That evening, XJ's godparents led the group to a wide grassy plain lit all over with torches and a giant bonfire and ringing with the sound of music.

Aunty smiled at the group and said, "You've arrived just in time for our fire torch festival! It's a wonderful night of feasting, dancing, and merriment. It is also a night for loved ones to share time together. Unwed young men can also use this opportunity to express their interest in a young lady. When we dance around the fire hand-in-hand, he only has to scratch the inside of her palm. If she reciprocates his feelings, then she scratches back. It's a really private way that spares a lot of embarrassment should the couple not work out."

Uncle nodded, "There will also be a special performance by the children of our school. We've hired a new martial arts teacher for the boys and a new dancing instructor for the girls and tonight is a grand chance for the children to show off their talents!"

XYZ clapped her hands in delight at the merriment around them, "Oh! This is wonderful! I so love a good gathering!"

ZW chuckled at her enthusiasm but said, "Aunty, you mentioned dancing…but none of us knows the steps for the dances in this region."

Aunty just shook her head, "No worries. It was that way for me when we first moved here as well, but the people here are naturally warm-hearted. Just listen to the music, follow the other dancers, and you'll pick it up in no time! I've always thought Manchu dances were a bit too structured, here dancing is a way of expressing joy, which cannot always be restrained."

Uncle added, "Besides, Jian-er should be able to show you folks some steps!"

Qing-er glanced in surprise at XJ, "Oh? You can dance? What other surprises do you hold?"

Jian-er looked embarrassed, "Well, I don't dance very well. But growing up here, it's impossible not to pick up on the exuberance."

Uncle chuckled, "Don't listen to him. He's being way too modest. Our Jian-er picked up dancing like he picked up his martial arts; as though he was born to do it. They do say he is much too restrained, but Qing-er, perhaps you will help him unlock his emotions."

As Qing-er blushed, XJ smiled and gently held her hand and led her to a nearby circle of dancers.

During their dance, he gently scratched the center of her palm. Qing-er smiled gently at him and scratched back, causing XJ to wear an identical grin.

As YQ watched them laugh and twirl, he smiled, grabbed XYZ's hand, and let her to join them, "Come, XYZ, I don't think this will be any harder than our rain-be-gone dance."

XYZ replied, "Hahaha. Mayhaps we will teach the dance to everyone back home!"

SY and ET looked at each other and raced after them, "Wait for us!"

ET added, "I didn't get a chance to finish my rain-be-gone dance, let's see if our bonfire dance is better or if yours is better!"

EK turned to ZW, "ZW, what do you think? Shall we join their madness?"

ZW smiled, "Oh why not? It does look quite fun."

Aunty and Uncle chuckled at the young people.

Uncle said to Aunty, "That is an amazing group of youngsters. I have never seen Jian-er so happy and so carefree. I think Qing-er will be good for him."

Aunty agreed, "Yes. She seems so soft and gentle, but I can sense that she's really got an iron will. She will be able to be his support. What of XYZ and YQ?"

Uncle sighed, "I did have my doubts, given the family's past. But he genuinely cares for her and he is a good man. I stand with Jian-er's decision not to tell her the secret; it would be a shame to tear them apart. Besides, look at them, see how happy they are."

XYZ and YQ had laughingly returned to Aunty and Uncle, both breathless with laughter. XYZ grabbed Aunty hands, "Come aunty and uncle, join the dance! It's so much fun!"

Aunty laughed but said, "No, I think I'll leave the dancing to you youngsters. Besides, I believe the children and their teachers will be performing soon. Why don't we get the others and find a good location to watch?"

Sure enough, a few moments later, a shift in the music caused all the revelers to pause in their dancing and gather around an impromptu stage area near the bonfire. As the new music started and the young girls from the town entered the stage, ZW and XYZ couldn't help but share surprised looks. The music sounded oddly familiar, as though they had heard it somewhere. The girls on stage gathered into a clump in the middle of the stage and a figure in white rose out of the group.

XYZ gasped, "Oh! That's…"

ZW laughed in delight and finished her thought, "Han Xiang!"

Qing-er clapped her hands as their friend on stage gave a bright smile and finished the dance with her students. Quickly, another change in music signaled the entrance of the boys, led by yet another familiar figure.

This time, EK and YQ gave shouts of joy, "Meng-Dan!"

Uncle smiled at their reactions, "Yes. Jian-er and I rather thought you would like this surprise. The two of them arrived some three months ago, bearing a letter from our Jian-er. They were dressed as spice merchants but expressed interest in settling down roots here. I took them on a tour of the school grounds and they fell in love with all the children. I'm quite glad to have them teach our pupils new skills."

As the performance ended to thunderous applause and the other spectators returned to their own dancing, the travelers rushed to find their friends.

XYZ was the first to reach them and wasted no time giving Han Xiang a big hug, "Oh! Han Xiang! You're alright!" She turned to Meng Dan, "And shi-fu! You've gained more pupils I hear! Oh I have so much to tell you!"

The rest of the travelers caught up with them and Han Xiang was soon surrounded by the laughter of her friends. The men also patted Meng Dan on the back as the group reunited.

Han Xiang wiped at her teary eyes, "Oh XYZ! ZW! You two are alright too. I was so worried that something would happen to you. But I hear from Xiao Jian that you two are finally married as well; I couldn't quite believe it. I'm so happy to see both of you! And Qing Ge Ge! They've brought you as well!"

ZW replied, "It was quite the journey, but yes, XYZ and I are just fine. I'm just as glad to see that you are well!"

XYZ nodded, "And you've become a dance teacher! Who would have thought?"

Qing-er smiled, "Though I did not know you as well, I am glad to see you safe and sound as well. Also, this is Princess SaiYa, ET's wife and ZW's sister in law."

SY smiled and gave Han Xiang a greeting from SY's home, "Well met, Princess Han Xiang."

Han Xiang bowed in the way of her people but replied, "I am no princess anymore, just a regular person trying to take hold of my own destiny."

SY shook her head, "No. XYZ told me of your story and the sacrifice you were willing to make to ensure the future of your people makes you a true princess. I am honored to meet you and, hopefully, call you friend."

Meanwhile, the men were also making introductions.

EK said to Meng Dan, "Meng Dan, it is good to see you well. This is my brother, ET. You didn't get to meet him before because he had been in away in the land of his wife.

Meng Dan greeted ET, "Any friend of XJ, EK, and YQ is a friend of mine."

ET smiled, "I count myself fortunate finally to meet the famous Meng Dan. I cannot imagine all the trouble you underwent for your love. I had thought my brother and friend great for fighting for ZW and XYZ, but now I can say I've met the third of their group. I am deeply impressed."

Meng Dan smiled, "You would do the same for your wife."

YQ turned to XJ, "XJ, you are a man a marvels, constantly surprising us like this! I can't believe you didn't breath a single word the entire trip."

XJ laughed, "Well, so much has happened on our trip, I didn't quite have the time to mention it either."

The girls brought Han Xiang over to meet ET and the group had a wonderful reunion.

Uncle and Aunty approached the group. Uncle said, "Well, what do you think of this surprise?"

XYZ impulsively hugged him and Aunty, "Oh! It's wonderful! Thank you so much!"

Uncle chuckled at her enthusiasm, "It is I who must thank you folks for providing us with such good teachers! They're a wonderful couple and an excellent addition to our school. Come, you lot must have a lot to catch up on and the feast is about to start. We've settled around a smaller bonfire. I bet you haven't had fire roasted lamb fresh from the fire pit!"

Aunty smiled as well, "With all this dancing and excitement, I'm sure you're all hungry. Come, you can catch up over the meal."

Smiling, the group followed them and settled around a smaller bonfire in a more secluded area on the grassy plain. As they sampling the delicious foods in front of them and the region's specialty wines, the group listened to Han Xiang and Meng Dan's story.

Han Xiang spoke, "We arrived in Da Li some 3 months ago and luckily were immediately able to find XJ's godparents. They are quite famous in these parts for their generosity and open-mindedness. The locals we spoke to were also extremely happy to hear that we know Xiao Jian. It seems he's somewhat of a local hero. The couple took us in and we had some serious discussions about our future. I initially expressed hope that I could return home to my father and perhaps seek shelter there, but after careful consideration, I realized that would be foolhardy. My father certainly cares for me, but I cannot take the risk of losing Meng Dan again."

Meng Dan continued the story, "Yes. Had Han Xiang really decided to go back, I would have followed her. But we were also worried about you lot. Besides, we had decided to meet here in Da Li after a year. So we thought to table that discussion until we were all united. The longer we stayed, however, the longer we grew to love the people and the place here. There is no desert as in our homeland, but the grass prairies are much alike. There's also a sense of new beginning, of freedom here."

Han Xiang nodded, "During the second week or so, we begged for something useful to do. Though Meng Dan and I were dressed as spice peddlers, neither of us really had the background knowledge to make it a successful venture. So, when Uncle and Aunty told us about the school, we were delighted to contribute something useful. They had been so kind to take us in and give us shelter, I'm just glad we've been able to repay them in even this small way."

Uncle spoke up, "No need to repay us; you have both been such a joy. The children love you both; since your decision to settle here, we've seen a great increase in influx of enrollment."

Han Xiang and Meng Dan beamed.

XYZ clapped her hands, "Oh I'm so glad you two have your happy ending. And now we're all together again, if only for a while!"

Han Xiang turned to her, "XYZ, ZW, and Qing-er, it's really thanks to you three that Meng Dan and I have had this chance at happiness. I don't know how we'll ever repay you."

EK brushed away their thanks, "What are friends for? Besides, I feel that we're more like family than just simple friends. I do have to admit though, in retrospect, I think we helped you two not just because you were friends, but also for our own sakes."

Everyone but ZW looked at him in surprise. Yong-qi asked, "What do you mean by that?"

ZW spoke up, "I think I understand. At the time, XYZ and I existed in a state of limbo. We were recognized as princesses by HAM, but LFY did not show us the same favor. HHNN also consistently set obstacles in our path. Though we were betrothed, our marriages seemed precarious. We had no real control over our own lives. By helping Han Xiang and Meng Dan achieve their happiness, we were also giving ourselves hope; hope that we can also influence our own fates."

EK nodded, "ZW does know me best, that's exactly it. I pride myself on my ability to plan and achieve my own goals, but at the time, I truly felt helpless. I knew the love between ZW and I was unshakable, but circumstances seemed always to intervene. Despite all my skills, I was powerless to turn my dreams to reality. Throwing myself into helping Han Xiang and Meng Dan be together was not only an outlet for my frustrations but helped me to keep fighting for ZW. So, in the end, I think I need to thank Han Xiang and Meng Dan as well. Their stories reminded me I was not alone in my struggles for the one I love."

Yong-qi responded thoughtfully, "When you put it that way, it does make sense. Though I'd also like to add that XYZ was the chief proponent for helping them. And when XYZ set her mind to something, there's really no stopping her."

XYZ playfully hit him in the arm, "What are you saying?"

Qing-er chuckled, "It's not a bad thing, XYZ. I think Yong-qi's praising you. Think of all your improvements in literature and history. Your determination has truly helped you succeed."

Yong-qo quickly agreed with Qing-er, "Of course I'm praising you, XYZ. Without you, a lot of things wouldn't have happened a lot of people wouldn't have met. You, XYZ, are the agent of change for all of us."

To the laughter of the group, XYZ jumped up and gave a few elaborate bows, saying, "That's me! XYZ at your service! If you need lives changed, call on me!"

XJ responded, "Certainly. But I warn you all, if you ever need a proper meal made, you should probably stay clear of my little sister!"

XYZ visibly deflated and groaned, "Brother, why must you bring that up? You're supposed to be on my side!"

Han Xiang looked at the group curiously, "I sense a story here. Please, tell us what happened with all of you. Xiao Jian's letters only said so much."

XYZ perked up and immediately launched into re-enactments of the group's journey.

And so the night wore on, filled with good cheer and the joy of reunited old friends.