They were going to have a hell of a time explaining this to Zhou. Once they got home Zhou and Li were out front crying on the front step. Once Zhou saw Mulan walk in he got up, dropped his cane, and ran over to Mulan. He through his arms over her shoulder and gave her the biggest hug of her life. His hug woke her from her trance and she cried on his shoulder. They both sank to the ground and Zhou pulled Mulan into his lap, ignoring his pain he let her cry her eyes out on his shoulder. He rocked her back and forth comforting her and stroking her hair as she sobbed out how unfair it was.
"I know baby, I know. Trust me, I'm going to do everything humanly possible to stop this marriage."
"But the matchmaker said that he was coming in one month to come and meet with us, I don't want to live in fear the entire time I am with him!"
Mulan was just about all cried out, and her father was growing angrier at every passing second. Zhou took a deep breath and tried to come up with something that could save Mulan from this, he would kill himself if necessary. But that would only delay the wedding for a month; it would not be long enough for Mulan to get away from him.
What if I gave her defense lessons? No that would never work, I can't teach them to her, but I know someone who can. He owes me some favors, and it is time I call them in.
Zhou pulled away from Mulan and lifted her face to meet his.
"Mulan, I know someone who will be able to teach you self defense, but you will have to be willing to stay over at their house until you can defend yourself properly. Will you do it, for me?"
Mulan looked at him and saw the desperation in his eyes; she knew that if she didn't do this he was going to do something drastic.
"Yeah baba, I'll do it."
Zhou smiled; maybe Mulan would be spared after all.
"Come then, we shall leave for their house immediately."
"Yes baba."
"We will leave in the morning before the sun comes up. Come now, you must go pack."
He said standing up and accepting his cane from Li. Mulan stood up wiping away her tears, and the last bit of makeup left on her face.
"Are you sure this will work baba?"
"Not entirely, but we have to try. Now hurry off and go pack."
Mulan nodded and ran off to her room. Zhou hoped that his friend wouldn't mind him just popping up like he was going to have to do. Once Mulan was packed Zhou gave her a bag of his old training clothes. They ate dinner and went to bed early.