Fellowship Of The Helmet 5: The Fellowship Rescues Shu Fang
A/N: I know, I know! It's been WAAAY too long, about, what two months? I am very, really, TERRIBLY sorry! I promise, this is the end. As an apology, I posted this chapter with the epilogue, okay? Now that you're all lowering your pitchforks and torches, we can start. breathes a sigh of relief
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"And is it not a husband's duty to take care of his wife's feelings?!" She burst out, his last question being the last straw. "You had no respect for me or any of the women in my family when we were children. You have not changed, Lung Yin. I'm at a point where I don't care whether you torture me after we're married. I just want you to know something. I never, in my entire life, no matter WHAT my family says, loved you. I didn't like you from the start."
Lung Yin looked outraged. He raised his hand and his palm hit Shu Fang's cheek at such an impact, she fell to the ground. Instead of crying like Lung Yin expected, Shu Fang just took a deep breath and got to her feet again, her hand softly stroking her cheek, trying to reduce the sting.
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Xin Soong would've rushed right into the garden and beat the stuffing out of Lung Yin had it not been for his brother, tugging him back by the arm. He'd wanted so badly to run to Shu Fang, take her in his arms and tell her it would be all right, that he was here when he saw the single tear run down her cheek.
"Now is not the time, brother. We have to go." murmured Shen Shing. Reluctantly, after making sure Shu Fang had gone into her house, he and Shen Shing mounted their horses and rode back to where they were staying.
The Imperial Palace.
It was still unbelievable to Xin Soong and Shen Shing that they were actually in the Forbidden City as the Emperor of CHINA's guests along with Shang, the gang of three and the reason why the emperor had allowed them to stay in the first place-Fa Mulan. Right now, she was with Shang and the emperor, talking. About what, no one knew. It was between the three of them. Meanwhile, the gang of three were lounging in their own quarters, a small house-like building, complete with their own rooms and servants. They had never been used to such luxury but were learning quickly.
"Miss? A refill please?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Oi! And another plate of roasted chicken!"
"Right away, sir!"
"Make that TWO roasted chickens AND another bowl of rice!"
"Yes, sirs!"
Xin Soong raised an eyebrow at, who else? Ling and Yao who were busy ordering the poor maidservants and eunuchs around. Chien Po was sitting quietly in a corner, meditating. "Even if they're servants, you don't have to order them around, you know."
Shen Shing sat with Ling and Yao at the marble table, grinning. "Hey, they've all NEVER been in the palace long enough to enjoy this! And I've never been here at all! Might as well live it up, right?"
Ling laughed out loud. "The kid's right, Xin Soong! Live a little! Here, have some wine!" Xin Soong shook his head. "No thanks. I'm in no mood to drink." Yao groaned. "Are you STILL worried? Come on! This plan is foolproof! What could-"
"Don't you even THINK about finishing that sentence!"
Yao clamped his lips together then continued. "Look, everything is going to be fine!"
Ling shook his head. "Yeah, Xin Soong! I don't think Lung Yin can beat this! By this time tomorrow, we'll be busy preparing for your wedding!"
Xin Soong said nothing but went into his room. He sat on the bed, thinking about his crazy plan he'd thought of days before.
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Flashback (Incoming!):
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"I've got an idea!" Shang raised his eyebrows as Xin Soong burst through the door. "There you are. We've been wondering where you were..."
Xin Soong ignored him and just repeated what he'd yelled. "I've got an idea!"
Shen Shing who was sitting beside Madam Li at the dining table where they were having breakfast frowned. "Will you stop jumping up and down like a crazed rabbit and TELL us!?"
Ling, Yao and Chien Po said nothing but sniggered as Xin Soong grew a little red at his younger brother's admonishing. Sitting down, his face the very picture of excitement, he began. "Look, Lung Yin is a minister's son, right?"
Shang exchanged glances with his mother. Where was this heading? "Uh huh."
"So WHO has a higher power than a minister?"
Ling grinned. "The PRIME minister?"
Xin Soong gave him an exasperated look as they were all used to doing.
"WHAT?! It's true, isn't it?!"
Yao snickered. "The emperor's the only one I can think of."
"Exactly! Now, the emperor owes a certain person a favour for saving his life. And WHO among us did just that besides you three?"
Every single pair of eyes with the exception of five-year-old Li Chen turned in Shang's direction. All of them grinned at him, trying their best to look as pitiful, sympathy needing and pathetic as they possibly could. Li Wan excluded. She just smiled silently.
The captain in question was busy trying not to choke on his porridge as soon as Xin Soong had posed that question. He gulped his mouthful down and proceeded to protest with all the vehemence and indignation he could muster.
"No. There is NO way I could convince his highness to help. In NO way, is he EVER going to help us. I wouldn't DREAM of asking him such a big favour. I don't exactly have the gall to either. So STOP looking at me like you're all sick puppies!"
Xin Soong's I'm-so-pitiful-you-just-gotta-help-me face crumpled. "BUT, Shang! You're the most respectable person to talk to the emperor!"
"NO."
Yao tried. "Captain!"
"NO!"
Ling started to speak. "But, Captain Li-"
"Out of the question!"
Chien Po opened his mouth. "It is-"
"No WAY whatsoever!"
Shen Shing used his ever useful puppy dog pout expression. "Please?"
"NO! N-O, NO! Nothing! No way! And that's that!" He concentrated on finishing his porridge while the others looked at each other with frantic looks spelling out the message S.O.S/Help.
It came in the form of Madam Li.
Li Wan spoke to her son in a tone that anyone who had a mom could recognize. The ever popular I'm-the-woman-who-carried-you-for-nine-months-so-you-damn-well-better-do-as-I-say look and tone that even women today use for their children.
"Shang..."
The strong, stern, wild-horses-couldn't-budge-me, unshakeable Li Shang visibly cringed under the hawk like gaze of his normally sweet gentle mother. NO! Not THAT voice! Not my own mother! Tearing his face away from his porridge, he tried to again to refuse to try and ask the emperor's help.
"Mother, the emperor would never listen."
"I'm sure the emperor would listen to reason. And there is a person who could help."
"You know it's impossible. I can't-"
"Shang, this is your mother you're talking to. Who carried you for nine excruciating months? WHO fed, clothed and washed you? WHO took care of you when you were a mere child?"
Defenses were breaking on Shang's part. He tried one last desperate attempt. "B, but! You're my own flesh and blood!"
It occurred to the Choong brothers and the Gang of Three then that Madam Li was not Shang's mother for nothing. They could barely hide their snickering at Shang's desperate expressions. It went from fear to the realization that his mother would break him down to utter surrender. Shang sighed.
"Fine. But I'm telling you, he will never listen much less go along with it!"
Xin Soong grinned widely. "He may not listen to you but he will listen to someone you know very well."
Shang raised an eyebrow when it dawned on him who Xin Soong was talking about. He groaned. "Aw, no..."
Madam Li chuckled. "I'm sure China's heroine could not refuse to help a friend."
"That's what I'm afraid of. She won't."
Xin Soong sent a look of extreme gratitude to Madam Li. Thank you, he mouthed. She unexpectedly winked then tried to talk Shang out of banging his forehead on the marble table. "You're going to give yourself a huge headache, dear."
The gang of three, Shen Shing and Xin Soong grinned at each other. In unison, they cheered.
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So, Mulan had been sent for and she swiftly came, ready to help much to Shang's half chagrin, half gratitude. It was lucky that the emperor had extended a permanent invitation to Fa Mulan to the Forbidden Palace anytime as his guest. Bringing Shang, Xin Soong and the Gang of Three, they sat for a while in private with the emperor, the gang of three commenting on how fast the repair work had gone. Finally, Mulan hesitantly asked the emperor if he would be so kind and generous to actually grant her a favour. He nodded with a smile. The emperor couldn't exactly refuse the girl who almost seemed like a granddaughter to him.
Explaining the predicament and the plan, the emperor had a hard time trying not to guffaw in amusement. Such going-ons with the young people today, he had thought smilingly.
Agreeing to help, his majesty gave them permission to stay as long as they wanted in the Forbidden City. It was a very rare gesture and although all six protested with much vigour, the emperor waved them away, wishing to be along so he could laugh in peace.
And now, it had come to the eve of the last day of the month. The eve of Shu Fang's wedding and Xin Soong's confidence had waned.
Flopping onto the bed, Xin Soong suddenly realized for the fifth time that he really was in the Imperial Palace. That the emperor really had agreed to help. That tomorrow, his life would change forever. Xin Soong grew worried at times but seeing Shu Fang earlier had given him more determination to stop her from marrying that cruel man.
A knock on the door sounded through the empty room.
"Come in!"
A creak and in stepped Shang. An amused smile on his face.
"Are you torturing yourself again?"
Xin Soong sat up and mock scowled. "Stop stealing my lines."
Laughing, Shang plunked onto a nearby chair. "Sorry. Everything's planned. We set out tomorrow morning."
"Hey, Shang."
"Hmm?"
"Is all this really happening? Or am I just gonna wake up tomorrow and find Shu Fang gone and married?"
Shang pretended to think for a moment then kicked Xin Soong hard on the shin. It brought an instant reaction.
"OW!" He sat up, and rubbed his shin. "What did you do that for!?"
"If it hurts, then you're not dreaming."
Xin Soong continued rubbing the injured leg but glared at his friend. Shang stared back, a familiar serious expression taking over.
"Tomorrow, we'll get Shu Fang, those three can marry their girls, your brother can go back to the academy and I will mourn my father then marry Mulan. I suppose, it all depends on you now."
He stopped rubbing and stared back at Shang. "You didn't have to follow me. You could've marry your Mulan sooner."
Shang smiled. "Then I wouldn't be much of a friend, would I? Mulan would kill me if she knew I'd left a friend in the lurch. Now, just get some rest."
Xin Soong grinned. "Sure. You're off to see Mulan again, I know."
Indignant spluttering was quickly quelled by a casual wave of Xin Soong's hand. "Go. Before she uses her kung fu on you. Then I won't have a best friend with me tomorrow." Shaking his head but smiling, Shang went out, closing the door quietly. Xin Soong lay back on the bed.
Yes. Tomorrow, he would get Shu Fang out of there. He only hoped she still felt something for him.
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Dawn broke over the Middle Kingdom. The sun rose much too quickly for one Ying Shu Fang. She was awake before dawn, her tears keeping her awake. She tried so many times not to cry, telling herself crying would solve nothing and that crying would not bring Xin Soong. Shu Fang wiped her tears away. She'd almost given up hope until she saw the mysterious rose. It had not wilted or faded. Gathering her courage, she took a deep breath, let it out and got ready to face her wedding day.
Hours passed and mid morning arrived. The Ying household was busy, the servants flying here and there, preparing and getting everything ready. Shu Fang stayed in her room, her mother and elder sister helping her to get into her wedding dress, getting her make up on and basically fussing over her. She stayed quiet, only answering questions. Her heart sank as she looked into her copper mirror. There she was, a bride. A bride with the traditional white face, the ebony hair swept up in a bun and the heavy phoenix crown sitting on her head.
It really was happening to her. She was going to be married.
It was all Shu Fang could do from breaking out into tears.
Just as the red veil was thrown over her head dress, she clutched the rose in her hand and tucked it into one of her dress's many folds. She had told Xin Soong she would love him no matter what, and she would hold on to that and the hope that the rose carried with it.
The various music played, small cymbals clanging together, the trumpets blaring out music and a maternally friend of Shu Fang's mother led the way, announcing on the top of her voice that the bride was coming.
Inside the sedan chair, Shu Fang kept silent, deaf to the music. Her only focus was her rose and trying not to let tears spill again. Surely she was stronger than that. It still hadn't left her mind that Lung Yin would make her pay dearly for her boldness yesterday and she couldn't help but shiver. There were too many ways in which a husband could mistreat his wife. And the worse thing was, no one would listen.
Shu Fang felt like she was watching all this happen to another person. Like she was a spectator in this whole unhappy affair. Suddenly, the sedan chair was lowered to the ground and the curtain shielding her from scrutiny opened.
"You may come out now, Shu Fang. Your husband awaits."
Gulping down her fear, she put her trembling hand into her escort's and was guided out. After stepping over a fire, meant to purify her before she stepped into her in-laws home, she was led beside Lung Yin.
"Are you ready?" hissed Lung Yin softly.
"I am." said Shu Fang, sounding calmer than she felt. "To run from this wedding."
"You can never escape, Shu Fang." sneered Lung Yin as the ceremony began. Shu Fang said nothing more.
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I'm afraid this is the end. Goodbye, Xin Soong...
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Suddenly, a huge commotion interrupted the ceremony. Someone rushed in. "The emperor! He's here! The EMPEROR is here!"
Everyone rushed out and kowtowed before his highness. Chi Fu came forward pompously and in a rather nasal tone began to recite from the imperial decree the emperor had just written the day before.
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"His most exalted majesty, emperor of China, ruler of the Middle Kingdom, commands that the wedding of his subjects Lung Yin and Ying Shu Fang be stopped at once."
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Everyone gasped and began murmuring with each other when the emperor began to speak. "The reason for this is that Ying Shu Fang is already engaged to be married to my one godsons. I, myself have betrothed them both."
Although Shu Fang stared at the ground, she could audibly feel all the stares at her back. Shocked at his majesty's sudden appearance, bewildered and unbelieving by his decree and now thoroughly confused at his explanation, she could only try to keep her jaw from hitting the floor.
What godson?!
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"His name is Choong Xin Soong, a most worthy and loyal captain of the Imperial Army."
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It's quite hard to describe how poor Shu Fang took that simple yet mind blowing sentence. There are only so many adjectives one can put to a girl in her situation. So, she did what no one quite expected.
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She fell in a dead faint.
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At that exact moment, before anyone could reach her, one figure came rushing from behind followed by six others. Xin Soong cradled the unconscious Shu Fang tenderly in his arms and brought her silently into the house followed by his friends and the emperor, fully aware that they were the object of scrutiny of every eyeball in the place. Once inside, he set her on a small chair. Mulan whispered to a servant to bring some cloth and water. Xin Soong kept her hand in his, silently pleading her to get up and look him in the eye.
Mulan soaked the cloth in the cold water and gently patted Shu Fang's face with it. "They say cold water helps." explained Mulan softly. Ling, Yao and Chien Po stood guard by the entrance, forbidding anyone to come in. The emperor sat in another chair, looking a little weary.
"I'm sorry, your highness, for dragging you into all of this." apologized Shang as he looked at Xin Soong warily.
"On the contrary, Captain Li. I think I made a good choice in choosing whom to be my godsons and god daughter." He gave a small smile.
"Uuh....where am I...?"
"In Lung Yin's home, on a chair...about to marry the godson of the emperor."
"Am I dreaming?"
Quite forgetting he was not alone, Xin Soong pressed his lips to her forehead. "No." Everyone respectfully averted their glances. The emperor was rather surprised at his bold actions but didn't show it. Shu Fang smiled then looked around. "Good day, Shu Fang." said Mulan softly, a smile on her face. Shang bowed with a grin.
"I'm his brother." explained Shen Shing simply (A/N: is it just me or was that a tongue twister?) with a laugh. The gang of three waved from the spots at the door.
Shu Fang gasped and quickly jumped to her feet and kowtowed. "Forgive me, your majesty! I, I didn't see you!" The kind emperor quickly made her get up and sit back in the chair.
Xin Soong smiled broadly at her. "You still remember whom you're going to marry now?"
She grinned. "Yeah."
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WHAP!
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"OW! Shu Fang!"
Shu Fang uncurled her fist. "What took you so long?!"
Xin Soong rubbed his arm, pretending it hurt. Smiling, she threw her arms around him. "I'm glad you came." she whispered into his ear. He hugged her tighter. "Don't worry. This'll be over soon."
Shen Shing grinned at the Gang of Three, Mulan and Shang. "Mission completed."
The emperor was quite taken aback at the reaction to that. And the people outside wondered what was going on.
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"YEEEEEEESSSS!"