The girls who never see so much green grass is amazed at the scenery. The mountains are unlike the ones in the desert. The Sun is kind and gentle on their skin. Flowers are everywhere by the road. Nothing is dry or dying.
"Is this China?"
"I think so Aylin. I heard people talk about the colourful land they have."
"Then is this our new home?"
"Yes our new home." The sun continue to shine on them as the caravan travels through the road of rocky field into a green forest.
After travelling for many hours, they come to an inn. Unlike they desert inn, this is bigger and cleaner. Everyone is staring at Banou and Aylin as they step i the inn.
"Wow where did this two come from?"
"That one with the nice hair looks pretty."
"That one have a nice curvy figure."
The scholar who hears this pull Banou near him. He signal her with his fan to sit on the chair. Obeying his orders she sit down so did Aylin. Ah Mu goes up to the wonder and check for the available rooms and food for the travelling group.
"You highness it is all done. We can stay here for the night. There isn't any news of bandits for the last three years. The horses and camels will be feed. Our men will be having their dinner outside the inn. They will look after the caravan and carriages. "
"Food for us?"
"I told them to cook all vegetables no pork. They have corn bread. I asked for some."
"Go and order breakfast for tomorrow as well. We need to set off early. Also rooms for us."
"Yes your highness."
The corn bread is serve on the table. Banou and Aylin is not sure to pick up to eat. He break the bread into half and show them inside. They nod their heads and pick up the bread to eat. Aylin is happy to eat and Banou pour tea for them all.
"Eat slowly Aylin."
"Ban Nu. " Scholar point to Aylin. "what is her name?"
Banou cannot understand it is repeated. Ah Mu comes back and join the table.
"Ah Mu." Scholar point to him then point to Banou "Ban Nu" and points to Aylin.
Banou then understands. She point to Aylin "Aylin"
"Ah Lin. well easy name to remember. "
More food is place on the table with rice. Aylin and Ah Mu hurry to eat. While the scholar and Banou eats with grace. Banou look at the scholar and decides to ask his name. "Banou"she point to herself and point to him. She repeated and he smile. "Li Jun" He repeated a few times. She place her ear hear to him. He deliberately lower his voice. She gets really near him and he whispers.
"Do you like my name?" She turn and face him really close. She backs away fast. He laugh. Dinner is continue peacefully. After Ah Mu finish his meal, he signal Aylin to follow him. Aylin look at Banou sheepishly. While Banou ignore her and slowly eat her food while holding the chopstick which makes her even slower in eating. Aylin whisper into Banou's ears and get up to follow Ah Mu. The table is left with Li Jun and Banou who are still eating. Li Jun watch her eat with grace. He slowly chew his food to match her pace. He listen to the nearby tables who are talking about Banou. She is indeed the beautiful woman who can make the whole inn look at her. Li Jun feels proud at that moment sitting beside her. While Banou doesn't understand what is going on she enjoy her meal. Even though the rice is hard or the vegetables are served oily with strange beans in it. The tea is cold but she doesn't care much. All Banou knows that she must not waste any precious food given. The only problem she have at that moment is the chopsticks.
After they are done. Li Jun hold her hand and they both stand up and she follow him upstairs. "Did you see that?"
"The pretty girl is with that handsome scholar."
"I wonder what they are doing here in this kind of place."
"Must be doing something ..bad...lol"
They men laugh at the deal dining hall. Li Jun smile when he hear that but he pretend that he did not hear anything. He push open the door and enter. Banou remember the last inn when she is in, she was raped on the bed by the same man now with her. Her legs tremble. She shake her head.
"Get in."
She continue to stand there with her legs trembling. In the end, Li Jun push her in. She lay on the ground and get on her knees fast. She put her hands together with her eyes looking at him she plead. "Please master. Don't do it. I can do anything but that! Please!"
Li Jun instead sit down and pour 2 cups of tea. He push one cup on the table and ask her to drink it. Banou hesitate for awhile. She gets up slowly with a worry face. While he keep fanning himself and drink the tea. After she drinks, outside turns dark. He light up the candle on the table. LI Jun close the window, Banou continue to look worry. He walk to her and push to fan in her face. "Fan me. I want to read my book" She doesn't understand. He hold her hand with his fan and show her what she needs to do. Banou understand and she stands up and walk near him. She fan him as he read his book. She remember as a princess in the palace, her maids will be fanning her and making her ice drinks on hot days. Those are the days gone. She can never return to that and now she have to fan someone she dislike. She look over him on the book he is reading. They are written in a strange twist and lines on the pages as well. Sometimes there are small picture of grass on the corner of the page. Banou wonder if this man is a herbalist or a doctor. Then she shake a head, a bad man like him cannot be a herbalist or a doctor, he will likely kill them! The night goes on, Banou continue to fan but she is getting tired and sleepy. She can't stand up stand without feeling she is going to fall. Li Jun notice this and turn around to see his slave in a sleepy condition. He shake her and ask her to go on the bed to sleep.