Chapter 3-Soldier
A/N: Wow! Thank you so much for the reviews, Fallen_Angel, AngelofAnnoyance (You go, girls!), kristie and Wyle-Cornflake! Don't worry, Shang will come to his senses soon enough...
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Shang cleared his throat. He gave his news in a low steady voice.
"The Emperor has sent me to bring Mulan back to the Imperial City. His nephew, Ming Kei has expressed his wish to marry Mulan. His Excellency has given his word that her dowry will be handsome and that Mulan will be well taken care of." Shang didn't dare look up lest they attack him.
Fa Zhou wasn't jubilant. Far from it, in fact. He looked at Shang whose eyes were focused on the table. He was calm, just like a soldier should be in times of trouble. Shang had chosen to be a soldier and would not sacrifice his country's peace for his own happiness no matter how painful.
Fa Li and Granny Fa didn't jump for joy either. Before Mulan had gone to war, they would've thanked the Fa ancestors for this good fortune. Now, they just wished that it was a mistake. Granny Fa especially had had high hopes that Shang would be part of their family. Now, it was impossible.
And as for Mulan? She was taking it all rather well. Too well. She had gone pale but remained silent. Her expression didn't give anything away as well. Inside was a different story. Her mind whirled with questions and emotions. Questions she could not answer, emotions she could not explain. Fa Zhou, seeing her paler than what was considered healthy spoke.
"Under my roof, General," Shang winced. Fa Zhou had never called him by his title before. "Mulan made her own decisions. She still can. Even though the Emperor commands it, it will all rest on Mulan. I will neither object nor command her to go. I am not afraid of execution." Fa Li and Granny Fa shared the same opinion.
Mulan looked at her father gratefully. But the reason she had joined the army was to keep him safe and to prolong his life. If she refused to be brought to the Imperial City, the Fa family would be accused of treason and most certainly executed. Now, it was time to do another sacrifice. Only, it was going to be forever, not just a few months. It would be hard but at least her family will be safe.
Mulan gave her decision in a quiet but determined voice. "I will go. But only for my family's sake and nothing else" Shang had expected that. As she rose and walked into her room, she could feel her family's eyes follow her. Mulan roughly wiped away tears with the back of her hand. Now was not the time to cry. She had to be strong.
As she packed, Mulan noticed Shang and her father in the garden. She wondered what they were discussing. She smiled wryly. Her so-called engagement. What else could they talk about?
(Outside...)
"I never thought it would come to this. My daughter to be 'married' off like she was nothing but a mere piece of furniture."
Shang looked at Fa Zhou, guilt in his eyes. "I'm sorry, sir. But there is nothing I can do or say to change Ming Kei's mind."
Fa Zhou looked at Shang. "I know that. I only wish he knew what pain he's causing to the Fa family. Mulan keeps this place alive. Without her, it is practically lifeless without her running around. During those months she was away, I prayed and worried for her safety each day. Praying, hoping she was alright."
"Now, she is going forever. I do not think Ming Kei is a man who would let his wife out from behind the palace walls. Will I have to worry about Mulan till my death? The palace, as peaceful as it looks does not guarantee her safety. Even the Emperor cannot stop some internal problems."
Shang stopped. "I swear to you on my life, Fa Zhou, if Mulan is ever hurt or mistreated, I'll be there to protect and avenge her. I promise you this."
For the first time since Shang had told them that Mulan was to be married to Ming Kei, Fa Zhou smiled. "Thank you, Shang. It will comfort me and my family to know she will be protected by someone we trust." Fa Zhou looked sad again. "I know Ming Kei. He will not bring joy into her life. I only wish Mulan would have a better husband." Shang silently wished the same thing in his heart.
A/N: Wow! Thank you so much for the reviews, Fallen_Angel, AngelofAnnoyance (You go, girls!), kristie and Wyle-Cornflake! Don't worry, Shang will come to his senses soon enough...
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Shang cleared his throat. He gave his news in a low steady voice.
"The Emperor has sent me to bring Mulan back to the Imperial City. His nephew, Ming Kei has expressed his wish to marry Mulan. His Excellency has given his word that her dowry will be handsome and that Mulan will be well taken care of." Shang didn't dare look up lest they attack him.
Fa Zhou wasn't jubilant. Far from it, in fact. He looked at Shang whose eyes were focused on the table. He was calm, just like a soldier should be in times of trouble. Shang had chosen to be a soldier and would not sacrifice his country's peace for his own happiness no matter how painful.
Fa Li and Granny Fa didn't jump for joy either. Before Mulan had gone to war, they would've thanked the Fa ancestors for this good fortune. Now, they just wished that it was a mistake. Granny Fa especially had had high hopes that Shang would be part of their family. Now, it was impossible.
And as for Mulan? She was taking it all rather well. Too well. She had gone pale but remained silent. Her expression didn't give anything away as well. Inside was a different story. Her mind whirled with questions and emotions. Questions she could not answer, emotions she could not explain. Fa Zhou, seeing her paler than what was considered healthy spoke.
"Under my roof, General," Shang winced. Fa Zhou had never called him by his title before. "Mulan made her own decisions. She still can. Even though the Emperor commands it, it will all rest on Mulan. I will neither object nor command her to go. I am not afraid of execution." Fa Li and Granny Fa shared the same opinion.
Mulan looked at her father gratefully. But the reason she had joined the army was to keep him safe and to prolong his life. If she refused to be brought to the Imperial City, the Fa family would be accused of treason and most certainly executed. Now, it was time to do another sacrifice. Only, it was going to be forever, not just a few months. It would be hard but at least her family will be safe.
Mulan gave her decision in a quiet but determined voice. "I will go. But only for my family's sake and nothing else" Shang had expected that. As she rose and walked into her room, she could feel her family's eyes follow her. Mulan roughly wiped away tears with the back of her hand. Now was not the time to cry. She had to be strong.
As she packed, Mulan noticed Shang and her father in the garden. She wondered what they were discussing. She smiled wryly. Her so-called engagement. What else could they talk about?
(Outside...)
"I never thought it would come to this. My daughter to be 'married' off like she was nothing but a mere piece of furniture."
Shang looked at Fa Zhou, guilt in his eyes. "I'm sorry, sir. But there is nothing I can do or say to change Ming Kei's mind."
Fa Zhou looked at Shang. "I know that. I only wish he knew what pain he's causing to the Fa family. Mulan keeps this place alive. Without her, it is practically lifeless without her running around. During those months she was away, I prayed and worried for her safety each day. Praying, hoping she was alright."
"Now, she is going forever. I do not think Ming Kei is a man who would let his wife out from behind the palace walls. Will I have to worry about Mulan till my death? The palace, as peaceful as it looks does not guarantee her safety. Even the Emperor cannot stop some internal problems."
Shang stopped. "I swear to you on my life, Fa Zhou, if Mulan is ever hurt or mistreated, I'll be there to protect and avenge her. I promise you this."
For the first time since Shang had told them that Mulan was to be married to Ming Kei, Fa Zhou smiled. "Thank you, Shang. It will comfort me and my family to know she will be protected by someone we trust." Fa Zhou looked sad again. "I know Ming Kei. He will not bring joy into her life. I only wish Mulan would have a better husband." Shang silently wished the same thing in his heart.