The royal academy

The days are pass as usual for everyone with Li Jun back in the mansion. The concubines spend their days shopping and arguing with Consort Wu about their spending. While Li Jun have enrol the last three boys to the royal academy and Li Xing is excited to go to school. He keep asking his mother the day and the time he should be in school. Ping Ping is reluctant to see her brothers all head off to school. She make them promise to tell her everything. 

"Greetings father and Lady Ban Nu." Li Ping bow to Li Jun and Banou. He smile and ask her to sit beside him while he watch Banou embroidery a butterfly on his boots. 

"Father, can little ping ping go to school with my brothers. I would like to learn too."

"My Li Ping, girls are not allow to attend school. Wait till you are as big as LI Ning, then you go to a ladies school to learn the virtue of woman there. "

"But ping ping want to learn like my brothers. Ping ping want to be like them. Be a useful person for father. "

He feel the little girl's sincere of going to school. Yet he can't lie to her. He wants to be a father that doesn't cover white lies to his children. He pick up her little hands and hold them gently in his hands. 

"My Ping'er. Now our dynasty doesn't allow little girls to go to school. However when there is female teachers in the future, i will be the first one to sign you up for school!"

"Really?" Even though she is disappointed but she is sure that her father will honour his words. 

"Maybe i can be the first female teacher!"She said excitedly. 

"Yes who knows! You might be the first female teacher!" Li Jun and Li Ping laugh and Banou smile with them. She envy them on this kind of father and daughter relationship. If only her father is like Li Jun, her own father is the total opposite. He is cold and did not act like a father. He is the absolute ruler of everyone. If only he is like Li Jun, life in the Persian palace will be lively and liveable. 

Three days later, the younger boys join the older boys to school. Li Jun is going to accompany them on the first day as well as to check the condition of the school. Banou watch the carriages move off. At that moment, she realised what it is to feel to have her child leave her behind. Even for a short period of time, it makes her heart empty. She walk in the mansion slowly, she look up to see Aylin standing there. She too look sad.

"My princess, he will return later from school. Let's be patience."

Banou nod her head and hold Aylin's hand. Together they walk back to their quarters. 

At dinner time, the boys are talking non stop. Only Li Xing is eating his dinner quietly. Until consort Wu ask Li Xing about what he thinks about school. 

"Responding to consort Wu, Xing'er is not having a good time in school."

Banou quickly look at her son who is still eating. 

"Li Xing, what has happen? Can you tell us?"

"Nothing."

"Xing'er, tell them!" 

"Li Xi ..."

"Father, there is nothing... just that i look different.." He whisper. 

There is silence in the room. Li Jun put down his bowl. 

"So they bully you?"

"Respond to father. No they did not. They just laugh at my curly hair. They say no chinese boy or man have these curly hair. I know i can do anything about it. I have to accept it. "

Banou feel sorry for him and wonder what can she do for him. 

"Li Xing, being different, is fine. Nothing wrong with it. Having curly hair is a blessing. None of us have it. You are special enough to have it." 

"Respond to father. I don't like his curly hair too. However i know he is a brother of mine, so i will accept his curly hair."

"Curly hair doesn't make you your character, Li Xing. It is just how you look. As long as you are a fine person that doesn't not disgrace the face of Li Jun. I as your father, won't care how you look."

He point at LI Kang. "If i am borther how my son look like, i will demand your older brother to go on a diet and loose his belly but i did not do that because he have never done anything that i dislike to hear of. Instead he does all the good things i can hear from other men." Li Kang smile and nod his head. Li Xing look at his oldest brother and smile. 

"If you still bother by the curly hair then keep your hair long for now. Maybe the curl will be less."

"Whether they like or don't like, is none of their business! If they still dare to laugh at you again, i will march to school and stump on them!" Li Ping suddenly shout and stand up with her chopstick pointing to the main door. Her nanny immediately try to correct her by asking her to sit down. Li Jun continue to look at his fierce daughter. He smile and pick up his chopstick. "No matter how, Xing'er. You always have this family to back you up when there is trouble. So tell us when you have issue in school." Li Xing nod his head and he stands up with his hands place together, he bow at everyone. Dinner is resume with happy talks. Banou is glad that this is a simple issue resolve within a family talk. 

Next few day, Li Xing still get tease about his hair. Soon the teasing stop and he find, himself new friends who have the same humor as he. After three weeks, the young boys invited their new friends to the mansion. Banou watch her son making good friends and having a happy life far from how she is brought up. As long as he is raise up well and able to be independent in his adult hood, everything is worth it.