That evening, Wang Da Ye also had a serious discussion with Xing-er regarding the idea of him accompanying the other young men as their dealt with the region's problem. While hesitant at first, Xing-er agreed to give it a try. So, the next morning, he accompanied the other four young men to court. While he only observed the first few cases, he became a much more vocal participant as the day passed. The other four were much impressed with his drive to listen to both halves of a case, his insistence on having credible evidence, and the honesty and integrity he showed.

When the last case was dismissed, YQ addressed Xing-er: "Xing-er, I understand your hesitance to rule, but based on what I've seen today, you were almost born for the job. Your background as a common farmer grounds you in reality; you can truly relate to the day-to-day challenges of the people. But you are also well trained in justice and philosophy. I believe you have the making of a good official."

EK, ET, and XJ nodded. XJ added: "A skill I have picked up in my wanderings is the ability to read people. And from my observations, I'd have to say YQ is right in his assessments. You show great impartiality and patience. Your thoroughness has truly impressed me the most."

Xing-er bowed gratefully: "I thank you, honored guests, for your praise. But the credit really must go to my dearly departed mother for all her guidance. Even though she had left her life of luxury to be with my father, she never gave up the teachings of her upbringing. She made sure to instill in me strict morals. Thanks to the secret support of my aunt and uncle, I was also able to receive a thorough education. But for the illness that took my mother, I would have gone to the capital to for the yearly exam."

EK nodded: "Yes, your cousin told us. For sake of formality, I'm sure the four of us and the girls can come up with an exam to test your skills. I know ZiWei and Qing-er can come up with some quite difficult questions. That is…if you have decided to accept the position?"

Xing-er replied thoughtfully: "Before today, I wasn't quite sure if I have the ability. But based on the feedback I have received, I think I'm willing to give it a try as long as uncle is willing to guide me for a few years so that I may benefit from his wisdom. No matter your praise, I am still young and inexperienced."

ET smiled: "It is your sense of humility that led to us giving you this chance today. I'm glad you're willing to be taught."

YQ clapped his hands: "Very well. Let us return to the manor to share the good news. I find that my stomach is telling me that it's time for dinner."

XJ shook his head: "It seems my sister has been a bad influence on you."

Laughing, the five young men left for the manor. Xing-er marveled at the easy friendship the others shared. On the surface, they appeared to be four well-off gentlemen without a care in the world. But based on his observations during the day, he could tell that they each had a hidden depth. The amount of understanding they had of the commoner's life reminded him of the stories he had heard regarding the two princesses and he couldn't help but marvel at EK and YQ and their willingness to lead a simple life just as his mother had done. As he listened to the friends joke, he silently vowed to do their praise justice and bring honor to them and to his departed mother.

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Xing-er passed the exam that the ZiWei, Qing-er, Yongqi, and ErTai set with flying colors. He also did well on the martial arts portion via sparring with Er Kang and Xiao Jian. While not strong enough the beat the two young men, he nonetheless held his own. XYZ, insistent on not meaning left out, decided to test Xing-er on his knowledge of the common people. She came up with riddles and scenarios that forced Xing-er to remember everything from the typical price of rice to common insults used by the Han people. When YQ asked her about the insults, she just retorted: "Of course he needs to know these! How else is he going to know if he's doing a good job or not? It's not like someone's going to walk up to him and insult him using cheng-yu (proverbs), is it?" YQ had to admit she had a point and quickly wrote a letter to his father about the situation, their actions, and XYZ's idea for possible inclusion in future yearly exams. SY, meanwhile, found that she quite enjoyed working with YuZhen and Chun-er in the city's orphanage. She missed her daughter and found that help with the children helped lessen the pain.

During this time, Wang Da Ye recovered well enough to attend court with Xing-er and agreed with the travelers' assessment that Xing-er would do well. Xing-er also had his father brought to the manor. When everything had been explained to him, he lost the initial animosity he had and praised his son for his elevation in status. He and Wang Da Ye reconnected after the years apart and it was a common sight to see the two relaxing in the gardens or fishing by the lake together.

Two weeks passed until the travelers had been in the city for a month and XJ started to feel the call of home again. Wang Da Ye insisted on a farewell banquet for the travelers. The whole city celebrated the good fortunes the friends had brought: the returning health of Wang Da Ye, the hope of a new heir who was one of their own, and the removal of the dark cloud of oppression and fear. So it was amidst cheering crowds that the friends left to continue their journey.

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XYZ was in high spirits as they travelled further towards Da Li. Even at the Inn they stopped in at night, her happiness did not dim.

XYZ: "We did another good deed! I'm glad I got to use the medallion HAM gave us for something good. ZW used hers to give HHNN and RMM another chance to become better people and I used mine to get rid of a rotten official. I'm just too excited!"

YQ laughed: "Yes, XYZ, I'm happy as well. HAM hates corruption and incompetency; I'm glad we were able to fix everything."

ZW spoke up: "That Xing-er, he's certainly a marvel. I'm glad Wang Da Ye has such a nephew. But I must say, I think YuZhen still impressed me the most."

Saiya agreed: "And that Chun-er. The two of them make such a good team. In my days with them at the orphanage, I can see how caring they are. They also have the means and the organizational power to make truly important changes. I really hope Xing-er will consult with them regarding the people's needs."

ET nodded: "I'm sure he will. Xing-er struck me as a very open minded person. From the way he spoke of his mother, I can tell he's not one simply to dismiss women. Besides, I don't think Wang Da Ye will stand by and let him ignore YuZhen's opinions."

XJ: "I must say that I'm also very impressed with you three, YQ, EK, and ET. I feel honored to have been able to work alongside you three to put everything to rights."

EK shook his head: "Don't be so humble, XJ, you did your share of the work too. YQ said that Xing-er seemed born for the role. Well, I must say you're not so bad yourself. It is a pity that you rejected HS's offer…"

Hearing those words, Qing-er and XJ shared a secret smile before XJ replied: "I may have rejected HS's offer then, but I might have reason to accept it if he offers again…"

XYZ gasped: "Ge (older brother), really? You are serious?"

XJ nodded: "This is as good a time as any to announce my decision. Yes, Qing-er and I discussed it and if I have to become an official to marry her, well, I guess that is my lot in life."

Qing-er smiled teasingly: "And such an awful lot it is…you only get to right more wrongs and make sure justice prevails."

XYZ cheered while YQ said: "That is wonderful news indeed! HAM could definitely use men like you to ensure peace in this nation. Qing-er, I must thank you for ensuring that our dynasty is able to have men like XJ to serve it."

Qing-er blushed but smiled nonetheless.

ET spoke up: "Our dynasty is it? YQ, you know you very well might be the next Emperor. Are you sure you're not being selfish and keeping all the talent for yourself as well?"

At his words, the group suddenly grew silent. Even though they each knew the truth in ET's words, no one had dared utter them for fear of XYZ's reaction. SY looked at ET in concern, worried that he had spoken too soon regarding the matter.

XYZ broke the silence: "Oh, ET, don't be silly! Who knows who the next Emperor will be? It could very well be 15-Ah-Ge! I know HAM likes YQ, but HAM is going to live for a long, long time."

Still, ZW looked worriedly at her long-time friend and beloved sister: "XYZ, I too hope HAM is going to be with us for a while, but you saw with your own eyes the troubles when an heir is not indicated…and from what I've heard, it seems almost a matter of course that it will be YQ…I never wanted to say anything, but now that ET has voiced it…"

Qing-er added: "Did you ever wonder why HHNN treated YQ so coldly or why she treated you and ZW so badly? Part of it is because of status. When you first came to the Palace, she and Ling Fei Niang Niang were already at odds for HS's favor. She also wanted her son, 12-Ah-Ge, to become Emperor. She thought that since she was Empress it would be for sure. But HS continued to treat WAG with favor. She couldn't do anything to him or Ling Fei without raising suspicion, but she could treat you and ZiWei badly since by extension it would hurt YQ and Ling Fei. And, since Ling Fei is EK's aunt, she could hurt the Fu family by extension. It was a matter of control really. XYZ, I know none of us wanted to tell you this truth, but it is something you and YQ will have to face…"

Even SY broke in: "And from what I know of you Manchu people's customs, then YQ will need a wife from a good family."

XYZ's expression grew somber at these words. Seeing her distress, YQ spoke up: "XYZ, don't worry. Please don't worry about it. HAM knows how I feel about you. Ever since we ran away together, he's known that I cannot accept any other women in my life. Even if he wants me to be the heir, I don't want it."

XYZ shook her head: "But YQ, think of all the good you could do…"

YQ quickly grasped her hands and said earnestly: "XYZ, please don't worry." But XYZ broke away and stood up "Please, let me go think by myself." So saying, she left for the girls' room.

Looking at each other worried, the other three girls quickly bid their loved ones goodnight to join her.

YQ looked the door and sighed.

ET hastily apologized: "I'm so sorry YQ. I shouldn't have said anything."

YQ shook his head: "No. You were right to bring it up. And ZW was right in that it's something that must be discussed. I just didn't think it would be now or so soon…"

XJ said: "YQ. I happen to think you would make a good Emperor. I had my doubts when we were running for our lives. It seemed that EK look leadership most of the time. But this time traveling with you, especially during the Wang Da Ye case, I have had my eyes opened. Nonetheless, I have my sister to consider. I cannot sit by and let her be hurt."

YQ replied: "Thank you, XJ. Your opinion means a lot to me. But really, you don't need to worry; I have no plans of causing XYZ sadness. Ever since I realized I loved her, I knew I wouldn't be suited for the position of heir. Growing up as I do in the Palace, I have seen the fighting and competition that goes on. I have no wish to subject XYZ to any of that."

ET hesitantly added: "There was another thing…SY and I had been discussing…We think that this trip might have been a test of your ability to rule and our ability to advice. XJ, while I am glad you're willing to become an official for Qing-er, SY and I thought that maybe you wouldn't have been given much of a choice…"

XJ sighed: "I have realized that as well. I knew the test I took for the teaching license was the yearly exam, or some version of it. But really, Qing-er and I discussed it. I think even without a position, I've been rooted. But this discussion isn't about me. EK, what do you think? You've been silent so far?"

EK nodded: "ET, your thought has crossed my mind as well. Especially when Wang Da Ye mentioned that he had sent a letter to the capital for aid/replacement. But I didn't think HS would still persist in testing YQ, especially given that he allowed the marriage to XYZ to occur. No matter how much HS likes her, he knows what would be expected of the heir and the heir's wife. And XYZ, even though her heart's in the right place, will not fulfill that role and will not be accepted by the other powerful, more traditional, families. HS is more practical than that. Even if he had his eye on Yongqi, he should know better now."

YQ: "No matter what, HAM will need to discuss this topic with me first. I must agree to it as well. Even if a reluctant leader is sometimes the best one, I think in this case he will not force the issue. Besides, I plan on offering to train the heir, whoever he is, so that HAM still gets part of his wish. I have so many brothers; I refuse to believe that none of them will be suited for the job. Some of them are quite young, like 12-Ah-Ge and 15-Ah-Ge. We'll just have to see. No matter what the expectations are, I will not be the heir. I just hope XYZ realizes that…"