Banou rest well throughout the night. The sound of people speaking in her own native languages brings her comfort. However she somehow fear that they know who she is. She carefully wear her long sleeves to hide the branding. Aylin who follow along the entourage, feels strange to return to this city. That night, they lived in Sir Ayaz's mansion. His mother welcome everyone warmly. Dinner is serve as soon as they reach the mansion. His mother hug her son tightly and cry of happiness. She feed him till he protest with the number of food she is forcing him to eat. Banou reminds her of her own children. She miss them but knowing that Wang MoMo and Min Min is there to take care of the children she is not that anxious.
In the morning, the sun is shining brightly. Outside sounds of people talking and laughing is everywhere. Palanquin and sedans brings the entourage to the palace quietly through the crowd. Banou peek through the market and see many of her favourite fruits and candies are selling. She see children running in the corner and playing Korebe. Young adults helping their parents selling food. While some old folks are sitting around and talking to each other. Cats are sitting on the hot stones looking at the surrounding. Everything is the same as she seen everyday in her life while growing up. As the approach the palace gate, Her heart beats fast. It was that day she was walking out the stairs to the sedan and brought to the mansion of the Marquis. After so long time have past yet the gate and the stairs remain the same. The palace guards see the palanquin and sedans approaching with the inner palace guards. Immediately it is open up and the entourage enters swiftly without stopping. They continue to walk to the first courtyard which the Sultan holds his meeting with all his officials over the states affairs.
Ayaz and Banou got off and stand waiting together with the Chinese Physicians along with Prince Li Jun. A man come walking in and ask Sir Ayaz to go in first to report to the Sultan. The rest continue to wait outside of the courtyard. The physicians look at the small garden of plants. Banou is getting nervous and she rub her palm as she stands staring at the entrance. In her younger years she did not come close to this place as it is forbidden to her because she is a female. Now she is standing before this courtyard and soon she will meet her father. The man that she rarely see besides having lunch with him in her younger years. After a long time, she and the rest are summon in. She take a deep breath and walk into the room.
Inside, curtains of turquoise with lace are hanging on each window. While the walls seems to be lined with gold and there are mosaic titles designs in the ceilings. There even some Roman paintings on the ceilings as well while walking closer to the Sultan, there is a round arch with Arabic words on it. A man who is slim and tall is talking to his officials while walking within the arch wall. Each man is seated on the carpet floor. Each have cushion to sit on. Each officials are dress in their fines robes and listening to the Sultan. As Banou approaches, the Sultan stop talking. He stare at Banou as if he doesn't know who she is. His eyebrows are knitted together. There is an aura of authority and annoyance on his face. The lines on his face shows the years are trolling on him. Banou noticed that even though he have his wrapped hat on, some of his hair show at the corners that he have some white hair. Even his eyebrows are white along with his mustache and beard are white. In her memory, he is the young and handsome father who rule Ottoman with absolute obedience from his children. Today, she see an old man who is still the ruler who is looking tired.
Banou stop before the round arch and she place her hand on her chest and bow.
She greet him now as a subject and the court officials are looking at each other. Many don't know who she is as she is the princess who hid in the dark. Only Ayaz knows who she is and he look at her with a smile. Banou stand up and look at her father. He continue to stand there with the scroll in his hands. After a log time He straighten his back and turn full front to face her. He pass his scroll to the nearest person to him. He walk up to her and raise his hand to her. She take his hand and kiss it. Immediately the court officials all mumble and look at each other. No one is allow to touch him unless they are family members. Who is she, they ask.
Li Jun who is standing far away see this father and daughter. They act like strangers Yet demand the attention of each other. Banou who never tell him of her family realised that she must be one of those who is starving for attention yet she knows that she will not get it. This is why she so yearn for attention of the others. Always trying to please everyone.
"Praise god for bring you to Ottoman in safety."
"Praise god for the good health of my father."
More mumbles are echo in the room. The court officials who are sitting in the back want to see who this princess it. They try to stand up but the Sultan stare at them and they hurry to sit down in proper.
"Come my daughter. Let me introduce you to my court officers."
He hold Banou's hands and walk to where the line begin where they are seated.
"This is one of my younger daughter, Banou. She is the one who get married in Tang Dynasty. The one that some fools have order the execution of her groom! In the end, she was exiled! I lost my daughter and praise god, i found her back now."