Destined Hearts of Mu and Yu (GL) - Chapter 42

“How much did you drink?” Wei Hanyu frowned as she steadied Qin Mu. The strong scent of wine clung to her, her cheeks flushed red. Wei Hanyu shook her head lightly and rose, intending to fetch a cloth to cool her face.

But her sleeve was tugged. Turning back, she saw Qin Mu tilting her face up, gazing at her expectantly as she called,

“Sister Hanyu, don’t go.”

Before Wei Hanyu could respond, the pull on her sleeve grew stronger. Off guard, she stumbled straight into Qin Mu’s arms. Her long black hair tumbled loose. She lifted her chin, eyes widening in embarrassment, and gave Qin Mu’s shoulder a light punch, her cheeks tinged with shyness as she gave a soft snort. Qin Mu only chuckled in delight.

“Qin Mu, are you pretending to be drunk?” Wei Hanyu pinched her nose lightly. Watching her fair, high nose redden under her touch, her lips curved into a faint smile.

She tried to rise, but her lips were suddenly sealed by a soft warmth. Qin Mu’s face loomed close, her tongue prying open Wei Hanyu’s lips with clumsy insistence. The taste of wine spread between them, her kiss rough and disorderly, yet it sent tingles racing through Wei Hanyu, leaving her heart itching and her body flushed. The candlelight glowed against her fiery red wedding robe, casting heat across her face.

“Sister Hanyu.” Qin Mu’s voice was clear and earnest, striking at Wei Hanyu’s heart. Her body seemed to melt like water, relying only on the arms that held her. Qin Mu’s lips scattered frantic kisses across her face, each touch sparking through her like a current. The weight of Qin Mu’s body pressed her onto the bed without warning.

Qin Mu buried her face into the scent of Wei Hanyu’s skin, nearly losing her mind. The bawdy words whispered by ministers earlier in her ear still lingered. Her cheeks burned red, her body feverish like a furnace. Only the feel of Wei Hanyu’s jade-like skin against her own seemed to ease it.

As Qin Mu’s hands began to roam restlessly, Wei Hanyu’s mind cleared slightly. On the table, the untouched wedding wine still shimmered under the candlelight, reminding her the ritual was not yet complete. She gently pushed Qin Mu, only to be met with her dazed eyes staring up at her, full of grievance. Wei Hanyu could only give a helpless smile. The words she meant to speak dissolved into a gaze soft as water. After all, this was their wedding night. They were no ordinary husband and wife—why cling to convention?

With that thought, she leaned forward and kissed Qin Mu’s pouting lips. Their mouths tangled once again.

Qin Mu fumbled at the layers of Wei Hanyu’s elaborate robe. Heavy and troublesome, yet she peeled them away with careful persistence. With each layer removed, Wei Hanyu’s breathing grew quicker. Qin Mu kissed the line of her delicate chin, nibbled at her earlobe, brushed her nose along the curve of her pale neck. Wei Hanyu was so beautiful—she had always been. From the moment Qin Mu first saw her on Huangming Mountain, her face and her smile had been carved deep into her heart.

Layer after layer, Wei Hanyu’s nerves tightened. Must it go so far, so fast? But when she met Qin Mu’s burning gaze, she pressed her hand down to stop her, gasping as she murmured,

“You reek of wine. Go wash first.”

Qin Mu lifted her face, displeasure plain. She leaned in for another kiss, but Wei Hanyu held her lips back with her palm. Meeting her sober gaze, Qin Mu bit her lip, unwilling to yield. With Wei Hanyu so close and soft before her, how could she endure it? She leaned close to her ear and whispered softly,

“Sister Hanyu, smell again. I don’t stink.”

Wei Hanyu twisted her ear in rebuke. But in their struggle, her sheer undergarment slipped from her shoulder, baring a stretch of snowy skin, her full curves rising and falling with her breath. Qin Mu’s throat went dry at the sight. Forgetting the pain in her ear, she wrapped an arm around Wei Hanyu’s waist and buried her face against her chest. Her cheek sank into the softness. She drew in a deep breath, sighing in content.

The night seeped through the cracks in the window, filling every corner of the room. Nestled in Wei Hanyu’s arms, Qin Mu did not see her flushed face or the restrained expression she wore. This was their wedding night, precious beyond measure. Qin Mu would not waste a single moment.

***

For several days, the two lingered together in sweet intimacy. Qin Mu painted her brows, Wei Hanyu helped loosen her clothes. Bliss filled their days. But such days could not last. The desert tribes, long gathering strength, had begun once more to attack Wei’s borders, leaving its people in fear.

Under pressure from the court, Wei Hanyu prepared to lead the army herself. Her deputy would be Lu Xu. To part so soon after their wedding—anyone would find it hard to bear.

A few days before the march, Wei Yue’er pulled Qin Mu into the garden. Looking at her mysteriously, she said,

“Brother Mu, in a few days my sister will ride to war. Aren’t you worried?”

Qin Mu blinked, then smiled.

“Sister Hanyu has fought many battles. Though the desert cavalry are fierce, I believe she will return victorious.”

Wei Yue’er shook her head hard, sighing.

“You really are a block of wood.”

Seeing her hesitate, Qin Mu urged, “Yue’er, speak plainly.”

“This time, only Lu Xu needed to go. But Lu Youwei incited other officials to petition that my sister go too. Are you not worried what Lu Xu might scheme against her on the way?”

Qin Mu’s face changed at once. Yue’er lowered her voice.

“So she never told you?”

Qin Mu frowned and nodded.

“Perhaps she didn’t want you to worry,” Yue’er said with a shrug. Seeing Qin Mu’s silence, she quickly added, “Then pretend you know nothing. Don’t say I told you.”

Qin Mu sat at a stone table, chin in hand, lost in thought. Yue’er grew anxious, sitting across from her.

“Even if you know, what can you do? As consort you cannot hold office, cannot leave the capital, and cannot march with the army.”

Qin Mu bit her lip. She was not afraid Wei Hanyu would betray her for Lu Xu. But Lu Xu clearly had ulterior motives. With enemies outside and dangers within, Wei Hanyu would have to guard against both. Qin Mu feared she might be stretched too thin.

Seeing officials leaving court nearby, Yue’er nudged her.

“Brother Mu, Sister Hanyu is done with court. Spend these days with her.”

“Mm. I’ll go back.” Qin Mu nodded and turned away. Watching her thin figure retreat, Yue’er sighed. A scholar was still a scholar—useless at critical moments.

***

Back at Biyue Pavilion, Qin Mu cooked a full meal herself, laying out dishes she knew Wei Hanyu loved. But night came and Wei Hanyu did not return. Qin Mu fell asleep at the table. When she woke, a blanket was draped over her. She sniffed it and found it carried Wei Hanyu’s scent. Her heart leapt, and wrapping herself in it, she went searching.

Light still shone in the study. She pushed the door open and saw a large map spread across the desk. Wei Hanyu studied it by lamplight, brows furrowed deep, so absorbed she did not even notice Qin Mu approaching.

“Sister Hanyu,” Qin Mu called softly.

Only then did Wei Hanyu lift her gaze. Seeing Qin Mu, she gave a faint smile, then looked back to the map, her brow furrowing even more.

“You didn’t touch the dishes,” Qin Mu murmured, wanting to smooth away the lines on her brow.

Wei Hanyu only gave a distracted “Mm,” and fell silent again. After a long time, the lamp guttered out. As she reached to light another, someone had already handed one over. She looked up and saw Qin Mu grinning, her smile apologetic.

“It’s late, Mu’er. Go rest,” Wei Hanyu said gently.

Qin Mu shook her head and sat opposite her, propping her chin in her hand.

“Don’t mind me. I’ll just sit here with you.”

Seeing her tired face, Wei Hanyu relented, closing the map.

“Sleep. I’ll read again tomorrow.”

“Eat first,” Qin Mu insisted, pulling her to the table. But after only a few bites, Wei Hanyu’s expression grew distant again.

“Sister Hanyu… is something troubling this campaign?” Qin Mu asked softly.

Wei Hanyu met her eyes, smiled faintly, and shook her head.

“It’s nothing.”

But Qin Mu knew her too well. The more she said nothing, the more there was. Yet she understood—Wei Hanyu hid it because Qin Mu could not help even if she knew. Why burden her with worry?

That night, when Qin Mu woke and found the bed empty, she saw the study light still burning. She did not go in, only returned to bed. But lying awake, she felt frustration. Why was she always powerless, unable to share Wei Hanyu’s burdens?

The next day, she sought Yue’er again, pressing her for answers. Finally, she learned the truth: Wei Hanyu had been tricked once more by the old fox Lu Youwei.

The army meant to march with 100,000 soldiers had been cut to only 20,000. Lu Youwei’s reasons were airtight: the capital could not be left undefended, 100,000 men would be too heavy to provision, and speed was better with fewer troops. The rest, 80,000, would follow later under Lu Zhanyun. He swore Lu Xu would guard Wei Hanyu well. The emperor had no excuse to refuse. But this vanguard of 20,000 had never fought in the desert, knew nothing of the terrain, and were already weary from travel. How could Wei Hanyu not worry?

On the eve of her departure, the moon hung bright. In the chamber, candles glowed softly. Wei Hanyu shed her garments and lay waiting on the bed. This parting would last at least three months—perhaps longer. Newly wed, yet already forced apart, she too felt reluctant. Busy as she had been with troop selection and battle plans, she had neglected Qin Mu. Tonight, she meant to give this last night in the capital wholly to her.

Soon, Qin Mu returned from bathing. These days she had grown used to sleeping alone, for Wei Hanyu always buried herself in her study. She had braced herself for the same tonight. But pushing open the door, she saw the bed bathed in candlelight.

There lay Wei Hanyu, as flawless as porcelain, hair spilling over her shoulders, her face serene in repose. A thin quilt draped loosely at her waist, her breathing revealing the swell hidden beneath. One slender hand curled at the bed’s edge. Candlelight played across her snow-white skin, gleaming with soft luster. She bit her red lip lightly, brows lifting just so. The sight alone made the room blaze with heat.