Later, Shang rode up to the house. Mulan was waiting in the garden. He walked up next to her and sat besides her. She was thinking. But about what?
" Mulan, what's wrong?" Shang asked putting a hand on her shoulder.
" I had the dream last night, but I saw who it was…It was Shan-Yu…" She said.
"Mulan, you are being silly, you know that…" He began, but when he saw how saddened she was, he knew that was not what she wanted to hear.
" You know that can't be. He is gone, there is nothing to fear." He said softly.
"I don't know why I'm afraid of him. I wasn't before. He scares me know. I don't know why." She said.
"Maybe if you come out you can clear your mind." Shang said as they stood up.
Mulan smiled at him and said " I can't wait,". They went to the stalls and Shang took out his horse. While Mulan was untying Khan, He said "Uh, I was thinking that maybe we could ride together." He said shakily.
Mulan patted khan and said softly to him " I'll be back soon" and walked over to Shang. He mounted his horse and held his hand out to Mulan. She took it and pulled herself up. She wrapped her arms around Shang and they rode off towards the market. Mulan could feel Shang shaking as they rode towards the market. When they arrived. Shang tied His horse into a stall and they walked along the market.
They looked at all the stalls. Some were selling food and fish and grain while others sold cloth and jewelry. Mulan eyed a necklace and when she picked it up her she examined it. It was a jade pendant on a gold chain. The gold case around the jade stone was beautifully detailed with swirls and points here and there. She asked the seller how much it was.
"What! That's ridicules!" Mulan exclaimed at the price.
She looked at the necklace and the put it back on the booth. Her and Shang bought some food and they headed back to the horse stall. Then Shang said "Oh! I forgot something! You go ahead and I will go back real quick!" He said.
Shang ran off and Mulan went to get his horse. He came back and he looked excited.
" What was so important?" Mulan asked him.
"Oh just a nick knack, but it was gone. Let's go!" He said as they rode off. They rode into a valley full of wildflowers. Shang stopped his horse and took their pack to a clear spot. They set up and Mulan picked some of the flowers and put them in the middle of their picnic.
She glanced at Shang. He was shaking miserably. Mumbling something under his breath. He was nervous about something. They sat down and began to eat and talk. They started talking about their lives since the war and about Mulan's dream but that was only for a minute. They talked on and on until Shang led her to a quiet spot in the field.
"Look at the sky" He said.
"It's free, like an endless spirit" Mulan said.
Shang took Mulan's hand and bent down.
"A free spirit is a happy one. You have taught me that and so many other things. Mulan, you are an amazing person and a beautiful young woman and I, uh, Mulan, will you marry me?" He said.
Mulan stared at him for a moment then cried out "Oh Shang! Of course I'll marry you! I love you!" She jumped onto him and hugged him.
"I love you too," He said. "Oh! And one more thing!" He said jumping up, fumbling through a pocket. " I hope you like it." He said handing her a small package.
Mulan unwrapped it to find that beautiful necklace from the market. She embraced Shang and kissed him on the cheek. He hugged her and then they headed back to their picnic to clean up.
That night, Shang took Mulan to his village to celebrate. He took her to a restaurant afterward they went to the square for the parade. Later they sat under the moon and stared up at the stars. Mulan leaned on Shang's shoulder and he put his arm around her. They sat there for a while just looking at the moon. Mulan was so happy. So was Shang.
They decided it was late and Shang brought Mulan home. The next day he would be back to ask for her father's blessing. Until, then they parted. But before he rode off, He took her hands in his and kissed her. It was short and sweet but perfect. Then he rode away and Mulan went inside.
Mulan walked into her house. Where her parent's were waiting for her.
"Oh mama! Papa! I have just had the most wonderful time!" She exclaimed as she floated into the room.
"Oh Mulan! We were so worried! You have been gone all day! Grandma would not say where you were!" Her mother said rushing over to her to embrace her.
"Oh I was just out, I went to the market and then rode Khan to the valley to meet Shang.," She said. Mulan tucked in her necklace so that her parents wouldn't see.
"You should go get some rest, I am sure your exhausted!" Her mother said. Shooing everyone out they all headed to bed.
Mulan ran to room. She screamed into a pillow YES YES! So that her parents wouldn't here her. She was so excited! She had completely forgotten about her dreams and jumped up and down on the bed. Suddenly Mulan wanted to find Mushu, to tell him, but he couldn't come unless she needed him. She had a feeling that he knew and hoped he was happy for her.
The next morning Mulan looked wonderful. She had dressed up and even styled her hair! After breakfast, Shang rode up on his horse. He was wearing his uniform. Armour and all. Mulan hoped that her father would give them his blessings. Shang was nervous too, she could see it in his eyes. Then he glanced at her and suddenly he felt completely confident. This was all going to work out, he thought. I love Mulan and her father will see that.
He walked into the house and sat down with her family. Mulan finished her tea and walked out to the garden. Any minute Shang would come out and either pick her up and spin her, or look at her sadly before riding away.
Inside, Shang could feel his heart beating. He looked at Fa Zhou and smiled.
"You have a lovely daughter Sir," He said. Fa Zhou looked up. His wife gave him a glance.
"She is a wonderful person, you must be very proud," Shang said. He was trying with all his strength to speak clearly and sternly like he did in the army.
"We are very proud," Her father said.
"Honorable Fa Zhou, I am asking for your daughters hand in marriage," He said as fast as he could. Just when Fa Zhou was about to speak, Shang said,
" I believe that I can take care of her and I want you know that I would never do anything to put her in danger, I love her." He said. Fa Zhou looked up. Then at the ground. Shang could feel the sweat on his face. He had to stop shaking . Then Fa Zhou smiled.
In the garden Mulan waited anxiously. She sat on the bench under the cherry blossom tree and closed her eyes. Then someone sat down beside her. She thought at first it was her father come to tell her his choice, but when she opened her eyes, she saw it was Li Shang. She looked up at him, he smiled. Mulan threw her arms around him.