Destined Hearts of Mu and Yu (GL) - Chapter 56

After breakfast, the Emperor led the group into the forest to hunt. Wei Yue’er and Qin Mu stayed at the edge of the woods with palace maids and eunuchs, setting up camp and preparing food for lunch.

Watching Wei Hanyu ride into the forest with Lu Xu for the hunt, Qin Mu felt a bit uneasy. She glanced around, intending to sneak onto one of the horses and follow them. The forest was full of wild beasts, and she couldn’t help but worry. But just as she neared a horse, Wei Yue’er’s voice called out from behind.

“Brother Mu, come taste the mutton I roasted myself!”

Helpless, Qin Mu turned back and walked slowly toward her. Wei Yue’er was crouched proudly by the grill, pointing at the lamb she had cooked. The fragrance filled the air. Qin Mu smiled and nodded.

“It does smell good.”

“It’s not just the smell—it tastes good too. Here, try it.” Wei Yue’er lifted a plate toward Qin Mu. Just then, a hunting dog came trotting over, wagging its tail, drawn by the scent. Its drooling muzzle made Qin Mu laugh.

“See? Even a trained hunting dog can’t resist my cooking!” Wei Yue’er tilted her head up proudly.

Qin Mu tossed a piece of meat onto the ground, smiling. “This dog doesn’t know if it’s good or bad—it only smells the gamey scent.”

Her words trailed off as her brows drew together. The mention of “scent” reminded her of the strange fragrance from Wei Yanhang’s pouch that morning. A bitter, musky smell. A drop of cold sweat slid down her temple, her fists clenching. Who would be so vicious as to set up the Crown Prince for death?

She knew that smell well. Back in Huangming Mountain, she had often gone hunting in the forest. That odor was from Huigan Grass, a lure used by hunters. Its sharp, fishy scent attracted beasts quickly. Hunters sprinkled it around traps to bait prey. No one carried it openly—only in sealed pouches, and only when needed. For Wei Yanhang to wear it in the forest made him nothing more than walking bait.

“This is bad. The Crown Prince is in danger,” Qin Mu muttered. Her gaze flicked to Wei Yue’er, happily tending the grill. She needed to get rid of her.

“Woof, woof!” The dog barked, wagging at Qin Mu again. She crouched to pat its head, and it whimpered with delight.

“I’ll be counting on you later.”

The dog barked twice as if it understood. Qin Mu glanced at the horses nearby, already planning to slip off behind the tents. But Wei Yue’er came hopping over again, tugging at her to taste the roast meat. Qin Mu quickly pointed at the grill and said with a start:

“Yue’er, your meat is burning!”

Wei Yue’er gasped in alarm and turned around. In that instant, she felt a sting at her neck and collapsed into Qin Mu’s arms. Qin Mu carried her into the tent, leaving orders with the maids to look after her. Then she mounted a horse, called the dog, and galloped into the forest.

Inside, she froze. The ground was covered in tangled hoofprints, impossible to tell how many groups had passed. Clearly the hunting party had split up. Qin Mu dismounted, knelt, and touched the soil, raising it to her nose.

The Crown Prince rode an Iron-hoofed warhorse—larger than ordinary horses, leaving broader hoofprints. When iron struck earth, it carried a faint metallic scent. After careful inspection, she traced a trail and let the dog sniff the dirt. At once, the dog charged deeper into the woods, and Qin Mu spurred her horse after it.

The forest was far larger inside than it seemed from the outside, with countless forks and branches, the dense canopy blotting out the sky. Without the trail, she would be lost. The horse beneath her panted hard, restless, stamping its hooves. The dog suddenly crouched low, whining. Qin Mu tensed immediately—beasts were near.

A deep howl ripped through the trees, sending flocks of birds scattering. The horse reared, bolting in fear. Qin Mu pulled at the reins, but the animal was beyond control. Kicking off the stirrups, she leapt clear, rolling hard across the ground until she slammed into a tree, stars bursting in her vision. Covered in mud, she staggered to her feet. The dog padded over, trembling. Qin Mu stroked its head gently before unclasping its collar.

“Go. Get out of here.”

It whimpered, then darted back the way they came. Qin Mu dusted off her sleeves and headed toward the direction of the howl.

“Help! Help me!”

The desperate cry made her frown. It was Wei Yanhang’s voice.

Rushing through the trees, she saw his horse lying dead, wolves tearing at its flesh. The sight was bloody and horrific, the horse’s screams rasping through the forest.

“Qin Mu! Save me!” Yanhang was clinging desperately to the branch of a tree, half his body dangling. His shrill voice drew the wolves’ attention. Several more slunk from the brush, circling the tree. Yanhang clutched the branch, trembling violently.

Qin Mu’s palms grew slick with sweat. She had no bow—her horse had carried it off. Barehanded, she faced dozens of wolves.

The lead wolf bared its fangs, ready to spring. Yanhang’s grip faltered, his body slipping.

A chorus of howls echoed—but suddenly, the wolves froze, their ears drooping. They turned and slunk away into the underbrush, leaving Yanhang quaking in confusion.

The ground rumbled. The trees shook. Qin Mu’s heart tightened. This must be the beast that frightened the horse earlier.

A massive shadow burst through the trees—a towering brown bear, three men tall. Its heavy steps sank deep pits into the earth. Even the wolves fled in terror. Yanhang nearly fainted at the sight, clutching the tree in a death grip.

The bear’s eyes glowed green, its maw gaping to reveal sharp fangs. Each breath blew rank air like a foul wind. Slowly, it lumbered toward the tree.

“Crown Prince! Throw me the pouch at your waist!” Qin Mu shouted.

Yanhang’s terrified face twisted. “E-even now—you covet my pouch?”

Qin Mu’s face darkened. “If you want to live, give it to me!”

Seeing she was deadly serious, Yanhang’s trembling hands tore the pouch free and tossed it. Qin Mu ripped it open. The stench poured out, drawing the bear’s head immediately toward her. It turned, lumbering after her instead.

She backed up against the same tree Yanhang clung to. “Do you have any weapons?”

Something clattered to the ground. A dagger, no bigger than her palm. She grabbed it, sweat dripping down her nose.

“Anything else?” she demanded.

Yanhang pointed weakly toward his butchered horse. “On the horse… a bow.”

Qin Mu shoved the dagger into his hands. “Flash it in the sun. Blind its eyes. I’ll get the bow.”

“H-how?” Yanhang stammered, perched on the branch.

“Catch the light between the leaves and reflect it!” she barked.

The pouch’s scent was fading. The bear lumbered closer. Qin Mu sprinted to the horse, yanking at the bow pinned under its corpse. It wouldn’t budge. The bear advanced—until a sudden flash of light struck its eyes. It roared, distracted. Qin Mu seized the chance, wrenching the bow free.

By then, the bear had turned back toward the tree, smashing against it. Roots split from the earth, the massive trunk shuddering on the verge of collapse.

Qin Mu strung an arrow, channeling her strength. The shaft whistled, striking the bear’s leg. It howled and turned on her. Calmly, she set three arrows at once. They shot out together—one to its head, one to its chest, one straight through its open jaws, embedding deep in the tree behind Yanhang.

The giant beast toppled, crashing to the earth, dust rising in clouds.

Yanhang clung to the tree, too terrified to move. As the dust cleared, Qin Mu’s tall figure stood outlined by sunlight, bow in hand. His heart finally settled.

“S-saved…” Yanhang stammered, sliding down the tree, collapsing to his knees.

But Qin Mu thrust the bow into his hands. “Do me a favor.”

He blinked, confused, as she leaned close, whispered a few words, then slumped against the tree unconscious.

“Your Highness!” Soldiers burst through the woods, Lu Xu at their head.

“Crown Prince, are you safe?” Lu Xu froze at the sight: Yanhang clutching the bow, a dead bear nearby.

“The bear…”

“The bear was slain by me,” Yanhang declared quickly, forcing composure, masking his fear with pride.

Lu Xu narrowed his eyes, doubtful. But before he could speak, another voice rang out.

“Brother! Brother!” Wei Hanyu arrived, and Yanhang’s calm broke. He dropped the bow and flung himself into her arms, weeping.

Wei Hanyu relaxed only after seeing he was unharmed. But someone cried out:

“Isn’t that the Princess Consort? Why is she unconscious here?”

Wei Hanyu’s heart clenched. She rushed to Qin Mu, cradling her, checking her breath. Relief washed over her—alive.

Lu Xu frowned, suspicious. “Why was the Princess Consort in the forest?”

Yanhang quickly cut in, “She was just gathering mushrooms at the edge, but lost her way. The beast must have frightened her faint.”

Lu Xu sneered. “Such a timid consort.”

Wei Hanyu’s eyes turned cold. “As long as she is safe, that’s all that matters.” She ordered Yanhang to help carry Qin Mu onto a horse. Together, they rode off. Lu Xu watched their retreating figures, teeth clenched.

Once far from the crowd, Wei Hanyu slowed her horse, glancing down at Qin Mu in her arms. The “unconscious” girl had a sly smile tugging her lips.

“Stop pretending. Get up,” Wei Hanyu murmured.

But instead of opening her eyes, Qin Mu burrowed closer against her chest, making Wei Hanyu’s composed face flush red.