Li Kang rejected all the matchmakers suggestions. Lady Ban is feeling hopeless and being to create a mole out of nothing. Li Kang is angry at his friends who wants to be his brother in law. They each ask for help to get Li Ning's hand in marriage. Even though they are good men, he doesn't want any of them to marry Li Ning as he feels that none of them are suitable for his sister.
While LI Ning have been receiving gifts from her school mates asking to make arrangement to met her brother who is the new Duke. She try to push them away saying that her father and consort Wu makes decisions, she can't do anything.
One afternoon, Yang Bai Lu a teacher of Li Kang appear at the main gate. Consort Wu invited him in. Li Kang comes out to greet his teacher. Li Ning who is with consort Wu greet the teacher too. He is smitten by the gracefulness of Li Ning. He stay till dinner to meet Li Jun. Both men talk though the night. The next few days, Yang Bai Lu keep turning up at the mansion to give Li Kang some extra lessons but he always look around for Li Ning. In the end, consort Wu inform that teacher Yang stop coming over. Reluctantly he agree, bow and left the mansion. At dinner time, consort Wu complaint. "Teacher Yang have been coming over that couple of days. If it is just a day it's fine but he comes over for four days for lunch and dinner. Sometimes supper! Do you know how much money is spend there? Is additional expenses!"
"It's only a few days consort Wu. There is nothing to it."
"My Prince, you don't know that the cost of meat and spices is up?! You are in the trade union!"
"I know! I can afford for just that few days. Is not like we are feeding a large herd of animals. Now let's eat in peace. Not everything can be counted in money terms. Teacher Yang is not charging us for teaching Li Kang. Thus giving him food and drinks is out of our demeanour. "
Consort Wu pinch her lips and now realised that she haven't thought of that and she said indirectly to teacher Yang that afternoon. She suddenly feel bad.
"By the way Li Kang, i have arranged the trade union for a job opening for you. Being a Duke is not easy. You will soon have your own lands after the emperor makes the decision where your lands be at. So you need to know all about tax and other duties. Once the land is announced, you will need to move there..."
Suddenly the dining hall becomes quiet. Lady Ban again going to cry.
"I am going to make an arranged marriage for you. She will be the lady of your mansion. She will be one of those daughters from nobility ranks. This is something we all cannot avoid."
"In responds to father, i understand my duty but i have someone that i like too."
"Who is she?"
"She is a daughter of a fabric trader ..."
"No son, you cannot marry that girl! I told you a few times! She is not suitable!"
"Mother, she is someone who understands me. I like her. I believe..."
"No you can't! You just have to take however your father have arranged..."
"Mother, i am an adult now. I want to have the choice to choose who i am going to marry!"
"My son, if you like her, can she accept that you will have many wives in fu..."
"In respond to father, no i will not have many wives. I want to just have only one wife. Besides that... i already have sleep with her."
At that point, Lady Ban scream and shout. The younger children got frighten and move away. Lady Ban got up and hit her son repeatedly. Li Jun shake his head and chew on his food. While Consort Wu try to calm down the screaming woman in the hall. Banou help to stop Lady Ban too but got a push and hit on the table finally landed on the floor. Li Jun hurry to get up and pick up Banou.
"STOP IT NOW!" He yell so loud that frighten Lady Ban and she stop and sob loudly. "We are having our dinner! It's not the time to hit Kang'er! Everyone get back to your seats and finish the food!"
After dinner, Li Jun have a long talk with LI Kang while Banou is send back to her room with Aylin attending her bruise.
"My princess, you shouldn't meddle with their affairs again. See you got a big bruise on your waist."
Aylin grumble while using a boiled egg in a handkerchief to rub the bruise. Banou smile while laying down. She is enjoying the treatment from Aylin.
"No i am fine but i like your massage. The egg feels warm and nice too. It's been along time since we are alone in this room. I rather enjoy this."
"Princess! You got yourself in trouble just for this?"
"Are you complaining that i am taking away your time with Ah Mu?"
"No... i would never complain about that."
Aylin continue to rub for her till Banou falls asleep. In the middle of the night, Banou wakes up. She push herself up to see Li Jun in the room. He is asleep on the couch. She quietly walk to him and remove his socks and boots. She place her blanket gentle over him.
"Do you love me?"
"Aren't you asleep?" Banou ask as she walks back slowly to her bed. Li Jun gets up and help her to get up on the bed.
"Still in pain? Next time don't get near to them when they are having a little drama. Just watch in a distance will do. You still haven't answer my question yet."
"Master... "
"Well doesn't matter now. As long as you are mine. You can't go anywhere. When Li Xing have his Guan Li, i think i will make you my concubine and Li Xing will be listed into the family tree. What do you think?"
"Master, as you wish."
"If i can, i want to make you my official wife but your status as a slave, i will find a solution to it. Can you tell me how to find your family records in Persian."