Destined Hearts of Mu and Yu (GL) - Chapter 5

“She’s gone? Why? Why did she not even bid me farewell?”

At the news of Wei Hanyu’s departure, Qin Mu felt as though a great piece of her heart had been ripped away, leaving nothing but a hollow ache. Her spirit drained from her body; she sank heavily onto the bed, her eyes unable to hide the desolation within them. In her eighteen years of life, she had never known such a feeling—weakness seeping into every limb, unable to summon the will to face anything at all.

“She is the princess of Wei. And you?” Qiu Chan crossed her arms, her tone sharp, unwilling to watch Qin Mu reduced to such a daze. “At best, people might call you a wandering hero; at worst, you are nothing more than a bandit. Why should she offer you a farewell? Do you truly expect her to remain here as your bandit bride?”

“You misunderstand. I only… cannot bear to part with Sister Hanyu, that is all.” Qin Mu shook her head, answering with solemn earnestness.

Qiu Chan snorted, disdain plain in her eyes. “A woman you’ve met but once. Whether you see her again or never again, what difference does it make?”

But Qin Mu ignored her barbed words. Suddenly her eyes lit, and she clapped her hands.

“The hidden chamber of Huangming Mountain—only I can open it! In her haste, Sister Hanyu must have forgotten to take Zhou Hankai with her.” She looked eagerly at Qiu Chan, hoping for confirmation.

Qiu Chan hesitated, then said, “It seems so. Qin Laosan said she went down the mountain alone.”

“Hah! Just as I thought. Then I’ll deliver Zhou Hankai to her myself.” Qin Mu’s face brightened with determination.

Qiu Chan looked at her as though she were bewitched, unsure how to stop her. Qin Mu strode to the door—only to collide with Qin Lao’er coming in.

Seeing her standing strong, Qin Lao’er let out a long breath of relief. He had feared that his miscalculation the night before—too heavy a dose—might have left her harmed. To find her unharmed was a mercy.

But when their eyes met, Qin Mu caught the flicker of guilt in his gaze. “Second Brother,” she demanded, “why did Sister Hanyu leave so suddenly? She clearly named Zhou Hankai to be taken away, yet she left without him.”

“Chief,” Qin Lao’er said gravely, “this morning thirty thousand imperial soldiers surrounded Huangming Mountain. If not for the princess descending to stop them, they would have stormed the mountain already.”

“Sister Hanyu truly did this?” Qin Mu’s heart surged with joy, and she broke into a smile.

“Indeed. The princess has lived up to her reputation as Wei’s foremost daughter.” Yet guilt shadowed Qin Lao’er’s face as he spoke.

“Good! Since Sister Hanyu has shown me such kindness, I must repay it. Come, Second Brother—we’ll return Zhou Hankai to her as a gift of gratitude.” Qin Mu straightened her spine and spoke with calm resolve.

But Qin Lao’er’s face darkened further. Qin Mu frowned. “Second Brother, is there something you’ve not told me?”

“Chief… do you truly remember nothing of last night?” His brows furrowed deeply with worry.

Qin Mu pressed her temples, struggling to recall. But pain seared through her skull, forcing her to clutch her head.

“Qin Mu, do not force it!” Qiu Chan rushed forward to still her hand, then shot Qin Lao’er a sharp glare.

He fell silent, then changed tack, speaking more gently. “Chief, Zhou Hankai must indeed be delivered. But the palace is heavily guarded. Even if we bring him, we may not reach the princess. This must be carefully planned.”

Seeing Qin Mu calm somewhat, Qin Lao’er eased his own breath. Yet guilt gnawed at him. His scheming of the previous night, the misunderstanding it had sown—if Qin Mu and Wei Hanyu were to meet again, he dreaded the consequences.

“I cannot wait. Not for a moment. This is what I promised Sister Hanyu, and I must do it now.” Qin Mu’s brows drew tight with stubbornness. Deep down she knew the truth: returning Zhou Hankai was but an excuse. What she truly wanted was to see Wei Hanyu again—to ask why she had left without a word, and to confront the blank spaces in her memory.

“Chief, remember who you are,” Qin Lao’er said gravely. “You are the empire’s most wanted criminal, worth a bounty of millions—the bandit lord of Huangming Mountain. She is of imperial bl00d. You two walk different paths. Best to let this go.”

The words struck her. Qin Mu faltered, her expression wavering. Qin Lao’er pressed on. “She herself begged never to see you again. Should you appear before her… she will not forgive you.”

For a moment, silence hung heavy. Then Qin Mu snapped her fingers, eyes flashing.

“Every year, on the eighth day of the eighth month, Sister Hanyu goes to Wanguo Temple to pray for Wei’s prosperity. The crowds are vast. We’ll mingle among the worshippers—who would ever suspect us of being mountain bandits?”

“Chief, you—” Qin Lao’er swallowed his protest, forcing down the words you’re sending yourself to your death.

Qiu Chan caught his eye and signaled for silence. Once outside, Qin Lao’er seized her arm. “Doctor Qiu, you must help me. If Qin Mu truly meets Wei Hanyu, our chief will be doomed.”

Qiu Chan’s gaze hardened. “Second Brother, you’re no fool. How could you commit such folly last night? That drug—you know its strength. Had I not noticed the missing vial this morning, who knows what might have become of her?”

“What’s done is done!” Qin Lao’er spread his hands, despair written across his face. “Tell me, what can I do now?”

“Qin Mu’s resolve is set. If they meet again, then it will prove whether Wei Hanyu truly meant her words of severance.” Qiu Chan’s lips thinned. “Besides, with Qin Mu’s skill, who could harm her? What exactly do you fear?”

Qin Lao’er pressed a hand over his heart, speaking low. “I fear… this is what will be wounded.”

Qiu Chan let out a derisive laugh. “I’ve never once laid eyes on this so-called Princess of Wei, nor do I care how dazzling she might be. But one thing I know—our Xiao Mu’s face is beyond compare. If Wei Hanyu’s rejection can sever her foolish attachment, then perhaps it will prove a blessing in disguise.”

Qin Lao’er’s eyes narrowed as he studied her intently. “Doctor Qiu… don’t tell me you harbor feelings for our chief?”

“Bah.” Qiu Chan rolled her eyes, turning aside with a flick of disdain.

Qin Lao’er breathed out slowly, yet his gaze lingered. Her figure was fine, her temperament gentle, her devotion to Qin Mu unfaltering. Were it not for the cruel red birthmark etched across her face, she would have stood among the peerless beauties of the age. A pity. Truly, a pity.

Meanwhile, Qin Mu plotted to seek Wei Hanyu come the third day of the third month. But Wei Hanyu had already returned to the palace, escorted by Lu Xu and thirty thousand imperial soldiers in a grand procession.

At the eastern gate, the Emperor of Wei and Crown Prince Wei Yanhan waited anxiously, necks craned, hearts tight with worry for their cherished jewel.

When the princess’s sedan finally approached, the emperor forgot all dignity, gathering his yellow robes in his fists as he hurried forward. But before he could reach her, Lu Xu fell to his knees with a thud, blocking the way.

The emperor’s face darkened. His only thought was to see his beloved daughter—what was this interruption?

Lu Xu bowed low, voice steady. “Your Majesty, the princess says her appearance is untidy and it would be improper to meet you now. Once she has bathed and dressed, she will attend you in the Hall of Heavenly Purity.”

The emperor frowned, suspicion tightening his brow. His voice dropped like thunder.

“Tell me truly—was my Hanyu harmed by those mountain bandits of Huangming?”