A/N- So...tired...Sorry, just finished a crap load of homework, listened to a guzillion "motivational speakers" and finished reading one of the greatest books in the world, so I'm a bit beat. As promised, two chapters, so sorry if this one's a bit short, there's another one after this.

Chapter 6

"Shang!" Mulan yelled as she sat forward. She found herself sitting in her bed with several people standing around her including the royal physician who was checking her.

"Oh my," Ming-Su gasped worriedly.

"Darling, are you alright?" Jeeki asked gently.

"I…I think so…" She murmured. She thought back to why she had collapsed. The last thing she remembered was her body going all tense, just like when she had seen Shang alive. Shang, she thought. I remember now! He was there, presenting a gift to Jeeki!

"Those last subjects," Mulan shouted all of a sudden, shocking those standing around her. "The three people that brought the last gift before I fainted…where did they go?"

"They went nowhere, sweetie," Ming-Su said, stunned. "They're still here. We felt so bad about not hearing their wishes that we asked them to stay in the palace until you were better. They're still around here somewhere."

Shang is in the palace! She cried. Her heart began to beat wildly underneath her rib cage. Just the thought of him near her sent her into a wild frenzy of excitement. Hopefully, I will see him tonight at dinner…

"Who was Lord Jeeki's bride?" Shang asked.

"Her? That's Mulan, the Hero of China. The most prized bride in the world. She saved China from the evil Huns and brought peace between the lands of Qui Gong and the Middle Kingdom. She is a most honorable bride. Not to mention she is the considered the most beautiful in all the land." Thien said as his eyes glazed over. For some reason, Shang did not like that.

"Humph." Jade grunted haughtily. "If you ask me, I think she's vulgar and disgusting."

"Well no one asked you," Thien replied.

She continued with her unwanted opinion anyway. "Sword fighting and warfare is not something that should be taught to proper young women. They should learn to uphold their homes and their families."

"Like you, huh?" Thien answered sarcastically.

She glared at him and said, "My point is that I don't understand what all the fuss is about her. She knows nothing of importance."

"She knows her duty to her country and has sacrificed all personal happiness for it."

"What?" Shang asked, interestedly.

"It is said that she fell in love with the great Captain Li Shang, her commanding officer when she was in army. She was supposed to marry her, but he died on a mission, bringing the three daughters of the Middle Kingdom to marry the three princes of Qui Gong."

"Three princes?" Shang interrupted. "There are three princes?"

"Jeeki's two younger brothers have been in the Kingdom across the sea for three years (A/N- i.e. Japan) to study with the Shinto Priests. They will return next year to impart what they have learned to the people of Qui Gong. Anyway, they were supposed to marry the three princes, but they had fallen in love with their escort guards. It is said that they never really died, as Mulan had said, but they ran away to marry their escort guards, due to Mulan's persuasion. She came in their place, willing to marry for peace."

Shang felt a pit of guilt dig at his stomach. He didn't understand why he felt like this…but he knew it had something to do with that bride. She was his missing piece.

Jade sniffed angrily. "Vulgar, unrefined—"

"Excuse me," A cold voice interrupted them. They turned around and spotted none other than Lord Jeeki looking at them imperiously in his gold robes. "You," He pointed to Jade angrily. "Young lady, what is your name?"

She blushed and bowed. "She is—" Thien was about to say her name for her, but Lord Jeeki interrupted.

"I addressed her didn't I?"

"Yes my Lord, but—"

"Then let her speak. What is your name?"

"M-my n-name is J-Jade," She stuttered.

"Well Jade, let me tell you something about my bride."

Jade gulped as the handsome prince drew closer. "Mulan is the bravest, prettiest, and most noble woman I know." His voice was oddly soft and dangerous. It was worse than if he yelled. "She came here with nothing but her duty. She is the most selfless person I have ever met and I love her deeply. You are never to speak of her in such a condescending manner ever again. Do I make myself clear?"

She looked down and nodded.

"Thank you." And he walked off down the opulent halls of his palace.

Shang felt a twinge of jealousy. Somehow, he understood every word that Jeeki had said, but on a deeper level. He knew that Mulan was selfless and dutiful and brave. But how had he known?

Later, one of the servants in the palace brought them to two guest suites on the east wing of the palace. "This is very distinguished," The young girl said solemnly.

"Why?" Thien asked.

"Because to be put in the east wing is very important. It is because the sun rises in the East…therefore you will be the closest to the life-giving sun when it first comes up."

Jade looked around haughtily and gave a long-suffering sigh. "It will do for now."

The maid gave them two rooms. Jade refused to share a room, and kicked Shang into the other room with Thien. "I need my beauty rest," She explained. "But don't worry sweetie-pie, you'll be fine without me for one night." And Shang ran out of his room before he got the chance to say anything.

As he and Thien sat down, he asked, "Are we eating dinner?"

At that moment, the same maid that escorted them to their room knocked on the door. Thien opened it and she gave a little curtsy and said, "Excuse me sirs, but the royal family wishes to invite you to dinner tonight. Six o'clock. Please do not be late." And she gave another little curtsy and glided away.

Shang felt his heart skip a beat. Dinner, with the royal family…he thought anxiously. I'll see her again.