Same disclaimer. This is a reposting of the initial story posted on a Mulan fanfic site back in 1999-2000.

Chapter Three:

As the weeks passed, the Li household grew busy. With the young master at home, much of the household resumed some sense of normalcy.

Chi and Shang spent endless hours together, playing and working on lessons…. And Chi followed
Shang around town as he settled accounts with a number of the local merchants and tradesman.
While their father had been alive, Shang had addressed these matters in order to free up the
General's time… and with his absence, Shang continued to do so.

The townspeople were kind to the two brothers, noting the devotion the two had to one another and
remarking generously on their character. Likewise, Lady Li was also pleased.

Many of their neighboring families had taken note of the young Master Shang - for both his kind and intelligent demeanor and for his battle skills. Word had slowly trickled back of Captain Li's impending promotion for his role in saving the life of the Emperor. He was regarded as a highly eligible suitor for many of the daughters of well-known and esteemed families.

"Son," Lady Li addressed her son one evening as Chi lay sleeping on her lap. "With your father
gone, you are now the head of the Li clan. And you have done well so far."

"Thank you mother," Shang appreciated the compliment from his normally terse mother.

"As head, you have handled the family's finances and properties well, and have done well with your
brother's education. However, there is one issue which you must settle."

Shang nodded deferentially to his mother.

"As mourning ends, the matchmaker will begin her visits. As the eldest son of the eldest son, you
must continue the Li line of descendents. You must also have someone to assist you with other
matters at home."

"Now, now" she motioned her hand to cut off his protests, "You know that I grow older and can not
handle these matters, and that your filial duty must be addressed. But you should also consider how
all of us would benefit from a young woman in our household. I would like to have a daughter to tend
to my son," she smiled, " and a sister for Chi."

Shang shuddered at the thought of the matchmaker, but outwardly assented. He would not openly
defy his mother or respond to her comments.

"The matchmaker is one of the most feared people in a person's life," Shang later glumly shared with his
brother while riding horses outside the town. "A conscientious matchmaker will find a woman who will enhance life for the particular man. But a foolish one will pick foolishly."

Chi shrugged, "all women are wimpy anyways… who needs them?"

Shang looked at his younger brother and laughed, "So you think all women are silly hens?"

"Yeah!" Chi cheered. "That's what all my friends say. They cry when we go off to war, they sit
around and do nothing. "

Shang shook his head at his brother's rather negative view of women, "For your own good, Chi, I think you should stop saying these things. Would you think mother was that way?"

"Nah," Chi shook his head. "Mother isn't a normal woman. That's what father always said."

"Chi -" Shang looked at him, "Have you ever heard the story of the woman warrior?"

Chi stopped "Nope."

"Then sit down, and let me tell you." Shang thought carefully, "In a village, somewhere south of the
Emperor's palace, lived an old warrior, with no sons…"

~

Over the next week, Shang told Chi the story of the woman warrior, her hiding her identity and
entering into training. He told him of the ways in which she constantly worked harder alongside the
other men, and thanklessly toiled.

Chi was incredibly entertained by the story and grew enamored of the mythical figure, and after dinner each night, sat unusually quietly while Shang told of her patience and forbearance, her revealed identity and the betrayal by her troupe. When Shang detailed how she had saved all the troupes, the Emperor and then returned home and lived happily with her father, Chi was a little bit dissatisfied.

Chi could not believe the ending. "She just went home? The end? What a dumb ending!"

Shang shook his head, "But that is how it happened Chi, you can not distort the truth."

"Still," Chi grumbled, "she should gone back and led more troops. Or maybe married a general."

Shang coughed a bit. "Well, as far as we know, that's the end for now. Perhaps we'll hear more of this woman someday and we'll hear of her further deeds."

Chi yawned, now bored. "Okay, but it better be good! "

Shang smiled as he tucked in his brother and left him to sleep. Telling Chi about the woman had
reminded him so much of what had happened over the last few months. Although Chi had not
understood, Shang had been sharing with him a large part of his life prior to coming home. It was odd – talking about it so openly, but under the pretense of a story. But it was oddly comforting too, to be able to look back on those days from a more positive light even if it left him with a queer feeling being continuously reminded of Mulan.

The questions Chi asked him about the woman warrior's fate bothered him as well. What became of Mulan when he had left her at the gates of the Fa home?

He sighed. He had far more serious concerns to deal with at the moment. It was impossible to avoid the matchmaker forever. A persistent woman, she resorted to waiting until Master Li Shang had returned home from town a number of occasions. His mother waited
impatiently with her, often with a number of descriptions of prospective women. Shang turned them
down continuously, often claiming one was inferior in education, talents or intelligence.

Earlier that evening, they had argued in front of Chi.

"You agreed to be obedient, but do not even let the matchmaker continue with her inquiries. What qualities do you desire? What standard do you keep that you even turn down daughters of noblemen?" Lady Li scolded him as he drank his after-dinner tea.

Shang was silent. "I do not mean to cause you grief. I have no interest in the candidates the matchmaker presents."

"Then what?" Lady Li was exasperated. "You have not given any indication of any preference, any qualities… if you would only do something to help!"

Chi helpfully interjected, "maybe he needs a strong woman like the lady warrior."

Lady Li threw up her hands, "A woman of legend will not bring heirs , Chi. I pray you won't be as
stubborn." With that final comment, she had left Chi and Shang alone in their room.

Shang reflected on his mother's outburst, realizing that he in fact was being so difficult. He frowned as he realized he was being absurdly difficult and wondered why. He was glad that his officers would be arriving soon. Perhaps they would relieve some of the tension currently present at the Li home.

a/n: Sorry guys. I plumb forgot that I promised to repost this by the end of this month. . I lost this part , freaked out and mercifully found it stashed away on a website. And I got distracted by drawing lots of pretty fanarts. whee