The Prince of Travelers

Before Going to the North

Li An grabbed her blanket as a cold, smooth night wind blew. He looked up at the sky, looking at the perfect moon with beautiful light. There was a flash of longing that flashed across his little heart. In the past, every time a full moon rose in the sky, he was always accompanied by Consort Ai looking at him. Since the mother left unclear, the nights became quiet and gripping.

Clear tears dripped down Li An's cheeks. The Eighth Prince suddenly cried in the silence of his yearning. Until now, he still had no news at all about his mother. In fact, he had been trying to trace it for a long time. However, none of the bright spots were obtained.

“Ibunda ...,” murmured Li An in a very soft voice. He turned away from the moon. His eyes were also treated to night lotus flowers that were blooming. The moonlight made it clearly discernible. These flowers ... were once planted also by Consort Ai. After the Palivillion Aixin was abandoned for several months, they withered and died. Then, Li Huanran replanted it because Li An liked it.

Li An was still shedding tears as her lips turned to a piece of smile. He squatted looking down at the small pond that was partially covered by a blooming lotus. The magenta-crowned flowers are enough to be a longing temple for the prince. His presence allows Li An to dive into the deeper past.

Breeze back blowing bring cold to every place through it. Li An was now sitting in the saung where he used to hang out with Li Huanran. The Third Princess became the only family she could trust right now.

Soon, Li An will be in adulthood. When that day comes, Li Huanran's guardianship rights will run out. The princess will soon be married to a respected person. Again, Li An will be left behind by his loved ones.

“Hah ... I was not a child anymore that day,” Li An smiled bitterly, aware that he still had a childish attitude that he could not just let go of, “Kakak has his right to choose. I can't keep depending on him by my side.”

The night is getting cold. Li An's eyes started to melt every few seconds. He went back to his room and laid himself down. In a silent calm, he slept until sunlight infiltrated his room.

“Kakak ..!” li Rouwei's voice startled the newly awakened Li An. The little girl laughed happily. Rarely can he surprise his calm and frugal brother. “Sister, Sister. Why is Brother just waking up now?”

“Since when are you here,” instead of answering, Li An instead asked back.

“Newly,” replied Li Rouwei with his spoiled voice, “Kakak Huanran asked me to wake up Brother. He said, Brother An has been called many times, but did not wake up.”

“Hm? I see, huh?” li An said while styling her long-spaired hair. He tied it up with a ribbon available in the room. After he finished preparing, he immediately exited the room with Li Rouwei who had been chattering about something since.

“You work again tonight, yes?” li Huanran asked as soon as Li An and Li Rouwei reached the dining room. The food at the table was still complete, indicating that Li Huanran had not eaten his breakfast. Li An shook his head, “No. Just thinking about trouble lately last night. So, I'm having a little trouble getting to sleep.”

“Hah ... basic,” Li Huanran sighed while taking a position facing the table, “You still mostly think the problem continues. Later you fast old loh.”

“No,” Li An denied. He was also already sitting facing the table, as well as Li Rouwei—the girl would join them in breakfast even though she had already eaten her palace. “I'll stay young. Sister also.”

“You're muji or nyindir anyway?” Li Huanran smiled bitterly, but was also happy. Li An lifted his shoulder, then replied, “Entah, both are possible. Sister is beautiful, but not married until now.”

Nah!

Li Huanran's chopsticks smashed into the wall as Li An managed to dodge his throw. The young prince also put on a cautious stance, ready to dodge whenever the next attack came. Li Rouwei who saw the two could only stare in astonishment not understanding.

“Who do you think I'm single for until now? Hmph!” Li Huanran picked up the new chopsticks, then went back to eating his breakfast. Li An smiled faintly, saying, “Well, Brother is the best. Your troublesome sister is sorry.”

The breakfast ended quietly. After chatting with his brother and sister for a while, Li An returned to his room to think about the things he had to prepare for the trip to the Northern Region.

“Why is Brother An often busy?” li Rouwei asked as soon as Li An entered his room, the other “Kak-kakak were not as busy as him. They love to hunt, play, and relax. Does Brother An want to be emperor?”

“He is so,” Li Huanran commented a smile to his younger sister who most often came here and made trouble, “He did it precisely so as not to become emperor. Since childhood, he always tried to avoid internal political affairs, but he could not avoid it completely, even more dragged.”

“Kakak An doesn't want to be emperor? So the emperor is delicious? Can do anything at will,” asked Li Rouwei innocently.

Li Huanran shook his head. He often discussed with Li An, so he understood how to think of his beloved sister. Being the leader of a vast country is not as easy as imagined. His responsibility cannot be underestimated.

“You are wrong,” said Li Huanran, “Being emperor is constrained. Therefore, Li An never wanted to glance at the throne of a small item.”

“Cracked what? Can his father do anything? The princesses and princes like us too, right?” Li Rouwei did not understand her brother's intentions. Li Huanran again shook his head, “We, the princesses and princes are indeed free when they are young. We can play wherever we want. We can get whatever we want. However, we will have a great responsibility as adults. The princesses will marry and become mistresses in her husband's household, while the princes will be responsible for certain positions according to their abilities. Hence, An’er and Xiang’er worked very hard to achieve their respective ideals. An’er wants to be a trade expert scholar, while Xiang’er wants to be the commander and emperor.”

“Hm, Brother Xiang does want to be emperor, but he will be the crown prince now Brother Zhang. How can Brother Xiang become emperor later?” Li Rouwei asked what he had been curious about, but he could only ask now. Li Huanran thought for a moment. Actually, the answer to that question is quite complicated to answer.

“Currently, the emperor's father was healthy and gripped firmly on his throne. Fathers can take down Brother Zhang at any time and replace him with whoever he wants,” explained Li Huanran at length, “If Xiang’er shows better achievements in his career, he said, perhaps the emperor's father would consider him to ascend to crown prince. It can also be triggered by other factors.”

“Other factors? What like?” Li Rouwei continued to ask. To him, hearing the explanation from Li Huanran was more exciting than listening to the lessons of his old and old teachers. The two princesses had different interests from most princesses. Their sisters usually prefer light and beautiful things to see.

“Political turmoil for example. As happened lately when Aunt Eminen was demoted from her empress throne,” explains Li Huanran, “Aunt Eminen and the Liu Family are the main supporters of Brother Zhang. When he was removed from his position, the position of Brother Zhang in politics will also be affected a lot.”

“So, when my mother rose as empress, my siblings could get a stronger position?” guess Li Rouwei after analyzing Li Huanran's explanation well. The Third Princess smiled happily. Li Rouwei's question signified that his explanation was clear enough for an eight-year-old to understand. He replied, “That's right! However, it would still not be as easy as imagined. They should try well to surpass First Brother's achievements. Conflict in the Northern Region is one of the excellent momentum.”

“Could be,” Li Huanran smiled faintly in response, “But An’er would not expect it. I told you, he never wanted to be emperor. For him, the job was too troublesome. He would have tried to reject it if he had been proposed to be crown prince. His trip this time was only to show his devotion as a responsible prince in the Tang Empire.”

“Didn't Brother An want to be emperor? Brother An is smart, it should be easy for him to become an emperor,” said Li Rouwei as if feeling strange with the reluctance of the Eighth Prince. Li Huanran also scrambled his sister's hair that was chatty and overactive, “Yeah, he is smart and good at thinking. However, it was precisely because of this that he was increasingly unable to become emperor. His intelligence may tend to make him hesitant in making decisions.”

“Times is so?” Li Rouwei did not believe it. Li Huanran also spread his fan, “Entah, who knows?”

...***...

“Chen-Chen, why did you take so long?” li Rouwei asked with a loud cry. The little girl was shaking her waist. He was visibly annoyed by Li Chen's recent delay in arriving. He had waited long enough in this particular place.

“Hah ..” Li Chen sighed, “It wasn't me who was late, but you who came too soon. Just so you know, I immediately rushed here after my class was finished.”

“Your class is too long, I came on time,” LI Rouwei do not accept the blame, “You also .it should be faster again.”

“I am not the one teaching in class. Why are you blaming me?” Li Chen also did not accept the blame, “Blame Grandpa Bao who told me too long.”

“Hmph! Never mind. Forget it,” Li Rouwei fixed her sitting position, preparing to discuss serious matters. He threw out all the ladies who accompanied him. At first, they seemed to doubt. However, they immediately left after seeing the annoyed expression on the Ninth Princess's face.

“Wah, it seems like they are very afraid of you,” Li Chen commented with a little amazement, “What did you do to them?”

“Not your business,” replied Li Rouwei coldly. Li Chen stared for a moment. He felt the selfish attitude of this girl was increasing every day. The young man decided to take it for granted at this time, “Oke, okay. So, what do you want to talk about?”

“Chen-Chen,” call Li Rouwei make sure the interlocutor is paying good attention. Without making any small talk, he went straight to the point, “Come come to the North Region.”

“Hah? Can we go there?” li Chen asked doubtfully. Li Rouwei also grinned proudly. In a soft voice, he told Li Chen to come closer, “I have an idea.”

Buk up!

“Ouch! Why did you hit me?” li Rouwei protest was upset. His head was immediately patted by Li Chen as soon as he finished whispering. He also reflexes stroked his sheep in shock. His lips were bulging like a puffer fish.

“Basic! That's not a good idea,” Li Chen's turn to protest, “Where if the crate you entered can't be opened after that? You're going to starve. You until you die, Brother An who will be troubled.”

“Who said I want to die?” Li Rouwei stomped the table with both hands until Li Chen was surprised. So did the ladies waiting outside. Their hearts were pounding because they heard an unnatural sentence coming out of the little girl's mouth.

“Then, what's your plan?” Li Rouwei again let out his voice. Li Chen thought for a moment. He whispered his thoughts to Li Rouwei. The Ninth Princess nodded a few times. He again grinned at the omen agreeing with Li Chen's idea.

However, as soon as the young man finished giving his plan, Li Rouwei immediately raised his hand high. With one swift move, he patted Li Chen's head as hard as he stomped the table. Li Chen complained and protested. With ease, Li Rouwei replied, “This is a reply because you first hit me earlier. Hmph!”

...***...

“Small Princess,” call Li Huanran cheerfully, “Day bye.”

“Welcome, Brother Huanran,” welcome a girl ayu whose head is neatly wrapped with a veil made of silk. There was a positive aura coming out of him, a beautiful radiance that would make people look good on him.

“You become more beautiful every day,” said Li Huanran. Little Princess also replied similarly, “Kakak Huanran is also more beautiful, especially if you wear a hood like me. Wanna try it? I've prepared the cloth loh.”

Li Huanran was unable to resist as he looked at the face of the Little Princess who looked at him expectantly. He sat in front of a mirror, while the Little Princess and the ladies surrounded him with a wide variety of beautiful fabrics.

“Where do you want to try first?” ask the Little Princess as the ladies spread out the cloths they carried. Li Huanran seemed to think for a moment. He then chose a bright red cloth that is in line with his dress now.

“Alright!” Little Princess patted her hand once, she also picked up the cloth that Li Huanran chose, “Silence is silent. It won't be during hair dressing.”

“Little Princess,” call Li Huanran when the ladies are removing the attributes on her head, “An’er will go to the Northern Region soon. Don't you have any plans to take her away?”

Little Princess was silent for a moment. He smiled and answered lightly the question Third Princess, “Talk my regards to her. Too bad, I can't take her. Brother must understand.”

“Haha, you're still so timid,” Li Huanran backs up his impassive smile, “I'm sure to deliver.”