A/N- Sorry, this chapter is really short, but it'sa big deal. There's a lot going on, and it's really important to the plot. So bear with me. If I get lotsa reviews, I'll update sooner and it'll be longer, I promise.

Chapter 10

Jeeki took confident steps down the wide halls of his palace. "I can't wait for you to meet my brother. I'm sure you'll absolutely love him."

He knocked on Shien Chu's door and the man who answered it did not seem like the same brother that he had talked to earlier. He found Jeeki standing outside with Mulan behind him and gave him a sort of patient sigh. "What do you want, brother?"

"Shien Chu, this is my wife, Mulan," Jeeki gestured to her behind him. "And I trust her with everything in my life."

Inside, she felt the familiar stab of guilt. She had learned long ago to live with this pain, but it still made her feel like shit every time.

Shien Chu gave him that diplomatically white smile and said, "Well, it's a pleasure to meet the woman that my brother loves."

Really? Mulan thought. I'd sure like to meet her too. "It's a pleasure to meet my husband's brother." The words did not roll off the tongue easily, but at least she had gotten them out.

"Jade!" Liao Bao cried out. He had heard a scream and was absolutely sure that that was her voice.

"Bao?" She answered back. He looked down to see the love of his life sitting down on the ground, her eyes red and tears streaming down her once beautiful face.

"Why are you here?" He watched her cry in helplessness and changed his question. "Never mind that, Jade, what happened?"

"My life is ruined!" She cried out.

"What! Why?"

"Because, not only does your mother know the truth, so does my husband!" She cried.

He couldn't help himself. He sat down on the ground next to her and wrapped his arms around her, silencing her and wiping her tears off with his thumbs.

They sat like that, quiet for a few moments, when he whispered in her ears, "Let's elope."

Jade looked up, startled. "What?"

"Let's elope. Let's leave this place, free of everything and anything. Why do we have to be a slave to such circumstances? Let's just leave it all."

Jade looked around. There was nothing left for her now. Nothing. And…she had no future left with Shang.

With a tear-streaked face and a heartbreakingly bright smile that just screamed 'screw it all', she whispered, "Yes."

After spending lunch with Shien Chu and Jeeki, Mulan began to feel a little better. That's why she liked Jeeki just as a friend. He was easy, and pleasant to talk to. Add his intellectual brother, you'd have yourself a nice afternoon.

She was walking through the garden, as usual. She was hoping that Shang might be there, but she didn't have her hopes up too high.

Sure enough, he was there. And he was reading a letter. It seemed like he wanted some privacy, so she backed away slowly, waiting for him to finish.

A few minutes later, he looked up and spotted Mulan in her regal beauty. Her face was flushed and her eyes were warm. Shang had known her long enough to sense that she was in a good mood.

Which is good, he thought to himself, sighing. Because I'm not. "Mulan!"

She turned around and Shang's breath caught as he watched her luscious lips curve to form a wide smile. She never failed to surprise him.

"Shang," She replied.

He couldn't take it anymore. He needed her. He needed to hold her in his arms. And he did. And Mulan willingly accepted.

They spent a few moments in each other's arms, just enjoying the presence of each other. She rested her head against his chest, and he buried his face in her hair, taking in the sweet, flowery fragrance.

"She's left me, Mulan."

Silence. Then, "WHAT?"

"She left me. The baby isn't mine. She had another lover and she ran away with him."

He looks so helpless, she thought as she watched him sadly. She held him gently for a few minutes, then asked, "Did you love her?"

"No," he replied. "I detested her."

"Then how does this news make you feel?"

He contemplated it for a moment. "Relieved, actually. There were times when I couldn't stand being around her."

"Then why do you look so sad?"

Shang let out a long sigh. "I really wanted a child."

A/N- You know what to do.