Chapter 458: a request of water

Another traveler had stopped to wipe sweat from his face.

The Emperor watched everything.

His hands curled into fists.

He had ordered that the refugees be treated with dignity. He had ordered adequate provisions and reasonable arrangements for their journey.

He had not ordered the officials to march people past water when they were thirsty.

He turned toward Prince Liang.

"Stay with the group."

Prince Liang looked at him.

"Where are you going?"

"To speak with the inspector."

The Emperor stepped away from the cart and walked toward the front of the procession.

His pace was steady.

He did not shout.

He did not reveal his identity.

But the coldness in his expression made General Guo Han exchange a glance with General Yao Qing.

The Emperor was angry.

And when he was angry, the people around him usually discovered that their excuses were not nearly as convincing as they had imagined.

A Request for Water

The inspector was riding near the front of the group, speaking to two instructors about the road ahead.

Prince Liang hurried after the Emperor.

"Brother, wait!"

The Emperor glanced back.

"I told you to remain with the others."

"And I have decided that my brother’s health is also my responsibility."

"Since when?"

"Since this morning."

The Emperor gave him a flat look.

Prince Liang smiled innocently.

"Besides, I am thirsty too."

The Emperor turned away.

"Then speak when we reach the inspector."

They approached the official.

The inspector noticed them and frowned.

"What is it?"

The Emperor kept his voice controlled.

"Sir, the travelers need to refill their water bottles. There is a water source just behind us, and several people are already showing signs of exhaustion."

The inspector looked at him impatiently.

"We have only just begun the second day’s journey."

"That is precisely why we should prevent people from becoming exhausted so early."

The inspector’s expression hardened.

"If we stop every time someone wants water, we will never reach the north."

"We are not asking you to stop for an hour," the Emperor replied. "Give them a few minutes to fill their containers."

The inspector shook his head.

"No."

Prince Liang stepped forward.

"Sir, people are thirsty. Some are dizzy. An elderly woman nearly fell a moment ago."

The inspector looked at him with open annoyance.

"Are you an official responsible for this journey?"

"No."

"Then do not interfere with my work."

Prince Liang’s jaw tightened.

"We are commoners, just like the others. We have the right to ask for water when we need it."

The words rang clearly in the air.

Several nearby travelers slowed down to listen.

The inspector looked between the two men.

"You have been traveling for barely two days, and already you are questioning my orders?"

"We are questioning an unreasonable order," Prince Liang answered.

The Emperor glanced at his younger brother.

For once, Liang had spoken without making a joke.

The inspector’s expression grew colder.

"You think you understand how to organize a journey of this size? There are hundreds of people traveling together. Every stop delays the entire procession."

The Emperor remained calm.

"And what happens if someone collapses from exhaustion? Will that not delay the procession as well?"

The inspector’s eyes narrowed.

"Enough."

He pointed toward the road.

"Go back to your group. Do not waste my time."

Prince Liang stared at him in disbelief.

"We are asking for water, not a palace!"

"Then return to your group and continue walking."

"But—"

"Move!"

One of the other instructors approached.

"You heard him. Do not create trouble. If everyone starts demanding special treatment, we will never arrive."

Prince Liang looked at the man.

"Special treatment? Is drinking water special treatment now?"

The instructor’s face darkened.

"Do you want to be removed from the procession?"

A few travelers nearby lowered their eyes.

Nobody wanted to challenge the officials. They were already dependent on the government for transportation and supplies, and many feared that speaking up might make their situation worse.

The Emperor understood that fear.

He also understood that the officials were using the schedule to avoid addressing a legitimate concern.

He took a slow breath.

"Sir, I am asking you one last time. Please allow the travelers to refill their bottles."

The inspector stared at him.

Then he laughed dismissively.

"You have quite the temper for an ordinary traveler."

The Emperor’s expression did not change.

"And you have quite the disregard for the people under your supervision."

The laughter vanished from the inspector’s face.

For a moment, the two men stared at each other.

The inspector was accustomed to travelers obeying him.

He was not accustomed to being questioned so directly.

"Return to your place," he ordered. "The procession will not stop."

Prince Liang looked ready to argue again.

The Emperor caught his arm.

"Come."

"But Brother—"

"Come, Liang."

The tone left no room for discussion.

Prince Liang reluctantly followed him.

As they walked back, he muttered, "If I were allowed to tell him who you are—"

"You will not."

"I know."

"Then do not say it again."

Prince Liang kicked a small stone off the road.

"How can someone be so unreasonable?"

The Emperor’s gaze moved toward the travelers.

"Because he believes the schedule matters more than the people."

His voice was quiet.

"But I will find out why."

### The Travelers Begin to Suffer

The procession continued.

The water source disappeared behind the trees, and the travelers were left with whatever remained in their containers.

The sun climbed higher.

The road grew hotter.

The children became quieter, their earlier excitement replaced by fatigue. Several elderly travelers fell behind, struggling to keep pace.

The young man who had complained of dizziness stopped again.

This time, he bent forward, resting his hands on his knees.

His friend grabbed his shoulder.

"Can you stand?"

The young man shook his head.

"My head is spinning."

"Tell the instructor."

"He already told us to keep moving."

"Then we will tell him again."

They approached the nearest instructor.

"Sir, my friend is feeling dizzy. He needs water and a short rest."

The instructor barely glanced at them.

"Tell him to walk more slowly."

"He can barely stand!"

"Then help him walk. We cannot stop for every little complaint."

The friend stared at him.

"Every little complaint? He might faint!"

The instructor pointed down the road.

"Move!"

The young man tried to straighten, but his knees buckled.

His friend caught him before he hit the ground.

Several travelers stopped.

A woman cried out.

"Someone help him!"

The Emperor turned sharply.

General Guo Han was already moving toward the fallen traveler.

"Give him space!"

He crouched beside the young man and checked whether he was conscious.

The traveler opened his eyes weakly.

"Water..."

Guo Han called for their water container.

The Empress, who had been watching from beside the cart, immediately stepped down.

"Move the cart aside," she instructed. "Let him rest in the shade."

Princess Zhi hurried over with a folded cloth.

Lady Chen brought water.

The Empress knelt beside the young man.

"Can you hear me?"

He nodded faintly.

"Take a small sip," she told him. "Slowly."

The traveler drank a little.

His friend crouched beside him, his face pale with worry.

"Will he be all right?"

"We need to let him rest and see how he responds," the Empress replied.

She looked toward the front of the procession.

The inspector had finally turned around.

But instead of asking after the fallen traveler, he called out impatiently.

"Why has the procession stopped?"

The Emperor rose slowly.

He looked at the man who had refused to let hundreds of thirsty travelers refill their bottles.

Then he looked at the exhausted people scattered along the road.

His patience was nearly gone.

"Because one of the travelers has collapsed," he answered.

The inspector frowned.

"And whose fault is that?"

The Emperor’s eyes turned cold.

"That is precisely what I intend to find out."

?? **A Heartfelt Thank You to My Wonderful Readers!** ??

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?? **When the ghosts bring their relationship problems to the Empress, the entire palace turns into a battlefield!** Fen Yu, Wei Rong, and Li Shen demand justice against another ghost who has been dating their former partners. Now Lian An has to deal with jealous ghosts, endless arguments, and supernatural love scandals in her own courtyard. She doesn’t know whether to laugh or lose her temper! ????