Madam Zhen did not try to deny it. "If anyone else had asked, I certainly would have denied it. But since it is you asking, young master, I naturally dare not conceal anything. The prince left me here not only to buy him time, but also to have me handle the specific details of the future alliance. After all, once he returns to India, we will be separated by thousands of miles, and communication will be inconvenient. I need to remain here and keep in contact with the various Central Plains states."
After a pause, she continued, "I can also reach out to Western Xia, Qing, Song, and the other states. It would be even better if we could bring them into the alliance."
Madam Zhen looked at Song Qingshu with shimmering eyes. "Of course, if it were not for you, young master, I would not have needed to stay behind. When I said I wished to repay you earlier, there was not the slightest falsehood in it."
At that moment, faint clamor drifted in from the street. Song Qingshu said in a low voice, "I have matters to attend to. Stay here and recover properly for the time being. With the protection of the Jin Dynasty and Western Xia, the Mongols will not dare make another move against you."
Madam Zhen nodded. "Mm. Whenever you wish, young master, you may come directly to my room."
Song Qingshu's heart skipped a beat. Western women really are forward. Yet her distinctive temperament and exceptional beauty made such words sound utterly free of the cheap vulgarity of brothels and pleasure quarters. Instead, they brimmed with endless temptation.
Of course, Song Qingshu had no mood for such thoughts now. After giving Wanyan Chongjie a few instructions, he hurried toward the Western Xia Imperial