The next few days, the Sultan allow the siblings to see the crown prince before the operation. While Banou is busy making lunch for the crown prince, the Sultan walk into the kitchen to see her cook. He smile and walk in, the servants who is helping all bow while Banou did not notice is busy chopping the vegetable.
"Can i have a portion of what you are making for the crown prince?"
Banou got a shock and bow. For the first time, she actually see her father smiling.
"Yes, after it is done, i will send father a bowl of congee."
"Well it must be good since he looks so much healthier than before."
"It is an easy recipe to cook. If you like, i can let the cook know what and how to cook it."
He smile and ask her to continue what she is doing. He walk out feeling happy.
Banou constantly making new soft food for the crown prince and her father. Healthy Chinese simple food is present to them. They enjoy it and gradually the crown prince is able to sit up. However his coughing is still persistent and the operation is not able to go ahead till the doctors find away to safety operate on the crown prince with confidence.
Meanwhile as the crown prince gets healthier, he spend more time talking to Banou. He learn things that he never hear before. He is happy to know his sister is living in a place where she is safe and happy. However if he is gone, she will have to be the co-ruler to a young child.
"Banou, i don't have any other children. Thus when i die, my nephew have to take over the ruling of this empire."
"Don't think too much your highness."
"I can't help it. When i think of my son, i did not realised that i have ended his life with my hands. In the end, there is a dispute now on who is going to be the next successor. The day i am born, i was train to sit on the throne to rule after father. Now i see that i can live for a few more years. I can see from my eyes who can be fit to be the next ruler. Banou, our siblings none of them have the intelligence nor compassion. I saw the portrait of your eldest son. He looks like father..."
"No, your highness. He cannot. He is not a custom to our laws and rules. He can't understand nor speak our languages. He is only custom to fight on a battle ground. "
The crown prince remain quiet. He smile and hold Banou's hand.
"I understand. Let's not talk about these. Tell me the sights you see in Tang."
It takes another three months when the operation is ready for the doctors to take place. The Chinese physicians will be assisting on this task. Banou stands on the side to translate what is needed. The operation takes along time to complete. The Chinese physicians are able to locate the tumour part that is cling on the lungs and muscles. Then it is the job of the the royal doctors to separate it. Banou who is standing behind the curtain is nervous to see so much cotton cloth with blood removing from the trays by the assistances. She smell the alcohol that is needed to clean the instruments. Occasionally she hear the crown prince groaning. She pray in heart that he will be safe and well after this.
After the sunset, the doctors start to stitch up the open chest. Their hands are all trembling and needed their assistance to help. Banou who did not do much is perspiring along with the men in the room. Even the private attendance of the the crown prince is in tenterhooks. Throughout the day, Banou see the attendant of the Sultan comes in and out. Probability he is reporting to the Sultan what is going on. After they clean up the crown prince, the curtain is pull down. The attendant of the crown prince continue to watch over his master. While everyone exit with their equipment and head off to clean up before dinner. Banou to head off to clean and refresh for the dinner.
The next day, before going to check on the crow prince, The sultan ask the progress. The operation is unknown whether if successful or not. They need to go check on the condition of the crown prince. While they walk with heavy heart towards the bedroom, Banou twist the edge of the long head scarf that she wear today. Once inside the bedroom, the royal doctors check on the crown prince. A lot of mumbling are heard. The Chinese physicians who are standing on the side, await for the check result from the doctors. The Sultan comes walking in afterr adjourned the court meeting. He too wants to know if his eldest son is able to live on. A moment of silence fill the room till the doctors walk away from the curtain bed. They bow to the Sultan and report that the crown prince is still asleep. They have check the wounds are healing. There is nothing to do but wait for him to be awake. He maybe waking up within three days.
He did not wake up till the fourth day. His attendant immediately send a message over to the royal medical academy. In a haste the doctors and the Chinese physicians rush to the bedroom without Banou. When she arrive, she see her brother is awake. His complexion looks better. He smile when he see her walk in his bedroom.
"How are you feeling?"
"I feel fine. I don't feel sick like before."
The royal doctors check once again and advise that he should rest. They all walk out to allow him to rest more. Halil appear and ask them to follow him to the Sultan's office. Walking for a long time, they reach a big room. Halil push open the door that is thrice of a men's height. Inside, the attendant announce their arrival to the Sultan. He allow them to walk near and so they did. As they walk, they see inside the room is line with paintings on the wall. Those are the previous rulers of Ottoman. The carpet floor makes one feel the luxury of the room..The windows are design in western style opening. Almost all tables are place with flowers. While walking nearer to the Sultan's desk, Banou see her wedding portrait is sitting on the floor along with Li Xing and Li Nan's portraits. The kite and books that she send to her father sits on the table next to the paintings.