The Prince of Travelers

Finding the Light

“Hm .. I am an adult. Approximately so,” Ali confusingly gave an explanation to his guests. However, he was still a young man aged 12 who lacked insight and had much to learn. The explanation is a little confusing. At least, he could distinguish good and bad. That's how he explains.

“Oh .. okay. Don't forget to call us later,” Li An also ran to where his brothers and sisters gathered. Ali who was left alone then went from where he was. Her ears are red. He rejected Li An's invitation solely to take care of his heart and himself.

“Kakak An, you are so long,” accused Li Chen while chewing a snack in his mouth. It looks like a squirrel eating peanuts. His hands were full of light snacks provided by Duta Khilafah. Li Mei directly poked her head in order not to eat while talking. Li Chen could only stare at his older brother and not dare to retaliate because his opponent was the fierce Li Mei.

“Prince An, this is for you. Thank you for coming,” Zainab gives three pieces of currant-studded pastries made especially for children. An innocent face smiled warmly at Li An. He sincerely distributed the cakes.

“Ouch! Rou’er! What are you?” li Mei's protest was sudden. Just now, his hand hit Li Roulan. Only the second daughter of Prince Zhizhene dared to do that to her. Li Roulan who felt innocent in the slightest even asked back, “Kakak Mei herself wants what? Zainab just wanted to give the cake to An’er. Why would Sister Mei bother him?”

“Who said I wanted to bother him?” deny Li Mei hard. He almost pulled Zainab's arm, I don't know what the motive was. However, since Li Roulan had struck him first, the two of them were fighting as usual now.

“You didn't eat?” li An asked after receiving raisin biscuits from Zainab. He ate it little by little and took care of the adab. It was much different from Li Chen who had just spent the last grain of sweet candy in a jar.

“I am fasting,” replied Zainab straightforwardly. He smiled with joy and pride. At the age of about six years, he was able to fast fully like Ali and other adults.

“Fasting? Oh, is it because it's still Ramadan?” Li An actively connected the conversation. It was rare that he could instantly become familiar with a new person like this. Maybe because Zainab was so upset with him.

“True, we ...,” Zainab has not finished confirming Li An's question, but Li Chen interrupted him first, “What is Ramadan? Is it good to eat? Ow hell! Why do you like to hit my head? Head can be flat if this is.”

Li Chen held onto his flap-haired head which Li An had just hit. His eyes were angry. His lips were soaked with annoyance. He was determined to avenge Li An after this.

“Did you forget? Ramadan is the holy month of the Arabs. Grandpa Sa’ad already explained that yesterday,” explained Li An sewot. He was anxious about Li Chen's behavior for some reason. His little quarrel with the youngest made the stronghold of Li Mei and Li Roulan calm.

“Can you calm down? Kasian Zainab's. From earlier he wanted to say,” for the first time Li Xiulan spoke. The girl sat at the very corner, beside her Li Roulan. He was the quietest of the children in the gazebo.

“Thank you, Princess Xiulan,” Zainab was amazed because Li Xiulan's remarks could make her brothers and sisters speechless. He looked back at Li An, to straighten out his understanding of the Month of Ramadan, “Prince An, Ramadan not only belongs to Arabs, but belongs to all mankind. Allah commands all believers to fast in that month so that they may fear Allah

“Listen to it! Brother An pretentious,” sneer Li Chen while hitting Li An on the head. He hurriedly left his place, on alert to escape from the pursuit of the Eighth Prince. Li An also rose from his place. Unlike usual, he was easily hooked this time. Could it be that he is seeking attention?

“Kids, classes are about to start. Ali asked me to call you,” said a hooded woman called Aunt Ruqayyah by Zainab, “Come the princesses too. We'll start his class soon.”

“Hmph! You are lucky now,” Li An said annoyedly. He immediately ran towards Ali who was waiting not far from there. Li Chen hurried to follow him, while the princesses followed Aunt Ruqayyah to their classroom.

During the rest of Ramadan, Prince Zhizhe's family lived in Guangzhou City to learn about each other's culture and strengthen diplomatic relations. They had observed Muslims celebrating Eid prayer in a field that would later become the Huaisheng Mosque complex. The foundation of the great mosque was built throughout Ramadan yesterday.

“They are so many,” comments Li Chen while observing the prayers of Muslims who are the majority of the Arabs. He and his family were resting in a four-story luxury restaurant not far from the Huaisheng Mosque complex. The boy was amazed by the compactness of the Muslim worshippers in his prayers. They are very organized and close. Unfortunately, Li Chen could not understand Grandpa Sa’ad's lecture that was buzzed from the top of the pulpit.

“Dad, what is Grandpa Sa’ad calling?” tanya Li Chen finally gave up on guessing the intention of the loud Sa’ad lecture. They were waiting for the old man to return to Chang An Capital. In addition, Li Chen also wanted to hand over the surprise gift he had prepared.

“Tolerance and adab neighborly. Grandpa Sa’ad has taught him in class. Are you easily forgotten?” Li An replied. His face looked a little arrogant in front of the youngest. He was actually competing with Li Chen during this Ramadan. As a child who is more active in reading and learning, of course he won.

“Who asked Brother An? Hmph!” Li Chen turned his face annoyed. He was very upset since yesterday because the training value was much lower than Li An. He felt he was studying with his mother. In fact, he has been playing more all this time.

“An’er already understand Arabic?” Li Mei patted her cousin's shoulder until it left the Eighth Prince shocked. Not only that, he also pinched Li An's cheek as usual. Because he was Li Mei, Li An could not do anything even though he was upset.

“Auw! Sister May, enough!” exclaim Li An finally, “Iya, I can already be bit. Can stay dengelin gulu says fine.”

“You lied. During this time, you can still understand Arabic?” Li Roulan came closer to interrogate Li An. It was rare that he could be compact like this with Li Mei. They both tend to be like fire and water that is reluctant to blend together.

Li Mei nodded. He let go of Li An who immediately rubbed his cheeks due to pain. The small driver immediately ran to the back of Ma Guang and took refuge there. He was very scared when his two fierce brothers suddenly worked together to justify it. Only Li Mei was worried about him.

“You really are a prince? Same time Brother Mei was afraid,” taunted Li Roulan cynically. He put his hands on his chest. His stature looked haughty as usual. The Second Princess of Prince Zhizhene was only willing to be polite to the person she confessed to.

“Rou’er ...,” Li Xiulan wanted to reprimand, but Li Mei's exclamation made him stop, “What do you mean, Rou’er? An’er is not afraid of me. She's afraid of you.”

“Kakak Mei always pranks him. It's only natural that he's scared. Just ask him,” reply Li Roulan seriously. All eyes immediately looked at Li An as if asking a question with that gaze. Li An flinched and immediately replied, “You two are the same. You guys are noisy, chatty, fight continues to work.”

“You are the same Chen’er is not much different,” reply Li Roulan not accepted by Li An even though it is actually quite piercing. For him, between him and Li Chen was a useful competition. Unlike Li Mei and Li Roulan who fought and argued over the coachman at any time.

“Kakak An, I agree with you. We are lekaki,” said Li Chen a great sok. Li Roulan immediately sneered and grumbled. He was tired of arguing with his sisters again. Li Mei stood speechless, looking for an opportunity to apologize to Li An. He really did not want to be hostile to her. Li Xiulan approached the Eighth Prince, represented his twin brother apologetically, then went to follow the girl.

“Already, Children. Grandpa Sa’ad has finished his speech. Come meet him,” Li Fengying said ending the little squabbling session of the Zhizhei Prince's Family's children. They immediately approached Sa’ad who had just finished praying.

“It's time for you to go home, huh? Time passes very quickly. I may be lonely if you are not around,” Sa’ad said as he stroked his long beard. He carried a long stick that supported him to his feet. A shady aura and wisdom radiated from it.

“Take it easy, Grandpa. I will often stop by later,” Li Chen said with his spirit while handing over the parcel he prepared, “Grandfather has not fasted, right? Directly eaten up this.”

“Thank you, Prince Chen. You're a really good boy. I'll eat it after this, insyaallah.” Sa’ad stroked Li Chen's flabby hair, then looked at Li An who was still hiding behind Ma Guang, “Prince An has still not changed. You are very smart and diligent. I hope you also stop by this old man's place often.”

“I ...,” just Li An was about to vote, Li Chen quickly preceded him, “Quiet, Kek. I'll force Brother An if he doesn't want to come. Anyway, I won't lose to Brother An.”

“Hmph!” Li An went away. Now, he's hiding behind his aunt, Lady Lu. Li Mei also made use of it to take back her cousin's heart. He stroked Li An's hair in a frenzy and hugged her tightly.

When it was near noon, Li Fengying ended her visit. He decided to go home and report the results of his studies related to Islam and foreigners to the Tang Emperor. Sa’ad is welcoming and doesn't mind that at all.

“Prince An, this is for you,” Zainab handed Li An a box of raisin cakes. During this Ramadan, he is very attentive to the foods that his guests and new friends like. He also gave the boxes to the other sons of Prince Zhizhene. Each one got his favorite cake.

“Thank you, Zainab,” Li An received it with pleasure. He returned the smile of the girl. Basically, he is an introverted child who is not good at socializing with others. Seeing that, Li Mei immediately patted Li An on the shoulder and took her away.

“They are unique children,” said Ali after Li An's entourage boarded his horse-drawn carriage. He also accompanied the departure of Prince Chou's sons. During this Ramadan, he was the Arab boy who hung out with them the most.

“They are good children, Brother,” Zainab correction with a shady smile like a spring flower fairy, “I am glad to be friends with them.”

“Well, let's just say it,” Ali doesn't want to argue with his sister. The boy left shortly afterwards. Back then, he never expected that his life would be tied to this Tang Empire. In fact, he went there solely to follow the trade expedition of his parents who were one of the big merchants. If the time comes, he is eager to return to his hometown in Tarim City.

...***...

When he arrived at Chang An Capital, Li An took the time to visit Consort Ai's Residence. He was there all day. The place was empty and silent. Consorts Ai's relics have been moved to Prince Zhizhheel's Palace. Lady Lu who was a relative of Consort Ai planned to give some of the treasure to Li An when he grew up.

“Prince An, it's afternoon. Let's return to Prince Zhizhe's Palace,” persuade Ma Guang for the umpteenth time. He stayed at the Ai Consort's residence all day with Li An. Li Fengying gave him a special duty to look after the Eighth Prince because he was the one the child trusted the most. Even so, he remained powerless to persuade Li An to let go of his beloved mother.

Li An did not answer. He sat in what used to be his favorite garden. It was there that he often spent time with Consort Ai. Beautiful memories came to see him. Jokes, laughter, and jokes can be heard again there. However, the moment Li An regained his senses, the illusion instantly disappeared unceasingly.

Concubine Ai often gave Li An sage patuah here, in a beautiful gazebo with white coats as beautiful as pearls. The gazebo was now empty leaving behind a dusty ceramic table. The former smile of the mother flashed for a moment in Li An's memory when he went there.

Li An walked again without caring about Ma Guang who continued to follow him. There he was in the room where he last saw Consort Ai. Her crying was back. The sounds of commotion that disturbed him seemed to be challenging again. Concubine Ai's message came along as if to remind Li An not to forget his mother's last will.

Li An fell to his knees until he made Ma Guang startled and immediately approached him. The boy's body trembled violently. He was crying in his bow. With sobs of crying, he seemed to say to Consort Ai, “Mother, An’er had found the light. An’er will fulfill Mother's will.”

In the end, the poor prince fainted from being too tired. Ma Guang immediately took him to the Prince of Zhizhene's Palace. Li Fengying and her family were shocked to find Li An unconscious. In addition, there was an ayu girl who had deliberately sent Emperor Tang, the father of the Eighth Prince to visit the boy. As soon as he opened his eyes, that girl was the first Li An saw.