Traum: LOL! Haven't heard from you in a bit! Thanks for the comment…one question: why would you pretend to be dead?
Lynn: Thanks for the reviews!
Princess Mulan: Thank you!
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Xin Soong woke that morning, springing uncharacteristically out of bed. Usually, he'd be slowly stretching and taking his sweet time to drag himself out. But today, he jumped right out from under his warm blanket. If it weren't considered macho, (and already done by Cinderella and Snow White) he'd be bursting into song.
Him being happy however, didn't mean that his friends could sleep in.
Xin Soong looked across the room to see Shang sleeping on the floor, covered by a blanket. The both of them had stayed up late last night talking about their girls. He bounded over and shook his pal awake.
"What?! What?!" Shang sat up in fright, saw Xin Soong and gave him a glare that could kill. "There better be someone causing havoc downstairs."
"Nope!" he answered cheerfully. Besides, aren't you the one who always gets up before the sun?"
"That would be the case. Usually because I wasn't being kept awake by someone who sits up the whole night, talking in his sleep!"
"Really?"
"You kept on mumbling Shu Fang's name."
Xin Soong looked sheepish.
"Look, I'm happy for you. Really I am. But could you PLEASE just let me sleep for another hour? Go downstairs and find Shu Fang or something like that." With that, Shang lay back down and covered his face with the blanket.
"Good idea!" So, Xin Soong washed up, dressed and hurried down the stairs, eager to see his lady love. He spotted the gang of three scuffling near the door. Yao had Ling's arm twisted around his own back while Chien Po tried to separate the both of them without attracting the other patrons' attentions. Xin Soong approached them.
"Isn't it a bit early to start fighting?"
They jumped. "AAH!"
"Xin Soong! You, you're up…late!"
"UH huh. Usually, you're, you know, up early, and stuff…"
Chien Po said nothing. His expression was unreadable but he was fidgeting. Xin Soong raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "What have you three done this time? You're never this jumpy."
They exchanged glances then grinned at him. Xin Soong could see it was forced. "Nothing! Nothing's wrong!"
They made Xin Soong sit at a table. Deciding that the gang of three was just acting strange for the fun of it, Xin Soong looked around. "Hey, have you guys seen Shu Fang anywhere?" Again with the exchanging of glances between the three.
"What's going on?"
Chien Po sighed and gave his two other friends a look that seemed to say that it was now or never. "Xin Soong, Shu Fang's father came early this morning to take his daughter home. She's already on her way back to the Imperial City."
Yao spoke up. "Shu Fang didn't know she had to go until he came. She didn't want to go home but…"
Xin Soong, although still in shock, nodded. No filial child could talk back to their parents. Ling looked uncomfortable. He didn't want to be the one telling Xin Soong the last bit.
"Her father came to bring her home be, because her family…" He stopped.
"Her family what?"
Ling gulped. He didn't like the look that was slowly growing on Xin Soong's face. Anger.
"Her father, and um, they, they, uh…"
Xin Soong snapped. He grabbed Ling by the collar from across the table. "Spit it out, Ling!" Frightened, Ling spat out the words in such a hurry, it was incomprehensible.
"Xin Soong, just let Ling go. Come on." Said Chien Po. Even he was unnerved by Xin Soong's face. Ling was slowly released. Yao glanced at the stairs and waved Shang, who couldn't get back to sleep, over.
"What happened?" he asked. In a low voice, Yao explained what they had told Xin Soong.
Shang looked sidelong at his friend who'd been silent. "Stay calm, Xin Soong."
That set him off again. "Calm!? How can I stay calm when she's gone!?"
He stalked out of the inn, leaving four worried friends behind. "What Ling tried to tell him was why Shu Fang was taken home."
"Why was she then?"
Ling grimaced. "She's getting married to her father's friend's son in four weeks."
Shang's eyes grew wide. "What?"
"Yes. Shu Fang left this for him." Chien Po produced a folded piece of paper.
"He'll be crushed," commented Shang after a minute of silence.
"You think we didn't know that? That's why we tried to hide the fact she was gone!"
Shang sighed and plopped his chin into his hand. "Okay…what are the options that Xin Soong has?"
Chien Po's face was grim. "One, he stays here and lets Shu Fang marry someone else."
Yao had a morbid option. "Two, he's foolish enough to lose all hope and kill himself."
Shang's lips were set grimly. He didn't want that for his best friend. His father had passed away too soon. He didn't want to lose another person that was close to him.
Ling offered the third option. "Three, he goes back to the Imperial City, stops the wedding and marries her himself." They stared at him with the exception of Shang who knew Xin Soong, being who he was, would do just that.
"Are you mad?! You can't do that!"
"Well, why not?!"
"It's disrespectful and completely against tradition! His name AND Shu Fang's will be tarnished!" said an exasperated Yao.
Shang had a thoughtful look. "If he does it right, his name won't be tarnished. Nor will Shu Fang's."
The gang of three looked at him. "You have an idea?"
"It may not be a good one but it will be the only way if my best friend wishes to be wed to the lady of his dreams."
He stood up with the parchment in his hand. "See if you can come up with any other ideas. I'll find Xin Soong and tell him."
Chien Po looked warily at the door. "Be careful, captain. He looked like he was ready to do about anything."
Nodding, Shang strode out the door. Looking right, he saw Xin Soong slumped on the grass, leaning against one of the tall trees that grew in the inn's garden. Walking cautiously towards him, Shang sat cross-legged beside him.
"You know I'd remind you about how you appreciated me coming along when I needed help?"
"Yeah."
"I'm reminding you right now. I'm going after Shu Fang today. You're coming with me."
"You can't run after her, Xin Soong."
"Why not?! I've got feet, I've got a horse, I can. You're not stopping me."
"Her betrothed might."
Xin Soong's eyes and mouth nearly fell off his face if they could. "WHAT?!"
"Look, her father came to take her home today because he got her a husband. I'm presuming while Shu Fang was here, her family tried to find her a fiancé. And I guess they managed to find him."
Xin Soong looked so deflated, Shang grimaced.
"Then, I'm going to die a lonely bachelor. The woman I love will go to someone else." He closed his eyes, his hand over one side of his face, maybe trying to ward off another headache.
"It's not all that hopeless, you know. I've got an idea."
Xin Soong looked up hopefully.
"Shu Fang's only getting married in a month."
"ONLY a month. Gee, all the time in the world." Said Xin Soong sarcastically.
"It gives us enough time to go home and tell your parents you've found the girl you want to marry."
Xin Soong finished his plan with a half smile. "And they will send me along with some wedding presents to go to Shu Fang's place."
Shang grinned. "Hopefully her parents will like you better enough to give you their daughter's hand in marriage."
"If they don't?"
"Err…I haven't exactly figured out that part yet…"
Xin Soong returned to deflated mode. "I'm doomed."
Shang gave him the parchment. "Shu Fang left this for you." He stood up. "Maybe all is not lost, Xin Soong. There is still hope." (I am SO not original! uu;;)
As Shang walked back inside, Xin Soong glanced at the white paper. Did he really want to know what was inside? Yes. He opened the letter.
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Xin Soong,
Your friends will tell you why I'm gone. I just wanted you to know that whether I'm married or not, I love you. With all my heart.
Shu Fang.
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Xin Soong almost felt like crying. If he didn't know any better, he'd think this would be a total hopeless situation. But Shang's plan may work. Getting to his feet with a determined look on his face, he marched back into the inn where Shang and the gang of three were trying to think up any alternative plan. He sat down at their table and met the gang of three's anxious looks.
"First, sorry for that yelling thing…"
They nodded, accepting his apology.
"Shang told me what happened. And I've waited for eighteen years to find Shu Fang. I won't let her go now."
Yao grinned. "We go to the Imperial City today?"
Xin Soong shook his head. "No. I go to the Imperial City today. You four have your ladies here."
Chien Po chuckled. "They aren't OUR ladies…not yet anyway. There will be time to settle that."
Ling, torn between Huan Yue and following Xin Soong kept silent. "I can see Ling's reluctance. No, I'll go alone."
Shang got up suddenly and headed towards the door. Wide eyed, the gang of three and Xin Soong turned around, about to ask where he was going when they saw a man with a cane, still standing tall despite his age. They saw Shang bow towards him. The man spoke for a few minutes then walked to another table. Shang looked at the other four. Xin Soong waved him in the man's direction.
As Shang went to talk with him, Xin Soong turned back to a protesting Yao. "What if you got hurt along the way? I think it better if we went along. Ling can stay if he wants. And Captain Li will be here as well. Someone HAS to follow."
"What do you think I am? A girl who knows nothing about kung fu?"
Chien Po looked at Ling. "Why are you so reluctant to leave? Is there something you're not telling us?"
After a minute's hesitation, he answered. "I was planning to ask Huan Yue if she'd marry me."
There was silent shock at the quiet answer. "So fast? You've only known her for a day!" said Xin Soong finally.
"I know she's the one!"
"How?" asked Yao skeptically.
"I just know!"
Chien Po suddenly remembered something. "Aren't Huan Yue and Qing Yuan's parents in the Imperial City as well?"
Ling snapped his fingers. "Yeah!"
Xin Soong crossed his arms and smiled. "And you two are following me back to the Imperial City to ask the girls' parents if they will marry their daughters to you."
Chien Po shook his head. "Qing Yuan is a wonderful girl, with a peaceful air about her." He smiled, a bit embarrassed. "I wouldn't mind having her as a wife. But I don't want her hand in marriage unwillingly."
Yao grinned. "That's our Chien Po. But I wouldn't want An to be married to me kicking and screaming. If she's willing to wait for some time, that proves she loves me." He sighed. "I hope she does." Ling echoed his friends' sentiments.
"So what does this mean?"
The gang of three answered together. "We go with you."
Ling added quickly. "And after you get together with Shu Fang, we come back here and sort out our own love lives."
Xin Soong smiled. "It isn't any wonder why Mulan takes you to be such good friends."
They turned to where Shang was. He seemed rather pleased while the man he was talking to, smiled as he sipped his tea. A few minutes more of conversation and the man stood up. Shang showed him out. At the door, the man patted Shang on the shoulder and after some words, left. Shang came back to the table, his face looking like he'd just won a whole bag of gold.
"Who was that?"
"Fa Zhou, Mulan's father."
They looked at him quizzically, their faces asking for an explanation.
"I asked him if I could see him today at the inn. To ask if…" He looked at his friends' faces and stifled his laughter. They were so tense, it was funny. "If I could have Mulan's hand in marriage."
Xin Soong grinned despite his gloomy thoughts of losing Shu Fang. "And?"
"His exact words were that he "would be glad to have me as a son-in-law". He was sure that Mulan would agree to it."
"So, does that mean you're staying here?"
Shang shook his head to their surprise. "I asked for some time to tell my family. I can't get married this fast." His smile waned. "I must honour my father first. Even though I know if he were alive, he would be glad to know that I'm getting married."
"General Li would be happy." The gang of three kept silent for a while.
Shang then let out a small sigh, then changed the subject. "Fa Zhou said he would tell Mulan. I will come back here after we finish business in the Imperial City." He looked pointedly at Xin Soong.
"They are coming with me as well."
Shang looked at the gang of three who grinned back.
"When do we leave?" asked Yao.
Xin Soong got up from his chair.
"Now."
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Shu Fang sighed as her mother and sisters ordered some food from the waiter. They'd stopped at a vendor's stall selling noodles along the way to the city. There were a few tables set up by the storeowner so that the customers could sit and eat.
Ever since she'd been told that she was going to marry her old playmate, Lung Yin, her mother and sisters had been babbling and raving over how lucky she was to have Lung Yin as her betrothed, how smart and talented he was, how incredibly handsome he was, how rich he was…
She glanced over at her father. He was patiently sipping from his teacup. He was the one who'd gotten that flash of brilliance to marry off his second eldest daughter to his friend's son. As a third wife, no less. It made her boil to think she'd be a Third Wife under the command of two other women AND that snobby little brat she hadn't seen since she was 10. The man had married another woman a year after he'd married his first wife.
If he thinks he's going to get a meek little girl as his third wife, he's got it ALL wrong. Thought Shu Fang as she snapped a twig she'd found into half.
Lung Yin was older than her by two years. He had gladly agreed to take Shu Fang as another wife when his father suggested it. To preserve Shu Fang's integrity as a lady, apparently. Shu Fang would've told him to mind his own business. He could shove his own integrity up his nose.
Her elder brother (by a year) would be more understanding. But he'd stayed behind in the Imperial City, minding his father's shop. Shu Fang's father had a shop selling paintings and calligraphy writings. Her father could write beautifully, being an ex-scholar.
Lei, her brother, had been trained by her father to paint and write as well as his father. Shu Fang still remembered how her father would beat him, almost breaking Lei's hand, because he used his left hand sometimes to write. It was Shu Fang who often bandaged his left hand. Soon, he learned to use the right hand. It was pretty cruel but that was how it was in China. All the literate people, men and women, would be trained to use their right hand to write, draw and paint.
"Shu Fang?" Her father's voice brought her back from her daydreams.
"Yes, papa?"
"You were day dreaming again."
"Sorry."
Her 13-year-old sister, Jing Qi, giggled. "Dreaming about Lung Yin, I'm sure!"
Her younger brother, a handsome boy of eleven chuckled. "Yeah! My brother-in-law to be will be pleased to have such a faithful wife." Said Cong Po.
Shu Fang felt like gagging. But she said nothing. Her father laughed. "Lung Yin will be a good husband for you, Shu Fang."
Shu Fang resisted the urge to laugh at that remark. Instead, she tried to tactfully disagree. "Papa, why the sudden decision to marry me off? Don't you want me around to cook your favourite spring rolls anymore?"
Her mother laughed. "He has me for that, dear."
Shu Fang's father nodded with a grin. "You're turning seventeen in a few more months. Better to marry before you turn into an old unwanted prune! It still makes me wonder why no one would want you earlier in your life."
Shu Fang tried again. "But, say if I'd met someone in Uncle's village?"
Two pairs of stern eyes looked at her. "Did you?" asked her mother lightly.
"No. No one." Said Shu Fang quickly.
Her parents relaxed. "Anyway, Madam Ang has agreed to sew your wedding dress. When we get back to the city, we'll go straight to her to have you fitted."
Shu Fang sighed and looked into the distance. If Xin Soong didn't come after her, she wouldn't blame him. She'd tried to tell her parents she'd found someone but it was like that every time. Her parents had control over her until she married. And even then, it was only changing controllers.
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I miss you, Xin Soong,
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Shang, Xin Soong, Ling, Yao and Chien Po mounted their horses once more after paying a short visit to the house where gang of three's girls lived. Assuring the three girls that they would be back soon, they left, each with a token. Chien Po with a book from Qing Yuan, Yao with An's hair comb and Ling with a handkerchief from Huan Yue. Shang still remembered the look on the girls' faces as they left. He was sure they'd wait for the gang of three. If only Xin Soong and Shu Fang could have a happy ending, then it would be perfect.
He glanced over at Xin Soong. He was grim, an unfamiliar frown carving itself into his face. Shang shook his head. Xin Soong had been quiet and grim ever since this morning. He wondered what his friend was thinking about.
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"Would you happen to know where Shu Fang lives?" asked Xin Soong.
Yun Cyn eyed him. "Why would you want to know, sir?"
"I, um…"
She grinned. "Your name is Xin Soong, is it not?"
"Yes."
She put down her book. "Shu Fang lives in the Imperial City. Her father, Ching Kun is a well-known calligraphy merchant in the city. Ask anyone and they'll tell you where to find him. Find him and you will find my cousin."
Xin Soong nodded his thanks. He was about to go when he spun around again. "Why did you give me that information so willingly?"
Yun Cyn looked up and smiled. "Shu Fang was writing a note this morning before she left. I saw your name at the bottom. I trust you will find and marry her."
Xin Soong smiled. "You can count on that."
"Be careful though. The man she is to marry, Lung Yin has more influence than either of us know. He's one of the minister's son."
"Well, I am a captain of the Imperial Army. There will be more competition for him than he's ever experienced."
Yun Cyn smiled. "One last thing before you go, sir.""Yes?"
"It is sometimes a flower that softens even the emperor's heart. Particularly one that blooms in winter."
He raised a questioning eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
The girl said nothing more but Xin Soong caught a knowing look on her face. "Good luck, sir. I hope my new cousin-in-law will be you."
With a smile, he turned and walked out. Nice girl, thought Xin Soong. A little strange but nice.
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"This is so ironic."
Xin Soong turned his head to face Shang. "What is?"
"It was only two days ago that we were riding along the same path."
Chien Po, Ling and Yao caught up. "Yeah, except now Xin Soong's the one worrying about a girl." Said Ling. Xin Soong didn't smile much to everyone's surprise.
Yao shook his head. "Aw, lighten up! That other guy's no match for ya!"
"He's a minister's son. Better put your bets on him."
"No way. We'll be behind you all the way!" exclaimed Ling enthusiastically.
"Yeah. About five feet behind you but what's the difference?"
Xin Soong chuckled. Shang shook his head. "Come on, guys. Let's go. We've got a wedding to stop." Five horses galloped off in the direction of the Imperial City.
The five reached the Imperial City by nightfall. The next day, they traveled to Xin Soong's home. Three days were spent camping along the dirt road. Ling muttered something about why he came on this crazy trip. Yao wondered if this was worth his friendship with Xin Soong. By the third night, they'd reached the village and went straight into the warm welcome of the Choong home. After baths and dinner, Xin Soong explained his predicament to a patient father and a curious brother.
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"Let me get this straight. You've found a girl whom you finally wish to marry who turns out to be the daughter of Ching Kun, one of the wealthiest merchants in the city. But a few days ago, she was taken home to marry a minister's son. Now, you want us to send you with a couple of wedding gifts to go and court this girl. Is that it?" Xin Soong nodded vigorously while his father raised an eyebrow.
His friends who were standing behind him cringed. This does not look encouraging,thought Shang. Ling, Yao and Chien Po were strongly reminded of the fact that parents had the amazing ability to look like man-eating tigers when they caught you doing something wrong or something stupid.
To them (the parents), anyway.
Xin Soong's father gave his son a look. The look which all children get whenever they ask if they can go play with a hooded, hissing, about-to-attack cobra. The are-you-mad look.
Shen Shing was also giving his older brother the same skeptical look. It occurred to Shang then and there that Shen Shing seemed a lot more sensible than his brother.
"You do know, elder brother, that you'd never stand a chance against a minister's son. You're only a captain."
He glared at the 15-year-old. "Shut. Up."
Shen Shing glared back. "Make me."
Xin Soong's hand curled into a fist. Yao could literally see him fighting the urge to punch the lights out of his brother. Drawing a deep breath and letting it go, his fist uncurled and he turned back to his father.
"Well?"
Xin Soong's father, a man who stood tall and with a thin moustache, sighed and got to his feet. "Son, what you're asking is like asking the emperor to bow to you."
"But-"
"I know, I know, he bowed to Fa Mulan. The point is, it's impossible. Even if you were a general, politicians have more power than any military officer. And whom would Ching Kun rather marry his daughter to? A minister's son who has power and riches or an ordinary captain who could make his daughter a widow at any time?"
The room suddenly grew silent as the military men contemplated quitting the army for a minute. Shen Shing who was still in the academy, grimaced. Xin Soong's father winced. "Uh…"
"Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence, father."
"It's not that I don't want to help you, Xin Soong. It's just that the family name will be shamed if we did try and failed."
"But I love her! Isn't that enough for you?!"
Xin Soong's father shook his head. "I'm sorry, Xin Soong. But I really can't help you this time."
He went out of the room leaving one very frustrated eighteen-year-old, four friends who didn't know what to do next and a fifteen-year-old who just wanted to escape his brother's wrath. With an angry cry, Xin Soong banged his fists onto the marble table. He was breathing heavily while Shen Shing slowly backed away from the chair he was sitting on.
"Brother…stay calm…"
His reply was another table bashing minute. "Is it too much to ask for the girl I love?!"
Shang determinedly strode towards his near insane friend.
"Xin Soong."
When he didn't look up, Shang shook him by his shoulders. "Pull yourself together! Don't fall apart yet!"
Xin Soong grew limp. "Wouldn't YOU fall apart if Mulan had to marry someone else?!"
"Only if I had no other way of getting her back. You still have time!"
The gang of three crowded around him. Yao thrust a fist into his face. "See this? You're gonna FEEL it if you don't get back to your old self."
Chien Po joined in. "Captain Li is right, Xin Soong. We'll think of another way."
Ling grinned. "If there's no other way, we bust her out and you two elope."
They all shot him an exasperated look. "What?!"
Shen Shing got nearer. "So, brother? Are you just going to sit there? Or are you going to start thinking?"
Xin Soong smirked and got to his feet. "You're all the weirdest group of friends I've ever had." He smiled. "And I thank you for that."
Shen Shing grinned and whooped. "He's back!"
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Lei glanced at his sister from his room window. She was sitting in the garden, looking glum. Shaking his head, he put down his ink brush and got up from his chair. She'd been like that ever since she got back from his uncle's village. Lei figured that it was probably that time of the month but he had his doubts.
Shu Fang had helped with the decorations half heartedly, she'd come back from the seamstress's place looking like she was ready to cry and every time she had a chance, she sat in the garden looking into the distance. Shu Fang was Lei's favourite sister. The two were closer to each other compared to the others. Jing Qi stuck with her eldest sister, Shuang even though Shuang was married and pregnant. Cong Po hung around with the neighbour's sons.
Stepping outside, he approached his sister. "Why so low in spirit, little sister?"
She looked up and gave him a limp smile. "My spirits are fine, big brother."
He sat down beside her. "Doesn't look so fine to me."
Sighing, Shu Fang looked away. "You wouldn't understand."
"And why not?"
"You're already with someone you love."
Lei raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"
Shu Fang let out a smirk. "I know ALL about those mysterious outings in the early morning to see Yi Min. Don't think that just because papa and mama doesn't know means no one else will." Lei blushed at that. "When are you asking her parents for permission to marry their daughter?"
"That's none of your business. And don't change the subject."
Shu Fang smiled.
"So? Why've you been so glum ever since you came back?"
She gave her brother an appraising look. "Promise you won't tell?"
"Of course."
"If you tell, then I'll tell them about 'little kitten'."
Lei sighed. "Yes, yes. Fine! Now tell me."
"I'm in love."
Lei raised his eyebrow again. "Well, what's the whole problem then? The reason papa thought of Lung Yin in the first place was because he thought you liked him."
Shu Fang slapped her forehead. "I don't love him! I never even liked him! I hated that snobby, squeaky voiced brat! I'm in love with Xin Soong!"
Lei's eyes grew wide at that sudden outburst. "Xin Soong." Said Lei slowly.
"He was this man I met in the village. A captain of the Imperial Army."
Lei frowned. "You didn't, you know, um, do…"Shu Fang tossed him a fierce glare.
"I'll take that as a no," said her brother quickly.
"He was kind, honourable, funny, handsome. A little too smug for his own good but still he was…" she sighed. "He loved me. Lung Yin doesn't. He may have known me since childhood but he never knew me. He never bothered to."
Lei spoke up quietly. "Then what makes you think Xin Soong does?"
Shu Fang looked at her brother. The quiet question shocked her.
"I'm not asking you to stop loving this Xin Soong. But I'm asking you to think it through. Before you do anything rash." He patted her hand and went off, leaving Shu Fang with a new question: did Xin Soong really know her? And love her?
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A/N: It is, I suppose, impossible to fall in love with someone so fast. But come on, how many Disney movies have we seen that goes with the 'love at first sight' concept? ;) Just bear with me, eh? It is a fairy tale, after all. And sorry for the delay! It'll probably be six, not three chapters. So, just keep on looking out for the next installment! And thank you to the reviewers and hopefully, would-be reviewers!