--

The bath was steaming while Mulan was scrubbed thoroughly. Her skin was much lighter than other girls, even though it was tanned from her training, and it flushed a bright red far too quickly for her liking.

All this pain for beauty…

She was dressed in red silk robes—much too uncomfortable, she thought—and the most exotic of cosmetics were painted on her face—much too awkward, she noted—and the simplest of combs were delicately placed in her hair, an emerald flower, peeking out from the sea of red.

The mirror was brought, and Mulan could only stare at the stranger, who was as equally shocked to see her as much as Mulan was to see this beauty. The stranger's emerald flower glinted and winked at her, and Mulan allowed a small smile. She didn't feel the silk of her robes, nor the layer of makeup, nor the rouge, wet paint on her lips.

For once, she relished in being the porcelain doll that she never really could be or could have been…

…a rush of silk…

It jerked her out of her reverie.

With glazed eyes, she looked around to see the handmaids beam proudly at her, and she smiled back, if only to forget…

--

Grandma, Mama and Baba were already outside, waiting for her. Grandma was dressed in blue, Mama was dressed in jade; Baba, in his old army attire. They were surprised as she drew near; Mulan saw Mama smiling proudly at her, like they all had…

"My darling daughter has grown into a beautiful woman; I can hardly recognize my child."

Mulan smiled, barely controlling her tears; Baba looked misty-eyed as well.

She felt wave of pride wash over her, and remembered a small girl just like her who clung to her Mama's arm, who looked in wonder at such an exquisite place just like this one. As they all headed to meet the Emperor, Mulan clutched her Mama's arm, just as she had done all those years ago, and felt Mama's hand wrap around her's.

--

Mulan had never seen the royal banquet hall, despite the fact that she had been at the palace before…It was lit, easily the brightest room there, everything adorned with precious jewels and metals. Mulan risked a glance—there were quite a few people there, and by their clothing, most were part of the army.

They bowed to the royal family. The Emperor looked quite pleased to see them, and the Empress, a frail, yet graceful-looking woman, nodded politely. Crown Prince Li Tai did the same, and so did his brother, Chéngquián. The eyes of the three princesses curved into half moons as they smiled. But when Mulan raised her head, she caught the Second Prince smiling slightly.

"Chi Fu," the Emperor spoke.

"Yes, Your Majesty?" came the oily reply.

"Make room for our honored guests, the General Fa and his family!"

Chi Fu was no different than Mulan—despite desperately trying not to—remembered. Pompous and whiny, she barely could contain a smirk when she saw that he was to the right of the Emperor. Baba moved to sit in Chi Fu's place, murmuring a "Thank you" to the advisor. They all sat together, and Chi Fu—the poor man—sat four seats away. She turned to give a small grin to Chéngquián, but suddenly caught the eye off a familiar face.

Li Shang was looking straight at her, across from his place at the table. He, too, must have been surprised to see her—he was staring at her with a blank expression—but that quickly disappeared, and instead, he gave her a welcoming smile.

She could no longer remember what had been so humorous, and her smile disappeared quite suddenly. She was acutely aware of Chien-Po, Yao, Ling turn to see her sit down and the low chatter of a woman and a little boy of age eight—whom she presumed to be his mother and little brother.

Shang gave a puzzled look, frowning. She didn't understand the situation—even still, didn't know what to do—and chose to look down at her hands.

--

The rest of dinner was uneventful, although Mama and Baba spoke quietly with the Emperor and Empress; Mulan avoided any eye-contact with anyone save for her family and occasionally, a glance at the two Princes…Grandma kept shooting looks at her and Mulan could not tell whether it was because of Shang glancing at her, or whether she was glancing at royalty… Nothing would happen of course, even if she stared; it wasn't as if…

…the summer breeze…

"I thank you all for coming," the Emperor spoke.

Mulan's head rose so suddenly, even the usually preoccupied Chi-Fu raised a haughty eyebrow.

"This wonderful dinner is in honor of my faithful subjects who risked their lives for the safety of the average countryman; we thank you from the bottom of our hearts…"

Mulan caught Chéngquián's eye…

…a graceful arch…

"…However, this is not the sole purpose of our meeting…"

She saw Chéngquián frown and she wondered what the Emperor had to say, if it was so important that not even his children knew anything.

"Highway robberies having occurring more and more often as we continue to fight the Huns; more and more villages are being burnt and the people either killed or kidnapped. I suspect those that survived the palace attack are leading the attacks, but I cannot be sure. The Hun leader is not as aggressive as his general, Shan-Yu, had been, but we must prepare for war if diplomacy fails. I would like it, General Li—"

Here, Mulan glanced sharply at the family. He was a general now, she reminded herself, his father died in battle. The little brother and mother looked anxious and worried.

"…if you and a handful of your men could find the criminals responsible."

Shang protested, "Your Majesty, if the country is in anticipation of war…"

"I have left it to others who have the same amount of dedication and endurance as you, my loyal General, do not worry."

He hesitated then, looking at his mother and brother, replying softly, "Then I will accept."

The Emperor nodded, and turned to Baba, "General Fa, it is with resignation that I admit… my duties as Emperor do not permit me to know every detail of this country; the same applies to the Army. I need someone who knows this land."

"It is an honor to serve the Emperor," Baba replied, bowing his head.

The Emperor smiled grimly, "I could never ask so much of you, Fa Zhou, I ask it of your daughter."

Mulan felt the weight of their stares again, but merely looked at Baba. He would know, like he always did. Mama, pursing her lips in worry, and Grandma, with a strangely serious expression, both nodded. She could see the Princes look at each other, each with a frown on his face. The princesses watched in a rapt anticipation to see how she would respond, although Mulan had a feeling they al knew what she would say.

"I am grateful to serve my country and guide General Li and his men."

From their opposites sides of the table, Chéngquián and Mulan regarded each other with a cool—seemingly uncaring—gaze. Something in that gaze made Mulan feel some kind of strange guilt and wistfulness, although she had no reason to feel guilty. She looked away, turning once again to find Shang staring at her, with the oddest of expressions was on his face. She looked away again.

The catalyst was set in place.

--

--

My deepest apologies. I told myself I would finish this chapter by the end of the week.

We had singing auditions for our school musical today. I tried out. And I mucked up. Badly. But what do you care? This story's updated. You don't care if I can sing or not. So what?

So I get lots of reviews to cheer me up, right?

Right.