So the days passed peacefully. Both young couples settled into the patterns of their lives. News of Huan Zhu Ge Ge being tutored by Qing Ge Ge spread until one day, Huang Shang decided to go visit XYZ to see if what he hears is true.

"Huang Shang dao (HS arrives)!"

XYZ and Qing-er quickly left the study to greet him. After they paid their respects, Huang Shang laughed, "XYZ! Zhen has been hearing some wonderful news about you from Ji Shi Fu. It seems that your homework has become much more legible. And I alos hear that Qing-er has become you tutor."

Xyz replied, "Yes, Huang A Ma, it's true. I asked LFY and HHNN to teach me chen yu, but LFY said it would be better for Qing-er to teach me to 'ren zi' first."

Qinger: "Huang Shang, it is an honor for me to teach XYZ. We're very good friends now because of it."

Huang Shang: "That is wonderful news indeed. But XYZ, zhen would still like to see you retain your spirit. Now that it's winter, it's too cold for you to go around Huang Gong making trouble. But I hope that with all your studying, you still have time for your Huang-A-Ma."

XYZ: "Of course I'll still be XYZ. I'm trying to make my brother proud too! He can do anything!"

HS: "Oh? You mean XiaoJian?"

XYZ: "Yes, yes HAM. I have a favor to ask you…Can you allow XiaoJian to come into Huang Gong whenever? He's suppose to teach me wu gong!"

HS: "Yes, zhen sees you're still XYZ! No other Ge Ge would want to learn wu gong like you. As for XJ….he is your brother after all! And therefore almost zhen's son. Yes, I will grant him permission to come and see you. (To Qing-er) And thank you for teaching XYZ here. Zhen wishes you luck, XYZ is not the easiest pupil to teach."

XYZ: "Hey! I'm not that bad! ZiWei managed to teach me some!"

HS chuckled: "You mean do your work for you?"

As father and daughter playfully bantered, neither noticed that Qing-er was very quiet. She had heard HS give XJ permission to come to the Palace and couldn't help but remember XJ waving good-bye to her at Hui Bin Lo. Her eyes took on a dreamy look again as she became immersed in her thoughts.

Just then: "Xi Wei Ge Ge Dao!"

Zi Wei was very surprised to see HS.

ZW: "HAM, I thought you'd be in court!"

HS: "Zhen left YQ and Er Kang there. Zhen knows they can take care of things for Zhen. They are like you two girls, like zhen's two hands they are."

ZW and XYZ grinned at each, each proud of their husbands.

ZW, seeing Qing-er: "Qing-er! Hello to you! I see ow that Er Kang was right! He told me yesterday that you're now XYZ's tutor. I just had to come and see for myself."

HS: "Yes, zhen was just marveling over that! (To ZW) What's wrong? Now that you're married you have no time for your HAM?"

ZQ: "Of course not, HAM. It's just that, wel,l I never got to stay much with Fu Jin and Fu Da Ye, and I was making it up to them for those missed days."

HS: "Yes…that does sound like zhen's Zi Wei. Zhen's glad to see that marriage hasn't changed either of zhen's girls. There, zhen will leave now so you can catch up."

Once HS left, XYZ immediately squeals and hugs Zi Wei, "What took you so long to come and visit?"

ZQ: "I've missed you so much! (to Qing-er) Qing-er, I've missed you too! (When she didn't respond) Qing-er?"

Qing-er: "Oh! I'm sorry! Zi Wei! It's so good to see you again!"

ZW: (grinning) "Now what were you thinking about?"

Qing-er blushed.

ZW: "It wouldn't be about a certain someone at Hui Bin Lo, would it?"

Qing-er turned even redder.

XYZ: "What? ZW, stop talking in riddles! Who are you talking about?"

Qing-er: (quietly) "Xiao Jian…"

XYZ: "What does my brother have to do with it? Unless…Qing-er! Is it what I think it is?"

Qing-er was too embarrassed to say anything, she could just give the smallest nod.

ZW clapped her hands: "I knew it!"

XYZ: "Hurray! Qing-er, I am very happy that I'll have you as a sister too!"

Qing-er: "Shhh…Don't say that! I'm not sure how he feels…"

XYZ: " Well, I've got something to do again! Qing-er, I promise you, I'll do my best to bring you two together! This is just like Han Xiang and Meng Dan. Only I get to see the start! Yay! There, this is my payment to you for teaching me."

ZW: (seeing Qing-er's red face) XYZ! Stop! Can't you see you're making her uncomfortable? (to Qing-er) But I must say, I'm helping XYZ!"

Qing-er could only blush and look at the ground.

The girls talked the morning away and XYZ's lesson was forgotten.

"Wu A Ge dao! E Fu dao!" (YQ and EK arrive)

ZW: "Er Kang? How did you know I'd be here?"

EK: (laughing) "I knew you'd want to see for yourself; XYZ studying! I must say, I was surprised when Wu A Ge told me. I'm dying to see it for myself!"

ZW: "Is it lunch time already? Shouldn't we be getting back to A Ma and E Niang?"

EK: "Don't worry, I sent someone to tell them that we'd be here."

YQ: "It's a treat for you to visit and I know XYZ missed you. So, I invited EK over for lunch!"

XYZ: "Hurray!"

Qing-er: "I must be going then."

YQ: "Oh no, don't even think about that! I asked LFY and you're staying too."

XYZ: (hugging YQ) "Oh thank you so much!"

YQ: "Well, it's the least I can do, seeing how hard you're working! You deserve a holiday!"

The five friends sat around the table and shared their meal. XYZ told her good news about XJ.

XYZ: "So, YQ, you'd better be nice! My brother will be watching."

Because of the laughter that followed, no one noticed Qing-er blush. Nothing was said, as the girls decided to keep it a secret until they knew how XJ felt.

Evening, Fu's

Er Kang watched as ZW took out her hair pieces and noticed a new happiness about her.

EK: "What's the secret? It's making you so happy?"

ZW was surprised once again at his perceptiveness.

ZW: "I knew I couldn't keep a secret from you! (joining him on their bed) I don't think Qing-er would mind you knowing. She and XJ, well…"

EK: "Qing-er and XJ? (smiling) Why didn't I think of that?"

ZW: "But don't say anything! Qing-er says she doesn't know what XJ thinks of her!"

EK (embracing her) "Well, I think they're perfect for each other! Just like us."

ZW blushed and looked him in the eye.

ZW: "What are you looking like that for?"

EK: "I still can't believe you're mine."

ZW: (laying her head on his chest) "I'm here, and yes I'm yours."

EK: "Are you happy here?"

ZW: (looking at him again) "It's different from the Palace, and I miss XYZ and Qing-er. But then there's A Ma and E Niang. And you…especially you. Yes, I'm happy here."

EK grinned happily and kissed her.

The candle was soon blown out as the couple shared their love.