Author's Note: This is my shortest chapter yet. No sign of Mushu here. =/ I really didn't like the outcome of this story, but I'm happy to hear your thoughts/suggestions about it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Mulan or any charcter from Mulan. I only own Li Xieng.
Chapter 9: The Ugly Truth
Another month went by, as Mulan dealt with her situation of the supposed pregnancy of hers. Mushu's idea of "seducing him" wasn't such a bad idea after all, however it simply didn't work. As much as she tried during those days, she still wasn't able to conceive a child. "Is this a punishment from the Ancestors for lying?" she thought to herself as she waited for her grandmother to come in. Granny Fa was the only one from the family who knew that Mulan wasn't really pregnant; after all, she was a wise and quick woman. The old woman came into the room with a tray of tea and cups. She placed it down on the table where Mulan was kneeling and kneeled right next to her. Mulan carefully took the hot pot of tea and poured it into her's and her grandmother's cup.
"So no baby yet, huh?" the old woman said in her raspy voice as she sipped the hot tea.
Mulan lowered her head as she stared at the tea cup. Not only did she feel disappointed in herself, but she knew this time it went too far, thanks to her guardian.
"As much as I've tried, nope." Mulan said softly. Granny Fa looked at her granddaughter with great concern. "Does this mean you're -" she began. "No! No!" Mulan cried out before she even let her grandmother finish. "I'm just simply having a difficulty conceiving." The old woman sighed of relief to hear that she still had the possibility to have a great-grandchild.
"Well, Mulan, you're going to have to tell him sooner or later. And I suggest you do it fast before that witch of your sister-in-law finds out!" Granny Fa said as she finished her tea. Mulan gasped. How could she forget about Li Xieng! What if she knew about this whole situation? She was willing to do anything to break her and Shang up, since she hates her for no apparent reason. Mulan got up and excused herself for leaving so abruptly. She said goodbye to her grandmother as she rode off with Khan to the city.
As soon as Mulan arrived to city, she made attempts to look for Shang everywhere, but no luck. She knew he wasn't at the Imperial Palace today, so he was bound to be somewhere in the city. Mulan asked numerous people about the whereabouts of the general but everyone kept pointing at her to different directions. Finally, Mulan saw a herd of white stallions tied to a tree. "They have to be around here." she said to herself as she looked around.
"Mulan?" said a voice behind her. She turned around as she saw sight of her husband, standing behind Khan with a happy, yet confused look on his face.
"There you are! I've been looking for you!" Mulan said as she hopped off Khan. "We need to talk, Shang." she added. Shang approached Mulan as he saw her mood sadden. "Mulan, I wish we could, but I can't. I have to get back with the other generals." he said.
"But Shang!" Mulan cried out. Shang hugged Mulan and said "Later. We can talk about this at home. My sister will spend the night with my aunt tonight so we have the house to ourselves." he said as he began to walk away. He bid his wife goodbye as he joined the other generals. As she watched her husband walk off with the other generals, Mulan let out a sigh of relief just to know that Xieng wasn't going to be home. She slowly mounted Khan and took off going to her house.
There was no sign of Mushu nor of Cri-Kee once she was home. She found this to be really strange. Her guardian had been around her for that last couple of days and out of all days he wasn't present. Mulan disregarded her thoughts about Mushu and began to perform her daily tasks at home. Once the sun began to set it had started to rain hard. Suddenly, Mulan heard Shang's horse from the stables; he was finally home. Mulan took a deep breath as she was finally ready to tell him everything. He walked in from the back door of the house and found Mulan kneeling on the table by herself, drinking tea. Shang was worried to see Mulan this way, especially since she had been acting strange lately.
"Is everything alright?" Shang asked as he took off his helmet. Mulan didn't say a word and just patted the pillow next to her, asking Shang to kneel with her. Shang kneeled and looked at Mulan with a concerned face. Mulan sighed and looked upon her husband with sad eyes. Shang knew this was bound to be bad news.
"Shang. Remember, a while back I said I've been lying to you?" Mulan began as she began to feel nervous. Shang didn't say anything, but just nodded. Mulan sighed once more.
"Well, truth is I have, for a very long time. You see -"
"Fa Mulan is not pregnant!" said an angry voice from a distance. It was Xieng. Mulan gasped as she and Shang stood up. Shang looked at his sister with angry eyes.
"How many times have I told you Xieng! STAY OUT OF OUR LIVES" he yelled angrily. Xieng smirked and shook her head.
"Your so called wife isn't pregnant at all Shang and I heard it with my own ears." she said as she scoffed. Shang had a surprised look on his face and looked at Mulan. Mulan had lowered her eyes as she attempted to fight back the tears. "Today, I had visited Fa Li and I happened to overhear a conversation, Mulan and her grandmother were having. She confirmed my doubts, she is not PREGNANT." Shang looked at Mulan in disbelief.
"Is this true?" Shang said softly to Mulan. Mulan froze and simply couldn't talk. Her face was hot and tears started to roll down her face.
"Is it?" Shang yelled out. Mulan cried harder and nodded as Xieng smiled at both.
Shang's look on his eyes was cold as he glared at Mulan and breathed hard.
"Why did you even lie to me?" he asked Mulan with a more serious and deep voice.
Mulan cried more and stammered.
"I was going to tell you but -" Mulan began.
"Save your words. I'm through with this." Shang said as he walked away. Mulan watched Shang leave the house and ran after him. She implored Shang to listen to her but he disregarded her words. Mulan dropped to her knees as he walked out the door, went to the stables and rode off in the heavy rain with his horse. She cried harder every second as she heard the thunder and lightning from the storm. She had never seen Shang so angry at her.
Xieng, on the other hand, acted like nothing had happened. She kneeled by the table and served herself some tea.
"I suppose you don't want any?" she asked sarcastically as she snickered. Mulan squeezed her eyes shut and clenched her fists as she got up. She wiped her tears and walked towards Xieng and glared at her.
"I once told you, the day you ever try to mess around with my marriage, you will regret it." she said angrily. Xieng shrugged and continued to drink her tea. Mulan's eyes were filled with anger and hatred. She took the tea pot and threw it, aiming for Xieng. Luckily for Xieng, she had ducked. Xieng had a surprise look on her face as she saw her sister-in-law be filled with rage. She ran off to her room and locked herself to avoid Mulan barging in to start more trouble. Mulan didn't chase after her, as she saw her sister-in-law run off. She took her candle and walked to her room silently. She laid down on her bed, feeling empty and shook up, and continued to cry. What she to do now? Now that the truth is out, is Shang ever going to see her with the same eyes?
