Qing-er tried to act like nothing was wrong, though her heart was heavy. LFY, however, noticed that she didn't smile as much. Even though XYZ, ZW, and SY came to visit her, her smile still seemed dim. Troubled, LFY waited for ZW, SY, and XYZ to leave before confronting QE.

LFY: "Qing-er, is something wrong?"

QE: "Wrong, LFY?"

LFY: "Yes, you're more subdued than usual."

QE: 'Oh, no, I'm just thinking about the trip ahead. I've never left LFY for so long…"

LFY smiled: "Don't worry. You're still young, take advantage of that. You still have time for some adventures. Besides, that nice Xiao Jian is going too…"

QE was startled to hear XJ's name. Despite her heartache, she blushed: "LFY, you know…"

LFY chuckled: "Of course I know. And I think he is a fine boy. HS told me how he received top marks on his test for the teaching license. And the way he plays his xiao. Such a talented person, you'd think he was raised right here in Huang Gong."

QE heard all of LFY's compliments and despite her hurt feelings grinned proudly, "Yes, that's XJ…"

LFY: "Qing-er? Do you like him that much? Is he your EK?"

QE: "I'm…I'm..I'm not sure…"

LFY: "Not sure?"

QE shook her head and replied in a small voice: "I don't want to be hurt again."

LFY: "Oh? Is there danger of that? Is there another girl? Is it Liu Hong? I saw her at XYZ and ZW's wedding .She seemed a nice girl."

QE: "LH? Oh no, LFY, LH's like a sister…"

LFY: "Then what is it?"

QE: "LFY, can we not talk about this right now? I…"

LFY: 'Alright. But when you know for sure, you must let me know."

QE nodded. She thought to herself: 'I wish I know when that will be…'

Finally, the day came. ET and SY joined the group as well, in order to meet LQ, LH, and JS.

Hui Bin Lo

Everyone piled out of the carriage. XJ, unable to stay in QE's presence, took the horses away. In the mess of introductions and jokes that followed, no one noticed QE slip away in the direction of the stables.

In Stables

XJ was busy rubbing down the horses when QE walked in softly.

QE called softly: "XJ?"

XJ turned around and stared at her. She had never looked more beautiful, surrounded by the humble stable.

QE continued in the same soft voice: "I know what you said. I understand you don't want to hurt me. But, I can't say good-bye to you. I've tried to hate you, but I can't. I've missed you. XJ, I can't…I can't let you go…"

XJ: "QE, I…"

QE shook her head: "No, you don't have to apologize, just please, listen to me. Whatever's in your past, it can't hurt me, can't hurt us, unless we let it. I know you're a firm minded person, but you're also an understanding and open person. I just wanted to let you know, I'm waiting for you. No matter how long it takes, I'll wait for you to come to terms with your past." So saying, she turned to go.

XJ: "Qing-er…(when she didn't turn back) Qing-er! Wait!"

He ran to her, but stopped right behind her, talking to her back: "I'm sorry for the sorrow I know I've caused you. Sorry for the tears I know you shed. Sorry for not trusting you. (softer) Sorry for not trusting your love."

At that, Qing-er turned around and faced him, searing his eyes: "You'll tell me then?"

XJ nodded: "I will. These past days, I've understood the true meaning of heartache. It hurt more than anything I've experienced. I will tell you. Perhaps then you will understand. But not here – come with me."

QE: "Where to? Won't the others miss us?"

For the first time in days, XJ allowed a small smile to drift across his face: "I doubt it. In fact, I think they're praying for something like this. Please, trust me a little more, come with me."

Qing-er looked at him, at the sincerity in his eyes, and nodded."

XJ saddled a horse and rode with Qing-er to a small place in the mountains. A clearing in the woods gleamed with sunshine.

QE: "It's so pretty here."

XJ: "yes, I found this the day after I left you. LQ insisted that I stop drinking, so I took to wondering the woods. But that's getting off topic. I will tell you now, but please don't say anything until I finish."

QE nodded.

XJ: "Here, sit (leading her to a stump, he sat down next to her). You probably know that my family was killed ages ago. I swore I would find the killers one day and extract my revenge. You probably also know that I told HS that I wasn't very clear who my enemy is, that he had probably died already."

QE nodded again.

XJ looked into her eyes: "But I lied to HS. I know who my enemy is and he's still alive."

QE broke her stunned silence: "Are you going to finish your mission then?"

XJ shook his head: "No, I can't…because…because…"

QE: "Yes?"

XJ looked away: "Because my sister is married to his son."

QE was silent as she digested this information.

XJ looked back at her and added softly: "And I've fallen in love with his niece. Now do you understand?"

QE got up and walked around the clearing, silent and pensive. XJ also stood up, watching her.

QE came back and faced him, XJ was surprised to see that she was smiling a little.

QE: "Yes, I see now. I see why ZW told HS after she came home that the greatest thing in life was 'rao shu.' She learned it from ou."

XJ: "Qing-er, aren't you upset?"

QE: "What should I be upset about? That you spared my uncle? That you put aside your own purpose so that your sister can be happy? Should I hate you for your self-sacrifice? For being friends with the children of your enemy?"

XJ: "QE, have I ever told you that you are an amazing person?"

QE blushed: "No, the amazing one is you."

XJ grinned but turned serious again: 'But now do you see why we can't be together? If HS and LFY knows, they'll never let me near you. I thought I better if I just left. Qing-er, I don't know what to do. Before I met you, I've never known this feeling of helplessness."

Qing-er raised a hand to his cheek: "XJ, you are far from helpless."

XJ reached up and took her hand in his, twisting their fingers together: "But I don't know what to do."

QE: "I don't know what HS and LFY would do. I know they both like you and trust you. If HS finds out, he could admire you for it. As for LFY…she wants me to be happy. Since heaven gave her XYZ as a grand-daughter, she could consider it heaven's plan. Xian Jian, don't despair. Not that we're together again, anything's possible. We just have to think logically."

Xiao-Jian: "Qing-er, you're an angel. Thank you for not giving up on me."

Qing-er blushed but said: "I just have one more question. Who are you really?"

XJ: "My real name is Fang Yan, XYZ is Fang Ci."

QE was shocked: 'Your last name is Fang?"

XJ: "But I've been XJ for so long, and it's all I'll ever be."

QE: "Fang, I've read about your father. He was a talented man too, and a wonderful writer."

XJ: "Oh? You've read about my father? Then you know why HS killed my family."

QE: "I do. But I've always felt that it was a pity. Your father sounded like such a good man."

XJ: "He was. I'm amazed you know about him, most people just know of his wrongs."

QE: "I've had a lot of time to read in my life. I'm honored to know you."

XJ: "Qing-er, I don't know what to say."

QE: "Hmmm? About what?"

XJ: "You're so wonderful, I'm so lucky to have you by my side." He hugged her.

QE blushed but leaned into him.

A moment later, she broke away: "You know, I've always thought it was kind of funny that Hang Shang would order your father's execution. From all records, it seemed that HS greatly admired your father and that they were friends. I've always felt that there was more to the story."

XJ was stunned: "What? They were friends?"

Qing-er nodded: "Yes. At least, that was my impression. You know, Xiao Jian. It might not be a bad idea to look into this old case some more. Maybe we'll dig up some history that we are not yet aware of."

Xiao Jian looked at her hopefully: "Do you really think so?"

Qing-er nodded: "You've got friends in high places now. I'm sure we can do some digging. And, when we go to Da Li, we can ask your godparents for some additional details…That is (she looked at him shyly), if you still want me to go to Da Li with you…"

Xiao Jian smiled at her: "Qing-er, I will never make the mistake of pushing you away again. You have given me more cause to hope than I have ever felt."

Qing-er laughed: "No, I just have the advantage of thinking about it all with an objective mind. You've been wallowing in vengeance your whole life, no wonder you can't think clearly….Come, we should get back soon. I'm sure the others are missing us."

Happily, Xiao Jian helped her back onto their horse and then got on himself.

As they left the clearing, he said: "Qing-er, please keep it a secret until we have everything cleared up. Especially from XYZ and YQ."

Qing-er nodded in agreement: "I will, trust me. But I think we should let EK, ZW, and maybe ET know. They can help us look for old records."

Xiao Jian nodded: "Trust you. Yes, I promise to do that more."

Grinning, the happy went back to Hui Bin Lo.