Destined Hearts of Mu and Yu (GL) - Chapter 51

“Princess, you’re drunk.” Qin Mu pressed her lips together and gently pushed Qin Ling away, putting distance between them. That rejection flickered in Qin Ling’s eyes. She gave a faint, detached smile, half the haze of wine seeming to vanish.

Qin Mu, leaning on her crutch, hurried to call for a maid to attend her. But behind her, Qin Ling’s soft voice drifted over.

“You don’t remember your elder sister, do you?”

Qin Mu froze in place. Slowly, she turned her head. Qin Ling’s expression was drowsy with wine, her lips curved faintly, her starry eyes empty and unfocused—as though lost in another world. Qin Mu wondered if she had misheard. Surely I imagined it?

She limped out of the tent and called in the maid waiting outside.

The desert night was bitterly cold, the wind cutting through her robes. Alone, Qin Mu tilted her head back, staring at the endless black sky. I miss Sister Hanyu so much. How is she now?

Her thoughts were broken by the sound of approaching footsteps. She turned—and her breath caught.

“Qingfeng?”

The guard approaching raised a finger to his lips, signaling for silence. Qin Mu’s heart leapt into her throat. She blinked, doubting her eyes, but as he came closer, his face was unmistakable. It was really Qingfeng.

She quickly hid her excitement, glancing around nervously. This was still enemy territory. Though the desert princess had spared her life and even tended her wounds, if they discovered a Wei soldier here, his death would be certain.

“The princess ordered me to follow the desert army in secret,” Qingfeng whispered, “leaving marks along the way, to protect you.” His eyes flicked over her desert garb, his brow creasing.

“Is the princess safe?” Qin Mu asked at once, hope surging at the thought of Hanyu.

“Not very well.”

Her heart clenched. “Why? Is Sister Hanyu injured?”

Qingfeng hesitated, then sighed.

“Take me with you now,” Qin Mu urged. “I must go back to care for her.”

“Your leg can’t handle such a journey,” Qingfeng replied firmly.

“I can endure it,” Qin Mu shook her head, eyes burning with determination.

“Even if you can, the two of us alone cannot escape this desert. Even if we flee tonight, they’ll hunt us down by tomorrow.”

Qin Mu gritted her teeth, clutching her crutch tight. She knew he was right. Even with both legs whole, crossing this endless sea of sand was nearly impossible.

“There may be a way,” Qingfeng said darkly. “We could use the desert princess as a bargaining chip.”

“No.” Qin Mu cut him off, frowning. “I won’t harm anyone.”

Yes, the desert and Wei had warred for years, but Qin Mu understood something of their plight. Nothing grew in these harsh lands. Without raiding, their people would starve. And this princess had saved her life and healed her wounds. To repay kindness with betrayal—she could not.

Qingfeng shook his head with a sigh. “If you insist on such softheartedness, we’ll remain trapped here forever. You know your presence in the Wei army is a secret. The princess cannot openly demand you back. Even if she did, the moment you return, military law decrees only one punishment—death.”

“I… I need time to think.” Qin Mu’s brows knit tightly. She knew Qingfeng was right—Hanyu’s position was already precarious. Sending Qingfeng was the most she could do.

Both of them stiffened at the sound of footsteps. With a glance, Qingfeng slipped away. A maid emerged from the tent.

“Young Master Wei, the princess calls for you.”

“I’m coming,” Qin Mu said, forcing herself calm as she followed inside, reminding herself not to act rashly.

Days passed. Qin Mu stopped going outside, focusing on healing. Only once her injury was mended could she hope to leave. At the same time, she worried for Qingfeng’s safety. She cultivated her inner strength daily, willing her recovery faster. After some time, she unwrapped the bandages and saw the bone had knitted back. Only surface wounds remained. Her heart lifted.

Just then, Qin Ling entered. Qin Mu hastily rewrapped her leg and straightened. The princess walked over and glanced at her.

“Tonight is the Torch Festival of the desert. Do you wish to attend?”

“My leg is not yet fully healed. I’d best not move around.” Qin Mu lifted her eyes. She had noticed the princess’s gaze had softened in recent days—yet that very softness unsettled her.

“Oh?” Qin Ling gave a quiet hum and sat beside her. Qin Mu’s body tensed. Almost without realizing, she edged her injured leg away.

“Ten days without stepping outside. Don’t you feel stifled?” Qin Ling asked.

Qin Mu shook her head. “There’s food and drink enough here. I’m content.”

“And compared to life in Wei?” Qin Ling tilted a brow.

Qin Mu’s expression faltered for a moment before she forced a smile. “Each has its merits.”

Qin Ling nodded slightly, as if in thought. Qin Mu’s heart clenched. She could not hold back her plea.

“Princess, I already have a wife in Wei, waiting every day for my return. I beg you—once I am healed, please allow me to go home.”

Qin Ling’s expression shifted, her eyes narrowing slightly. “A woman may marry?”

Qin Mu’s heart lurched. “How… how do you know?”

“That day,” Qin Ling said calmly, “I wondered why, though riddled with arrows, you had no wounds save your leg. I examined your clothes, found the golden armor—and discovered your true s3x.”

Qin Mu met her gaze squarely. “Though I am a woman, I still have someone I would protect with my life. I must return to her.”

“Who?” Qin Ling’s voice sharpened, tinged with displeasure.

The name—Wei Hanyu—rose to Qin Mu’s lips, but she forced it back down.

“I won’t let you leave.” Qin Ling stood, her sleeves sweeping as her tone turned cold.

“When my leg is healed, no one will stop me.” Qin Mu lifted her chin, defiant.

“Is that so?” Qin Ling’s lips curled faintly.

Something about her smile made Qin Mu uneasy.

“Bring him in,” Qin Ling commanded.

Qin Mu shot to her feet as soldiers dragged in Qingfeng, bound tight. Her heart leapt, but seeing he was unharmed gave her a shred of relief. She turned to Qin Ling, eyes pleading.

“Don’t worry,” Qin Ling said smoothly. “I won’t hurt him. So long as you stay by my side, his life will be safe.”

At her gesture, they released him. Qingfeng clenched his fists, anger boiling, but one sharp look from Qin Mu made him hold back.

“Since you are Mu’er’s friend, you are my guest,” Qin Ling said lightly. “Tonight, you will join us for the Torch Festival. Tomorrow, I’ll have guards escort you back to Wei.”

Qingfeng said nothing, his face cold.

That night, on the vast sands, wood was stacked into a great pyramid, heaped with straw. Tables nearby overflowed with food. The tribes gathered, sitting in circles. Qin Mu and Qingfeng joined them.

Suddenly the crowd rose. Qin Mu looked up. Qin Ling stepped forward, longbow in hand. Drums thundered, shaking the earth. All raised their bowls of wine. Qin Ling drew an arrow, dipped it in wine, touched it to flame. In the dark night it blazed like a meteor, arcing into the central pyre. With a boom, fire roared to life, lighting the desert.

Cheers erupted. Drums and zithers rang out. The tribes joined hands, dancing and singing.

Qin Mu clinked her bowl against Qingfeng’s. “Tomorrow, return to Wei. Tell Hanyu I’m safe. She mustn’t act rashly.”

Qingfeng downed the wine, its strength bringing tears to his eyes. Qin Mu patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry. Someone will come for me.”

Qingfeng gave a bitter laugh. “If the princess sends Wei troops, you won’t just face punishment—you’ll doom her as well.”

Qin Mu smiled faintly. “I have my own way. She won’t be implicated.”

She drew a piece of tanned hide from her sleeve and pressed it into his hand. “When you return, give this to the courier. Tell him to deliver it to the teahouse east of the capital.”

Qingfeng glanced at the hide. Strange symbols were marked on it—he couldn’t understand them. But he knew this was no jest. He nodded and tucked it away.

The next day, escorted by guards, Qingfeng departed for Wei. Qin Mu remained in the desert.

Days later, her leg was nearly healed. From the tribesfolk she learned that Wei and the desert had signed a truce, the army withdrawn to the capital. Relief filled her heart. At least Sister Hanyu would no longer face battle.

But then came strange tidings. Night after night, cattle and sheep vanished, pens left unbroken, not the work of beasts. Fear spread among the people. Only Qin Mu knew—the one she had been waiting for had finally arrived.