Banou is busy with the four youngest children in the mansion. The girls are allow to play with the dolls that she have taken from her room in Persia. While her grandson play with the toys that the twins have make for him. It's small wooden toy with a string that he can pull along as he walk. The body is a horse with four wheels. The head and tail will move up and down as he pull it and walk wherever he pulls it. Banou praise the twins for making a wonderful toy. They say they will make a better one when they save enough money. The next one will produce noise. Banou offer to pay for it but they are determined to save every coin they have to make it. Banou is happy and proud to have sons that are young, talented and able to think far.
One of those days, Afshin come to the mansion, as usual, Banou meet him to check the official documents before sending it to the trade bureau. However today besides the official business, there is another issue that he like to bring up.
"Please say it Sir Afshin."
"Princess Banou, as you know i was married and now a widower. My wife had left behind a son who is now ten years of age. I have recently meet a lady. She is not young, we are nearly of the same age. She is not married and i wish to marry her."
"Oh who is the lucky lady that caught the eyes of a great scholar?"
"She is your personal maid, Aylin."
Banou have a shock as Aylin never mention this to her.
"Oh, in this case can i request for her presence?"
"Please do."
Banou hurry to ask another maid to look for Aylin. After awhile Aylin appear in a cleaner outfit and her hair tidy up. She look shy and both to both of them. After that, Banou ask her to sit down. She sits beside Banou and look down the flooring.
"Aylin, you do know who is this, am i right?"
"Yes. He is the great scholar, Afshin."
"Aylin, i am here today in the presents of Princess Banou to ask for your hand in marriage. I know that i am old now not a young man anymore however what i can offer you is a stable lifestyle. I am not very rich but still i have the money in my ability to make you feel happy. The only problem i see is my son, he is ten years old now and he never have a mother. It will be strange for him as it is strange fro you. I hope you can consider and reply me."
Banou look at Aylin who did not move. She reach out for the hand of Aylin and she look at her mistress. She smile and look down.
"Sir Afshin, looks like she is accepting the ideal that you want to marry her."
He smile broadly and look at Aylin.
"Don't worry i will do as much as our custom back home. I will go back to consult the astrologers and religious leaders when is the best time to get marry. As well as prepare my son's heart to accept a mother that is coming into his life."
With this, he left with a happy note and promise to return with good news. Banou who is excited for Aylin begin to plan for the things that Aylin will need. Over the few days, Banou notice Aisle is rather quiet and not excited as a person who is getting married. On the day they are sitting together to do embroidery, Banou ask her what Aylin is facing now.
"I ... I am... feeling that all these are like a dream. I am afraid that it will be gone when i wake up."
"No Aylin this is not a dream. I assure you. Besides that Afshin is a wonder gentleman. I won't be worry for you when you marry him. He willl take care of you."
"I always thought of the say when someone wants to marry me, what will i do. Now it is happen, i feel like i am a piece of wood. Without feelings!"
"Aylin, do you like Afshin?"
"I do! I do! He is such a wonderful man. He have such a good reputation throughout the land! I hope that i won't fail him."
"You will do well Aylin. Besides that if you need help or advise, you can always come back here. This is your first home and i am forever the one that you can ask for help."
Aylin look at Banou will tears in her eyes, she smile and nod her head.
"We said before, We will live to see the sun raise every day."
Both of them laugh and enjoy the afternoon. With a smile talk with Banou, Aylin comes in a better mood. The days are more enjoyable with the news from Afshin the wedding shall be hold on three months from today. While he gives Aylin with precious cloths from Persia for her to make the wedding dress and shoes. Another few more days jewellery from Persia is sent to the mansion. Banou look at Aylin with happiness, her little friend will be marry well enough.
That night, she ask Aylin in to the open study room. She pass Aylin a paper. Aylin read the Chinese character written on the yellow paper.
"Li Jun had given me these papers long ago. I had forgotten about it."
"Our slavery..."
"Yes. It should be burnt long ago. Now i am giving it to you, Lets burnt it and let our past go."
Banou walk near the candle and lit up her paper. She watch it burnt and put down on the golden bucket that contains things to be burnt. Aylin after looking and reading the paper, she too follow Banou. Together they watch it burnt to ashes. The wind slightly lift up the ashes in the air but soon sink down into the pit of fire. The past is gone and the future is awaiting and it is bright. Banou and Aylin smile with each other. The journey from so far in the sands have send them both to a land of four seasons. A another new chapter of their lives to begin.