A few days later, XYZ was in HS's study as he reviewed her latest essay.

XYZ fidgeted nervously. Finally, JS put the paper down: "XYZ, did you write all this by yourself?"

XYZ answered, wide-eyed, expecting the worst: "Yes, HAM."

HS: "All of it?"

XYZ nodded: "Is it that bad?"

HS, seeing her worried look, laughed: "Bad? XYZ, this is the best piece zhen has seen coming from you! Zhen has decided, you education with Ji Shi Fu stops now. Of course, zhen still wants you and Qing-er to read, but it's not necessary for you to go to school anymore."

XYZ: "Really, HAM?"

HS: "Really. Now, you'll have time to attend to other duties!"

XYZ groaned: "More duties?"

HS: "Of course! You're married, aren't you?"

XYZ blushed: "HAM, can we not talk about this? Why don't we talk about our trip? When do we leave?"

HS saw her discomfort and chuckled: "How does next week sound?"

XYZ cheered: "Yay! HAM, thank you!"

Jin Yang Gong

XYZ: "YQ, guess what? I don't have to go to school anymore!"

YQ laughed: "Yes, I know, HAM told me."

XYZ: "He told you? When?'

YQ: "He called me in for a meeting today about the trip."

XYZ: "Then you probably know we're leaving next week!"

YQ smiled: "Yes, XYZ. Is Huang Gong that bad that you're so eager to leave?"

XYZ: "No, of course not! But you know I love a good trip. And, if I stay here, I'm afraid HAM will expect me to…" She blushed and fell silent.

YQ: "Is something wrong?"

XYZ: "No…"

YQ: "XYZ, I know you too well, what did HAM say?"

XYZ looked at the ground, for once quiet and subdued: "He said that I had other duties now…"

YQ looked puzzled: "What other duties?"

XYZ still kept her gaze away from him: 'He said that now I'm married and not in school, I…"

YQ finally understood and hugged her: "XYZ, I won't force you to do anything you don't want to do."

XYZ: "But…"

YQ gently lifted her head and looked into her eyes: "No but's. I love you, XYZ, and I want you to be happy. As long as you're content, I'm alright."

XYZ: "But YQ, everyone will expect you to have a son someday. Qing-er explained it to me. Even though I don't agree with all the importance people place on sons at this court, I know it's expected. I don't want to tarnish your image. I'm afraid that if I don't provide you with an heir, LFY will get someone else to marry you. I've tried so hard to get her to like me…but I can't shake the feeling that she wished I wasn't a commoner."

YQ was startled by her reasoning and the rare seriousness she was showing: "XYZ, when did you become so aware of court politics? I didn't want to burden you or to shake your faith in the world."

XYZ shrugged and said: "Just because I choose not to follow most of the rules doesn't mean I don't know about them. I usually don't worry about them since they don't affect my life really and they tend to ruin my fun. But this…even HAM is hinting at it…and I know it's common for princes to have more than one wife…"

YQ sighed: "XYZ. Don't worry about this. I'm not in a big hurry to be a father. I'm more then content to run after you…I don't know if I can handle another xiao yan zi flying around just yet. Besides, even if they want me to marry someone else, I won't do it. I don't want or need anyone else. LFY wanted EK to marry Qing-er too, didn't she? And it still turned out well."

XYZ persisted: "But what if I'm a bad mother?"

YQ laughed gently: "Is that your real worry?" She nodded.

YQ: "Oh, XYZ, I've seen you with children and you're a natural. Sai Ya's daughter is particularly taken with you. And didn't all the A Ge's and Ge Ge's in this Palace beg for your life because they liked you so much? I'm sure you'll be a wonderful mother. But really, don't worry. A child will come when the heavens decide to bless us with one. Why don't we just enjoy our time together? Besides, I don't want our child to be just a duty, I want him or her to feel all the love we can provide."

XYZ returned his hug, her fears alleviated: "Thank you."

YQ held her close: "I'm sorry that life at court has destroyed some of your innocence about these things. I wanted you to live without any of the social battles and concerns of life here."

XYZ smiled: "It's ok. Besides, we're taking a break from all the pressures here for a while. I can't wait to see Da Li. And Xiao Ge Zi! I wonder if she still remembers us?"

YQ smiled back: "How can she possibly forget a big sister like you? Now, with all this talk about babies…I feel like we should do some…practicing…" He leaned down to capture her lips in his.

XYZ blushed but leaned into him as well. She squealed when he lifted her and carried her to their bedroom…