Li Jun look at his young wife with dissatisfaction. He open up his fan and slowly fan himself while walking up to her.
"I see your mouth is still as sharp as ever."
"Well not as sharp as your's. Where have you pick up these Persians? In those sandy places, you still can find time to look for a woman. How amazing."
Before she can set her foot in, Li Jun use his fan to hit her leg. She retract back with an angry look on her face.
"Why can't i step in there?"
"It is not a place where you should be. Just go back to your quarters. "
"I am not going anywhere. Those harlots can stay here why can't i?"
"You already say that this is a place that the harlots stay. So why do you wan to come here? To be a harlot too? I don't think you are qualify."
Her face turn bright red and starts to argue with him while the servants goes in and out with the furnitures. Each of them watching the Prince and the consort having an argument. Banou and Aylin who is watching this, wonder if they are arguing about them staying here.
"My princess, i think she is not happy."
"I can tell Aylin, maybe we are not welcome here."
"My princess, who do you think she is?"
Both of them look at consort Wu from her fancy hairstyle with flowers and ornaments on it right down to the lavish red, green and gold colour dress she is wearing. The accessories she is wearing are mostly gold jewellery embedded with different gems. She is also wearing jade bangles. Her nails are stain with pink shades at the tips. Her makeup is done to make her look older and there is a red marking on her forehead. "My princess, could she be the land lord?"
"I don't think so Aylin. She may put on a lot of makeup to look older. I am sure that she is maybe around my age of 18. "
"Well then who is she?"
Both of them stand near Ah Mu who is still standing at the center to command those servants to keep moving. After awhile, Ah Mu hand gesture to them to follow him. The two girls walk up the stairs with Ah Mu. Banou take a look at Li Jun before she continue to follow Ah Mu. Li Jun is still standing tall at the walk way blocking consort Wu. Banou can hear his voice is getting louder.
Banou and Aylin follow Ah Mu into the inner rooms. He point and tell them about the house but of course they don't understand. However they are amazed at the wide space in every room. They see that the maid is putting up some vases. The view outside is not blocked and they are able to see flowers and some birds flying around. Ah Mu continue to show them around to the small backyard. There is a ponds with fishes and flowers floating in it. There is a small bridge that is built across the pond. The three of them walk across the bridge and to another set of stairs. Walking up the stairs, the maids who are dusting the stairs seeing Ah Mu coming up, they hurry the clean up. Ah Mu continue to lead them up another set of stairs. Finally they are walking to a room and he push open it. The room inside at the far end is a big screen with a big bed bed. Behind it is a window build in a semi circle shape. Outside, they can see a lake. On the left side of the room is a desk and behind are shelves which is empty. on the opposite side is there the wardrobe is. Also a tub and a big screen in front. The room is bigger than the one that Banou had back in the palace comparing the size. In the past, she only have a view of a small garden. Flowers are planted when they get fresh new one from foreign traders. Now she have everything and all the colours she have never imagine can be is here. Aylin run around like a child that is a place of fun. Ah Mu keeps talking excitedly to Banou. While Banou stands next to Ah Mu and listen to him and absorbing his energy of happiness shown on his face.
"Miss Ban Nu, this will be your room."
He hand gesture pointing to Banou and the whole room. Aylin come running up to them. She watch him doing it repeatedly.
"My princess, it seems like he is saying that you are staying in this room."
"Yes it seems like that." Banou hand gesture pointing to the entire room and to herself. Ah Mu nod his head excitedly and smile. He hold Aylin's waist and lead her out of the room. Banou follow along as she doesn't want to stay in that room alone. Ah Mu brings Aylin to another room. Not as big as Banou's room but it have all the same thing as the big room. Aylin is satisfy but she doesn't understand why are they getting each a room. Ah Mu show them his room too. Which is near Aylin's room.
The kitchen and laundry place is at the small courtyard and there is a wooden table where they have meals together.
"Look Aylin there is a tree here. It will give us shade when we have lunch here."
"It's a bit tree! Bigger than what we have back home!"
"Yes it is bigger but doesn't mean it's better. One day, the branch might fall off and hit any of us." Aylin look at Banou with fear. Banou hold her friend's hand and look at her. "No matter what happen, we have each other. We will live to see the sun raises everyday."
"Yes princess! We will live to see the sun raise every day!" Both of them laugh and giggle while holding each other's hands. While Ah Mu walking out of the kitchen smiling. He stands there with the bowl of noodles in his hand and think to himself They look like a pretty drawing of happiness.
Ah Mu make three bowls of noodles and they eat happily. He even fry some beans spout and tofu for them to try. After a while Li Jun appear with Li Cheng and Banou nearly choke on slurping the soup. She hurry up clean her mouth and chin. Li Jun use his sleeves and wipe her chin. Her eyes dart around to avoid Li Cheng's glazing at her clumsiness. Ah Mu later goes into the kitchen and fix another two bowls of noddles for the two princes. Li Jun choose to sit beside Banou. While Li Cheng sits opposite of Banou. Everyone continue to eat the plain about satisfying meal. Later Li Cheng bid his farewell for the day. Banou watch him says his farewell to everyone. Finally her turn. He look at her with his hands holding his sword. He raise his hands and sword up and bow to her in politeness. While she place her hand on her chest and bow to him. They look at each other's eyes. He turn and walk away. Banou at that point feels sad. She haven't seen him many times nor able to talk to him at all but a sense of sadness tingle in her heart, She thinks, it might be the last time he will appear in front of her.