Banou is combing Li Xin's hair in the bedroom when the servant comes by to announce Prince Li Jun and Consort Wu along with their daughter is here for a visit. Banou haven hear nor see them for a long time. She hurry to combing the long hair of Li Xin. After that she tidy herself and instruct Min Min on what to do with Li Xin's homework. She walk out to see the family she used to lived with.
Li Jun is starting at a painting while Consort Wu is feeding her daughter with a small bun in hand. They moment she see Banou walking near them, she instruct her maid to carry on with the feeding to her child. Banou walk in and they all bow to each other. Like the old days, they sit around and talk. However because of the past events, they are almost like strangers to each other.
Li Jun too have become older with some white hair around his temple. Also he have grown a long beard and a small moustache. At sixty, he doesn't have much winkles nor fine lines on his face. However he does have dark eye bags under his eye. His neck and hands have show signs of loose skin. While Consort Wu have change a lot. She used to be chubby but after giving birth, she have slim down. She have change as if she is another person. The only thing remain is her character of cheerfulness and her voice of assurance.
As they sit and talk, the wind is gently blowing in. Banou remember the times when she spend with Consort Wu talking about things that bother them or the children.
"Consort Wu, after giving birth, you look different."
"Yes! If i know that i will slim down so much, i should have given birth earlier!"
"Well, i prefer you in a chubby looking girl. So much nice to look at."
"Did you always say i'm fat at that time? Always teasing me..."
"At that time, you are so lovely to look at. All round from head to toe."
"My god, when i'm fat, you keep asking me to eat less meat. When now i loose weight, you keep putting meat into my bowl. What do you want, my prince?"
"Fat at the right places will be nice."
"Right places?"
"Yeah and isn't now chubby girls in the capital is popular?"
Banou watch them squabble. She smile, it reminds her of the past when they are all living together. She understands that Li Jun enjoy teasing his principal wife. In many levels, Consort Wu is the only one who understands him the best. They begging to talk about their family. Most of their children have grown up and married. Thus they all have their own family and careers to work on. The eldest son is still having two wives but only the first wife is giving birth. The second wife who is still a young girl is constantly making trouble everyday. The Duke's mother Lady Ban is given the task to control her. Since she is the one who insist that her son marry a noble lady. While Li Ning, is given birth to four children in total. Li Jun have gone to Uyghur to visit and see the grand children.
Concort Wu's daughter is crying when they talk. She hurry to see what have happen to her and leave Banou and Li Jun alone.
"Are ... you happy now?"
"Yes, master."
"Master.. hmm i haven't hear that for so long..."
"You are forever my master. The one who bring me out of my misery. The one who reach out and pull my hands from the quick sand. The one who shelter me and bring me to great Tang."
"Will you obey my command, still?"
"Yes. If you need..."
"Then leave my brother. Will you do that?"
Banou stare at his face. She look away and walk away. In a distance she see her children running in the gardens. She turn around and look at him.
"I cannot walk away from him."
"Yet you can walk away from me? You said you will obey my command because i am your master."
"You are my master but he is the man that the emperor commands me to marry. The emperor over ride your authority. "
Li Jun walk around with his hands at his back. Banou remain in silence. Consort Wu comes back and see them in strange silence. Thus she try to break the silence by talking about other things.
"Now the children are left with Li Xing the eldest in the mansion but he seldom return home. The mansion now so quiet without those children running around. Yet now your mansion is so lively with that many children. Makes me think back the past."
"Well you can start having more children of your own."
"I am not planning to have more. My little Li Yu is everything i want and hope for. I don't wish for any other thing than her well being."
That evening, Li Cheng return and they had dinner together. While the children in another table make space for the daughter of Li Jun. Dinner for the adults is slightly uncomfortable. The brothers talk to each other so did the women However there is no cross interaction for Li Jun and Banou. LI Cheng is getting uncomfortable and wonder what had happen when he is not around.