Banou and Consort Wu return to the prince mansion in the evening. They find LI Jun drunk by his own on Li Ning's room. They pull him up on the bed and let him sleep quietly through the night.
The next few days, Li Jun isn't in his best mood. The only one can cheer him up is the little grandson. Li Kang have apply leave in the trade bureau on his behalf. While Li Bo isn't getting out of his bed. His brothers take day off for him from school. While Banou is afraid that the Persian Minister of Affairs, Demir will appear at the front of the main gate. She stay hidden in her room. She told Aylin about it as well. "My Princess, what should you do?"
"I am not sure but for now, i am going to stay in my room. I am afraid that he will look for me."
"I pray and hope that he will leave soon."
"I don't want to see any familiar faces here in Tang. They are my nightmare."
For the next few days, there is nothing unusual in the mansion nor anything strange is hear on the street. After nearly a month, Banou feels safe. Soon she step out of the mansion to go about her usual day. She even go for walks with LI Xing.
One particular day, she meet the daughter of Mehmet that girl who spat at her face in Li Jun's party in the prince mansion years ago. Now even though she is grown up, she still have that imperious look. She cross her arm and block Banou's way. Li Xing stand infront of his mother and stare at this person.
"You shouldn't go out with this kind of slave you know. It will tint you. You are so good looking. There are better girls than that one behind you."
"None of your business. Can you just go your way?"
"Come with me. I am a better choice. I am richer and i can bring you to better prospect for work."
"What kind of work? You don't look..."
"My father have connections in this city. He can get jobs for Persians. As long as you are not branded, he can do anything to let you live well in Tang. I can get you to work for me. To think that you are so handsome. If you don't want to work, i can still get you a place in my household." She smile and bat her long eyelashes.
Li Xing feel sick. He look away and hold his mother's hand.
"I just prefer her." He attempts to walk away but she block his way. She speaks in Arabic. "You are wasting your time! I am better than her!..."
"Look lady. YOU ARE WASTING YOUR TIME!" He shout loud in mandarin everyone who are watching, laugh. She look shock and watch Li Xing walk away with Banou. She wonder what spells that Banou casting that makes men fall on her feet. She stomp her feet and decided to inform her father of this.
"Mother who is that imperious woman we saw today in the market street?"
"Someone that we should ignore. Next time if you see her, don't talk to her. It's just wasting time."
"She clearly have no manners. And what did she say in Arabic? I don't understand."
"It's better you don't understand. Now prepare to go to bed. You got classes tomorrow."
"Mother sometimes i think you are hiding a lot of things."
"Some day i will tell you some. Now go to bed, please."
Banou watch her son who is now nine years old walk out of the room. He is somehow looking older maybe because of his maturity and his height. He is as tall as his older brothers when they stand together. He have inherit from Li Jun the fair skin and dark hair maybe the long legs too. However he got his curly hair and light brown eye and his gentle smile from Banou. At this age Banou is relieve that he is interested only in Cu Ju and ridding horses. He doesn't know that girls are attracted to his looks. Ping Ping is one of those girls who fiercely protect him. She will drag her older sisters to the game court when he is playing for the team. They are suppose to cheer for him. Banou never attend one as she fear she will cause problem for him. So she listen to Ping ping describing the game to her. She is grateful that Li Xing have a sister that will look after him.
Days move slowly and normal. Banou begin to feel relax and not so afraid anymore. The celebration of moon cake festival is approaching soon. As the children are older, the boys don't want to carry lanterns anymore. They however still take walks with the entire family in the street to eat and admire the lanterns hanging along the streets. Li Kang and his family might be the last time to be in the capital. The mayor of AnPeng had sent a letter inform that the mansion is almost ready for the Duke to move in. Li Kang is unwilling to move away from a place he have grown up in. Li Jun spend more time with his eldest child. They drink, they talk and they cry. At the lantern festival, the family walk the busy streets and enjoy the food and sights. Banou's son even though he is grown up, he still holds his mother's hand. They stroll along the streets to eat and watch the fire works and the streets performances. walking halfway in the streets, Banou see the Persian minster of Affairs is on the same lane as they are in, quickly she pull Aylin away and they hid in the alley. She can hear her son calling for her. Banou hope and pray that she will not be found.. Soon, Aylin peep outside, she inform that there is no Persians outside. Banou and Aylin quickly join their family and continue to walk the busy streets.
That night, Banou have a nightmare that she has been caught. They torture her in a cage. Poking her with their long swords. Each of those men are laughing at her. Her trembling legs give way and she squad in the center of the cage. Crying and begging. Li Jun who is sleeping beside her hear her cries. He wake her up and hug her. Ensuring that nothing bad is happening to her. She cry for a long time and finally asleep with Li Jun hug and gentle pats on her back.