The next few day, the eunuch is at the prince mansion to fetch Banou into the palace. Her present is require. Consort Wu try to follow but the eunuch says that the emperor only request for Banou. No one else is to follow along.
Banou arrive at the court hall. Again Demir and other senior ministers are standing around. Each looking miserable. The emperor order for chairs and tables for everyone since most of the men are old, standing there since morning till now is tiring. The emperor got up and stretch around before all the tables and chairs are place. He look at Banou who is standing at the side with her hands claps together. He sigh, since ancient times, men cannot past the beauty without a fight. This, will be an internal conflict between the law and man. Once everyone is seated, the conversation starts.
"Your majesty, as i already have convey the wishes of the Sultan in Persian. That his daughter, Princess Banou must be married. She have stay too far away from her family to live with a man. Thus the Sultan wants her to marry Prince Jun as soon as possible."
"Envoy De Ri, you don't know our laws here in Great Tang. We had explained to you the problem. Thus only can ..."
"Minister Chen! Laws are made from men! We can bend it!"
"Envoy De Ri, the only way around this is that Prince Jun to divorce! However his wife never cause a problem. There is no ground for divorce!"
Banou sit there and listen to the men argue in court. She look at the emperor who is bored with those men. Maybe it's time for her to say something but before she can say anything the eunuch announced that Prince Jun is seeking audience in the court hall. He is summon in and a table and chair is arranged for him.
"Long live your majesty!"
"You may raise and take a seat."
"Prince Jun, you arrive at the right time."
"Oh what is it Minister Chen?"
"Your highness, you know that the Sultan of Persian request Princess Ban Nu to be married!"
"It is no issue, i can marry her anytime."
"Prince Jun, you already have a wife. You just can't divorce her on no grounds!"
Li Jun stare at the Minister of Law. He look at the table in front of him.
"Can't you bend the law?"
"If we bend it, everyone will just divorce without a reason! How many cases are we going to do everyday? It's unreasonable!"
Banou in her mind is thinking how to lead the men to the direction where she thinks it's best to end the topic.
"Prince Jun, i don't think Consort Wu will just divorce you even if you ask her to do so. It's unreasonable. She had married to you at the age of fourteen. Ever since then she had been the only one hanging the household till now. If you just divorce her unreasonably, the citizens of Great Tang will be unhappy."
The emperor sigh and nod his head as he head this. The opinion of the citizens is one of the important factors. The royal family cannot afford to anger the common people.
"So what do you suggest Princess Ban Nu?"
"Your majesty, you have many sons. There are other sons as well. I am wiling to marry another Prince just for the sake of our two nations."
Envoy Demir stare at Banou with his eyes and mouth open. Why is the Princess coming up with this solution? He look at the emperor who seems to be considering what she said. While Li Jun is not shock at what Banou said. He knows that she is planning this talk since she and Li Cheng have a close relationship. However he doesn't want Li Cheng to marry her. He need time to change the direction of this.
"Your majesty, Princess Banou might be right about this. You have many other sons. Those who are older and unmarried, are they wiling to marry Princess Banou?"
"I do have a son that is unmarried. He is a soldier. I wonder if the Sultan of Persian will agree to it?"
"If Princess Banou agree..."
"I disagree! In my heart, she is my wife! We have a son together! I ..."
"Li Jun! You already have so many wives. Plus Consort Wu who never done anything for you to divorce her. Princess Ban Nu is right about that. Consort Wu have been taking care of everything in your household. Even when you are not in the capital. How can you divorce her?"
"Then let me have another wife!"
Everyone in court starts to talk. It is chaotic. Till Eunuch Liu yell at the top of his voice to ask everyone to keep quiet.
"Someone, please summon Consort Wu. Meanwhile get some food for all of us. The old ones must be hungry by now."
The food is served. Everyone eat in a hurry. Less than thirty five minutes, they are done. Dessert is serve while waiting. However it takes an hour before Consort Wu appear in the main hall. She bow and apologised. The emperor ask her to take a seat.
"Consort Wu, i have summon you because of an issue."
She sits there looking at the emperor attentively.
"Prince Jun, wants to marry Princess Ban Nu as a principle wife. Do you agree?"
She look at Li Jun with her round eyes and later Banou. Consort Wu feels that Banou is giving her some hints to say no to it. She look straight a head of where she is sitting. She stands up and bow to the emperor.
"I Consort Wu Xue Ning wife of Prince Li Jun, do not agree on him having another principle wife."
Again the rest of the ministers mumble. Eunuch again ask everyone to silence. Li Jun is beyond furious. He is wondering if the two women have come up with this. However he knows Consort Wu long enough. In the past, she had protest for having concubines added into the mansion. However this time, it's different. Ban Nu is already a family member long ago. Why did she reject that ideal.
"Prince Jun, you heard that from your principal wife, Consort Wu. She does not agree. Therefore, according to the law, you cannot have another principle wife!"
"Envoy De Ri, will the Sultan of Persian agree to allow Princess Ban Nu to be a concubine?"
Envoy Demir look at his Princess. She is staring at him with resolute in her eyes. He bow to the emperor.
"Your majesty, the Sultan had clearly stated in his letter that his daughter have to marry a member of the royal family as an official wife. Not a concubine. If she is married as a concubine, i am afraid, this will spark a war with our two great nations. Please reconsider!"
"You heard that Li Jun!"
Banou turn her head to look at Li Jun who is trembling with anger. His lips is press hard together and his hands are roll up into two fists on the table.
"Envoy De Ri, i will summon my son from the border. However this will take another three to five days. Till then, this matter will rest here."
"Your majesty, may i know which son do you have in mind."
"His name is, Li Cheng."
Envoy Demir bow and look slightly to see his Princess having a fade smile on her face. He then knows that who she wants to marry. He must succeed in helping her. So that he can return home in glory.
Another five days later, everyone is gather in the main hall again. Tables and chairs are set up. Everyone take their seats. Banou did not talk to Li Jun for days ever since the last meeting. He ignore her even during meal time. Consort Wu asked Banou if what she is doing is the correct decision. Banou always grateful to Li Jun feel that she have reach the point where they should stop where they are. Originally she thought that she don't have a choice but to follow Li Jun's decision he made for her because she is his slave. Now her title as a princess is return to her. Her father acknowledge her existence. She can now seek for someone that she always have in her heart.
Li Cheng step into the main hall with his full armour suit. He bow to everyone. He look at his brother who have a dark look on his face. He takes his seat and look at Banou. She is the one who cause him to be summon back to the capital. He heard from the eunuch why he is summon back. He knows also this will cause a rift between them. He doesn't know what to do but he knows his brother is the most important person in his life.
The emperor takes a seat and everyone bows.
"Li Cheng, i think you have heard why you are summon back to the capital."
"Your majesty, yes i heard that from Eunuch Liu."
"So what do you have to say about this?"
Li Cheung got up and bow. He remain silence for awhile.
"I... i will do according to your majesty commands."
"Envoy De Ri, do you have anything to say? My son, Prince Li Cheng is already an adult. A year older than Princess Ban Nu. Plus he is not married. Nor have any concubines nor children. He is a soldier on is always guarding the borders. I don't think he have any bad habits. So please let me know if you think your Sultan will be satisfy with this arrangement."
"Your majesty, if Princess Banou is satisfy with the arrangement, i will send a letter back to the great Sultan of Persian to inform him of the joyous event."
All eyes are now on Banou. She got up and bow.
"Your majesty, i am satisfy."
"Li Cheng, please say something in this main hall."
Li Cheng got up and bow to his father. He hesitate for a short while.
"I, LI Cheng will be wiling to marry Princess Ban Nu."
All the minsters in the main hall are satisfy and happy that they conclude this marriage. A war will not erupt and a wedding of two nations will be carry out.
"We have one more thing to conclude in this entire issue."
Everyone keep quiet and look at the emperor. He looks gravely at Banou.
"Princess Ban Nu, you have a son, Li Xing."
Banou's heart drop. Her fear for her son is coming fast. She gets up again and bow.
"Your majesty, yes i do have a son."
"Your son, Li Xing will be adopt under Consort Wu in Li Jun's family tree. After your marriage, he will not follow you to Li Cheng's new family. You and Li Cheng will have to built a new family, understand?"
Banou want to cry at that point. She continue to bow and ask
"Can i see him, again?"
"Of course, he can continue to address you as his mother. However on the family tree, he is not your son. Li Jun, go set up the paperwork. Li Xing will remain in your family with Consort Wu."
Banou's tear drop on the floor as she continue to stand at the same position. The day have come that she have to give up her son. In this way, probably the best shield she can come up with. Her father, the Sultan will not able to reach out to grab Li Xing as the heir to the throne. Li Xing will be safe here in Great Tang.