The God of War Who Protects the Nation: Starting with Saving a Mother and Daughter in Distress

Faced with Xiao Mei's apology, Qin An simply gave her a deep look.

"Was this an accident, or was it part of this woman's scheme?"

Qin An, who was in a bad mood, immediately had this thought.

He did not underestimate Xiao Mei because of the ambiguous interactions they had had.

How could a woman who can secure the position of empress be a simple person?

Today's events happened so suddenly, and it just so happened that the emperor's trip was finalized. At this critical juncture, he had no time to think things through.

Xiao Mei was indeed a shrewd woman. Seeing Qin An's eyes, she instantly understood what he was thinking.

Seeing that he doubted her, Xiao Mei became a little anxious.

She had placed her safety on Qin An's shoulders during this trip, and it was precisely the time when she needed to rely on him.

"I absolutely cannot let him harbor any resentment, otherwise, if something really happens, I'll be in danger."

After a series of thoughts flashed through her mind, Xiao Mei suddenly spoke up: "Sister Yu Yan, please take the children to the side hall and wait. I have a few words I would like to say to General Qin alone."

Yang Yuyan hesitated for a moment and looked at Qin An.

Qin An nodded slightly, and Yang Yuyan said no more, pulling Cai Yan and Cai Zhen out.

The palace doors closed gently, leaving only two people in the vast bedroom.

Xiao Mei did not speak immediately.

She walked to the candlestick and raised her hand to turn the wick of a nearly extinguished lamp a little brighter.

Warm yellow light spread from her fingertips, illuminating the full and slender silhouette beneath her deep blue brocade phoenix robe.

"It's my fault for what happened today." She had her back to Qin An, and her voice was very low and soft. "If I hadn't summoned Yu Yan to the palace, this wouldn't have caused such a commotion."

Xiao Mei clearly wanted to clear up the misunderstanding, and she stopped referring to herself as "this palace" and did not put on airs in front of Qin An.

Qin An did not respond.

Xiao Mei turned around, leaning against the dressing table, her gaze fixed on him: "But the way you looked at me just now, you were doubting me."

Qin An remained expressionless: "This humble general dares not."

"I wouldn't dare." Xiao Mei scoffed. "The more you say you wouldn't dare, the more you actually want to."

She took two steps closer to Qin An, the lamplight casting her long, soft shadow behind her.

"If I wanted to scheme against you, I have plenty of ways. There's no need to gamble with Yu Yan and the two children, especially..."

She paused for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly, "What I fear most right now is trouble. Why would I want to create trouble for myself?"

Qin An asked, "What are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid I won't be able to come back from this trip." Xiao Mei's voice suddenly softened. "You know, those people in the court shout 'Long live the Emperor!' but who knows what they're plotting? The Emperor has ordered me to accompany him, so I can't refuse. But who knows when this ship will sink?"

Qin An sensed the helplessness in her words, which seemed genuine.

Xiao Mei took another half step closer, looked up at him, and said, "Whether you believe it or not, I still have to say it: none of this is something I'm scheming for. You shouldn't doubt me."

As she said this, Xiao Mei's tone was filled with an indescribable sense of grievance.

In fact, it's really not her fault.

She was only somewhat apprehensive about the future because she knew that the emperor wanted her to accompany him on this tour, and that this trip was extremely dangerous.

That's why he wanted to invite Yang Yuyan into the palace to talk to him and relax.

Unexpectedly, Yang Ming, who usually avoided him like the plague, was in a great mood because the inspection tour was settled, and came to his side without saying hello.

He also happened to learn that Yang Yuyan had twin daughters, which piqued his interest and led to this incident.

Xiao Mei's attitude left Qin An momentarily speechless.

He could only feign belief: "Your Majesty is overthinking it. This humble general truly had no doubts about Your Majesty's intentions!"

Xiao Mei could easily see that although Qin An said those words, he did not lower his guard.

Clearly, once the seeds of doubt are sown, they are not so easily eradicated.

Realizing this, Xiao Mei went all out: "Well, no matter what, this whole thing started because of me, and I do need to take responsibility."

Qin An asked instinctively, "How will you take responsibility?"

Xiao Mei didn't answer, but suddenly grabbed his hand.

Just like the previous two times, place his palm on your heart, letting him feel your inner self up close.

Qin An was startled and tried to pull his hand back, but she pressed it even tighter.

"Since he dared to make a move on your woman, as his woman, I can only make amends on his behalf."

Upon hearing this, Qin An was both amused and exasperated.

Is this how compensation is possible?

But after thinking about it for a moment, a look of surprise appeared on his face.

"My women? You know about my situation with them?" Qin An asked tentatively.

"I know," Xiao Mei said softly. "Yu Yan and I are very close friends. She has told me all her thoughts and plans."

Seeing that her behavior didn't seem fake, Qin An couldn't help but think to himself, "Their friendship is a bit too good, isn't it? Yu Yan even talks about things like this?"

Seeing that Xiao Mei was indeed very sincere, Qin An finally dispelled his doubts about her.

"Your Majesty, I believe you!" he said, and then turned to leave.

But at that moment, Xiao Mei looked up and said, "If he's after your woman, you can be after his too. That's fair!"

Her eyes, like black jade submerged in water, held an undisguised invitation and provocation: "Don't you want to get revenge?"

Qin An felt a surge of heat rush from his lower abdomen to the top of his head.

He wasn't an impulsive person.

But the undisguised look Yang Ming gave Cai Yan and Cai Zhen earlier was like a thorn stuck in his mind, and he couldn't get it out.

Xiao Mei's words at this moment were tantamount to pushing this thorn in even deeper.

In addition, as mentioned before, Xiao Mei is indeed a very charming woman.

The allure she exudes is irresistible to most men.

"Revenge?" At this moment, Qin An was indeed a little impulsive. "Yes, I should indeed take revenge. So what if he's the emperor? Anyone who dares to provoke me will pay the price."

Provoked by Xiao Mei's words, dangerous thoughts quickly began to grow in Qin An's mind.

"Your Majesty, do you know what you are doing?" Qin An's voice was noticeably hoarse.

Xiao Mei didn't give him a chance to speak again. She stood on tiptoe, wrapped her arms around his neck, and offered herself up to him.

The moment their lips touched, it felt as if they had been licked by flames at the same time.

Qin An no longer restrained himself.

He held Xiao Mei's head with one hand and wrapped his other arm around her incredibly soft waist, pressing her against the edge of the dressing table.

Xiao Mei was clearly not used to it at first.

But soon, her temper, which had been raging for so long, was completely ignited, and she actually wanted to take control of the situation.

Her slender fingers ran through his hair, her breath trembling as she lured him deeper.

The fragrance emanating from her body seemed to be released by her body heat, completely enveloping Qin An's nostrils.

This time, Qin An's hands were no longer as passive as before; he took the initiative as well.

As Qin An exerted his strength, Xiao Mei's body visibly weakened.

Now, Qin An truly understood just how astonishing this woman's charm was.

It can only be said that she truly deserves to be an empress; she certainly has the qualities to rule the world.

Just as Qin An was about to completely succumb to despair, his keen hearing and sharp eyesight allowed him to hear extremely light footsteps outside the palace.

He still retained some rationality. Thinking of Yu Yan and the two women waiting outside, he finally mustered immense willpower and pushed the woman in his arms away slightly.

Xiao Mei was taken aback by his sudden restraint. She then bit her lower lip, her eyes almost welling up with tears, and her voice was soft and resentful.

"Even after all this, you still want to stop? Qin An, are you even a man?"

Qin An narrowed his eyes, reached out and pulled her slipped collar back onto her shoulder, and said in a low voice, "Whether I'm a man or not, you should have already felt it."

As a mature woman, Xiao Mei was not shy at all. Instead, she smiled, her eyes slightly red: "Indeed, Yu Yan didn't lie to me. You are indeed a rare and great man in this world."

Qin An looked away, took a step back, and retied his disheveled sash.

When she looked up again, she saw the high and mighty empress, with only a trace of lingering heat in the depths of her eyes.

"Do you still doubt me now?" she asked.

Qin An said in a low voice, "I have never doubted Your Majesty."

Xiao Mei snorted: "Do you think I'm stupid? Fine, since you've indeed realized your mistake, I won't hold it against you."

Qin An didn't say anything more.

He walked to the palace gate and glanced back at Xiao Mei.

She had already sat back down at her dressing table, tidying her hair in front of the mirror. She glanced back at him in the mirror, her lips curving into a half-smile.

After Xiao Mei finished getting ready, Qin An pushed open the door and went out.

Yang Yuyan and her two daughters were still waiting in the side hall.

Upon seeing him come out, Cai Zhen immediately jumped up from her seat: "Father, can we go home now?"

Qin An nodded, then looked at Yang Yuyan: "Let's go."

"I'll see you off!" Xiao Mei also came out.

It must be said that women are indeed born actresses. In just a short time, Xiao Mei adjusted her emotions and acted as if nothing had happened.

Qin An, however, seemed a little uncomfortable: "Your Majesty, please wait. We can go back ourselves."

Xiao Mei gave him a deep look and said softly, "Alright, I was just thinking of taking a rest. You should take them back as soon as possible. If there's nothing else, don't let them come into the palace these next few days."

Qin An nodded, said no more, and took his leave with Yang Yuyan and his two daughters.

On the way back in the carriage, Cai Zhen was no longer as excited as she had been on the way there. She leaned on Cai Yan's shoulder and whispered, "Sister, why did that emperor look at us like we were some rare delicacy? I feel a little uncomfortable."

Cai Yan grasped her hand: "Don't say anything more."

Qin An rode his horse beside the carriage, remaining silent the entire way.

A cool breeze blew down from the city wall, stirring up the fallen leaves on the ground.

He slowly tightened his grip on the reins, glanced back at the palace, and only one thought remained in his mind.

"It seems the emperor's trip will truly be a one-way journey from which he may never return!"