Li Cheng continue his punishment till the late morning. His mother summon him into her boudoir. He gets up with much difficulties and walk with the help of the eunuch. He bow to her. She still look terrifying as last night.
"Are you going to tell me now?"
"Mother... i don't know..."
"You don't know. Fine. wait for your father to come here. I see you know or not!"
Meanwhile in his mansion, Banou who did not sleep. Stare at the outside of the window. She wonder if the maids said is what he thinks. Aylin walk in to see Banou awake. She quietly put down the breakfast on the table.
"My princess, the prince is called into the palace an hour ago. He is still in the boudoir."
"His mother must be furious."
"The empress i heard did not sleep well last night. She doesn't understand this prince."
"Unless he tells her what is the issue. There won't be peace for him."
"What will you do?"
"After finishing the breakfast, i will go to the palace. If he still doesn't want to say... i will divorce him."
"No Princess, you..."
"If the maids are correct. Then it's because i'm not pure any more. Then it's better i divorce him."
That late morning, she arrives to the palace. Banou seek an audience with the empress. She walk into the empress boudoir to find Li Cheng punish to copy the buddhist scripture. He sits quietly in a corner. Writing word by word. He seems to be at peace. While Banou is not at peace. Her mind is mess up with lots of thoughts. As she approach the empress, her breath in deeply. She greet her with a deep bow. The empress is delighted to see her however she frown at how sad her daughter-in-law is. She look at her useless son writing in the corner.
"Why are you here so early Ban Nu? Have you taken your breakfast?"
"Your majesty, yes i have taken my breakfast. I am here to see Li Cheng. I am worry that he is still on his knees."
"He is stubborn. He just don't want to say what is in his mind. From a child till now still the same. He is the opposite of Li Jun. Jun'er always tells me what is on his mind. He never hide it. While Cheng'er always keep quiet even he likes it. He will never say."
"Li Cheng is considerate of others, your majesty."
"Being courtise of other is one thing Ban Nu but he is already thirty eight! Why can't he just say what is on his mind. Everything he wants to say always get stuck in his throat!"
"Your majesty, i think... its best that... i... "
Banou look at Li Cheng who is not listening to their conversation. She bow down with her head low.
"It is best that Prince Li Cheng divorce me."
At that moment, it sound like a pin have drop in the room. No one is breathing too. The empress is enrage she look to her son who's hand is not move but still holding the brush in his hands.
"You hear that?! Your wife here is wanting to divorce you! Happy now?!!"
Banou and LI Cheng is frozen on their spot. Banou want to cry out loud for saying those words. After awhile Li Cheng stands up and walk over with the eunuch behind him. He bow down
"I don't agree."
"You two are driving me crazy! I don't care, both of you, get out of my palace!!"
Banou and Li Cheng are kick out of the empress boudoir and they both walk down the stairs slowly. The sun is shining brightly on the couple. They sit in the carriage and it move slowly back to the prince mansion. Both of them are not talking but Li Cheng is look at Banou while she is staring into space.
"Ban Nu."
He reach out to hold her hand. He put her cold hand on his cheek. Li Cheng look at his wife. She have a look of heartbroken. When the carriage reaches the mansion, she gets off in a hurry. Li Cheng follows behind closely. In the end, he scoop her from behind and carry her back to the bedroom. The servants all witness to this is shock. They wonder what is going on.
He let her down outside the bedroom. He watch her walk in. He sigh and look at his men. He signal them to stand away and don't let anyone near. They bow and stand at the courtyard entrance making sure no one will go in to disturb the couple. He takes a deep breath and look up to the sky. It's a beautiful day, he maybe have to tell his story to her.