AU in which ZiWei made it to the hunting ground with XYZ and the two are more sensible than in cannon (particularly HZZGG II).

Sisters

"ZiWei!" XYZ cried out as she saw her sworn sister slide on the rocky façade.

ZiWei looked from the scratch on her wrist to her friend, "XYZ…I'm afraid…I'm afraid I'm not going to make it."

"What are you talking about?! Of course you will. You came all this way! Just a little more…"

ZiWei shook her head, "I'm not as strong as you…XYZ, you'll have to deliver this package for me."

"XiaoJie!" JinSuo exclaimed, "You can't give up now! TaiTai's dying wish…"

ZiWei took a deep breath, "I know…but, I really can't."

"Yes you can!" XYZ exclaimed determinedly, "You will do this. ZiWei. You are my sister, I will give you strength. Besides, do you think I trust you to go down this mountain by yourself?" She waved an arm, "Look, ZiWei, the way down is longer than the way up! If you can go down, then you can go up."

"XYZ, please, XiaoJie is not used to such hardships."

XYZ turned to JinSuo, "The two of you braved that trip to BeiJing all the way from JiNan. I don't believe that ZiWei can't do this. We'll rest a moment, catch our breath. I won't have you give up. Here, I'll carry the package for you, it's additional weight that you don't need."

ZiWei, who was not used to disappointing others, took another deep breath. Looking at XYZ, she nodded determinedly. In lieu of speaking, she stood up and reached for a handhold.

Near the top, the three stood on a thin ledge.

XYZ looked up and frowned. The distance to the top of the cliff was just beyond her fingertips.

"XYZ," ZiWei shook her head, "that's too high…"

"Not if I use my qin gong."

"Don't!" ZiWei looked down briefly, "If you miss…it's too great a distance to fall."

"Then…hoist me up. Once I'm up there, I'll pull the two of you up."

ZiWei nodded.

XYZ still used a little bit of qin gong to finally make it over the cliff. She took a moment to celebrate before turning back around, "Come on, ZiWei!"

ZiWei reached up but found that she could just brush XYZ's fingertips. "XYZ…I can't."

"Just a little more! Stand on your tiptoes!"

"I am!" ZiWei's face crumpled. She was so close!

"XiaoJie," JinSuo spoke up, "let me hoist you."

"But then, who will help you?"

JinSuo shook her head, "XiaoJie, I can make it down this mountain myself. I'll go find LiuQing and LiuHong. They'll help take care of me until I hear news from you."

"JinSuo, I can't just leave you…"

"XiaoJie, you have a more important duty."

XYZ also called down, "Come on, ZiWei, I can see the flags of the hunting party, just beyond this grove! Your father is close!"

ZiWei gave JinSuo a hug and allowed herself to be pulled to the top.

"JinSuo, you must be careful!"

JinSuo smiled up at the two girls at the top of the cliff, "The ones who should be careful are you two!"

She watched as their faces disappeared. Turning to the return journey, she sighed…hopefully XiaoJie will be able to see HuangShang.

ZiWei and XYZ made it into a group of trees before ZiWei begged, "XYZ. I must rest a moment. Please."

"But ZiWei, listen, can't you hear the hunting horns and the horses?"

ZiWei looked in the direction XYZ pointed. Instead of horses and hunters, she saw an arrow headed straight towards her sworn sister.

"XYZ!" she cried and summoned the last of her strength to move between XYZ and the arrow. "Oof!"

"ZiWei!" XYZ glanced down in surprise. She froze for a single second before she sank onto the ground and cradled ZiWei's head, "ZiWei! Speak with me! You can't have died! ZiWei!"

Just then, she heard voices approaching. Looking up, she saw three young men approach on their horses.

"Please! Please help her!"

Wu Ah Ge looked in shock at the two young ladies.

"Huang Shang…" ZiWei's voice was weak but still audible.

"ZiWei!" XYZ cried, "thank heavens! ZiWei!"

The three young men looked at each other.

"Who are you?" ErKang thought to ask.

"Ge, don't waste time asking, can't you see that the girl is injured? Good thing Li Tai Yi came with us!"

And so the two young ladies were brought before the emperor.

"What is this?!"

WAG carefully laid ZiWei on the ground, with XYZ still hovering closely.

"HuangShang…" ZiWei could barely keep her eyes open, but she saw a splash of yellow in her vision and turned towards it. "HuangShang…do you still remember…still remember nineteen years ago…Da Ming Hu's banks…XiaYuHe?"

"What? What did she say?"

XYZ, reaching onto her back for the packages, quickly stopped as she saw a sword headed towards her neck. ErTai, moving quickly, saved her.

"HuangShang," XYZ said clearly, "HuangShang, look." She unwrapped two items in her possession.

"HuangShang," ZiWei's voice was soft and quickly diminishing, "HuangShang's gifts to…to…"

"ZiWei!" XYZ cried out as ZiWei finally fell into unconsciousness. The items fell from her hands as she once again cradled ZiWei's head, "Please ZiWei! You can't die! It's all my fault! ZiWei!"

Meanwhile, the emperor commanded that the two items be brought to him. He stared at the drawing, stared at the words on the fan.

"Bring her to me!"

"HuangShang," Fu Da Ren cautioned, "we cannot be certain that they have no weapons on their persons."

"I said bring her to me!"

WAG moved to comply but XYZ wouldn't release ZiWei, "What are you doing?! I won't let you take her!"

"Gu Niang," Yongqi coaxed, "We mean her no harm. Only, the Tai Yi must assess her."

XYZ turned teary eyes to him, "It's all my fault…that arrow…it should never have hit her."

"Gu Niang, please…let us help her."

XYZ still stubbornly shook her head.

"Gu Niang. Please. You will be right at her side."

XYZ looked at him through her tears; he did seem earnest. "You'll be gentle?"

Yongqi nodded.

XYZ hovered as ZiWei was brought to the emperor. Looking at the girl's face, the emperor felt like he was seeing a ghost. She looked so much like YuHe!

"Tai Yi! Where is Tai Yi?! You will save her! She can't die, you hear me?!"

The following moments were ones of chaos as the group rushed to return to the Palace. XYZ, who refused to part from ZiWei, held her hand as the carriage rumbled. "ZiWei, please, you must hold on. You made it up the cliff, you made it to the hunting ground …now…please, you must hold on so that you can see your father…"

Within the palace, she still refused to budge even as the emperor and LingFei spoke with the TaiYi. Unable to make her see reason, the emperor and Ling Fei let her be.

"Please, ZiWei, please, you must hold on." Still, exhausted from the day's adventures, XYZ eventually found herself falling asleep, her hand clutching ZiWei's tightly.

When the emperor returned, he found that ZiWei was still unconscious. His voice, however, woke XYZ.

The emperor turned towards XYZ, "Who are you?"

"Xiao Yan Zi."

"And who is she?"

"ZiWei."

"What's her last name?"

"Xia."

"When was she born?"

And so XYZ told him.

"How came you to have those two items?"

"ZiWei entrusted them to me. We're sworn sisters."

"Sworn sisters…"

XYZ nodded, "HuangShang, ZiWei came all the way from JiNan, to find you, to complete her mother's dying wish."

"Her mother's dying wish…and her mother is…"

"Xia Yu He."

The emperor's shock gave way to grief as he glanced again at ZiWei's pale face.

"ZiWei…she'll be alright, won't she?" XYZ had never felt such fear in her life.

"Yes." The emperor said determinedly, "She will be…she must be…"

XYZ was about to return to ZiWei's room with a bowl of medicine when she saw the TaiYi and all the servants leave. She quickly hid around the corner and waited until the coast was clear. Then, she quietly crept closer to the doorway and peeked in…there were two ladies, the younger one looking angry and the older one looking calculating, who were speaking with Ling Fei Niang Niang. She couldn't quite hear the words, but she could tell from their stances that it must not be anything good. She quickly hid again as the two were leaving.

Frowning, she stepped inside to join Ling Fei Niang Niang.

"Niang Niang…who was that?"

LingFei sighed, "XYZ, that was Huang Hou Niang Niang."

"She looked really mean," XYZ commented carelessly.

"XYZ! You can't say things like that!" Ling Fei scolded.

"But isn't it the truth?"

At the girl's wide-eyed expression, Ling Fei found that she couldn't help but be amused. Still, she shook her head, "Huang Hou Niang Niang is mistress of the whole Inner Palace…I fear she's determined to dislike ZiWei…"

XYZ just looked confused, "She hasn't even spoken with ZiWei, how can she dislike her?"

Not certain how to explain, Ling Fei merely stated, "Huang Hou Niang Niang likes order. And since the two of you were brought back from the hunting grounds…order has been sorely lacking in the palace."

She sighed as she added, "it also doesn't help that I've been the one caring for the two of you."

XYZ couldn't ask more questions, for at that moment she heard a groan.

"ZiWei!" Immediately going to her sworn sister's side, XYZ looked hopefully as ZiWei opened her eyes, "Oh thank heavens!"

ZiWei blinked at the unfamiliar canopy over her before turning to meet XYZ's concerned gaze, "XYZ…where are we?"

"You're inside the palace." Ling Fei declared.

"Inside the palace…" ZiWei looked disbelievingly at XYZ.

XYZ just nodded, "This is Ling Fei Niang Niang. She's been so very kind."

ZiWei made to pay her respects, but LingFei quickly stopped her, "Don't move! You're wounded! HuangShang will never forgive me if I caused any set-backs in your recovery."

"HuangShang?" ZiWei asked tentatively.

XYZ laughed, "ZiWei, you're usually so smart! But you're like a parrot today…yes, HuangShang. ZiWei, I told you, didn't I? You're stronger than you think! You did it! Not only that…but you saved my life!"

Her expression sobered, "That arrow…ZiWei, as your older sister, I'm the one who's supposed to protect you! I'm so useless!"

ZiWei just smiled, "As you say, XYZ, we are sisters. You fu tong xiang, you nan tong dang. You encouraged me, gave me this opportunity. Without you, I would have never made it over the cliff. Of course I must save you; I didn't even need to think about it and simply reacted."

"I promise you, ZiWei, I will do better. I will do all I can to protect you from now on."

Later that day, the emperor came to visit.

"Has she woken?"

XYZ nodded, "Yes, HuangShang."

The emperor's relief was obvious as tension left his body.

"But HuangShang," XYZ continued, "I'm afraid for ZiWei."

"Afraid?"

XYZ nodded, "Ling Fei Niang Niang said that Huang Hou Niang Niang doesn't like ZiWei."

The emperor scowled and turned towards LingFei, "Is what XYZ says true?"

Ling Fei nodded, "Huang Hou Niang Niang…she said that if ZiWei is not truly HuangShang's daughter, then…then cheng qie's head is in danger, to say nothing of ZiWei and XYZ."

"Hmmp. HuangHou…she's never spoken a single word with ZiWei!"

"That's what I said too!" XYZ commented.

The emperor turned towards her and smiled, "XYZ, you are ZiWei's sworn sister…if ZiWei is as insightful as you, then I am fortunate indeed."

"HuangShang, ZiWei is so much smarter than me! Qin qi shu hua…ZiWei is a master at all of them!"

"Oh?"

XYZ nodded eagerly, "HuangShang doesn't know. When we became sworn sisters, ZiWei's words were so poetic, so moving! And me…I can't even read that many words. Still, ZiWei treated me like a true sister. Even though I'm just a commoner and she's a princess…ZiWei is the kindest person in the world."

The emperor turned back to ZiWei…in his interactions with XYZ, he had come to see that XYZ was an open person. He had little reason to doubt her words.

As he watched, ZiWei opened her eyes. The emperor smiled, "ZiWei, you're awake at last."

ZiWei blinked.

"ZiWei," XYZ said, "this is your father."

"HuangShang…"

"HuangShang? XYZ says you're intelligent, surely you should know to call me by the proper title?"

"HuangShang…ZiWei doesn't know…doesn't know if I dare…"

"Oh my daughter…these years…how you and your mother must have suffered! But you have returned to my side. I will make it up to you."

ZiWei felt tears form in her eyes, "Huang…Huang Ah Ma."

The emperor smiled, "There, that's better. Now, XYZ has told me that you are a master at qin qi shu hua…you must get better so that I can test the truth of her words!"

ZiWei nodded, "Yes…HAM."

"ZiWei, it's time for your medicine again," XYZ brought the bowl to bedside.

"Let me," the emperor took the bowl and brought it to ZiWei's lips, seeing that her tears only increased, he sighed, "I know…these eighteen years cannot have been easy. I know that you must have so much hurt, that your mother must have suffered so much…"

ZiWei shook her head, "My mother…she said, that though she waited her whole life, hated her whole life, blamed her whole life…still, she's grateful that the heavens gave her someone who was worthy of her wait, her hate, her blame."

The emperor smiled, "I see now, XYZ did not lie…ZiWei, you are truly gifted. To think, all this time, I've had a daughter like you!"

LingFei spoke up then, "Congratulations, HuangShang. Congratulations ZiWei Ge Ge!"

Taking their cue from their mistress, the servants all knelt and repeated her words.

ZiWei watched and could only feel grateful…Niang, she thought, I did it…you can surely rest easy now.

As ZiWei recovered, XYZ thought about her role. She was still determined to protect ZiWei; in her mind, ZiWei had saved her life, it was a debt she would use her life to repay…but how? ZiWei had been given the name of MingZhuGeGe and LingFei Niang Niang had begun to teach her about the Royal family and the proper rites. XYZ had listened at ZiWei's side and felt her head swim with all the different names, connections, and rules. It truly was not the world in which she belonged.

She paced in the gardens, frowning as she thought.

"Eh, aren't you the girl from the hunting ground?"

XYZ paused and looked up, seeing two young gentlemen.

ErTai nodded at Yongqi's questions, "Yes, the one who's always at ZiWei Ge Ge's side and wouldn't budge, not even for the emperor."

"I must thank you," Yongqi said, "to know that my sister has a loyal friend like you at her side…"

"ZiWei and I are sworn sisters. I would do anything for her. Though…if you're her brother, you should go apologize to her."

"Apologize?"

"Of course! You almost killed her with that arrow!"

"How did you know it was me who shot the arrow?"

"LingFei Niang Niang said so. You must be WAG, right?"

Yongqi nodded.

ErTai laughed, "If WAG must apologize, then I should too."

"Why?"

"I was the one who distracted my brother so that WAG could have a chance at that deer."

"And you are?"

"Fu Er Tai. I'm WAG's book companion. Ling Fei Niang Niang and my E Niang are cousins."

"And your brother?"

"My brother is ErKang, he's one of HuangShang's bodyguards."

XYZ nodded.

"What are you doing by yourself?" Yongqi asked curiously.

XYZ sighed, "I was trying to think about how best to protect ZiWei."

"Protect ZiWei? ZiWei is a Ge Ge, HAM has already officially given her a title. Once she recovers fully, she'll undergo the proper rites and then be given Shu Fang Zhai as her personal palace. What can she need protection from?"

"From Huang Hou Niang Niang."

Yongqi and ErTai looked at each other.

"Ling Fei Niang Niang says I shouldn't say such things in this palace…but…each time Huang Hou Niang Niang sees ZiWei, sees Ling Fei Niang Niang, I can tell that she'd much rather hurt both of them…I'm someone who can't hide my emotions, but for ZiWei, I held my tongue. ZiWei…ZiWei is too kind. She'll let Huang Hou Niang Niang walk all over her for the sake of keeping peace… At least I know some martial arts."

"You know martial arts?"

"Why do you look so surprised?" XYZ asked indignantly, "let me show you what I can do!"

To her chagrin, XYZ found that she was no match for either Yongqi or ErTai.

"Stop! Stop! I admit loss!" She pouted. Her expression then fell some more, "Seems like I can't even protect ZiWei with my martial arts."

"You do have some basic skills," Yongqi noted, "you just need some proper training and guidance."

Seeing her crestfallen look, he offered, "If you don't mind, I could help?"

She glanced at him hopefully, "Really?"

"As you reminded me, ZiWei is my sister. It's my fault that she was wounded at all. The least I can do is make sure that she can be well-protected."

"Thank you! Thank you!"

Yongqi just laughed at her enthusiasm.

"XYZ," ZiWei asked when they settled into Shu Fang Zhai, "thank you for staying with me."

XYZ just laughed, "We're sisters, remember? I have to admit, despite all the rules, this palace is a pretty comfortable place to stay!"

"I do wish, though, that we could let JinSuo, LiuQing, and LiuHong know that we are alright."

"I'm sure they saw you in the streets!"

"Still…we owe LiuQing and LiuHong an explanation."

XYZ nodded before her eyes lit up, "I have an idea! I'll ask ErTai."

"ErTai?'

XYZ nodded, "He's my shifu's friend and can enter and leave the palace at will."

"Your shifu?"

"Oh! I forgot to tell you! WAG offered to teach me some martial arts."

"WAG?"

"Has he not come to apologize to you yet?"

"Apologize? What can he have to apologize for?"

"ZiWei! You don't know. That arrow was from him!"

"It was an honest mistake."

XYZ shrugged, "Still. He's your brother; he said that he'd help protect you."

"Protect me? XYZ, I think the one he should protect is you!"

"Me? What do I need protection from?"

"XYZ, you're just a gong nu, this palace…it's not the safest place…I wish I had thought to have HAM name you foster daughter too."

"Me? Huang Shang's foster daughter?" XYZ laughed out loud, "Please! Then I would have to learn all those rules and family connections…no thank you! What's so bad about being a gong nu? I can still stay by your side; can still do as I wish, can still send money and jewels to Da Za Yuan with ErTai's help. Now, then, we've digressed enough. I'll have to speak with ErTai."

ZiWei nodded, "I have to say it again: thank you, XYZ."

XYZ just smiled.

As he had promised, the emperor did indeed test ZiWei's skills. He was delighted to find that his daughter was indeed a gifted young lady. He visited ShuFangZhai frequently to listen to ZiWei play her qin. In watching her, he was reminded of YuHe. How glad he was that ZiWei had found her way to her rightful place.

He also delighted in the conversations between ZiWei and XYZ.

"The two of you are well-matched! ZW is well versed in poetry and literature. XYZ…you have brought a splash of the outside world into the palace!"

"Well, of course!" XYZ declared, "everyone knows ZW is a ming jian ge ge, as her sister, I must represent our origins!"

The emperor just laughed again. "Now then… ZiWei, I do believe I still haven't tested your abilities at wei qi. Shall we play a game now?"

ZiWei nodded and XYZ quickly went to fetch the board.

One game turned into two, and then three, and then four. Before they knew it, dawn had arrived.

Ling Fei Niang Niang's arrival reminded the emperor that he still had to go to court. Still, despite having been awake all night, he felt invigorated.

So it was that when WAG arrived for XYZ's lesson, he found Shu Fang Zhai quiet. On being informed by the servants that his sister and pupil were both sleeping after a long night, he smiled and returned to his own palace.

Huang Hou, on hearing that the emperor had spent all night at Shu Fang Zhai, decided to act. She had tried to find faults with ZiWei, but the newest Ge Ge had proven that she had thoroughly mastered the rules of the palace. That gong nu of hers, however…Huang Hou could tell that XYZ often vibrated with ill-concealed rage whenever Huang Hou was within sight. She had even heard that XYZ had the audacity to slap RMM in the gardens when RMM had made passing remarks insulting ZiWei. XYZ had even said that both she and RMM were no more than nu bi! ZiWei may have been recognized as HuangShang's daughter, but that XYZ…she had heard that WAG was often seen in the girl's company. No, for the sake of the Royal family, she must find out who XYZ really was and her true purpose in coming into the palace.

She bided her time. XYZ seemed to be glued to ZiWei's side most of the time. Still, the opportunity came one day when XYZ was seen to be skipping through the gardens by herself. At Huang Hou Niang Niang's orders, a guard knocked XYZ unconscious and brought her to a hidden chamber in the back of HHNN's palace. When XYZ came to, she realized that she was on a cold floor. Shaking her head, she sat up and frowned. Where was she?

The answer came soon when RMM entered, leading three other mo mo's. All four's expressions held maliciousness.

XYZ kept quiet as RMM talked. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes at her monologue. Hidden motives? What hidden motives did she have? What truth did they want to find? Still, she remembered something Yongqi had taught her. When finding herself in a foreign environment, it was better to get acquainted with her surroundings first. Behind her back, she struggled against the ropes tying her wrists together as the discretely looked around the room. The rope loosened sooner they she thought it would. These old mo mo's, they really didn't know how to knot properly. When she saw each mo mo take needles from the trays and approach her with them in their grasps, she knew the time had come to act. With a loud cry, she struck, using the remnants of the rope as a whip. She also couldn't help putting her own twist into her actions. Grabbing the remaining needles from the tray, she stuck them into any place she could reach. Finally, she dumped the bucket of cold water on RMM, knocked off her headgear, and then placed the bucket upside down over RMM's head. The four mo mo's really weren't a match for her. She listened with glee to their whimpers, taking a brief moment to gloat before running out the door as fast as she could.

Night had fallen already when she arrived back at Shu Fang Zhai to a worried ZiWei. She didn't expect to see Yongqi waiting for her as well.

"XYZ!" ZiWei looked relieved but then immediately worried again as she took in XYZ's disheveled appearance, "are you alright?"

XYZ let ZiWei check her over but then laughed, "Of course I'm alright! That stupid Rong Mo Mo, thinking she could successfully capture me!"

"RMM?"

XYZ turned towards Yongqi, "Shifu, what are you doing here?"

"I went to find him," ZiWei explained, "when I couldn't find you…I panicked and thought of him first."

"XYZ, you're really alright?"

XYZ nodded, "All thanks to you, shifu! I'm so glad you are so particular and picky about my training now. I promise, I won't complain ever again."

"What was it about RMM?" ZiWei asked.

"I'm sure she got someone else to catch me off guard, but it was definitely RMM. You didn't see, they were going to stick me with these needles." She reached into her pocket and pulled some out, "just like these. I brought them back as evidence."

"I'm afraid…I'm afraid we're going to have to go find HAM."

"At this hour?" ZiWei turned to her brother in surprise.

Yongqi nodded, "If what XYZ said is true, then RMM must have been acting on HHNN's command. XYZ was able to save herself, but don't think for a moment that HHNN will just let this matter go."

"But she's obviously in the wrong!"

Yongqi turned to XYZ, "That may be so. But you can't forget, HHNN is HHNN, you're still just a gong nu."

XYZ made a face.

Still, the two girls followed behind Yongqi as he walked out of ShuFangZhai.

"What is the meaning of this?!" The emperor certainly seemed annoyed as he came into the room with Ling Fei Niang Niang trailing him.

The youngsters, each kneeling, looked at each other a brief moment before ZiWei spoke up, "HAM, ZiWei is sorry to disrupt your rest…only this matter affects the safety of everyone at Shu Fang Zhai."

XYZ nodded, "HuangShang. I was taken to a hidden room today and was almost tortured."

"Tortured?"

"Show him your wrists, XYZ," Yongqi commanded.

XYZ did so but also brought out the needles, "Fortunately, WAG has been coaching me, so I was able to rescue myself."

HuangShang examined the needles, "What are these?"

Ling Fei Niang Niang sighed, "I'm afraid it's an old tool to punish the servants. The needles are thin enough not to leave obvious traces, but sharp enough to cause immense pain."

"Old tool? How can the palace have such a terrible thing?!" He frowned, "Do you know who captured you, XYZ?"

XYZ nodded, "It was RMM."

"Her again!" The emperor felt his anger rise, "last year it was she who forced a gong nu to drown herself in a well. The year before that, it was also she who forced another gong nu to hang herself. That evil hag! Did she hurt you more than those bruises on your wrist, XYZ?"

XYZ grinned, "Not at all! These bruises…they're just a trifle…with WAG training me, I was able to save myself."

"Training you?"

XYZ nodded, "He's my shifu!"

The emperor felt amusement seep through the anger, "Your shifu? I know Yongqi's abilities…XYZ, you weren't gentle, were you?"

"Of course not!" XYZ exclaimed but then had the grace to look embarrassed, "But…XYZ knows that RMM is HHNN's servant. There were also three other mo mo's…I'm afraid that I'll get in trouble."

"Trouble? Hmmp. You were acting in self-defense!"

"HAM," Yongqi spoke up, "With HAM's permission, I'd like to speak with ErKang about sending martial arts experts to ShuFangZhai to protect ZiWei and XYZ."

"Is that truly necessary? Are you not training XYZ to be ZiWei's personal bodyguard?"

Yongqi nodded, "XYZ has made much improvement in her skills, but against the strength of trained experts, I fear…Besides, all the different palaces have guards, ShuFangZhai is the only exception."

The emperor thought about it and nodded. Still, he did also ask, "I don't understand though, why RMM would want to capture XYZ."

Yongqi answered, "HAM…ZiWei has HAM's favor, though she is of humble origins. There are many who are jealous…ZiWei is Ge Ge and so they can't directly act against her. But XYZ…XYZ is only a gong nu."

Ling Fei also added, "Both ZiWei and XYZ were cared for by me as well…"

The emperor shook his head, "What kind of reasons are those?! Huang Hou is mother of this country but she displays none of the virtues of such a position! Hmmp."

The next day, the empress also approached the emperor. Her version of the story, however, was vastly different. RMM claimed that XYZ had attacked her for no reason and exaggerated the effects of the bruising XYZ had caused. The emperor had stared at the two with furrowed brows.

"HuangHou, yes, I know managing the inner palace can be stressful. And to have anyone attacking someone else for no good reason must be investigated."

Before the empress could be too gleeful, however, the emperor then brought out the needles XYZ had provided him the prior evening. "For example, what crime has XYZ committed that you would use these on her?!"

"XYZ has no manners; she doesn't act as a proper gong nu should."

"Proper gong nu? XYZ is ZiWei's sworn sister! I gave her special permission to act with such familiarity. And if that's not enough for you…well, maybe I'll declare XYZ a jun zhu (AN: essentially, a duchess)!"

"Huang Shang!" The empress was scandalized.

"Hmmp. You mustn't forget, Huang Hou. You may be mistress of the inner palace, but my word still trumps yours!"

He turned towards RMM, "And don't think I don't know about all your evil doings! Huang Hou was never this intractable in the past…it's all your terrible influence! I'm starting to think that Huang Hou is better off without you at her side!"

"Huang Shang!" The empress pleaded, "RMM has been loyal all these many years…she has kept cheng qie company during the loneliest of days."

"So you also know to value those close to you! Then why can't you understand ZiWei and XYZ's reliance on each other? I'll remember this incidence, but don't think I'll be so lenient the next time!"

ErKang had heard plenty about the new Ge Ge both from court gossip and from his brother and Yongqi. He remembered his first impression of the young lady…despite the pain etched into her features from the arrow protruding from her chest, she had still been so brave, so insistent that she speak with HuangShang. He also heard much about her many accomplishments and witnessed the happiness she had brought to the emperor. Not until he led the chosen guards to Shu Fang Zhai, however, did he personally see her fully recovered.

ZiWei had just been laughing at something XYZ had said when he entered the courtyard at Yongqi's side. She had glanced in his direction curiously. Meeting her gaze, he suddenly felt as though the world around him seemed to have stopped.

"ZiWei, XYZ, this is ErKang. As promised, he's brought along protectors for ShuFangZhai."

Yongqi's voice brought him to his senses, "ZiWei Ge Ge, Gao Yuan and Gao Da are two of our most excellent guards. I'm sure they will perform well in their assignments."

"Two of the most excellent guards?" It was XYZ who spoke, "we'll see about that!" So saying, she entered into a fighting stance.

Yongqi watched proudly as XYZ showed off her improvements. She couldn't beat them, not yet, but he could see that she was observing her opponents carefully and reacting to the best of her abilities. When XYZ called for a stop, she was grinning broadly, "ErKang spoke truthfully! Wonderful! WAG may be my shifu, but I must also learn from the two of you as well!"

Yongqi laughed at her enthusiasm, "Am I in danger of being replaced?"

"Of course not!" XYZ reassured him, "but you have your own tasks too. Gao Yuan and Gao Da, however, are assigned to ShuFangZhai."

ZiWei also laughed and ErKang again found himself mesmerized. "XYZ…Gao Yuan and Gao Da have their own tasks as well."

"Right, to protect ShuFangZhai," XYZ agreed before adding, "and since I'm your number one guardian, ZiWei, then surely that includes teaching me too!"

"If only you had the same dedication to learning cheng yu and calligraphy!"

"ZiWei, that's very different!"

Yongqi looked at XYZ in surprise, "You're learning cheng yu and calligraphy?"

"And poetry too," XYZ said as she made a face, "since I'm stuck in the palace, I figured I should learn your language too. At least this way I can figure out when I'm being insulted."

Yongqi turned to his sister, "ZiWei, I know having a pupil such as XYZ is not easy. Your patience…I greatly admire!"

ZiWei laughed again, "It's not all terrible. XYZ's mistakes are often very entertaining."

"Oh? Do share?"

"No sharing!" XYZ turned to ZiWei.

ZiWei just laughed again and opened her mouth to speak.

XYZ clasped her hand over ZiWei's mouth, "No! No sharing! I'll…I'll tickle you!"

ZiWei giggled and tried to get away as XYZ chased her around the courtyard.

ErKang looked at Yongqi, "ErTai told me, of course, that they're sworn sisters. But to witness their interactions is something altogether different."

Yongqi nodded, "Since ZiWei's recovery, I've noticed all my siblings becoming closer too. ZiWei has no ulterior motives and seems only to wish for a happy family. The younger ones like XYZ better, because she's so playful, but ZiWei is the one my siblings are turning to for wisdom, comfort, and a kind word. Even Huang E Niang's son…you know none of my siblings dare to try to befriend him. But ZiWei and XYZ didn't seem to care. 12-Ah-Ge fairly worships the ground they walk on. This meimei of mine, she truly is a treasure."

ErKang turned to watch ZiWei again. So, he saw when she stumbled. Without thought, he rose and caught her before she could fall.

The two stared at each other before ZiWei smiled, "Thank you."

"You must be careful, Ge Ge."

She smiled at him again as she stood on her own feet, "Please, call me ZiWei. XYZ has become fast friends with ErTai and Yongqi. Since you are ErTai's brother, that makes you a friend as well."

ErKang could only nod.

"XYZ," ZiWei turned back towards her sworn sister, "I promise, I won't tell stories if you'll leave Gao Yuan and Gao Da be. How about we play a game of riddles instead?"

"Can ErKang and I join too?" Yongqi asked.

"Only if you don't make them too difficult," XYZ said, "remember, I'm still learning."

And so the four youngsters passed the afternoon in good cheer.

In the subsequent days, ErKang found that his thoughts often turned towards ZiWei. He wasn't sure what had happened, but the initial admiration had combined with a new curiosity and turned into something he wasn't sure he wanted fully to name. Opportunities to interact directly with ZiWei, however, were few. Still, he knew that ErTai regularly visited with ZiWei and XYZ's friends outside the palace. So, he decided to accompany his brother on one of those visits. ErTai thought only of accomplishing his task as XYZ's delivery person, but ErKang thought more carefully. Though he could see that Liu Qing and Liu Hong were honest folks, still, he could see the dangers if the close association were to be known to others.

In speaking with LiuQing about his concerns, he found his estimation of the young man rise even more. LiuQing truly was dedicated to keeping everyone under his care safe. He didn't wish to accept pure charity and outlined his plans to open a restaurant/hotel in the city with all the resources XYZ and ZiWei had sent him. ErKang found himself admiring LiuQing's righteousness. He could also tell that LiuQing held some tender feelings for ZiWei and felt some amount of jealousy. Pushing aside such feelings, ErKang observed the interactions between LiuQing and JinSuo. Knowing that JinSuo had been ZiWei's maid most of her life, ErKang wasn't surprised that JinSuo interrogated ErTai on ZiWei's well-being. Whether because of his own morals or because of ZiWei, LiuQing was also particularly caring towards JinSuo. For ZiWei's sake, ErKang felt relief.

In the following days, he thought carefully about his reactions. He was honest enough with himself to admit to intrigue about ZiWei. But he wasn't certain how to act on his impulse to get to know her. Then the emperor assigned him the task of planning for an undercover trip south.

XYZ had gotten wind of the trip from Yongqi and ErTai. She insisted to ZiWei that she wanted to go as well.

"XYZ! HAM is going on official duty, it's an inspection tour, I can't just ask to be included."

"ZiWei. On a trip like this, surely he'll need at least one ya tou to care for him."

ZiWei studied XYZ for a moment and thought she understood. "You have been stuck in this palace with me for a while. Alright, I promise I'll try."

"Try what?"

"HAM! HAM, why didn't you have someone announce you?"

"Hmm. I wanted to see what new troubles XYZ has thought to stir up!" The emperor laughed at XYZ's protestations.

"Now then, what were you going to try, ZiWei?"

ZiWei smiled, "HAM…I think XYZ is finally starting to feel caged. I think she wants to spread her wings and fly."

"Oh? Where did she want to fly?"

"To the south."

The emperor laughed, "I should have known that your shifu would have told you, XYZ. ZiWei doesn't need to try; I came today to ask if the two of you would want to accompany me!"

"Really?" XYZ asked excitedly.

"Really! I've already told ErKang to plan for it!"

With laughter and song, the group set forth. XYZ impressed the emperor with her ability to use some of the chengyu phrases and poems she had learned.

"XYZ! What a surprise!"

XYZ just beamed, "LaoYe…with ZiWei teaching me, of course I must improve!"

"You do have a gift of finding excellent shifu's! First Yongqi and then ZiWei!"

"ZiWei says it's a good thing I found things to occupy myself, else I'd truly become a troublemaker."

The emperor turned towards his daughter, "ZiWei is wise."

"XYZ is also smart," ZiWei was quick to remark, "she's been so excited about this trip! And it's such a beautiful day! The sky so blue, the clear so crisp!"

"Yes. We've been on the road most of the day…let us go stretch our legs!"

Enamored with the scenery, the emperor decided on a picnic. The five youngsters departed to gather supplies and soon were busy with making the actual food. As ZiWei named the various dishes and then even the leftovers, ErKang found that he had grown even more attentive. Subconsciously, as the group traveled, he found himself drawn to her side. Their conversation flowed easily and he found that he was less scared and more certain about his own feelings.

When they ran across the Du family heiress throwing the colored ball to find a husband, XYZ looked at WAG, "Shifu, I hear this young lady is a true beauty…how about you bring her back with us to be my shimu?"

"XYZ, my marriage has to be appointed by LaoYe."

"So? If you catch the ball, then it's heaven's will. Even LaoYe can't refuse it."

"XYZ, I appreciate your kind offer, but must decline."

"Well then, ErKang? ErTai?"

The Fu brothers also shook their heads. "XYZ, our situation is the same as shouye's."

"Hmmph," XYZ sighed, "'tis such a pity." Just then, Miss Du came out onto the balcony.

"She really is a beauty!" ZiWei couldn't help but say.

"But not more than someone," ErKang whispered the words to himself. Still, at the side glance from ZiWei, he rather thought that she may have heard anyways.

Yongqi had also heard and though he did not share the thought out loud, in looking at XYZ's excited expression, felt his heart whisper the same thought. Annoyance took over most of his feelings, however, as XYZ insisted on pushing the ball towards the three young men.

Distracted briefly by the scuffle when the ball fell to someone completely unexpected, Yongqi sighed to himself. He knew he had to be realistic. Though his father enjoyed XYZ's company and allowed much freedom in recognition of the unique relationship between ZiWei and XYZ, XYZ still remained only a gong nu. There was no way that they could be more than shifu and pupil…

As the group continued their journey, the emperor turned towards XYZ, "XYZ, what were you trying to do with that ball?"

"LaoYe, that Miss Du was truly a beauty! I looked at all the young men in the crowd…they're all so coarse! Shouye, ErKang, and ErTai, all of them were eligible. I figured, why not?!"

"Why not?! XYZ, don't you know that their marriages must be appointed by me?"

"LaoYe is honest and upright, if the ball had fallen to one of them, you would have still allowed it, wouldn't you?"

The emperor laughed, "You're so eager to play matchmaker. Well then, let me ask you, who do you think I should match ZiWei with?"

"LaoYe…" ZiWei blushed.

The emperor turned towards his embarrassed daughter, "ZiWei, sooner or later, you must marry. I of course prefer that it be later, but still…"

"LaoYe," XYZ spoke up in defense of her sworn sister, "you've just reclaimed a daughter, you're so ready to marry her off? We're getting off topic, where are we headed to next?"

The emperor laughed, "ErKang, what's our next stop?"

When ErKang didn't answer, ErTai gave him a quick nudge.

ErKang startled and answered appropriately.

Still, Yongqi saw the way ErKang had looked at ZiWei and decided to speak with his friend that evening.

"ErKang, what are you intentions towards my sister?"

"Intentions?"

"Don't play dumb, I'm not blind."

"I…"

"Surely you must know that if you choose to speak, HAM won't refuse you. He had always intended for you to marry one of my sisters."

"I…"

ErTai looked between his brother and his best friend before realization dawned, "Oh! Ge, you haven't said a word!"

ErKang turned to face his friends, "ZiWei is…she is…I'm afraid to ask."

"Afraid?" Yongqi said in surprise, "ErKang, you've always been so confident. What are you afraid of?"

"LaoYe may approve, but I would wish for ZiWei to be happy too."

"Well, have you spoken with her?"

"No…ZiWei is so kind. I'm afraid that to spare my feelings, she won't reject me even if she truly wished to…"

Yongqi laughed, "ErKang. ZiWei may be gentle and kind, but she also has a mind of her own. She must, to keep up with XYZ. It's not purely because of their sisterly bond that XYZ listens to ZiWei, you know. Go on, go speak with her."

ErKang nodded, "Thank you."

Yongqi just smiled, "As I said, this meimei of mine, she's a treasure. I know you well enough to know that I can rely on you to give her the care and respect she deserves."

After ErKang departed, ErTai asked, "You're eager to give my brother advice, what about yourself?"

"What do you mean?"

ErTai snorted, "Don't think I haven't noticed the way you look at a certain pupil of yours."

Yongqi just shook his head, "My situation is different..."

"Different how?"

"I can't promise XYZ happiness. I am well aware of the expectations for my position. It's my fault that I didn't guard my heart carefully, XYZ shouldn't have to pay the price…It's a path without an ending. Knowing this fact, why would I purposefully walk onto it and cause her pain?"

"What if XYZ is willing?"

"Has she said something?"

ErTai shook his head, "No, but I've noticed that only with you do her cheeks turn red."

Hope entered Yongqi's heart but he quickly pushed it away, "Nonetheless. Though XYZ so carelessly talked about making Miss Du a second wife or a concubine for one of us, she has too much self-confidence to allow herself to be stuck in such a role. And I…I refuse to force her into such a role."

ErTai sighed, "You are so very noble."

"Noble? I don't know about that. Only when you fall in love, ErTai, will you understand. A part of me wishes to be selfish but a larger part of me just wants her to be happy no matter the amount of pain I bring to myself…Enough now, we'd better go distract XYZ so that ErKang can have a chance to speak with my sister."

The three found the two young ladies at the well.

"XYZ, would you like to learn a new move?"

"Now?" XYZ asked excitedly.

Yongqi laughed at her, "Sure, why not?"

"But what about the water for LaoYe?"

ErTai took the pan from ZiWei, "I can do it. Go on XYZ."

With a smile, XYZ departed with Yongqi.

"ZiWei, may I speak with you?"

ZiWei looked at ErKang, "with me?"

He nodded.

ErTai shoved at his brother, causing him to bump into ZiWei, "Go on, you two, there's a pagoda over there."

ErKang had caught ZiWei again as she stumbled. She looked at him shyly but allowed herself to be pulled in the direction ErTai had indicated.

Finding himself alone with her, ErKang found that he wasn't sure how to begin.

"ErKang, what's wrong?"

He looked at the concern on her face, "ZiWei…nothing's wrong…just…"

He looked away again.

ZiWei frowned but waited.

"What LaoYe said today, about matchmaking…"

ZiWei flushed at the memory.

He turned back towards her, "Have you…have you thought about it?"

She looked down at her hands as they twisted, "I…" Unable to speak more, she shyly nodded.

"Then…then is there someone in particular that you think about?"

Her blush deepened.

"No…I shouldn't ask you like this…so bluntly. ZiWei, I've never spoken to a young lady about these matters. My usual eloquence is nowhere to be found…ZiWei. What I wish to ask is…is…do you think about me the same way I think about you?"

"The way you think about me?" ZiWei dared to look up at him then.

"Yes. ZiWei…since that day on the hunting ground, I've wondered about you. Since meeting you properly and especially during this trip, in all our interactions, your intelligence, your sweetness, your kindness, it all seems to have bound me to you. And my thoughts, despite myself, my thoughts remain full of you. I dare to ask you now, if…if…I have any place in your thoughts too."

"I…" ZiWei found that she had to look away from the intentness of his gaze, "these past few months, so much has happened. I left JiNan, came to BeiJing, met XYZ, found my Ah Ma, completed my mother's wish, became Ge Ge…one thing after the next. Sometimes, I still marvel, that I can have such happiness, that the heavens have looked after me so much. I dared not ask for more…but your words…I…"

"ZiWei?"

She turned back towards him, "Since my mother told me the truth about who I am, my sole purpose has been to find my father, all my hopes focused on whether or not he'll accept me as his daughter. I never thought to think beyond what would happen once I did. I…"

"I understand." ErKang tried to calm his heartache.

"No, no you don't!" ZiWei shook her head rigorously, "meeting you, getting to know you…"

As ZiWei struggled to find the words, ErKang began to hope, "ZiWei…do I…do I have a place in your future?"

She could only look at him. But what she wouldn't say, he read in her eyes. Drawing closer, he reached and grasped her hands in his. She startled but didn't move away.

"ZiWei…I…"

"I know."

After the group had saved the young girl and her father, the emperor paced and stewed. Taking the tea from ZiWei and the snack from XYZ, he still couldn't help but be angry.

"Each year, we carefully test and select the most qualified of applicants. Yet still! Terrible officials like Luo Da Ren still exist. XYZ, what was it that you had said about Liang Da Ren? That he tried to force someone to be his daughter-in-law?"

XYZ nodded, "It's how ZiWei and I met actually. I meant to go and just steal some of the riches, but I found the poor bride crying. To help her get away, I agreed to pretend to be her to buy her time."

Despite himself, the emperor found the corners of his mouth twitching. "Oh?"

ZiWei nodded and told him the rest of the story, causing the emperor to laugh.

"XYZ! Only you!"

XYZ merely shrugged, "I could help, why wouldn't I?"

"If only more of the officials thought as you do." The emperor sighed.

"Ah Ma," ZiWei soothed, "there are certainly good officials too. Only, because they don't cause any trouble, Ah Ma never hears about them. The troublesome ones make noise and so of course draw attention."

"LaoYe, you can't always travel and inspect for yourself, but why don't you send out undercover agents to travel for you and report back about the realities of how different officials are doing? Then you can be sure to punish the bad ones and reward the good ones."

"That is an interesting idea." The emperor said thoughtfully.

ZiWei smiled at her sworn sister, "It's a pity, XYZ, that you weren't born a boy. I'm sure you'd volunteer to carry out the idea if you were!"

"Good thing I'm not a boy," XYZ retorted, "else we would have never met and you would have never found your father!"

The emperor, his mood lightened, laughed at their banter, "I knew it was a good idea to include both of you on this trip!"

At the next stop, the group happened upon market day. XYZ, pulling ZiWei along, flitted from stand to stand. Yongqi, ErKang, and ErTai followed closely to try to protect the two.

"XYZ! Slow down! This whole trip, you keep getting into trouble."

XYZ just laughed, "You mean adventures! Admit it, without me, this trip would have been very boring!"

So busy turning back to yell at Yongqi, she didn't watch and bumped into a lady, causing her to spill her basket of vegetables.

"Oh!" XYZ immediately bent down to help gather the spilled goods, "I am so sorry…let me help."

The lady smiled in appreciation but then gasped as she looked at XYZ's face, "Xiao Ci!"

XYZ frowned, "What? No. I'm Xiao Yan Zi."

"No, no…you must be xiao Ci!" The lady started crying, "xiao jie, I am so, so sorry. I shouldn't have abandoned you all those years ago…TaiTai had entrusted me with your safety but…I was selfish and too focused on my own safety…"

"Ma'am," ZiWei thought to ask, "I'm afraid you're really mistaken."

"I can't be. You look so much like TaiTai, I can't be mistaken."

The young men also glanced at each other, what was going on?

Just then, the emperor also caught up, "XYZ, what did you do this time?"

"LaoYe, it was an honest mistake. I bumped into this lady, but I apologized already."

"At least you do know to be polite. Well then, don't delay her from her tasks."

"LaoYe," ErKang spoke up, "I'm afraid we have to detain her for a moment. Just so we can get the whole story."

"Oh? Story?"

The group settled in a nearby hotel. The lady refused to be parted from XYZ's side.

"Madam," the emperor asked, "what is your story?"

The lady still wouldn't let go of XYZ's hand. "When I was young, I was fortunate enough to be the nai niang (nursemaid) for the Fang family. The master and mistress were both kind people, known far and wide for their generosity. Their wealth never prevented them from caring for the less fortunate in HangZhou. They also obviously doted on their children and treated me like one of the family. I knew I was lucky to have found a position in their household. But when xiao jie was six months old, calamity befell the family…LaoYe was killed, TaiTai committed suicide, shouye was sent South, and I was to take xiaojie to BeiJing to deliver her to one of LaoYe's friends. We made it to the outskirts of the city when we both fell ill. We were saved by a nun. I'm ashamed to say that when I became well, I cared only for my own safety and so abandoned xiaojie. I've lived with my guilty all these years…but now, now I see with my own eyes that xiaojie is alive and well! I am so grateful. Xiaojie, I dare not ask for your forgiveness, but…the heavens bless you!"

"The Fang family…from HangZhou…" To everyone's surprise, it was Ji Shi Fu who had spoken, "Madam…your master…was he named Fang Zhi Hang?"

"Yes! How did you know…"

Ji Shi Fu asked another question, "The person you were to bring your charge to, who was it?"

"A scholar, last name of Ji."

"XiaoLan…what is this about?"

"LaoYe," Ji Shi Fu looked at XYZ in wonder, "ZhiHang xiong was my senior during school. Our masters were sorely disappointed when he chose not to enter into civic service. We lost touch when I moved to BeiJing. If XYZ is truly ZhiHang's daughter…"

The lady gasped, "Are you…"

Ji Shi Fu nodded, "Ji Xiao Lan. Ji Yun at the time I met ZhiHang xiong."

"It must be fate! Xiaojie, I have managed to complete my task after all!"

XYZ looked between the lady and Ji Shi Fu, "You're saying…I have family?"

The lady sighed, "Just your brother now, if he made it to Da Li. Everyone else was killed or committed suicide."

"What sort of awful thing could have caused such a tragedy?" ZiWei asked.

The lady shook her head, "A poem."

"A poem?" Yongqi asked in surprise.

"Lao Ye…it was said that he wrote a poem that suggested treasonous thoughts."

"Impossible!" Ji Shi Fu exclaimed, "ZhiHang xiong was exemplary in his uprightness. Surely he had lofty ideals and tried hard to live up to them, but he would never…You must be mistaken."

"I was only a servant…I know not the details. I only know of TaiTai's anguish, her despair and fear…"

"LaoYe," Ji Shi Fu insisted, "I would ask permission to investigate this matter. I refuse to believe that ZhiHang xiong would have truly…"

"LaoYe," XYZ's voice was soft, "I don't…I don't understand…"

"How can you be certain that XYZ is your xiaojie?" The emperor turned towards the lady.

"She looks so much like TaiTai!"

"Still, people change."

The lady turned towards XYZ, "xiaojie, what do you remember about your childhood?"

"I…I have been an orphan for as long as I can remember. I remember being sold to a cruel master when I was seven, to work in his household…I escaped as soon as I could…LiuQing and LiuHong found me and cared for me until I met ZiWei."

"And before you were seven?"

"I…the memories are faint…but I think, I think I grew up in a nunnery."

"Do you still remember the name of your caretaker?"

"I think…I think it was JinShi Shi Tai."

The lady nodded, "Then you must be my xiaojie!"

"Is that, is that why you called me xiao Ci?"

"Xiaojie, your given name is Fang Ci."

"Fang Ci…" XYZ turned towards her sworn sister with tears in her eyes, "ZiWei…I have a real name. A last name. I have roots!"

ZiWei nodded as her own eyes misted, "Yes, XYZ…yes."

"Who was it that caused such misery for my family?!"

"I aim to find out about that," the emperor declared, "ErKang, you had best change our travel plans. We will all go to HangZhou. XiaoLan, you and FuLun will both investigate this matter thoroughly. "

HangZhou proved to be a beautiful city. But XYZ found that she could not appreciate the scenery. Her friends all tried to distract her to no avail. Finally, Ji Shi Fu and Fu Lun compiled all the information they had gathered and brought their report before the emperor.

After listening to their synopsis and then reading the documents carefully, the emperor's anger grew steadily stronger. The matter was swiftly and decisively concluded, the guilty party justly punished, and the Fang family's innocence pronounced.

XYZ, who didn't understand all the finer details, nonetheless knew that revenge had been obtained.

"LaoYe, thank you."

The emperor sighed, "It is Ji Shi Fu who you must thank."

XYZ nodded and obediently kowtow'd to Ji Shi Fu as well, "Thank you."

Ji Shi Fu was quick to raise XYZ to her feet, "Please…you should have been brought to me eighteen years ago…I should have provided for you, cared for you, treated you like my own child. ZhiHang xiong was my mentor, a large influence on who I have become…I am so very glad that his bloodline has not ended."

He then turned to the emperor, "LaoYe, with your permission, I would like to name XYZ my foster daughter. I know it would have been ZhiHang xiong's wish."

"LaoYe…" XYZ spoke up, "though I am thankful, I cannot accept."

Both Ji Shi Fu and the emperor turned to her in surprise.

"Why not?"

"All I have wanted my whole life was to have family…and though Ji Shi Fu has offered me a home…I cannot part from ZiWei."

"Maybe you don't have to," the emperor said after a moment of consideration, "Ji Shi Fu works in the palace to give lessons to the princes, after all. I also know ZiWei would miss you sorely should you leave Shu Fang Zhai. So, XYZ, you'll stay as you are. Only, no longer as a gong nu. You will be my ZiWei's companion. As a daughter of the house of Ji, you have the qualifications."

XYZ felt tears roll down her cheeks again, "Thank you."

"LaoYe, I would also like to ask for permission to find ZhiHang xiong's son. If he is anything like ZhiHang xiong, then he will be a boon for the dynasty."

The emperor nodded, "I give my permission."

When XYZ stepped onto the bank from the emperor's boat, she wasn't surprised to see ZiWei waiting for her. Seeing the tears on XYZ's face, ZiWei at once rushed to hug her friend.

"XYZ! Are you alright?"

XYZ nodded, "ZiWei…Ji Shi Fu named me his foster daughter and…and he's going to find my brother!"

"Oh, that's wonderful news!"

"LaoYe also said that I can still live at Shu Fang Zhai with you, though as your companion instead of a servant."

ZiWei's smile widened, "Why, that's even more cause for celebration!"

"I know…" XYZ dried her tears, "ZiWei…I still can't believe that it's real! I don't feel deserving of so much happiness! Ji Shi Fu has told me a little about my father…he was such a good man…surely he would be disappointed in me."

"Disappointed?"

"My father…he was such an honest and moral person…but I…I have stolen, I have lied…I have brought shame to the Fang family."

"Oh XYZ!" ZiWei shook her head, "think about all that you have done this trip…think of all the people you have helped! Yes, you did commit small crimes, but you were only trying to help care for everyone at Da Za Ruan! I think, I think your father would have been proud of his daughter."

"You really, truly think so?"

ZiWei nodded.

XYZ straightened her shoulders, "ZiWei, I promise, I will try harder now with all the book learning. Ji Shi Fu says my father was a wen wu quan cai…I know I'm starting late, but I will not let him down. Besides, Ji Shi Fu has been so generous, to offer me a place in his family. I know Ji Shi Fu is also a renowned scholar. I will not let him regret his generosity."

ZiWei smiled at XYZ's determination, "I know you can do it!"

Yongqi, ErKang, and ErTai also noticed a new seriousness about XYZ.

Watching XYZ practice forms with Yongqi and ErTai, ErKang asked ZiWei, "What's going on with XYZ?"

She smiled, "I think it's good for her to have found roots. It seems to have given her new purpose. She's determined that she won't be a disappointment to her parents, to Ji Shi Fu, and, whenever he is found, to her brother."

"Do you think she's truly Fang Ci?"

ZiWei tilted her head, "Does it matter? A serious miscarriage of justice has been corrected, Ji Shi Fu has gained a daughter, and XYZ has gained a family and a new purpose."

ErKang nodded, "I wonder what type of person XYZ's brother will be."

"If he is as attentive as my brother has been, then I think XYZ will be lucky indeed."

At ErKang's questioning look, ZiWei explained, "I know Yongqi initially approached me because of XYZ. She had told him he needed to apologize for hitting me with that arrow. Subsequently, because he's XYZ's shifu, his visits to Shu Fang Zhai were not a rarity. Still, he has taken the time to get to know me individually, has asked after my welfare, has warned me about HHNN and taught me about the various complexities regarding living in the palace. We are similar, in some ways, both of us are without our E Niang's and both of us are favored by HAM."

"It was also his advice that led to me asking to speak with you."

"Oh?"

"Yongqi says that you are a true treasure. He showed much faith when he entrusted your happiness to me."

"I do not think his faith is misplaced."

He smiled down at her, "No?"

She blushed but smiled back, "Are you looking for compliments?"

He shook his head, "I still can't believe, at times, that you return my feelings."

Unable to meet the intensity of his gaze, she looked at her shoes.

"ZiWei…do you think…do you think it's too soon to speak with LaoYe?"

"Surely you can wait until we've returned to the palace."

ErKang sighed, "I know I ought to, that would be the practical cause of action. But I find that with you, all my logic and practicality has no place. There are phrases that I now finally understand."

She glanced up again, "Which phrases would those be?"

"Yi jian zhong qin (一见钟情), for one. Qin bu zi jin (情不自禁), for another…"

A cry of triumph interrupted his listing. They turned and saw XYZ's grin of triumph as her whip caught the sword in ErTai's hand and caused it to fly through the air.

ZiWei laughed in delight at XYZ's gloating while ErKang laughed at the look on ErTai's face.

"Shifu, shifu! Did you see that?"

Yongqi laughed at XYZ's excitement, "I did indeed. I am very proud of your accomplishment!"

"It's not fair," ErTai complained, "Yongqi has always known my weaknesses."

"Hey! No, I beat you fair and square!"

"Well, I demand a rematch!"

"Fine! Bring it on!"

"Do you think," ZiWei asked ErKang, "that I should speak with my brother?"

"About what?"

"About his feelings for XYZ."

"His feelings for XYZ?"

"Surely you can see it too."

"Ah…"

"Can it be that you have already spoken with him?"

ErKang shook his head, "No, not me. But ErTai did."

"And?"

"Yongqi…he's determined to let it be. LaoYe's favor, it comes with certain hopes and expectations…Yongqi does not think he can give XYZ the happiness she deserves."

"Perhaps it's just as well…XYZ surely has never given any indication that she thinks of him as anything other than her shifu. Only…as a sister to them both, I so wish they could be as happy."

An express letter from the capital led to the group's return to BeiJing. Despite the rush of activity and preparations for the Mongolian delegation's visit, ErKang did find the opportunity to speak with the emperor about the matter foremost on his mind and heart and was relieved when the emperor gave indications of his approval.

Princess SaiYa, accompanying her father to most required state events, found herself bored stiff. So, taking advantage of his father's inattention, she slipped away and wandered through the palace by herself. Soon enough, she frowned as she realized that she was helplessly lost. Stupid palace, she muttered out loud… all the red walls, yellow rooftops, and similarly shaped doors…everything looked just the same. Coming up to a cross-road, she groaned and picked a path at random. She wondered along corridors, hoping to find some sign of where she was. Turning a corner, she finally saw such a sign…ShuFangZhai. She frowned, what in the world was a Shu Fang Zhai? Making her way forward, she stepped through the door and saw an unexpected sight. There was a young lady, dressed in purple, practicing with a whip. How marvelous!

SaiYa quickly grabbed hold of her own whip and decided to challenge the other young lady. The lady in purple seemed startled, but then focused on the fight. SaiYa was delighted that her partner was in possession of some skill. When the metal whip wrapped around her leather-made one and the handle flew out of her hand with one strong tug from the other lady, SaiYa only laughed.

"Oh! I didn't think I'd find a worthy opponent in this boring place! Who are you?"

XYZ blinked at the foreign looking girl, "I'm XiaoYanZi. Who are you?"

"Xiao Yan Zi…like the bird?"

XYZ nodded, "Yes."

"What an odd name! I'm SaiYa."

"SaiYa…oh! You're the Mongolian princess!"

SaiYa nodded, "And you? Are you a princess too?"

XYZ laughed, "A princess, me? Oh goodness no! I'm just XYZ."

"That can't be right…for you to live in the palace…"

"Oh! I am companion to my sworn sister, ZiWei, she is the actual princess."

"Where did you learn your skills with the whip?"

"A little here, a little there…but Yongqi is my current shifu, though ErTai helps sometimes too. In fact, I was just practicing in preparation for today's lesson."

"Can I stay too?"

"I don't see why not!" XYZ untangled the two whips and returned the leather one to SaiYa.

Just then, ErTai entered the courtyard.

"Princess SaiYa!" ErTai gasped, "Oh! Everyone has been looking for you!"

"Where's Yongqi?" XYZ asked.

"I'm sorry, XYZ, Yongqi sent me to be his substitute today…Huang Shang requested his presence during the meeting today."

"Oh." XYZ shoulders slumped.

"Though…Princess," ErTai said, "please allow me to escort you back to your father first."

"No." SaiYa said firmly, "If I have to sit through another meeting, I shall scream!"

"Princess, please…"

SaiYa just lifted her chin stubbornly, "No. I refuse."

XYZ looked from ErTai to SaiYa, "Are you sure you shouldn't go with ErTai?"

SaiYa just waved a hand impatiently, "My father is used to my stubbornness. He won't mind."

"Princess…" ErTai tried again.

"Oh give it a rest!" SaiYa said, "are you going to start the lesson or not?"

"Start the lesson…?"

"Well of course! XYZ and I are both waiting."

ErTai looked between the two young ladies and sighed. "Xiao Deng Zi!"

After sending the eunuch to notify SaiYa's father that his wayward daughter had been found, ErTai turned to the two young ladies and began the lesson on hand to hand combat. The ladies found that they were well-matched and SaiYa felt that she hadn't had such fun in a long while. As for XYZ, she also grinned that she had found another young lady who was so keen on fighting.

When ErTai began to give them feedback, however, SaiYa felt some indignance. Who was he to give her such criticism? And so, she demanded a match with ErTai as well. ErTai merely shrugged and complied. Having grown used to sparring with XYZ, ErTai made no attempt to hide his skills. Rather than be annoyed, SaiYa found that she was exhilarated at the chance to fight with someone who didn't seem to care about her status as a princess.

As he forced her to yield, however, ErTai seemed to remember with whom he had been sparring.

"Princess! Forgive me."

SaiYa frowned at him, "Why are you apologizing? I'm so sick of people who are unnecessarily polite, who just let me win because of who my father is. You and XYZ…it's so good to have real tests of my skill!"

As he stared at her in surprise, she turned back towards XYZ, "That was fun! Do you think I could visit again?"

XYZ laughed, "Of course!"

SaiYa smiled. "Well, ErTai, now you can escort me back to my father."

On their trip back through the palace, ErTai said thoughtfully, "You're not what I expected."

"What? You were expecting a docile little lady?"

"Well, yes."

SaiYa scoffed, "Life on the plains demands that one has a strong will. I may be a daughter, but I am not any less than any of my brothers."

ErTai grinned at her, "I can see that."

"I have to admit, this palace is not what I expected either."

"What do you mean?"

"You're all so proper…it's truly tedious. I'm glad that I got to meet XYZ."

ErTai laughed, "No, I don't think anyone would call XYZ proper."

"Just who is she, anyways?"

"Did she not say?"

"She only said that she was sworn sisters with one of the Ge Ge's."

ErTai nodded, "Yes. She means MingZhu Ge Ge, though most just call her ZiWei Ge Ge. But XYZ is also Ji Shi Fu's foster daughter and so has special permission from HuangShang to live in the palace."

"And who are you, exactly?"

"I'm ErTai, younger shouye of the house of Fu."

"You're very brave."

"Brave?"

SaiYa nodded, "Not many would have dared to let me lose."

"I've gotten used to training with XYZ…I'm sorry if I caused offense."

"Didn't I say before? No need to apologize…who's Yongqi?"

"You mean Wu Ah Ge?"

"XYZ's shifu is an Ah Ge? How strange."

"What's so strange about it?"

"Like I said, you're all so proper in this place. I find it hard to believe that an Ah Ge would willingly teach a young lady."

"XYZ is an exception."

"Hmm."

ErTai didn't have a chance to ask SaiYa to explain herself, however, as they arrived at their destination.

"Thank you." SaiYa said politely before going to see her father.

"Ah, my daughter! Where have you been?"

"Here and there," SaiYa said in a non-committal manner.

"I think I have found a satisfactory husband for you, my daughter."

"Who?"

"The fifth prince. He is a favored son of the emperor, destined for greatness."

SaiYa frowned, "I haven't even met him yet."

"Ah, if you hadn't slipped away today, you would have! But fear not, I've arranged for him to show you around the city."

"Just him?"

"Of course not! I'm taking no chances with your safety! HuangShang assured me he would send only the most dependable guards with you."

When the day came, SaiYa was relieved to see a familiar face.

"ErTai! Are you to be one of my guards today?"

ErTai laughed, "Yes, Princess."

"And this must be WAG."

"Princess SaiYa," Yongqi inclined his head.

SaiYa looked him but a moment before turning to ErTai, "Well, let's go!"

Meanwhile, XYZ found herself pacing Shu Fang Zhai. Of course she knew that Yongqi and ErTai were accompanying SaiYa today.

ZiWei, seeing XYZ's restlessness, was concerned, "XYZ, what's the matter?"

"I don't know…I just…don't like it."

"Don't like what?"

"I…I don't know…"

ZiWei looked at her consideringly; she rather thought she had a good idea of the reason, "XYZ…is this because of Yongqi?"

"What about Yongqi?"

"Well, he's showing SaiYa the city today."

"So is ErTai," XYZ noted.

"True. I thought you liked SaiYa."

"I've only met her once…and she was fun to spar with…"

"So…"

"So…" XYZ huffed and finally sat down in a chair, "what's wrong with me?"

"Do you think…do you think you could be jealous?"

"Jealous? Of what?"

"XYZ…I didn't think I'd ever ask you…but…do you think of Yongqi as anything other than your shifu?"

"Well of course! He's also my friend."

"You're certain, just your friend and shifu?"

"ZiWei, why are you speaking in riddles?"

"I just wondered…if you think about Yongqi the same way I think about ErKang."

"The same way you think about ErKang?" XYZ shook her head vigorously, "Oh no. No, no, no!"

"You're sure?"

"Of course I'm sure!"

"If you say so." Still, ZiWei sounded very doubtful.

"Enough," XYZ declared, "I'm only feeling stir-crazy. ZiWei, will you come on a walk with me?"

"Certainly."

That evening, XYZ found that she couldn't sleep. Her restlessness had not abated. After tossing and turning to no avail, she slipped out of the room and into the courtyard. What was wrong with her? She tried to move through some forms but even the most rigorous movements gave her no relief. Grunting in frustration, she sat down in the swing that had been built as ZiWei's gift to XYZ for her birthday. She thought again on ZiWei's question…Yongqi was her friend, her shifu…that was it, surely? Could she, could she truly be jealous? Yongqi was a prince…even she knew that he was expected to marry someone befitting his status. And SaiYa, SaiYa was a princess. XYZ pulled at her hair in agitation.

Another thought occurred to her then…on the subject of marriage...she was happy for ZiWei. She knew it was only a matter of time before the emperor officially declared the engagement between ZiWei and ErKang. What was to become of her then? She had stayed in the palace for ZiWei, to protect her. But, she had seen ErKang's skills; he had taken to tagging along with Yongqi and ErTai whenever they came to Shu Fang Zhai. He was even better than her shifu. Surely ErKang could protect ZiWei. And she couldn't very well move to Xue Shi Fu when ZiWei marries, could she?

She supposed she could go to Ji Shi Fu. She had met his wife and his three children; they had all been so welcoming. And maybe, maybe her brother would be found soon as well. Still, she couldn't help but feel lost.

When dawn broke, she sighed and made her way back to her bed. Maybe she could try to catch a little bit more of sleep.

Both ZiWei and XYZ were surprised when Princess SaiYa came to visit.

"XYZ!" She excitedly handed over a hairpin in the shape of swallow bird.

She turned towards ZiWei and handed her a pair of jade bracelets, "And you must be ZiWei Ge Ge!"

"SaiYa…what…"

SaiYa smiled, "BeiJing is such a bustling city! I won these in some of the games!"

She waved away their thanks, "I wish I had thought to ask for you to join me, XYZ. ErTai tells me that you grew up in the city? I'm sure you would have been a better companion than he and WAG. Oh! That reminds me!"

She opened the box that she had brought with her.

"Tang hu lu!" XYZ exclaimed, "Oh! These are my favorite!"

SaiYa laughed, "WAG overheard the vendor say it was a popular treat and so insisted on purchasing them for you. And they are quite delicious, sweet and tart all at once. Well, go on!"

XYZ grinned and at once reached for one of the treats.

SaiYa turned to ZiWei, "They're for you too, ZiWei Ge Ge."

ZiWei smiled, "Just ZiWei please."

SaiYa nodded, "I'm so glad to meet young ladies my age! My father intends for me to marry and settle here…I was sure it would be a lonely existence. But after meeting XYZ…maybe it won't be so bad."

XYZ made a chocking sound, causing her companions to turn to her in concern.

"I'm fine! I'm fine!" XYZ insisted. "What do you mean your father intends for you to marry…"

SaiYa shrugged, "Diplomacy through marriage. It's not uncommon. 3-Ge-Ge married one of my cousins after all; it's a fair exchange, a princess for a princess. At least my father is letting me pick."

"Pick?" XYZ found that the tang hu lu did not taste as good as she had remembered.

SaiYa looked at XYZ and fought the urge to roll her eyes…she may be spoiled, but she wasn't stupid.

"If you don't mind me asking," ZiWei spoke up, "have you chosen?"

"Maybe…" SaiYa shrugged, "there's to be a martial tournament. The stated intent is of course for our people to compete and show off, but I'm sure my father meant for me to choose based on what I observe."

"Oh."

"It'll be exciting to watch at least."

"Yes…" ZiWei turned in concern to XYZ.

"XYZ, I thought you'd be more excited!" SaiYa had also noticed XYZ's silence.

"I…" XYZ took another bite of her tang hu lu.

"I'd much rather fight for myself though."

"What do you mean?" ZiWei asked.

"You can tell a lot about someone when fighting with them. I'd rather find someone who is skilled but doesn't take themselves too seriously…someone who can find the fun in it."

"Maybe you should ask to be included in the fighting." XYZ at last commented.

SaiYa looked thoughtful, "Maybe…"

She shrugged again, "ZiWei, WAG and ErTai told me about you…ErTai says you're to be his sister-in-law?"

ZiWei blushed, "HAM hasn't officially declared it yet."

"HuangShang must favor you like my father favors me to consider for your happiness."

ZiWei flushed even more.

"She and ErKang are well-matched," XYZ couldn't help but tease her sworn sister.

SaiYa actually giggled, "And what about you, XYZ?"

"What about me?"

"Surely HuangShang has considered for your future as well."

XYZ tried to be nonchalant, "Oh goodness…only if he wished to punish someone."

"You have such a low estimation of yourself?"

XYZ found that she didn't know how to answer.

"Never mind," ZiWei broke in, "SaiYa, why don't you tell us about your trip into the city?"

SaiYa's enthusiasm returned, "Oh! There is so much to tell!"

Later, after SaiYa had departed, ZiWei turned towards her sworn sister, "XYZ…I can tell that you did not sleep well last night."

"It's merely the weather, it's been so hot lately."

ZiWei shook her head, "I know you well enough to know when you're worried."

"Worried? ZiWei, what can I have to worry about?"

"XYZ!"

"What do you want me to say, ZiWei? Should I admit, that all the confidence I project…it's all a front? That inside, I'm scared, insecure…that there's always this fear in the back of my mind, in the bottom of my heart, that I'm not good enough?"

"Oh XYZ…"

"I can admit it to you, because you're my dearest sister. I am scared ZiWei. Things are changing. I thought surely my purpose was to protect you…but with ErKang in your life…I feel as though I have been living on borrowed time. Finding out about my real family, it has helped…but even now, I wonder, where do I belong?"

"How long have you felt this way?"

"Since the beginning…but I was able to ignore it, because you needed me. I had a responsibility, a debt to repay. I'm simple minded, ZiWei, though you have tried to teach me philosophy, though I have tried to learn, I just don't think that way. My world is much more straight-forward. And this palace…what do I know about matters of national security? About diplomacy? About politics?"

"XYZ, surely you don't need to know about all that."

"Don't I? I feel sometimes, despite all you have taught me, that I just don't speak the same language as the rest of you. All those lofty ideals…they never helped keep me full or clothed when I was younger. "

"Have you ever thought, XYZ, that it's precisely your different way of looking at the world that endears you to everyone?"

XYZ looked at ZiWei in surprise.

ZiWei just smiled, "You are right, we do speak in a different language…the ideals we hold…surely your father held them too. From what Ji Shi Fu has shared with you, your father…he could have entered this world, could have excelled in civil service, but he chose a different route. Nonetheless, he still used his ideals to guide his actions. Though you never knew your father, surely his legacy continues to flow in the blood you share with him. XYZ, your drive to help others, it no doubt has roots in the experiences of your childhood. Your very existence is a reminder to us of resilience, of hope, of simplicity. As you told HAM, you could help, so why wouldn't you? For all the flowery language, that simple phrase embodies the spirit of our ideals. How then, can you doubt that you belong?"

"Oh ZiWei…you're so well-spoken. I barely recognize myself in the way you describe me. I thought…I thought I just caused amusement."

"Well…you are our kai xin guo! But truly, XYZ, I know I am a better person for having known you. I have realized that I have strengths I didn't think I could possess. Because of you, I have been able to know the care of a brother. Yongqi is a model prince, but it is your influence that has humanized him. Surely you can see that he has taken 12-Ah-Ge under his wing? That poor child, he is so starved for affection. Without your influence, do you think Yongqi would have truly remembered to think of himself as simply a brother? And HAM, HAM has been able to be a father, not only to me, but also to you…free of other considerations or expectations. I'm certain, because HAM usually has to think so deeply about national matters and court politics, that he appreciates such simplicity."

XYZ was silent as she digested ZiWei's heartfelt words. "Thank you, ZiWei…thank you."

"You are my sister, XYZ, I only wish for you to see yourself truly. Besides, HAM does not wish for me to marry just yet…so, I will still need your protection and company."

After such a conversation, ZiWei felt that it was time to speak with her brother too.

"ZiWei? Where is XYZ?"

"She went to visit Ji manor for the day."

Yongqi put away the papers on his desk, "To what do I owe the pleasure of your company today?"

"What? I can't simply wish to visit my brother?"

"Of course you can!"

ZiWei laughed lightly, "But truly, I did wish to speak with you about a specific topic."

"Oh?"

ZiWei nodded, "About Princess SaiYa."

"What about the Princess?"

"You know, I'm sure, that she and XYZ have become friends?"

Yongqi nodded, "HAM fears for the plants in the Imperial Gardens may not survive their various battles."

"The trees at ShuFangZhai will surely be marked forever by signs of their friendship." ZiWei agreed but then asked, "Yongqi, I wished to ask you…has HAM determined that you will be the one to marry SaiYa?"

"Marry SaiYa?"

ZiWei nodded.

"Her father has hinted at it, HAM is considering it."

"And you?"

"ZiWei, you and I both know that I have no power over my marriage."

"What about…what about XYZ?"

"XYZ?"

ZiWei nodded. "I've seen your care for her…"

"I should have known you would…" Yongqi paused, "I told myself, it was a path I could not walk to completion…"

"But her circumstances are different now. As Ji Shi Fu's foster daughter…"

"I know…only…ZiWei, I could not ask it of her…"

"Why not? Do you doubt your ability to give her happiness?"

"XYZ is a free spirit…unshackled by politics, by rules…my position is such that…I do not wish to bind her."

"XYZ has not said, but I think she is lonely in her own way. She may pretend to be mistress of her own person, but I think, I think she truly needs someone to look after her, to support her, to care for her all the while letting her be who she is…"

"And you think I am that person?"

"It's only a matter of time when HAM will consider marriage for XYZ too...HAM's favor, it is genuinely given, but can't you see that it also makes XYZ an attractive option for those who would use such a connection to advance their own goals? XYZ does not think in such a way but…someone must."

"You would wish to protect her."

ZiWei nodded, "XYZ never speaks of her feelings, not truly. But I do not think she is as indifferent to you as she pretends to be. This whole matter with SaiYa…"

"What do you wish for me to do?"

"Talk to ErTai."

Yongqi blinked at his sister in surprise, "ErTai?"

"You and ErTai are as close as brothers…despite your friendship, however, ErTai can never forget that you are an Ah Ge. As a younger son, he has been raised to adhere to his duties."

"Are you saying that ErTai and SaiYa…"

"It's merely conjecture," ZiWei admitted.

Yongqi unexpectedly chuckled, "He had wished for me to speak to XYZ, when ErKang had initially spoken to you. He called me noble, because I wished to protect XYZ from the demands of my station, demands that she must also meet should she choose me. But…I have been presumptuous, haven't I? To not even give her the choice…ZiWei…meimei, thank you."

ZiWei just smiled, "I've gotten used to having XYZ as my jiejie; I simply wish to make it more permanent."

SaiYa's choice of ErTai surprised her father. ZiWei, watching as SaiYa and XYZ chatted freely over cups of tea in ShuFangZhai, however, felt only gladness.

"Oh!" SaiYa suddenly exclaimed, "you know what this means?"

"What?" XYZ asked.

"Now that HuangShang has properly announced my betrothal to ErTai and ZiWei's with ErKang…the three of us…we'll be sisters!"

XYZ also thought about it and laughed, "So we will! Though, I'm still the oldest!"

"And thus obligated to take my side whenever ErTai and I argue."

"Do you intend to argue with ErTai often?" ZiWei asked curiously.

SaiYa tossed her head imperiously, "It is my prerogative! I mustn't let him forget that I'm a princess!"

"You just enjoy the fact that he'll argue right back," XYZ teased.

SaiYa laughed, "I have no use for a husband who would treat me like a fragile flower." She quickly turned towards ZiWei, "not that there's anything wrong with being a fragile flower…"

ZiWei just smiled, "But you're not suited to be one."

"Hey! ZiWei is not all that fragile, either. She survived an arrow wound, after all."

"ErTai has made passing mention of it, but never did tell me the whole story…"

"Oh!" XYZ exclaimed and sprang up to her feet, "let me do it!"

And so, without great enthusiasm, XYZ embarked on the tale.

Laughing at her over-dramatizations, ZiWei thought again that surely the heavens must have blessed them.

ErTai and SaiYa's departure to spend a year in SaiYa's homeland was an occasion for bittersweet partings. Still, the arrival of the Mid-Autumn festival ensured that the palace was once more thrown into activity.

And so, Yongqi came to ShuFangZhai one day to find his sister and XYZ gathered in the kitchen as they made mooncakes. ZiWei expertly wrapped the fillings and placed them into molds, but XYZ seemed more determined to make more free-style figures.

"What are those supposed to be?" Yongqi asked in amusement.

"Animals of course! See, there's a pig, and a rabbit, and a dog…I thought I'd make one for each of the Ge Ge's and Ah Ge's as matching their astrological sign."

Yongqi looked doubtfully at the lumps of dough, "I don't know…XYZ…they all look a bit deformed."

ZiWei laughed at the indignant look on XYZ's face, "Never mind, it's the thought that counts."

"I have a better idea," Yongqi said, "Why don't we make lanterns for the children instead? I've seen you draw, XYZ, you can surely draw better than you can sculpt!"

"Go on," ZiWei encouraged her sworn sister, "MingYu and CaiXia can help me finish these."

"Alright," XYZ agreed.

Later that afternoon, with Yongqi's help, XYZ delivered her presents to his younger siblings. The children's enthusiastic reception of the lanterns from their XYZ jiejie made XYZ grin. The various concubines also smiled at the genuine happiness from their children and found kind words to say to XYZ. The only exception was Huang Hou Niang Niang, who still greeted XYZ stiffly. However, because of Yongqi's presence, she didn't dare to outright insult the girl.

As the two walked back to ShuFangZhai after their last delivery, Yongqi couldn't help but remark, "You have such a way with children…I think you will surely make a good E Niang someday."

"Me? An E Niang?" XYZ looked at him in surprise.

He nodded.

She became uncharacteristically quiet.

"What are you thinking about, XYZ?"

"As a child, after I initially escaped the bad master's house, I roamed the streets. I begged, I stole, I did all I could to avoid cold and hunger. Still, in those days, comfort was more often lacking. I saw, sometimes, how mothers cared for their children, and I wished, so very much, that I could have my own E Niang too."

"Your childhood was not an easy one."

XYZ shook her head, "I should be more grateful. I may not have an E Niang, but I have a sister and Uncle Ji too. The children here…I'm glad none of them have to suffer as I did."

"My time with my E Niang was not long…I remember feeling jealous of my siblings too."

"Did you? I would have thought it'd be beneath you to feel jealousy."

"Beneath me? Surely not. 'Tis only human to feel emotions. Only, my upbringing is such that I was always taught to hide them."

"It seems an exhausting way to live."

Yongqi laughed, "I didn't realize that it would be, until meeting you."

He turned serious again, "XYZ…I've realized a lot of things since meeting you…and chief among them is…I don't want to go back to a life in which I don't know you."

"Impossible. Unless you can travel through time."

"I'm in earnest. XYZ…I…I never thought, that I would be given much choice in my marriage. It didn't bother me; it was merely another duty. But now…after meeting you, I want to be able to choose…I think my heart has chosen you already, only...would you choose me?"

"Choose you?"

"ErKang has ZiWei, ErTai has SaiYa…and I…"

She frowned at him, "I'm confused…you've confused me."

"Then let me say it plainer. XYZ, I want to marry you."

"You want to…are you crazy?"

"Crazy? Maybe. But it doesn't change the wishes of my heart."

"You could choose anyone! What's wrong with you that you would choose me?"

"Must there be something wrong with me to make such a choice?"

"I…but you're my shifu…"

They had arrived back at Shu Fang Zhai. Yongqi turned to XYZ, "Promise me, promise you'll think about it."

She turned to go but he pulled on her arm, "XYZ, please."

"I…I need to talk to ZiWei."

Watching her walk away from him, Yongqi wondered if he had done right to declare himself.

ZiWei noticed that XYZ merely picked at her dinner.

"XYZ, what's wrong?"

"ZiWei…Yongqi…he…did you know that he…"

"Ah. He has spoken to you finally?"

"You knew?!"

ZiWei nodded, "It was fairly obvious."

"Obvious?!"

"And you've been rather obvious too."

"I've been…what do you mean?"

"Even if you don't, I certainly remember when you couldn't sleep all night and when you couldn't enjoy your tang hu lu properly."

"I…"

"XYZ. How long are you going to lie to yourself?"

"You really think I…"

"Oh XYZ. I think the real question is…what do you think?"

XYZ just shook her head. "I..."

ZiWei took pity on her friend, "It's unfair of me, to press you so."

XYZ valiantly tried to eat more of her dinner before she finally gave up. "ZiWei…I…the truth is, I think I do know what I think of Yongqi, though I protested. But…ZiWei, I'm afraid of all the rules and regulation and expectations that being with him would mean…I don't know if I can do it."

"Yongqi had mentioned that all this time, he didn't speak to you because of those considerations."

"He doubts me too."

"No. XYZ, he doubts himself, his ability to make you happy. The real question is, XYZ, are you willing to try for him? I know when we began our climb on that cliff, that neither of us had foreseen our current circumstances. I know that you stayed because of our sisterhood. Is Yongqi important enough to you that you would continue to stay?"

"It's a big decision," XYZ sighed.

"So take your time."

XYZ nodded.

The festivities of the holiday served as a welcome distraction.

The emperor's announcement that the dowager empress was to return from her praying sojourn in the spring served as another source of distraction.

During a visit to Ling Fei Niang Niang, the concubine took the time to warn ZiWei and XYZ.

"LFY has always favored HHNN…the two of you must be careful. She has been quiet thus far, but I'm afraid that when LFY returns, HHNN may cause you trouble again."

ZiWei and XYZ looked at each other.

"Thank you, Niang Niang," ZiWei thought to say.

"What I say is, the two of you do your best to become friends with Qing-Ge-Ge."

"Who's Qing-Ge-Ge?" XYZ asked curiously.

"She's HuangShang's niece. Her parents passed when she was young and LFY has raised her. Qing-er is clever. If you can become friends with Qing-er, then you can gain some protection."

"But it seems so contrived," ZiWei murmured.

Ling Fei chuckled, "The two of you will like Qing-er, I'm sure of it. You'll win her over, just like you've won over all the other Ah Ge's and Ge Ge's. Now then, 9-Ge-Ge in particular wanted to show you the new song she learned on her guqin, ZiWei. And 6-Ge-Ge wanted XYZ to show her how to ti jian zi. I'll have nai niang bring them now that you're both here."

When they returned to Shu Fang Zhai, XYZ turned to ZiWei, "Do you really think HHNN will try to stir up trouble again?"

"I don't know. She's ignored us for the most part."

XYZ made a face and then asked, "this Qing-er…do you think we could be true friends with her?"

"We became friends with SaiYa, didn't we?"

XY nodded. "I wonder what Qing-er is like…surely she must be more like you than SaiYa."

"We should ask WAG. If LFY raised her, then she grew up right here in the palace."

XYZ sighed but nodded.

"You can't avoid him forever," ZiWei gently admonished.

"I haven't been avoiding him."

"Then why do you keep disappearing, even going to Ji manor, when you knew he was to visit for your lessons?"

"I don't know how to face him."

"You'll have to give him an answer sooner or later."

"Then I'd prefer it be later rather than sooner." XYZ said petulantly.

"XYZ…"

XYZ sighed, "I know, it's unfair to Yongqi. He has enough troubles, taking over court responsibilities, without having to worry about this matter too."

ZiWei smiled to herself. Surely XYZ's show of concern for Yongqi's well-being was a positive sign.

XYZ looked at her sworn sister's expression and shook a finger at her, "ZiWei, don't you start! You may be his sister by blood, but you were my sister first!"

"Alright, alright!" ZiWei laughed, "I know you're stronger than I am!"

XYZ sighed, "You're right, I can't avoid him forever. Besides, we do need to find out about Qing-er."

Another week passed before Yongqi arrived for XYZ's customary lesson. Though he had failed in the last few months, still he never stopped trying. His heart sank again when he saw ZiWei walking out to greet him.

"She's gone again, isn't she?"

ZiWei smiled a little before shaking her head, "This time, I'm the one who will be gone. Ling Fei Niang Niang sent word that Fu Jin has entered the palace today. As her future daughter-in-law, I should go pay my respects."

"And XYZ?"

ZiWei took pity on her brother, "She's just getting ready for her lesson."

"You mean…"

"Yongqi, wait for her to speak. I'm afraid if you push her, she'll lose her courage."

"XYZ isn't afraid of anything."

ZiWei just smiled again, "For her, you always were an exception."

So saying, she left her brother in the courtyard.

Yongqi paced the courtyard, then sat at the table, then got up to pace again, then sat again.

"You look very silly doing that, you know."

At the sound of her voice, he immediate stood up again, "XYZ."

"I see you've brought two swords, have you decided that you can trust me with an actually blade now?"

"It's been a while, I'll have to review your form with the tree branch still, but I'm hopeful."

"I thought as much," XYZ said and, bringing out the tree branch from behind her back, went through the form that she had been practicing.

Yongqi watched her, entering quickly into teacher mode.

"Well, do I pass?"

"You have been practicing." He said in approval, "The sword will be heavier than the tree branch…there's a few moves that you'll have to be sure to maintain a further grasp on your weapon." So saying, he demonstrated the ones he meant.

"Like this?" XYZ did her best to copy his instructions.

He nodded and then handed her the second sword.

XYZ looked at it, "You're certain I'm ready?"

He just smiled and nodded.

"Hurray!" She clapped her hands in glee.

"You'd best take the sword before I change my mind." He teased.

"Oh!" XYZ immediately took it in hand and gave it a few experimental twirls. "You weren't joking; it is much heavier than the tree branch."

Yongqi nodded, "It's not flexible like your whip, nor should it be treated like a staff. Here…" Reaching across, he adjusted her hand, "you must channel the strength in your arm into your wrist."

She nodded and tried to fight her nervousness at his closeness.

Yongqi drew away, "Now, let's try the form."

XYZ nodded and began.

"Not bad for your first try," he said, "but you're still trying to use it like your whip. Try again, only this time think of the entire sword as an extension of your arm."

After a few more tries, Yongqi called an end to the lesson. "I'll leave the sword with you, so you can practice."

He turned to go but her voice stopped his path.

"Yongqi, wait."

"Did you have other questions?"

"I…" XYZ paused, "yes…I wanted to ask you about Qing-er."

"Qing-er?"

XYZ nodded, "Ling Fei Niang Niang told ZiWei and I to become friends with her once she returns with LFY."

"Ling Fei Niang Niang gave you sound advice."

"What's she like?"

The two settled at the stone table.

"Qing-er is in some ways like ZiWei…but she's quieter. Having been brought up at LFY's side, she's also more traditional. LFY gave her a home at a time when she had none. Indeed, these many years, LFY has been at once her E Niang, her Ah Ma, her closest family."

"What happened to her parents?"

"Her father was HAM's brother. He died in battle. Her E Niang took her own life. Within a brief few days, Qing-er became an orphan."

"Oh." XYZ felt her heart go out to this princess, "an orphan, just like me…I think I understand. No wonder Ling Fei Niang Niang was so confident that we could become friends….What about LFY? What's she like?"

"LFY…LFY likes order…"

"I remember, when I first came into the palace, Ling Fei Niang Niang had said the same thing about HHNN…"

Yongqi nodded, "HHNN is HAM's second empress. After the first empress passed, HAM grieved. It was LFY who suggest that HHNN be raised to her current position."

"So Ling Fei Niang Niang was correct to warn ZiWei and me to be careful?"

"Careful?" Yongqi thought on the matter, "LFY also helped raise me, after my E Niang passed. Should anything happen, I should be able to help as well. Still I'll go discuss this matter with ErKang, to see if we can tighten security for Shu Fang Zhai. Just in case."

"What can I do?"

"You? XYZ…you're not going to like hearing this, but the best thing may be for you to adhere to the rules when LFY returns."

XYZ sighed, "I had thought as much."

"LFY's opinions…even HAM must listen to them."

"I can do it. For ZiWei, I can. And…and for you too."

"For me?" He looked at her in surprise.

"You said just now. LFY also helped raise you. So, you marriage must also certainly have her approval."

"XYZ…what are you saying…"

"I'm a stubborn sort of person. My loyalty, once given, is unshakable. ZiWei is my sister, the first time I got to experience the feeling of family. And you…you're my friend, my shifu, my…" She paused, not knowing how to continue.

Yongqi looked at her in disbelief before a wide grin made its way onto his face, "You're certainly right…I am very much, very much yours."

Ji Shi Fu was delighted when the emperor made the edict of engagement between XYZ and Yongqi.

"Xiao Ci," he said to XYZ, "your father can surely rest easy, knowing that you're to marry a good man. You've also brought such honor to the Ji family."

XYZ blushed, "Uncle Ji…I just wanted to know if you have any updates about my brother."

Ji Shi Fu laughed at her embarrassment but answered her question, "I can say with certainly that he made it to Da Li. From what I've been able to find out, he's taken after you father and become a true jianghu hero. His chosen name is Xiao Jian, for the two items he always carries with him."

"Since you already know his name, surely he'll be easy to find?"

"Ah, his reputation precedes him, but his lifestyle is such that he's a hard man to actually find."

"Oh." XYZ couldn't help but be disappointed.

"I'm sure he'll eventually come to BeiJing though, to look for you. I've left a letter for him at the nunnery where you grew up. Hopefully we'll find him before you're married."

"Uncle Ji! That won't be for quite a while. I can't part from ZiWei's side until she's married too."

"It seems that you and ZiWei Ge Ge are destined to be sisters."

000

The spring hunt that year was thankfully without mishap. XYZ and ZiWei laughingly reminisced on the year that they had. To think that ZiWei's wish to meet her father had resulted in both of them finding family.

"I think we've both changed in this year," ZiWei said thoughtfully.

"What do you mean?"

"I know I've never been happier, never felt more certain of my future. And you, XYZ, you've become so much more thoughtful."

XYZ laughed, "You've gained a family; I have too. We are neither of us alone anymore."

"Still, I am glad that we have remained together."

XYZ nodded in agreement.

"ZiWei, I've been thinking…we can't just sit around waiting for HHNN to act…we need to be pre-emptive. I think we should do something to ensure a positive first impression the Qing-er and LFY."

"What did you have in mind?"

"I know my hobbies are not the most lady-like. But…sword dancing is an acceptable art form, isn't it?"

"And you wish for me to play my guqin for you?"

"You're so smart, ZiWei!"

ZiWei chuckled, "I also have an idea."

"Oh?"

"LFY is coming back home, why do we not have all the Royal children sing for her? She may be the dowager empress, but she is also a grandmother. Besides, this way, we won't be accused of trying to stand out."

"Let's do it then!"

The emperor was delighted with ZiWei and XYZ's ideas and gave his permission.

The dowager empress did indeed enjoy the performances. Qing-er, standing at her side, also grinned at the words of the children's song.

"Jia he wang shi xin…LFY, in the time we've been gone, it seems like this whole palace has become a happier place!"

LFY nodded, "I had been concerned, when I heard about so much happening while we were away, but those two young ladies, they do seem to have brought much joy, don't they?"

"LFY…with LFY's permission, Qing-er would like to get to know them."

LFY smiled indulgently at her ward, "They do seem to be about the same age as you…it's rare that you would ask for anything for yourself. I'll invite both of them over to Ci Ning Gong…I'd like to meet them myself."

As LFY waited for ZiWei and XYZ to arrive, she couldn't help but ask her son, "You've named ZiWei as your foster daughter?"

The emperor nodded, "Though she is in truth my daughter. But Fu Lun and XiaoLan both advised caution."

LFY nodded, "Yes, they were wise to do so. FuLun has always been a steady influence. His sons are also not without talent."

The emperor laughed, "ErTai has been named a beizi and married Princess SaiYa of Mongolia."

"And ErKang?"

"ErKang requested to marry ZiWei; I saw no reason to refuse him."

"He requested…" LFY frowned as she turned to look at Qing-er. Qing-er, knowing what LFY wanted to say, merely shook her head.

"And what about XYZ?"

"XYZ is ZiWei's sworn sister and XiaoLan's foster daughter."

"Oh? It seems I have missed much."

"Yes, Huang E Niang."

The empress spoke up then, "Huang Shang is most generous to his favored zheng zi…XYZ is to be married to WAG."

"WAG? HuangShang, is that wise? Ji Xiao Lan is a gifted scholar; HuanShang has even entrusted him with the princes' education. But even as his foster daughter, XYZ is but a Han…surely HuangShang must consider at least a Manchu bride for WAG, or at least someone within the Eight Banners?"

Ling Fei smiled, "LFY, you don't know. This XYZ…she may be a Han by birth, but when Princess SaiYa visited, the two of them became close as sisters. I think only SaiYa's marriage to ErTai prevented them from becoming sworn sisters too."

"Oh?"

Ling Fei nodded, "LFY surely heard the children's song? ZiWei composed it and she and XYZ both taught it to the Ge Ge's and Ah Ge's…both of them grew up without much family. Since coming into this palace, they have done their best to treat everyone as family."

Ling Fei looked sideways at the empress, "Even 12-Ah-Ge enjoys their company."

The emperor laughed, "I have seen much improvement in Yongji's work. He tells me that Yongqi has taken the time to tutor him, though he says it's his ZiWei jiejie who is most patient with him and his XYZ jiejie who reminds him to take breaks."

LFY considered what had been said…these two girls, they weren't as simple as they appeared. To have gained footing in this palace via the Royal children…

Just then ZiWei and XYZ were announced. LFY studied the two of them…they were certainly pretty enough. Remembering the performance from the day before, LFY could also admit that they were not without talent. Still…they were unknowns. Yes, maybe it was well that Qing-er wanted to get to know them. They were surely clever enough to be on their best behavior in front of the dowager empress. But maybe they'll let their guard down around Qing-er.

"ZiWei, XYZ, I must applaud you for your performance yesterday. It does warm my heart to have had such a welcome from my grandchildren."

ZiWei and XYZ both grinned.

"It was our pleasure to welcome LFY home," ZiWei said.

"Now then, ZiWei, though you are in name a foster daughter, you cannot forget that your actions still reflect on the family."

ZiWei nodded, "ZiWei will remember LFY's teaching."

LFY nodded in approval and turned to the other young lady. "XYZ is it? What an interesting name…"

"LFY, my real name is Fang Ci…XYZ is but a nickname."

"Fang Ci…Ci…that is a word that has been my constant companion these past years that we've spent in prayer. I hope, XYZ, you will live up to your name."

XYZ also nodded, "Yes, XYZ obeys."

LFY smiled at the two of them. "Now then, my Qing-er is about the same age as the two of you…I know she can be lonely, so I trust that you will treat her as you have treated the other royal children?"

Qing-er tentatively returned the smiles from ZiWei and XYZ.

After ZiWei and XYZ departed, LFY turned towards the emperor, "They do certainly appear proper enough."

"That is thanks to Ling Fei's teachings."

"Oh?"

Ling Fei Niang Niang blushed, "HuangShang honored cheng qie with entrusting their care to me. With two daughters of my own already, it was easy to treat ZiWei and XYZ as my own children."

LFY, seeing the frown on the empress's face, just nodded.

Later, in private, she remarked to ward, "Qing-er…have you noticed, HuangShang's favor of LingFei seems to have far exceeded his attention to HuangHou?"

"Such competition is not a rarity."

"No…I suspect HHNN's dislike for ZiWei and XYZ must also stem from their close association with LingFei."

"LFY is wise."

"Hmm…LingFei is clever. For a Han, to have stably held the emperor's favor for this long…no wonder she's so willing to speak for those two girls."

"HHNN has ever been direct in her opinions…and yet Huang Shang is someone who has never taken well to criticism."

LFY sighed, "I only fear that if Ling Fei has a son…no matter what, Huang Hou is still Huang Hou."

"LFY, don't worry so much. HuangShang never did seem to favor 12-Ah-Ge, but today, he mentioned him by name! As you say, Huang Hou is still Huang Hou. Even WAG knows it."

"Hmm...and those two girls.. .to know to cultivate a friendship with 12-Ah-ge, it speak well to their ability for self-protection. I just hope that they're not too clever…"

"Why don't we wait and see," Qing-er asked, "LFY, you have just returned. Much of what you know is heresay…seeing the situation clearly, you certain know that Ling Fei Niang Niang will exaggerate their good while HHNN will do her best to point out their faults. But I trust that LFY will see truly."

"At the end of day…it's still my Qing-er who knows me best."

Qing-er smiled.

"But Qing-er…this matter with ErKang. You know I've long had my eye on him…three years ago, if it weren't for my selfishness to keep you near…"

Qing-er just smiled again, "LFY, even had you made a decision then, Qing-er would have begged to stay by your side. In this world, gifted young men are not restricted to ErKang alone. Besides, ErKang himself made the request to the emperor…"

"Again, that Ling Fei is clever. You mustn't forget; ErKang's mother and Ling Fei are relatives…Still, HuangShang says ZiWei is his daughter…I am still unsettled…the bloodline cannot be false."

"LFY…HuangShang may say so, but still ZiWei is in name a foster daughter. Does it truly matter if her bloodline is true?"

"Matter? Of course it matters! If not for her own sake, then surely for ErKang's sake, for their children's sakes. And for my own peace of mind. No, I must speak with HuangShang…"

"LFY…The hour is late…even if LFY would speak with HuangShang, you must wait until the morning. And LFY must remember to rest as well."

LFY smiled indulgently at Qing-er, "We have had quite a busy few days, haven't we? Alright, Qing-er, I'll listen to you and go rest."

A few days later, Qing-er decided that she should go visit ShuFangZhai. On the way there, she saw ErKang.

"ErKang…I hear congratulations are in order."

"Qing-er."

"We haven't seen each other for many years…since returning, I have found that so many things have changed."

"Life does have a funny way of being unexpected," ErKang admitted, "I never thought I'd meet someone like ZiWei…she understands me in a way that few other people do."

"She is lucky to have your regard." Qing-er couldn't hide all the wistfulness she felt.

He heard it in her tone, "Qing-er…I…"

She smiled, "I genuinely wish the two of you happiness. I'm sure you've got matters you must attend to…I won't delay you now."

As Qing-er walked away, she sighed…all the words she had spoken, to LFY, to ErKang…they were merely to hide the hurt within her heart. But Qing-er was a kind soul…she could tell that ErKang's feelings for ZiWei were real. Having seen the competition within the palace, she wasn't about to let herself end up in a situation that would bring only pain.

Shu Fang Zhai came into sight…besides, it was rare for her to make friends…

"Qing-Ge-Ge!" XYZ hopped off the swing, "ZiWei! ZiWei!"

ZiWei also came into the courtyard, "Qing-Ge-Ge, welcome!"

Qing-er laughed, "Don't you Qing-Ge-Ge this, Qing-Ge-Ge that…it's rare for me to meet young ladies my own age. Please, call me Qing-er."

"We've been meaning to visit you," XYZ declared as ZiWei summoned for tea, "But we didn't know if it would be right to go bother LFY…Yongqi told me that it was better for me to avoid trouble when I can."

"Trouble?"

XYZ sighed, "You don't know, trouble just has a way of finding me."

"Only because you go looking for it! On our journey south, if you hadn't interfered, ErKang, ErTai, and Yongqi wouldn't have had to fight so much."

"Whose side are you on?" XYZ asked plaintively, "Besides, I was only trying to help!"

Qing-er laughed at the two of them, "Will you tell me the stories? I've never really left the palace or parted from LFY's side…I can admit to envy that the two of you were able to travel."

"Oh dear," ZiWei said, "Qing-er, you don't know what you're asking…When XYZ tells a story, she doesn't just tell it, she insists on enacting it!"

"Oh, that sounds even more entertaining!"

XYZ laughed, "See, ZiWei, Qing-er doesn't mind!" And so, she launched into tales of their adventures.

Qing-er grabbed her stomach, "Oh my goodness, I don't think I've ever laughed so much! XYZ…you have such a sense of righteousness!"

"But of course! My father was Jiang Nan di yi da xia! As his daughter, I must live up to his legacy!"

"Oh? Your father?"

XYZ nodded, "Uncle Ji says my brother has taken up the mantle of a jianghu hero too…I just hope he can be found soon."

"You have a brother?"

XYZ nodded, "Though we were separated when we were little…Qing-er, Yongqi told me that you're an orphan too."

Qing-er nodded, "Though I have been lucky, to have LFY to care for me all these years. I still have family. I hope, XYZ, that Ji Shi Fu finds your brother soon."

XYZ smiled, "You need not pity me, I have family too…ZiWei is my sister after all. And Uncle Ji has been very kind."

"XYZ, you are so optimistic."

"That she is," ZiWei agreed, "HAM calls her kai xing guo."

"What an apt name! And you, ZiWei…I've been meaning to say, congratulations."

"Congratulations?"

Qing-er nodded. "To both of you, really. I grew up with ErKang and Yongqi, after all…to know that they are lucky enough to be marrying the two of you…I am very happy for them."

"What was Yongqi like as a child?" XYZ asked curiously.

"Yongqi? He was always very serious. He knew that all of YuFei's hopes were on him…to have someone like you at his side, to bring him such joy, I can think of no better arrangement."

"What about ErKang? ZiWei is too shy to ask, so I'm asking for her."

"XYZ!" ZiWei protested but XYZ just laughed at her, "You know you're curious too. Fu Jin dotes on her sons, she certainly won't tell you anything terrible about him."

"ErKang," Qing-er smiled, "ErKang was very much the model young man, the ideal that ErTai and Yongqi strove to meet. He has enough self-confidence, bordering slightly on arrogance, that only adds to his temperament. Wen wu shuan quan, Huang Shang early looked for ErKang to become an E Fu. In fact, years ago, ErKang was intended to marry six-Ge-Ge, only six-Ge-Ge passed and so ErKang's marriage was delayed."

"ErKang never said…" ZiWei murmured.

"It doesn't really matter," Qing-er said, "He would have married six-Ge-Ge, or anyone else HuangShang or LFY appointed, but he wouldn't have been truly happy. With you, ZiWei, I can tell, he is so very happy."

"We've only just met, how can you tell?"

"I ran into ErKang on my way here. The way he talks about you, I've never seen his eyes shine so."

ZiWei blushed.

"I hope," Qing-er said, "that you won't hesitate to visit me…LFY may seem strict, but she truly has a soft heart. And I would so like to become friends."

"Us too, us too!" XYZ exclaimed, "I'll do my best to be on my best behavior."

Qing-er nodded, "I've been here a while, I should return."

ZiWei smiled, "One moment…I made some tea cakes the other day…I was overzealous and made a little too many. XYZ and I can't possibly finish them ourselves. We were going to divide them among my siblings…by rights, you're my cousin, so you must take some with you as well!"

"Oh, I couldn't possibly…"

"Please do," ZiWei insisted, "you're doing me a favor."

"Alright then."

Qing-er wasn't surprised that LFY wanted to know about her visit.

"Here, LYF, ZiWei insisted that I bring some of these tea cakes…"

"Tea cakes?"

Qing-er nodded, "LFY, do try one…they're made with quality tea, not too sweet, not too dry."

"They do look rather pretty." So saying, LFY tried one, "hmm. You're right! That ZiWei, I've already witnessed her talent on the zither, seems that she has other talents as well."

"To make this dessert, ZiWei must have been very patient…To have ground the tea into such a fine powder to give it such a smooth consistency so that each bite fairly melts on the tongue."

"Just one visit and you're already speaking such kind words for them?"

Qing-er laughed, "LFY…I know LFY would want to see for herself, so I invited the two of them to come visit with me too. They had been afraid of offending you."

"Offending me?! Am I really so scary?"

"LFY…you're the dowager empress, your position, your power…of course they're afraid."

"Hmm…seems like they are knowledgeable girls."

At ShuFangZhai, ZiWei and XYZ were happy that Qing-er had proven to be such a sweet and kind person.

Still, as she lay in bed that night, ZiWei couldn't help but think more about Qing-er words and her expressions. She minded not that ErKang didn't tell her about six-Ge-Ge…but the way Qing-er had spoken about ErKang…what had she said? That both HuangShang and LFY could appoint a marriage…Oh!

She sat up…LFY's favor of Qing-er was obvious…oh…she had thought to wonder, why ErKang had not yet been married…but it wasn't her place to ask…and he had been so earnest when he declared his intentions…but what if…No, she needed to trust ErKang.

ZiWei laid back down. Yes, she trusted ErKang. Still, sleep did not come to her easily that night.

When next ErKang saw ZiWei, he could see that she had something on her mind.

Taking advantage of the fact that XYZ and Yongqi were occupied with their sword duel, he pulled ZiWei to the side garden.

"What's wrong?" He asked bluntly, "Has LFY been unkind to you?"

ZiWei shook her head, "With Qing-er's help, even XYZ was able to make a tolerable impression."

"Then…ZiWei, please, don't worry me so."

"I…ErKang, Qing-er is truly a gentle soul, a good friend…"

ErKang nodded.

"She told me that years ago, HAM had intended for you to marry six-Ge-Ge but six-Ge-Ge passed."

"Yes."

"The way she talked about you, I can tell, she honestly admires you."

"ZiWei…"

"No, don't interrupt me, not when I still have the courage to ask you…after six-Ge-Ge died, has LFY ever given indication that she would appoint Qing-er to you?"

"She did."

"She did." ZiWei repeated.

"Three years ago. I went to deliver some objects and a snow storm trapped me up in the mountains. Qing-er was kind enough to keep me company. We spent all night discussing poetry and looking at the moon and snow."

"You spent all night…"

"ZiWei. I don't want to keep any secrets from you."

"You spent all night…"

"ZiWei, please…" Seeing her tears, ErKang didn't know what to do.

ZiWei shook her head.

ErKang drew her into his arms, "ZiWei…you must believe me. Everything I've ever said to you…Qing-er and I, we're simply friends…my heart is only ever yours. LFY never made any edict. But you and I...we have forever to spend together. These two years that HuangShang would have me wait…they are the longest of my life."

"ErKang…" ZiWei murmured through her tears, "I just…I hadn't realized, how scared I am of losing you…"

"Losing me?" He looked into her eyes, "You will never lose me, you hear me?"

"I believe you, I do."

"Then why do you still cry?" He wiped at her tears.

She reached up and held his hand, "I didn't think I could be capable of such jealousy. The way Qing-er spoke about you…and then what you told me…I shouldn't be surprised that you should attract such attentions. I just…"

ErKang sighed, "Oh my ZiWei…you can be your own worst enemy. You think a little too much sometimes."

He kissed her forehead, "ZiWei, believe me. I don't care what other people think, as long as I have a place in your heart...your opinion is the only one that matters to me… I know, all the young men of similar station have san qi si qie, but I promise you, in this life, I just want you."

"ErKang…such a promise…"

ErKang smiled at her, "You're worth it. Believe me, please?"

She hugged him close and nodded.

The friendship among ZiWei, XYZ, and Qing-er seemed to blossom in the coming days. LFY, watching Qing-er smile as she played riddles with ZiWei and XYZ, felt her misgivings about the two young ladies lessen. Still, her determination to sort out ZiWei's birth remained firm. The emperor, finding that he could not refuse his mother, finally agreed to look into the matter. So confident was he in the truth of ZiWei's story, he made no mention of the decision to his daughter.

HHNN, however, felt that her opportunity had finally come. She couldn't stand it that even LFY seemed to tolerate those two girls. What she had forgotten, however, was her son's preference for his ZiWei jie jie.

WAG wasn't surprised when his younger brother came to Jin Yang Gong.

"Yongji, did you have questions about Ji Shi Fu's assignment?"

12-Ah-Ge shook his head, "ge ge (big brother)…no…ge ge, please save ZiWei jiejie."

"Save ZiWei jiejie? What can you mean?"

12-Ah-Ge wrung his hands, "I overheard Huang E Niang talking to a guard, telling him to go to JiNan…RMM handed him a bunch of money…I'm afraid for ZiWei jiejie."

"What?"

"Please, ge ge…"

"Yongji, you're sure?"

12-Ah-Ge nodded, "Huang E Niang didn't see me."

"Will you come with me to see HAM?"

"I'm…I'm afraid to…"

"Oh Yongji, don't worry, I'll be right at your side. And it's for ZiWei jiejie."

Reluctantly, 12-Ah-Ge nodded.

Once 12-Ah-Ge told all he had overheard, he was quick to hide behind his brother.

Yongqi knelt down until he was eye-level with his brother, "Yongji, don't worry, HAM isn't angry with you."

"Of course not!" The emperor did his best to soften his expression, "Thank you Yongji, for bringing the matter to my attention."

"Will HAM save ZiWei jiejie?"

"Yes, you can be sure I will. Now then, Yongji, you mustn't tell anyone, alright?"

12-Ah-Ge nodded.

"Yongqi, go with 12-Ah-Ge. I need to think about how best to proceed."

In the end, the emperor had the matter discretely investigated. When the three commoners were brought in for an audience with him and LFY, he waited patiently to see if Huang Hou's plot had succeeded. To his disappointment, it seemed that the three could not fight their greed.

LFY's indignation knew no bounds and she demanded that ZiWei be brought in so that she could be interrogated. The emperor, however, stopped her.

"Huang E Niang, wait. I wanted to ask them a few more questions."

"Questions? HuangShang…surely their testimony is plain enough."

"This matter cannot be treated lightly… I must make sure I understand clearly." He turned to the three commoners, "You do know that lying to the emperor is a crime worthy of death?"

The three huddled on the ground nodded.

"If what you say is true, then I would need to take ZiWei's life. Being her family, you're really willing to see her lose her head?"

The three looked at each other, not knowing what to say.

"I know, Yu He must have brought shame to the family, caused anyone with the last name Xia to be unable to lift their heads. Still…you truly wish for her daughter to die?"

When they remained silent, he asked more bluntly, "Just how much gold is her life worth?"

Slapping the table, he stood, "Lying to the emperor carries the penalty of death! The three of you, your lives are forfeit! Tell me the truth now, who bribed you to harm ZiWei?!"

"Bribes?" LFY looked at her son in confusion, "HuangShang, what is going on?"

"What is going on? Hmmp. Xiao Lu Zi, bring in 12-Ah-Ge."

"HAM…" 12-Ah-Ge still seemed frightened.

"Yongji, tell LFY what you had told me."

Yongji nodded and did so.

LFY gasped, "Huang Hou…competing with Ling Fei is one thing, but to stoop to this level…"

The emperor turned again to the three commoners, "It's better for ZiWei that she won't have you as her family anymore! Guards!"

After the cries of the three commoners were carried away, the emperor turned towards 12-Ah-Ge, "Yongji, thank you. You've successfully saved you ZiWei jiejie. It's to her credit that she's able to provide a better example for you than your E Niang has. For now, you'll stay with LFY, alright?"

Yongji could only nod and follow the eunuch who led him away.

"What does Huang Shang intend to do?" LFY turned to her son.

"Hmmp. That woman…as the country's mother, she should lead by example…instead…I am sorely disappointed. I have a mind to send her into the Cold Palace!"

"HuangShang! Huang Hou did make a huge mistake, but she is still Huang Hou. At least give her a chance to defend herself."

"Defend herself? Fine, we'll have her brought right here. I'd like to hear her excuses."

Qing-er, shaking her head, quietly slipped away.

"ZiWei, you must come with me…"

"Qing-er…why do you look so panicked?"

"ZiWei, you don't know. LFY had your origins investigated."

"My origins?"

Qing-er nodded, "But HHNN bought through your uncle, aunt, and the midwife who delivered you…they dared to lie about you and your mother…HS has already dealt with them. Now he's getting ready to punish HHNN. I'm afraid in his anger; he's going to do something drastic. You must come with me. At this time, only you can make HuangShang see reason."

"HHNN did what?!"

"I'll explain it more in detail as we go. Only, please, come with me."

ZiWei nodded.

When the two arrived, they saw RMM being beaten by the guards and HHNN pleading to keep Yongji at her side.

ZiWei exchanged frantic looks with Qing-er.

"HAM, please, stop it!"

"ZiWei…ZiWei, what are you doing here?"

"Qing-er came to fetch me…HAM, Qing-er told me everything…please, HAM, stop. RMM is old, to be hit so many times, surely her life is in danger!"

"If Qing-er told you everything, then surely you know what they have done!"

ZiWei nodded, "But HAM sees clearly and their plans did not succeed. HAM, please, give her another chance. ZiWei knows the pain of parting from my E Niang, please don't make Yongji suffer the same."

"Another chance? Does she deserve another chance?"

"HAM…everyone deserves a second chance. HAM, you have already punished RMM and HHNN…it's enough."

When the emperor kept quiet, ZiWei knelt, "Please, HAM…ZiWei is begging you…remember the song we sang for LFY…jia he wan shi xin…ZiWei only wants this family to live peacefully together…besides, the one they tried to harm was me…surely I have the right to determine what happens to them? Please don't let their punishment rest on my conscious!"

The emperor sighed, "ZiWei…you are too kind. But your words are not without reason. Alright, guards, stop!"

He turned to the empress, "For ZiWei's sake, I will give you a second chance. But if you ever, ever act similarly again, I won't be so lenient!"

"Thank you, HAM," ZiWei said in relief.

"ZiWei, go talk to your brother. Yongji's courage always did have limits…today's events, he must be terrified."

"Yes, HAM."

Later, it was also ZiWei who brought Yongji back to the empress's palace. After a tearful reunion, the empress thought to ask, "ZiWei, why did you help me?"

ZiWei smiled sadly, "Having watched my mother wait her whole life, I know that being HAM's woman can be a lonely existence. Having experienced some things lately, I also know that as a woman, jealousy is unavoidable, without logic, when it comes to love… ErKang had told me recently, that I can be my worst enemy…HHNN, I know, living in this palace, you can't help but questions the actions of others. But, I promise, not everyone has ulterior motives. I only hope that HHNN can understand… can live life a little more freely."

So saying, she turned to go.

"ZiWei…"

The empress's voice caused her to turn back, "ZiWei…perhaps my Yongji is not the only one who can learn from you. I hope…I hope in the future, when you come to see Yongji, you'll also talk to me a little bit more about your philosophies."

ZiWei smiled gently, "I will."

Things seem to calm down in the palace. Ling Fei Niang Niang's pregnancy was greatly celebrated. But XYZ was even more gladdened of another tiding.

"ZiWei! ZiWei!" XYZ ran into Shu Fang Zhai after having been at Ji manor, "They found him!"

"Found who?"

"My brother! And oh, ZiWei! He really is such an amazing person! Uncle Ji says he looks just like my father and has the same air about him too! ZiWei, he's such a marvel! Oh I hope you get to meet him soon too!"

"You've met him already?"

XYZ nodded, "When I received the note from Uncle Ji, I thought only that he had more news…but, he was really there! My real brother! Uncle Ji says I can't just bring him back to the palace with me…but he's really, really real!"

ZiWei laughed, "I am so very happy for you!"

"Uncle Ji says he's going to bring him to Huang Shang soon. He's sure that brother will be able to earn a good position. Oh I'm so very happy! I didn't think it was possible to be this happy! Oh, we must tell Qing-er too!"

"Tell me what?"

XYZ turned and immediately went up and gave a startled Qing-er a huge hug, "My brother, Qing-er! They found him! And he's so very wonderful!"

Qing-er laughed too, "Congratulations, XYZ!"

"Oh, we must celebrate somehow!"

"Celebrate what?"

"Yongqi!" XYZ also gave WAG a huge hug, "Finding my brother!"

"Oh? That is wonderful news! I see that ErKang and I have excellent timing. I had asked HAM and he gave permission for us to go riding today."

"Riding! Oh, yes! That is just the thing! Let's go!"

"XYZ, wait, let's go ask LFY if Qing-er can come with us too!"

"Already done," ErKang said, "Yongqi was very thoughtful."

XYZ gave WAG another hug, "Thank you, thank you!"

ErKang turned to ZiWei, "Do I get a hug too?"

"ErKang…" ZiWei blushed.

Qing-er laughed at her friends. "As XYZ says, let's go! I don't trust her not to turn this palace upside down with all her extra energy!"

Despite knowing about his family's innocence, XiaoJian decided to keep the name he had chosen for himself. The emperor, impressed with both tales of the young man's deeds as well as with the young man himself, made him an imperial bodyguard. XiaoJian thus became friends with ErKang. The two young men found that they had much in common and respected each others' abilities.

XYZ's excitement at having found her brother did not seem to dim. Since he could now visit the palace, she insisted that he meet all her other friends as well.

"Come on, brother…they're all waiting for us."

XiaoJian laughed and let his sister pull him through the palace, "XYZ, slow down, I just finished my shift…it's been a long day."

"All the more reason you should hurry. The sooner we get to Shu Fang Zhai, the sooner you can sit."

"Alright, alright!"

"ZiWei, Qing-er! We're here!"

"I guess we're invisible," ErKang said jokingly to Yongqi.

"Oh poo…you two have already met my brother."

"Ge, this is ZiWei, she's my sworn sister. And this is Qing-er…oh, Qing-er, we should become sworn sisters too!"

Qing-er laughed at XYZ's enthusiasm, "All in good time. The focus today is on your brother!"

"Yes, yes!" XYZ said proudly, "this is XiaoJian, everyone, my brother."

"It's my honor and pleasure to meet two Ge Ge's."

"Don't stand on such ceremony," Qing-er remarked, "I think we've all been affected by XYZ's mannerisms…at Shu Fang Zhai, there's no mistress, no servant, no Ge Ge, no Ah Ge…only friends."

XiaoJian looked fondly at his sister, "Well, in that case, what can I do but follow suit?"

"XiaoJian, ErKang told us the origins of your name. Is it too presumptuous of me to ask to hear your xiao?"

XiaoJian nodded at ZiWei and smilingly obliged.

"Oh, that was beautiful," Qing-er couldn't help but remark.

"Isn't my brother the very best?" XYZ clapped her hands.

"ZiWei, why don't you go fetch your qin? I can't help but think the two of you could play a wonderful duet."

ZiWei smiled at her brother, "Dinner first…XYZ may be able to live off her excitement, but the rest of us surely needs real sustenance!"

"Hey, I need food too!"

And so with laughter, the group made their way into Shu Fang Zhai.

XiaoJian, at XYZ's insistence, told the group stories of his past adventures and the poem that he had always recited.

"But I fear those days are behind me," XiaoJian said, "now that I've found my sister, I am loath to part from her."

"Not necessarily," ErKang said thoughtfully, "remember the idea you had, XYZ?"

"My idea?"

ErKang nodded, "Huang Shang took it to heart and has been looking for someone to coordinate an information network of how the various aristocrats are truly doing, particularly the regional ones. With your background, XiaoJian, I can't help but think that you would be perfect for the role."

XiaoJian looked thoughtful. "You said it was XYZ's idea?"

ZiWei nodded, "I had even teased her that if she had been born a boy, she would have volunteered."

"You can use your given name for official documents and thus keep your XiaoJian identity separate." Yongqi added.

"I will consider it," XiaoJian said, "I must admit that it has been an adjustment to settle in one place."

"Never mind that," XYZ said, "you and ZiWei still have to play a duet!"

Smiling, ZiWei went to fetch her guqin.

In the midst of the song, LFY was announced.

She smiled at the gathered youngsters, "XYZ, this must be your brother? I could hear the music on my way here…he truly is a gifted young man. I had wondered why dinner took so long, but now I see and hear the reason!"

"LFY, Qing-er is sorry for having worried you."

"'Tis no matter," LFY said, "though I do want to remind everyone that the hour is late. ErKang, with ErTai away, you must be mindful to care for your parents. And Yongqi, you still have to rise early to attend court in the morning."

Qing-er stood, "LFY, you didn't need to come all this way…"

"Hmm...maybe not, but I am glad I did…to have heard such beautiful music."

"Thank LFY for her praise," XiaoJian said politely.

LFY nodded, "Alright, Qing-er, it's time to depart."

ErKang and Yongqi also stood and made to accompany them.

Before crossing over the threshold, however, Qing-er turned back once and smiled.

Unconsciously, XiaoJian found himself smiling back.

After LFY left, he said, "I think that's my cue to leave too. Thank you XYZ, for planning this celebration. ZiWei, since you're XYZ's meimei, that makes you my sister too. I came to BeiJing with the intent of finding my sister…I didn't think in doing so, I'd be gaining much more family!"

ZiWei smiled, "In saying that, you've truly proven yourself to be XYZ's brother!"

"You will visit again, won't you?"

XiaoJian turned to his sister, "Of course…XYZ, I'm missed nineteen years of your life, I refuse to miss any more. Besides, I promised to teach you the xiao, didn't I?"

XYZ smiled in relief and nodded.

The visit from the HuiJiang delegation interrupted the peaceful palace life.

XYZ and ZiWei watched HanXiang dance and could not help but be impressed. When her father announced that HanXiang was to be a gift to the emperor, XYZ and ZiWei turned to each other in surprise.

Catching the resigned expression on the empress's face, ZiWei frowned. She had never seen such an expression on her father's face. She couldn't help but feel uneasy. Turning towards ErKang, she could see that he also looked uncertain.

Once back in Shu Fang Zhai, XYZ finally let loose the comments she had been holding back, "What in the world is wrong with men? Huang Shang has more than 20 wives, and yet he didn't hesitate to turn down one more!"

"You remember what SaiYa said once…diplomacy through marriage is not uncommon."

"Still…how can he be so fickle? The way he looked at that princess…" XYZ shuddered, "I never thought I'd see Huang Shang looking so lecherous…And that princess, she surely set her gaze rather high."

ZiWei frowned at XYZ's comment about her father, though even she couldn't help but agree with XYZ's assessment. Still…"XYZ…I think you're wrong about the princess. She didn't look too happy about the situation either."

"She didn't? I didn't bother looking at her."

"I know, you were too busy being angry with HAM. But…Princess HanXiang looks to be closer to our age…HAM is likely old enough to be her father. I can't help but think that she didn't have much of a choice. To obtain peace without bloodshed, it's part of the lot of many princesses."

"How can her father do that to her?"

"In the matter of politics, I fear duty trumps any fatherly affection. Or have you forgotten how much SaiYa's father doted on her?"

"SaiYa's father at least let her pick…"

"See, so Princess HanXiang is to be pitied."

XYZ sighed, "It's not fair."

"No. I have been lucky, to be allowed to marry ErKang. Such a gesture is a sign of HAM's favor but also not unusual as a way to reward the Fu family's loyalty."

XYZ sighed again, "All these things…we didn't used to understand them."

"That was because we didn't need to. But…both of us are tied to this family, we must learn."

"Life used to be so simple…"

"It can still be simple, as long as we don't interfere where we ought not. This matter is not just about HAM gaining another concubine, but rather affects the relationship between the Qing dynasty and HuiXiang. Besides, as HAM's daughter and future daughter-in-law, you and I have no place to speak about something that's between HAM and HanXiang."

"But you've surely interfered with HAM and HHNN."

"That's different…that's just me helping HHNN see reason, to dissolve some of her anguish."

"Why is it, ZiWei, that women have to live at the mercy of men?"

"That is a difficult question…even I don't know the answer. I only know that you and I, we're lucky. ErKang and Yongqi are different from their peers."

"Are they? Truly?"

"Do you doubt them?"

"I don't know about ErKang…but Yongqi is HuangShang's son…what if…what if he should have inherited his father's roving eye?"

"I must speak in defense of my brother. XYZ, Yongqi is not like that."

"How do you know?"

"XYZ, be reasonable!"

XYZ shook her head, "I don't know…I'm not trusting like you, ZiWei. It is in my nature to doubt…when something good happens, I always expect it to end. It's not right, I know it's not, but it's the habit of a lifetime. I know I've changed a lot…sometimes I barely recognize myself…but, some things are too deeply ingrained."

ZiWei sighed, "This Princess HanXiang…why do I get the feeling that troubles are just beginning?"

In the following days, the emperor's favor of HanXiang was obvious. He had even given her the title of Xiang Fei. ZiWei could tell that XYZ's frustrations, particularly after visiting an ill Ling Fei, had only deepened. To her surprise, HHNN seemed to be calmer about the situation.

"I used to think, that Ling Fei will surely know my lot when a younger, more beautiful lady catches the emperor's eye. I thought I would feel happy in her suffering…but now…It never ends," HHNN sighed, "every three years, another group of young girls traipse through this palace…this year is no different. Xiang Fei only came earlier than the official process."

"Huang E Niang refers to the concubine selection?"

Huang Hou nodded, "These girls are younger than even you and XYZ…ZiWei, you must speak to XYZ…she reminds me of myself; we are both of us too blunt. Tell her to be patient… once the selection starts, I'm sure someone new will catch the emperor's eye and replace Xiang Fei in his esteem."

"Huang E Niang…"

"ZiWei, you have been a good daughter. I thank you for your company and your care…the emperor's favor is a fickle thing. I would lie if I said I no longer cared, but…I have Yongji to think of as well. Not only my son, but also the whole Ulanara clan…in this palace, none of us can merely live for ourselves."

A troubled ZiWei returned to Shu Fang Zhai…had she been right to support the relationship between Yongqi and XYZ? In trying to protect her sworn sister from being used for mercenary purposes, had she inadvertently pushed XYZ onto an even more difficult path?

"ZiWei, you're back…"

Why did XYZ look so guilty?

"XYZ...what did you do?"

"Do? Why must I have done something?"

"XYZ…"

"Fine! I went to visit Xiang Fei Niang Niang."

"You did what?! Didn't we talk about not interfering?"

"You may be able to hold your tongue, but I can't! Besides, it's not really interfering…I surely never said a thing to HuangShang."

"XYZ!"

XYZ looked unrepentant, "It's a good thing I went too…Xiang Fei was about to kill herself."

"What?"

XYZ sighed, "I really should listen to you more, ZiWei…she really didn't have a choice…I'm not angry with her anymore, just her father. Did you know she tried to run away seven different times?! And even this time, Meng-Dan tried to rescue her, but just ended up injured instead."

"XYZ, you'd better start at the beginning. Who's Meng-Dan?"

And so XYZ told ZiWei the story of the wind and the sand.

"I do pity her now," XYZ said, "her father held the leverage of Meng-Dan's life over her head."

"Where is Meng-Dan now?"

"She doesn't know. But he's wounded, so he can't have escaped very far."

"Seven times…how is it that they never succeeded in running away?"

"Remember what her father said? HanXiang's name came from her special scent. I thought that surely he exaggerated, to gain HuangShang's attention, but he really didn't. The scent was seen as a blessing, but for HanXiang herself, it's only a curse."

"The poor girl…" ZiWei murmured.

XYZ nodded, "She is so very sad."

"Maybe not for long…" ZiWei told XYZ what HHNN had told her.

"Concubine selection? Just how young are these girls?"

"Between thirteen and sixteen I believe."

"Oh goodness! That's…that's so wrong! Remember that girl we had saved? She was just fifteen, and her father risked his life to protect her. Yet these girls…how can their fathers send them into the palace like that?"

"Maybe like HanXiang, like HanXiang's father, they do not have much choice. HHNN mentioned that none of the ladies in this palace can truly live only for themselves. Their families depend on their abilities to raise their own statuses. XYZ, even you are not immune to it."

"Me?"

ZiWei nodded, "As Ji Shi Fu's foster daughter, your marriage to Yongqi is not without implication for the entire Ji family."

"Uncle Ji had mentioned that I had brought great honor to them…" XYZ again bemoaned, "why must things be so complicated? Is there no genuine bonds of friendship, of family, in this world?"

"Of course there is!" ZiWei insisted, "you and I, there's our sisterhood. And there's also Qing-er too."

"That's right! I still need to become sworn sisters with Qing-er."

ZiWei laughed, "I don't know if that'll truly be necessary."

"Why not?"

ZiWei just smiled mysteriously, it really wasn't her place to say.

"ZiWei, come on, we have no secrets from one another!"

"It's not my secret to tell. Besides, through me, you're already cousins. And, when you marry Yongqi, you'll be doubly cousins. No matter what, you'll still get to call her sister."

"I suppose you're right…ZiWei, I still can't help but think that HanXiang needs a friend too."

"And there's your innate drive to help others again," nonetheless, ZiWei nodded, "I'll come with next time."

In XYZ and ZiWei's company, HanXiang seemed to recover some of her spirits. Still, ZiWei could tell that her new friend remained troubled.

Taking advantage of XYZ's lesson with Yongqi, ZiWei insisted that HanXiang accompany her on a walk through the gardens.

"HanXiang, you've been cooped up for too long…it'll be good of you to get some sunshine and fresh air."

HanXiang smiled a little and agreed.

"ZiWei, thank you. You and XYZ both…I never really had friends growing up. People back home treated me like some sort of deity."

"Meng-Dan was different, wasn't he?" ZiWei asked insightfully.

HanXaing sighed, "Meng-Dan…in some ways, yes…but I wonder if we didn't cling to each other simply because we had no one else who cared to understand us…he's always been my protector."

"And HAM…?"

"HuangShang…in his eyes, I am a price to be won, a challenge to conquer…but at the same time, I am just a woman. Out of respect to my father, he has kept his distance, but…I am so afraid for when my father leaves…"

"HAM…HAM is not truly a bad man. He is a capable emperor, an indulgent father…his one fault is perhaps his love of beauty. My very existence…" ZiWei paused.

"I know," HanXiang said, "and coming here…I promised my father, I am a filial daughter. I also cannot forget that my presence ensures peace for my people. I've reconciled myself to my fate…I just wish…I wish I can see MengDan one more time. Is that greedy of me? I should not give him any more hope, should end this once and for all…"

"XYZ would blame you, but I think I understand…"

"XYZ…even XYZ knows she has a responsibility to her foster family."

The day HanXiang dreaded came. Still, she was grateful that the emperor gave his permission for her to bid her father farewell at the city limits. She wasn't surprised that he assigned ErKang and XiaoJian to be her protectors. She was startled, however, at the figure in black who seemed to drop from the sky.

"Come with me…this is our last chance."

She was torn out of his grasp, however, as the guards charged. MengDan, despite his wounds, proved more than capable. Even in the midst of the chaos, XiaoJian found that he could admire the young man for his skills. Still, he had a responsibility to the trust the emperor had shown. While ErKang ensured that HanXiang was protected, XiaoJian battled MengDan one to one.

HanXiang could only watch as she saw the various wounds MengDan sustained. Her eyes grew wide and she screamed out as XiaoJian's sword pierced MengDan's heart.

"No!" With strength she didn't know she possessed, she broke through the ring of guards and ran towards MengDan. ErKang, fearful of harming her, could only follow.

"No!"

XiaoJian stopped his attack as HanXiang knelt and cradled MengDan's head.

"HanXiang…" how weak his voice was.

"How can you be so stupid?" She murmured as she uncovered his face, "MengDan, I made a bargain for your life…how can you so easily give it up?"

"MengDan?" ErKang gasped, causing XiaoJian to look at him curiously.

"HanXiang…my life…how can I live without you? I'm only grateful to Allah, that he allowed me to see you…one…last…time."

"MengDan, no! Open your eyes…MengDan!" HanXiang shook him, "Please…please…"

"Niang Niang," XiaoJian said, "please…we need to return you to the palace."

"Wait!" HanXiang kowtow'd.

"NiangNiang! You can't…you're HuangShang's fei zi…XiaoJian and I are merely guards."

"I may be a feizi, but I'm also a HuiJiang person…I beg of you, please, please ensure he has a proper burial…please."

ErKang and XiaoJian looked at each other.

Finally, XiaoJian said decisively, "ErKang, accompany Xiang Fei Niang Niang back to the palace, I'll see to the body."

ErKang nodded and moved to comply. Once they returned, HanXiang insisted on facing the emperor with ErKang, "This is my mess…for ZiWei's sake, I cannot let you face HuangShang alone."

The emperor was understandably upset, "ErKang, what happened?"

"HuangShang, there was a group of masked individuals who came to kidnap Xiang Fei Niang Niang. Because of the acuity of the situation, we did not have time to ask who they were."

"Masked individuals?"

"XiaoJian took care of the ring leader and the guards took care of the rest."

"Took care of…what do you mean took care of?"

ErKang hesitated a moment before saying honestly, "XiaoJian stayed behind to deal with the bodies."

The emperor's expression calmed, "I knew it wasn't a mistake to send you and XiaoJian to protect Xiang Fei Niang Niang…now, I must assign the two of you the additional task of finding us just who they were. To attempt to harm Xiang Fei Niang Niang…they must not want peace between our dynasty and HuiJiang."

"HuangShang, I know who they were."

The emperor turned to HanXiang in surprise, "You?"

"HanXiang would like to thank ErKang and XiaoJian for protecting me…the man that XiaoJian killed…he was my cousin…after his parents were killed in battle, my father raised him as another son. He was a true warrior and disagreed vigorously with my father's decision to bring me to BeiJing. He believed that our warriors had the ability to win in battle. My father…my father had made him an outlaw, but he still had a few soldiers loyal to him. He had attempted to prevent our entry into the city, but my father's guards wounded him severely. My father could not bear to outright kill his sister's son and so left him to fate."

"Your cousin?"

HanXiang kowtow'd, "HuangShang...my father did not think to inform HuangShang of these domestic matters because he had assumed that my cousin had died. HuangShang, as a sign of good faith, please don't investigate anymore."

The emperor studied her; her words were not without reason. "Alright. We will believe you."

HanXiang kowtow'd again "HanXiang would like to ask for another favor."

"Another one?"

"Though he was a traitor to my people and a threat to the peace that my father and HuangShang have worked so hard to obtain…still, he was my cousin and my…and my friend in our youth. HanXiang would like permission to mourn him properly for the next year. He has no other family who can…and though he had such a dishonorable end, still, he was only acting out of national pride. HanXiang would like to ensure that his soul can safety enter the afterlife."

The emperor paused…a year…he knew well her ulterior motives for this second request. He was not so blinded by his lust that he could not see her reluctance. Still, he wasn't one to back down from a challenge. And perhaps…perhaps by agreeing to her request, he might win her heart.

"Very well. Out of courtesy of the peace between our people, in good faith, I will grant you both requests."

"Thank you HuangShang…my father did well to trust the well-being of our people to a just ruler like you."

"ErKang, escort Xiang Fei Niang Niang back to Bao Yue Lou."

As the two walked through the palace, HanXiang finally let her tears fall.

"Xiang Fei Niang Niang…what you just did…that was very brave."

HanXiang just shook her head, "I know ZiWei told you about me and MengDan…do you think me cruel, to use his death for my own ends?"

"Cruel? Not at all, Niang Niang. You have earned my admiration. You sacrificed your own happiness for the sake of your people…this matter, it could have so easily escalated, could have so easily torn apart the fragile peace."

"I must be honest…I only thought selfishly. I wished to preserve MengDan's memory, preserve myself as long as I can for the sake of his memory. Though he now must bear the title of a traitor, still…at least, I can mourn him properly."

"Still…your actions…Niang Niang, your royalty cannot be mistaken."

"Royalty? What is royalty but another burden that I must bear?"

Before going home, ErKang made a stop at ShuFangZhai.

"ErKang? There's been all sort of rumors, are you alright?"

"And my brother?" asked an agitated XYZ.

ErKang sighed and told the two girls the whole story.

"Oh! Oh no!" ZiWei had gasped when he told of MengDan's death.

"My brother…" XYZ also gasped in disbelief.

"XYZ, don't blame XiaoJian…he didn't know it was MengDan, didn't know about his connection to HanXiang. He was only reacting to a threat."

"We never did have a chance to tell him, did we?" ZiWei murmured.

ErKang went on to complete the conversation with the emperor.

"HanXiang…" ZiWei sighed, "XYZ…HanXiang needs her friends right now."

XYZ nodded. "ErKang, thank you for bringing the news."

ErKang was unsurprised when XiaoJian came to XueShiFu.

"You recognized the man."

ErKang sighed, "Only his name."

"Who was he?"

And so, ErKang told him what he knew about the wind and the sand.

XiaoJian was quiet as he digested the tale. "When I went to make my report to HuangShang, he made no inquiries..."

"That's because of Xiang Fei Niang Niang." ErKang explained further HanXiang's actions.

XiaoJian nodded, "I had been confused…the way Xiang Fei Niang Niang treated MengDan…I thought surely there was genuine affection…HuangShang is a capable ruler, but he is also a man of pride. How could he bear it if his feizi should be in love with another man? Xiang Fei Niang Niang is intelligent."

ErKang sighed, "She told me she behaved selfishly…but she was also protecting her people, her loved ones, including ZiWei and XYZ."

"Oh?"

"You and I would surely not escape punishment if HuangShang decided to pursue the matter. Even though we had successfully taken care of the threat…HuangShang would need an outlet for his anger."

"Instead…he only praised me for my quick actions and even rewarded me with an elevation of my title and my own residence."

"That is a cause of celebration."

XiaoJian smiled, "XYZ will certainly be glad of it. And in truth, I can find some pleasure in having my own home as well…these days, staying with the Ji family, despite knowing Ji Shi Fu and my father were close friends, I can't help but feel like I'm bothering them."

"Still…something troubles you."

XiaoJian sighed, "I knew I could not escape your observant nature…I had promised my master, when he released me from his training, that my sword would never see the blood of innocents…no matter MengDan's official crime…"

"Innocence and guilt…who is truly innocent, who is truly guilty in this world? Was it wrong for MengDan to have loved HanXiang with such fierceness, so much so that he was willing to risk the fate of his country? Was it wrong for HanXiang to abandon him, abandon their love to save her people? Was it wrong for her to lie, even now, just to preserve his memory?"

"These questions…I know the world to be shades of gray. With the adventures I've had, the life I've led, I had acquaintances on both the light and dark sides of society…I know the philosophies you and I have both been brought up with are idealistic…still…"

ErKang sighed, "I know. I share the same conflict as you."

"Most of my life, I thought of the emperor as my family's enemy, as my enemy. When I found Ji Shi Fu, I realized I was wrong...HuangShang is actually our savior. I owe him my fealty for that reason alone. Add that to the way he's treated XYZ…he's cared for her in ways I, as her brother, have not…Still, this whole situation…"

"HuangShang is not infallible, but his failings as a person do not make him any less great as a ruler."

XiaoJian was quiet again before saying, "Thank you, ErKang."

ErKang just shook his head, "As I said…these conflicts…I struggle with them as well."

"How then do you deal with them?"

"I escape to Yo Yo Gu."

"Yo Yo Gu?"

ErKang nodded, "it's a valley in the mountains I found when I was young. Whenever I find the realities of my world too oppressing, I escape there and let the blue sky, green trees, and rushing water return my equilibrium."

"I don't suppose you would share it with me?"

ErKang laughed, "I'm sorry, my friend, I intend only to share it with ZiWei. You'll have to find your own place."

XiaoJian just smiled, "I had thought as much, still, I thought I'd ask."

ErKang just laughed some more.

HanXiang was grateful that the concubine selection process helped distract the emperor. XYZ, however, was reminded again of her own unsettled feelings about the event, particularly after she had seen chosen ladies presented to LFY.

"Those girls, ZiWei…how young they are…"

ZiWei sighed, "We knew they would be, XYZ."

"Does HuangShang never find it odd, to have concubines younger than his own daughters?"

"I'm sure HAM doesn't spare much thought about it."

XYZ frowned.

"XYZ, where are you going?"

"To speak to Yongqi."

"Yongqi?"

XYZ nodded, "I can't take it anymore…I need to ask him, ask him…" She paused, what was she going to ask him?

"It's not proper, XYZ…you can't just run to JinYangGong…tell you what, HAM gave us special permission to gather at your brother's new residence this weekend, to celebrate his new title. You can speak with Yongqi then."

XYZ sighed, "ZiWei, in truth…I don't know how to address this with him…I can't even put my own thoughts into words, how can I make him understand my worries?"

"Oh XYZ…"

XYZ slumped into a chair, "Urg."

Just then, Yongqi himself was announced.

"What is that?" XYZ asked.

"XYZ…I thought it'd be obvious, it's a parrot of course!"

"Well, yes…but, why do you have a parrot?"

"It's a present, for you."

"For me?"

He nodded, "Xiao Lu Zi told me he trained it to talk. And the first phrase I heard it say was, 'Ge Ge ji xiang,' so of course I brought it over to Shu Fang Zhai."

"Ge Ge ji xiang? But I'm not a Ge Ge."

"Well, I haven't had time to teach it to say Fu Jin ji xiang yet. But Xiao Lu Zi assures me that the parrot is quite clever."

"Fu Jin?"

"Well, of course, as my wife, that's what you'll be."

"Oh."

ZiWei looked between the two of them and cleared her throat, "I almost forgot, I promised Qing-er I'd embroider with her today…so I'll just go now."

"ZiWei…"

Despite XYZ's protestations, ZiWei slipped out of ShuFangZhai with MingYue and CaiXia both following her obediently. The three girls couldn't help but giggle amongst themselves.

"XYZ…do you not like this present?" Yongqi's face was full of concern, "I can always take it back to Xiao Lu Zi…"

"What? No, don't do that. I like it, I do."

Yongqi set the cage on a side table and drew closer to her, "Then…why do you look so perturbed?"

She wrung her hands and didn't know quite how to answer him.

"XYZ? Please, you're worrying me."

"I…I don't know if I can be your Fu Jin!"

"What?"

XYZ shook her head, "No, that's not what I meant to say…that didn't come out right …I…Yongqi, you're a prince…I…I won't be your only Fu Jin…"

Yongqi shook his head, "What a random comment…XYZ, what are you thinking?"

"Every three years…every three years, HuangShang picks new concubines…you…you are a princes and someday…Yongqi, I know what HuangShang's favor of you means…ZiWei and Qing-er, they never explained it to me directly…but they don't need to…I may be slower on the uptake, but in all the time I've lived in this palace, even I can pick up on certain things…By rights, you should be marrying a proper Manchu lady…and I'm just…I'm just XYZ."

"You're not just XYZ…You're Fang Ci, Ji Shi Fu's foster daughter, ZiWei's sworn sister, Princess SaiYa's close friend…these connections that you've made, they cannot be discounted…besides, you brother, he is now not only an official in his own right, but also greatly favored by HAM…how can you say you're just XYZ?"

"I…Yongqi, I'm not generous like ZiWei. Not sweet like Qing-er… I'm selfish, so very selfish… I can't…" She paced, as she struggled to find the words to describe her disquiet.

Still, Yongqi understood. "You don't have to. XYZ, listen to me. I'm working hard, so that I can become Qing Wang. So that we can have own home, away from this palace, so that you can still visit ZiWei whenever you want, even after she marries. And, once I'm Qing Wang, that's it for me. It's a position I will hold for the rest of my life."

"What?" XYZ turned towards him, "you're going to…you can't! I'm not worth it…"

"You are! You are worth it. XYZ. Listen to me. My feelings for you…they've existed for a long time, even before our trip south…I didn't act on them because…because I also knew the expectations and I didn't want to burden you with them. But since I declared myself, I've also done a lot of thinking…I don't care a whit for those expectations anymore…now, I just need you at my side."

"But I…"

"I know ErKang promised ZiWei that she would be his one and only. I promise you the same thing."

"I…but what about your E Niang?"

"My E Niang?"

"You told me, she had such high hopes for you…for you to act this way…is that not a violation of her memory?"

"My E Niang is not living." Yongqi insisted, "your brother and I, we had a conversation once, when he first came to BeiJing. He had struggled with the truth…having lived so long with vengeance on his mind; he found it difficult to accept the truth at first. He had told me that what helped him the most was the realization that life is for the living, not for the dead. My E Niang...yes she had such hopes for me, but she is not the most important person in my life. You are. XYZ. You are my present and my future."

"Yongqi…I…"

Yongqi took a chance and gathered her into his arms, "My heart, it's forever yours and only yours."

"Is yours, is yours!"

The two turned in surprise to the parrot on the table.

"Is yours, is yours!" The bird repeated, causing XYZ to giggle.

"What a clever bird! I think that's what I'll name him, Xiao Cong Ming."

He smiled at her in relief, "Are we…are we alright?"

XYZ met his eyes and nodded.

He leaned down and gave her a chaste kiss.

"Oh," XYZ said when he drew away, and blushed.

"Should I teach him to say Fu Jin ji xiang now?" he couldn't help but tease.

XYZ swatted at him, "Now you're just taking advantage." She pushed his arms away and ran towards the parrot. Kneeling on the ground, she poked at the cage, "Xiao Cong Ming, I think you should learn to say your name first."

The celebration at XiaoJian's new manor was complete with a few special guests. XYZ and ZiWei both exclaimed in gladness at LiuQing, LiuHong, and JinSuo's presence.

"Oh! Xiaojie! It's been so long!" JinSuo said as she hugged ZiWei tightly.

"And XYZ!" LiuHong declared, "the palace life must suit you…you are so much prettier!"

LiuQing just laughed at the happy scene, "The children at Da Za Yuan had asked me, when they saw you during that parade, if their ZiWei jie jie had become a phoenix…I didn't think our little XYZ would have undergone such a transformation too!"

XYZ hugged her brother, "Thank you! Thank you!"

XiaoJian just laughed, "XYZ, this is now your home too, of course your friends have a place here! Now then, there are still introductions to be made!"

XYZ nodded, "LiuQing, LiuHong, JinSuo, I know you've met my brother and ErKang already. This here is Yongqi, WAG, and my…my…" She blushed.

LiuHong nodded and couldn't help but tease, "My, my, LiuQing spoke truly…you really are going to be a phoenix!"

"LiuHong!"

"Our XYZ has grown up," JinSuo declared, "she knows enough to be embarrassed!"

Yongqi took pity on his future bride, "I must thank both of you, LiuQing and LiuHong, for caring for XYZ in her youth. Without the two of you, I would not be in possession of such happiness."

XiaoJian also took pity on his sister, "And this is Qing-Ge-Ge."

Qing-er just smiled, "Just Qing-er please. We are all friends here, no need for titles or distinction."

LiuQing turned to his sister, "LiuHong…we are surely fortunate, to be among the company of Ge-Ge's and Ah Ge's!"

"And you'd better get used to it," LiuHong retorted, "for I think I'll accept XiaoJian's offer to be his housekeeper."

"But what about Hui Bing Lou?" ErKang asked.

LiuHong laughed, "That you would have to ask my brother and JinSuo!"

"JinSuo?" ZiWei turned towards her maid, "what does LiuHong mean?"

"Xiaojie…I…"

JinSuo flushed and looked at LiuQing.

LiuQing scratched his head and chuckled nervously, "I hadn't planned to say this so soon…but since it's so rare for us to see you...ZiWei, you see…JinSuo and I…that is…well, you see…"

LiuHong lost her patience, "What my brother means to say, ZiWei, is that he would like JinSuo officially to become the lao bang niang of Hui Bing Lou!"

"Oh!" ZiWei exclaimed, "JinSuo, is that true?"

"Xiaojie…I…"

ErKang spoke up then, "LiuQing…we've just heard LiuHong say so, don't you have anything to say?"

"I'll talk! I'll talk! ZiWei…I'd like your permission to marry JinSuo!"

ZiWei's grin broadened, "Well, only if my JinSuo agrees of course."

"JinSuo, what do you say?" XYZ asked excitedly.

JinSuo looked around at the expectant faces, "I…I…LiuQing hasn't even asked me the question yet."

"What?!" XYZ hit LiuQing in the arm, "LiuQing!"

"Alright! Alright!" LiuQing turned towards JinSuo, "JinSuo…I'm not well educated…I don't know how to give you poetry. I'm just a common person, a straight forward person. I know that I'm over-reaching myself but… I also know that…if you marry me, I will do everything in my power to ensure you have a good life, a happy life. So...so…will you? Will you be Hui Bing Lou's lao bang niang?"

When JinSuo stayed quiet, XYZ grew exasperated, "Well, JinSuo?"

Finally JinSuo looked at LiuQing and simply nodded.

"Hurray!" XYZ laughed merrily as the rest of the group offered their congratulations.

"I think my Fang Fu is blessed," XiaoJian smiled, "to have such a happy event happen the first time I host guests!"

"Brother," XYZ said, "this does remind me…now that you've got a manor, surely you should look for a wife too? You're not getting any younger, you know."

"XYZ!" XiaoJian protested, "I've got work to focus on!"

"So does ErKang, and he's got ZiWei! It's a pity ErKang met ZiWei first, otherwise, ZiWei and I could be real sisters."

"XYZ…are you saying I'm not good enough for ZiWei?" ErKang asked.

"Well, ZiWei picked you, so I don't have much to say…but, XiaoJian is my real brother, of course I've got to look out for him!"

ZiWei chuckled as well, "Well, XYZ, I thank you for thinking I'm good enough for your brother…but I truly am very happy with my lot."

XYZ sighed, "Ah well…"

Her gaze then fell on Qing-er, "How about you, Qing-er? You're not engaged!"

"XYZ!" Qing-er protested as she blushed.

"XYZ," XiaoJian also said sternly, "don't embarrass Qing-er. She's our guest."

"Ah ha! You're already protecting her! Brother…are you sure…"

XiaoJian and Qing-er caught each other's eyes but then both quickly looked away. ZiWei and ErKang traded knowing looks.

Yongqi then spoke up, "XYZ…you know well that Qing-er's marriage must be decided by both HAM and LFY… spare them, please. I know you mean well, but things of the heart…they really can't be forced."

XYZ pouted but said, "Fine."

"Oh!" LiuHong commented, "now I see…XYZ…you've truly found your match; you never did listen to anyone else before…why, when you were little, my brother and I would tell you the opposite of what we wanted you to do just so that you would actually do what we wanted!"

"Oh?" XiaoJian asked, "I've missed much of XYZ's childhood, do tell me what she was like as a little girl!"

"Well…there was this one time…"

"Hey!" XYZ interjected, "how did this turn into time to embarrass me?"

"Turn-about is fair play, dear sister…" XiaoJian teased.

"How about I share stories about Yongqi and ErKang as children too? To balance it?"

XYZ went to Qing-er's side, "Ha! Now I know it's Qing-er who treats me the best!"

And so, with lots of laughter, the group continued their celebration.

After WAG accompanied the ladies back to the palace and after the Liu siblings returned to Hui Bing Lou with JinSuo, ErKang turned to XiaoJian.

XiaoJian held up a hand, "I know what you're going to ask."

ErKang closed his mouth and waited.

"As Yongqi said, Qing-er's marriage must be determined by both LFY and HuangShang. Though I have HuangShang's favor…with LFY…I fear in her eyes I'm still not good enough for Qing-er. Given how LFY dotes upon Qing-er, she surely intends her for an Ah Ge, if not a Qing Wang."

"You're not without title and property of your own now."

XiaoJian shook his head, "But I know the Manchu people care more for lineage. And despite everything, I'm still just a Han."

"I've received permission to marry ZiWei…"

"ZiWei is half Han…besides, ZiWei is officially only a foster daughter. Qing-er…Qing-er is a true princess. I must echo LiuQing's words…I'm reaching above myself."

ErKang sighed, "I still believe that man can accomplish much. With enough effort, man can achieve any goal."

"Spoken like a true nobleman."

"Which you are now as well."

XiaoJian inclined his head.

ErKang sighed, "Who can tell what the future holds? Still, I don't think Qing-er would mind if you declared yourself to her."

"How do you know?"

"ZiWei has told me her suspicions. Qing-er is not one to speak of such things…growing up in the palace, she is reserved and dutiful. Still, after spending so much time with ZiWei and XYZ, it's no wonder that she's been affected too."

"My sister does seem to have an unsettling effect on all she meets."

ErKang laughed and clapped XiaoJian on the shoulder in a friendly manner, "I can only say... I'm glad she's your sister and not mine."

"Although it seems it's Yongqi who must feel sorry for."

"Ah, but it was Yongqi's own choice. Besides, XYZ is that type of person. Once she decides she likes someone, she will literally die for them. She may not ever say, but…her actions surely speak for her with regards to Yongqi."

XiaoJian nodded, "He asked for my blessing."

"Did he?"

"I had been worried, that he would be a spoiled princeling…but I've seen for myself all the reasons HuangShang favors him. That he should humble himself for XYZ…it did much for my opinion of my sister's choice."

"Not that you would ever convince XYZ to change her mind."

XiaoJian smiled wryly, "Indeed. As you say, my sister is that type of person."

ErKang laughed again, "XiaoJian…I hope you are less stubborn. About Qing-er…think about it?"

"Why are you so interested in Qing-er's welfare?"

"ZiWei and I both owe her a great debt…despite everything that happened, despite knowing without a doubt that ZiWei is HuangShang's daughter, LFY was determined to betroth Qing-er to me. Qing-er was able to convince her that it would be a poor choice. Since then…Qing-er's like my sister. Just as you would look after XYZ's happiness, so I must consider for Qing-er's."

"ZiWei doesn't know, does she?"

ErKang shook his head, "ZiWei knows that four years ago, LFY had such an intent. But…I didn't wish to worry her. Besides, it was satisfactorily resolved."

"I should feel honored, that you consider me a good choice."

"As Yongqi said, matters of the heart, they cannot be forced…nor are they always logical."

"No, surely not…Thank you ErKang."

ErKang just smiled, "You and I…we have become like brothers. There can be no need for such thanks among family."

The following spring, as part of his duties, XiaoJian accompanied the emperor and Yongqi on an inspection of the expansion work being done in the Old Summer Palace. The beauty of the palace was breathtaking and XiaoJian found that he was fascinated by the Western style buildings that were coming into fruition. His favorite design was easily the clock fountain, which incorporated the twelve signs of the zodiac, that was placed in front of the largest of these palaces. As he listened to the chief architects, two foreigners, describe how the fountain would function, he couldn't help but marvel at their ingenuity. Seeing the emperor's enthusiasm during the discussion, he thought again of how his impression of this emperor was constantly being revised. Hearing Yongqi speak a few words of the foreign tongue and the two foreigner's obvious appreciation for his efforts ensured that XiaoJian's esteem for his sister's future husband also rose.

Later, he would not be able to recall precisely the events that followed. He only remembered yelling at Yongqi to help the emperor escape as fire raged around them. In the distance, he mildly heard the cries of servants as they rushed to obtain water to douse the flames. His final thought, before the beam he had been holding up on his back cracked and the smoke he had inhaled finally caused him to stumble and then fall, was one of regret that he did not have a chance to bid farewell to Qing-er.

When he woke, his first impression was one of pain. He tried to move his arms so that he could sit up, but found that his limbs felt too heavy. Grunting with effort, he frowned at the feeling of uselessness.

"Don't!" XYZ's face swam into view, "brother…don't move…TaiYi says you mustn't move…"

"XYZ…" he tried to say, but only a croak came out.

"You'll want water…hold on…" She slipped away but soon returned with a cup. He let her bring it to his lips and felt relief as the blessedly cool fluid flowed down his parched throat.

"XYZ…" his voice still sounded odd.

"Don't talk so much," XYZ insisted. "Oh brother! You had us so worried! TaiYi says you inhaled too much smoke, add that to your burns…he didn't know if you would survive."

"XYZ…don't cry…"

XYZ brushed aside her tears, "I'm only so relieved…so relieved to hear your voice…TaiYi says that you might sound a little different than you used to…but that they had reached you just in time…Your back is where most of the burns are…and they will scar, but…oh brother, you're alive!"

"Where am I?"

"HuangShang had you brought into the palace directly…Yongqi insisted that you stay at JinYangGong…he said that you saved both of them. My stupid, noble brother!"

Just then, brother and sister heard the sound of china shattering.

"Oh! Qing-er…" XYZ at once left his side again to help her friend gather the broken pieces.

"I'm sorry," Qing-er apologized, "I didn't mean to…I'll go make another bowl…"

"Wait!"

XYZ and Qing-er both turned towards the bed.

"Wait…Qing-er…" XiaoJian felt his frustration grow as he felt the need to cough even after so few words.

Qing-er immediately rushed to his side, "I'm here, I'm here…" She used her handkerchief and wiped at his forehead, "there…TaiYi says your lungs will take some time to recover…"

He felt the pain lance through him from his back with every cough. Still, he needed to tell her… "Qing-er…"

"Don't talk so much…" she admonished, "you had all of us worried…now, just focus on your recovery. Whatever you want to say, wait until you're better. Please?"

"Qing-er…I…" how could he tell her that his last thought, when he thought he was going to die, had been of her? He could only stare at her, drinking in the sight of her face, and hoping that his gaze could convey the depth of his feelings.

"Rest…" she whispered, "I'll be here…waiting…when you're better."

With a sigh, he stopped fighting against the exhaustion that had threatened to claim him and slipped away into sleep again.

Somewhere between dream and wakefulness, he thought he heard her voice, "XYZ, you should go rest too…I can stay with him…"

"His medicine…"

"I know."

Then, blackness claimed him once more.

When his awareness returned a little bit more, he thought he could feel a cool cloth being applied to his head.

"XiaoJian…you'll be well. You must be well…"

Was that Qing-er voice?

"TaiYi, his fever…"

"Qing-Ge-Ge, it's only natural…his burn is a sizeable one…his body is only trying to heal."

"You're sure…?"

"Trust me…Fang Da Ren is young and strong. He's of sound constitution. His martial training only helps him."

XiaoJian felt fingers clutching tightly at his own. How much he wished he had to strength to reassure her!

"Brother, do you know? HuangShang is going to confer upon you the title of beile…and Yongqi is to become a QingWang…I don't know what that all means, but…it must be good thing, given ZiWei's reaction…brother…you must recover…you're the only family I have left…you can't leave me too…" XYZ's voice slipped through the haze around him.

Beile? Him? That means…he thought of ErKang's words…with enough effort, man can achieve any goal…and yet, surely some things are beyond even the power of man…that fire, his wounds…perhaps it was heaven's will…

The next time he fully regained consciousness, the scratchiness in his throat was no longer as present.

"Water…" his voice also sounded more like his own.

"Water? Here!"

How welcoming the fluid was. He blinked his eyes… "Qing-er…"

"I told you, I would be here, waiting," she said simply.

"You're crying…"

"Happy tears, I promise. We had been so worried…"

"I'm …sorry… to have worried you."

"Don't talk so much, you're still weak…though now that your fever has broken…I must go summon TaiYi to examine you…"

"Qing-er…wait…"

She turned back to him, "Don't be stubborn, your recovery takes precedence…fear not, I'll be back."

He heard her footsteps, heard the door opening and then closing. Soon enough, he felt a hand at his wrist, feeling his pulse.

"Congratulations, Fang Da Ren," the TaiYi said, "you will recover…the wound is healing well…be sure not to move around unnecessarily…the new skin is still fragile…I'll go give the instructions for some new medicines…"

"Thank you, TaiYi."

He risked turning his head and watched as Qing-er went to fetch another cup of water.

"Here…TaiYi says we must ensure you keep well hydrated…"

He drank obediently and watched as she set the cup at a side table.

"Qing-er…have you been here all this time?"

Qing-er shook her head, "XYZ, ZiWei, Yongqi, ErKang, and I…we've all been taking turns."

"But I kept hearing your voice…"

Qing-er clutched at the cup in her hand as though it were a lifeline. "I've been here as much as LFY can spare me."

"Qing-er…I thought I heard XYZ say…that Yongqi was to become a Qing Wang?"

Qing-er nodded, "And you…you are to become a beile…the Fang family is to be incorporated underneath Rong Qing Wang into the Red Banner."

"That is…that is…a great honor."

"Honor that you almost paid for with your life!"

"Qing-er…"

Qing-er set the cup aside before she could break another piece of china. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have raised my voice…"

"No…I am sorry, to have worried you so…Qing-er…you're crying again…" He tried to raise his hand, to wipe away her tears.

"What are you doing?" She quickly grasped his hand in hers, "TaiYi said no unnecessary movements, remember?"

With what strength he could, he held onto her hand. "Qing-er…there is good that comes out of the bad...because now…now I have sufficient status to dare to tell you…Qing-er…my last thought had been of you…and how much I regretted…not telling you how I felt."

Her eyes widened and he could feel the trembling of her hand.

"Qing-er…if I ask you, if I ask you to be my Xiao Fu Ren…would you, would you say yes?"

"You…you stupid, stupid man," Qing-er's words were uncharacteristically harsh, even as more tears fell down her face, "I would have said yes, even without your new title…"

XiaoJian squeezed her hand, "Even hearing you call me stupid…I am still so very happy."

XiaoJian's recovery was a gradual one. A man of action, he continued to feel frustration at the slow rate with which he regained his strength. At Qing-er's concerned expressions, however, he did his best to calm and pace himself. Remembering the meditation exercises his master had taught him, he found some solace that he was at least steadily improving. XYZ also made sure to celebrate each additional task he could do and so for her sake as well, he tried to overcome the bad days.

The day he could complete a whole song on his xiao without pausing for breath was a glad one. Throughout his recovery, his friends continued to visit. Even the emperor came to thank XiaoJian in person for his heroic deed. The day he was strong enough to attend court to receive his new status formally was one of gladness. As he smiled at the congratulations from ErKang, Yongqi, and a few other noblemen with whom he had become friends, XiaoJian only felt blessed. Though his peers, aside from ErKang, seemed surprised, XiaoJian felt only calm when LFY's eunuch approached him with summons to Ci Ning Gong.

He greeted the dowager empress formally but then stood with his back straight. She likewise studied him with a serious expression on her face.

Finally, she spoke, "I wish to thank you, for saving my son and my grandson."

"I did no more than my duty."

As she continued to study him with a piercing look, XiaoJian stared boldly back.

Finally, she sighed. "I am an old woman. It has taken time and persuasion from all those around me, to learn to accept ZiWei and XYZ...I tolerated them, for my Qing-er's sake…then, later, even HHNN…for all her earlier animosity, even she has been conquered by their genuine naiveté and kindness. What could I do but follow suit?"

Still, he stayed quiet.

"Are you not surprised that Qing-er is not at my side today?"

"I presumed that LFY wished to speak with me alone."

A ghost of a smile made its way onto her lips, "HuangShang did say you were intelligent."

She paused another moment before continuing, "You are not who I would have chosen for my Qing-er."

"I know that Qing-Ge-Ge deserves much more than my humble self…"

"But you are the one she has chosen." She sighed again, "She has not uttered a word…but I didn't bring her up for nothing. I can read more into her silence than anyone else! When you were brought back to the palace…I have never seen such fear and anguish on my Qing-er's face, not even when she was first brought to the palace after her parents' death. I had suspected, even before, of course…but her very insistence to attend to you…I knew it was for much more than her friendship with XYZ."

XiaoJian remained stoically silent.

"The difference between you and your sister," LFY continued, "is that you can ren (忍, to endure)…XYZ…oh, I know she tries, but her face is ever an open book. That is the reason that Yongqi must protect her whereas you…you are the protector."

"You are also unlike ErKang, who was my first choice for Qing-er. No, ErKang's upbringing ensures that he approaches everything with a certain amount of arrogance, of certainty. I may have blamed ZiWei, in the beginning, for stealing ErKang away from my Qing-er, but I have come to understand…once ErKang made up his mind about something, he would not waver. But you…you never said a word."

"Qing-er should not need to choose between her fealty to you and her regard for me."

"And there's that self-sacrificing behavior that caused me to suggest to HuangShang to make you a beile."

"LFY suggested…" XiaoJian was shocked into showing some emotion at last.

The same slight smile made its way onto LFY's face again, "I am sure my son would have rewarded you handsomely even without my input. My son…he always believed in the value of rewarding others on ability rather than merely birthright. It's a different way of thinking for me. Still, this way, I can be assured that my Qing-er will not marry beneath her."

XiaoJian, knowing that LFY's gesture was as close as he was ever going to get to an approval, knelt and kowtow'd, "I thank LFY for the honor."

She nodded at him, "The hour is late. As I said, I am an old lady. I must rest."

Understanding her words to be a dismissal, XiaoJian made one more kowtow before rising to his feet and leaving.

LFY watched him go and turned towards her attendent. "Call Qing-er to me."

Shortly after Qing-er and XiaoJian's engagement was announced, a message arrived from Monglia.

"SaiYa is with child?" the emperor laughed, "of course that is a good reason for them to delay their return!"

He then sighed, "ErKang…it does remind me…the two years are up, aren't they?"

ErKang found that he wasn't sure what to say.

"Even if you won't remind me, LFY did. With Yongqi becoming a QingWang…there needs to be a Wang Fei…and, now that she's made up her mind, LFY did not wish to delay Qing-er's marriage either…Only, I will miss my ZiWei."

"HuangShang, ZiWei will surely visit as much as she can."

The emperor smiled but shook his head, "It won't be the same. Still…I have been selfish long enough. I'll take a look at the dates LFY has chosen."

A few days later, the emperor made a visit to Shu Fang Zhai. The sound of the chidlren's music made him smile. He made sure that the eunuch did not announce him and quietly stepped into Shu Fang Zhai.

There were XiaoJian and ZiWei, playing a duet again, though this time the rest of the children added their voices to the song.

The emperor couldn't help but clap.

"HAM!" "HuanShang!"

He waves aside their proper greetings, "Shu Fang Zhai will surely miss gatherings like this."

"Huang Shang ji xiang, Huang Shang ji xiang!"

The emperor turned towards the parrot and laughed, "XYZ, that parrot of yours! He really is quite clever."

He turned to the children again, "But the time has come finally…LFY has chosen a few dates, I would like to ask for your opinions. The ninth of September she says is the best one…the next date won't be until next February…how should I arrange for it? XYZ, Yongqi is already a Qing Wang, surely you need to marry first. Shu Fang Zhai is, after all, ZiWei's place."

"Then by that logic," XYZ said, "Qing-er should marry with me too, for my brother has his manor already too."

Qing-er blushed.

The emperor nodded, "That is true…"

"HuangShang…" ErKang spoke up, "HuangShang, why don't we all marry the same day? HuangShang will be marrying off a daughter but gaining a daughter the same day. XiaoJian will be losing a sister but gaining a wife…the nineth of Spetember…such an auspicious date, I know we would all like to have chang chang jiu jiu (AN: literally a long time, the word jiu sounds the same as the number nine)!"

The emperor just laughed at him, "ErKang! You're so impatient to take my ZiWei away from me!"

It was ZiWei's turn to blush.

"If we're all to marry the same day," surprisingly it was Qing-er who spoke, "HuangShang, Qing-er would like to ask permission to set forth from Shu Fang Zhai as well...one such a big day, Qing-er would like to be with friends."

"This ShuFangZhai…it will be quite bustling. Alright, the matter is thus settled!"

Before the auspicious day occurred, another event shocked the palace. Xiang Fei Niang Niang begged for an audience with LFY and, obtaining it, had taken off her headgear to reveal that she had shorn her hair. She kowtowed to the dowager empress and begged to be allowed to enter a nunnery as her punishment for drawing a blade on the emperor.

ZiWei and XYZ had rushed to BaoYueLou on hearing the news and were shocked to see the calm expression on HanXiang's face as she directed her servants to pack only the necessary goods.

She smiled placidly at them, "ZiWei, XYZ…I am only sorry, that I will not be able to attend your wedding. But…my year has come to an end as well. And…I found that…I still could not…this is the best solution. The peace will be kept and I…I will stay true to MengDan."

"HAM…he…"

HanXiang just shook her head, "With the weddings coming up…I defended my innocence successfully."

HanXiang let them hug her. "Be well, my friends. I will be praying for you."

"We'll visit," XYZ vowed.

"No," HanXiang insisted, "I will not be allowed visitors. If you can visit, then so can the emperor…no…I must have solace."

Only then did ZiWei and XYZ realize the true magnitude of HanXiang's choice.

Still, HanXiang just smiled, "I have found my own peace. The two of you… treasure your happiness."

000

The night of the triple wedding, Shu Fang Zhai was indeed a bustling place as servants ran to and fro to prepare the three brides. It also saw a rare sight as HHNN and LingFei Niang Niang stood side by side without any sign of animosity.

Finally, the announcement was made that the auspicious hour was nearing. The dowager empress, the empress, and Ling Fei nodded to one another. It was time to give their special blessings to the three young ladies.

"ZiWei, this covering, I have made it especially for you."

ZiWei looked at the flowers embroidered on the cloth and felt tears rise to her eyes. "Huang E Niang…"

The empress gently scolded even as she felt her own eyes grow moist, "ZiWei, you're a bride today, that'ss no time for tears on such a happy occasion. When I married…I had been so full of apprehension. But you…ErKang will treat you well."

"Huang E Niang, I will continue to visit. I promise."

The empress just nodded, "I know. My own daughter…she died before she truly had a chance to live. I am glad that through you…I can experience the happiness that comes with knowing a daughter will be happy."

Ling Fei Niang Niang also gestured to a covering, "XYZ…since the day you flew into this palace, you have brought everyone such joy. Now, you are to roost in your own nest. Swallow birds choose only one mate with whom to nest with their whole lives...you and Rong Qing Wang, I hope your nest will always be filled with warmth and happiness."

XYZ reached out a hand and touched the swallow bird embroidered on the head covering, "Ling Fei Niang Niang…thank you. You were the first person to be kind to me when I entered this palace…though Aunty Ji is in name my foster mother, you were the first mother figure I have ever had."

"And of course I can't forget my Qing-er…" LFY said as the last covering was brought out on a tray.

"LFY…" Qing-er felt a swell of emotion at the picture of a pair of mandarin ducks beneath a sun with the double 'xi' (囍) sewn within it.

"I was known for my skill with the needle when I was young," LFY said, "though my eyes have become less sharp in my old age…for you, my Qing-er…" She could not say any more.

Qing-er held LFY's hand, "Thank you, LFY…thank you…XiaoJian must travel for his work…when he is away, Qing-er…Qing-er will still be at your side."

"My dear child…" LYF sighed, "soon, you will have children of your own…"

Qing-er blushed, "Still…Qing-er, Qing-er will never be far from you."

LYF nodded, "That's my good Qing-er."

The announcement came that it was time for the three ladies to enter their carriages.

With one last look at their elders and a last smile at each other, the three young ladies allowed the special coverings to be placed over their heads.

As the carriages exited ShuFangZhai, each lady thought on her future husband. ZiWei, thinking of the intent way ErKang always looked at her, felt herself flush as she thought about what was to come. Still, her trust in his vow to care for her ensured that she maintained her equilibrium. XYZ, thinking of her first impression of Yongqi that long ago day on the hunting ground, smiled to herself…her husband, he really was very kind. And Qing-er…Qing-er felt grateful that her XiaoJian had survived the fire…since that day when he finally admitted his feelings, it was as though a dam had broken. All that he had felt, it was no longer hidden. Her quiet soul would have been alarmed but for the contentness she felt. How much she loved him…it startled her that she was capable of such fierceness. She clutched the apple in her hands, glad that she had something on which to anchor herself…oh how very happy she was.

ErKang lifted the covering from his bride's head and felt again the force of his feelings. Seeing ZiWei dressed in red, sitting next to him, it was as though he fell in love with her all over again. He felt as though he was in a dream as they drank the sacred wine. Distantly, he heard the room empty, heard the door close.

"ZiWei…"

"ErKang…"

So much was conveyed just in the simple uttering of each other's names. He moved then, to gather her into his arms.

"You're really here?"

"Yes," she reassured him, "yes I am."

"Two years…my ZiWei…it has been such a test of my patience."

She smiled, "I hope that it has been worth it?"

He drew apart from her then, but didn't remove his arms from around her, "Every second."

He leaned down and at last kissed his bride. ZiWei flushed but allowed herself to relax. Even as he deepened the kiss, she returned his fervor. Where he led, she would follow.

Yongqi held the rod in his hand and had to take a moment to calm himself. Unbidden, the look in her eyes the first time he had met her came to mind. Even then, despite the acuity of the situation, he had been taken aback at how expressive they were. When she listened to him, allowed him to bring ZiWei to the emperor, there had been a simple trust in her eyes. Even then, before he knew her name, he wanted to be worthy of such trust.

Removing the covering from her head, Yongqi met her eyes…the trust that she showed, in that moment…the vulnerability she let him see…how blessed he was.

When they were alone, he couldn't help but murmur, "Heavens, how beautiful you are."

XYZ blushed. As always, when she was embarrassed, she felt driven to babble, "Yongqi…LingFei Niang Niang, she was so kind to embroider my head covering for me…HHNN, LFY, they did the same for ZiWei and Qing-er. They were truly being kind but I think, I think they were also afraid that they might mess up which bride went into which carriage. So of course they had to find a way to identify us."

He smiled at her and tilted his head, "Do you really think such a thing might have happened?"

"Well, I'm involved, so who's to say it wouldn't have?"

He laughed at her comment, "My dear little troublemaker…my XYZ…I am glad that you have arrived at the correct nest."

XYZ tilted her head, "I think, I think that's what I'd like to call our home."

"What?"

"Swallows' Nest."

"XYZ…what did you say?"

"Swallow's Nest?"

"No…before that."

She wrinkled her brow, what was he talking about?

He smiled at her again, "You said…our home. Our, XYZ."

"Oh…" She looked down at her hands.

He reached out and tilted her chin up so that she had to look at him again. His brave, spirited XYZ…for her to look so uncharacteristically nervous and shy…

"XYZ…" What could he do but kiss her then?

"I think…" she murmured when he drew away, "that we need to teach Xiao Cong Ming to say 'Wang Fei Ji Xiang.'"

Yongqi chuckled at the mischievious look in her eyes and drew in to kiss her again.

XYZ sighed into the kiss…yes, she did finally have home, didn't she? This particular bird, it had come to roost.

XiaoJian looked at his bride, how demure she looked with her hand clapsed in her lap and her gaze modesty lowered. Aside from the quick glance when he had first removed the covering from her head, Qing-er had steadily avoided his eyes.

"Qing-er…" He held her hand. Oh how much it trembeled, "Qing-er…" He reminded himself that he had to be careful. She was all that was proper, his sweet, gentle Qing-er.

"Qing-er…if you would rather wait…"

She looked up then, "What?"

"If you are not ready…"

"I am." She quickly interjected, and then looked surpsied at her own boldness.

He shook his head, "You need not say it simply to…"

"I am," she insisted, and meant it. How self-sacrificing he still was.

He met her gaze, "Qing-er…"

She bravely covered his hand with her own, "XiaoJian…I know…I know you are a man of the world…and I'm sheltered and…" She paused but a moment, to gather her thoughts, "that day, when I heard about the fire, when I saw you so pale and so still…I…the thought that I might lose you…"

She shook her head, as though to shake away the memories.

"It doesn't matter now…because you're blessedly alive and…and…I am your wife."

He moved slowly, still afraid he would frighten her. Qing-er felt her eyes flutter close as he drew near. His kisses were so gentle at first…she made an involuntary sound when they became more insistent.

"I'm sorry." He immediately drew away, though he still leaned his forehead against hers. She could easily hear how he struggled to steady his breathing. Opening her eyes, she saw how flushed he looked.

"XiaoJian, open your eyes."

It took him a moment but he complied. Was she the reason for such a glazed look? He was usually so focused…still waters ran deep, she had heard others say about him…to have such power over a man such as he…

"Don't be sorry," she whispered. She drew away a moment, to remove her headgear and her earrings.

He watched her quietly, causing her to blush.

"They were getting heavy," she murmured.

He smiled a little at her and removed his own hat.

Taking advantage of his distraction as he placed it aside, she reached behind her head and pulled the pins from her hair.

When he turned back, his breath caught again. She smiled shyly at him. He took it as an invitation to reach over and run his fingers through her long tresses. Pulling gently, he brought their foreheads together again, "Qing-er…"

This time, Qing-er returned his kiss. This time, she heard him make an involuntary sound. This time, as she felt herself being lowered to the bed, she felt again that fierce sense of joy. When they parted for breath, she stared up at him and met his gaze.

"I am your wife," she repeated with a smile.

"And I am your husband," he agreed before claiming her lips once more.