Li Xing now is able to call her mother. He walks or runs to her when he see her. He knows to address everyone in their proper titles. Li Jun when he is free, he would teach Li Xing how to write his name. As he grows older, his dark hair have grown longer and curly. Ping Ping enjoys playing with Lin Xing. Sometimes she tie his hair up and marvel at his pretty curly hair.
Banou spend her days helping Consort Wu on her paperwork. She helps the kitchen out when they receive food to be store. When there is nothing much to do, she brings Li Xing out for short walks. They are known in the district as Li Jun's family members. Therefore nobody treat them as aliens. Banou is able to purchase simple things without problems. Men will always willing to help her while women will hesitate and dislike her at first. After knowing her well enough, they can smile and talk to her.
That late autumn, Li Jun spend more time in the palace as the empress is not feeling too well. Thus as her son, he lived in the palace for awhile to take care of her. Sometimes, Consort Wu will go into the palace to see the empress as a duty of a daughter-in-law.
Late autumn also brings a news of Li Kang meeting a lady outside. Everyone wants to know who is she. Over dinner everyone is asking LI Kang. His birth mother Lady Ban is worried when she find out that the girl is the daughter of a wealthy trader in the capital.
"She is not a noble lineage. Why should you meet her? "
"Lady Ban, he is only seeing her. Not getting marry. Don't be anxious about it."
"How can i not be? He needs to be doing well. His father will not approve of this."
"Mother! I am not going to marry her. I just like to be in her company. She is very humble and..."
"Being humble doesn't bring glory or honour to our family. She needs to be at least a noble lineage to matching to his status. "
Mother and son argue over dinner. Li Ning look at Li Kang and give him an eye signal to stop arguing and eat his dinner. He understand and continue to eat while his mother is wailing about the things that is not happening yet. Banou stand up and give Lady Ban the embodied handkerchief.
"See only Lady Ban Nu understands me. Thank you. " She takes the handkerchief and dab her tears. Banou console her and ask her to finish her dinner not to upset her stomach. She nod her head and eat in peace. Consort Wu only can shake her head. Dinner is proceed with peace. After they are done, Li Xing join his brothers in running around the garden. The other older ladies are again squabbling about little things. While the the younger sisters with their brothers, Li Kang and Li Bo talk about the current affair. Banou and Consort Wu walk about the smaller garden away from the screaming children.
"Ban Nu, i have a problem.." She sigh
"Mistress are you worry about the expense again?"
"No something even worst than that!" She sit down on the small stone table at the corner of the garden. Banou sit beside her while still holding her hand. Consort Wu frown and looks extremely stress. Her head is down for awhile when she look up, she look at Banou and hold her hands tight.
"Ban Nu, I visited the empress today and she privately have a talk with me. She reminded me that i am the principal wife, i need to do my duty as a wife!"
She cry but Banou dont understand. She only can wait for Consort Wu to stop crying. She pat her back gently and waited for her to stop.
"So what did the empress want you to do?"
"She ... Her highness asked me to produce a child. Even just one child is good enough. I can't think of giving birth.I only just pass my Ji Li. I barely become an adult. Why can't i enjoy myself as an adult. I already miss out on having a childhood Now i have to skip being an adult to be a mother?" She cry again.
"Have you talk to Master?" She shake her head and blow her nose into the handkerchief.
"You should talk to him and sort out the priory what is needed for this family."
The next few days, Consort Wu sit down with Li Jun to talk about it. Banou while playing at Li Xing is watching from a distance. She sees Consort Wu have a relive and happy face after Li Jun leaves the pavilion. She is eating her favourite candy. So it must be a successful talk with Li Jun. Banou continue to play with Li Xing till Li Jun walk over to play with him.
"Ban Nu, Li Xing have your most of your features except that his fair skin. He is the male copy of you." He smile. Banou got shy and look down smiling.
"I hope he has your good character. That is more important."
"Well with looks like that, he dont need much of anything. Girls will come to him naturally. He needs to be a good gentleman."
Early winter comes with good news that Li Cheng is returning to the capital and will leave again when spring arrives. Banou is exceptionally happy hearing the news. Li Jun can see that she is smiling more each day after hearing the news. His heart is feeling bitter but he is not going to be mean because of that.