A week later, she invited The Marquis Song and Li Xin hiding in the next room to hear what he is going to say. Banou watch a good looking man fanning himself as he walk in the mansion. He bow and sit down.
"Consort Princess, the mansion is huge here! Cannot compare to my mansion."
"Each mansion have it's own purpose and character. I think you know why i have request for your present today."
"Yes i believe it is for Lady Li Xin."
"Yes. As her mother, it is my duty to check ..."
"Consort Princess... i truly like Lady Li Xin. If her heart like me too. I will be so thankful."
"Marquis Song, how long have you inherit the tittle and the job?"
"Since three years back. When my father is gravely sick. I took over his duties and report to the court as and when needed."
"How is the old Marquis Song?"
"Now he is better but ... constantly on bed."
"How many family members do you have now... living with you?"
"My parents, an uncle who is a account and maintaining the family properties. My sister who is now studying with Li Xin, three female cousin who are not married also studying in the Lady's academy. "
"When are you planning to marry?"
"Consort Princess, not planning now. Currently i just want to take care of my parents and the job along with the properties and title. If LI Xin can wait for me, i think in five to seven years time, i will be ready to marry."
"I see... what if there are other men who wants to marry my daughter."
He pause for awhile and look serious.
"If that person is nice and sincere and Lady LI Xin is wiling. Then i will wish them all the best."
He place his hands together and bow with his head down. Banou can feel the sincerity in him.
"Marquis Song, let's say you marry my daughter, will you take in concubines?"
"If i have the ability and Lady Li Xin is allowing, i will take those concubine in. I will make sure i give them all equal time."
"If your family insist and my daughter do not agree."
"... i will still do as my family said. Being a good son for the family is most important."
That evening, Banou and Li Xin sit in the open library. Banou look at her daughter who is confused. She pat the long hands gently. Li Xin move to the other side and lean on banou's shoulder. They sit quietly and hear the crickets sing into the night.
The next few days, Li Xin did not talk much. Banou allow her to think carefully. Aylin have report to her that Abbas have spoken to Li Xin thus she is now in deep thoughts. In the end, a month is up. Li Xin broken off the hasty engagement with Abbas and she distance herself with Marquis Song. Her choice is neither of the men she will choose to marry. Banou accept her decision.
One day, there is a commotion in the streets. Everyone is talking about men with yellow hair is back in the city. Those men have travel far and finally they are here in Tang. Most of them stay outside the city gates. They have set up small community with permission from the emperor. The traders from Persia talk to them and soon know that they are soldiers who have run off from a battle field, long ago. Now they are vagrants who is living by moving around. They did not intend to go back home in Greece. Thus in the day time, they begin to work for the black smith in the city. Most of them have pick up the local languages and able to speak fluently. One of those days, Li Xin happen to meet a yellow hair and blue eyes man. The carriage she is travelling in, the wheel came off. He and his companion helped to fix the wheel. The moment their eyes meet, it brings a familiar feeling in both of them. Since then they have been seeing each other in the busy streets no matter which street they are travelling in because they are tall, they are able to spot each other quickly. In a distance they smile to each other warmly. Li Xin's friends notice the stranger who makes Li Xin shy. They tease her and so did the stranger with his friends.
After a month, Li Xin pick up courage to speak to the blue eyes stranger. She learn his name is Ajax. He is older than her. He have a chisel face with clean teeth and a slim lean build. However because he is a vagrant he cannot stay for long. Moreover she is a daughter of a princess. It makes it all difficult.
"Mother.."
"Yes my daughter."
"Mother... as your daughter. Can i ask if i should ... give up my everything for the person who i come to like."
"What are you talking about?"
"I ... i have come to know a person. He is not a Chinese. He is not Persian too. He is from Greece."
"He is one of those Vagrant."
"Yes mother. He is."
"Do you know him well?"
"He ... i ... i know that much i don't know the rest but eventually i will know. Mother i don't know if i am making the correct decision. However now i do know that what i want. Now i want to see him on daily. I hope mother will not..."
"Li Xin, i will not do anything to make you unhappy. It is your choice, i will respect you. However when your father is back from camp, do tell him about this. Don't keep him in the dark."
Li Xin smile and lean her head on her's mother's thigh.
"I am glad you are my mother."
Banou smile and pat Li Xin's hair gently.