The Prince of Travelers

Can I change that Bloody Destiny?

“An’er! Finally you go home,” exclaimed Li Mei happily. He hugged his cousin tightly. Li An was a little surprised by it. However, he still returned Li Mei's embrace warmly. “Iya, Brother. I'm home.”

“Hm? Why is Brother Huanran here?” li Mei protested as soon as she saw Li Huanran also get off the horse carriage. Ever since the first time the ayu girl had come to Prince Zhizhe Palace, Li Mei had already disliked her. Especially when Li Huanran took Li An away from his home.

“What's wrong? Didn't I tell you that I'm also staying here?” Li Huanran smiled with anxiety. He loved to see the annoyed look on the faces of his sisters. I don't know why it feels so good to him.

“Welcome, Big Brother Huanran,” is different from Li Mei, Li Roulan welcomed her ally cheerfully. He felt that he had gained great strength with the arrival of the Third Princess. The competition with Li Mei will be even easier.

“Kakak An, why just came now?” li Chen asked after his older brother finished his hospitality with the Eighth Prince. Li An did not answer directly. He seemed to think of something first, only then said and grumbled, “Ayahanda the emperor only allowed me to leave the palace during holidays. Bao Bao's chatty grandfather also deliberately postponed my vacation, even though I could take care of all the questions from him.”

“Already, already. Let's go in first. Huan’er and An’er also need a break. Don't hold her here too long,” Li Fengying reprimanded her children. They also entered Prince Zhizhe Palace. Madam Lu and Madam Chu also welcomed their arrival warmly. After several months of separation, Li An finally returned to a family that was quiet for him.

“Chen’er, I often pay a visit to the Small Archive Pagoda. Why have you never been there?” asked Li An interrogating, “Do not you become lazy to learn. Just look! You will be getting left behind me.”

“No! I have never been lazy to learn,” denied Li Chen firmly, but immediately replied by Mrs Lu, “Yeah ..is it true that my beloved mother's son has been diligent in learning? An’er, he always forgot to do his job. Memorabilia hanzinya character did not increase much since you left.”

Li An and Li Chen argued after each other. The palace of Prince Zhizhe so back feels more crowded like before. The laughter of children so heard more often, brings a warm atmosphere at home. They were pacing all over the palace, looking for the right headquarters to get out of Li Huanran's sight that had been scattering maids all over Li Fengying's Residence. The children happily spent the day off and laughed cheerfully.

Li Huanran had never seen his sister that happy while in the Eternal Happiness Palace. Sometimes she smiles to see it. The Third Princess of the Tang Empire had learned that her sister was being glimpsed by many parties. There will probably be many people trying to get close to or get rid of them in the future.

The fate of a prince is very heavy. It is required to be perfect early on, superior to others, and more expert than most experts. If he cannot make good use of all his potential, he will be swallowed up by the evil of the gripping political turmoil. Li Huanran became sad when he imagined his sister's smile would fade if he could not survive.

Li An did not stay for long in Prince Zhizhe Palace. He stayed for only a week, then returned to Consort Ai's Residence to continue his classes with Lao Bao. When the month of Ramadan returned, he received permission from Emperor Yung Wei to visit Guangzhou, the center of religious distribution brought by foreigners from Arabia.

The prince always got a lot of new lessons there. Yun Jili who accompanied him became interested in the culture of the foreigners. They mingled in the Arab villages that the Tang Empire had founded, observed their daily lives, and enjoyed the taste of their food that was far different from the empire.

Li An wanted to visit Grandpa Sa’ad, hoping to learn directly from him and apologized for his unfavorable attitude last year. However, the old grandfather had returned to his home country and was replaced by someone else who was no less old. Although he did not have time to meet Grandpa Sa’ad again, Li An could still meet with Zainab and Ali. They were the closest Arab children to him.

Year after year passed. Li An regularly visits Guangzhou with Prince Zhizhe's family every Ramadan. It was the most special month for him as he was able to get out of the palace longer than usual.

Wang Hongli and Yun Jili always accompanied Li An's journey every year. The two of them had placed a close oath of loyalty to the Eighth Prince. Yun Jili wants to do it to be able to interfere with Mimi. Li Huanran who gave him the condition that the Silver Fox Master would always help Li An. The scholar also gave him more by swearing allegiance just like Wang Hongli.

The eyes of the nobles turned away from Li An because Emperor Yung Wei no longer paid much attention to him. They naturally left him until Li An took the first scholarly examination which was generally followed by princes and 12-year-old noble children. At that time, the new age was 10 years old.

Li Xiang was surprised by Li An's arrival at the temple school. The Eighth Prince had never once taken a class and only came to take the exam. Not only did he take the exam as the youngest participant, Li An also held the highest position among the other children. Unfortunately, he did not score well on the physical and martial exams because it was not his talent.

Li An still never took classes even after her first exam. In fact, Lao Bao had repeatedly invited him to go there. However, Li An insisted on not leaving. He prefers to study in his own home.

Three years later, Li An returned to take the undergraduate exam. The name of Yun Jili who was Li An's teacher was also lifted by him. Several times Yun Jili was asked for help to teach the children of high and influential nobles, but he still did not want to accept it because of his oath of allegiance to the Eighth Prince. As the nobles continued to press on, Li An allowed their children to join him in studying at the Small Archive Pagoda. The originally quiet old building had become crowded since Li An had made it a joint study class.

Although not plunged into politics, Li An's academic performance continues to be monitored by various parties who faithfully observe his development. He is considered to be a prince who has the potential to bring the Tang Empire to its glory. Empress Eminen also intended to provide her with support. However, they had not had time to move, a big case related to magic ensnared the empress and also her mother who was the daughter of the Liu Family.

Emperor Yung Wei took the case seriously. The palace was again destroyed because of that. The ministers are demanding justice. In the end, Empress Eminen was removed from office, while Minister Liu was unable to help at all. They have lost the competition so there is nothing more to do than to get involved.

Lady Zhouyi was appointed empress in her place. She was the concubine who gave birth to the emperor's sons the most. The Sixth Prince, the Seventh Prince, and the Ninth Prince, as well as the Eleventh Prince were his sons. Therefore, no other concubine could defeat him.

Consort Shu decides to close the house after her cousin, ex-Empress Enimen, is detained. He limited the visits that came to his residence. Only children and some of their closest friends can visit. From the beginning, she was the daughter of the Liu Family who did not want to get involved in the political turmoil. However, he could not avoid it completely. His fate was not much different from that of Consort Ai.

Li An invited the Third Princess to evacuate when the case occurred. He left the palace on holiday and calmed down after taking the third degree of scholarship. He is recorded as the youngest scholar in the history of the Tang Empire.

“An’er, your maturity ceremony will take place soon. What path do you want to take in the future?” li Huanran asked as they rested in a restaurant. The sky of Guangzhou was clear that day. There are very few clouds that paint the sky. Seabirds fly freely there, waiting for fish to be their meal.

“I ...,” Li An sitting next to the princess could not immediately answer. He has grown into a beautiful young man. Her jet-black hair was neatly styled as simple as possible with a silver crown holding her back. He also looked at the bustling port of Guangzhou, then replied, “I want to stay away from the palace.”

“I told you, the throne is just a gilded chair. What's pulling him?” grumbled Li An annoyed. He was very confused with the recent palace turmoil. It feels so crowded every time it's there. In fact, the succession process is still far from seeing how the condition of Emperor Yung Wei is still healthy. In his heart, he wished for all of this to be finished quickly.

“How come you have no duties from the emperor's father?” Li Huanran reminded. He often heard his sister's complaints all this time. Especially every time Li An came home from the call of Emperor Yung Wei. There must be something he complained about.

“I have rejected it. I don't want to accept such a heavy fate,” Li An snorted in annoyance. He shook hard. His childish nature still did not change if it was in front of Li Huanran. Third Princess also laughed lightly at him, then said, “Where can you refuse him? The Emperor's father has helped you create a trade union. You certainly can't avoid. So, what did you say to the emperor's father back then?”

“Huh,” Li An looks reluctant to tell a story, but says it also in the end, “I just said that the possibility is small. So, I can just work on it. The emperor's father understood with my intention.”

“Employ! Being a mediator among your brothers is not easy. There will definitely be a lot of troublesome problems later,” comfort Li Huanran with her beautiful smile. Li An turned to her brother with a flat face. He sighed, then back to pessimistic, “Kakak think I can fight against the intrigue in the palace? The bloodshed of the successors was as if it had been the destiny of the throne and crown. Sacrifice is always there. How can I change it?”

“If you are the emperor ...,” Li Huanran was about to say something, but Li An first shook his head firmly and replied, “If I am the emperor, I will soon be overthrown by them. Even if I win, my hands will definitely remain covered in their blood.”

“True, you better not be emperor,” Li Huanran agreed. He stroked his sister gently. The young man's hair fell apart as he removed his silver crown. Although Li An was 15 years old, she still felt comfortable with her brother's caress. The Third Princess' sincerity and affection had completely filled Li An's heart after she lost her mother, Consort Ai. The princess continued her sentence, “If you become emperor, I might have trouble meeting you later. Live as you wish. You are entitled to it.”

“Sister, can I really change that bloody destiny? I just want to live in peace and quiet,” Li An bowed. His face was lethargic for the wind-struck dust. His heart seemed to be pressed against the seven mountains that were squeezing from all directions. His mind was filled with waves of political turmoil. He was still not sure he could carry out his duties from Emperor Yung Wei.

“Do not give up immediately. Keep trying and be patient,” Li Huanran pulled the eighth Prince into his arms. Had Consort Ai been around, this position would have been hers. Third Princess smiled, “That time is still a long time.”

“Ngak,” Li An denied.

Li Huanran did not understand. Clearly their emperor's father was still healthy. There is no way there will be a seizure of the throne anytime soon. Without seeing the look of astonishment on her brother's face, Li An explained, “Sister Zhang won't last much longer. The low caste-born Auntie Gui had no power, while the Aunt Eminen who supported her had been deposed. First Brother's existence will soon vanish soon.”

Li Huanran was silent. He did not have the ability to read such a detailed political situation. When he heard the explanation from Li An, then he realized the reason his mother closed the house and limited the visit. The situation in the current palace was much more dangerous than he had imagined.

“Then, what's your plan?” li Huanran asked in a soft voice. He could now feel the immortality of his sister in this period of empress transition. This is just the change of queen. Not yet in the succession of the emperor. How precarious was the atmosphere of the palace when that happened?

“I have no power or influence at all. The father of the emperor will also not overtly give me any help,” Li An replied in the arms of his brother, “I will soon raise the Trade Union of Four. I'll start building it in every corner of Tang Empire.”

“This salama, you are always spoiled like a child. I forgot that you are already this big,” said Li Huanran, then kissed Li An's tubers for a moment. He let go of his embrace, but still put his hand on Li An's shoulder. “Employ. Your brother will always support you.”

“Thank you, Ayunda,” for the first time Li An mentioned the call after all these years Li Huanran did not ask for it again. The third princess smiled happily and replied, “Ya, my sister definitely can.”

...***...

“That's how it is, Little Princess,” said Li Huanran as soon as she finished telling her story, “An’er will go to Quanzhou after her business in Guangzhou is finished.”

“He has always been a great figure,” praise a beautiful girl called Little Princess by Li Huanran. Unlike most noble princesses, she covered her head with a thick, layered silk cloth. The cloth made his entire hair covered, but did not take away the charm of his swing at all.

“Of course, she is my most special sister,” Li Huanran agreed. He also spread his fan, then hid a ignorant smile on his face, “What you will remain silent like this. I'm sure there will be a lot of nobles trying to get close to him. When that happens, it may be that he has been with someone else.”

“Sister! A, what does it have to do with me” exclaimed Little Princess who immediately turned her head. His eyes stared intently at Li Huanran. There was a bright red hue on his cheek. He also replied, “Why is Brother always like that? Me ... I and An’er ..”

The beautiful girl could not answer. The nosy smile on Li Huanran's face widened even more. The red fan can no longer hide it. He always liked to tease the Little Princess.

“Little Princess, your age is ripe. An’er may already have a sense of love in her heart by now. Are you going to stay quiet?” tease Li Huanran with a smile that was no longer hidden. Little Princess's face was getting red. He also exclaimed to remind, “Ih …! Why don't you take care of your own business? I am also not married!”

“Oh, that's right,” Li Huanran pretended to have just regained consciousness, then boasted, “An’erku is still small. Pity him if I leave him alone. He'll probably whine like he used to.”

“An’er will not be so!” refute Little Princess, “Not her earlier Brother who said himself that An’er is big.”

“Wah! You are as considerate and cute as she is. I'm waiting for you to be my sister-in-law,” Li Huanran stroked the girl's head slowly. Little Princess is getting more and more. He can only exclaim in answer to the Third Princess's temptation, “Kakak!”