Another year have pass. Little Li Xing is already learning to walk. In early Spring, They celebrated Li Kang and Li Ning's birthdays. They are born in the same month different by two days. Both of them are fifteen years old. For the boys the celebrate the coming of age called Guan Li and for the girls are called Ji Li. It is consider a grand ceremony when they are consider an adult and have to pay respect to the ancestors. As both of them are now listed in the family tree as legitimate son and daughter of Prince Li Jun, it is more important than other events.
This important event is held in the royal palace where all the ancestor tablets are placed. The hall is decorated and the eunuch read out poems and couplets for the well wishes of the family.
Banou help Ning'er to dress up for the ceremony and prepare the hair pin for the ceremony. While consort Wu is doll up for the grand event. Banou hold Li Ning's hand and walk out to the main hall. She stands there feeling nervous and Banou pat her hand gently and smile. Li Ning try to smile. She sees her father and consort Wu standing infront of the ancestor tablets. Months ago Banou have talk to her father and consort Wu about listing her on the family tree. Her birth mother maybe a concubine and she have left the family but Li Ning never cause any troubles outside. She maintain and hold herself and Prince Jun's face in public. This little bit of credit should be given to her. Consort Wu agree what Banou said. She urge Li Jun to quickly process the paper work before the coming of age. Li Ning understands how important for her to be the legitimate daughter of a royal prince. She have three woman in her life that thinks for her. She must continue to be the proper daughter that everyone look upon.
Li Kang is standing on the opposite side of his sister. He sees a beautiful grown up girl. He still have to wait for five more years till he will have his own Guan Li. Today he will witness that his sister is now officially an adult. When the time it's his turn, he hope that he will do well.
The brother and sister look at each other to smile. They might have different mothers but now they listed as the children of consort Wu and are the legitimate children of Prince Li Jun. It is a huge milestone for them. They grown up together and basically acted like twins. The night before they sit together to talk and laugh about the things they have gone through. Also their mothers squabble non stop at little things. "Mei Mei, tomorrow is your big day. I will congrats you first."
"Ger Ger, thank you. I hope everything will go well tomorrow."
"It will. Even though i am not getting my Guan Li, i am feeling nervous."
"Ger Ger, it's our birthday. a toast to it?" She ask mischievously.
"Shall we?" She takes out a small jar carefully. They both giggle and use their tea cup to pour a little wine. With a toast, they drink it up.
"Heaven it taste..."
"Horrible!" They both laugh and cover their mouth.
Li Ning walk confidently towards her parents. She knee down and bow to the tablet. She continue to be on her knees. The eunuch read out the words from the emperor. She accept the decree in her hands and get up. A chair is place in front of the tablets. Consort Wu takes the hair pin and gently roll up her hair and push it in. With that, everyone shouted with joy. "Ning'er is now Noble Lady Ning! Let's clap our hands!" Fire crackers are lit up. Banous's son is started and he cry. Banou quickly walk out far away from the sound of the fire crackers. She stands outside the main hall trying to percify the crying child. Just then, she see someone familiar back in the palace. She turn her back to them. She can't ago back in while her son is still crying. She hear them talking in Arabic.
"Let's walk further away. That baby is noisy."
"They don't know how to make a child cry less here."
She hear them getting further away. She is relive and her son is crying less. Banou now have a fear in her heart. No matter how, she cannot let them identify her. She might not live if they found out a branded person like her is living a good life. Banou start to play with her son till Li Jun come looking for her. He carry Li Xing and hug Banou.
"Come on, everyone's waiting. There is no more fire cracker. Xing'er you cannot be so afraid of little things.Have to be a brave man for your mother."
After Li Ning's coming of age, eligible men from every society come asking for her hand in marriage. Getting in a wife who is almost a princess is desirable. Consort Wu is busy at the main door to reject men who appear out of no where. While Li Kang and his brothers are hound at the academy asking for a private meetup with their sister. Li Kang firmly reject and ask them to stay away. Li Jun in the trade union also been asked if he is selecting a son-in-law for his daughter. He frown at every request. At dinner table, the men in the house are all complaining.
"Why aren't they tired of asking everyday? I have no peace. Those boys are not suitable for our family. Can't even beat me in chess why would they want to marry my Ning Mei Mei !"
"The worst is my classmates passing notes. My teacher thought that i am cheating in class. Jie Jie, shouldn't you say something about this?"
Li Ning stand up and bow to everyone.
"My apologies for the disruption."
Consort Wu laugh. "Ning'er, it's ok. Nothing to apologise about. It will be over in a few days time."
"Well i think that i am too young to be someone's father-in-law! So i am not approving anything!" He looks at his eldest daughter and chew his food.
"I will only approve when Ning'er says that she loves him and he loves her. Also in addition!... She must be the principal wife! He is married and wants to take Ning'er as the second or concubine. He can go and dream his way through! No means no!"
Dinner topic did not end well about Ning'er happiness but she is happy that her family is respecting her and wants to keep her longer in the house. After dinner she goes to the courtyard to play with Li Xing. She sits with Banou after Li Xing falls asleep. "Lady Banou. Are you happy now?"
"Yes i am. Why did you ask?" Banou pour some nuts on the handkerchief for Ning'er to much on. "I am happy now. I thought that after mother left me alone here. I have no one but everyone prove me wrong. I am loved and wanted here."Banou look at her and put her arm around Li Ning.
"I always will be there for you. I will take care of you till you don't need me."
Li Ning lean her head on Banou's shoulder. They smile and eat the nuts while watching the beauty of the moon.