A Change to Grace

Chapter Four


Mulan, Shang, the General and the soldier trio woke early the next day to set off for Mulan's sleepy little farming village. Despite a slight headache and briefly sour stomach, Mulan was anxious to return home. She missed her Baba and her mother and grandmother. Shang was quiet as they rode, contemplative, even, but when he saw her watching him he smiled at her and reached over to grab her hand briefly, and it all felt genuine. Mulan was on top of the world. In her saddlebag Mushu was choking back sobs at the scene and she could hear Cri-Kee chirping excitedly.

The sun warmed her and sent her sickly feelings off. Blossoms had begun to fall from trees, and their sweet scent blanketed the roads as they approached her childhood home. Mulan looked forward to seeing her parents' Magnolia, and how the misfit blossom had grown up. As soon as the gates appeared, Khan sped up into a gallop, and Mulan laughed. She heard the others frantically switch as well behind her, and a few moments later, Khan burst through the gates of the family farm. Fa Li and Grandma Fa were outside, tending to the laundry, and they both jumped with fright.

"Mulan!" Just as she was dismounting, Fa Li began to run over to her, scooping her only child up into her arms. "Oh you stupid girl, we were so worried for you!"

"I'm sorry, Mama." They held onto one another tightly. Li stroked her daughter's hair a moment before pulling back and gazing into her face. "There's something very different about you, dear girl. You've really grown."

"Uhhh…" Suddenly nervous that her mother could see what she had done with Shang just by looking at her, Mulan darted to hug her grandmother. "It might be the hair too, Mama." She and the old woman embraced tenderly and then she looked at her. "Where is Baba?"

"His bench," Grandma Fa replied, motioning back with her thumb. Mulan scooped up Shan Yu's sword and with a dreep breath, took off toward her and her father's spot in the garden. Her mother and grandmother slowly followed after and watched father and daughter embrace lovingly. Fa Li sighed happily but Grandma Fa shook her head.

"Great, she brought home a sword. If you ask me, she should have brought home a man…."

"Excuse me," Shang's voice startled them and they both turned to look at him at once. Fa Li's mouth fell open at the sight of the handsome soldier, and the older one approaching behind him. "I didn't mean to frighten you…"

"Li Jian!"

Shang blinked, and laughed when his father moved to bow to the woman, having forgotten his father's acquaintance with the Fa's. The general smiled pleasantly. "Hello, Fa Li, it's been many many years."

She nodded, bowing in return. "Since before Mulan was born," She responded, glancing at Shang. "Li Shang, I haven't seen you since…you were a very small boy."

That surprised him and he bowed politely to her. "It is an honor to meet such an old friend to my father." Just as he was standing upright, Mulan and Fa Zhou slowly moved into the courtyard from the garden. Both had dried tears on their faces, but Fa Zhou was beaming proudly, at least until he saw Li Jiang standing in his yard, chatting with his wife.

Immediately they bowed to one another before they hugged, laughing like old friends do after a long time. "Zhou, I was just marveling at how well put together Li still is, and look at you. Walking around like a grandfather already!"

"Jiang, if you were constantly surrounded by women, you'd need the cane too," He retorted and they laughed heartily. "What brings you here?"

"Shang seems to have found something of yours," Jiang responded, motioning toward Mulan. "We thought we would return her in one piece." He cleared his throat, glancing at Shang with a suggestive expression. Suddenly, Shang stumbled for words.

"Oh. Uh. Honorable Fa Zhou I…Haven't known your daughter for very long. That is, not as a woman…"

"Oh my…" Fa Li took a seat and fanned herself, trying not to burst into tears at what the young man was clearly about to ask.

"But…I have quickly found a soft place in my heart for her. With your permission, we'd like to be married." The terrible burden of finding the words to say was over, but now there was a knot of anticipation in Shang's stomach. He had faced all sorts of failures as a soldier, this was a failure he wasn't sure he could bravely face.

But just as he began to dread Zhou's possible rejection, Mulan was there. All strength and warmth, and her fingers enclosed his. He dropped his gaze from her father, surprised that she would step in…but then again, perhaps he was not. His mouth curved into a smile and they gazed at one another for a moment.

Seeing the looks in their eyes, Zhou smiled kindly at the young couple. "Captain Shang," The younger man looked up at him and he nodded to him respectfully. "You have my blessing."

At that, Mulan and Shang embraced tightly and Fa Li sniffled past her tears. Fa Zhou sat next to her, putting his arms around her shoulders. "When one's heart is filled with joy, some may spill from the eyes," She smiled up at him and Grandma was running all over the place figuring out how to accommodate guests and the like.

"Actually," Jiang spoke up. "When I spoke with the Emperor and his Council this morning there was concern for a few Mongols at large. He'd like us to set out to eliminate them as soon as possible and he'd like for Mulan to come along. " He's granted us a few days, but we're to return to the city by the week's end."

"Then it will be small," Fa Zhou agreed.

"I can certainly live with that," Shang said with a little smile, earning a light, playful smack from Mulan.

Fa Li finally composed herself enough to stand, and smiled at her daughter. "Well come along, child. It seems to me we have some errands to run in town."


At dawn the next day, Mulan woke in time to bathe in a special bath concocted by the same lady who had prepared her for her day with the Matchmaker. But it went much better that day. It was warm, and fragrant, and Mulan felt truly refreshed afterwards. Her hair was dressed like a married woman's, and she was fitted with the traditional red veil by her great Aunt, who had been married for nearly 15 years and had seven children with her husband.

She dressed in the traditional red and went to pray briefly in the family temple, before bowing to her parents and waiting for the bridal procession in silence. It arrived shortly thereafter, and, with her heart thudding in her chest, Mulan was helped into the red chair. She hadn't gotten to see Shang, in his own chair, hidden away from curious eyes but something about the group of boys chasing after his chair made her smile. She knew deep down that he would be a wonderful father.

It wasn't a terribly long journey, but it was out of town, and so, it was tiresome, especially with her nerves so high. She nearly dozed off once or twice, but in fear of causing any sort of bad omen, she kept herself awake. They arrived at the Li home and she waited for the curtain to be moved on the chair before she was helped to step onto a red mat, and guided to walk over a little lit stove. She was especially nervous then, despite having fought a war as a man before, but then, it was over. And there was Shang. Dressed in his wedding day best, just as red as she, and smiling handsomely down at her.

He removed the veil from her face, and she returned his beaming smile. It wasn't long before they were shooed to the family altar, where they collapsed to their knees to pray to Shang's ancestors and Heaven and Earth. As soon as this was over they stood, bowed to one another, and that was that. Officially, they were married. Shang lead her inside, where his family hosted the first wedding banquet and after a brief dinner, they were lead to the bridal chamber.

For a while the guests just stood in the room as they sat on the bed, and Mulan was finally able to take off her small good luck mirror. She paused to glance at her reflection and smiled softly to herself, and then set it aside. The people all poked jokes and gestured for several hours, and she and Shang sat in near silence until they all left and the door was closed. The sun was down by now, and the room was dimly lit by candles and the moonlight streaming in from the window. Suddenly, she was nervous. She cleared her throat and Shang watched her before he burst into laughter.

Mulan looked at him in dumb shock before she crossed her arms. "What's so funny?"

"You, my darling wife. You are." He shook his head. "The worst part is over. Why do you look so nervous?"

She shook her own head in return. "Well technically I'm shaming you and my parents tonight by not being pure. Secondly, I've never had to…be anyone's wife."

Shang shook his head. "I'm not ashamed of you. You weren't anyone else's, and you don't have to be afraid. I love you just as much as my wife as I did before. I love you even more, as a matter of fact." He reached to touch her face and she blushed under his hand, her skin warm to his touch.

He didn't understand her real dilemma, how could he? Men were not expected to be what women were. Husbands didn't have to be good to their wives, but wives had to strive to please their husbands. She let it go though as he touched her face, and she turned her head to look into his eyes, shining with the candlelight, and somehow darker than she had ever seen them. "I can hardly believe I'm someone's wife now," She remarked, taking a deep breath.

Shang smiled. "Well, I don't care what anyone ever said before," He scooted to taste her lips, the first time since he had married her, and they were sweet and wonderful for the taking. He cupped her face as he deepened his kiss and Mulan made a soft little noise that made him dip his body closer to hers. He loved her, not a fiber of him denied that now, and he was relieved that they had managed to be married without any real issues.

Shang's hands deftly undid the jacket and skirt that she had been dressed in and she opened up his robe. Shang already desired her as his bride, and he didn't really want to concern himself with any other issue for the day than consummating the marriage. He could see sleepiness already pulling her away, and he knew she had to be up early. Peppering kisses over her body, he stroked her and kissed her until she writhed under him. He dropped his head down her body, making her ache in anticipation, and instead she jumped when he bit into her thigh. Hard enough to draw just a little bit of blood onto the sheets. He moved over her to press his mouth to hers and gently thrust into her body, letting himself moan out loud for the first time.

Mulan arched her back and claimed his mouth again quickly. And tonight it was lazy, and lovely. They kissed and fondled one another, and Mulan focused more on his happiness than anything else. Their bodies rocked in a synchronized rhythm until Shang couldn't hold back, reaching his orgasm inside of her. For a moment they just held one another, safe from being discovered by nosey soldiers or concerned family guardians. Shang bent his head to kiss her forehead, and lifted from being on top of her to lie next to her and gather her onto his chest.

Mulan's mouth quirked devilishly and she tilted her head up to look at his sweaty face in the candlelight. "You're a clever man, Shang. But don't you ever scare me like that again." He laughed underneath her and she felt him bury his face in her neck.

"Sorry. You know someone's going to volunteer to wash the bedding, I didn't want anyone to go tattling on us." His voice was tired and it made Mulan realize she was exhausted, too. He nuzzled her with his nose. "Sleep. You have to be up at dawn."

"You'll be right behind me," She promised softly.


Mulan woke just before dawn with a little help from Mushu. Who came to offer her a wedding gift and say goodbye. They didn't really get to talk to Mulan made it a point to track him down later. Instead, she dressed, and hurried to the family alter. Paying her respects to the ancestors, she was finally greeted by Shang's family.

First Wife, Shang's biological mother, was introduced to her first. Li Mei, a svelte woman with a palpable disdain for her husband and his second wife, Li Xue. Jiang had two daughters, both married, with Li Mei and one daughter, around seven years old, with Li Xue. The thought made Mulan cringe, and she hoped beyond hope that Shang wouldn't take another wife as selfish as that thought was. They all bestowed gifts on her, and just when she felt like she might burst from fear, Shang joined them.

"Darling," His mother greeted him with a sweet smile and they embraced. Mulan watched the scene with interest, and suddenly, Li Xue made a noise that made mother and son separate with scowls.

"I really don't think our new daughter-in-law wants to see you dote on her husband, Li Mei."

At the use of her full name, Mei raised her brow, shooting the younger woman a disgusted face before she turned her attention to her son's young bride. "If she gets on your nerves half as much as she does mine, just let me know. I'll find a way to lock her outside during a lightning storm," It was said low enough for only her, Mulan and Shang to hear, but Mulan was not accustomed to behaving like a lady just yet, and she snickered out loud.

"Is something funny, Mulan?" Jiang's voice, colder than usual. Mulan immediately composed herself and Shang shot his father a look of annoyance.

"No, Baba." She replied softly, dropping her gaze.

"Mulan, you're not really leaving with them today, are you? I mean, you know your duty is to spend today with Shang uh, alone, so you can be pregnant when he comes back…"

"Auntie," Shang barked. "That's not appropriate."

Mulan answered anyway. "It is my honor to serve the Emperor as he sees fit," And it was just the right amount of patriotic and proper. Shang beamed at her, and Mei smiled her approval.

"Mulan has plenty of time to be concerned about children." She told them with a soft smile. "I didn't have Shang until nearly two years after I married Jiang." She patted his cheek and he smiled fondly back at her. "And everything turned out fine."

"We will start having children much sooner than that," Shang announced, making Mulan blush and look up at him with a raised brow. "But this mission does come first. I want my sons to grow up in a safe country."

They conversed for a while before the elder wives went inside to see to it that the servants had breakfast coming along, the General set off to have other servants pack for him. Already prepared to go, Shang took his wife's hand and lead her on a walk through the gardens. And Mulan kept her eyes down as they did, thinking about everything that had been said.

"What's the face?" He asked playfully.

"What face? This is my face."

"You know I know you better than that, Mulan."

She sighed, shaking her head. "I know what my duty is now, I just. I don't know. I'm not really ready to be a mother. I don't know much of anything about children." Shang's face fell, but he still managed to look sympathetic. "I'm afraid I won't be a very good mother if I can't even manage to take care of my children."

"You know," He rubbed her back soothingly. "I've heard it all comes naturally. Not right away, but over time. You'll get the hang of it. It's not like it's going to happen next week, anyway." She nodded her understanding and they were quiet again. Shang dropped a kiss onto the top of her head. "I know I didn't say anything about it to them, but I'd love to have a few daughters, too."

"You would?"

"Mmm, I'd hope they would be just like you."

"Why would you say something so awful?" But when he looked at her in surprise she was smiling and he laughed at what she had said.

"I've never been afraid of a little challenge."

Nodding, Mulan paused, stopping to take both of his hands in hers. "Well, I promise. This is my last excursion onto the battlefield. Then we'll have as many as we can handle and figure it all out together." That seemed to really please him, he smiled at her and bent to kiss her gently, cupping her chin with two fingers before he pulled away.

"I love you."