Banou walks out of the embroidery shop with her purchase. She is planning to do some embroidery on the handkerchief. She wants to send it to Li Ning and Li Cheng. She is walking in a happy tone when suddenly, she finds herself surrounded by some men. Banou panic and the street vendors are looking at them. She try to get around or push an opening. However they refused to move.
"Please move aside..."
"Ah a branded person have manners. Why is a slave walking alone in an open street? Where is your master? Lack of discipline!"
The daughter of Mehmet slap Banou. The onlookers are shock, people talk.
"Hey little girl don't do that in public. We Chinese people dont even do this in public!"
"This is a business of Persian, none of your business!"
"What have i done to make you dislike me..."
"Cause you acted like a princess! High and mighty! Just because you have a prince behind your back you think you are some important person! You are the one who cause me to be lock in my house over a year! And consistency scolded by my father! You are a branded person! Shouldn't be loving a princess life! Shameless!!"
She attempts to slap Banou again. However the men from the Yamen comes and push the crowd aside. The officials immediately arrest the whole lot of people including Banou.
Banou find herself in a jail cell. She starts to tremble when she is push in the cell. She remember that day she is push in the cell after arrested after the wedding. In her mind, she fear this is repeated again. In another cell, the daughter of Mehmet is screaming. She is repeated warn to keep quiet. Banou hid in a corner and tremble. She try to control her mind and emotion. She recall that day when they branded her. Again the smell of the burning flesh repeatedly played in her mind. Even thought she did not cry, her heart is broken with the thoughts of the past. Li Jun come to fetch her and his heart is sadden to see his love so frighten and lost. He pick her up gently and walk out with her in his arms. He glare at daughter of Mehmet. He will make sure to kick out Mehmet of the Great Tang.
The next few days, Banou lay on her bed, she did not talk nor eat much. Even Li Xing couldn't get her out of bed. Next few days, an eunuch come to the mansion. The emperor is requesting for Banou's appearance in the palace. Banou with Aylin's help dress up simple and calm her heart. Together they slowly walk out to the main gate and bow to the eunuch.
"May i know if the emperor is asking for my present is about the accident in the streets?"
"Responding to Lady Ban Nu, i am not to say. All i am suppose to do is to bring you to the palace."
"Understood eunuch Liu. Please lead the way."
"Wait! Wait for me! Eunuch Liu. I want to follow to the palace. I want to accompany her." Consort Wu bow to the eunuch. He return the bow and agree. The three of them walk to the royal carriage. Aylin watch as the carriage move away. Tear fill her eyes. 'My poor princess, Dear God please bless her. Dont let her suffer another round of pain.' she mumbled and wipe her tears.
The carriage move in the palace and stop at a huge building with long endless stairs. Every twenty steps there is a soldiers standing on left and right side. Banou and Consort Wu get off the carriage and follow the eunuch. Slowly they climb up the stairs. Reaching the top, the eunuch stop Consort Wu and advise her to wait at the side. While inside, another eunuch had announce Banou's present. Eunuch Liu bow and a hand sign to move into the hall. Banou breath in deeply and walk into the hall. Inside the mightly hall, stands some old officials on the left and right side. Each of them have seen Banou before they all watch her walk to the emperor on the dragon throne. She goes down on her knees and bow to the emperor.
"Long live your majesty!"
"You may raise."
Banou gets up and stand there without awkwardness in her. The emperor noted that she is calm as always.
"Do you know why did i asked for your present here?"
"I believe it must be about the other day. The accident on the streets."
"Do you have anything to say about it?"
She shake her head and look far. She try to put on a poker face.
"Then i have other things to ask beside that accident."
Banou then noticed that at a corner, stands some Persian men. Amoung them is Demir the Minister of Affairs and Mehmet, the merchant. Banou's heart is beating wildly therefore she breath in deeply and try to control her emotion. She stands listening to the emperor with a chaos mind. Under those sleeves, her hands are trembling and she pinch herself to remind herself not to lose her composure. As the Persian men walk near the emperor they bow to him and turn to face Banou on the right side. Demir who recognises Banou bow to her as well. She return the bow.
"Envoy De Ri, you know this woman?"
"Your majesty, yes i believe i do."
"What about the rest of the men from Persian, do you all know who she is."
"Your majesty, I Mehmet, have met this slave before in Prince Jun's mansion. She is just a slave and dress like any great Tang woman. Walking around like as if she is owning the place. She doesn't know her place.Your Majesty."
"As far i know. She is the woman of my second son. Her status is unclear. So what what is your status, Lady Ban Nu?"
"In responding to your majesty, I am just a slave that Prince Jun had bought many years ago from a trader in the silk road, your majesty.
"Hear that! Everyone hear that?! She said she is a slave. Nothing more! She shouldn't be standing with us here!"
"Ma Men, please don't jump to conclusion that fast yet. I haven't completely ask her more things."
"You inslolent fool! How dare you talk to Princess Banou in such an impossible manners!" Demir yell at Mehmet in Arabic. They argue in Arabic in front of the emperor who is getting frustrated as he can't understand what they are say. He signal his personal eunuch to stop them. The old eunuch hurry over to stop the two men. He advise them to keep silence till allow to speak before they are thrown out of the hall. They stand there understanding and bow again.