The story of Ban Nu

Chapter 25: Her fears



Everyone is busy with their daily lives. Sometimes, Aylin will come running with food. There is only Banou who plays with her young son. She brings out the wooden toys that Li Jun had bought months ago for him to play. He bubble on and drool as he plays. Sometimes Li Ning comes to her quarter after her classes on woman's responsibilities as an adult. She brings toys and some preserve fruits that Banou like. She share what she learn from class. 

Banou is enjoying her life now as a mother, a friend and a sister to the people around her. In her younger years, she is always alone with her personal maid. Her maid is not close to her as she dislikes Banou who is born from a palace maid . Her siblings left her alone too as they think that she is not worthy as a princess. She only have her nanny who pity on her. So her many taught her everything to survival in the cruel palace. Also not to do anything that her father will dislike her. This is all in hope that maybe in future, she can request to demoted as a civilian and live a normal life. Banou was working hard on that focus point when a decree came to her in an afternoon just before prayers that she have to prepare herself to be marry to Baris, her cousin. Even though he is an Amir as his birthrights, he is known to own a small army of his own. He is dangerous as he might raise to opposite the Sultan later. 

Another three months pass, Li Xing is older and able to sit up and crawl on his own. He smile like his mother and he is sweet to everyone. If there is dancing in front of him, he would clap to the beat of it. He still drool and Banou have to keep cleaning him. His untamed dark curly hair is something that Ping Ping is obsessed with. She will keep touching his hair just like how the first time she see Banou. At dinner time she would want to sit near them just to touch his hair when she can. Ping Ping knows not to touch Banou's hair too frequently as her father will scold her. Li Xing watch his older siblings running around in the garden it encourage him to move his legs like them. Banou also encourage him like the ladies said. 

One of the day, there are rare guests that arrived in the mansion. Aylin come running and caution Banou about it. Consort Wu with the last experience of Mehmet, had hidden Banou within her quarter. This is to prevent another unpleasant accident from happen. Banou asked Aylin to take care of Li Xing and she creep to the main hall to see who is it. It turned out to be the two Persian men from the palace a few months back. It is better that she remain hidden. They remain as guest till late night. No one talk about Banou after cautious words from Consort Wu. Banou, Aylin and Li Xing remain at the small courtyard quietly. Li Jun avoided the place however the guest asked about the slave that he had bought. Li Jun and consort Wu brush away the topic about the slave. At late night, Li Jun sent away the guest after they are drunk. Li Jun and consort Wu check on Banou after they left. Banou and Aylin upon seeing them, both bow down to them. 

"I just want to know. Why are you so afraid of that two Persian men."

"Master, we are slaves. According to the law, we cannot live this kind of good life."

"Aylin, i know but there seems to be more than that."

"Master, we did not lie. You have seen from the last time how Mehmet had reacted. Those men might be someone who is higher in power. We are still under the law as we are Persians..."

Consort Wu hold Aylin's hand and pat gently. Banou who is holding her son is looking down without a word. Li Jun sigh.

"Fine, they are officials from the Persian court. They will be leaving in a few days time. Meanwhile stay within the mansion. Don't go near the main hall or the main door. However i want to tell you both, this is the Great Tang. Our laws apply here not the Arabic law that you know. If they force to take both of you, it is a war between our countries that they don't want to see."

The night, Banou rock her son gently to sleep. After she put him down on his cradle, she walk slowly to the vanity table. She open up a box beside the table, inside is her wedding gown, her veil and her shoes. She remember that few days before her wedding, the Minister of Affair came to visit her. He present her the gown that was ordered by the Sultan. the threads are made with gold and metal. the finest silk from China is used for the outer layer. The best Egyptian cotton is used on the inner top and pants. The best camel leather used on her shoes. The gold jewellery that was taken away was the most fashionable and expensive made in Persian. There are even more bolts of silk for her to use after her wedding. The nights before her wedding beautiful henna is drawn on her feet and hands. Oils of fragrance were applied on her hair and body repeatedly. While all these are done, the ladies will read and say the prayers for the luck of the bride. It was supposed to be the happiest event to her wedding day but to Banou it was darkest time for her. It's like the daylight will never come to her. Banou stared at the dark sky as the ladies applied the oil and saying the prayers. Now Banou stare at her wedding gown. That man she saw in the palace is the Minister of Affairs and today he is one of the guest. He will surely recognise her. Banou have to avoid him at all cost. She slowly close back the box. She look at the other wooden box with her Chinese name on it. She open it and take out the doll wrap with the cloth. This is one of the only thing in this room that actually make her smile. 


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