To my esteemed father, the Sultan of Ottoman Empire, may you always in god's grace. I, your daughter, Banou have been living a good life here in Tang, Chang'an.
My husband, Prince Li Cheng is kind and a hard working man. He is working hard as a general who is leading one of the biggest army. He defend the borders from invaders. On his rest days, he spend his time with me. We walk the gardens. Go to the busy street markets. Watch Chinese operas. Attend festivals. Play with the children in the Prince mansion. Also he have a hobby of making wooden crafts. Over the years, i have collected many different crafting from him. I have enclosed a Chinese lantern made by Li Cheng. A Chinese lantern that can fly up in the sky. Our lanterns are made to be place in the room but the Chinese have made some that can float up to the sky. They have written their wishes and set it up. Hopping that the gods above will read the wishes and bless them.
I believe by this time, the envoy Ayaz had informed you about my eldest son. He is now the age of twenty. He is a commander of a small platoon army under Li Cheng's Flag. He is alike your character, royal, steadfast and discipline. I had request from the royal painter from the palace bureau to paint a picture of him. It is attached together with this letter. I know the style of Chinese painting is unlike the kind of portraits we see from the Rome. However it is the best from this Dynasty. My Son's name is Li Xing. Li is the family name of the royal family. While Xing means the star in the sky. His father is one of the well known prince in this Dynasty. However unfortunately, he is not able to marry me. However please be a sure that Li Xing is not a bastard. He is listed on the royal family records as a son of a prince. In future, he can be a lord or a Baron or a Duke or other titles of this country. This depends on the grace of the Emperor.
My esteemed father, i will let you know that i have another son. He is a young boy of five. He is a chubby child. He eats a lot and plays a lot. His temper is furry when he doesn't get what he wants. My nanny and i are trying to teach him to be patience and kind. Along with him, i have adopted a few children who needed a home. They are abandoned and no families can accept them. I have many children now, in this mansion. Everyday i am enjoying the life with my children.
My dearest father, i have also enclosed some Chinese herbs to help you to boost your health. The older men in Tang often consume them and it helps to live a long healthy life. Like wise, i wish my father to live long thus all these herbs i am sending, each is my wish for you. Sir Ayaz is translating the herbs and dosage for the imperial physician to understand and able to make them drinkable for you.
Lastly, i understand from Sir Ayaz that you have prison my brother Prince Bardiya. Thank you father for not killing him. He have done nothing wrong but to kidnapped me. He did not harm me in anyway. From what i hear and understand from him, he is missing his sister Princess Azedeh. Since he cannot see her, getting to me is the next best thing for him. Father, Bardiya maybe unwell in his mind. Please don't be hash to him. I may not be close to him nor i like nor dislike him. However in god's grace i wish he can live well till his end.
To end this letter, i wish for all, your good health. The glory of our nation. May god alway look favour upon the great Ottoman Empire.
Your daughter,
Banou