The East District was home to officials, and the houses in this area were priceless.
The streets were wide, but shops were forbidden along the street, and no one was allowed to set up stalls. Coupled with my early departure, the streets were quiet at this hour, and the coachman drove the carriage with exceptional smoothness.
The Song family's banquet was not yet over, and the music from that direction could still be faintly heard from afar.
Perhaps the young ladies' second round of competition had begun.
There was no other way; the position of Crown Princess was too tempting.
Axiu had reprimanded Song Shuxian indignantly, and all the gloom in my heart dissipated. I leaned lazily against the carriage wall, admiring her scolding demeanor.
I take back my earlier words; I wouldn't sell this girl for two taels of silver.
Seeing my silence, Axiu thought I was still angry and leaned in to amuse me, "Miss, your maidservant recently read a new storybook, about a hunchback and a woman with a cleft lip going on a blind date..."
"Axiu, I'm a bit tired." I shifted into a more comfortable sitting position and closed my eyes slightly.
Axiu awkwardly withdrew her words, "Ah, uh, then lean on me to rest, Miss. The carriage wall is cold, and it wouldn't be good if you caught a chill."
While she spoke, her hands were also busy. She first helped me lean on her, then took a pillow from the adjacent seat for me to hug, and finally covered me with a thin blanket.
A human cushion was truly comfortable.
I snuggled into her embrace and closed my eyes in comfort.
Having indulged in a few extra cups of fruit wine earlier, I felt sleepy as soon as I closed my eyes. My consciousness emptied, and just as I was about to have a rendezvous with Duke Zhou, the coachman's voice came from outside the carriage, "Miss, Axiu, someone is chasing us from behind."
Axiu asked, "Who is it?"
"It seems to be the Princess."
Axiu was extremely vexed, "Then why aren't you pulling over quickly?"
"Whoa~" As the sound faded, the two horses behind us galloped past and then turned back twenty meters ahead.
Suisui, panting, said, "Sister Nannan, why are you running so fast?"
"I'm not fast, isn't this the normal speed? It's you, galloping on the street in broad daylight, be careful not to be impeached by the Censor." I rubbed my eyes and even yawned.
"This isn't a busy street, what's there to impeach?" Suisui dismounted and then nimbly squeezed into my carriage. "I told you to drink less at the banquet, but you wouldn't listen. Now you're drunk."
"Not at all, I'm just a bit sleepy. I feel drowsy in spring and tired in autumn. Normally, I'd be fast asleep at this hour for my nap."
"It's Song Shuxian who delayed my nap. Alas, I'm also so sleepy, let's sleep together."
Axiu quickly made space for her, sitting on the carriage shaft.
Then, a guard accompanying Suisui said, "Miss Axiu, since the Princess is in the carriage, I can't ride two horses alone. Could you do me a favor?"
"Ah? That's not appropriate, this is the Princess's horse. How could a lowly servant like me dare to ride the Princess's mount?" Even through the carriage door, I could imagine her eager expression.
Suisui spat at her, "Your flattery skills are truly becoming more refined. Ride it with confidence, Hongyu is very gentle, she won't throw you off."
Axiu chuckled, "Then I respectfully accept your offer."
Suisui and I huddled together. Fortunately, the carriage was spacious, and although it was a bit crowded, it didn't feel cramped. This girl was also carefree. I thought she must have something to tell me, chasing after me like this, but instead, she fell asleep as soon as she said she wanted to sleep.
Listening to her steady, deep breaths, I decided to hold on a little longer and sleep when I got home.
Otherwise, if I were woken up again, this nap would be ruined.
My home was also in the East District, not too far away. We arrived before long. Axiu opened the side door and had the coachman drive the carriage all the way to the courtyard where I lived.
Suisui was sleeping like a pig.
I couldn't bear to wake her, so I gently carried her to my bed, then took off my clothes and slept with her.