Destined Hearts of Mu and Yu (GL) - Chapter 38

Su Wanying smiled faintly at Wei Hanyu.
“In a few days, during the palace exam, His Majesty has no intention of giving Qin Mu the title of Zhuangyuan.”

Wei Hanyu lifted her brows slightly, looking at Su Wanying. She wasn’t sure whether she should believe her words, but Su Wanying had no reason to lie—after all, the truth could be easily confirmed with the Emperor.

“But the title of Prince Consort—Qin Mu won’t escape that.” Su Wanying rubbed her chin, studying Wei Hanyu’s ever-calm expression as she spoke slowly. Wei Hanyu’s brows furrowed faintly.

“What? Not the result you wanted?” Su Wanying asked with a smile blooming like a flower when she saw no change in Wei Hanyu’s face.

“I’ve always known you were never one blinded by beauty. Could it be I was right? You were hoping Qin Mu would take first place, rise in court, and open the way for your useless younger brother?”

Wei Hanyu only smiled faintly and said nothing, looking at Su Wanying. Since she had entered the palace, they had never been on the same path. Wei Hanyu knew her own thoughts didn’t need to be shared with her. She only bowed politely and prepared to leave.

But as she turned, Su Wanying’s voice came coldly from behind.
“Hanyu, the old you would never be so foolish—placing your hopes on a simpleton.” She let out a mocking laugh.

Wei Hanyu paused for a moment but did not answer. She simply walked away.

Su Wanying watched her departing figure and raised her brows slightly. At once, her maid stepped forward.
“Your Highness, do we still meet with General Lu tonight?”

Su Wanying narrowed her eyes, smiling.
“That young man must also be thinking of getting rid of Qin Mu.”

“In that case, his plan matches yours.” The maid gave a cold laugh.

“Wait a little longer. No need to meet him yet.” Su Wanying lowered her head, playing with her bright fingernails.

“Do you mean to tease him, to make him wait?” the maid asked with a raised brow. But Su Wanying only shook her head, her smile growing stranger.

***

Qin Mu sat alone in the library, slumped over the table like a puppet with its strings cut. She had no strength at all. Just the thought of Su Wanying now enjoying chrysanthemums with her Sister Hanyu made her mood sink completely.

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. Memories of last night flashed in her mind, and her heart beat faster. Suddenly, she opened her eyes, a proud smile curling on her lips. Since her relationship with Sister Hanyu had taken a step forward, didn’t that mean the seat of Prince Consort should be hers?

The thought filled her with excitement. It felt even better than becoming emperor. As her mind wandered, her stomach rumbled. She touched her belly and realized she hadn’t eaten a single bite since morning.

Just then, a delicious smell drifted in. Qin Mu sniffed.
“Walnut cakes.”

Looking up, she saw Wei Yue’er walk in with a bright smile, holding a plate of finely carved walnut cakes.

“Brother Mu, your nose is sharper than a dog’s,” Wei Yue’er teased, her face carrying a strange smile that made Qin Mu’s scalp prickle. She remembered saving Wei Yue’er once, but the girl’s nature had never seemed this odd.

“Miss Yue’er, you wouldn’t be offering kindness for no reason. You must want something from me?” Qin Mu raised a brow, sliding her stool back to keep some distance, though her eyes stayed fixed on the walnut cakes. Truth be told, she was starving.

“What could I possibly want? I’m just giving you something to eat.” Wei Yue’er’s face stiffened, but she quickly smiled again and carefully placed the plate in front of Qin Mu. Her dark, star-like eyes blinked brightly at her. Qin Mu rubbed her chin, wary.

“Fine. Since you’ve guessed it, I won’t hide anymore.” Wei Yue’er slapped the table suddenly. The plate shook, and Qin Mu hurriedly steadied it, afraid the cakes might fall. They were still hot—it would be a shame to waste them.

“I… I want to leave the palace,” Wei Yue’er said, staring at her.

“Oh.” Qin Mu nodded, picked up a cake, and took a bite. Her eyes lit up—it was delicious. She quickly took another, then began eating greedily, ignoring Wei Yue’er.

“Brother Mu, I said I want to leave the palace.” Wei Yue’er grew unhappy, grabbing Qin Mu’s hand as she raised another cake, repeating firmly, word by word.

“It’s useless telling me. You need to tell Sister Hanyu. If she agrees, you can leave.” Qin Mu frowned seriously, though her eyes were still locked on the cakes.

“If sister would agree, why would I come to you?” Wei Yue’er sighed.

“Then I can’t help you,” Qin Mu said righteously, stuffing another cake into her mouth once Wei Yue’er let go.

“Brother Mu, help me steal your sister’s exit token. Then I can leave the palace.” Wei Yue’er propped her chin in her hands, pleading.

“That token is something Sister Hanyu keeps on her at all times. How could I steal it?” Qin Mu wiped her mouth, but when she saw Wei Yue’er raise a brow and poke her nose with a finger, her heart skipped.

“Well, well. You pretend to be upright, but I never said where the token was. How do you know she keeps it on her person?”

Qin Mu’s cheeks turned red at once. The cake in her throat stuck, and she nearly choked, her face changing from red to pale.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Wei Yue’er panicked, patting her back.

“Ch-choked…” Qin Mu clutched her neck, almost suffocating. She glanced at the empty plate with silent regret—next time, she should eat slower.

Just then, the library door opened. Qin Mu looked up and saw Wei Hanyu walk in with a food box. Quickly turning her head, she realized Wei Yue’er had vanished. Confused, she searched around, but Wei Hanyu was already setting the food box before her. Qin Mu gave her a bright smile, but lowered her head again, her heart heavy. Was Wei Yue’er really hiding from Sister Hanyu like a mouse from a cat?

“Mu’er, haven’t eaten yet?” Wei Hanyu sat down, her brows lifting slightly.

At that moment, Qin Mu spotted Wei Yue’er crouching on the beam above, gesturing for her to stay quiet. Qin Mu stammered,
“Y-yes, not yet.”

She felt guilty. Why was she lying to Sister Hanyu for Wei Yue’er’s sake? She was about to confess when Wei Hanyu smiled faintly, laying out the dishes one by one. Qin Mu’s eyes lit up instantly—they were all her favorites. Compared to this, the walnut cakes were nothing.

When Wei Hanyu handed her chopsticks, Qin Mu accepted happily and began devouring the food, forgetting Wei Yue’er entirely.

“Eat slower. No one is fighting you for it.” Wei Hanyu watched her gently.

“Sister Hanyu, eat with me too.”

“I’ve already eaten.”

“Oh.” Qin Mu nodded, lowering her head again. But as she felt Wei Hanyu’s gaze linger, her cheeks flushed. She slowed down, then heard her say softly,

“Mu’er, if after all your effort, you still don’t become Zhuangyuan, will you be disappointed?”

Qin Mu froze, looking up in confusion. She didn’t understand why she asked. From the start, she had studied only to stay by Wei Hanyu’s side. Whether she became first or not, she didn’t care. But she couldn’t say that—it would make her seem unambitious.

“I… I think I should be able to pass.” Qin Mu glanced at the pile of books she had read, though her tone lacked confidence.

“And if, by chance, you don’t?” Wei Hanyu raised her brows, her eyes deep.

“Then… would Sister Hanyu be disappointed?” Qin Mu asked nervously. A flicker of surprise crossed Wei Hanyu’s gaze. Qin Mu hurriedly explained,

“If I don’t win first, I can’t assist the Crown Prince well. I worry you’ll be disappointed in me.”

Wei Hanyu only smiled faintly.
“Mu’er, do you want to be Zhuangyuan for the sake of assisting the Crown Prince?”

Qin Mu waved her hands quickly. That sounded wrong. So she coughed and said seriously,
“I… I still wish to do my part for Wei State, even if small.”

Hearing this, Wei Hanyu’s eyes softened like water. Qin Mu’s heart melted. Their gazes met, and Qin Mu’s face turned red, remembering last night. But Wei Hanyu had already risen, tidying the food box.

“Mu’er, focus on your studies. I’ll go back first.”

“Ah, you’ve just come, and you’re leaving already?” Qin Mu’s eyes followed her, filled with reluctance.

“I’ll come see you again tonight.” Wei Hanyu’s lips curved in a gentle smile before she left.

Qin Mu stood, staring after her until she disappeared down the corridor, still dazed—until someone clapped her shoulder. She turned to see Wei Yue’er glaring at her.

“She’s gone. Why are you still staring like a fool?”

“Exactly. Sister Hanyu is gone. Why haven’t you left too?” Qin Mu replied, sitting back at her desk.

“You change faces faster than turning pages. When you were eating my walnut cakes just now, you didn’t talk to me like that.” Wei Yue’er pouted, unhappy.

But Qin Mu ignored her, so Wei Yue’er rolled her eyes, stuck out her tongue, and left the library. She didn’t notice Wei Hanyu and Qingfeng sitting in a pavilion not far away.

“Has she been behaving lately?” Wei Hanyu narrowed her eyes, watching Wei Yue’er leave with the food box.

“Reporting to Your Highness, Princess Yue’er seems to be planning to leave the palace,” Qingfeng said quietly.

“Keep a close watch.” Wei Hanyu frowned and sighed.

“Your Highness, Princess Yue’er has been quiet for more than a month. Letting her out to breathe wouldn’t be too much.”

Wei Hanyu shook her head. “This time it’s not just about leaving the palace. She wants to go to Huangming Mountain.”

Qingfeng froze, then nodded. “Princess Yue’er is at the age of first love. But if it’s for that bandit on Huangming Mountain, it’s not the right path.”

Wei Hanyu sighed again, troubled. If one day Wei Yue’er finds out Qin Mu is the bandit leader of Huangming Mountain, and I’ve been hiding it all this time… what then?