Chapter 64: Do you want to stay inside?
The journey seemed endless, and Hua Jing had made her displeasure known the entire way.
"How much longer?" she groaned, shifting in her seat. "I’ve been sitting for what feels like days. My legs are going numb!"
Zhao Yan, who had been silently enjoying the peace, glanced at her with a faint smirk. "We’ll arrive when we arrive. Complaining won’t make the horses move faster."
Hua Jing huffed, crossing her arms. "This carriage is cramped, the road is bumpy, and I’m starving. I didn’t sign up for this torture."
"Didn’t you?" Zhao Yan teased, the corner of his lips twitching in amusement.
Before Hua Jing could retort, the sound of bustling voices and the rhythmic clatter of horse hooves outside caught her attention. She paused, tilting her head to listen. The noise grew louder with each passing second.
"We’re here," Zhao Yan announced calmly, peeking out of the small window.
Hua Jing leaned closer, squinting as she tried to make sense of the sounds outside. "What’s that noise? It sounds like a market."
"It’s not a market," Zhao Yan replied, settling back in his seat.
The carriage slowed, and Hua Jing could now clearly make out the voices of the crowd beyond the palace gates.
"The Prince is back!" one woman exclaimed, her voice laced with excitement.