Chapter 468: divided

Some people refused to be separated from friends. Others wanted to travel with particular merchants because they trusted them. A few insisted that they would rather walk than ride in a cart with strangers.

Instructor Zhao listened to the complaints but did not allow the preparations to collapse into chaos.

Eventually, the division was settled.

The Emperor and Lian An would travel in one group.

The Dowager Mother, Prince Liang, Princess Zhi, Lady Chen, General Yao Qing, the twins Lin and Lian, and Wei Rong would travel in the other.

The arrangement was practical enough to satisfy the instructor.

It also meant that the people who had grown accustomed to travelling together would now have to manage without one another.

Lady Chen was the first to object.

"Why do we have to separate?"

General Yao Qing, a young woman with a steady gaze and a practical manner, tightened the strap of her bag.

"Because the instructor has decided it is safer."

Lady Chen frowned.

"That doesn’t make it safer."

"It might not," Yao Qing replied. "But staying together has already failed to protect us."

Lady Chen looked offended.

"Must you always answer so bluntly?"

"Would you prefer me to lie?"

Before Lady Chen could respond, Lin leaned towards his twin and whispered, "They’re going to start arguing before we’ve even left."

Lian elbowed him.

"Be quiet."

"I am being quiet."

"Everyone can hear you."

"That is because everyone is listening."

Wei Rong, who stood beside them, closed his eyes.

"If the two of you continue, I will personally carry you to opposite ends of the road."

The twins immediately became silent.

For approximately three seconds.

Then Lin whispered, "He would have to carry both of us."

Lian snorted.

Wei Rong opened his eyes.

Both twins abruptly found something fascinating on the ground.

Across the camp, Prince Liang was helping divide the remaining supplies.

He had a bruise along his cheek from the previous attack, and one sleeve was still stained with blood where a shallow wound had been bandaged.

Princess Zhi noticed him lifting a heavy crate.

"Put that down."

Prince Liang glanced at her.

"It’s not heavy."

"Your arm is injured."

"My other arm works."

"That isn’t the point."

He looked at her for a moment, then obediently lowered the crate.

"Happy?"

"Not yet. Sit down before you decide to carry the entire camp on your back."

He gave her an amused look.

"You sound like someone who has been waiting all morning to order me around."

"I have."

Nearby, the Dowager Mother watched them with a mixture of amusement and concern.

"At least someone can persuade him to rest," she murmured.

Lady Chen, meanwhile, had discovered that their group would receive fewer blankets than she expected.

"How are we supposed to manage with these?"

Yao Qing looked at the pile.

"There are enough for everyone if we arrange them properly."

"But they look thin."

"They are blankets, not walls."

Lady Chen stared at her.

Yao Qing calmly folded one.

"Would you like to help, or would you prefer to continue inspecting them?"

The twins burst into laughter.

Lady Chen turned towards them.

"What’s so funny?"

"Nothing," Lin answered immediately.

"Absolutely nothing," Lian added.

Their expressions betrayed them.

Wei Rong rubbed his forehead.

It was going to be a very long journey.

A Quiet Conversation Before Departure

While the second group continued arranging its supplies, the Emperor found Lian An standing near the edge of the camp.

She was looking towards the road that the other group would take.

Her expression was thoughtful.

"You’re worried," he said.

She turned.

"Of course I am."

"They will have enough people to protect them."

"I know. But having enough people doesn’t mean they won’t be attacked again."

The Emperor followed her gaze.

The road stretched between low hills, disappearing behind a line of trees.

"We cannot protect everyone by refusing to move," he said quietly.

"I know that, too."

She sighed.

"I simply dislike the idea of being separated when we don’t know who is behind these attacks."

He studied her face.

"Would you rather change groups?"

She shook her head.

"No. If we keep changing the arrangements because we’re worried, the instructor will lose control of the journey. Besides, we agreed to follow his decisions while travelling with the others."

The Emperor nodded.

It was one of the things he admired about her: she could be frightened without allowing fear to dictate every decision.

He lowered his voice.

"I’ll keep a close watch on our group."

"And I will help where I can."

"Naturally."

She glanced at him.

"Don’t take unnecessary risks."

His brows rose.

"Are you giving me an order?"

"I’m giving you advice."

"Your advice sounds remarkably like an order."

"Then perhaps you should listen more carefully."

He smiled faintly.

"I’ll consider it."

"Consider it?"

"I wouldn’t want to make promises I cannot keep."

Lian An gave him a disapproving look.

He laughed softly.

Then his expression grew serious again.

"If anything happens, stay behind me."

She immediately frowned.

"No."

He had clearly expected that answer.

"Lian An—"

"I can look after myself. I won’t deliberately put myself in danger, but I won’t stand aside if someone needs help."

"I know you won’t."

"Then don’t ask me to pretend otherwise."

He was silent for a moment.

Finally, he nodded.

"Very well. We watch each other’s backs."

She held out her hand.

He looked at it, then clasped it briefly.

"Agreed."

It was a small gesture, hidden from the busy camp by the movement of people and carts.

But it steadied them both.

For the moment, they had a plan.

And they would follow it.

The Second Group’s Last Preparations

On the other side of the camp, the Dowager Mother had gathered the members of her group.

She was dressed plainly, with her hair pinned beneath a simple cloth. Her hands, once accustomed to delicate work, were now roughened from the demands of the journey.

She looked at each person in turn.

"We will not be travelling as a family that can expect special treatment," she reminded them quietly. "We are ordinary people who have suffered losses. We must continue to behave accordingly."

Prince Liang nodded.

Princess Zhi adjusted the strap of her bag.

Lady Chen looked down at her dusty shoes with a small sigh.

General Yao Qing checked the supplies one last time.

Lin and Lian were arguing over who would carry a bundle of cooking utensils.

"I carried it yesterday," Lin insisted.

"You carried it for half the morning," Lian replied.

"And that was half a morning more than you carried it."

"Because you grabbed it first!"

Wei Rong took the bundle from both of them.

"Neither of you will carry it. I’ll take it."

The twins exchanged a glance.

"See?" Lin said. "Now you’ve made him do it."

Lian nodded solemnly.

"A terrible injustice."

Wei Rong stared at them.

"One more word."

They immediately turned away.

The Dowager Mother pressed her lips together, trying not to smile.

Then she addressed General Yao Qing.

"Keep an eye on the injured. If Prince Liang’s arm worsens, tell the instructor immediately."

"I will."

"And the children?"

"I’ll make sure they remain close to the carts."

The Dowager Mother nodded.

She looked towards the road one last time.

For a brief moment, concern crossed her face.

They were leaving the safety of familiar company and heading towards an uncertain road.

But hesitation would not help them.

"Everyone ready?" Instructor Zhao called.

A chorus of replies came from the group.

The Dowager Mother adjusted her bundle.

"Then let us go."

The Farewell

The two groups gathered near the crossroads.

It was not a grand farewell.

There were no speeches, no elaborate promises, and no dramatic declarations.

They were ordinary travellers with limited belongings, sore feet, and a road ahead of them.

Yet the separation still felt uncomfortable.

Lady Chen approached Lian An.

"Take care of yourself."

Lian An smiled.

"You, too. Don’t argue with Yao Qing too much."

Lady Chen glanced at the young woman.

"I don’t argue with her."

From behind them, Lin muttered, "Of course not."

Lady Chen turned sharply.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing!"

Lian An laughed.

Then she looked at Yao Qing.

"Please make sure everyone rests when necessary. Especially the injured."

Yao Qing nodded.

"I will. You should do the same."

"I will."

Prince Liang approached the Emperor.

"Keep your eyes open."

The Emperor gave him a measured nod.

"You, too."

It was a simple exchange between two men who understood the dangers ahead.

Neither spoke about their concerns in front of the others.

There was no need.

The Dowager Mother then stepped forward and looked at Lian An.

"Don’t forget to eat properly. You have a habit of looking after everyone else and neglecting yourself."

Lian An’s expression softened.

"I’ll remember."

"And don’t let him convince you that he doesn’t need rest."

The Emperor looked mildly offended.

"I am standing right here."

"Then you can hear the advice as well," the Dowager Mother replied.

The twins immediately began laughing.

Even Wei Rong’s stern expression relaxed.

For a brief moment, the tension eased.

Then Instructor Zhao called for the groups to take their places.

The travellers began moving towards their respective roads.

Lian An looked back once.

The Dowager Mother was already walking beside Princess Zhi, while Prince Liang and General Yao Qing helped direct the carts. Lady Chen followed them, still complaining about the dust. The twins walked behind Wei Rong, who had apparently decided that keeping them within arm’s reach was the only way to preserve his peace.

Lian An shook her head with an affectionate smile.

"They’ll be fine," the Emperor said.

"I hope so."

"They have people who will look after them."

She nodded.

Then she turned towards their own road.

"Come on. We should catch up."

He fell into step beside her.

A Road Filled With Uncertainty

The first stretch of the journey passed without incident.

Their group travelled along a narrow road bordered by fields and low hills. The weather remained cool, and the clouds overhead kept the sun from becoming too harsh.

The injured travellers were placed where they could ride without aggravating their wounds. Those who were able to walk took turns helping push the carts when the wheels sank into soft ground.

Lian An stayed near the people who needed assistance.

The Emperor alternated between walking beside her and helpin