YuZhen was just about to answer when her maid entered the room. She greeted the guests and said to her mistress: "Little mistress, I had gotten the young man settled. He is resting right now. The master also sent word that you should bring our honored guests to see him."

YuZhen nodded: "Everyone, this is Chun-er." After everyone greeted Chun-er, YuZhen continued: "How is my father? Are you sure he is well enough to receive guests?"

Chun-er nodded, "Yes, the master seems much better today. He even seated for his afternoon tea and picked up one of his old books."

YuZhen smiled: "Well, then. Everyone, I'll have someone show you to your rooms. Why don't you go freshen up, rest a bit, and then we can meet back here in an hour to go pay our respects to my father."

The friends nodded and she summoned the servants to show the friends to their rooms.

When they were gone, Chun-er turned to her mistress, "Miss, there's something else I don't know if I should say…"

YuZhen turned to her maid and friend curiously, "Oh? Chun-er, we're close as sisters. Anything you have to say I'll listen to it."

Chun-er hesitated and then said: "Well…when the physician was taking care of the young man from the prison, I noticed a birthmark on his left shoulder blade."

YuZhen sat up straight: "A birthmark?"

Chun-er nodded: "Yes…in the shape of a star."

YuZhen looked at her in shock, "A star? Are you sure?"

Chun-er nodded again: "Yes."

YuZhen grew hopeful: "We might just have a solution within our grasps…Has he awakened yet?"

Chun-er shook her head: "No, after the physician left, the young man fell into a restful sleep. Based on the physician's words, I think he'll really need his rest."

YuZhen sighed: "It might be for the best…tell me, is my father really better today?"

Chun-er nodded: "The Master seems much stronger. He's regained some of his coloring. It's strange…He normally he doesn't stir from his bed chamber and only talks to the servants behind his screen. But today, he was sitting upright and truly seemed ready to receive guests."

YuZhen chuckled: "It may just be that our honored guests have brought miracles and good fortune with them."

Chun-er smiled: "Indeed, if they can bring such smiles to young Mistress, then I say they are miraculous indeed."

YuZhen: "You too! It's been a while since we've both felt a load off our shoulders. Thank you for your friendship and support Chun-er."

Chun-er replied: "Oh young mistress. No need to thank me. Your mother gave me a home after my parents passed. You have giving your trust, protection, and sisterhood."

YuZhen hugged her friend: "Oh you silly. Well, like true sister, we suffer through trials together and benefit from good days together as well. And I have a feeling that good days are coming soon."

In ZW and EK's room

After ZW and EK freshened up, they sat down at the table for a nice relaxing cup of tea.

EK sighed in contentment: "ZW, it's so good to be able to rest for a while. I think we should be safe here for a few days. While I don't mind staying in the hotels, I can't help but worry about everyone's safety still."

ZW shook her head at her husband: "Oh you. HAM definitely picked a good bodyguard in you. No wonder he entrusted you with the planning for our trip. Even on a supposedly relaxing touring trip, you are still hard at work."

EK smiled: "Old habits are hard to break I suppose. But with the state of things in this city, I was particularly concerned about you girls' safety."

ZW reached for his hand: "Oh EK, I know you, YQ, ET, and XJ each took turns guarding us. I just want to share how fortunate I feel to have you guarding me. I don't think I've ever felt so safe than knowing you are there to protect me."

EK placed his hand over hers: "I didn't always do a good job protecting you. Now that you've officially entered our Fu family, I've finally felt better."

ZW leaned her head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her.

EK: "And I have to say, I missed this the most during our traveling. Call me selfish, but I miss being able to hold you like this."

ZW sighed contently but then drew away: "I missed this too. But EK, our job's not done. We've had a lot of adventures, but this situation must be the most complicated. If only YuZhen had a brother…I've always understood in theory why so many officials have multiple wives. But now, I can see the practical reasonings as well."

EK nodded: "This case truly is complicated. I think YuZhen is perfectly capable of taking care of the people in this city and this province, but alas, we do not live such an advanced society quite yet. I remember speaking to XJ about his father's opinions on our society. Maybe someday, we'll see a world in which talented women like you, Qing-er, and YuZhen can truly wield power… As for the multiple wives...that, my dear, is something you will never have to worry about. In this life, you are my one and only. The only one to be my love and the only wife I will ever need."

ZW: "Wield power? Me? I think not. I think you need a certain worldliness to govern. And for all our adventures, I think I'm still too willing to forgive. I just can't harden my heart to meet out severe punishments."

EK chuckled: "That's certainly true. I still remember how you begged for RMM and HHNN's life when we returned to the palace. I don't think I've ever admired you so much for your ability to forgive or wanted to protect you so much than in that moment."

ZW looked puzzled: "What do you mean?"

EK pulled her into his arms again: "You, ZW, are the world's most forgiving person. I just fear without me to protect you, others will take advantage of that ability."

ZW smiled: "Good think I have you then, isn't it? Besides, I'm not as forgiving as you would believe. My feelings regarding RMM and HHNN were complicated. I have my complaints and evil thoughts too. Sometimes, I wish I could be like XYZ, and bestow onto others the evils they bestow upon me. But EK, that wouldn't be right. If we all did that, there would be no peace in this world. Maybe I'm naïve to think that kindness can really transform a person. Besides, I grew up with only one parent. I didn't want 12-A-Ge to suffer the same. Even with all the concubines in the palace, there's no one who can replace his real mother. With all the competition that goes on in the Palace and so many women fighting for the same goal, I think he needs someone who will also be on his side."

EK: "From your descriptions, I'd say that the Palace was like a microcosm of the real world. In court, I see all the officials jostling for power and for the Emperor's favor. Our family has been fortunate to have been so favored for many generations. I know some of the other officials are jealous of us for that. When Ling Fei Niang Niang was first singled out by HAM, there were many unsatisfied officials. And our marriage has caused them even more troubles. "

When he sensed ZW tense, he quickly continued: "I know for them it seemed such a politically driven move. For me to shelter you before HAM recognized you and move heaven and earth to fight for you. Maybe that left both you and HAM in my debt and so he appointed our marriage. Of course we know better, but there are others who don't see it that way."

ZW sighed: "Those are the people who have never known real love or happiness and I truly pity them. Just like in the Palace. All the women there have their sorrows and live lives of tragedy. The Ge Ge's and Ah Ge's are married off for political gain. Marriages such as ours are rare. If Qing-er had never met Xiao Jian, I wonder what would have happened to her. All the concubines fight for the attention of one man who can never give them the love they deserve. While I love and respect HAM, I don't think he will ever understand the hurt he causes…(after a pause, she added thoughtfully) Er Kang, don't you think it's strange? In a world in which women hold such little power, fathers try to receive the Emperor's goodwill through their daughters' success as a concubine?"

EK nodded: "That does seem quite counter-intuitive, doesn't it?" He chuckled, "In the end, perhaps even in this day and age it is you women who hold the powers after all."

ZW protested: "Don't make us all sound so manipulative. I prefer to think of women as partners of men. Who says power can't be shared?"

EK gently kissed her: "Yes my dear partner in love and in life."

ZW chuckled: "Oh you. You always know just the thing to say." Even so, she turned to him and let him kiss her once again.

In XYZ and YQ's room

Unlike ZW, XYZ was much too excited by the day's events to sit quietly. So, while YQ drank his tea, she paced the room and recalled with pride how they had saved a man's life. YQ was quite amused by her antics but was growing dizzy from all her pacing.

YQ: "XYZ, I'm glad we were able to save his life too. But we do have a larger problem to solve now…if Wang Da Ye is truly being poisoned, then we have to determine if his life is in danger. And if it is, then we must warn HAM so that he can send a new official here. I can't bear to see the common people suffer so."

At his words, XYZ finally stopped her pacing and sat down next to him. She reached for his hand: "YQ, you really care about the people don't you?"

YQ was surprised by her question: "Well, of course I do. As the son of the Emperor and as an official in court, it is my duty to care for the country."

XYZ shook her head: "That's not what I meant. You can care for the country and not care a whit for the people. You can settle disputes and find solutions for various policy problems for duty and for knowing you solved a puzzle but not care for the lives your decisions impact."

YQ nodded: "I see what you mean. And yes, XYZ, I do care for the people. It's something you brought to me life. I admit, before meeting you, I had been going through the motions out of duty and expectation. But you brought the people to life. You put me in contact with the people of this country and made me realize that they had thoughts and opinions just like me."

XYZ nodded: "Remember when ZW and I were heading for our beheading? Remember how the people were saying that we couldn't be killed because we represented the people? That the Emperor's favor on us was showing his love for the people? Well, I know you care about me, so that means you must care for the people too."

YQ chuckled at her simple logic and gave her a hug: "Yes, XYZ, I do care about you."

XYZ smiled but then drew back from his hug: "Alright, no more of this mushy stuff. We need to figure out a solution for this situation. It really is too bad YuZhen doesn't have a brother. If she had a brother like mine, we wouldn't have this problem."

YQ smiled again: "Are you volunteering your brother for governing?"

XYZ scoffed: "I think he would be amazing at it. It's too bad he didn't take the position when HAM offered him one. Then maybe he and Qing-er would be married by now. My silly brother and his insistence on freedom."

This time, YQ laughed outright: "XYZ! That's rather hypocritical coming from you, don't you think? You're the one who keeps harping on your freedom, little bird!"

XYZ grinned ruefully: "Hahaha, I suppose. But YQ, don't you agree?"

YQ nodded: "I do. I think XJ would be a great official. Goodness knows he'll be more fair and just than some of the ones we have right now."

XYZ nodded too: "See, you agree. Ah well, he's just stubborn."

YZ chuckled again: "Just like a certain sister of his…"

XYZ stuck out her tongue at him: "Yeah yeah. And you like to tease me just like a certain sister of yours!"

YQ replied with a wicked gleam in his eye: "Where do you think I learned it from if not ZW?"

XYZ playfully punched him: "Oh you!"

YQ laughed and retaliated by tickling her. XYZ shrieked and jumped out of her seat to try and run away but YQ just pulled her into his lap and held her close.

YQ: "Alright my wild little bird, no need to fly away right now. I need you to help me solve this problem."

XYZ looked at him wide-eyed.

YQ caught her gaze and asked: "What?"

XYZ just smiled and said: "You said you need my help."

YQ replied: "Of course I need your help, you silly. You come up with the best ideas!"

XYZ smiled even brighter and impulsively gave him a peck on the cheek: "I feel like I'm always the one needing your help; I'm glad you need my help too."

YQ hugged her and said: "My clever xiao yan zi (little swallow bird), I'll always need you and your out of the box thinking." He looked at her smiling face and tenderly kissed her and this time, XYZ made no effort to move away.

AN: I decided to detract from the plot for a bit and add a little interlude for each couple before they meet this mysterious Wang Da Ren. I think they deserve some focus time after being swept along by my plot. Besides, I think it's time we got inside their heads a little and discover their thoughts and feelings.