Banou feels better the next day. She try to play with her son. He is not crying so much as before. Li Xing drop by frequently to check on his mother and the children who lost their everything enjoys the present of Li Xing who is a nicer man compare to the XiongNu who are aloof most of the time. He offer his smiles and bread whenever he is there. Li Xing finally ask his mother why she mother so many children. Her answer is simple. She doesn't have the heart to walk away from those children who needed someone to love them. Then he ask about the baby girl Xin who resembles her. Banou recall that Li Xing did not like Mehket's daughter very much so she hesitate to tell him who her mother is. In the end when she tell him, Li Xing just nod his head and look at Xin. He smile and said he will return later the day. He got up and limp away with his crutch. Banou watch him going off and Xin walk to her and call her mother while sucking her thumb. Banou's heart break when she hear that. This little one will never meet her real mother. She hug her son and Xin for a while.
In the late afternoon, the rotate soldiers have arrived. They bring a lot of cart of food and drinks for the next three months. Also more supplies of weapons and others materials as well. The handover is done smoothly. The general taking over congratulate Li Cheng on his upcoming wedding. Regrettable that he is not able to attend. Thus that night, the men have an advance celebration with Banou in it. Banou is smiling but she feels that she need to talk to Li Cheng before the wedding.
The next day, the carts are uploaded with the urns. They are carefully place in and cushioning with a lot of hay. The children along with the women are all in different carriages. The ladies of the physicians have their own carriages thus they will be the last to leave with the army. In front the flag barrier carry two white paper lanterns up on the pole. Behind them are the flags of the Tang army. The cart that carry all the urns are covered with paper money as well as the official seal of the Tang. The road to return home is long but it is a must. The dead must be informed. Days before, Li Cheng had despatched a letter urgently back to the capital city of Chang'an. it is written a detail report of the battle and the list of men who had fallen. Also ask for a direct immediate clearance at the main gate to enter into the city. The road to home, they will pass a few county. Farmers who are farming, watch the army march pass, each of them will remove their hats to show respect for the fallen. The march is tiring for the children. However the older one who never see so many different animals on the way is amazed that outside where they live there is other things to see. There are more trees from where they are from. Whenever the soldiers rest, they will come out and play. They will circle the trees and dance in a circle holding hands. They will sing a song that Banou had teach them. The soldiers always got a moral boost from them. They will clap their hands when they are done. The children are proud and happy. It is a good place to be in.
A solider walk up to Banou while they take a break. He asked her if he can adopt a child. He explain that his wife and him had been trying for years. There isn't any result and he take a liking to one of the boys. Banou agree but advise him to consult his wife first. The child is always here but his wife will be the one ending up with a grown up boy once he is conscript back to the army. Thus is better he check if she is fine. He smile and nod his head. A few more men comes up to Banou to express their wish as well for adoption of a child. She tells them the same thing and she promise them all that. The children will be under her shelter till they make the decision. Li Cheng watch this in a distance. He wish that she does not take up with such a heavy responsibility, it will tired her out.
The children never complain on the food given to them for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Compare to the past what they had, this is a lot. The older children are allot to eat till they are full. The babies are feed to satisfaction. Thus they are happy children on the road. They try not to trouble anyone especially to Banou. When they see that she is asleep, they stay quiet and look out the surrounding. Sometimes the mischievous side of them will want to disturb each other. Min Min will try to make them play their toys to prevent them from wanting to fight later.
They travel up to twenty eight days in their speed to reach the capital city. The carriages which are travelling in front made way for the army who are march towards the main gate. All of them stop and park at the side of the road. Some noble men bow to the cart as it pass. The vast entrance of the main gate is clear for them to enter. The soldiers who see them in a distance had a dispatch a rider to the palace to inform of the arrival of general Li Cheng. It is a slow march to the main gate. The solider all stand still. They each hope the fallen is not the man they know.
The main road in the city is clear for them to enter. The streets which usually buzzing with human activity is now in silence. Everyone is alike a statue watching and pity the family who will have to accept that a son is gone for good. The capital city stand still and mourn for awhile. Until the last carriage enters the city. Outside resume as usual. The carriages that follow the army from camp soon set their own destination and leave quietly. Li Cheng who is on the horse riding in front watch the citizens look on with sorrow in their eyes. He never wish to see this sight again. He bravely ride on without an emotion towards the place his men wither dead or alive can rest.