While Banou is avoid attention, Li Xin is too having a similar problem. as she grows older, she attends the academy of ladies studies. Unlike Banou, she is tall and slim. However her blue eyes attract attention. Men soon notice there is a foreigner in beauty in the capital and she is taller than average Chinese man. When the news spread out that she is the daughter of Banou. She quickly becomes the talk of the town. Citizen of Tang knowledge that Banou produce beautiful children of mix heritage. Her beauty have pass on to her own children. However no one knows that Li Xin is not Banou's flesh and blood. Banou doesn't intend to talk about it and allow Li Xin to think that they are mother and daughter. Li Xin herself never think about not being the daughter of Banou nor Li Nan is not her twin.
Now with Li Nan complete school, everyday he goes to pick her up. Just because he dislike those men who try to be near to his sister. Still this cause a problem when Li Xin's classmates are surrounding Li Nan. The pair of siblings feel burdens whenever they come to school hence they ask Banou to stop sending Li Xin to school. Banou explain that Li Xin needs to go to that women's school because she will need to get marry sooner or later and noble class have always emphasise on up bringing. Also Li Xin show case what she can bring to her future in laws. Li Xin wonder who would want to marry her as she is taller than average Chinese man. Besides that, she looks different. Not many men like Li Cheng can accept a foreign looking wife.
That summer, a nephew of Envoy Afshin comes to visit. He have seen Li Xin from far and three days later with the encourage of his uncle, he propose marriage to LI Xin. Just like that, Li Xin decided to marry Abbas. Banou ask her a few times if she is sure, Li Xin firmly reply she is sure. Just like that, Li Xin is engaged to a man she hardly know. Banou is half worry as Li Xin doesn't know the culture of a Persian wife. Scholar Afshin may be a gentleman in many way but his nephew might not be as kind as his uncle. However one day, one of her classmate's bother Marquis Song Zhen Siao appear in front of Li Xin. He is talkative and kind to Li Xin and even take lengths to find out what she likes. He doesn't bother with her height, he find that a plus point for him to find her easily in a sea of people. Thus Banou decided to talk and find out more from these two boys what they want from Li Xin.
Banou meet Abbas in the Envoy mansion when she is there to ask to deliver her letter to her father. The young man greet her and they talk in the gardens.
"Are you staying here for long in Tang?"
"Your highness, i am planning to stay here for at least fours years. To learn the culture and how to interact with other nationalities after all Tang is the meeting point for all cultures in the world."
"Did you tell Li Xin?"
He smile to show his clean teeth and long dimples.
"I am planning to tell her bit by bit."
"Abbas, you have to understand, Li Xin is a lady who grow up in Tang. Her heart, her language and her soul is embedded in Chinese culture. She knows nothing of our Persia cultures."
"I will teach her bit by bit when the time comes. I believe..."
"Yes you can teach her but she is bought up eating any thing that moves. There is nothing the Chinese doesn't eat."
He look at her and understand what she is driving at.
"Besides that she goes to those Chinese temples to pray to the gods there."
"Don't you stop her?"
"No. It is her choice. When she was growing up, i let her learn that why i am different from her. Thus she makes her choice. Now she will want to follow you. Hence can you accept what she is?"
"I can accept the rest but ... she cannot pray to another or eat... swines! That is a blasphemy! I will talk to her on this. If she cannot change... it is regretful. "
Banou also regretful for her daughter. She leaves the envoy mansion with a lighter heart. At least now she knows how Abbas feel and Li Xin should able to make a better choice. While she is looking for the Maquis, she hear that he is at a restaurant. She enter and hear a man talking loud.
"I really do like her! She is tall and pretty!"
"Too tall! When we talk to her, everyone have to look up!"
"Well then ask her to sit! It is not a problem. Her legs are long, that's why."
"Brother Song, her legs are long... so you have seen those long legs?!"
Those men burst off laughing.
"I wish! I can imagine that! Look at her dress how long the material of cloth is needed. Also no matter what she wears, she is pretty."
"Brother Song, She might be a vase, you know."
"Hey Brother Dong! She is a smart lady! She have talents! Didn't you hear her play the GuZhen the other day at the poem gathering at the pavilion gardens at the grand princess mansion!"
"I must say she inherit her mother's beauty."
"Yes the whole city, her mother the consort Princess is the foreign beauty still at this age. She change the fashion here in this Dynasty!"
"You all know my fat sister is doom not to get marry. Suddenly because of the Consort Princess, my sister becomes a desirable wife that noble man wants! So incredible! Now she is a mother of three brats. Whole day long she got to chase after them and she lost so much fats that my brother-in-law is not interested in her. He secretly tell he that a woman with a little flesh in bed is better!"
Again the men burst off laughing and talk nonstop. Banou decided to step out the restaurant. This Maquis is not that good either. She need to question him privately.