Destined Hearts of Mu and Yu (GL) - Chapter 32

Qin Mu stepped forward, only to see Wei Hanyu turn back into the sedan chair. From inside, she took out a food box and handed it to Qin Mu with a gentle smile.

“I had the imperial kitchen prepare this early this morning. You left in a rush and forgot to bring anything. The food box is made of double-layered wood with boiling water sealed inside—it’ll keep the food warm for a while. But remember to eat early. Don’t wait until it’s cold.”

After speaking, Wei Hanyu slightly lifted her brows. Her eyes, still soft and gentle, rested patiently on Qin Mu, waiting for her reply.

“Alright,” Qin Mu answered. Wei Hanyu’s gaze was so tender it made her heart pound wildly. Her cheeks flushed red, and all the Confucian classics, the teachings of Mencius, Sunzi’s art of war, and Laozi’s wisdom that she had reviewed in the morning seemed to fly out of her head one by one. Her mind was filled with nothing but Wei Hanyu’s warm smile.

Heavens… how can I even take the exam like this? Might as well go back and continue being Wei Hanyu’s favorite. Who cares about becoming an official or passing the exam?

Her palm, holding the food box, was already drenched in sweat.

“I’ll head back to the palace now. Focus on your exam.” Sitting back in the sedan, Wei Hanyu gave her a reassuring look.

Qin Mu nodded and waved at her. Watching the sedan disappear from sight, she noticed the people who had mocked her earlier were now silent, as though each had been slapped hard across the face.

***

When she entered the exam hall, she found that seating arrangements were quite particular. With so many candidates, the hall was crowded. Window seats were the most desirable. Many wealthy candidates had bribed officials to be placed near the windows, where the air was fresher.

As for poor scholars like Qin Mu, with no money to bribe anyone, she was placed in the very center. Whenever anyone around her stood to relieve themselves, she had to shift her seat slightly.

Not far away, Huang Ming, seated proudly by the window, raised his brows and smirked at her. Qin Mu paid him no mind. This exam wasn’t about where you sat—it was about strength. And her ability, just as Qin Lao’er had once said, outclassed these scholars by several streets.

This year’s topic was on the Way of Governing the Country. In truth, the exam questions were always similar—broad, open-ended, leaving room to show one’s talent.

Qin Mu had real experience managing a bandit stronghold. She also knew the court officials well, who needed improvement and who should be praised. Adding to that her memorized passages from the Doctrine of the Mean, she easily sprinkled in quotations and filled page after page. Her flowing essay even drew glances from the examiners.

To be modest, Qin Mu had the talent of a top scholar. To be bold, she had the ability to rule as a sovereign.

As the sun sank behind the mountains, the exam ended. Qin Mu still had much more to write, but time had run out. With no choice, she set down her brush. Looking around, most candidates had written seven or eight pages. She had written a thick stack.

Even the examiner collecting her papers shook his head in admiration. “Such fine writing,” he sighed quietly.

The essays were quickly sent on horseback to the palace.

The imperial exam had two stages: the Metropolitan Exam and the Palace Exam. The first stage papers would be reviewed in the imperial study by the four Grand Secretaries—Sun, Wang, Li, and Su. They would select three candidates for the final stage.

In past years, the emperor alone chose the top three—Zhuangyuan (First), Bangyan (Second), and Tanhua (Third). But this year was different. The Chancellor, Song Liao, the empire’s greatest general, Lu Youwei, and Prince Wei Hai of the South would also take part in the Palace Exam, each with one vote.

The scholar who became Zhuangyuan would enter the Hanlin Academy as a sixth-rank official. After a year, they would face another evaluation for promotion. If they gained a strong reputation and contributed to projects like waterworks or state archives, they might rise in rank. Otherwise, they remained in the Hanlin Academy, a relatively idle position.

Civil officials advanced slowly compared to generals. A single northern rebellion could raise a general’s rank overnight. Still, every three years, countless scholars would fight tooth and nail for the glory of becoming Zhuangyuan.

***

When Qin Mu returned to Biyue Pavilion, the table was already covered with a feast. Hungry to the point of aching, her eyes lit up at the sight. She was just about to sit when a hand caught her.

It was Wei Hanyu, emerging from the study. She frowned slightly and looked at Qin Mu with gentle eyes.

“Wash your hands first. And that face of yours too.”

Qin Mu’s eyes stayed fixed on the food, but Wei Hanyu dragged her into the side room. One look in the bronze mirror, and Qin Mu laughed. Her hands and face were smeared with ink, dark streaks all over. She must have wiped her sweaty forehead with inky hands during the exam.

She was about to wash up herself when Wei Hanyu took a wet handkerchief, folded it, and carefully wiped her face with a corner.

The soft cloth brushed her skin, carrying with it Wei Hanyu’s fragrance. Qin Mu felt as if she were floating on clouds, close to ascending into immortality. Just a moment ago she had been starving, but now she wished time would slow, just so Wei Hanyu’s hand could linger a little longer on her face.

“All done,” Wei Hanyu said softly, snapping her from her daze. Looking in the mirror, Qin Mu’s face was clean again, yet her eyes still held a trace of disappointment.

“Wash your hands yourself,” Wei Hanyu said, handing her the cloth.

But Qin Mu only stared at her with big dark eyes. “Why don’t you wash them for me?”

Wei Hanyu pressed her lips together and looked at her silently. Qin Mu sighed.

“Ah, I wrote tens of thousands of words today. My hands ache so badly I don’t even have the strength to lift them.” She reached for the basin, only for her arms to flop down like broken strings. Bending her waist, she dangled her arms pitifully in front of Wei Hanyu like a lifeless puppet.

Wei Hanyu narrowed her eyes, staring. Qin Mu thought she’d been caught faking and panicked, ready to wash them herself. But then, Wei Hanyu took back the cloth, rolled up her sleeves, and revealed a section of white jade-like skin.

She dipped the cloth in water, wrung it out, and gently held Qin Mu’s hands, carefully wiping them clean.

Qin Mu stared blankly at her. The dim lamplight shone on Wei Hanyu’s perfect profile, stirring an urge in Qin Mu to hold her tight. Truthfully, this feeling had been with her for a long time, but she had never dared act on it. Even now, after her hands were scrubbed spotless, she still couldn’t move.

They went together into the main hall. Just as Qin Mu sat down, she tried the same trick again. With a sigh, she slumped against the table like a wilted weed.

“Oh no, my hands are still weak. With so much food here, how can I possibly eat?”

Wei Hanyu glanced at her suspiciously. Qin Mu quickly upped her act, resting her head on the table, eyes fixed on the dishes, her neck stretching toward them like a hungry puppy.

Sure enough, Wei Hanyu set down her chopsticks, picked up Qin Mu’s bowl and chopsticks, and began feeding her. Qin Mu grinned wide, showing white teeth, delighted.

“What do you want to eat?” Wei Hanyu asked gently.

“Spare… spare ribs. I’ve been starving all day, I need meat first,” Qin Mu said, eyes rolling playfully, voice childlike.

Wei Hanyu placed a large piece of rib into her mouth. Qin Mu bit down, her face full of bliss.

“And… some chicken. It smells so good,” Qin Mu said quickly, head leaning close to the chicken dish, sniffing like a little dog.

“Chicken? And more ribs too?” Wei Hanyu’s lips curved, amusement in her eyes.

“Mhm, both,” Qin Mu nodded eagerly.

Wei Hanyu filled a bowl with chicken, fish, and ribs, piling it high before setting it in front of her. Qin Mu’s eyes sparkled, practically glowing.

But suddenly, Wei Hanyu’s expression shifted with surprise. Qin Mu looked down—her hand had slipped, and the bowl was about to crash to the floor.

Qin Mu reacted instantly, catching it before it fell. Relieved that the food was safe, she looked up—only to see a glint of sharpness in Wei Hanyu’s eyes.

Propping her chin with one hand, Wei Hanyu gazed at her playfully.

“Are your hands still sore?” she asked softly.