The Prince of Travelers

Northern Territory Conditions

On the ninth day of the trip back to the capital, Li An stopped in a crowded city. As usual, he always took the time to travel around the city with his sister. Li Huanran followed him with a face covered in hoods so that Li An looked like a young noble who was walking around with his lover. Almost no one knew him as a prince because Li An very rarely showed his figure to the public. Only his name was famous to the ears of the commoners.

“Greetings, Eighth Prince,” greet a man dressed magnificently accompanied by a beautiful young man of Li An's age. Both saluted the prince. Li An replied that the greeting was just that.

“There is a need for what Mr Wang found me?” li An asked in his usual cold tone. He was sitting enjoying an afternoon with Li Huanran at a restaurant close to his inn when the man suddenly greeted.

“I just want to talk to you, Prince. It is an honor to meet the youngest scholar in the entire Tang Empire,” replied the man surnamed Wang. He was Wang Shujin, the current Chief Nobles of the Wang Family as well as the uncle of Wang Hongli, while the young man beside him was Wang Chang, the Young Master of the Wang Family. Had Wang Hongli been unable to fuse his vengeful ambitions, the young master's position would have been within his grasp by now.

Li An sighed. In fact, he slightly objected to the arrival of the two uninvited guests. The Eighth Prince did not want the moment of his friendship with the elder brother to be disturbed because soon he might be given a task by Emperor Yung Wei to go to a distant place. However, Li Huanran who hid his face behind the hood nodded slightly, hinting that he did not feel disturbed at all.

“Eighth Prince must have heard from the Northern Region,” Wang Shujin picked up the hottest topic among nobles recently. Li An nodded as well. He was even ordered to go home because of it.

“The wars of the three kingdoms in the Northern Region did not also subside until now. In fact, the Tang Empire has been intervening since the era of the previous emperor,” details Wang Shujin directs the conversation, “They are very persistent to survive. On the last occasion a few years ago, the invasion we did also reap failure.”

“The Middle Kingdom still had a lot of resources back then,” Li An analyzed Wang Shujin's story with the news he had already gotten, “With the ongoing war between them to date, the, their strength was likely already far weakened. Does Mr Wang think this is the right time to intervene again?”

“Everyone talks about it, Prince,” Wang Shujin frowned. He asked a servant to pour wine on his cup. After taking a few sips, then he continued, “The nobles are very confident that this is the most appropriate time to conquer the Northern Region. The imperial army was also at its best. For sure we will get a big win in the near future if this discourse is approved. In addition, the Left Kingdom is also on our side.”

“Left Kingdom, yes?” Li An turned her gaze out the window. He saw the sun that began to berampit to return to his contest by coloring the clouds in space. The sky became reddish-dreary because of the light. “They are the weakest among the three kingdoms, but closest to us. Had my grandfather not helped them just yet, they might not be around anymore.”

“True, after this war is over, the empire will definitely gain greater glory,” Wang Shujin chuckled loudly, while Li An smiled bitterly. War is still war. It was a nightmare for anyone who experienced it, let alone for the weak country side. There was no time to sleep when the shadow of the war kept on lurking them.

Li An turned his gaze to Li Huanran who had been silent for a thousand languages with a graceful calmness. She became worried that one day a war would take place in the middle of the Tang Empire, while she could not protect her brother from being sent to the far North border. He would be very depressed at that time.

“Prince, don't you want to take part in the invasion this time?” Wang Chang suddenly asked so that he woke Li An up from his reflection, “Said, some princes will participate in the war later. Will you be one of them?”

“I? I don't know. After all, this was still a discourse that had not been approved by the emperor. It could be that we are at war, it could be that we are at peace,” Li An replied with a flat tone and impressed no matter the question of Young Master Wang, “Although later I am ordered to go forward, then I'll go forward. Depends on how the emperor gives me orders.”

“You are a scholar, Prince,” Wang Shujin patted his son's thigh under the table. Wang Chang's question was arguably presumptuous. If only the one being asked was not the notoriously quiet Eighth Prince, he would probably be severely punished now on charges of insulting the imperial family. “The Tang Empire needs you more in the palace than in the battlefield.”

“It is precisely the palace is the real battlefield. I never wanted to stay there long. If until we make a wrong decision at the meeting later, the consequences will definitely be fatal.” Li An replied slightly ketus so that Wang Shujin swallowed his saliva while hoping that the prince would not be offended by his words. It was not his military strength that was considered from the Eighth Prince, but his strong influence and relations in trade with foreigners. It would be critical if the Fuli Trade Union improved the Wang Family for offending the Eighth Prince.

“Eighth Prince need not worry. We can definitely get a big victory over the Middle Kingdom easily, then we will control the Right Kingdom,” said Wang Shujin optimistically after seeing no bad reaction to Li An. He chuckled again, then filled his empty wine cup again.

“Hopefully so,” reply Li An who then muttered softly, “May the Tang Empire always be in peace and tranquility, outside or inside.”

Li An smiled bitterly. His murmur was almost like an empty hope. It was impossible for the palace to escape the conflict. Only the intensity and effect are different. It usually depends on the ability of the emperor who is in power to grip his power.

“Day is late, it's time for me to return to the inn,” said Li An as he looked at his brother, then turned to Wang Shujin, “See you again in Chang An Capital, Mr. Wang.”

“Ah! Fine, Prince,” Wang Shujin nodded in reverence, “May eternal peace overflow the Eighth Prince.”

Li An and Li Huanran left the restaurant. After their backs disappeared behind the door, Wang Chang asked his father, “Why did you pat my leg earlier? I didn't say the slightest mistake.”

“Stupid basis,” umpat Wang Shujin in a light tone, “It was mediocre because the Eighth Prince was no ordinary prince. He is a wise and calculating man. Be careful when establishing a relationship with him in the future.”

“What a great thing about being the youngest scholar. In a moment, I will also pass the scholarship exam,” asked Wang Chang in a voice that sounded a bit upset this time. He even got a blow from his father. Young Master Wang immediately rubbed his head with one hand.

“Leave what? You even just finished the second level when the Eighth Prince passed the third level,” scorned Wang Shujin, “Remember! The Eighth Prince had also been leading the guild since young. He can attract the attention of strangers in a short time. You are nothing compared to the Eighth Prince. Example him in various aspects. If only he did not exist, maybe Hongli has taken your position now.”

“That's because there's a Silver Fox Scholar beside him. The Eighth Prince was also close to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Naturally, he could successfully establish relationships with foreigners from an early age. The road is too smooth to walk,” Wang Chang still insists on denying. Well, the guess is not one hundred percent wrong. However, Li An's struggle was not as easy as Young Master Wang had imagined. Wang Chang immediately got a scolding from his father who started to get drunk.

***

"Yes" Li An replied softly. He did not turn his head at all and continued to walk into his inn hall. It made Li Huanran curious. The Third Princess asked, "Why? You sick? Or cape? Don't you do most of the work anymore."

"No, really," Li An denied in an equally soft voice.

"Certain why? You look sad like a kitten who wants to be left behind with his mother," Li Huanran nosily read his sister's mimic. Li An replied, "Well, similar. More precisely, I'll go."

"Eh!? Don't-don't ..," Li Huanran spontaneously closed his mouth, hiding a nosy smile on his lips. In fact, his face was covered with a hood, "You have a girl who ...."

"No," Li An immediately denied whatever her brother was about to say. Li Huanran lagsung scowled. They had now reached the private room of the inn. The Third Princess grumbled, "Hmph! I haven't said anything."

"Well, it just has nothing to do with other people like you think," Li An sat down and leaned on the chair. Li Huanran clucked in annoyance. His sister was so insensitive to joke around. He also nosily asked, "What is it because you will go far away from this? You're afraid that I won't, huh?"

"Hm?" Li An turned to Li Huanran who was waiting for an answer. A moment later, he nodded and replied, "Yes, so Frogs should take good care of themselves while I'm gone."

"Hais ... It turns out that you are indeed a child," Li Huanran stood before his sister, then stroked the young prince's head gently, "You don't have to go if you don't want to go. Even if you have to go, I don't mind accompanying you."

"No, Big Brother can't come at all," prevented Li An sternly, "Silver sister sits sweetly in the palace. The North is not like Guangzhou and Quanzhou. There's danger. Brother's a burden if you come with me there later."

"I can take care of myself!" li Huanran was offended. He immediately pressed his sister's head. Li An complained quietly without any intention of retaliating. Own mistake. The boy often ignored the words that came out of his mouth.

"Just the same. I was even more afraid that Brother would come along. If Brother why try?" li An explained, "Anyway, Big Brother take good care of yourself in the palace."

"Hmph! I'm not a child covered like you. I should have said that. You must be lonely if you go there alone. Hah ...," Li Huanran let out a heavy sigh. Both of his hands gripped onto Li An's shoulders. He hugged his sister for a moment. With a soft voice beside the Eighth Prince's ear, he grumbled, "Basic! Though you never wanted to deket same me.”

“I won't go alone. There is Brother Hong and Brother Yun. Grandpa Shifu and others will also join,” reply Li An, “Good sister in the same house Mimi. Be careful of outsiders. Do not let the incident happened again.”

Li Huanran immediately took off his embrace and pinched both of Li An's cheeks because of those words. The grin on his face looks so bad. However, it did not scare Li An at all.

“Sick,” Li An brushed off her brother's hand after Li Huanran pinched his cheek harder. Once again he told his brother not to come. “North Region is not a simple area. No one can guarantee salvation other than the Almighty over all nature.”

“Ck! Yeah-yes. You yourself must take good care of yourself. Don't come home by name,” Li Huanran. Li An smiled faintly. He promised his brother that he would return home safely.

“You have to smile more like gini in the future,” Li Huanran again stroked his sister's head, “You will be more beautiful if you smile. Do not forget to take care of your health. If it is cape, rest first. Don't force yourself to work.”

“Hm, alright,” Li An nodded slowly. At first glance, he looks like a submissive innocent child. However, even if he said so, his workaholic habits would make him ignore all the warnings of his brother.

Li An's entourage left in the morning blind. Their journey was smooth even though the capital was crowded by many guests who came from various parts of the empire and abroad, both for political and trade affairs, as well as other affairs.

...***...

This place is a beautiful park. A rare variety of beautiful plants grow there. A beautiful little river flowed gently in the middle. Only imperial princesses could enter it.

“Kakak An has arrived?” ask a little girl to confirm the news she received. He was playing by the river when he heard the news of the Eighth Prince's arrival.

“True, Princess,” replied a middle-aged ladyboy closest to the princess, “Eighth Prince has arrived at the palace this afternoon. Reportedly, he is facing His Majesty Emperor Yung Wei at this time.”

“Kakak An must have come to the Northern Region too right?” the princess asked again. Even the daydreamed without the power to answer. After all, the princess did not expect an answer from him. “If it's Brother An, I can definitely go with him to the Northern Region.”

“Tu—Mr Princess, Mo ..., “ the lady-in-waiting wanted to persuade her daughter's master, but soon fell silent when stared intently by the princess. He also bowed in not daring to fight against Empress Zhaoyi's daughter, Princess Li Rouwei.