Destined Hearts of Mu and Yu (GL) - Chapter 60

Qin Mu lifted Wei Hanyu in her arms and spun around in joy, repeating excitedly,

“Sister Hanyu, we will have our own child.”

Seeing Wei Hanyu nod gently and turn away, Qin Mu found it odd. She turned her head to look and saw Wei Hanyu’s eyes glistening red. Qin Mu leaned in, cupped her face, and kissed away the tear. Its salty taste melted on her tongue, yet carried a sweetness of happiness.

She gazed into Wei Hanyu’s eyes. She knew how strong Wei Hanyu was—fighting bloody battles on the battlefield, debating fiercely in court—never showing weakness. But now, upon learning they might have a child, she finally shed her indestructible armor and revealed her emotions.

Qin Mu hugged her tightly, wanting her to feel safe. She knew what she had given Wei Hanyu was not enough—far from enough. She knew Wei Hanyu sometimes woke in the middle of the night, trembling in fear of losing her. Qin Mu must grow stronger, much stronger, so Wei Hanyu would not have to worry about her. She had to grow stronger to protect Wei Hanyu, and their future child.

***

The next day, Qin Mu brought the ledger that Qin Lao’er and Qin Laosan had given her to the royal study. Opening the door, she found Wei Yanhang and his attendants crouched on the ground, playing with crickets.

Startled by Qin Mu’s sudden entrance, Wei Yanhang jumped and quickly ordered his attendants to put the crickets away. They scrambled to clean everything up.

Qin Mu smiled lightly. “The Crown Prince has worked hard on his studies lately. Taking some time to play is fine too.”

Wei Yanhang shook his head quickly, like a drum being beaten, and said,

“Qin Mu, the contest is drawing closer by the day. I’m so nervous I can’t even sleep at night—look at these dark circles under my eyes.”

He pointed at them bitterly.

“These past days I’ve memorized every book you gave me forwards and backwards. When will you teach me archery?”

“Crown Prince, no rush. Look at this first.”

Qin Mu placed the ledger on the table. Wei Yanhang hurried over. As he read, his eyes widened—evidence of corruption from seventh-rank officials up to first-rank, every case documented.

Among them, several names were circled in red ink.

“These are Lu family’s cronies, marked in red. Those in black are ones I believe we can use,” Qin Mu said calmly, pointing to the ledger.

Wei Yanhang stared at her, dazed. “What should we do next?”

“Tomorrow morning, present this ledger at court. The Emperor will order the Censorate to investigate. As for those marked in black, tear out their pages and send them to their residences. They are clever men and will understand Your Highness’s intent.” Qin Mu’s eyes narrowed, full of calculation.

“Brilliant!” Wei Yanhang slapped the table and stood up. “I’ve long despised that Lu Xu—strutting so arrogantly before me. Now’s the time to take him down.”

“Crown Prince, your influence in court is still too weak. You must strengthen your base, place your own people into real power,” Qin Mu said, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. She already had a list in her mind of who to use and who to eliminate.

“Good. If this succeeds, I’ll secure your position as my Grand Tutor from Father,” Wei Yanhang said, clenching his fists, eyes blazing with determination.

***

A few days later, the Censorate investigated based on the ledger and confirmed every case of embezzlement. All the implicated officials were dismissed, and eighty million taels of gold were recovered for the treasury.

The Emperor was overjoyed and decided to reward Wei Yanhang. Wei Yanhang, however, revealed the truth—that half the credit belonged to Qin Mu.

Qin Mu was thus reinstated as Grand Tutor, with a fourth-rank official title.

That night, the Lu residence was not peaceful.

Lu Youwei coughed bl00d in anger and collapsed in bed, with Lu Xu by his side. Grasping his hand, he said furiously,

“This Emperor shows no regard for past ties. All those dismissed this time were Lu family men.”

“Father, don’t be angry. Please take care of your health,” Lu Xu sighed, holding his hand.

“Xu’er, the Lu family’s power in court has been greatly weakened. We must act,” Lu Youwei said through gritted teeth.

Lu Xu sneered coldly. “Since the Crown Prince has chosen to oppose us head-on, he cannot blame me for being ruthless.”

“This sudden rise of the Crown Prince is no good for us. He must be suppressed now,” Lu Youwei said, his dim eyes glowing darkly.

“I have a way to strip him of his position,” Lu Xu replied, eyes glinting cold as he stared into the pitch-black night outside.

***

The next morning, Qin Mu donned her official robes as Grand Tutor and stepped into the great hall with a calm, steady air. She looked every part the teacher of the Crown Prince.

Officials came forward to congratulate her. Qin Mu was now the first in Wei to be both imperial son-in-law and an official—clear proof of her remarkable skill.

“Congratulations, Grand Tutor Qin,” greeted Dong Rui, the Governor of Qinzhou, coming forward with a smile.

Qin Mu nodded slightly. He was one of the men she had spared in her ledger. Though greedy, he governed Qinzhou well and had the people’s support—a man of small but useful wit.

Seeing her nod, Dong Rui leaned closer and whispered,

“Grand Tutor Qin, as you are always at the Crown Prince’s side, please extend my respects to him. Should His Highness require my service, I will give my life without hesitation.”

Qin Mu smiled faintly and nodded knowingly.

Before the court could begin, a guard stumbled into the hall, kneeling and shouting loudly,

“Your Majesty, outside the East Gate hundreds of villagers have gathered, demanding to see you. They cry out for justice against the Crown Prince.”

At once, Qin Mu’s brows furrowed, her gaze falling on Wei Yanhang. He too looked at her, shrugging, utterly confused.

“Your Majesty,” Lu Xu stepped forward, seizing the chance to add fuel to the fire. “The villagers are normally peaceful. To cause such unrest, there must be reason. I beg Your Majesty to see for yourself.”

The Emperor, uneasy, glanced at the Crown Prince, who looked back at him pitifully. With a wave of his sleeve, the Emperor strode out of the hall. The officials followed.

As the guard had said, outside the palace gates villagers gathered with hoes and baskets.

The moment they saw Wei Yanhang, they shouted angrily:

“It’s him!”

Qin Mu glanced at Wei Yanhang, who seemed to recognize them. Her heart sank.

“It’s him! He brought his men to trample our fields, destroying our crops. Our whole village starved, many died of hunger!” a man, likely a village head, shouted furiously.

The crowd roared in agreement.

“You—” The words lowly peasants were about to escape Wei Yanhang’s lips, but Qin Mu tugged his sleeve sharply, stopping him. She gave him a look and said quietly,

“Stay calm. Don’t fall into the trap.”

Wei Yanhang inhaled deeply, then growled,

“That day I strayed into the fields by mistake, and I gave you plenty of silver in compensation. Now you deny it and slander me?”

Qin Mu’s face darkened—his words only confirmed the accusation.

“Send the Ministry of Justice to investigate,” the Emperor said coldly, casting a stern look at him.

Within an hour, the Ministry reported back, hundreds of villagers testified against him, claiming he not only refused to apologize but even beat some of them.

Furious, the Emperor punished Wei Yanhang by ordering him to copy Buddhist scriptures one hundred times and confining him to his quarters.

Wei Yanhang fumed, wanting to protest, but Qin Mu pulled him away.

Outside, he erupted, kicking a tree and shouting,

“Why won’t Father believe me!”

“Crown Prince, there’s more to this,” Qin Mu said calmly.

He looked at her, eyes burning. “What more?”

“When did this happen?” Qin Mu asked.

“Before the Li Mountain hunt, about two months ago,” he replied after some thought.

“Then why are they only coming forward now?”

“They must have spent the silver I gave them and want more!” Wei Yanhang snarled, ready to send eunuchs to beat them all.

“No. This happened right after we exposed the corrupt officials. Someone is targeting you deliberately,” Qin Mu analyzed.

“Lu Xu, that brat?” Wei Yanhang clenched his fists.

“Most likely,” Qin Mu nodded.

Grinding his teeth, Wei Yanhang seethed. Qin Mu patted his shoulder. “Crown Prince, endure for now. Our chance will come.”

***

For several days, Wei Yanhang stayed obediently confined, copying scriptures. Peace seemed to return.

But soon, reports of drought came from the north. Despite opening the granaries, famine worsened.

The next day at court, shouts erupted outside. Ignoring guards, Wei Yanhang strode into the hall.

He knelt before the Emperor. Seeing his humble demeanor and hearing he had been quietly repenting, the Emperor told him to rise.

Wei Yanhang stood and declared,

“Lately the north has suffered famine. To atone for my past mistakes, I will sacrifice my bl00d to Heaven, praying for the Rain God’s mercy.”

The court exploded in shock. Some scoffed—had scripture driven him mad? Others whispered—perhaps he was desperate to win back the people’s hearts.

The Emperor frowned. But Wei Yanhang’s eyes were steady, serious. He glanced at Qin Mu, who gave him the faintest nod.

The Emperor’s furrowed brows relaxed. With a sweep of his sleeve, he said,

“So be it.”