Destined Hearts of Mu and Yu (GL) - Chapter 45

Wei Hanyu narrowed her cold eyes, staring deeply at the youth. The doubts of the past few days finally cleared—this boy could speak, and his skills were astonishing. His figure was all too familiar. Aside from the changed face, how could she ever fail to recognize those dark, shining eyes?

Qin Mu, oh Qin Mu. Do you not realize that if your true identity is exposed, it is a crime punishable by death? If that happens, how could I protect you? How could I make others believe you are innocent?

Thinking of Qin Mu shadowing her all the way here, now almost at Wei Kingdom’s borders, emotions churned fiercely in Wei Hanyu’s chest. The youth lowered his head, avoiding her gaze, stabbing pain into her heart. Her eyes reddened, carrying a trace of anger.

“Forgive me, Princess. This soldier deserves death,” the one who had been leading the horse fell to his knees before her, trembling at her dark expression.

Wei Hanyu pressed her lips together, suppressing her emotions. She drew in a long breath. Since things had come to this, she could only find a way to protect Qin Mu.

Just then, Lu Xu hurried over. Seeing the wagon’s wheel had rolled off the cliffside, he looked shocked. Spotting the kneeling soldier and Wei Hanyu’s stern face, he quickly understood what had happened. Clearing his throat, he ordered,

“Drag him down, twenty strokes with the rod as punishment.”

“Dock thirty taels of silver. End the matter here. Do not delay the march,” Wei Hanyu interjected coldly, brows furrowed, before stepping into Lu Xu’s carriage.

Lu Xu did not enter immediately. He studied the youth who had calmed the horse. His uniform bore the “fire” insignia, marking him a lowly cook-soldier. Yet how could a mere cook restrain a panicked horse on a narrow cliff path? His martial skill was exceptional, and his ability to soothe the beast showed a deep familiarity with horses.

“What is your name?” Lu Xu asked, intrigued.

Qin Mu lowered his head, pretending not to hear, staring at the stones at his feet. Lu Xu’s face stiffened, embarrassed. After all, as deputy commander, he was owed respect. Anger flared, and he nearly scolded, when another cook explained,

“General Lu, he cannot hear.”

“A pity,” Lu Xu muttered with regret, then boarded the carriage. Inside, he found Wei Hanyu silent, eyes closed. The oppressive air made him hold his tongue. They crossed Blackwind Ridge without another word. Soldiers busied themselves setting camp, while the cooks prepared supper.

Qin Mu sat quietly chopping firewood when she sensed someone beside her. Looking up, she saw Qingfeng, the Princess’s personal guard.

“The Princess summons you,” Qingfeng said coldly, eyes narrowing.

“Later—when night falls,” Qin Mu replied, setting aside her axe, dusting her hands, and glancing around cautiously.

Qingfeng said nothing more, simply turned and left. Qin Mu leaned against the log, her face complicated, unsure how to face Wei Hanyu.

***

When darkness came, Wei Hanyu sat in her tent, bent over a campaign map. A shadow appeared outside, and the guard announced,

“Princess, the evening meal has arrived.”

Wei Hanyu set down her brush and walked out. The one holding the tray was Qin Mu. Tilting her head toward her guards, she said,

“You may leave.”

The guards bowed and withdrew. Qin Mu followed her inside, head lowered. Only after Wei Hanyu had seated herself did she dare lift her gaze. Those dark eyes peeked at her nervously, but seeing Wei Hanyu’s lips pressed in silence, she carefully set the food before her, then stepped back. In a small voice, she said,

“Sister Hanyu, please eat. Don’t hurt your body by staying angry.”

Those words only deepened the weight in Wei Hanyu’s eyes. She looked at Qin Mu and asked quietly,

“If you knew I would be angry, why do this?”

“I… I couldn’t rest easy,” Qin Mu frowned, looking at her earnestly. Today’s accident had chilled her to the bone—if she hadn’t been there, she might never have seen her beloved Hanyu again.

Wei Hanyu said nothing, watching her like a child caught misbehaving. Her heart softened. She beckoned. Qin Mu hesitated, then sat at her side. Before she could settle, Wei Hanyu seized her hand. Under the candlelight, angry red welts marred her pale palm. Wei Hanyu touched them gently with her fingertip. Qin Mu flinched, trying to pull away, but Wei Hanyu gripped her tighter, eyes reddening. Qin Mu grinned to ease her worry.

“It’s nothing. It doesn’t hurt.”

Wei Hanyu didn’t answer. Instead, she opened a jar of medicine and carefully dressed the wounds, her profile etched in warm light. Qin Mu’s gaze grew dazed. For a month, they had brushed past each other—so close, yet so far.

Her hand rose to stroke Wei Hanyu’s cheek. She was thinner now. Qin Mu had often watched from outside her tent, the candles burning late as she pored over plans. She had longed to tell her to rest, but fear had always held her back—that if Hanyu knew, she would send her back to the palace.

When the bandaging was done, Wei Hanyu pushed a map toward her.

“Qingfeng has prepared a horse. Leave before dawn. This map will guide you back to the capital.”

“Sister Hanyu, I’m not leaving.” Qin Mu’s heart clenched, her eyes flashing with stubbornness.

“Not leaving? Do you want me to worry for you every moment on the battlefield?” Wei Hanyu’s brows drew tight, her tone harsh.

“I won’t be discovered,” Qin Mu shook her head firmly, confident.

“Is that so?” Wei Hanyu gave a cold laugh, her gaze piercing until Qin Mu lowered her voice, whispering,

“Of course… except by you.”

“Qin Mu, in a few days we’ll reach the border. Soon I’ll march to war.” Wei Hanyu’s eyes darkened.

“Then let me stay. Even if I only see you once a day, I’ll know you’re safe,” Qin Mu pleaded, eyes glistening. A voice inside Wei Hanyu screamed that she wanted the same—but reason crushed it down.

“Two thousand soldiers against the desert cavalry. You know the odds as well as I do,” Qin Mu pressed, gripping her hand tightly.

“In half a month, the eighty-thousand reinforcements will arrive,” Wei Hanyu replied calmly.

“Half a month… can you really hold out?” Qin Mu challenged, brows furrowed.

“Military secrets. I don’t need to tell you,” Wei Hanyu answered firmly.

“I must stay.”

“Give me a reason.”

“I have a way to fight ten with one,” Qin Mu’s eyes shone.

“Why should I believe you?” Wei Hanyu’s lips curved in a faint, cold smile, treating her like a stubborn child clinging to camp.

“Because I’m the leader of Huangming Mountain,” Qin Mu said confidently.

Wei Hanyu sighed softly. She couldn’t bring herself to say what she feared most—that if Qin Mu was exposed, it meant death. That Lu Xu was watching, Lu Youwei scheming, and the desert cavalry was no paper enemy.

Qin Mu, seeing her furrowed brows, embraced her gently, whispering,

“Sister Hanyu, these days… I’ve missed you so much.”

The ice in Wei Hanyu’s eyes thawed into mist. She stroked Qin Mu’s cheek, her gaze full of tenderness.

“All this time, you’ve been sleeping packed with the soldiers?”

“The cook squad is small, there’s plenty of space,” Qin Mu grinned, flashing her white teeth.

“Liar.” Wei Hanyu’s eyes darkened, cold.

Qin Mu shrugged with a sheepish smile. She could never fool her.

“From now on, after nightfall, come here,” Wei Hanyu whispered, biting her lip, her eyes brimming with warmth.

“Ah?” Qin Mu stared wide-eyed. Wei Hanyu’s pale cheeks tinted pink as she glared at her shyly.

“Don’t think too much. Just to sleep.”

“Oh.” Qin Mu nodded, tilting her head, gazing at her foolishly. Wei Hanyu leaned closer, sniffing lightly, then frowned.

“Mu’er, how long has it been since you bathed?”

Qin Mu flushed, sniffing her own clothes. The sour smell made her shrink back in embarrassment. But before she could retreat, Wei Hanyu caught her hand, her cool fingers pulling her toward a wooden tub screened with curtains. Steam rose in curls, carrying the fragrance of petals.

Since the march began, Qin Mu hadn’t once bathed in hot water. She was just about to undress when Wei Hanyu pressed her hand down.

“Your palms cannot touch water,” she said seriously, brows arched.

Qin Mu stuck out her tongue, helpless, as Wei Hanyu slowly undressed her piece by piece. Qin Mu’s heart raced wildly. Though it was not the first time they had seen each other bare, being cared for in this way — gently bathed and clothed by Wei Hanyu as though she were a cherished lover — was something entirely new.