Qing-er greeted Zi Wei the next morning with a smile and a subtle nod of the head, which Zi Wei returned. Breakfast passed in a bustle of activity as XYZ and SY shared the excitement of their mock fight the previous day. Surprisingly, each of them was praising the other on her improvements.

Laughing, ET told YQ: "Wu A Ge, looks like we are indirectly competing through our wives."

YQ laughed back: "Well, I don't know about that. XYZ's improvements are a combination of me and XJ and goodness knows how many of the bodyguards and martial art masters in the Palace."

XYZ looked at him, surprise: "How did you know I got lessons from the masters? I thought I kept it a secret!"

YQ chuckled: "XYZ, you should know by now, secrets in the Palace don't stay secret for long. HAM was so amused by it, he made sure to tell all the masters that they could teach you whatever they want. And really, it made them happy too, to be treated like people for once instead of just servants."

XYZ blinked: "Well, of course they should be treated like people! I never could understand that distinction. Ah well, now I know why they gave in so easily! And here I thought they just liked me!"

YQ smiled: "Everyone likes you XYZ. You have this unique ability to worm your way into everyone's affections."

Qing-er chimed in: "Yes, even LFY admitted to me that for all your faults, your heart's in the right place. Added to your vast improvements lately, how could she not like you?"

Sai Ya added jokingly: "Everyone likes her? Psh…I certainly don't. I just happened to need a sparring partner."

ET shook his head at his wife's playful attitude: "Right right. You don't like her, that's why you two spent all day together yesterday and why you were so excited to tell me about your day with an 'almost sister'? I know you two didn't fight the whole time."

XYZ had a wicked look in her eyes when she replied: "Well…maybe we were telling each other awful things about our husbands."

ET and YQ looked at each other in panic as XJ laughed at their expense: "Looks like they've ganged up on you! Well, I for one am grateful that my lady love is a gentle soul. Don't you agree, EK?"

While EK nodded, Qing-er exchanged an amused look with Zi Wei, who quipped: "Who says Qing-er and I weren't sharing secrets too?"

This time it was XJ and EK's turn to look panicked.

After everyone had a good laugh, EK raised a good point: "Well, everyone, I think we've tarried here long enough. I believe it's time for us to leave soon again if you're going to make it to Dali and then back to BeiJing before Jin Suo is in danger of having her child. Zi Wei also reminded me last night. Xiao Jian, have you heard anything about Han Xiang and Meng Dan?"

XJ looked thoughtful: "I can't say that I have. In my last letter from my godparents, they didn't mention anyone. But I can definitely ask again. Who knows, maybe they took up resident somewhere on the way to Da Li. But, my godparents did say that they're preparing space for us to stay a good few days, so we can definitely look for them once we get to Da Li."

XYZ turned to SY: "Sai Ya! Once we find them, then you'll meet another one of my shi fu's (masters)!"

SY groaned: "Another one?" and started a fresh round of laughter.

Two days later, the friends were on the road again. The further south they traveled, the warmer the weather became until one day, angry thunderclouds covered the sky and buckets of rain fell from the sky. Fortunately, the travelers had stopped at an Inn and did not get drenched. They passed the day in company of each other, certain that the next day would bring the sun back again. When the next morning dawned, however, they found that they were wrong. Disappointed, they were forced to wait out yet another day. Two more days passed thus until XYZ finally grew impatient. She went to the owner of the inn and asked plaintively: "Just how long does this rain continue?"

The Inn-keeper looked at her in surprise. "Young miss," he replied, "it is the rainy season in these parts. I'm afraid we won't see the sun for another week."

XYZ was shocked: "Oh no! You mean I'm stuck inside?"

YQ joined her comfortingly: "It's ok XYZ. We'll just wait it out. No use getting drowned in all this water."

XYZ looked at him sadly: "But I'm a xiao yan zi (little swallow bird), I'm not meant for being cooped inside."

YQ couldn't bear to see her so sad and tried to think of something he could do to make her feel better.

Er Tai, meanwhile, was also comforting Sai Ya, telling her it was better to be safe than sorry.

Qing-er thought for a moment and hesitantly said: "Well…I remember reading a story once, about a mystic rain dance that would bring rain."

Zi Wei shook her head: "That's all we need, more rain!"

Qing-er continued: "Well, I know we don't need more rain…but what if we come up with an anti-rain dance? To chase away the clouds?"

XJ looked at her questioningly: "An anti-rain dance?"

Qing-er shrugged: "Well, I don't think it'll work, but it doesn't hurt to try. Besides, XYZ is fidgeting so much, we need to get her to do something!"

XYZ heard Qing-er's idea and a wild light entered her eyes. YQ took one look at her expression and muttered: "Uh oh!"

XYZ ignored him and exclaimed: "Well, then, what are we waiting for? Let's do it!"

Er Kang chuckled at her enthusiasm but said: "Umm…how does one do an anti-rain dance exactly? Do you know how XYZ?"

While XYZ shook her head, Sai Ya also perked up at the idea and said: "I don't know how either, but we can just make it up as we go along. Come on Er Tai!" So saying, she dragged Er Tai with her out into the rain. Not to be outdone, XYZ also dragged YQ with her into the pouring rain.

Qing-er looked at the drenched foursome and shook her head: "Oh dear, I didn't mean they should do it outside!"

XJ smiled: "Well, too late now!"

ZW yelled to XYZ: "Well, XYZ, it's your show now! I think I will stay safe and dry in here."

XYZ and Sai Ya looked at each other, then their bedraggled husbands and suddenly broke into identical maniacal grins. They grabbed their husbands' hands and started turning in wild circles. They even made up a chant to yell at the sky. The two dry couples looked at each other and broke into uproarious laughter at the sight of YQ and ET being pulled into the madness. To his surprise, YQ found that he rather enjoyed the feeling of the raindrops soaking through his clothes to his skin. He focused on the sheer joy and freedom on XYZ's face and launched into a few wild steps and chants of his own. Er Tai looked at the lack restrictions that YQ was showing, shrugged, and picked up Sai Ya and did a spin in the rain. Mid-spin, however, he suddenly sneezed. Sai Ya looked at him in concern: "Er Tai! Oh no! You'll catch cold!" She hopped down from his arms, grabbed his hand, and pulled him back inside.

ET laughed: "I'm fine, I'm fine! Nothing to worry about. Besides, I was having fun out there!"

Sai Ya shook her head: "Oh no you don't. You're coming to our room with me right now and we're going to get dry. Our daughter's not here for me to fuss over, so you'll just have to do!" Leaving him no choice, she dragged him away again.

ZW smiled at their interaction and turned to XYZ and YQ, who were still frolicking in the rain: "Alright you two! I think the heavens have heard your pleas by now! Don't get sick!"

Laughing, YQ and XYZ did a final spin, bowed dramatically, and then came inside.

XYZ: "Thank you Qing-er, for such a wonderful idea. I haven't had such fun in quite a few days!"

Qing-er smiled: "Glad I could help. But I think you two should go get dry too!"

XJ nodded: "Alright, my wild little sister, go before you get sick!"

YQ laughed and pulled XYZ along on the way back to their room.

EK, ZW, Qing-er, and XJ looked at each in amusement.

EK said: "Well, we should go tell the kitchen to bring some hot soup for them."

ZW and Qing-er nodded: "I'll go!" They both said and smiling at each other, took off in the direction of the kitchens.

EK looked at XJ: "Who'd have thought? An anti-rain dance!"

XJ chuckled: "Did you see YQ? I never thought I'd see the day that Wu A Ge would willingly give up his dignity and partake in XYZ's craziness. I'm glad now more than ever that I didn't stand in the way of their happiness. If anyone is worthy of my sister, then it's certainly YQ."

EK nodded: "Yes. It's amazing how much YQ is willing to do for XYZ. But then, XYZ has also become much more serious with her studies for YQ. I think that they're good for each other and bring out the best in each other."

XJ agreed but added: "As long as they're not having one of their fights!"

EK smiled: "Haven't you noticed? They haven't fought at all recently! I'm so glad."

XJ: "As am I; though we better not jinx it!" Both men laughed.

EK hesitated, then said: "Xiao Jian, I assume Qing-er told you about her idea about your family's story?"

Xiao Jian nodded. EK continued: "Zi Wei told me and I agreed to do some document mining, but only with your agreement. I don't want to make your decision for you."

XJ replied: "Thank you EK, for giving me the choice. Yes, Qing-er told me and I willingly give my permission. I will do anything to preserve XYZ and YQ's happiness. Besides, I, like Qing-er, hope that our story will be a tad more peaceful and won't result in anyone losing his/her head."

EK nodded: "Alright then. I'll talk to Er Tai and we'll see what we can do…Also…Would you mind if I told my A Ma (father)? He's been an official for much longer and might have access to documents I don't. I know you want to keep this under wraps, but A Ma has always kept our secrets and supported us in our adventures."

XJ was thoughtful: "Hmm…I've always thought well of your father. I think it'll be good to have such a Da Ren on my side. I would feel honored if he can help."

At this point, Qing-er and Zi Wei returned.

Zi Wei asked with amusement: "Alright you two, what secrets are you sharing?"

XJ replied: "Just telling EK that he has my permission to look into my family history; and to say that I'm honored Fu Da Ren will help."

Zi Wei nodded: "Yes, A Ma will be of tremendous help. Qing-er and I were also thinking of helping, mayhaps under the guise of a history lesson for XYZ?"

Qing-er, however, shook her head: "I thought more about it and I don't think that's a good idea. XYZ is a smart girl, she'll figure out something's wrong. Or at the very least, she'll be curious about someone else with the last name 'Fang.' Besides, Yongqi is sharp and he'll be sure to notice something too. I think it might be better if I did some digging. LFY is used to me being a bookworm. And if I happen to share anything I with Zi Wei, well, she'll just see it as a sign of our deep friendship."

EK agreed: "That's the plan then. I will speak to ET when I'm able and speak with A Ma when we get back."

XJ looked gratefully at his friends: "Thank you everyone. Even though XYZ are the last remaining members of the Fang clan, I consider all of you as my family."

Touched, ZW and EK smiled while Qing-er beamed at XJ.