The Prince of Travelers

Chapter 058: Seventh Princess

The journey of Li An and the imperial delegation took up to a month more. They traveled through various fields to get to the Capital of Tarkan. Mountains, forests, even vast savannas. In fact, they could have arrived much faster if they had passed through the Death Desert for ten days. However, the conditions there are very difficult, especially with the imperial train troupe that does not design the desert terrain.

“We are almost there, Prince,” reported an aide from the Cenangkas Brigade led by Wang Hongli, “According to the guide, we will get there before the sun shines right above the head.”

“Thank you,” reply Li An short, “You can come back.”

“Ha!” the adjutant left Li An.

“You're a stiff kid, huh?” said a girl sitting across from Li An. The girl pushed her already barren breakfast bowl forward. He looked at the Eighth Prince with a look of astonishment.

“That's how,” replied Li An flat, “I did this a long time ago.”

“Basic face board!” reproach the girl, “How do you live life with such rigidity.”

“Why should I think about it?” li An asked back, “I just follow the current, but I also have a clear mission and purpose.”

“Ck, that's why I hate palaces,” the girl clucked scruffy and manyun, “The palace is too restrictive.”

“Then, why would you join this delegation?” Li An put down her bowl after finishing breakfast. Although his face was flat, there would be faint wrinkles on his forehead if he looked carefully.

“I don't want to either! It's coercion. Why should I go?” the girl that Li An had called her sister put her head on the table now. There was frustration in his eyes. She was the Seventh Princess, Li Xiayu. His age was not far adrift with the Eighth Prince. “Eighth Sister, I hear the people of Tarkan are a harsh and cruel nation. Why was I sent to leave? Though, I've tried hard to survive in the palace.”

“...”

Li An could not give an answer. Mouth crotched. Basically, the women in the empire were not particularly looked upon. The princesses even had to resign when the time came for them to be politically married for the sake of the empire.

“Can't you help me?” li Xiayu asked tearfully, when she looked haughty a moment ago as if she did not care at all about her fate, “Didn't you be able to help Third Brother yesterday?”

“...”

“Kakak—,” greeting Li An faltered for a moment. In the end, he was weeping at the cries of the Seventh Princess. He really can't do much. After all, diplomacy does not only have to be tied to marriage. He also stared at Li Xiayu who was still sobbing. “Sister does not need to show themselves if they do not like it. As long as Seventh Brother remains in the Guest Palace, Big Brother will not be noticed at all.”

“Do you want to lock me up?” Li Xiayu looked up. He did not like that proposal. Actually, she is an active girl who likes to adventure in all directions. Unfortunately, his adventure was only limited to the Eternal Happiness Palace.

In fact, he was jealous of the freer Li Huanran under the pretext of becoming the Eighth Prince's Guardian. He even tried several times to get close to Li An. However, the Eighth Prince's stiffness made him reluctant so that he was always clueless to exchange greetings, especially with his behavior that seemed arrogant everywhere.

“That's all I can do,” reply Li An firmly, “I won't force if Brother doesn't like.”

“Ugh~” Li Xiayu still feels objection. He grumbled softly until he was not heard by anyone, not even Li An who was in front of him. To be honest, he was quite curious about the appearance of the Khaganan Palace which is said to be not inferior to the palaces in the empire.

“Minimal,” Li An gives another option, “Seventh Brother should always cover face wherever Big Brother goes.”

“Ck!” Li Xiayu clucked. He also disliked the veil that covered half of his face. He also threw away the face of Li An.

“Prince, we are ready to leave,” reported a young man who lately was quite familiar with Li An. Xiao Chyou, Chief Logistics Officer. During this journey, he always tried hard to get close to the Eighth Prince.

“We leave,” Li An stands, “Kakak, let's hurry.”

“Hmph,” Li Xiayu turned back with both hands pressed against her chest, but she still heeded Li An. He also said with a ketus, “I know.”

Xiao Chyou looked at the event without saying a word. His mind was busy analyzing something. He remembered the conversation with a high minister before leaving. The young man also swallowed. He was still confused as to whose side.

“Hah~” Xiao Chyou sighed. The clutter in his chest grew increasingly tangled every time he thought about it. His career will rise if he sided with the minister. However, he did not want to look for trouble with the imperial family. He shook his head slowly, decided to forget about the inner conflict for a moment, then walked after the Eighth Prince and the Seventh Princess.

The delegation arrived in the capital in the afternoon, quite far from the driver's estimate. Well, at least it's still accurate in a day. Once in the Khaganan Capital, his motorcade was greeted by the palace and curious citizens of the capital. They were received as well as state envoys.