The long awaited day finally arrived. After good-byes and last minute luggage were taken care of, the four couples hit the road. Xiao Jian drove the carriage, with QE sitting next to him while the other three couples road on horses. Because they weren't running for their lives, EK, ZE, YQ, and XYZ had a much better chance to enjoy the view. Instead of staying in people's homes, the travelers were also able to stay in hotels. Even so, the guys took turns guarding the girls, just in case. So, with laughter and minor mishaps, they arrived in the first town, where a year ago they had rescued a girl from being burned alive. As an excited XYZ narrated the incident to her attentive audience, they entered the town. After getting settled at the inn, they walked to the spot where the bonfire had been. XYZ was so busy talking, she bumped into a lady walking in front of her.

XYZ: "Oh! I'm so sorry!"

The lady turned around and her eyes widened: "Oh! It's you!"

ET: "You know her?"

Lady: "Yes! I owe her my life!"

ZW looked closely at the lady and exclaimed: "Su-su!"

QE: "You mean, this is the girl?"

Su Su replied enthuisiastically: "Yes! That's me! I never got to say a proper thank you. You lot left so soon. My husband said you must have been heaven-sent!"

EK laughed: "We're not from heaven!"

SS added: "Oh! This is so exciting. You must come with me to my home. Lao Ye will want to throw a celebration."

XYZ: "Really? For us?"

SS nodded: "Yes!"

XY turned to YQ with a pleading look: "Can we?"

YQ smiled at her: "I don't see why not. EK, ET, XJ, what do you think?"

The others also nodded.

ZW turned to SS: "We'd be honored!"

Smiling, Su-Su led the way to her home.

Her husband and father-in-law's joy at the appearance of their saviors matched Su-Su's. Su-Su and her husband immediately got down on their knees and thanked XYZ, ZW, YQ, EK, and XJ.

Embarrassed, ZW quickly drew them up, saying to Lao Ye: "Sir, we are so sorry to impose on you."

Lao Ye replied: "It's no problem! Su-Su has brought our family joy the moment she entered our door. She gave me a healthy grandson to continue the family name!"

XYZ: "Really?"

Su-Su blushed but nodded.

EK: "Congratulations, sir. I should introduce us. I am Er Kang, this is my wife Zi Wei. XYZ here is ZW's sworn sister. Yong-Qi is her husband and ZW's brother. XJ is XYZ's brother and QE's ZW's cousin. ET here is my brother and SY his wife." He purposefully kept their last names secret, just in case.

Lao Ye bowed: "It's an honor to meet you all. Please, stay for dinner, I insist."

Dinner

Lao Ye: "Tell me, what are you doing back here?"

YQ: "We're traveling to Da Li to visit our family."

Lao Ye: "Oh? Where are you from?"

ET: "We're from BeiJing."

Su-Su: "Beijing?"

QE nodded: "Yes."

Su-Su: "Oh! Have you seen HZGG and Ming Zhu Ge Ge then?"

XYZ and ZW looked at each other.

ZW: "Why do you ask?"

Su-Su's husband grinned: "You must excuse Su-Su here. We've all heard about the greatness of the two princesses. It's said that they travelled through this region last year on an inspection trip for the Emperor. It's good to see how Huang Shang cares for the people; we commoners see his love for the princesses as a sign of his love for the Chinese people."

Su-Su added: "Yes! From the stories, they're simply amazing and have done such great things!"

XYZ grinned: "Well, as a matter of fact, we…"

ZW quickly kicked her under the table.

SY continued effortlessly: "We've heard of the greatness of the two princesses too. They definitely sound like two girls I'd like to meet. I heard they helped uncover a sinister couple kidnapping girls under the guise of running a chess store."

Qing-er nodded in agreement: "Yes. I also heard that they have two amazing men who care for them deeply and were willing to move heaven and earth to protect them."

As XYZ, ZW, EK, and YQ blushed at the praise, Su-Su replied: "Oh yes! But, they can't be greater than you lot!"

Just then, a servant entered with a child in her arms.

Lao Ye: "Ah! Here's my grandson. Little one, come meet your saviors!"

As everyone marveled at the baby, the previous conversation was forgotten and the rest of the meal passed peacefully.

At the hotel

XYZ: "Wow! We're famous!"

Everyone laughed.

ET: "How can you not be? Helping HS reclaim his lost daughter, helping a royal concubine be with her love, and saving the country from corrupted officials, it's a wonder there aren't books written about you!"

ZW smiled: "Well, those books had better include the wonderful people in our lives who sacrificed everything for us."

EK grinned at her while YQ smiled at XYZ.

Qing-er laughed: "Maybe we should write these stories down sometime! I'm sure it would make a great read."

XJ also chuckled: "Right! And we should include all the silly things my sister used to say."

Everyone chuckled.

ET broke the laughter and said: "Alright, everyone, we've got another day of traveling ahead. I bid you all good night." He kisses Sai Ya on her forehead and departed.

XYZ yawned: "Yes, I'm tired too. Goo night!" She kissed YQ softly on his cheek.

A surprised YQ watched her leave and then with a big grin on his face and a new spring in his step departed as well. EK and ZW smiled and departed to their respective rooms, leaving XJ and Qing-er behind.

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

QE: "A little, but you wanted to talk to me?"

XJ was surprised: "How did you know?"

QE: "When you didn't leave with YQ and EK, I figured something was up."

XJ took her hand in his: "Qing-er, you're amazing. Come, there's a beautiful moon out tonight."

Outside in a pagoda

QE: "Xiao Jian, is something bothering you?"

XJ: "No, it's just that, the closer I get to home, the more I wonder if my parents forgive me." He let go of her hand and looked up at the sky. "I hope up in Heaven they are not cursing me for being a useless son."

QE: "You're not useless." He turned to look at her: "But…"

QE: "XJ, I know how you feel. Sometimes, I wonder if my parents up there look down and reprimand me for loving you. But I know in my heart that they would have accepted it. Your parents can't blame you. You found your sister and ensured her happiness. You exhibited mercy and forgiveness. That alone places you above any reproach."

XJ smiled: "Qing-er, thank you."

QE replied: "No need, I'm glad you're open with me at least. You're so closed to everyone else. I'm glad that I have the privilege of discovering the real you."

XJ: "The real me? Yes, with you, I feel real." He hugged her close.