The Luar new year is the most joyful day of the year. Banou is shown how they do it and what they eat. At night the palace will release the fireworks. Banou and Aylin watch it for the first time. The colors, the way the firework spread in the sky, almost like a big flower in the sky.
"Prince Jun and the consort must be having a good time."
"Why are you jealous? Then you should request to go to the palace as well."
"I think it's best to stay away. It's too complicated."
"Ah my son Li Bo, i hope he follow his father well. He must gain the emperor's favour. "
"The emperor have so many grandchildren. Do you think your Li Bo is that.."
Banou watch the ladies quarrel again. This time consort Wu is not here. There is not one to stop them from arguing. Even the old butler Guo is not able to stop them. The older daughters of the ladies try to stop their mothers from arguing reminding them of the new year.
Around mid night, a drunk Li Jun returns with consort Wu. He chose to go to one of the concubine room to sleep for the night. Banou is relief that she will sleep in peace that night. However in the early morning, there is shouting heard. She wakes up from her bed and wonder what is going on. Aylin come running she close the door and stay with Banou.
"What is going on?"
"I am not sure my princess, Ah Mu asked me to go to your room and stay with you."
Aylin prepare simple pastry for breakfast and wonder what is going on outside.
After forty minutes, Ah Mu come knocking the door. Aylin open the door.
"My ladies, you can leave the room anytime."
"What had happen outside?"
"Well, one of the concubine's family member had asked gold bars from Prince Jun. As he is not awake, Consort Wu is handling it. She refused to lend and he got angry attempts to hit our consort. Lucky Prince Cheng and Prince An is walking around the road and they came right when that man is threaten our mansion."
"I thought those ladies are noble born. Why wouldn't they have any money?"
"That person is famous for gambling. He must have been gambling till his family have enough of his nonsense. That why he come here to find his sister and brother-in-law for help. Anyway he is taken away. Wait till Prince Jun wake up. For now all is at peace."
It is all not at peace. That concubine crying at the courtyard asking Consort Wu for help. Banou stand alone watching she begging. Banou walk back to her room and look for the jewellery pieces she had. She takes it and walk out to the courtyard. She stop crying and stare at Banou with anger. Banou open the box and show her the jewellery inside. "Please take it. I hope it can help you."
The concubine stands up and wipe her tears. She look puzzled and look at Banou again. "Why are you helping me?"
"Because we are women. Because we all live together"
Tears roll down her cheek, she slowly take the box from Banou's hand. She bow and look at Banou with gratefulness. Banou also bow back.
"Thank you for helping the Chu family. It is not a lot but it should be able to tide through this hard time. Thank you Ban Nu." She quickly run off while her oldest daughter quickly bow to Banou and consort Wu and run off chasing after her mother.
"You help her now but can't help her forever. Her brother is an endless pit. His father have given up on him. If her brother don't help himself, he will never get out of that pitt."
"I do what i can, mistress."
"I will let Prince Jun know about this. See how he want to deal with this issue. With the Lunar New Year like this, it's bad luck"
"Why?"
"On Lunar New Year, we are not suppose to borrow money. It says that all the debts own will roll through the year. Endless."
That evening Li Jun return to the mansion after talking to the Chu family. He bought Lady Chu with him. She is cry non stop and she goes into her room.
Dinner is served to Li Jun. While eating, he inform them the changes.
"I had talk to Chu Man Hou. He had agreed that Lady Chu will be taken back to his mansion. The Chu family whatever outcome will be non of my business. In addition, I will give them hundred gold pieces to tide over the problems they had. Chu Han Dong, what he did this morning is a desperate move. I understand why he need to gamble but this is not a solution. I have given a solution to Chua Man Hou. He accepted and hope his son can resolved his problem. Lady Chu will return to the Chu family tomorrow afternoon. Chu Man Hou will pick her up. Lady Chu will no longer be my concubine. She have agree the terms to divorce. Li Ning and Li Gou will remain as my children in this household. The young boy will be under consort Wu's care from tomorrow onwards. He will be register as the son of consort Wu."
"What about my son?! He is the eldest!"
"Are you willing to allow your son to be register as her son?" Li Jun stare at her while chewing his food. Lady Ban hesitate but she said out loud and soft at the end.
"For my Li Kang's future, i am willing. As long he is legitimate and the eldest, as a mother i should be happy and proud..." she cry softy and takes out her handkerchief to dab her tears. The children sitting behind starts to tear too. Li Jun turn his head to look at his children.
"We are all staying in this mansion. Seeing each other everyday why are you crying Kang'er?"
"In respond to father, i am touch that mother thinks so much of me. I am ashamed."
Lady Ban turn around and shout "Then stop eating so much! I told you many times! You are good at everything but you eat like a pig!"
With that her son cry and the other younger children howl as well. Li Jun shake him head. "It's Lunar New Year second day. No one should cry. It's not a funeral here! Stop it! Nannies do something! Bring them all out if you must!"