The sun slowly sank until only a thin streak of dark red glow remained on the horizon. The wheels of the carriage rolled round after round on the gravel - covered road, making a creaking sound. The afterglow of the sunset gradually lost its color and was slowly devoured by the darkness, leaving only a deep purple in the sky.
Wei Wei and Xin Shang were struggling to direct the horses to pull the carriage forward at full speed, but they still couldn't see the end of the road. It seemed they couldn't reach the post - station before nightfall. Just as they were thinking this, suddenly, a glimmer of light came into their sight.
At first, they thought it was just a campfire lit by a traveler who was also anxiously on the way in the forest and couldn't find a place to stay before nightfall. But as their carriage got closer, that tiny glimmer turned into a large expanse of warm - yellow firelight, and they could faintly hear the voices of many people. The outline hidden in the dark forest gradually became clear.
It turned out to be the post - station! They finally reached the central post - station between Quan'an Town and Baiyang Town!
"Miss, miss, we've arrived at the central post - station!" Wei Wei's somewhat excited voice came from outside, startling Wei Shuxuan, who was sleeping in the carriage.
"...... What's going on, Wei Wei? It seems a bit noisy outside......" Wei Shuxuan slowly sat up. First, she rubbed her sleepy eyes. A little light shone through the lowered curtain, illuminating the dark carriage. Eh? Where did the light come from? Were Wei Wei and Xin Shang making a fire outside? Could it be that they couldn't reach the post - station?
"Sister Xuan, wake up. We're getting off the carriage," Si Ma Yongheng softly reminded Wei Shuxuan. He picked up the baggage on the carriage and was about to get off. "I'll take your baggage down first. Sister Xuan, it's okay for you to get off later."
With that, Si Ma Yongheng got off the carriage. Seeing only Si Ma Yongheng coming out of the carriage, Wei Wei was a bit puzzled. "Yongheng, where's the miss?"
"She just woke up and is still dazed. It seems she hasn't realized that we've arrived at the central post - station."
"I'll go and talk to the miss," Wei Wei walked closer to the carriage. Suddenly, as if remembering something, he turned around and looked at Xin Shang. "Xin Shang, you go in first and see if there are any rooms."
"Got it."
Xin Shang took Si Ma Yongheng and Xin Shi into the post - station to check for available rooms, while Wei Wei stood beside the carriage and called out to Wei Shuxuan through a wooden board. "Miss, miss, are you awake? We've arrived at the central post - station. Now Xin Shang and the others have gone in to ask if there are any rooms. Miss?"
Wei Wei talked for a long time but didn't hear a reply from Wei Shuxuan. He leaned his head closer to the carriage curiously and gently knocked on the wooden board. "Miss? Miss? Wake up. Did you hear what your subordinate said?"
After a long while, Wei Wei finally heard Wei Shuxuan's lazy voice. "...... Alright, I know. If there are no rooms, it's okay for me to sleep in the carriage......"
"...... Miss, you're a noble young lady. How can you sleep in the carriage? Xin Shang and I will leave the room for you. You can just sleep in the room. It's okay for us to sleep in the carriage."
Wei Wei was seriously "lecturing" Wei Shuxuan. Wei Shuxuan was lying on the cushion in the carriage, thinking how stubborn this Wei Wei was. He said she was a noble young lady, but she had never seen a noble young lady like herself.
She pushed open the carriage door. "Alright, alright. Stop talking such useless nonsense. I'll go in with you."
In the Yulong Kingdom, post - stations usually have rooms, but the number is limited, and it's first - come - first - served. However, some post - stations don't have rooms but only provide places to rest and food.
Yawning, Wei Shuxuan walked into the post - station. She saw that there weren't many people in the lobby. Some were drinking, some were eating, and some were chatting. In short, everyone was doing their own thing. No wonder it seemed so noisy in the carriage just now.
"Miss Xuan, your subordinate has asked the post - station owner. They said there are only three rooms left."
"That's just right. You four can take two rooms, and I'll take one by myself."
"But the price is a bit expensive."
"..... It's okay. Just ask your master to reimburse us when we get back."
With Wei Shuxuan's approval, Xin Shang paid the expensive accommodation fee to the post - station owner. The owner happily took the money and led them upstairs to the guest rooms.
Because they had been traveling so much that day, as soon as they lay on the beds, they fell into a deep sleep. As night deepened, it started to rain heavily outside. The rain fell with a whooshing sound, hitting the dense trees and making a regular pattering sound. But even such a loud noise couldn't wake them up.
The heavy rain stopped before the sun came out. A thin layer of light had already spread over the forest and the sky. It was all hazy, and the air was filled with the fresh smell of soil and grass. The bright water droplets bent the delicate green leaves and rolled down along the veins of the leaves, dropping onto the moist soil.
Wei Shuxuan woke up earlier because she had slept for quite a while while traveling the previous night. The early - morning forest was a bit chilly. Wei Shuxuan took out a long gown from her baggage and put it on. She walked to the window, pushed it open, and the pale gray light fell on her body. A faint smell of nature lingered around her nose.
The cool wind blew her hair and dispelled the remaining drowsiness on her face.
When Wei Wei and the others woke up, they could officially set off.
"How long will it take us to reach Baiyang Town?" Wei Shuxuan looked at Wei Wei with her chin in her hand.
"Miss, according to the speed of our steeds, we should be able to reach Baiyang Town at dusk. After resting for one night, we can reach the capital city at noon the next day, provided that nothing unexpected happens."
"Nothing unexpected should happen, right?" Wei Shuxuan looked at Wei Wei curiously.
"Yeah, there shouldn't be."
Wei Wei nodded seriously in response to Wei Shuxuan's words.
At dusk, their carriage had indeed reached the area of Baiyang Town. Looking at the scenery outside, Wei Shuxuan couldn't help but admire Wei Wei. How did he know the speed of their steeds so well?
"Miss, can we stay at the Baiyang Inn tonight?"
"No problem. As long as you've found a place to stay, you don't have to ask me about everything."