MinJin's parents continue to stay in Tang for awhile. Banou get alongs with her in-laws in the mansion. However they feel that they should move out as they feel that they are imposing the prince and the Consort Princess. Li Xing suggest they move to the land that the royal family have given to MinJin as dowry. Since now the mansion is almost complete construction. Besides that Li Xing advise his father-in-law to stay in Tang. One thing is that Baekje is heading towards war with Silla sooner or later. It is better that he move to Tang and give up Baekje. Besides that he can see his grandson whenever he wants to also the younger brother of MinJin can continue his education in Tang.
His father-in-law think for three days and agree with what Li Xing said. Now it is unstable in Baekje so staying in Tang is a better solution on a long run. Hence he and his men to return to Baekje to quit his job as the trade minister and to pack and sell whatever he can. He left his wife with Banou and promised to return as soon as he can. After four months he return with a young boy and his servants whom are his slaves. Li Xing arrange for them to move in that plot of land with the newly constructed mansion. Kim MinHan is satisfy that he is making the right move and his daughter have chosen a man who take care of the entire family. Also the in-laws who did not caste them aside.With this, they begin a new life in Tang. Li Xing asked Banou if it is fine his son to be taken care by the Kim family. Banou did not disagree as the child belongs to them too. However Kim MinHan asked if they would able to care for the little one till they have establish what they can do in Tang. This is agree as Li Cheng don't mind another child in the mansion. After all the little one have the blood of the royal family.
Another three months pass, the new envoy Afshin from Ottoman empire have arrived. Banou will be meeting him three days. She is nervous yet she have a lot of things to do in the mansion. She have to discipline her twin sons, Li Wang and Li Shou. Together they are a handful who is not afraid of anyone except Li Cheng. While Li Mian, the daughter of concubine Luo is growing up together with Li Kai who is Banou's own daughter. The youngest child in the mansion is now the new born Li Han who is the grandson of Banou's. At the age of fifty one, she have still a lot of things to do and she relay on Wang MoMo and Min Min to assist on the children. While Aylin is now assign to deal with anything regarding about the mansion. In the late afternoon when the child have their naps, Banou will find time to read her foreign books that she bought back from Persia. Sometimes Li Xin who now assist with the accounts in the mansion will ask Banou for help. Her everyday is peaceful.
Afshin and Ayaz come visit Banou before Ayaz depart for Persia. Banou feels odd looking at Afshin. They know each other for a long time. Long ago when she is lonely she found the library and she made some friends who are scholars. Afshin is one of them. She constantly ask the scholars things that she doesn't understand and Afshin is one of the patience man who explain to her. He open her mind to see the outside world with imagination. Afshin is older than Banou by ten years. The three Persians sit side by side to talk about their home. They laugh and joke about things that they wish for. Before leaving for the night, Ayaz bow deeply to Banou.
"Princess Banou thank you for showing me kindness and help when i needed. Without your guidance, i will make a mess and not learn so much. I will look forward to serve you in court for the later years."
"Sir Ayaz, i too look forward to meet you in court in later years. Please take care and please send my regards to your mother. She is such a wonderful woman. She is a blessing."
Ayaz bow deeply again with a heavy heart.
"May god bless you with abundance knowledge."
"May god bless you a safe journey home."
"Princess Banou, i will not come by the mansion so often."
"I understand Sir Afshin."
They bide their goodbye and she watch them leave in their carriages.
With each day passing by, Banou is enjoying her days playing with the youngest in the family. One day those who are in the military school return. The three boys have all change in their physic and thoughts. Each one is looking buff, tall and fierce. The male servants in the mansion almost refuse to allow them to enter and cause a scene at the main door. Banou carry her grandson out to see what had happen. She hear a loud voice.
"Mother!"
She stare at the face of her son who have grown up. He looks like a XiongNu but he is Li Nan the son that have gone to military school. She hesitate for awhile for he have remained her of that man who hold her in captive. She smile and ask the servants to let them in and prepare their rooms. The younger children who grow up without seeing these boys are curious about them. Banou gather them around and let them interact. Li Nan smile like he is young nothing change. He like Li Xing have long curly hair. His chubby face is now gone, all that is left is his chiseled face. His green eyes sparkles as he talks. He laugh loud too. He is a gentle giant to these young children. The other two who are older than Li Nan is slightly shy but they are well manner as Banou have taught them enough in their childhood to know. Li Xin who hear her brothers are back come running. Li Nan together with his brothers hug Li Xin. She as tall as they are are delighted not to be the only person who is this tall in the mansion. Dinner time is fill with chatty talks and laughter. At night is the only time when all is asleep. Banou sits alone in her open library to look at her notes. Li Nan walk in shy with a tray in his hand. Banou smile as she look at him.
"Mother i got you some tea."
"Thank you my son."
"Mother, after another few more months. We will graduate from school. I want to join father's camp."
"It is a good news."
"When the camp open up for vacancy, i will join in the test to see if i am qualify."
"That is wonderful Nan'er."
"Where is the eldest brother, mother?"
"He have gone back to work now."
"Is he staying here ..."
"No he is living with his in-law. Taking care of them."
"Is getting married... such a ... heartache?"
"It depends. Everyone have a different family dynamics and each person having a different fate as well."
"I will not marry so early mother. I hope i will not disappoint you. No one might like... a person like me. "
"Nonsense. You are wonderful."
"I am too tall... too much strength. Only good in military or manual work."
"Not everyone is the same. We are all different. Someday you will meet someone whom you like to be with and she will adore you too."
"You think so?"
"Of course! You are my son! The children of Princess Ban Nu never will disappoint anyone! Even to the cruel grandfather of your's in Persia is satisfy with my children!"