Destined Hearts of Mu and Yu (GL) - Chapter 36

“Don’t fool around anymore.” Wei Hanyu removed Qin Mu’s restless hand and spoke softly.

Qin Mu pouted, looking at her with a face full of dissatisfaction. Wei Hanyu lowered her head, brushing a gentle kiss across Qin Mu’s forehead, leaving behind her sweet fragrance. Qin Mu froze as if struck by a numbing spell, unable to move. Seeing her dazed stare, Wei Hanyu couldn’t help but smile. She picked up a piece of pastry and brought it to Qin Mu’s lips.

Qin Mu opened her mouth and took a bite. At once, her whole body seemed to glow with happiness.

“Does it taste good?” Wei Hanyu raised her brows, amused at Qin Mu’s silly expression.

“Sister Hanyu, do you want to try it?” Qin Mu tilted her head up, asking earnestly.

Wei Hanyu nodded. Just as she was about to place the rest of the pastry into her mouth, Qin Mu suddenly leaned in and kissed her, using her tongue to push the pastry into Wei Hanyu’s lips.

“Is it good?” Qin Mu’s dark eyes sparkled with excitement as she watched Wei Hanyu’s unreadable expression. But her face was quickly pinched by Wei Hanyu.

“You’re getting more and more mischievous.”

“Does Sister Hanyu not like it?” Qin Mu tilted her head, watching the unhidden softness in Wei Hanyu’s eyes. She leaned closer again, greedily breathing in her scent, every trace so intoxicating.

Just then, the cabin door creaked open. Wei Hanyu gently pushed Qin Mu’s shoulder. Qin Mu immediately sat upright, properly settling on her cushion, pretending to focus on the food before her.

Wei Yanhan rushed in with a basket of fish, grinning from ear to ear.
“Sister, look, I just caught a big one!”

“You’ve done well, Yanhan.” Wei Hanyu beckoned him over. He sat beside her, his face covered in fish scales, and she gently helped wipe them away. Watching her care for him so tenderly made the plum blossom cake in Qin Mu’s mouth suddenly taste less sweet. Especially when she met Wei Yanhan’s smug, provoking look—her eyes narrowed, and she bit down hard on the cake, imagining it was him. She bit too fiercely and accidentally caught her tongue.

“Hss—!” She cried out, tears instantly welling up in her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Wei Hanyu turned immediately, her heart aching when she saw Qin Mu’s tears. She cupped Qin Mu’s chin, leaning closer.

“My tongue… I bit it,” Qin Mu said pitifully, her voice full of grievance.

Wei Hanyu couldn’t help but laugh softly. She stroked Qin Mu’s cheek and said gently, “Eat more slowly.”

“Hah, Sister, how can this bookworm be so dumb? She even bites herself while eating,” Wei Yanhan muttered beside them.

“I know that if you preserve this fish with salt, then smoke it with wood shavings, the flavor will be excellent,” Qin Mu replied calmly, ignoring his mockery as she glanced at the basket.

“Oh?” Wei Yanhan’s interest was piqued. “Then explain this method to me.”

Qin Mu rolled up her sleeves, revealing fair, slender arms that looked every bit like a scholar’s. But then, to everyone’s surprise, she pulled a small, delicate dagger from her boot. She swiftly gutted a wriggling catfish, rubbed coarse salt on it, and hooked it onto a beam.

The smooth, practiced movements left Wei Yanhan stunned. Even Wei Hanyu looked surprised.
“Sister, I thought this scholar only knew how to read. Why does she seem skilled in cooking too?” he asked.

Wei Hanyu shook her head slightly, also curious.

Qin Mu leaned over the basket again, turning over the remaining fish with ease. “If roasted over fire, the skin will turn fragrant while the flesh stays tender. That’s also very good.”

“You do it, then,” Wei Yanhan said.

Qin Mu nodded, had a fire built, and began roasting the fish with spices. For the palace attendants, this rough-looking cooking was a first. Soon, the rich aroma of grilled fish filled the cabin.

***

When the moon rose high, the three of them sat on the calm deck. Wei Hanyu’s gaze softened as she watched her younger brother eat. Since childhood, he had been extremely picky, his meals always specially prepared by imperial chefs. Yet tonight was the first time she saw him eat so heartily.

“This bookworm does have some skill,” Wei Yanhan admitted reluctantly, patting his full belly and glaring at Qin Mu.

“Her name is Qin Mu,” Wei Hanyu corrected, twisting his ear.

“Alright, alright—Qin Mu, then,” he said quickly, clutching her hand in fear she might hurt him. Once freed, he lazily cast another glance at Qin Mu. “I still don’t like you. But since you have my father’s favor—and my Imperial Sister’s too—you’re lucky. From now on, for her sake, I won’t bother you much. But if I hear you’ve wronged her, don’t blame me for not holding back my fists.”

He waved his fist in front of Qin Mu, only to have his ear twisted again by Wei Hanyu.

Spending more time with him, Qin Mu realized that though impulsive, he listened to Wei Hanyu’s words. After a while, drunk from wine, he was carried back to his cabin by attendants, leaving only Qin Mu and Wei Hanyu on the deck.

Wei Hanyu had also drunk a little. Bathed in moonlight, her flawless face glowed faintly red, every expression carrying a unique charm. Qin Mu gazed at her in a daze.

When the wind grew strong, Qin Mu leaned closer, using her own body to shield her. Watching Wei Hanyu’s side profile, her loose hair revealed the curve of her earlobe and her slightly upturned lips. Qin Mu couldn’t resist the urge to kiss her.

With the dim moonlight and the haze of wine, she whispered softly.

“Sister Hanyu.”

Wei Hanyu raised a brow, turning her gentle eyes toward Qin Mu. Their faces were close, her breath warm with wine. Just smelling it made Qin Mu dizzy. Slowly, carefully, she leaned in until her lips pressed against Wei Hanyu’s soft ones.

The moment she kissed her, Qin Mu’s arms wrapped tightly around her waist, as if afraid she might slip away. Her tongue pressed clumsily past her teeth, seeking hers. Their breaths grew quick, hearts racing.

Wei Hanyu leaned back against a low table, feeling Qin Mu’s hot arms like burning iron around her waist. She tried to retreat, but Qin Mu followed, kissing her cheeks, her eyes, her nose, her lips, her neck—leaving no part untouched.

Her body grew hot, her breath uneven, her chest rising and falling enticingly.

In the moonlight, Qin Mu kissed her with the devotion of a pilgrim, intoxicated by her faint scent. It all felt like a dream. The fierce desire in her body stirred bolder thoughts. Though she knew how such intimacy should continue, she dared not defile Wei Hanyu, who was pure as jade. That moment, she thought, should belong to their wedding night—but would she be the one to share it with her?

The thought of anyone else undressing Wei Hanyu filled her with burning jealousy. She kissed her again, leaving deep marks on her fair skin, holding her tightly, whispering in her heart:

Sister Hanyu, you are mine. Only mine. Wait for me. When I succeed, I will marry you with honor.

***

Three days later, the results were posted in the capital’s market. At the very top was none other than the famed Qin Mu. Her name spread like wildfire—praised for both talent and beauty, said to have won Wei Hanyu’s heart.

Rumors grew wilder: that Wei Hanyu, unmarried for over twenty years, had been waiting only for Qin Mu, her destined one.

But all knew that the champion scholar could not also become a prince consort. People whispered: would Qin Mu choose love, or official rank?

Two days remained before the palace examination. Qin Mu did not relax. Ever since returning from the boat, she had buried herself once more in the library, studying late into the night. She knew well: for Wei Hanyu’s sake, even if it cost her everything, she must win first place.

The capital nights had turned dry and windy with autumn. Qin Mu sat in the library as usual. A gust blew open the window, scattering papers. She rose to close it—then saw a white-clad figure walking the stone path under the moonlight.

It was Wei Hanyu.

Qin Mu’s heart leapt. A sly smile spread across her lips as she bent down and blew out the candles. At once, the vast library was plunged into darkness.

She crouched low, listening as Wei Hanyu’s footsteps approached. Her heart pounded wildly. The steps stopped at the door. Qin Mu grinned, guessing that Wei Hanyu must be hesitating—wondering why the library, lit just moments ago, was now dark.

The door creaked open. Moonlight spilled inside along with Wei Hanyu’s sweet fragrance. Qin Mu closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath, savoring it. Watching her slender figure step inside, lantern in hand, Qin Mu’s desire to seize her grew stronger.

She followed silently as Wei Hanyu lit the candles one by one. Then, from behind, Qin Mu suddenly wrapped her arms around her waist.

Wei Hanyu shivered slightly, gasping softly.

Qin Mu laughed with pride. “Sister Hanyu, it’s me.” She hugged her tightly, her lips brushing against Wei Hanyu’s neck, planting light kisses along her skin.