Destined Hearts of Mu and Yu (GL) - Chapter 54

Qin Mu entered the bath, where steam filled the air. Leaning on the edge, she carefully scattered the herbs. As they dissolved, a strange fragrance spread. Qin Mu inhaled deeply, smiling—it was a familiar scent. Back at Huangming Mountain, she often bathed with these herbs. Not only could they repel mosquitoes, but they also calmed the mind and aided sleep.

Hearing footsteps approaching, Qin Mu quickly turned around—only to bump straight into Wei Hanyu entering the bath. Though mist swirled everywhere, Qin Mu could faintly see that Wei Hanyu wore only a thin gauze robe, her graceful figure half-revealed beneath it. Qin Mu breathed in her unique, gentle scent and couldn’t stop herself from hugging her. Wei Hanyu’s slender waist was cool to the touch, her skin smooth as jade. Yet just as Qin Mu embraced her, she suddenly let go. Remembering she had just been digging herbs in the hills and was sweaty and dirty, she felt unworthy of sullying Wei Hanyu. So she obediently stood aside, watching as Wei Hanyu removed the thin gauze and slowly stepped into the water, her long legs moving gracefully.

Qin Mu lay against the pool’s edge, watching Wei Hanyu close her eyes and relax in the water. The curves of her body faintly appeared beneath the surface—so beautiful. Qin Mu leaned close and whispered in her ear:

“Sister Hanyu, let me wash you.”

Wei Hanyu slowly opened her eyes. Her cheeks were flushed, perhaps from the steam, her fair face glowing faintly red, making Qin Mu want to kiss her. Qin Mu picked up a towel, dipped it in the water, and gently wiped Wei Hanyu’s neck—so carefully, as if cleaning a precious treasure. She moved to her delicate collarbone, her shoulders, and then downward, her fingers brushing against softness beneath the warm water.

Wei Hanyu gave a soft hum, her gaze turning alluring. In a gentle tone, she said:

“Mu’er, don’t fool around.”

Qin Mu giggled, pretending to pout. “Sister Hanyu, I’m seriously helping you bathe.”

Ignoring her protest, she continued. But just then, someone tugged Qin Mu’s sleeve. Losing balance, she fell into the pool with a splash, becoming a drenched chick. Wiping water from her face, she looked around—Wei Hanyu had disappeared into the mist.

“Sister Hanyu!” Qin Mu called. From the center of the pool came her soft reply. Qin Mu tried stepping forward, but the water soon rose past her shoulders. She quickly shrank back.

“You’re bullying me because I can’t swim!” she shouted, lips pressed tight. Suddenly, the calm water rippled—Wei Hanyu approached gracefully, like a mermaid. Qin Mu opened her arms, clung to her tightly, and refused to let go. Even when Wei Hanyu splashed water in her face, she held on. What began as a simple bath turned into playful splashing in the pool.

***

The next day, Emperor Wei’s hunting expedition at Mount Li was grand. Civil and military officials gathered to send him off. All the companions were generals, except for his favored consort, Su Wanying, who followed in a sedan chair carried by attendants. Behind her was a light carriage carrying Qin Mu and Wei Yue’er.

Qin Mu leaned lazily inside, though inwardly frustrated. She wanted to ride with Wei Hanyu but, forced to maintain her role as a frail scholar, she was confined to the carriage. Watching Wei Hanyu ride with Wei Yanhang, enjoying the scenery, only made her sulk. Worse, Lu Xu had also come along. Riding behind Wei Hanyu, he would occasionally hurry forward to hand her water, making Qin Mu grit her teeth in jealousy.

Lifting the curtain, Qin Mu stared at Wei Hanyu’s back for a long time. Sitting beside her, Wei Yue’er, always eager for drama, teased:

“That General Lu fought alongside our sister at the border. Now that they’ve returned victorious, they seem quite close.”

Seeing Qin Mu remain silent, she leaned closer. “Brother Mu, ever since General Lu came back, he’s been promoted two ranks in a row. He’s now the Grand Marshal, holding great power. Yet he’s still unmarried. Everyone in court knows who he’s devoted to.” Her eyes glanced over Qin Mu, sighing, “Brother Mu, you’d better be careful.”

Qin Mu lowered the curtain, turning away. Yue’er waited eagerly for her response, but Qin Mu only closed her eyes, folded her hands, and said nothing. Yue’er pressed on.

“Don’t you want to find a way for Father to give you an official post? That way our sister won’t be mocked for having such a husband.”

Qin Mu glanced at her but stayed quiet. Inwardly she thought: you make it sound easy. Every time your father brings it up, he brushes me off—clearly, he has no intention of granting me office. How am I supposed to make it happen? Out loud, she only said.

“I’m happy being free and idle.”

“Ha! Free for you, but all the burden falls on my sister,” Yue’er snapped, rolling her eyes.

Qin Mu noticed Yue’er’s attitude toward her had changed greatly since before the border trip. Then again, everyone thought Wei Hanyu’s protector had been Lu Xu, not her. She didn’t bother explaining, simply turned away, and pretended to sleep.

The carriage jolted along until she really dozed off. Waking later, she found the air colder. Remembering Wei Hanyu hadn’t switched to winter clothes yet, Qin Mu planned to bring her a cloak. But when she lifted the curtain, she saw Lu Xu already draping one over Wei Hanyu’s shoulders. Jealousy surged—how could she not be angry, seeing her Sister Hanyu cared for by someone else? Eyes stinging red, she quickly dropped the curtain.

Moments later, she heard hoofbeats close by. Lifting the curtain again, she saw Wei Hanyu riding beside her carriage.

“I prepared warm clothes for you last night. They’re inside. Don’t forget to wear them,” Wei Hanyu said gently.

Qin Mu’s heart warmed completely. She hurriedly handed out the cloak she had meant for Wei Hanyu. “Sister Hanyu, wear this one. Give that one back to him.”

But Wei Hanyu only smiled softly and said: “Little jealous one.” Then she rode ahead to rejoin the procession.

Qin Mu glared at her retreating figure, puffing her cheeks. Tonight, I’ll have to lecture you properly about a wife’s duties and respect for her husband, she thought angrily.

By the time the group reached Mount Li, snow was falling thickly. White blanketed the ground, crunching under the carriage wheels.

They stopped before a grand palace built specially for hunts. The sun was setting, painting the snowy scene in golden light.

As soon as the carriage halted, Qin Mu leapt out, running to find her Sister Hanyu. She spotted her with Wei Yanhang and Lu Xu, admiring the snow outside the palace gates, and rushed over. Their eyes met—warmth and affection overflowed. The sight of their smiles made both Wei Yanhang and Lu Xu feel like unwanted bystanders.

Seeing Qin Mu’s hair dusted with snowflakes, Wei Hanyu pulled out a handkerchief and wiped them away. Qin Mu opened an umbrella, shielding Wei Hanyu from the falling snow. The tender scene made Yanhang and Lu Xu grind their teeth in frustration. Yet Qin Mu was the rightful royal consort; they could only watch.

Soon Wei Yue’er came running up. Seeing the snowy ground, she grew playful, scooped up a snowball, and tossed it toward Qin Mu and Wei Hanyu. Quick as lightning, Qin Mu raised the umbrella and blocked it, scattering snow everywhere. The unlucky ones—Wei Yanhang and Lu Xu—were hit instead. Yue’er laughed loudly from a distance, hands on her hips.

Grinning, Qin Mu handed the umbrella to Wei Hanyu, made her own snowball, and threw it back at Yue’er. Yue’er retaliated, but Wei Hanyu easily blocked it with the umbrella. Fuming, Yue’er charged over, trying to snatch the umbrella, shouting:

“You’re cheating!”

Wei Hanyu laughed, putting the umbrella away. Just then, a snowball came flying. Qin Mu stretched out her arm and blocked it. Turning, she saw Wei Yanhang staring at her in shock. This weak scholar is that agile? he thought. Before he could react, more snowballs hit him one after another, forcing him to cower behind a tree.

Within moments, he looked like a snowman. Flustered, he waved for his attendants to join in. Wei Yue’er quickly called her maid Qingfeng for backup. Soon, a full-blown snowball fight broke out.

Hearing the laughter, Consort Su Wanying walked out. Seeing Wei Hanyu joining in the fun, she was surprised—since entering the palace, she had rarely seen the princess laugh so freely with others. Turning, she noticed Lu Xu watching coldly from the side, his brows furrowed.

Su Wanying approached with a smile. “Ever since Qin Mu entered the palace, Princess Hanyu has changed quite a bit. It really surprises me.” She covered her mouth with a laugh, observing Lu Xu’s expression. He only snorted coldly and walked away.

Leaning against a tree, Su Wanying watched Qin Mu darting among the snowballs for a long while. Slowly, she murmured to herself:

“This little lamb had better watch out for the wolf behind her.”