The Prince of Travelers

Wants to Learn

Lady Lu and Madam Chu welcomed the children warmly once they got home. They look very tired. Li Chen even directly slept on his mother's lap. But still, there are people who are excited.

Li Mei and Li Roulan fought each other to tell Li Fengying their experience of the day. Sometimes they disagree because of differences in viewpoints. Often also due to unrelated problems.

As the two girls quarreled, Li An and Li Xiulan only fell silent listening while enjoying the tea that Madam Chu had brewed. Actually, they had been listening to the two girls' debate since morning. Their debates always broke every chance as if the topic of arguing was endless.

"The meat is delicious, different from what we usually eat," said Li Mei. This time, they were talking about a banquet at the Duta Khilafah Residence. The vegetarian-leaning Li Roulan commented, "No, the soup is better. They say the soup was made with spices in the Southern lands."

"No, obviously the best meat. The meat inside the bakpao was from chicken meat. I'm certain. It was typical," Li Mei defended her opinion, "They don't use strange meat in it."

"Weird meat?" Li An was finally dragged into the conversation. His interruption made Li Roulan not to refute Li Mei. The second daughter of Prince Zhizheel explained, "I mean like pigs, fanged and sharp-nailed animals, as well as blood. They call it unclean food."

"Where does Rou'er know?" Li Xiulan joined the crowd. During the banquet earlier, he did not wander anywhere at all. The girl simply continued to sit down to accompany Li An who looked less comfortable in the crowd.

"Moms in the kitchen tell me," Li Mei replied. Hearing that, Li Roulan immediately refuted, "No, I am the one who was told. I asked that."

"I'm the one who went there first" Li Mei replied. They argue back. Basically, they've agreed on one thing. However, each claims that it was the one who got it first.

Li An took a breath, tired of hearing the debate of the two of them. He was also very sleepy. The tea was drunk in three gulps. It's time to rest and sleep. Unfortunately, he did not have the opportunity to convey his fatigue.

"An'er, you want to rest now?" fortunately Lady Lu is a sensitive woman. He could see Li An's misdeeds and invite her to return to the room immediately. The boy nodded too. His eyes were narrowed so narrower so sleepy. He immediately accepted Madam Lu's offer to rest.

Li Xiulan also wanted to get some sleep. The quiet girl approached Madam Chu and invited her to immediately return to the room. He used to hear stories from his mother before going to bed. The girl would not be able to sleep without anyone waiting for her.

“Sir, please do not be too late chatting with the children,” said Mrs Chu respectfully. Her marriage to Li Fengying was a political one. Although married without love, his life is still filled with happiness with a pair of twin daughters and a harmonious family. He had felt extremely lucky since he learned that Li Fengying was a prince who did not like to interfere in political intrigue. So, her life would not be as sad as Li An whose mother had gone missing for no reason.

“Xiu’er, what do you think of the Eighth Prince?” madam Chu asked curiously as she thought about the boy. All this time, he had not expected in the least to obtain the custody of the emperor's son. It was inversely proportional to Madam Lu.

However, he also paid little attention to the way Madam Lu nurtured Li An and her sons. It felt a bit envious seeing them so familiar with each other. Madam Chu also expected such a warm situation. Unfortunately, somehow her eldest daughter had a high competition with Madam Lu's daughter.

“She was small,” Li Xiulan's response left Madam Chu confused and tilted her face. If you notice, the second daughter has a similar nature to Li An. They also seem to be close. Unlike Li Raulan and Li Mei who always fight. Perhaps her second daughter could be a wish for her to gain that warmth.

“An’er is very quiet. Similar Xiu’er right?” Li Xiulan even admitted it. He and Li An were both quiet. The nature of both is like a betel in two. The difference is only in the motives in the characters of the two children. Li An was quiet with caution, while Li Xiulan was quiet because she was basically a shy girl, “But, she was a brave child. Rou’er and the chatty Big Brother Mei even listened to him.”

“Really?” Madam Chu chuckled. After that, Li Xiulan told a lot about Li An to make his mother sleepy. This was the first time the situation had turned around where Li Xiulan was the storyteller. In the end, the girl was exhausted and fell asleep on her own.

...***...

“An’er, come here! There was no need to hide so,” Li Fengying called her niece who was timidly peeking out from behind the ornamental plants in the garden. Prince Zhizhene was reading a manuscript made of animal skins. The color was a bit yellowish and differed greatly from the manuscripts that existed in the Tang Empire.

“New uncle what?” Li An finally came out from his hiding place. Little Li Chen turned out to be tailing behind him. The two of them were both curious about the old-looking yellow archive. Li An felt like he had seen her, but he had forgotten where and when exactly.

“Uncle is groping and studying,” replied Li Fengying straightforwardly.

“I have never seen such kayak script in the same Small Archive Pagoda Pagoda Pustaka. What's that read?” li An asked while observing the documents in his uncle's hands. The script on the yellow paper is strange, curved, and connected like a dried worm. It was definitely not a common script in the Tang Empire.

“This is Arabic script and spoken, the language used by Grandpa Sa’ad and Ambassador of Khilafah,” explained Li Fengying. Li An nodded in understanding, while Li Chen was still trying to understand his point. The little fingers of the boy wanted to pick up the leather paper that his father had brought.

“Sorry, Chen’er. This was not a toy,” Li Fengying rolled up her paper and gave the scroll to a courtier. Li Chen looked sad for it. Li An patted his cousin's shoulder softly, but it still felt hard for Li Chen until he protested with his shrill cry in the ear, “Aduh! Brother An, my back hurts.”

“True uncle. Don't break the scroll until I read it,” Li An replied seriously to her foster sister's protest. It's a waist-toused ass. Li Chen went back to protest, “Who said I would ruin it? I also want to read that paper.”

“Last time you took the scroll from Grandpa Ma, you instead tore it up until grandfather was very hysterical,” Li An held his hand to not pinch Li Chen's cheek. He did not want to look like Li Mei who often tortured him so. As a prince who intends to become a scholar, he wants indeed from his opponent in an elegant way, “As long as you know, grandfather told me to copy it because you are still a child, not knowing anything else. You should thank me for not being held accountable.”

“Salah Kis own for borrowing old scrolls. I just held it a little. The paper ripped itself apart," Li Chen replied shamelessly. In his viewpoint, that's how it happened. In fact, Li Chen pulled the paper hard and accidentally tore it apart. Li An became irritated and almost lost her patience.

Li Fengying chuckled loudly. Li An and Li Chen were confused. They stopped bothered about the torn paper the other day. After his laughter had subsided, he said, “The palace of the Prince of Zhizhece is truly blessed. I am so grateful and proud that you are willing to study. An’er, Grandpa Ma only wants kindness for you. He wants you to be a responsible and intelligent child.”

Li Chen stuck out his tongue, ridiculing Li An who was throwing away face. However, he immediately got a reprimand from Li Fengying after that, “Chen’er, you also have to be introspective and improve your attitude. True what An’er said, you should thank him. I'm sure, you haven't been able to copy like An’er.” did

It was now Li An's turn to mock Li Chen. His position is much higher now. They also fought each other again. It was like seeing Li Mei and Li Roulan fighting. The difference is, they just argue with each other.

“Already, let's go where Grandpa Sa’ad only,” Li Fengying mediate. He knelt down between the two children with a smile and led them to shake hands. The two agree, but seem reluctant to forgive each other.

“Dad, I also want to come,” Li Xiulan directly asked without asking. He was very confident in his intuition. The father would definitely take a walk outside with Li An and Li Chen. Li Roulan nodded, not wanting to lose to his sister.

“Dad is going to Grandpa Sa’ad to learn,” explained Li Fengying while stroking the hair of her two twin daughters, “Do you really want to come?”

“Yes, I will be diligent in studying,” replied Li Roulan steadily. Now replace Li Xiulan who nodded, supporting her brother's answer. Although they both have different characters, they are always compact with each other.

“Alright, all with Brother May then,” said Li Fengying permitting.

“Kakak Mei is practicing adab same Aunt Lu,” Li Roulan directly said, “Better don't be disturbed.”

“Enak. I also want to come,” Li Mei's cry surprised Li Roulan. The girl shook her waist with an annoyed face. Li Xiulan and Li An took a breath, guessing what would happen.

“Kakak Mei surprised me. You don't have to scream. I can hear,” Li Roulan protesting as expected. The two fought as usual. Li Fengying to the point of confusion looked for a way to familiarize the two of them.

“Children, let's act now let's hurry up,” said Li Fengying finally. The two eldest daughters stopped talking and looked away from each other. They walked to their respective positions as usual. Li Mei to the side of Li An and her sister, while Li Roulan to Li Xiulan's side.

They set out in the chariot of Prince Zhizhene. When they arrived at the page of Duta Khilafah, they were greeted directly by Sa’ad. The informal arrival of the prince's family can strengthen good relations between the two countries.

“What a good news for us that the children of Prince Zhizheel want to study here. We will be happy to guide you all,” Sa’ad said welcoming Li Fengying's request.

“Grandfather, teach me to read and write. I won't lose to Brother An,” exclaimed Li Chen excitedly, “Sister An, I can definitely copy more great than you.”

“We'll see later,” Li An accepted Li Chen's competition proposal.

Sa’ad chuckled happily to hear it. Just like Li Fengying, he was very proud of the young people who smoldering like the sons of Prince Zhizhene. He also said in praise, “Prince An and Prince Chen are excited figures. Tang Empire is very lucky to have you as intellectual heirs.”

“Grandfather, I won't lose either,” Li Mei and Li Roulan exclaimed compactly. They join in this competition. Only then did the shy Li Xiulan come forward, “I also.”

“Of course, you guys can definitely,” praise Sa’ad proud. Coincidentally, there was a wide-hooded Arab princess delivering a banquet. Sa’ad also said to him, “Zainab, the daughters of Prince Zhizhhee will study here from now on. Take them around to look around.”

“Good, Grandpa,” replied Zainab happy. He has been wanting to be friends with them since yesterday. This was a good opportunity for him to get acquainted further. The girl also invited Li Fengying's daughters to tour the residence, “Let's follow me.”

“Grandfather, I also want to look around,” Li Chen raised his hand as soon as his sisters left. Seeing that, Li An quipped, “You will not be able to beat me if you continue playing.”

“Hmph! I won't lose,” Li Chen quickly changed his request, “Grandfather, let's learn now!”

“We'll start classes in a minute. You guys can go around and play now,” bargain Sa’ad who then call a boy. The age of the child is about 12 years. He has a more mature attitude than children his age.

“Ali, accompany them,” said Sa’ad who was replied with a brief nod by the boy. Before they left, Sa’ad had tried to interact with Li An who looked more relaxed on this visit. Unfortunately, the boy's attitude still hasn't changed towards Sa’ad I don't know what the problem is.

“Why do you want to study here?” tanya Ali with the mouth of the Tang Empire. He was like Zainab, one of the Arabic children who could speak Tang. Her language was even smoother and better than that girl who was as good as Li An.

“I want to be a scholar,” replied Li An straightforwardly. Li Chen did not answer. He was looking for a different reason than Li An. After a quick thought, he replied, “Because I will inherit Prince Zhizhe's Palace. We are a family in charge of diplomacy, trade, and international relations.”

“Prince Chen is really smart. You can understand the integrity of the family early on,” praise Ali amazed, “You will be a big man in the future.”

“Hm .. that's for sure. I won't lose to Brother An,” Li Chen replied proudly.

“Prince An is also wise. I think, you prefer to be a scholar because you have no ambition on the throne of the emperor despite having rights over him,” Ali said later. Even though it looks cold, he is a pretty cool person.

“True, the throne was scary to me,” Li An's cold reply left Ali speechless. At a glance, he saw a sad hue on the Eighth Prince's face. The child of the Duta Khilafah residence also diverted his conversation so that the fluid situation returned.

“An’er, Chen’er!” call Li Mei from a gazebo in the park that Li An and his entourage pass by, “Come here, eat together!”

Li Chen immediately ran there, while Li An and Ali looked at each other first. They both communicate by telepathy. Finally, Ali shook his head and said to Li An, “Prince please go there. I'll call when class is almost starting.”

“Why not come?” li An asked in surprise.

“Because I've been busy,” Ali's answer even makes Li An more confused, “Balig? What is it?”