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.
