The last few days of preparations

Banou is allow to enter the living quarter that she used to live in before she was supposed to be married off. She brings her sons along with her. She remember the long walk to her old living quarters. Her room is exceptionally far away from the rest of her siblings. Her quarters is at the corner of one of those joined building in the palace. The corridors are lined with palm trees. leading to her room. She stands infront of the door she used to open daily. She touch the handle and slowly push the door. Banou enters the room with her heart beating fast. She recall the heartaches and anxiety that she suffer before. However today, she is calm and regretful. Inside, the room is still in neat and clean status as if she is still living in the room. Everything is still in place. There is a hint of lavender smell that she used to put before going to bed. Some books are still laying o the table. 

"Mother, your room is so small!"

"It is enough for me to grow up in."

"The bed is so tiny. How did you sleep in it?"

"I managed with my legs up. I never ask for new things."

"Are these your books?"

Li Xing look at the bookshelves stuff with books and scrolls. It seems like some of it is written in a different styles of strokes. 

"Mother, it seems like some of these books are not Arabic."

"AH yes, i was trying to learn Greek and translate it so that i can read. Maybe i should bring it back with me to Tang."

Banou look through her book shelves and Li Nan spot that golden gown that is ripped. 

"Mother, your gown... it is "

Banou look up and see that golden satin gown glowing under the sunlight. She smile weakly. 

"It was one of the gifts that your grandfather given to me."

"Why?"

"One of my sisters came in with a garden shears and ... rip the skirt. I still keep it hanging was because it is an expensive gown that father have given to me. My father never pay much attention to me. So he personally giving me an item, is something that makes me happy. At least i wore it once. That is enough for me."

"Mother, you are too nice. That's why those old hags are so mean to you."

"I am nice ... because i am afraid of them but i am determine not to become one of them. It is not my nature to bully other people."

"Is that why those dolls sitting there are ripped?"

She look at her dolls. Some without heads some without other body parts. When she is growing up, she try to sew them back but they keep coming off. Eventually she put them nicely in a corner, sitting with their body parts. After the seventh doll that is ripped apart, she decided not to have another one. It is a heartache to see a perfect beautiful doll to be stumped and ripped by her siblings. So the Seven dolls are line up and sit in a corner without anyone touching them. Even her personal maid at that time did not bother to look at them. Only Banou take time to read them book she found in the library. They are her listeners. They are her best friends. Banou tears roll down as she look at them. She pick them up gently. Over the years they have accumulated some dust. 

"Let's bring you back with me to Tang. I will patch you all up." 

She takes her head veil from the wardrobe and place all seven of them in it. Gently she tie the veil up. She ask Li Xing to pick up the books that is laying on the floor. She will bring those to Tang as well. Before leaving the room, she take one last look at it. She whisper softy, good bye for now. 

The wagons for the items to ship back to Tang is packed tightly and supervise by Li Jun. He was busy the last few days in getting goods in the market. With Li Xing and Li Nan going with Banou, he is more carefree. He bought a lot of spices and things that Tang did not have yet. He purchase food enough for travelling at least two months in the desert. As there are Qanats system, he is not worry about water supply. He had been travelling back and forth in the desert thus he knows where to get the supply of water. Along with the soldiers he brought plus Li Xing's soldiers who are station outside the city. There should be enough protection from this trip. 

The royal doctors and the Chinese Physicians have wrap up their medical findings and record it. Both sides are satisfied with the outcome for the crown prince. However both side did conclude that the crown prince might suffer another attack in the future thus he will not live long. The Sultan understands his eldest son is alive on buying time. Thus he did not want to push any further. It is a miracle that his son is looking healthier day by day. As a father, he will not ask too much. 

Before Banou leaves, she teach the cooks how to make simple and healthy food without those deep frying. At least her father and the crown prince will benefit on a long run with heathy eating. Upon arrival in the empire, she take time in the evenings to do simple embroidery on square cloths. Before she leaves, she present them to her father and the crown prince. Both cloths are embroidered with the Ottoman's symbols. Her father who received it hold back his tears. All his life he had been giving to his empire and his family. He never received anything personal. He smile broadly and proudly. His daughter will never fail him, he is more sure in the future that Banou will do more than a co-regent. His empire can depends on the son and the daughter that he trusted with. 

Days before Li Xing depart, the Sultan asked to talk to him privately. With a translator in between them, they walk the gardens. The Sultan knows that this is the last chance he might speak to this young man. A grandson that he did not watch to grow up. A grandson that resemble him. A grandson that have Ottoman's blood in him.