The Prince of Travelers

The Fuli Trade Union

“Your name is Shen Huifeng right?” the question Li Huanran was asking revealed the elegance in the horse carriage. The girl asked gasped. He was still nervous as he was sitting on the same carriage as a princess from the Tang Empire.

“Be—right, Princess,” replied Shen Huifeng stammered. The girl from the Shen Family was still timidly looking at Li Huanran's face for a long time. She always felt inferior every time she saw the beauty of the Third Princess even though she actually had a face that was no less beautiful, especially with her thick makeup.

“Hais .. just relax. I won't bite you,” joked Li Huanran with her nosy smile. Its sharp observer eyes have been active since the first time the train was running. He continued to observe the behavior of the daughter of the mayor's family closely, making sure there was no pretense in it.

“Mo—sorry, Princess. Ba—how can I sassy so?” Shen Huifeng lowered his head deeply as if showing his sincerity in apologizing.

Li Huanran frowned. It would not be easy to guess the girl before him. He should keep watching it longer. The princess returned to smile usiil, then said, “Hm, whereas you are very excited when answering the words An’er earlier. Do you hate me?”

“Sa—I dare not, Princess,” reply Shen Huifeng with a position that still bows his head. Li Huanran who seemed to enjoy it again asked, “Then, what's wrong with you? What don't-don't ..”

Shen Huifeng's heart skipped a beat. Cold sweat dripped down his temple. For some reason, he felt that he would get into trouble after this. His eyes were closed too. He didn't want to imagine it any further.

“Hah. Don't keep looking down like that. Doesn't your neck hurt?” Li Huanran paused his intention. He could not find a gap in the girl. Maybe because he is very good at acting or indeed that's how he feels.

Shen Huifeng immediately shook his head and straightened his body. However, he still did not dare to look directly at the Third Princess. To him, it was a presumptuous deed that would probably offend the princess.

“Shen Town Wali said, you will guide us,” Li Huanran turned his gaze out the window. It sees busy city life, big crowded streets, and hundreds of people pacing around every second. “Do you memorize the places in this city?”

“Sa—I often play out with Brother Ling. Although I have not been to all places, I am sure that I can guide the Princess and the Eighth Prince around our city well,” Shen Huifeng replied carefully. Li Huanran turned to him with a flat expression of disbelief. He shook his head slowly while breathing out.

“Hais .. then, properly erect your body. Look at your opponent well. Keep your manners. Then, improve your stammering style of speech,” said Li Huanran teaching basic manners of interacting to Shen Huifeng. He pointed his fan at the girl as if emphasizing that the mayor's daughter should really do it.

“Sa—I will try,” reply Shen Huifeng still stammered.

“Ck! An’er won't like girls like you,” Li Huanran throws the bait in a taut tone. He was curious about the reaction the girl before him would show. Roughly, would the girl react as she expected?

“I,” Shen Huifeng even threw away face. His voice was so soft that it was almost similar to a mutter, “It is not appropriate to be on the prince's side. He is far and high. Even if I have big ambitions, I will never be able to achieve it.”

“Hm?” Li Huanran smirked nosily. Even though Shen Huifeng's reaction was far from her expectations, at least the girl still ate her bait, “Padah, I thought you instantly fell in love with my sister at first sight. Is he not your type?”

Shen Huifeng again gasped. I never thought I would get a question like this. His cheeks immediately frowned even though his head continued to shake. He could not completely deny that he was enchanted by the Eighth Prince's composure. “Bu—not so, Tu—Tuan Putri ...”

“How?” Li Huanran slapped a smile, unsettled by Shen Huifeng's reaction. This Shen City Guardian Princess was truly similar to someone she knew. Well, not too similar anyway. For Li Huanran, the Little Princess was more suitable for her younger sister.

“Pa—definitely many other girls who are more deserving than me,” replied Shen Huifeng after being able to control himself back. Her fingers gripped the white dress she was wearing. His face bowed deeply in order to melt the crashing turmoil of the heart.

Li Huanran continued to tease the girl during the trip in order to remove her boredom. Sometimes he taught Shen Huifeng how to boost his confidence. No need for grandiose. Just practice to get used to others.

“An’er is also very shy first,” said Li Huanran so considering his early days meeting Li An, “He is very difficult to approach and always avoid me. He even scolded me often without a clear word. But he always told me when there was a problem. Anyway, even though her attitude is so cold, she also has a warm cute side.”

“Really?” Shen Huifeng was getting used to facing Li Huanran. The girl from the Shen Family was unable to imagine the cute and warm side of the Eighth Prince's cold figure that even his father could not bear.

“Well, there you have it,” Li Huanran expanded his fan. There's been enough talk about Li An. The Third Princess had gotten an overview of Shen Huifeng. The conclusion was that the girl was indeed originally shy like most other girls.

The horse carriage swayed slightly as it was about to stop. Li Huanran also looked at the door that was instantly open. Li An seemed to have been waiting for him outside. The princess invited Shen Huifeng to get out of the train.

“Nona Shen,” call Li An made Shen Huifeng fail to focus, “Whatever Third Princess said inside earlier, do not listen to him.”

“What? Ba—baik, Pangeran” Shen Huifeng just nodded despite not really understanding, while Li An had already turned away from him and entered a red-piled building. Li Huanran only held back a laugh. It seemed like Li An had actually eavesdropped on their conversation earlier.

“Nevent to think about, he has always been,” Li Huanran patted Shen Huifeng's shoulder, “He is indeed a bit indifferent if the same sex.”

“Hm?” Shen Huifeng was getting more and more clueless. The girl was only able to follow Li Huanran who started walking in following Li An. He should be the guide for them.

“So I'll take Miss Shen around, I have business with Director Jian,” Li An said as soon as Li Huanran and Shen Huifeng arrived inside the Quanzhou Branch Fuli Trade Union Building, “Kakak Hong, come with me.”

“Good, Prince,” Wang Hongli immediately follow his lord.

“See right? He is completely insensitive,” Li Huanran grumbled, “It is better you do not expect it.”

“Ya,” replied Shen Huifeng. Li Huanran also invited his new friends to tour the stalls around the guild building. The stalls are within the affiliates of the Fuli Trade Union. There are a lot of things sold there. Ranging from spices, jade and pearls, to horses in special places prepared by the guild.

Li Huanran invited Shen Huifeng into a restaurant that was still within the circle of the Fuli Trade Union. She also showed me a badge that was a sign of her identity as a princess of the Tang Empire. The servants immediately put their orders first. They were very polite to the Third Princess.

“Can you call the errand boy?” pinta Li Huanran after finished ordering food. The servant who received his order nodded. Shortly after, an old man came to fulfill the call of the princess.

“She should be at the union headquarters,” said Li Huanran gave a hint, “Search and ask her to come here immediately if her business is done.”

“Good, Mr. Princess,” the old errand boy put together his two hands of reverence, “I will immediately convey it to the Eighth Prince.”

“Well, we just have to wait now,” Li Huanran commented a smile on Shen Huifeng after the errand boy left, “Tell me about Quanzhou as much as you know.”

...***...

“Director Jian, have you dug up any information regarding the Shen Family and the foreign merchants who are fighting?” li An asked as soon as he arrived at the headquarters of the Fuli Trade Union of Quanzhou Branch.

Jian Hui nodded. He also searched for documents related to the request of the Eighth Prince. It doesn't take long because it's still new.

“The merchant who demands a contract change with the Shen Family is Safe Caravan. They are foreign traders from Arabia who have not been able to associate with us because of their cooperation contract with the Shen Family,” explained Jian Hui, “A few days ago, their emissaries came to us and discussed the possibility of cooperation with the Fuli Trade Union. Because the Prince will come here, so actually we intend to convey it to the Prince at the meeting tomorrow.”

“That would be a problem for the Shen Family. Although their trade relations are not only Safe Caravans, but the chamber of commerce is still one of the largest on their side,” Li An said as he examined the documents Jian Hai submitted, “Did the Shen Family not know their plan yet?”

“Looks not yet, Prince. However, among their elders there must have been some who thought that the Safe Caravan would soon approach the Fuli Trade Union,” Jian Hai knew some elders in the Shen Family. He even became close friends with them. He knew very well that among the elders there were great geniuses who were experts in trading.

“Yeah, therefore they ask us to be the mediator,” Li An still remains focused on the document in his hands. He read some sheets already. “That makes Safe Caravan have to think twice to cooperate with us if the negotiation does not go smoothly. However, it could have an inverse effect and if Safe Caravan still decides to associate with us, then we will be dragged into the polemic.”

“How are your decisions regarding this, Prince?” Jian Hui looked at the young man before him closely. He was curious about the reaction of the young man who managed to become the youngest scholar.

“We have to observe the situation well first,” Li An replied, then put down the documents Jian Hai gave, “Again, the decision of the Shen Family is not final yet. Let's make sure they keep working well together. It would be best if they would collaborate with us after this matter is resolved. So, we do not need to worry anymore with the problem of Safe Caravan.”

“I understand,” nod Jian Hai. It was a reasonable decision for the Eighth Prince to be careful. His experience still needs to be honed in order to make better and wiser decisions even though it is risky.

“Send a messenger to Safe Caravan to find out more about their conflict with the Shen Family,” Li An said later. Jian Hai nodded back. Just as he was about to leave the room to fulfill Li An's orders, a messenger boy came to meet the Eighth Prince.

“Hm, Third Princess is already waiting for me at White Stork Restaurant?” Li An made sure.

“True, Prince. The Third Princess entrusted this to be conveyed to you,” the messenger handed over the letter that Li Huanran had left. As Li An read it, the young prince sighed and shook his head slowly.

“You can come back now,” Li An squeezed the letter her brother sent, “I'll soon catch up with Third Princess.”

“Good, Prince,” the errand boy then gave his greetings and said retreat.

Li An left with Wang Hongli walking together to the destination. He did not have many acquaintances in this bustling Quanzhou City. There were probably only a few youths who were the same age or slightly older than him in Quanzhou. They are also only limited to relationships formed through trade interactions. So, only the Twin Swordsman could accompany her, while Yun Jili and Mimi decided to go home sooner because their son was fussy.

“Are you not tired of continuing to work even on holidays?” wang Hongli asked during the trip. Li An looked over. With his expressionless flat face, he replied, “Does a prince really have a day off?”

“Of course, arguably ...,” Wang Hongli hangs his words for a moment, “Prince and son of nobles in general always have a day off.”

“Truely too,” reply Li An flat as if unconcerned by that fact.

“You are the most diligent pranker I have ever seen,” praise Wang Hongli sincerely.

“Not really, Big Brother Xiang is much better than me. I never won with him though,” Li An instead smiled bitterly in memory of all his losses under the Seventh Prince. He did not look at his academic performance at all when comparing himself to Li Xiang.

“That's because the Seventh Prince does have a qualified martial talent, while your talent is more focused on scholarship,” entertain Wang Hongli, “How about we train a match this afternoon?”

“Hm? It's obvious Big Brother Hong will win,” said Li An lazily. Wang Hongli was encouraging, “Hais .. Prince, you haven't practiced in a long time. It is better to stretch the body occasionally. As a prince, you also have to keep sharpening martial arts and sword arts with routine.”

“Hah ... alright,” said Li An resigned, “Hopefully my brother did not ask to be taken to a distant place later.”

“Well, hopefully,” Wang Hongli just remembered that there is a Third Princess who is always attached to her master. If the princess asks to go somewhere in Quanzhou, the Eighth Prince can only obey.

From the beginning, the vacation Li An took was only to fill time with her brother while avoiding the turmoil of the palace that was heating up. However, instead of getting a proper vacation, Li An instead remained busy working in every branch of his guild.