I've reloaded this chapter with some modifications so to clear up any
misunderstandings. This story, "accusation" is not a sequel or prequel to
"To fight by his sword."
It's a separate story I created with a different concept. I was going to
introduce this story into to fight by his sword but that meant changing the
story around which I didn't want to do. Please read my statement in the
first chapter to confirm this! I hope this chapter and it's modifications
will clear up any misunderstandings and my apologies.
Another update for you! I don't own anything remotely Mulan don't sue!
The mesmerising music from the musicians made Mulan look up from eyeing her empty goblet which once held wine. She scowled when she felt the painful tug of her hairpin dig into her scalp. Furthermore her make-up felt heavy on her face and the dress she wore was so richly enhanced with embroidery that her movement was clumsier than normal.
She was at a banquet held by the emperor that night in honour of Li and Bao. They sat either side of the emperor triumphantly, stirring the conversations at the table, which Mulan shared.
Right now, predictably the conversation was on women and dishonour and Mulan was aware of the constant glances made her way.
So it was little wonder that Mulan was thankful for the interruption of the music that made the people stop talking and get up to dance.
Looking around, she realised she was the only person not dancing and that she was alone. She knew that would happen. Spying a balcony nearby, she made her exit into the open air.
The night sky was strewn with jewels that were the heavens and each star shone it's divine light. The lakes of the palace gardens reflected this image as the night birds sung a more soothing and to Mulan, a more pleasing song. Reaching up, Mulan pulled her hairpin out and relished the freedom of how her hair fell and the coolness that surrounded her.
Her mood was ruined by the memory of something she tried to hide. She felt it stirring inside her and she fought to not relive those moments again but she lost. This night was so familiar to a night long ago with its beauty and serenity. Closing her eyes she let those memories wash over her as she silently fought them.
*****Flashback.~*~**********
Mulan was praying. She couldn't sleep and felt she could past the time well by the tranquil method of prayers to her ancestors. The peace was interrupted by footsteps and she opened her eyes to see Shang watching her at the entrance to the emperor's temple.
"Can't sleep." She said, replying to an unasked question.
He nodded and silently joined her, kneeling at the foot of the tall polished slabs of stones that were inscribed with the names of those who've passed.
"I know. I watched you come here." He softly said.
"What were you doing out?" Mulan asked, she lit another incense and placed it o the burner, the glow threw more light onto their faces and Mulan could see he was wearing his night wear pants and kimono.
"Couldn't sleep." He replied simply.
"Oh." Mulan shifted uneasily, the air hung with unspoken words as her mind floated from prayers to visions of Shang.
"You were in my dreams." He softly spoke again, Mulan turned her head to see he was watching her silently.
"I was?"
He nodded and leaned closer, "I dreamt that you were in the garden like this, on a night like this and I so wanted to kiss you."
What?
What was he saying? Her mind whirled with emotions and shock as she realised he is admitting in some way he wanted her. At least in dreams.
"Then why don't you?" She heard herself say, where did that come from?
Before she could correct herself she felt his lips there on hers. Her heart exploded as she realised he was kissing her. Her skin jumped alive when his soft fingers framed her face and drew her closer to him, her body fitting tightly against his as if it was meant to be there. She felt his warm tender fingers slip under her kimono. The sounds of his breathing growing more ragged were the only sound in the temple as he lowered her to the cool marble floor. His body on top of hers as he placed her hands on his chest an invitation to be explored. She obeyed and pulled off his kimono, revealing his bare smooth skin as he gasped. She felt his fingers fumble with the band of her trousers. She wanted him there within her soul, reaching down she started undoing his, his eyes watching her with unspoken desire and lust. And then he was there; the pain subsided to pleasure as he gently built up momentum. "Are you ok?" He whispered softly, she nodded and dug her fingers into his shoulders when he deepened penetration. A low groan erupted from his mouth as Mulan whimpered, ecstasy washed over her as he gyrated faster and faster till it ended in one massive explosion of pleasure. His quaking body collapsed upon hers and she didn't care if they were discovered, only for that moment in time. That night, the silent black polished tablets engraved with those deceased were the only witness to their intimate moment.
********~*~*************
She opened her eyes as she breathed out, the cool air reminding her of her present location. Still on the balcony outside the party.
A stranger who never belonged, looking in.
It suited her fine, she got the best of both worlds but she couldn't deny the pain that stings her when she remembers that she could only belong to one of them.
She looked back into the hall and watched the dancers, they wouldn't notice her absence, and they never do. Walking through the gardens, she headed back to her room then realised that she was to share a room with Shang. Sighing she turned on her heels and headed into the opposite direction towards Shang's room. The route all to familiar then, she was only a young girl then and looking back, she knew that Shang was her world.
Quickly changing in Shang's room which was a jumble of both their processions mingling together, she wiped off her make-up, let her hair down and walked to the great library, where every important piece of documents was kept, including Shang's trial papers.
She quietly entered through the bulky doors and slipped in; walking along a great table she found the pile nearby and started sifting through them. Seating herself she started reading statements from both Bao and Shang, each accounting different stories.
With interest, she reached for a brush and wrote notes down on a separate piece of parchment. Tiredness hasn't slowed her yet as she avidly read the evidence, which mounted against Shang, unaware that the candles burned lower, and lower. The more she worked, the more she began to believe there was some thing not right about this.
She awoke on the bed in their room, still dressed in the clothes worn last night in the library. The sunlight tickled her skin as she cursed the start of another day. Another day of being rejected by her people, to put up with Bao and Li's torment and seeing Shang. Cursing she rolled over and pulled the pillow over her head.
"The emperor wants to see you." A voice softly said.
Him.
"Go away." She mumbled.
"You haven't changed have you, always a late sleeper." He teased as she felt his weight sit down on the edge of the bed.
"You wouldn't know. It's been two years since we were together." She retorted as she snapped her head upright. She was rewarded by a pained look as he muttered, "Ouch."
"Yeah ouch." Mulan sweetly smiled and laid her head back down under the pillow.
"Where were you last night, you didn't come to bed." He asked, noticing ink on her fingers.
"Ok look, I'm not your wife. Try that on Bao. I'm here because of a punishment decreed to me by the emperor because of your mistake where you couldn't keep your legs crossed. We will not share this bed and I'll be sleeping on the couch!" Mulan jerked off the bed as she said this.
Wide-awake, she stomped over to grab her papers. Hearing a sharp intake of air, she knew she had hurt him. Good. He hurt her.
A slam of the door confirmed this as she sighed, why did she feel bad saying those words?
Opening it again, she looked but couldn't see where he headed off. She shrugged and walked towards the emperor. The guards let her in, looking to find him, she saw a doctor too stiffly standing there. The door opened again to let in the emperor, "Ah Mulan many thanks for your hasty arrival. There's an important matter needing resolved." He said as he indicated her to the table near by.
"I'll be making you in charge of this investigation. I'm being pressured for quick results from both sides and I feel I need to take action now."
"In charge sir?" Mulan looked up, he nodded then indicated to the table.
"I'm making you an officer Mulan. I trust you in your judgement and your rank will protect you from the whispers that surround this court."
"An officer?" She whispered, not quite believing it.
"Yes, congratulations General Fa." he smiled and handed her the robes with embroided pictures of peacocks on, to symbolise her status in court as the emperor most trusted officer.
"Let this be your tool of justice Mulan. Use it wisely and correctly." The emperor handed her a sword. Similar to the one owned by her but with fine engravings on the blade and hilt.
"I wont fail you your majesty." She bowed her head as she accepted it.
"Bao's doctor is here to answer any questions you may have regarding her current condition." The emperor gestured to the stiff standing man who came alive at his mention.
"At your service." He bowed low.
"How many months?" Mulan asked.
"She is three to four months pregnant."
"When was the child conceived?"
"In the first week of the month of the moon."
"That would correspond with Shang's victory at the battle of the marshes." Mulan realised. The emperor nodded, "Go, used whatever sources available to get the truth."
"I will sir and thank you." Mulan said as she bowed and exited the room.
A child! A child conceived in the few days that Shang was celebrating his victory against the last of the huns. She swallowed hard as emotions bubbled up inside her.
**********************~*~************************
Mulan awoke alone. It was the day Shang was to leave on his crusade to stamp out the last of the army of huns, which still threaten the wall in the north. She'd crept into his room last night where they spent the night together.
Looking around she couldn't see his armour or much of his belongings anymore. He packed and gone without so much as a word to her. He'd promised to return but she wanted to see him go, her love.
It's been a few months since they started their sinful affair ever since they consummated it in front of the emperor's ancestors. They were careful so far and they'd been lucky. Standing up to get washed, she felt a wave of nausea wash over her, reaching forward for the wash basin, she vomited up her remains of dinner the previous night. Horror and shock struck her senseless as she collapsed to her knees; she wiped the bile from her lips and closed her eyes.
"Oh gods." She whispered as a tear slid down her cheek. She knew the inevitable.
She was alone and she was pregnant.
************~*~****************
Ok, just as a quick summary in case it still isn't clear - my fault if so! Mulan and Shang had started a sinful affair, which Mulan remembers whilst out on the balcony. Another flashback after she interviews Bao's doctor reveals that Mulan finds she's pregnant on the morning Shang left on his two year war campaign. Hope it clears up any mishap and apologies once again! Feel free to email me if you have any doubts! Thank you!
Another update for you! I don't own anything remotely Mulan don't sue!
The mesmerising music from the musicians made Mulan look up from eyeing her empty goblet which once held wine. She scowled when she felt the painful tug of her hairpin dig into her scalp. Furthermore her make-up felt heavy on her face and the dress she wore was so richly enhanced with embroidery that her movement was clumsier than normal.
She was at a banquet held by the emperor that night in honour of Li and Bao. They sat either side of the emperor triumphantly, stirring the conversations at the table, which Mulan shared.
Right now, predictably the conversation was on women and dishonour and Mulan was aware of the constant glances made her way.
So it was little wonder that Mulan was thankful for the interruption of the music that made the people stop talking and get up to dance.
Looking around, she realised she was the only person not dancing and that she was alone. She knew that would happen. Spying a balcony nearby, she made her exit into the open air.
The night sky was strewn with jewels that were the heavens and each star shone it's divine light. The lakes of the palace gardens reflected this image as the night birds sung a more soothing and to Mulan, a more pleasing song. Reaching up, Mulan pulled her hairpin out and relished the freedom of how her hair fell and the coolness that surrounded her.
Her mood was ruined by the memory of something she tried to hide. She felt it stirring inside her and she fought to not relive those moments again but she lost. This night was so familiar to a night long ago with its beauty and serenity. Closing her eyes she let those memories wash over her as she silently fought them.
*****Flashback.~*~**********
Mulan was praying. She couldn't sleep and felt she could past the time well by the tranquil method of prayers to her ancestors. The peace was interrupted by footsteps and she opened her eyes to see Shang watching her at the entrance to the emperor's temple.
"Can't sleep." She said, replying to an unasked question.
He nodded and silently joined her, kneeling at the foot of the tall polished slabs of stones that were inscribed with the names of those who've passed.
"I know. I watched you come here." He softly said.
"What were you doing out?" Mulan asked, she lit another incense and placed it o the burner, the glow threw more light onto their faces and Mulan could see he was wearing his night wear pants and kimono.
"Couldn't sleep." He replied simply.
"Oh." Mulan shifted uneasily, the air hung with unspoken words as her mind floated from prayers to visions of Shang.
"You were in my dreams." He softly spoke again, Mulan turned her head to see he was watching her silently.
"I was?"
He nodded and leaned closer, "I dreamt that you were in the garden like this, on a night like this and I so wanted to kiss you."
What?
What was he saying? Her mind whirled with emotions and shock as she realised he is admitting in some way he wanted her. At least in dreams.
"Then why don't you?" She heard herself say, where did that come from?
Before she could correct herself she felt his lips there on hers. Her heart exploded as she realised he was kissing her. Her skin jumped alive when his soft fingers framed her face and drew her closer to him, her body fitting tightly against his as if it was meant to be there. She felt his warm tender fingers slip under her kimono. The sounds of his breathing growing more ragged were the only sound in the temple as he lowered her to the cool marble floor. His body on top of hers as he placed her hands on his chest an invitation to be explored. She obeyed and pulled off his kimono, revealing his bare smooth skin as he gasped. She felt his fingers fumble with the band of her trousers. She wanted him there within her soul, reaching down she started undoing his, his eyes watching her with unspoken desire and lust. And then he was there; the pain subsided to pleasure as he gently built up momentum. "Are you ok?" He whispered softly, she nodded and dug her fingers into his shoulders when he deepened penetration. A low groan erupted from his mouth as Mulan whimpered, ecstasy washed over her as he gyrated faster and faster till it ended in one massive explosion of pleasure. His quaking body collapsed upon hers and she didn't care if they were discovered, only for that moment in time. That night, the silent black polished tablets engraved with those deceased were the only witness to their intimate moment.
********~*~*************
She opened her eyes as she breathed out, the cool air reminding her of her present location. Still on the balcony outside the party.
A stranger who never belonged, looking in.
It suited her fine, she got the best of both worlds but she couldn't deny the pain that stings her when she remembers that she could only belong to one of them.
She looked back into the hall and watched the dancers, they wouldn't notice her absence, and they never do. Walking through the gardens, she headed back to her room then realised that she was to share a room with Shang. Sighing she turned on her heels and headed into the opposite direction towards Shang's room. The route all to familiar then, she was only a young girl then and looking back, she knew that Shang was her world.
Quickly changing in Shang's room which was a jumble of both their processions mingling together, she wiped off her make-up, let her hair down and walked to the great library, where every important piece of documents was kept, including Shang's trial papers.
She quietly entered through the bulky doors and slipped in; walking along a great table she found the pile nearby and started sifting through them. Seating herself she started reading statements from both Bao and Shang, each accounting different stories.
With interest, she reached for a brush and wrote notes down on a separate piece of parchment. Tiredness hasn't slowed her yet as she avidly read the evidence, which mounted against Shang, unaware that the candles burned lower, and lower. The more she worked, the more she began to believe there was some thing not right about this.
She awoke on the bed in their room, still dressed in the clothes worn last night in the library. The sunlight tickled her skin as she cursed the start of another day. Another day of being rejected by her people, to put up with Bao and Li's torment and seeing Shang. Cursing she rolled over and pulled the pillow over her head.
"The emperor wants to see you." A voice softly said.
Him.
"Go away." She mumbled.
"You haven't changed have you, always a late sleeper." He teased as she felt his weight sit down on the edge of the bed.
"You wouldn't know. It's been two years since we were together." She retorted as she snapped her head upright. She was rewarded by a pained look as he muttered, "Ouch."
"Yeah ouch." Mulan sweetly smiled and laid her head back down under the pillow.
"Where were you last night, you didn't come to bed." He asked, noticing ink on her fingers.
"Ok look, I'm not your wife. Try that on Bao. I'm here because of a punishment decreed to me by the emperor because of your mistake where you couldn't keep your legs crossed. We will not share this bed and I'll be sleeping on the couch!" Mulan jerked off the bed as she said this.
Wide-awake, she stomped over to grab her papers. Hearing a sharp intake of air, she knew she had hurt him. Good. He hurt her.
A slam of the door confirmed this as she sighed, why did she feel bad saying those words?
Opening it again, she looked but couldn't see where he headed off. She shrugged and walked towards the emperor. The guards let her in, looking to find him, she saw a doctor too stiffly standing there. The door opened again to let in the emperor, "Ah Mulan many thanks for your hasty arrival. There's an important matter needing resolved." He said as he indicated her to the table near by.
"I'll be making you in charge of this investigation. I'm being pressured for quick results from both sides and I feel I need to take action now."
"In charge sir?" Mulan looked up, he nodded then indicated to the table.
"I'm making you an officer Mulan. I trust you in your judgement and your rank will protect you from the whispers that surround this court."
"An officer?" She whispered, not quite believing it.
"Yes, congratulations General Fa." he smiled and handed her the robes with embroided pictures of peacocks on, to symbolise her status in court as the emperor most trusted officer.
"Let this be your tool of justice Mulan. Use it wisely and correctly." The emperor handed her a sword. Similar to the one owned by her but with fine engravings on the blade and hilt.
"I wont fail you your majesty." She bowed her head as she accepted it.
"Bao's doctor is here to answer any questions you may have regarding her current condition." The emperor gestured to the stiff standing man who came alive at his mention.
"At your service." He bowed low.
"How many months?" Mulan asked.
"She is three to four months pregnant."
"When was the child conceived?"
"In the first week of the month of the moon."
"That would correspond with Shang's victory at the battle of the marshes." Mulan realised. The emperor nodded, "Go, used whatever sources available to get the truth."
"I will sir and thank you." Mulan said as she bowed and exited the room.
A child! A child conceived in the few days that Shang was celebrating his victory against the last of the huns. She swallowed hard as emotions bubbled up inside her.
**********************~*~************************
Mulan awoke alone. It was the day Shang was to leave on his crusade to stamp out the last of the army of huns, which still threaten the wall in the north. She'd crept into his room last night where they spent the night together.
Looking around she couldn't see his armour or much of his belongings anymore. He packed and gone without so much as a word to her. He'd promised to return but she wanted to see him go, her love.
It's been a few months since they started their sinful affair ever since they consummated it in front of the emperor's ancestors. They were careful so far and they'd been lucky. Standing up to get washed, she felt a wave of nausea wash over her, reaching forward for the wash basin, she vomited up her remains of dinner the previous night. Horror and shock struck her senseless as she collapsed to her knees; she wiped the bile from her lips and closed her eyes.
"Oh gods." She whispered as a tear slid down her cheek. She knew the inevitable.
She was alone and she was pregnant.
************~*~****************
Ok, just as a quick summary in case it still isn't clear - my fault if so! Mulan and Shang had started a sinful affair, which Mulan remembers whilst out on the balcony. Another flashback after she interviews Bao's doctor reveals that Mulan finds she's pregnant on the morning Shang left on his two year war campaign. Hope it clears up any mishap and apologies once again! Feel free to email me if you have any doubts! Thank you!