showing her face was enough to captivate the entire crowd of scholars.

She looked around slowly, her gaze locking on Qin Mu. Her lips curved into a faint smile.

Then, she lifted her snow-white arm and beckoned gently toward Qin Mu—drawing all eyes and hearts with her.