After Li Cheng return back to work, Banou fetch the children from the Persian mansion. Those children who are not adopted remain in the mansion with Min Min. Her son, Li Nan and Li Xi remains there as well. Each of them are healthy and learning to read and write with the older children. When they see Banou walking in, they all rush to her. Each calling her mother. They surround her and talk non stop while the two youngest ones demand her to carry them.
Ayaz, the new Envoy is puzzle to see the Princess to have so many children but seeing her, he seems to understand. The new envoy greeted Banou and they talk awhile before Banou start packing for the ten children. Because they are unknown parentage thus many nobles refuse to adopt them fearing they have XiongNu's blood. However Banou never bother with that she likes them all for what they are. Min Min pack up too to follow back to the prince mansion.
The moving into the prince mansion is smooth however because of so many children moving in, Wang MoMo is having a headache. Thus she arrange a teacher for the older children while instructing MIn Min to look after those under five. While Wang MoMo keep reminding Banou her primary duty as a wife. Banou is stress about her nagging. Li Cheng only return every three days thus they only sleep together for the next two days that he is at home. It is madness for Banou who feels like fighting in a war, she feels worn out most of the time and she begin avoid sleeping with him. Hence she spend more time with her own son and the other children. Li Cheng when he return home, he always see his wife busy with the children and the new Persian envoy keep coming over to talk to her. Both of them are talking in their own language hence he can't understand. He gets annoy when he see them together. Thus with his men, every time he return home, he head to the pleasure house with them. One night, he had attended a dinner feast at a minster's mansion. He did not return that night.
In the morning, it was raining. A servant run hasty to the dining hall. Banou is having breakfast with the children and Wang MoMo is supervising the maids to serve dishes when needed. He run in and bow.
"Princess consort! I would like to report something!"
He bow low and Wang MoMo scold him for disruption.
"But this is important!!"
"Please stand up straight and let us know what has happen."
Banou still feed Li Nan as she talks and listen.
"Prince Cheng... Prince Cheng... He is detained at Luo minister's mansion!"
"How dare he! Go get a few guards to fetch him back to the Prince mansion!"
Wang MoMo yell at him.
"Wang MoMo, it is not possible! The rider dispatched from the Minister's mansion informed that the Princess Consort have to be there personally to pick him up. He said that it is of critial matter!"
"What did he did to get detain. Did his men, Lee Wei said anything?"
"Lieutenant Lee Wei is still inside the Minister's mansion."
Banou stands up and wipe her hands after washing them. She look at the servant calmly.
"Go prepare a carriage. I will go there with Wang MoMo."
After instructing Aylin and Min Min, Banou and Wang MoMo travel to the Luo minister's mansion. Outside, there is an old man and a few guards. They see Banou and they bow deep.
"Princess Consort. we have been waiting for you. This way please."
"Butler, What has happen?"
"I am afraid that i cannot say much. Master Luo will explain to you."
He show them into the mansion and walk the long path. Along the way, there are traces of a celebration that night. Their servants are busy clearing everything up. After a short confusing walk, they come to a courtyard. There stands an elderly couple. They look unhappy. Banou feels that she should prepare herself, her husband might done something that they didn't like. However, Li Cheng is a man with manners and he is born in the royal family. There is nothing that Banou can think off that can cause a problem for anyone. They all bow before they start to talk. The elder lady is started to see Banou. She turn her face to her husband. While her maid lower her eyes. Minister Luo speaks with a clear loud voice.
"Princess consort, thank you for coming over here to my humble house. However this is a grave matter i have to tell you today."
"Minister Luo, please advice me."
"Come here and see for yourself."
He lead Banou and Wang MoMo to a bedroom. Base on the decorations, Banou can tell that it is a girl's bedroom. Before stepping in the bedroom, Wang MoMo look at Banou and hint to her that she will handle on Banou's behalf. Banou understand and nod her head. They enter the bedroom. Banou who have seen everything in her life time never feel so betray at that point of time, she look outside the greenery and pray for peace in her messy up mind. She decided to remain calm as what Wang MoMo had hinted. Wang MoMo walk over to wake up the sleeping prince. It takes awhile as he is drunk. By the time he wakes up, he finds a few faces staring at him. Besides that, he is holding someone in his arms.
He stare at the face of the girl in his arm. He realise what had happen. He push himself up and look that those faces. He find Banou standing behind. Li Cheng realise what had happen.
"Ban Nu!"
"Prince Cheng, i would suggest that you dress up and go to the palace with us."
"Wang MoMo, this ... this is not what ..."
"How can you say that?! You are on my daughter's bed! She is a young girl!"
At that point, that girl wakes up, unaware she sit up naked and stare at what is going on. She look surprise but Wang MoMo have seen enough to know what is going on. This girl have make a drastic move to marry a prince. Wang MoMo walk up to cover her top.
"Little miss. I would suggest that you too to come into the palace with us."
"You have disgrace me today, Mei Xue!"
The girl starts to cry when her father scold her. While Li Cheng only stare at his wife whom he only concern what she is thinking. He watch her step out of the room. Wang MoMo help him to dress up behind the screen. He rush out to find her standing in the courtyard. He did not know what to say but he walk near her. They stand there in silence while the crying sound of that girl travel out of the room.