Chapter 4

Disembarking

Mulan followed Shang through the Imperial City. She had no idea who Shang had in mind for the guards, but she trusted him. He led her to a shabby building that resembled a bar. It probably resembled a bar because it was a bar. Shang dismounted.

"Stay here with the horses." Shang ordered. He was about to go into the bar when suddenly he was knocked over by a huge flying ball of bodies.

"And STAY out!" The bartender yelled out the door. Shang rose to his feet and saw who had knocked him over. It was Ling, Chien Po, and Yao! Shang dusted himself off.

"Aha! Just the men I wanted to see." Shang smiled at his soldiers. They stood up and did their best to stand at attention. Shang pretended not to notice their beat up and bedraggled appearance.

"Men! The Emperor has requested that we go on a mission that is of utter importance to the country, but we must have an escort. Are you with me?" Shang was pretty sure he knew what the answer would be. He was right.

"Yes, SIR!"

The four of them mounted their horses. Shang smiled at Mulan, who was watching the entire scene. She giggled in a rather un-Mulanlike way and followed as he trotted his horse back the way they had come. Chien-Po, Yao, and Ling trotted behind her.

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Later that afternoon, Mulan and Shang were at the Imperial Palace making the final arrangements for the trip. The carriage for the princesses waited outside in the courtyard. The supply wagon was hitched on behind it and stuffed to the gills with food, clothing, and other necessities. In fact, all they needed now was the princesses. Mulan, Shang, Yao, Chien Po, Ling, Mushu, Cri-Kee, Khan, and the other horses all waited outside by the carriage. The three escorts were discussing what kind of women they wanted to marry.

Chien Po had it all figured out.

"She'll make a fried chicken dinner for our first date, and it will be so delicious that I will know she's the one."

"My girl will admire my strength!" Yao grinned, imagining such a girl, "and of course...she'd be very pretty."

Ling laughed, "Why would a pretty girl want to marry you when she could marry my charm and wit?" Yao scowled and looked like he wanted to hit someone.

At that moment, the Emperor stood just inside the hallway leading to the interior of the palace. He was there to see his daughters off. Yao and Ling innocently looked anywhere but at each other. The Emperor scowled at them to let them know that he wasn't fooled.

As Mulan watched, three young women holding fans in front of their faces walked down the hall towards the Emperor. The princesses! They wore fancy dresses and their hair was twisted in fancy loops and buns. Their father talked to them. Mulan couldn't hear what he was saying, but she could guess. He might never see his daughters again! The princesses bowed respectfully to their father. Again, Mulan guessed what was going on in their heads. If it was her, she'd run up to her father and embrace him for all she was worth. But these girls were princesses, and that would not be acceptable conduct to their position in society. Mulan sighed. Arranged political marriages, strict behavioral rules, how did they do it?

The three princesses carefully walked to the carriage. Shang stepped forward to help them in. One princess' shoe caught on the carriage step and dropped to the ground. Trying to maintain her dignified appearance, she ignored it and stepped into the carriage. Yao saw his chance to help. After all, that was why they were there, right?

Yao ran to the carriage and picked up the shoe. He reached up and handed it to the princess, who looked down at him. For a brief instant their eyes met, and a wordless thanks passed from the princess to Yao. The royal girl almost looked like she was smiling at Yao, but he couldn't be sure with that fan in the way. Still, he was glowing with happiness when he walked back to where Ling and Chien Po waited on their horses.

"Did you see that?" Yao smiled dreamily, " She looked at me! And we shared a romantic moment...ahh."

Ling had never seen this side of Yao before. It unsettled him.

"Oh, sure, Yao! Are you kidding? You and a princess? Come on!" Ling scoffed, half jokingly.

Yao frowned.

"You're just jealous because you've never had a romantic moment before!"

"Ha! She was more likely sharing a romantic moment with her shoe!"

"You keep that up and you'll get a knuckle sandwich!" Yao growled, sounding like himself again.

Mulan watched as the last of the three princesses entered the carriage. There was something she just had to know! She walked up to the door and peered inside at the trio. The princesses looked at her from behind their fans.

"Hello, your Highnesses. It is an honor to meet you." Mulan bowed her head in respect.

"The honor is ours, Fa Mulan. We have heard how you bravely saved our country, and we are grateful. But something troubles you." The tallest princess said.

Mulan tried to smile warmly. "You are perceptive, Your Highness."

"That comes with practice. What is it that troubles you?" The tall princess asked.

"Um," Mulan stuttered, "was this your decision? I mean, did you want to...uh, you know..."

"It is an honor to serve our Emperor, and it is our duty as princesses to serve our country." The princess reassured Mulan, "we must marry the princes to seal the treaty."

Mulan tried to look reassurred. Inside, she was unconvinced.

"Mount up!" Shang called. Mulan politely bid the princesses a good night and closed the carriage door. She mounted Khan, silently thinking about the princesses and their situation.