The Prince of Travelers

Said Them

The news of the meeting of the Emperors Yung Wei and Li An spread as quickly as the entire palace. The maids, eunuchs, concubines, ministers and commanders heard it. They suspected that Li An had been made a favorite son by the emperor. The story of the boy being carried on the back of Emperor Yung Wei became the hottest topic. Everyone responds with a different point of view.

“I saw for myself yesterday. His Highness Emperor Yung Wei held the Eighth Prince on his shoulders,” said a feisty young lady-in-waiting, “Eighth Prince is indeed adorable. I want to carry it too.”

“How about we ask to be transferred to Aixin Pavilion? There was also the kind Third Princess. I'm sure that there will be a lot of fun,” comments other dayers. Some agree with him, but many do not. They even argued until reprimanded by the head of the ladyboy.

“Eighth Pan is very lucky. I have never seen His Majesty Emperor Yung Wei holding another prince besides himself,” the opinions of the eunuchs are slightly different, “Ah, surely I would have trembled his luck if it were beside him.”

“Don't dream. If the Eighth Prince is rightly dear to His Majesty Emperor Yung Wei, there is no way that we who are lowly eunuchs can serve on his side,” refuted the other eunuchs. The first eunuch only raised his shoulders for a moment, then said, “Heh, who knows?”

“Your Majesty Emperor Yung Wei clearly loves the Eighth Prince, what do you think?” a young scholar asked his friends to discuss. They are future ministers who are currently middle-class state officials. Today, most of them continue to pay close attention to the turmoil in the palace in order to serve the most potential prince in the future.

“Not to think about. Naturally His Majesty Emperor Yung Wei was carrying his son. The Eighth Prince is still a child. I also like to carry my sister like that,”

“It's not a sign that you love your sister. If it were you, there would be nothing. However, these were His Highness Emperor Yung Wei and the Eighth Prince. It definitely has a big impact on the political situation in the future.”

“Yes, although the First Prince has a strong influence now, he is not necessarily the emperor in the future. Depending on how the Eighth Prince makes use of his luck.”

“ Anyway, we should keep an eye on this situation further. Let's see how the wind in the sky of this Tang Empire will blow.”

“Uncle Quon, what is he really talking about with the Eighth Prince?” empress Enimen asked Minister Liu. Her ears were very itchy when she heard the gossip from the ladies. So, he couldn't keep quiet hearing this matter.

“I don't know. However, His Majesty had asked my opinion regarding the Eighth Prince's ability to bear the burden of the emperor,” explained Minister Liu. He sat on a chair, while his nephew sat behind the curtain, “It could be just His Majesty's way of dispelling his saturation. The Eighth Prince was still small and adorable. I was also amazed when I saw it. She's like my little granddaughter who's as pretty as an angel. However, it is better to keep an eye on its growth first carefully.”

“How about Zhang’er?” Empress Eminen alluded to the name of the First Prince who was currently the crown prince.

“We must still support him as crown prince,” Minister Liu replied firmly, “Listen, the Eighth Prince does not like the throne of the emperor. We cannot invest in something uncertain. Just keep an eye on the progress.”

“True,” the sound of Empress Eminen's breath was heard after that, “If only I could give birth to a son for her, I definitely wouldn't have to worry like this.”

Many parties began to expect high on Li An. However, not a few are stirred by it. They feel anxious and scared. Secret meetings were also held. Some of the noble elites gathered in the round-table forum to discuss the matter in detail and seriously.

“We can't be silent. If the Eighth Prince really becomes emperor, he will definitely try to investigate the case that befell Concubine Ai,” said a pointed moustache, “Turn us if the case is investigated to the end.”

“Well, this is not a trivial matter. The Emperor obviously deliberately took the Eighth Prince on a walk to show his partisanship. The Eighth Prince will have great ease and opportunity to become emperor in the future,” an old man wrinkled up added.

“I know that. That's why we're gathered here. Does anyone want to express their opinion first? What should we do about this?” a large-bodied middle-aged man asked for an opinion. The round table became silent for a while. Then, a thick-browed man votes, “Isn't it easy to eliminate him while he hasn't grown? We just need to send a bunch of hit men.”

“Stupid basis!” umpat an old man whose hair was half-gray, “Emperor Yung Wei must be paying close attention to the Eighth Prince right now. If we move carelessly, even we will get the stone.”

“True, after all this is just one small sign. We need not overdo it to face that innocent prince,” another old man argued. He's a man with a squiggly eel, “We're enough to keep him away from the emperor. That is the safest way.”

“No, it's still less. Emperor Yung Wei would not allow such a thing to happen,” the thick-browed man disagreed. The grizzled old man snapped, “Lantas, what do we want to do?”

Not only was the group agitated over Emperor Yung Wei's actions. In her residence, Madam Zhouyi was thinking hard. His worries really happened. Growing up was already one of his stumbling blocks.

“Head of Dayang Yi, how do you think about this?” mrs Zhouyi asked in a colder tone than usual. He stared intently at Dayang Yi Coconut who was prostrating with a trembling body. When asked, the middle-aged woman replied, “Sa, I think, His Majesty Emperor Yung Wei is only trying to comfort the Eighth Prince. Prince was very shocked when he lost his mother.”

“Omong empty what do you say?” Madam Zhouyi did not accept the opinion of her lady-in-waiting head. He also questioned the task he had been given to the middle-aged woman.

“Am, geez, Mrs Zhouyi. We still can't get close to the Eighth Prince,” explains Dayang Yi's head who is getting goosebumps in his bow, “Ta, but ... Seventh Prince ever met him.Maybe we can ..”

“Is my son able to melt down your failures? I have given you a task, but you did not immediately carry it out,” Madam Zhouyi's firm remark cut off the words of Dayang Yi's Head. Actually, Li An was no big deal to him. He is indeed restless. However, the concubine of ayu was still able to control herself not to act rashly.

“Hah. I understand your difficulties. Consort Shu would definitely protect her even more after this,” Lady Zhouyi turned her face away. He began to think of a new plan. Either way, he should be able to climb higher.

A few days later, a larger rumor spread. Emperor Yung Wei had appointed a tutor and personal bodyguard for Li An. Both of them were very famous people in the Tang Empire. The appointment clarified Emperor Yung Wei's affection and concern for the Eighth Prince.

“Salam, Prince of Imperfection. I am Yun Jili. From today, I will be your teacher, Prince,” a white-haired young man saluted Li An. His face was cold with a very thin smile. He was a scholar from a minority tribe in the Northern Region. That said, the young man had been hit by a calamity that made him very shocked until his hair turned white since childhood. Therefore, he was nicknamed the Northern Silver Fox Scholar.

“I Wang Hongli. From today, I will be the main bodyguard of the Prince,” a well-bodied young man also introduced himself. He was a double swordsman born into a family of warriors. His ability was assured early on. He is famous for his victory in the Young Swordsman Festival held every beginning of the new decade. People knew him as the Twin Swordsman because of his two straight swords.

“What are you going to teach me to ride?” li An asked as soon as Wang Hongli finished getting acquainted.

“Not only riding, Prince. We will also learn martial arts and sword arts,” Wang Hongli clarified. His flat speech showed his low expectations of Li An's martial talent. It was because he heard that the Eighth Prince was a reclusive child. A child like him would usually not be interested in strenuous exercises in martial arts.

“Hm, okay. I will try hard,” replied Li An no less flat. Wang Hongli just nodded slowly. His eyes stared in search, trying to read the basic character of this little master. He also thought of observing further.

“Then, Big Brother White Hair,” Li An looked at his teacher while slightly tilting his face.

“Yun Jili, Prince. You can call me Jili or Yun,“ the white-haired young man reminded, “I heard you've mastered the basic characters. So, I give you the flexibility to choose our lessons in the future.”

“Hm, okay. That's much better,” Li An nodded small, “Then, are you guys going to continue with me all day?”

“It was our duty, Prince,” Wang Hongli who replied.

“Means your emperor has you watching me?” guess Li An in a plain voice. Wang Hongli confirmed. Li An exhaled and said that he wanted to go to the Little Archive Pagoda as well as choose a lesson. “You wait in front. I want to get ready first.”

“Good, Prince,” Wang Hongli and Yun Jili saluted in unison. They were waiting in front according to Li An's orders.

“Silver Fox, what do you think of our little prince?” wang Hongli asked starting the conversation. Yun Jili did not immediately reply. He was silent for a moment to think about the answer, then later commented, “As people say, the prince is indeed smart for a child his age. However, ...”

“The palace is a cruel place,” Wang Hongli continued Yun Jili's interrupted sentence. The white-haired scholar nodded, “Therefore, we are sent directly to guide him.”

“I never expected to be given this much responsibility,” Wang Hongli exhaled. The task of guarding Li An did sound trivial. But in fact, it's not that simple. In the future, there must be many parties who try to target this child, both to eliminate it and use it.

“I hope the prince is not only intelligent, but also wise and opinionated,” Yun Jili raised the tea brewed for him, intending to sip it, “I was not assigned to guide the prince who would later become emperor. His Majesty must have said the same thing to you. So, I hope there are no events that might take my life.”

Wang Hongli chuckled, “Just relax, me and my team will make sure we are always safe. Well, I don't expect that kind of thing either, but we don't know what other people's thoughts are. Just focus on the task and guide the Eighth Prince until he completes his adventure.”

“It must have been a long time. I feel like I won't get married,” joked Yun Jili with her flat smile. Wang Hongli chuckled loudly hearing that. He even added a pessimistic feeling to the Bachelor of Silver Fox, “True, right. After all, who wants to marry a man like a white ghost like you?”

A pot lid poked at Wang Hongli's forehead as he was busy laughing. The sturdy man also reflexively stroked his forehead and found Yun Jili grinning sinisterly. He also just smiled wryly. If only this was not the Eighth Prince's residence, they would have already exchanged flying saucers.

When Yun Jili and Wang Hongli were busy exchanging innuendo, Li An just wanted to say goodbye to his brother. He had already changed into the robe that Emperor Yung Wei had sent. The robe was not too flashy as he requested, but still it was clearly of high quality.

“Don't go home too late and be careful. Palace is on edge now,” Li Huanran's message before her sister leaves. He had gotten several letters since Li An's rumors started spreading. There is no bad news and it seems more positive news. However, he still could not let go of his worries.

“I know,” Li An reply flat. The surging face of Li Huanran showed his anxiety. He was sure that his brother would definitely follow him if only Yun Jili and Wang Hongli were not around. Until yesterday, it was still happening. He became astonished by the Third Princess' original work.

“Did Brother just want to stay here?” finally Li An asked because she thought too much about it. Li Huanran frowned. He replied, “Well, where are you going? Anyway, Brother Meili will come here.”

Li Huanran mentioned the name of his teacher and cousin, Liu Meili. She was the female scholar in charge of the Third Princess' education. As long as Li Huanran went to persuade Li An to go home, he took a day off and only returned a few days ago.

“The brother, yes?” Li An had a lazy face. His impression of Liu Meili was arguably bad. He does not like women who like to pinch the cheek, let alone his attitude that is familiar and supple. Li An was troubled by it.

“Hais, don't hate him too much. Meili's brother didn't mean anything bad. He was just anxious to see you,” Li Huanran held back a small laugh hearing the grunts of his sister, “Well, it was because he was already impatient to have a baby. I heard, around the end of winter, her first child will be born.”

“Means Big Brother is bothering him, right?” Li An commented.

“Not really. We talk more often together. So, I did not bother him at all,” Li Huanran replied casually. He smiled kindly as usual as Li An said goodbye to leaving. After that, he continued his calligraphy hobby while waiting for Liu Meili's arrival.