Hey ya'll! So here is my next chapter! I hope you enjoy it! For once, I don't have much to say!
Two Petals in One Orchid
Chapter 9: The Vulgar Man
Silence faced Mulan. She stared, solemnly, at the place where Ruolan had been standing only moments before.
Mulan tightly gripped the bizarre bell, her knuckles turning white. She was avoiding an important subject in her mind, though it was fighting to return. In an attempt to amuse herself, she stared at the details of the golden object. Where did you come from, bell? What am I to do with you? She sighed and slowly moved towards the door. It was time to begin the chores around the home.
As she wandered, absentmindedly, out of the room, Mulan heard a demanding voice. Only Shuchun could possess such vocals. Turning, Mulan faced the older woman.
Shuchun was standing, hands on hips, at the back of the hall in front of her bedroom. "There you are. Mulan, why are you wearing such rags?"
Mulan examined her outfit for the day. It was her usual work clothes. Rags that had fallen into mud countless times. Rags that had been through grimy situations far too much. Rags that should never be worn by anyone but servants. Isn't that what I am? A servant. Just a servant.
The thoughts angered the teenager. She produced a scowl on her face, directed pointedly to the nasty woman. "I'm only doing the work that I have done for years. You never wished for me to do anything else." Once again, her rage blinded any wit she possessed.
Shuchun blushed, surprising Mulan, and twisted her head into the bedroom. "Do you hear that, Jianjun? Mulan loves to make jokes! Why would I make our daughter work?"
An answer, playful as ever, came from within the depths of the room. "I would never know, darling. Perhaps Mulan confuses herself with a servant. She must be having an identity crisis."
Shuchun sighed, directing her attention to her youngest daughter again. "Change your clothes immediately."
Mulan blinked. I'm not sure I like this. I'd rather work than attend a party or anything of that sort. Stupid social affairs. "Mother, why waste my time with new clothes? I'll be getting them dirty, is all." It was a plead to give her work instead, though Mulan knew it would fail.
"How will you be dirtying yourself," Shuchun grinned, her gaze focusing coldly on Mulan, "while you are sharing tea with Huiliang?"
Thus the subject of all evasion soared into her mind. Mulan winced and looked at the ground. I'm doing this for Father. I will make him happy. I must do this for Father. I must do this for Father… So the man had said he didn't mind what she did, but Mulan had seen past his words. He wanted greatly to see her marry before he died. And he would, if she could help it. I must give him this wish!
"He's going to be quite pleased to see you." Shuchun turned and walked into her bedroom, calling over her shoulder, "Get yourself changed. Put on some nice makeup; tidy yourself. Huiliang will wish to see you in best form."
Of course he will.
Mulan walked slowly back into her room, examining her dresses.
She chose the worst dress she knew she could get away with. The Yi was an ugly stained yellow color, and the Shang wasn't nearly white enough. However, it was still acceptable because of the small amounts of lace intertwined with the usual cloth.
Carefully, Mulan pulled her hair back into a traditional bun. She did no swivels or curls, keeping the dark mass as simple as possible. Then she added on her makeup. She made sure to do an 'okay' job, nothing spectacular but nothing that Shuchun would force her to do again. She added no jewelry before exiting her bedroom.
She was the type of person who couldn't bear thinking about her troubles. But, in this case, she had to focus on them in hopes of some sort of loophole. There must be one. Uncle Zhengsheng always says there is a loophole in every situation. But what could it be in this?
Mulan sat disgustedly in the main room. She was alone between the closed-in walls with her "future husband." The gross Huiliang sat beside her, his arm brushing against hers. He had a large and, in Mulan's opinion, dopey smile spread across his face.
For the last hour or so, he had been speaking about his own ranch. He spoke of endless stable space, of everything she would have, and of the large house with many bedrooms for their children as well. The life Huiliang offered was an acceptable and beneficial one, but to Mulan this fate would be awful and disgusting.
"One room I own will be just marvelous for your own personal use! Then, when our first son comes, I shall give it to him. Oh! And you could make yourself a garden filled with Orchids and…"
She stared off into the wall ahead of her. Dear father. Why must he return to war? I don't want him to go! He can't! She sighed. I'm destroying my life for him. Allowing these things to happen to me. Marrying this foolish imbecile of a man! What should I do? Tears were slowly welling up in Mulan's eyes, but she shook her head slightly. I won't think of it. I won't ever. What happens, happens. I will survive. And I will do it without tears. Not a drop.
"…I can imagine you want one of them to be named after your father. One of my names that I would suggest for our youngest son…"
I shall go mad with this incessant blabber!
Mulan's eyes found the window, the well, and then the spot that she had found the golden bell. And what of that bell? That fog and that bell were so bizarre… Perhaps they are signs! Signs that everything will only get worse if I get married… but… why did it happen to Ruolan and not me, then?
"It is a brilliant idea, do you not agree?"
Mulan nodded, absentmindedly, preparing to enter her thoughts again when she felt Huiliang's hand snatch up her arm.
Forcing herself to suppress a scream, she twisted her head around, eyes flashing with terror. "Do not touch me!" Jerking her arm away, Mulan yelped, "Who gave you the right to touch me?"
Huiliang stared at her, face a mixture of amusement and confusion, and then laughed. Deep and melodic, it rang out. "Who gave me the right? I gave myself the right! You are my future wife! I can touch you all I please!" He stared at her, his gaze sending chills down Mulan's spine as he spoke again. "I have full right to you. All of you."
"No! You will never have—"
Shuchun's voice instantly silenced her daughter. She had entered the room during Mulan's shouting fit, and she didn't look the least bit happy. In Mulan's opinion, she never did. "What are you two speaking of? Wu Huiliang, please forgive my daughter! She is merely being rotten! I will make her submit to you!"
Huiliang only bellowed with laughter. Both of the women stared at him uncomfortably until he finally quieted down to a few guffaws. His voice rose between them. "Don't worry about that, Shuchun. I intend to break her myself. Breaking a woman is much like breaking a horse! But I won't trouble you with the details... Besides," he winked at Shuchun, "You are a woman. I cannot tell you the secrets of us men."
The older woman forced herself to swallow her rage. It wasn't proper to show rage in front of a man. Especially a future son-in-law. She walked to one of the doorway's and examined the couple in silence. Huiliang would control Mulan well. Yes, this man was perfect for her youngest daugher.
Mulan, mouth open in shock at Huiliang's vulgar ways, was shaking with disgust, rage, and contempt. She stared at the man, her supposed future husband. No words came from her. She was unable to regain her vocabulary as she gazed at Huiliang, the man that she loathed most in the world.
"Close your mouth, my beauty, you will only succeed in capturing a fly or two."
Zhengsheng - Meaning: Righteous Sounding
Don't they have a very ideal relationship? I am sure you are all green eyed with jealousy! I thought you all would be! I have a knack for understanding people! ;D I'm sorry, but I LOVE writing about Huiliang! He really does write himself!
Cherished, cherished readers… I beg you ALL review! Don't make me do horrid things to Mulan! Mwahahahaaa! Er… Not that I am not already… But… Never mind! Review! Tell me what you all would do in this situation!