The final month arrives. Banou walk up and down her room. She doesn't feel unwell nor any pain. The women in the house begin to worry for her. The concubine goes off to the temple for prayers. While Li Ning stay with Banou not knowing what to do. Aylin check on Banou on and off. Banou walk around the small courtyard with Li NIng. Looking at the fallen leaves, she catch on in her hands. At that moment, she feels strange and look down on the ground. She can't see anything but she feel strange. Her baby had occasionally kick her for the past two months so the child kick now isn't strange. Li Ning squard down to pick up a stick when she sees Banou's dress is all wet at the bottom. Even the ground is wet.
"Ban Nu did you urine? Your dress is all wet..."
Banou lift up her dress to check the hem and Li Ning scream.
Banou look at LI Ning and wonder what is happening.
"SOMEONE!!! HELP!!! LADY BAN NU IS GIVING BIRTH!!"
Li Ning goes running to the main door and scream as loud as she can. While Banou lean on the tree and wonder why is there no pain. Soon Aylin come rushing in and hold Banou's hand. She lead Banou slowly back to the room. As Banou walk, she leaves a trail of water behind her.
"Aylin i am scare. Why there isn't any pain? The ladies say it's painful."
"Don't worry my princess. The physician is on his way. The ladies who help in giving birth is coming here. Don't worry, don't worry."
Soon the mid wives arrives and tell Aylin what to do. Aylin rush out and leave Banou with the mid wives. Soon the small courtyard is fill with people. While the younger children is running around the trees.
Li Jun arrive at the mansion with his horse and rush in to the small courtyard. It's far from the main door of the mansion. He keep running and feel that his lungs are going to burst. When he reach there, Banou is screaming in the room. He love having children and have been a father for ten times and each time he is nervous. Each time the women make it, he is grateful. He pray earnestly that she will make it.
Dinner time, Li Jun did not eat well. He take it on the side of the small courtyard. He keep watching the ladies going in and out with fresh water and disposing the blooded water. It is a long lonely wait with Ah Mu beside him. The crown prince drop by to give him some encouragement. He left after two hours. Li Jun waited till late morning, the cries of the child can be hear. The mid wife rush out to congrats him, a son is born. He is lost for words but he is happy that Banou makes it alive. Ah Mu run out to inform the rest of the household of the good news. Li Jun walk in steady while the room in chaos. The mid wives are cleaning up and one of them is carrying the new born to him. He carry his new son with cautious and sit beside Banou who is asleep. Her long hair is drench with her perspiration. She is breathing in slow and steady. He adjust the blanket that is covering her. Her belly is still run and big as if she is still pregnant. His son move and Li Jun look at him.
"My son is going to be a charmer, he have big eyes like his mother. "
Banou takes nearly two months to start walking. She wanted to get off the bed two weeks after she gives birth but tradition don't allow her to do so. So she read books and breastfeed her son when he cry. When there is no one around, she secretly walk around in her room and outside the walkway of her bedroom. She carry him and bounce gently. Sometimes she hear him giggling. She is delighted that he has come into her life. Banou decides to say her thanks and prayers need to be done. Facing the direction of the direction of Qibla, Banou and Aylin cleanse themselves before the prayers. They pray and thankful for the new life given to them. After that, they both sit down for tea.
"If god did not intervene with the wedding, i might have a different life. Maybe i will suffer in that family. Maybe i won't live that long or my children might suffer. I won't know that outside Persian, there is a different place with people who can accept us."
Aylin nod her head and smile.
"It is indeed a good fortune that day."
"Having the brand on my arm to exchange for a life like this. I cannot ask much from god anymore. I just want my son to grown up well and happy."
"My princess, what is his name?"
"They say according to tradition. We have to wait for the three months to pass and his name will be announce to the world."
The third month comes with a celebration gathering. The two Princes are here except for Li Cheng who is far way. Many people come by to send their well wishes and Mehmet sent his well wish too. It is a day of joy and fun. The younger ones are happy there is a new sibling born and soon he can run with them.
"Look just three months, his hair is so like Banou! Dark and curly!"
"His eye lashes are dark and curly. Look thick too."
The royal decree comes from the palace at noon time. Everyone goes down on their knees. The Eunuch announced that the royal astronomical bureau had consult the sky for an auspicious name. After many days, the sky have given them the direction to the name of this new born. The new born's name will be Li Xing. As he is like a star from the heavens that is given to them. He will be a blessing. Banou is extremely happy upon hearing that.
A week after the celebration, A gift comes from Li Cheng who is far away. Banou stare at the gift that is wrap up in a cloth. Slowly she unwrap it, inside is a wooden box crave with her Chinese name on it. Inside is a doll that is painted and looks like her. A letter is place inside as well.
"To Ban Nu. By the time the letter reach you, i think you will give birth. I congratulate you on this joyous event. I did another craving of animals but i can't get them done in time. I will send it next round. I hope that you like this doll. This is how i remember you.
The weather here is rather dry but i am drinking a lot of water. It is still a long way to go. It will take a few more years before i can return to the capital. By the time, i think your child will be older. As an uncle i will be happy to meet him or her. I have to stop here.
Wishing you well, Li Cheng from the border. "
Banou did not know she should be happy or to cry. Her last memory of him was that disappoint look and his shadow leaving the door. Her tears roll down and Aylin walk in with new hot tea. She see a sad girl siting with a wooden doll press on her chest. She don't know what to do but to hug her.