Next Day

The next morning dawned sunny but cold. The whole royal palace was quiet. After the confusion and celebration of the night before, Huang Shang declared a day off for everyone. In Wu Ah Ge and XYZ's bridal chamber, XYZ woke up and opened up her eyes.

Her first thought was "Where am I?" Then, quite suddenly, she remembered last night's events. 'I can't believe I'm a bride!' she thought, 'Imagine! Me, XYZ, a Ge Ge and the wife of an A Ge!'

She started to get up but found she couldn't move, so tightly was YQ holding her. She turned her head to look at his sleeping face before her gaze caught sight of the faint scar on his arm. Looking at the not-yet-faded mark, she remembered the incident with the hatchet. All their other adventures came flooding back. She thought of how YQ rescued her before her execution and then gave up everything to roam the countryside. Zi Wei's words about how YQ sacrificed his beloved father, the luxury of palace life, and quite possibly his chance of becoming Emperor just for XYZ resounded in her mind. Contrary to what everyone else thought, XYZ knew very well what YQ had sacrificed; it was just easier for her to ignore the truth and live her life. Certainly, they had their fights, but he had tried to live as a normal commoner, all for her. She was reminded of her own promise to be a new XYZ and become his 'pride and joy' and realized that she hadn't really done as she promised. 'But that would mean giving up some of my freedom…' she thought. But as she watched YQ's face, some of her natural restless calmed and a new resolve took place. 'After all, a promise is a promise. And I never go back on my promises.'

As this change was occurring, YQ opened his eyes and met the big, sparkling ones of XYZ. 'My wife,' he thought, and squeezed her even harder, causing a yelp from XYZ.

"What's the big idea?" XYZ winced, "First, you hold me so tightly I can barely move, now you're trying to kills me?"

Immediately, YQ let go of her and grew worried, 'XYZ, are you ok? I'm so sorry! Where does it hurt?"

XYZ laughed to see his worried face, "Ha ha ha! I'm fine. But next time, don't hold me so tight! I'm a xiao yan zi (little swallow bird) and I need to move around!"

YQ smiled at her childishness that had caused him to fall in with her and replied, "Well, I have captured the little bird and she is going to stay with me forever." There was an impish light in his eyes.

XYZ was embarrassed but instead she pretended to be mad, "How dare you make fun of me! Remember, if you're mean to me, my big brother can come and take me away!"

When she saw the worrisome look on Yong-qi's face, however, she added in a milder tone, "Come on, there's so much respects to pay. I don't want to break tradition."

This caused YQ to laugh out loud, "Imagine, XYZ worrying about tradition!"

XYZ gave him a playful shove, "Oh come, stop being po po ma ma (basic translation: stop being so slow/stop dragging your feet)." Then she too broke into laughter.

At the Fu's, the morning was much quieter. EK woke up and looked the peaceful face of ZW lying next to him. 'She's so beautiful,' he thought, 'both inside and out. I am the luckiest man in the entire world.' As he thought all that, ZiWei opened her eyes to his loving gaze. She smiled sweetly and then a faint blush stained her cheeks.

"Why are you staring at me like that? As though I'm not human?" she asked.

EK could only say, "But you're not human, you're my angel."

His comment made ZW blush even more. She lowered her eyes.

"Are you really here? Or am I dreaming?" EK whispered, disbelief in his voice.

ZW met his gaze again and smiled, "Yes, I'm here, I'm yours at last" she assured him.

He embraced her as though to make certain that she's real. ZW broke free after a while and said, "Come, I have to pay my respects to Ah Ma and E Niang."

They dressed in simple, at least compared with court attire, but well-made cloths. Just before heading out, EK drew ZW to the table and bade her sit down.

"I have a gift for you," and reaching into his pocket brought out a box. ZW opened it and gasped. It was a beautifully carved flower hanging on a fine golden chain. EK walked around her and slipped the necklace over her head.

"It's a Zi Wei hua (Zi Wei flower. Remember, she's named for the flowers that bloom during her birthday)"

When she didn't respond, he asked worriedly, "Don't you like it?"

ZW turned around to face him, "I don't know what to say. You're so good to me. I feel so unworthy of such good fortune. I wish I had something for you."

EK held her hands, "All I want is you, nothing else matters."

She returned his loving gaze. "I don't have much," she whispered, "but - " And swiftly, she leaned up and kissed him on the lips. Then, her face blushing, she went out of the room. EK stood stunned for a while, then grinning like a little boy, he hurried after her.

After ZW and EK payed their respects, Fu Da Ye and Fu Jin graciously officially welcomed ZW into the family. After a warm family breakfast, EK led ZW to a horse waiting with blankets, and asked, "How would you like to visit an old friend of ours? Yo Yo Gu?"

Her face broke into a thousand sunbeams as she asked, "Could we?"

"Of course!" he replied.

"But what about your respects to Huang A Ma and Lao Fuo Ye?" She asked, a trifle worried.

When he answered her that they will go after the lunch hour, ZW said excitedly, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"

That afternoon

"Huan Zhu Ge Ge dao (HZGG arrives)! Wu Ah Ge dao (WAG arrives)!" called a voice at Ci Ning Gong, where Huang Shang and Lao Fou Ye were having a mother-son talk.

"XYZ/YQ jian Huan A Ma, ko jian Lo Fou Ye (basic greetings)" XYZ and YQ knelt on the floor.

"XYZ gei Huan A Ma qin an, gei LFY qin an." YQ finished the ceremonial greeting, "Huan a ma wang sui wang sui wang wang sui (May HS live ten thousand years). LFY qian sui qian sui qian, qian sui (May LFY live a thousand years)."

"Do get up," LFY said, "the floor is cold and can't be that comfortable"

To XYZ she said, "If we are truly to be a family, you can call me Nai Nai (grandma on father's side). I hope as a granddaughter you will take good care of my favorite grandson."

Huang Shang laughed and said, "Yes, do get up! Zhen knows how happy this day is for you. Therefore, I give you special permission to leave the palace for whatever celebration you have planned. I believe Liu Qing and Jin Suo said something about one at Hui Bing Lo"

"Xie LFY, HAM," XYZ and YQ kow-towed once and stood.

Just then, a voice called out, "Zi Wei Ge Ge dao (ZWGG arrives)! Fu Da Ye dou (FDY arrives)!"

ZW and EK went through much the same procedures as XYZ and YQ did.

HS smiled as his favorite children and addressed EK, "EK, now that you've officially married Zhen's daughter, Zhen must inform all the heralds to change your title. You are now 'E Fu' so that everyone knows of your station and your ties to Zhen's family."

EK kow-towed and thanked HS.

LFY said to ZW, "My child, I hope you can forgive me for all the pain I've cost you. I hope you will have every Xin Fu with EK. If there's anything I can help with, feel free to tell me."

ZW smiled at LFY and said, "Thank you LFY, since we are now a family, ZW is willing to forget the past. ZW has a wish for Qing Ge Ge to join our celebration tonight at Hui Bing Lo. Without her, I would not have the joy I do today. It's my wish to become her friend."

LFY marveled once again at her grand-daughter's generosity and kindness. "If Qing-Er is willing, she may of course go with you four. It warms my heart that she can associate with youngsters her own age. I will let her known and she can join you at Jin Yang Gong once she has changed."

Huan Shang beamed at his daughters, "Now it seems we truly are a family!"