Thinking that Xingqing Prefecture might be facing its greatest crisis at this very moment, Song Qingshu was frantic with worry, wishing he could return at once.
"Um... could you give us our clothes?" Yuan Ziyi's shy voice came from behind him.
Only then did Song Qingshu remember the two women beside him, both radiating a holy glow. As he handed them their clothes, he said, "They're completely soaked. How are you supposed to wear them?"
"Wet is still better than nothing. We can't exactly go without clothes," Yuan Ziyi said, nearly in tears.
"Once the earthquake is over, we'll find somewhere to light a fire and dry them," Song Qingshu said gravely. "Rest well tonight. Starting tomorrow, we'll have to travel day and night."
Although he had his back to her, Yuan Ziyi instinctively held the clothes over her chest as she took them. "Brother Song, are you worried about Western Xia?"
Song Qingshu gave a hum, and Yuan Ziyi hurriedly comforted him. "Western Xia has stood for a hundred years. Who knows how many crises it has weathered? It will surely hold on. Brother Song, you needn't worry too much."
Song Qingshu smiled bitterly. How could he explain to Yuan Ziyi that he knew the course of the original history? She meant well in comforting him, so naturally he said nothing.
The three of them remained in a flat area of the valley for nearly half an hour before the earthquake finally subsided. Song Qingshu began gathering firewood. "We'll rest here tonight. There may still be aftershocks later, and staying in a cave isn't very safe."
Yuan Ziyi blushed. "But there's nothing around here to block the view, and we aren't wearing clothes. If..."
Song Qingshu used branches to build a simple clothes rack and hung their clothes on