"Nan Xian, don't act on impulse," Song Qingshu hurriedly stopped her.
To his surprise, Yelü Nanxian shook her head. "I'm not acting on impulse. I simply know that, given the current situation in Shangjing City, clearing my father's name won't be easy. And Princess Shaomin truly has offered the most likely solution."
Song Qingshu frowned. "But that means you have to go to Western Xia..."
Yelü Nanxian blinked. "Won't you be there to protect me? I believe in you."
Zhao Min rubbed her arms beside them, putting on a disgusted expression. Song Qingshu directly ignored her exaggerated reaction and hesitated before saying, "As the saying goes, if you stand by the river long enough, your shoes will eventually get wet. I'm not omnipotent. What if I let my guard down and fail to protect you? Wouldn't that leave me with a lifetime of regret?"
Yelü Nanxian smiled faintly. "I'm not some frail woman incapable of even trussing a chicken. I can still protect myself."
Song Qingshu was about to say more when Zhao Min impatiently shoved him. "Will you stop nagging? The two of us women are more decisive than you are. It's settled, then."
After saying that, her eyes darted about before she added, "Miss Yelü, why not stay here tonight and rest with us?"
Yelü Nanxian's pretty face instantly turned crimson. Although Song Qingshu had made her a woman that night, it had only been an accident born of misunderstanding. She still thought of herself as a maiden—how could she endure Zhao Min's blatant words? "Pah! Who would be as shameless as you!"
Seeing the faintly exposed, snow-white curve of Zhao Min's fragrant shoulder, Yelü Nanxian inexplicably grew irritated. She turned at once and tossed Song Qingshu a single sentence. "I'm leaving."
Song Qingshu frowned slightly. "It's so