Banou moved in the Prince Li Cheng mansion. The servants in the mansion is not used to see foreigners hence they are having a hard time to adjust. However Banou is gentle in nature, she doesn't force anyone to change for her habits. She ask to understand how things run in the mansion. Li Cheng's nanny Wang MoMo is still living within the mansion, Banou treat her nicely as Li Cheng does. She is not an easy person to live with but seeing Li Cheng so gentle and nice to Banou, she cave in a bit however she is still strict with her lessons as a prince's wife. Banou understands and take her lessons seriously. Li Cheng tells Wang MoMo to be kinder and not so harsh to Banou.
They live in a harmonious life together. Wang MoMo continue to report to the palace of the lifestyle of the couple. After three months, they are summon into the palace. They bow to the empress.
"Do you both know why are you here?"
"No mother, please enlighten us."
"i have hear that both of you have a harmonious life in your Prince mansion. However..."
She put down her tea cup and look at them sternly.
"Why are you both not ... sleeping together?"
Li Cheng's face turn bright red. He look everywhere but his own mother. He doesn't know how to explain. Banou look at Li Cheng. She bow to the empress and say softly.
"Your majesty, my husband is busy with ..."
"No excuses! Fine, i will ask the emperor to give you a three months break from work! You better get her pregnant by then! If not i will ask the emperor the extend your ... holiday!!"
"Mother! I ... I ... "
"What is your issue! Tell me now!"
"I..."
Li Cheng stare at the floor with his face turn so red as if it's on fire. Banou also wonder what is the reason beside him busy with the military work. She watch him busy with everything. Including the work in the mansion. Always supervise every single item. When they have time, they will be strolling in the garden. Or he will be craving his wooden dolls.
"Mother my brothers already have so many children in-between them. Why are you forcing me to have a child? Besides that, the other child..."
"Stop, stop! Why aren't you telling me what is the problem! Do you have an issue?? Is that the answer?!"
The hall is echo with silence. The empress continue to stare at her son. She knows that Banou is not the problem. Her son have been running away from marriages from young. Now he get marry but he just doesn't sleep in the same bed with the wife.
"Tell me, what is the issue my son. I will do my best to help you."
"I have not issue. I love my wife. I adore her..."
"Then what is the problem, if you don't say it today. You continue to knee there till i get an answer from you! Ban Nu, you get up now!"
Banou immediately gets up to avoid making the empress more angry than ever and she look at her husband who is still kneeing there.
Li Cheng is stubborn and refuse to say a word. So the whole night he is kneeing there. The emperor did as the empress said. Li Cheng will be given a three months long vacation. Will extend if needed. Banou knows this time the empress is really angry. She return home along in mid night. The next day, the eunuch from the palace said that Li Cheng will not be retuning to the mansion as he is still being punished.
Banou spend time thinking what might be the problem. Since he said that he is satisfy with her then why he doesn't want to sleep with her. She sigh and walk around the garden. Aylin who is walking with her, see there is a few maids gathering at the side cleaning the walkway. They are gossiping as well. Banou and Aylin stand aside and listen.
"Did you hear that our Prince is punished in the palace?"
"Yes, i heard that. It said that was because of the couple who did not sleep together."
"My goodness who will have a heart to marry that harlot? I mean she sleep with so many men!"
"Shiiiih!! She might be around the corner."
"Well it's the truth!"
"It's is not her fault. She was kidnapped."
"Not only that, sold to the highest bidder."
"You girls forgotten that she is bought by Prince Jun!"
"Our poor prince. He got a used wife from his brother. No wonder he is not sleeping with her."
"But she is a nice person."
"So what she is nice? Inside her must be dirty!"
Banou fill that she have finally understand why Li Cheng can never sleep in the same bed as her. Aylin look at her and feel sad. Half is said is true the other is nonsense. Banou quietly walk away. Aylin follow behind. While the girls continue to gossip.
That evening she sit alone in her bedroom. She refused to see anyone. Even chase all the maids away. While Li Cheng continue his punishment by kneeling in front of the courtyard facing his mother's boudoir. He stare at the floor. He cannot say what is wrong with him and his mother is really angry this time. He thought that him getting marry, they will stop arranging him to meet some girls. He like Banou with his heart and soul but his fear stop him from going overboard with what they have now. Li Cheng doesn't know how to conquer his fear. However living so long with it, there isn't a need for him to seek a cure. He continue to stay there in the silence of the night. Two imperial guards stands each at the side of the empress's boudoir. An eunuch stands near Prince Li Cheng and remain in a semi bow position. Maids comes by every hour to provide water to the prince. The night is long for both of them. They each stay up each thinking of the other. The moon shines bright with stars winkling in the dark sky.