Destined Hearts of Mu and Yu (GL) - Chapter 61
The next day, news of Crown Prince Wei Yanhang’s bl00d sacrifice to Heaven spread through the capital like wildfire. The people whispered with excitement: if he truly succeeded in calling the Rain God, it would mirror the moment of Wei Hanyu’s birth years ago, when a blessed rain fell from the skies. That would prove Wei Yanhang was Heaven’s chosen successor, the true future Emperor of Wei.
All talk of the “Crown Prince trampling villagers’ crops” vanished overnight.
Once the auspicious date for the ritual was chosen, countless people rushed overnight toward the Fengtai Mountain altar, several hundred li from the capital, just to secure the best view.
Wei Yanhang and Qin Mu rode westward in a carriage. When they reached a suspension bridge, the carriage jolted to a halt. A guard turned back in panic.
“Report… Your Highness, the road ahead is gone.”
Startled, Wei Yanhang leapt out of the carriage, only to freeze. The chain bridge that once connected to Fengtai Mountain had vanished, leaving nothing but a sheer cliff before him and the towering mountain beyond. He turned toward Qin Mu, who crouched to touch the earth, lifted the soil to her nose, and then glanced at the distance.
“This bridge was still here when His Majesty and the officials passed earlier,” she said.
“You mean someone deliberately stopped us from crossing?” Wei Yanhang, having been targeted many times, was quick to understand.
Qin Mu nodded and glanced skyward. If we can’t reach the altar before the rains come, the whole plan will collapse.
She drew a parchment map from her sleeve and spread it on the ground. Wei Yanhang leaned over and saw a painting of Fengtai Mountain’s terrain.
“Grand Tutor Qin, is this the mountain?”
“Yes. I had it drawn earlier, and now it proves useful.” She smiled faintly, pointing to a valley. “If we cut through this forest and cross the gorge here, we can reach the mountain.”
“A living Zhuge Liang!” Wei Yanhang gave her a thumbs-up, marveling at her quick thinking.
Qin Mu frowned at the sky. “Time is running short. We must go now.”
They abandoned unnecessary supplies, mounted horses, and raced through the forest. At the base of Fengtai Mountain, their path was blocked—dozens of burly men in bandit garb guarded the entrance.
Qin Mu’s face hardened. “These are Lu Xu’s men, waiting for us.”
Wei Yanhang’s teeth ground in fury. “Despicable Lu Xu!” He turned to Qin Mu. “What do we do? If nothing else, we’ll fight our way through.”
Before Qin Mu could answer, battle cries erupted above. A tide of men charged down the mountain. The horses reared, frightened.
Wei Yanhang panicked. “Grand Tutor Qin! Say something! Which way do we run?”
But Qin Mu simply stared at the charging crowd, calm as stone. At last she said, “Luckily, I too prepared men in advance.”
Soon, another force appeared, cutting down the bandits with ferocity. Their leader fought with the strength of ten men.
As Wei Yanhang rode past, he asked, “What is your name?”
“Qin Laosan,” the man answered bluntly, unconcerned that he was speaking to the Crown Prince.
“Good! When I return from the ritual, I’ll ask Father to reward you well.”
With the road cleared, Wei Yanhang and Qin Mu galloped up the mountain.
At the altar, Qin Lao’er awaited in Taoist robes, the altar fully prepared. “You’re late. Ran into trouble?”
Qin Mu nodded. “Are the offerings ready?”
“All is set. We only await the Crown Prince.”
“Your Highness, the time is right. Please ascend,” Qin Mu said firmly.
Wei Yanhang climbed the eighty-eight stone steps. At the summit stood a white jade altar, carved with a coiling dragon—the emblem of the royal line.
Rolling up his sleeve, he drew a sharp blade across his wrist. Bl00d spilled, staining the jade dragon red. When the dragon’s eyes turned crimson, the altar suddenly ignited with fire.
Thunder cracked across the sky. Black clouds gathered. Moments later, a torrential storm swept down.
There, standing alone at the altar, Wei Yanhang looked as though he truly commanded the wind and rain.
“The Crown Prince is Heaven’s true dragon!” cried a villager. The crowd echoed in awe.
The Emperor and his ministers could only take shelter in the temple, while villagers rejoiced.
At the temple eaves, Qin Mu watched the downpour, whispering, The rain came right on time.
A cloak was draped over her shoulders. Turning, she found Wei Hanyu, her eyes gentle. “The storm is heavy. Take care not to fall ill.”
Qin Mu smiled, holding Wei Hanyu’s hand and reaching into the rain. Droplets splashed into her palm—yet they were not cold.
“Strange,” Wei Hanyu murmured. “Why is the rain warm?”
“It’s spring rain,” Qin Mu said with a grin. “Today is Jingzhe—the day thunder wakes the creatures of winter.”
Wei Hanyu smiled faintly. She’s grown so knowledgeable, so mature.
A sudden whinny rang out. Wei Hanyu’s prized steed, spooked by the thunder, galloped wildly through the courtyard. Guards struggled to restrain it.
Qin Mu tossed her cloak back onto Wei Hanyu’s shoulders, dashed out into the rain, and seized the reins. Soaked to the bone, she led the horse back—only to swing herself onto its back. Patting its neck, she laughed, “Seems you want to taste the spring rain too.”
Then she turned to Wei Hanyu, rain sliding down her face. Extending her hand, she called, smiling,
“Sister Hanyu, will you ride the rain with me?”
“Mu’er, don’t be foolish. Rain will make you sick. Get down,” Wei Hanyu scolded, reaching to pull her off.
But Qin Mu tugged her instead, and in an instant, Wei Hanyu was on the horse too. Laughing triumphantly, Qin Mu spurred the steed and carried Wei Hanyu out of the temple, vanishing into the storm.
***
The next day, as expected, Qin Mu caught a cold.
Wei Hanyu brought her medicine, but Qin Mu groaned from bed. “It smells terrible, take it away!”
Expression stern, Wei Hanyu stirred the bowl with a spoon. “Good medicine is bitter. Drink it, or you won’t recover.”
Pouting with a red, carrot-like nose, Qin Mu tugged at her sleeve. “Sister Hanyu, I don’t want to.”
“No,” Wei Hanyu said firmly, pushing the bowl into her hands.
“Then you feed me.” Qin Mu flopped back onto the bed like a corpse.
With a sigh, Wei Hanyu lifted a spoonful, blew it cool, and held it to Qin Mu’s lips.
But Qin Mu pressed her mouth shut, inching away like a caterpillar. “Use your mouth to feed me.”
“Ridiculous.” Wei Hanyu pinched her arm, making Qin Mu yelp.
“Sister Hanyu, you’re so cruel, not gentle at all—” She stopped, realizing she’d said too much.
Before she could explain, Wei Hanyu’s lips pressed against hers, and with the kiss came the bitter medicine, sliding down Qin Mu’s throat.
One moment she was in heaven; the next, in hell. Her face twisted in agony. She swore never to endure such torment again.