Banou continue her work on making healthy meals for the crown prince. She take care of him as always. Everyday she ask the Chinese Physicians the same question. Everyday they reply that they can leave only if the crown prince continue to show signs of improvement. Banou is in a hurry to go home. She desperately wants to return to her safe heaven.
Meanwhile, her brothers are trying to create small talk to her without their sisters. They are all trying to find out more about Banou's son. Banou is worry about what they are trying to do. Thus she avoid meeting them alone. Aylin who notice this always finds someway to allow her mistress to escape.
Another two months pass, the crown prince is looking better. The deep scar have settle on his chest. He now sits up, Banou see it as a chance to leave thus she nag at Li Jun almost everyday. Li Jun finds it refreshing that Banou is looking for him everyday. He is delight and make excuses to walk with Banou around the city area. Pretending not to know anything and asking about everything they see. The more time he spend with her, the more he wants to stay with her. On the third day while out walking. The imperial soldiers come running and surround the couple. Everyone in the street market stop and watch what will happen next. The leader of the imperial soldiers come walking up to Banou. He salute and speak in a loud serious voice that shock Banou.
"Princess Banou, please follow us back to the palace. The Sultan summons for your present!"
When he call her Princess Banou, the people in the market have a fear in their eyes. They goes down on their knees, this is what she fear. She doesn't want to be recognize by the public. She also fear someone will remember her name of a princess who nearly married into a traitor family. She touch her arm with the branding. The soldiers are still waiting for the princess to move thus they are all standing still. Li Jun seeing that Banou is freeze at her spot. He gently take her hand and she look at him with fear in her eyes. He doesn't understand what is going on in her mind but he knows that he have to hold her firmly. Banou's eyes dart around to look at her surrounding. No one is staring at her, everyone is kneeling down on the floor.
"Ban Nu, did the Sultan Summon you? Are we suppose to follow the soldiers?" She nod her head and Li Jun hold her hand to take a few steps. As they walk, she see the entrance of the grand prison and the execution ground near the market. The old memories comes floating in. The sound of people screaming and crying surround her. The painful small rocks that the people throw. Li Jun walk with her slowly and see her head lower. Her head veil is blocking him to see her face expression and he is feeling the cold sweaty hand at the same time. They walk slowly towards the palace gate and Halil is standing and waiting with a smile. They follow Halil into the court hall. Inside the officials are talking and the Sultan is reading his scroll of papers in his hand. Halil tells them to stand aside to wait for the Sultan to speak.
After a long time, they hear footsteps outside the hall. Banou at that time is upset and unwell. Li Jun is holding her hand to ensure her that whatever that is bothering her is not happening. She look up to see his face to see Li Jun smile. Even though he have some white hair, he is still that handsome young man that she once had follow to Tang. Halil who is standing outside announce that they are seeking an audience with the Sultan. Banou look at her father who wave his hand to allow the guest to step into the hall. The court officials all stand up as the guest walks in. Banou look at the direction of the main door. Her eyes light up as they walk in. She smile and walk to them.
"Mother!"
"My sons!"
Li Xing give his mother a hug and Li Nan wait for his turn. Banou is extremely happy to see her eldest. Whenever she is feeling low spirit he will appear to comfort her. He is her greatest support emotionally. While she gives her sons hugs, everyone the courthouse are whispering.
"Father!"
"Your highness."
Li Jun smile and nod his head. It's been awhile he have seen this son. Banou realised that her father is still siting on the throne and waiting for her to introduce her sons. Thus she pull Li Xing's hand and lead him towards her father.
"This is, my father. Your grandfather. The great Sultan of the Ottoman Empire."
Li Xing and Li Nan bow respectably to the Sultan who is still on his throne. He is watching Li Xing every moment that he makes. The Sultan gets up and walk to them. He raise his hand to Li Xing and the boy is confuse what to do. Banou whisper to him and he take his grandfather's hand and kiss it. Shortly Li Nan copy his older brother's actions. The sultan raise his hands and take Li Xing's shoulders. He laugh and look at Banou.
"He resembles me in some way, don't you think?"
That sentences cause more officials to talk. The Sultan takes a few steps and look at his officials and proudly announce.
"These two are my grandsons! They are the sons of Banou!"
Three of the princes who hold official titles are stun to see the two sons of Banou. This is why their father is so determined to elect Bano's eldest son as the next heir after the crown prince. He who looks like an Ottoman. He who looks alike their father.