Chapter 452: journey to north

The First Signs of Tiredness

By late morning, the journey began to feel less exciting.

The road stretched ahead beneath the brightening sky.

Dust rose beneath the feet of the travelers, clinging to their shoes and the hems of their clothes.

The procession moved steadily, but the officials at the front continued urging everyone to maintain the pace.

"Keep moving! Do not leave large gaps between the groups!"

A few tired travelers muttered complaints.

Some children asked their parents how much farther they had to walk.

Elderly people leaned on walking sticks, while others paused briefly to adjust their bundles.

The Empress looked toward the people around her.

The first hour had been easy enough, but the effects of walking were beginning to appear.

A woman carrying a sleeping child struggled to adjust the cloth around her shoulders.

The Empress approached her.

"Would you like some water?"

The woman looked surprised.

"Thank you, but I still have some."

"Then make sure you drink regularly. The road will become warmer as the day progresses."

The woman nodded gratefully.

Nearby, Princess Zhi had noticed an elderly traveler walking slowly.

She approached him and asked whether he needed assistance.

The old man smiled tiredly.

"I am fine, young lady. I only need to walk a little more slowly."

"Please do not force yourself to keep up with those who are younger."

He nodded.

"Thank you for your concern."

The Empress watched Princess Zhi return.

"You are good at speaking with people," she remarked.

Princess Zhi smiled.

"People are often more willing to accept help when they are not made to feel helpless."

The Empress nodded thoughtfully.

Before she could answer, a loud voice came from behind them.

"How much farther are we going?"

It was Prince Liang.

General Guo Han turned toward him.

"We have only been walking for a few hours."

"I know that!"

"Then why are you asking?"

"Because I want to know how many more hours I must endure your company."

General Guo Han laughed.

"You are welcome to walk somewhere else."

"And leave my family with you? Never."

Lady Chen shook her head.

"Your legs are tired, but your mouth still works perfectly."

Prince Liang looked at her.

"That is because I am a strong man."

The twins exchanged glances.

Then the boy said, "You were complaining five minutes ago."

His sister added, "And ten minutes ago."

"And before we left the capital," the boy finished.

Prince Liang stared at them in disbelief.

"Why are you keeping records of my complaints?"

"So we can remind you later," the girl answered sweetly.

Everyone laughed.

Even the Emperor could no longer hide his amusement.

Prince Liang looked around at the smiling faces.

"I hope you all remember this when I become the first person to reach the resting place."

General Guo Han raised an eyebrow.

"You are already walking behind the cart."

"That is because I am conserving my strength."

"Of course."

Prince Liang sighed.

He was beginning to suspect that the entire group had united against him.

### The People Begin Noticing Their Group

As the procession continued, several travelers began observing the Empress’s group more closely.

They had noticed that these people seemed unusually well prepared.

Their clothes were suitable for traveling but made from good-quality fabric. Their bags were sturdy, their shoes were comfortable, and the open cart carried enough provisions to support them for several days.

They also appeared to have enough people to share the work.

When one person became tired, another could take over.

When someone needed water, a container was readily available.

When the twins complained about their bags, Yao Qing helped them adjust the straps.

When Lady Chen wanted to rest her shoulders, Princess Zhi offered to carry a smaller bundle for a while.

The Emperor and General Guo Han took turns pushing the cart whenever the road became difficult.

They were not traveling without hardship, but they had planned well.

A woman walking behind them whispered to her companion.

"Look at that group. They have everything arranged so neatly."

Her companion glanced toward the cart.

"They even have enough food and blankets."

"They must have prepared for a long time."

"Perhaps they are merchants."

"Maybe. Their belongings look much better than ours."

Another traveler, a man carrying a large sack, overheard their conversation.

"Some people are fortunate. They have carts and enough food, while the rest of us must carry everything ourselves."

His wife looked at their own belongings.

"We also have food."

"Not enough for three months."

"Nobody has enough food for three months. We will have to buy supplies along the way."

The man muttered something under his breath.

His wife sighed.

"Do not waste your strength envying others. We must concentrate on our own journey."

But not everyone was willing to accept that advice.

Whenever the procession slowed, people glanced toward the open cart.

Some looked at the neatly packed blankets.

Others noticed the water containers and baskets of provisions.

A few wondered why the Empress’s group appeared so relaxed despite the long road ahead.

Their conversations grew more frequent.

"They seem to have made every arrangement in advance."

"Look at the number of people helping them. Of course they are comfortable."

"I wish my family had a cart like that."

"So do I."

The Empress heard a little of the conversation but did not react.

She understood why people might feel envious.

Many travelers had left their homes with little more than the clothes they wore. Some had spent their remaining money on food and transportation before reaching the capital.

Seeing another group with better supplies could easily make them feel that life was unfair.

Still, she did not believe there was anything wrong with preparing carefully.

They had not taken supplies from anyone else.

They had purchased their provisions and arranged their belongings with their own resources.

There was no reason to feel guilty about being prepared.

However, she also did not want their good fortune to become a reason for unnecessary conflict.

She leaned toward Yao Qing.

"Let us avoid displaying our food unnecessarily. We should eat together when the group reaches the designated resting place."

Yao Qing understood immediately.

"That is sensible. People are tired, and tired people sometimes become upset over small things."

Lady Chen glanced toward the other travelers.

"Some of them already seem unhappy with us."

Princess Zhi spoke quietly.

"We cannot control what everyone thinks."

"No," the Empress agreed. "But we can avoid giving them unnecessary reasons to misunderstand us."

The women continued walking.

Behind them, the open cart rolled steadily along the road.

### A Small Problem on the Road

Near midday, the procession encountered a rough stretch of ground.

The road had been damaged by earlier carts, leaving several shallow ruts and loose stones.

The officials at the front slowed the pace, warning everyone to watch their steps.

"Careful! Keep to the firmer ground!"

General Guo Han moved closer to the cart.

"Everyone, give it some room."

The Emperor took hold of one side while the general pushed from behind.

Prince Liang hurried over.

"What happened?"

"The wheel is caught in a rut," General Guo Han replied.

Prince Liang looked at the wheel.

Then at the road.

Then at the general.

"How did it get stuck?"

General Guo Han gave him a flat look.

"Because the ground is uneven."

"I can see that."

"Then why ask?"

Prince Liang sighed.

"Fine. Tell me what to do."

"Push."

Prince Liang immediately placed his hands against the rear of the cart.

"Why didn’t you say so earlier?"

"Because you were busy asking questions."

Together, the three men pushed.

The wheel moved slightly but remained trapped.

The Emperor adjusted his grip.

"On the count of three."

General Guo Han nodded.

Prince Liang planted his feet firmly.

"One. Two. Three!"

They pushed again.

This time, the wheel rose over the edge of the rut.

The cart lurched forward.

Prince Liang nearly stumbled, but General Guo Han caught his arm.

For a moment, the three men remained frozen in their awkward positions.

Then Prince Liang straightened his clothes.

"That was exactly what I intended."

General Guo Han stared at him.

"You nearly fell."

"But I did not."

"Because I caught

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