Tradition
Once reports had been delivered to the Imperial City, the Li and the Fa families rescheduled the wedding ceremony two weeks after the battle at the Great Wall.
The betrothal ceremony took place one week before the wedding. Shang arrived at the Fa Estate accompanied by his stepmother Chan Juan and his seven-year-old brother An-Shing. Custom required that Shang should provide the Fa family with gifts in order to seal their engagement, and so he gave them a sword that once belonged to his grandfather, precious gold and jade jewelry, a weighty and healthy cow, a rooster and a couple of hens. The Fa family gratefully accepted the gifts, and shared a meal with the members of the Li family.
Unlike Shang, An-Shing was outgoing and a bit of a prankster. It did not take him long to get acquainted with the Fa family, and began calling Mulan elder sister. It was actually thanks to An-Shing that the evening's solemnity was broken because he decided it would be fun to chase around the chicks, which ended up in the dining room jumping on the table. Mulan could not help finding the situation hilarious and laughed, while her parents excused the boy for being a child. However, little An-Shing did not escape his mother's chiding and Shang's sermon about discipline.
A week went by awfully soon with the preparations for the wedding. Mulan found herself in her bedroom for the last time as her mother and grandmother helped her get dressed in a red gown of fine silk, which had been a gift from the Emperor. Mulan looked at her reflection in the mirror as the hairdresser tied up her dark hair in an elegant bun. After several painful pulls of her dark locks, the hairdo was finished, and Fa Li placed some beads strings and the lotus blossom as a final touch. Then her face was covered with white powder, red lips and eyes marked. Finally her face was hidden behind a red silk veil.
Once she was ready Mulan visited her family shrine and prayed her ancestors everything would turn out well in her marriage. She finished her prayers and raised her eyes to meet the metallic representation of a dragon and smiled to herself as she recalled all the adventures they went through. But her smile faded when she wondered if she would ever see him again, now that she would become a member of the Li Family. "Mushu, I wish you were here," she whispered gently hoping it would have an effect on her dear guardian. But the dragon figure remained in the same position. Disappointed, Mulan got on her feet and walked to her parents and grandmother who waited down the stairs that lead to the shrine.
"My beautiful daughter, you have grown up too soon," said Fa Li through her tears.
"Mama, please don't cry. I promise I will visit you regularly. You know how Shang likes to come here."
"Don't listen to me. You'll understand when you are a mother," said Fa Li. Mulan nodded but her eyes went wide open.
Motherhood, it was too soon to think about it. She simply embraced her mother.
When they pulled away, Fa Zhou approached his only daughter. "Mulan, you have honored this family beyond what is expected, and I am proud and grateful for all you have done, you are my greatest treasure. I hope General Li Shang provides you with the happiness you deserve."
Mulan wrapped her arms around her father's neck and he hugged her back. "Thank you, Baba." This time, she could no longer hold back her emotions, and a tear rolled down her cheek.
"I'd hate to break this father-daughter moment," interrupted the eldest lady, "but the rickshaw is already outside and you are ruining your make up. Thank god I'm carrying the powder with me."
"She does not need all that make up," said Fa Zhou, "she's already beautiful without it."
Mulan smiled at her father's words and breathed in to avoid more tears from falling.
"Come here child," Granny Fa said as she pulled Mulan's arm and began powdering Mulan's face.
"Thanks Granny," Mulan bent to hug her grandmother.
The elder lady hugged her back and whispered into her ear, "Now listen carefully, the key to a good marriage is creativity in the bedroom. You need to come up with new ideas to keep your man interested."
Mulan's features produced a grimace. First her mother, now her grandmother reminded her about that night's fate.
In the front entrance to the Fa estate was the rickshaw that would carry Mulan to her groom. With a final glance at the home she had lived in all of her short life, Mulan climbed up and entered the rickshaw.
It was a long journey from Mulan's hometown to the outskirts of the Imperial City, where the Li estate was settled. It was already noon and there was still a long way ahead.
"Bored?" asked a voice, "or just having second thoughts about getting hitched?"
Mulan lifted the red veil from her face to have a better view. She smiled at the tiny dragon, and he smiled back at her.
"Heard you missed me, babe."
"Mushu, where in the world have you been? I thought I was never going to see you again."
"Well you know that saving China and protecting you can be pretty exhausting, so I decided I'd take a break, so I went to Hawaii."
"What are you talking about?" asked Mulan confused.
"It's a pretty island, but those volcanoes are pretty nasty. . ."
"Mushu I'm glad you could make it to my wedding."
"Oh, yeah I forgot today the spotlight's all for you babe. Anyways, so you ended up with Mr. McMoody after all."
"McMoody," Mulan said through a fit of laughter, "that was a good one."
"But, seriously I always knew you two would end up together." Mushu produced a tissue out of thin air and blew his nose. "But then you are going to forget about me, now that you have those muscles to protect you."
"Mushu, of course I will never forget you. You are my best friend."
The tiny dragon hopped on Mulan's shoulder and embraced you. "Just like in the old times, you and me until the end." Then he pulled away. "And if McMoody gives you any trouble he will have to pay the consequences with me."
Mulan could not help but to chuckle.
"Are you laughing at me, missy?" Mushu began, "It won't be funny when McMoody finds it hard sitting down."
Mulan raised her brow in confusion.
"Or maybe I could just light up that tidy black hair of his. Babe, my flame's pretty nasty these days."
Mulan continued laughing herself to tears.
"I'm serious. I'll flame him 'til…"
"Ok, I believe you," Mulan cut him off, "I'll make sure I let you know if Shang's annoying me."
"And I'll run to your aid quicker than lightning."
Cri-kee emerged from under and chirped something that would be translated into "me too."
"Cri-kee, you're here!"
Mushu shook his head disapprovingly. "I told ya to remain hidden, or you're gonna end up all smashed up."
"It's all right. I need all the luck I can get. I hope I won't spill the tea during the ceremony."
"Ok, but tell the cricket not to be hopping around like crazy."
Cri-kee shook its head and chirped again in reply to Mushu.
"You insult me. I'm not gonna make a drama during the ceremony."
Mulan shook her head. Somehow she was relieved her friends would be by her side during the ceremony.
It was almost sunset when they reached Li Shang's home, which was lit by colorful lanterns all over. Fa Zhou helped Mulan get down from the rickshaw, and the whole family proceeded to the entrance of the Li estate.
Chan Juan received them at the entrance, and led them to the Li shrine where the ceremony would take place.
Despite Mulan's face was covered by the red veil, she could see there were more people than she had expected. She spotted her friends Yao, Ling and Chien Po, as well as some military officials accompanied by what Mulan assumed would be their wives, and some elder ladies. She knew all eyes were set on her. Amid the multitude of people, Mulan spotted Shang. He was wearing black robes embroided with golden dragons, pacing nervously in front of the elegant shrine. His face brightened up, when he recognized the figure walking towards him. Shang smiled for a few seconds, but soon his expression turned solemn.
As Mulan made her way up the stairs that led to the shrine she stepped on the hem of her dress and landed with her knees on the steps. Several gasps were heard, and Shang went down to help her up.
"It's all right," Mulan explained nervously, "it's just that the dress is too long for me."
A grin spread across Shang's features.
Mulan dusted her dress and continued her way up the stairs.
Chang Juan, a man, and two females awaited inside the Li shrine. A table was set with a teapot and seven cups. Mulan panicked for a moment, she was hoping there would be less people present, and less cups to serve tea in. She inhaled and exhaled, this could not be more difficult than defeating Shan Yu. She took her place on the table and began pouring tea in the first cup. She was aware that her hand was shaking, but she managed to fill the seven cups successfully.
When the tea ceremony ended, the bride, the groom, and the guests proceeded with the banquet. During the banquet, Shang introduced Mulan to his father's sisters. Auntie Ming and Auntie Yue surveyed Mulan carefully.
"She's a pretty one," commented auntie Yue, "I have to admit I was afraid you had picked a muscular and taller woman."
"Shang son, you have a fine taste in women," Ming said, "however, I'm gonna make sure Chan Yuan feeds you well. Those hips need to get a little bit wider when you two get down to business and start having kids."
"Oh, I bet they'd look gorgeous," added Yue.
Mulan nodded politely. Then she turned to Shang who happened to be chuckling softly. When the two ladies left them, Mulan hit Shang on the ribs with her elbow, and he stopped laughing.
"You know, it's not funny," she said through gritted teeth.
Shang placed a hand on his wife's shoulder. "Be nice, soldier," he whispered.
A few seconds later, the couple was joined by Mulan's parents. They congratulated the newly weds, and reminded them that despite there would be hardships they had to stick together.
Mulan was listening to her parents' advice until she saw a small skinny red figure slithering like a snake with a bowl of dumplings on its back, and a cricket hopping close to it. She excused herself and caught up with Mushu as discretely as possible.
Shang was left alone with Mulan's parents. There was a moment of awkward silence, which was only natural given the fact that Mulan was Fa Zhou's only daughter, and Shang as refined and honorable man he was would be responsible for Mulan no longer living with them at the Fa home. Li Shang was aware of his father in law's current discomfort and thought it would be more polite to remain silent, before he could say something to increase the tension between them.
At last Fa Zhou broke the silence, placing a hand on Shang's shoulder. "General Li, I never thanked you for sparing my daughter's life."
Shang swallowed hard. This comment was definitely not helping him for his mind travelled to that day in the mountains when Ping's real identity was revealed and he raised the sword above her head, but did not kill her, because she had saved his life.
Finding no words to reply, Shang nodded miserably. He thought that perhaps if Mulan would have not saved his life he might have been merciless to her and . . . Involuntarily Shang shook his head trying to vanish the thought with the wonderful possibilities that a lifetime with Mulan implied.
"And I want to ask you to please take care of her," added the elder man, "I know she is capable of many things but I want her to be safe and happy."
"I will, sir," affirmed Shang.
"And I know my daughter can be a handful at times, once she has something in her mind she holds on to it pretty hard. . . I guess she gets the stubbornness from me."
Shang emitted a hearty laugh. It was true. Mulan was stubborn, but he loved her for that. "She is without a doubt unique," said Shang.
"Please let her remain unique," said Fa Zhou. He had other things to say to the young man, but he decided best to finish when he saw his daughter approaching. "She deserves to be happy."
Shang turned to Mulan, whose veil was a bit wrinkled.
"So, where were you?" he asked.
"You know . . . doing bride stuff," answered Mulan, finding no better excuse to justify how she had gone to remind her guardian to behave if he wanted to remain in the ceremony.
The guests of both Li and Fa parties shared a delicious meal together in the dining room, and when everyone finished eating the continuation of the ceremony proceeded.
Shang lifted Mulan in his arms and carried her to their new chambers. The room was dimly lit with the dragon and phoenix candle and decorated with paper dragons. The bed was covered in red silk sheets and petals of different flowers all over. The rest of the people followed the couple. Shang's uncle handed in the couple two goblets with wine. Shang drank from the goblet Mulan was holding, and at the same time, Mulan drank from the goblet Shang was holding. Then, Shang's uncle tied a red ribbon to join the two cups. The present witnesses cheered for Mulan and Shang were now officially husband and wife.
After putting up with the traditional jokes and teasing, the newly weds found themselves alone together for the first time. Hesitant, Mulan sat on the edge of the bed. Unsure of how to proceed under the current circumstances, Shang began. "So, how was the journey here?"
"It was ok," she answered simply.
Shang took a seat next to Mulan. "You can take off the veil, your face is no longer a mystery to me my beautiful bride."
Mulan smiled at him, and removed the hairpin holding the veil.
They stared into each others eyes lovingly. Shang placed a hand on Mulan's face and stroked her cheek. Mulan inched closer to Shang and planted a soft kiss on his lips. Soon he did the same with her until the kiss became more intense and Shang carefully pushed Mulan on to the bed below him. For a moment they pulled away from each other to breathe. Mulan noticed Shang's face was now white with some of Mulan's face powder. She gently dusted it from his handsome face.
"What is it?" he inquired.
"You got my make-up all over you."
"Totally worth it," he replied nonchalantly.
A soft chuckle escaped from Mulan.
"You look so beautiful, my bride," said Shang.
"I'm a mess," Mulan teased, "you've got red lips General."
Shang bent down to kiss Mulan one more time. She welcomed his lips in hers and wrapped her arms around his neck. Gently, he slid his hands from her shoulders to her waist.
They lay next to each other for a moment holding hands, and he felt desire for her body so intense like he had never felt before. By now, most of Mulan's make up was off.
Shang kicked off his shoes, and offered to remove Mulan's slippers. He knelt on the floor before her small feet. She nodded in acceptance and he proceeded. As the slippers landed on the ground, Shang kissed Mulan's right foot, and she could feel a tingling sensation within her. Slowly he slid his hand from her ankle to her knee, sending the skirt of her dress up, and revealing the bruises she got from falling on the stairs of the shrine. Mulan pulled down the hem of her dress to cover the bruises, but Shang took her hands in his, and kissed the bruises below her knees.
"I was supposed to be graceful" Mulan excused herself. "I practiced at home, but somehow I ended up. . ."
"You are perfect," Shang interrupted, "you are a soldier, you are allowed to stumble every now and then." Shang got on his feet and sat on the bed, "I request permission to undo your hair, it looks tight."
"Thank my ancestors; I thought I'd never get rid of this thing. It's giving me a headache."
Shang removed the lotus blossom hairpin, while Mulan removed the beads. Soon her straight dark hair fell on her shoulders.
"You know, I don't understand the deal with all the ornaments on your head," said Shang, "nor the reason why they conceal that beautiful face of yours behind the white mask. Or were you trying to deceive me?" He finished removing the leftover powder off her features with his hands.
"It's part of the spectacle."
Shang raised an amused brow. "Spectacle?"
Mulan nodded.
The young general knelt on the bed next to Mulan. He stroked her cheek, and kissed her forehead. Then he pulled the ribbon securing Mulan's sash until her dress was loose. She stared into his eyes, he smiled openly and her lips curved in a shy grin. Mulan undid Shang's sash as well.
"Now we are equal," she claimed.
Shang pulled the sleeves of Mulan's dress until her shoulders were uncovered, and he stopped for a moment and looked at her as if requesting for her permission to slide it lower. Mulan deliberately ignored his unspoken request, and removed Shang's robe completely. He let the robe fall free on the floor. Mulan placed her hands on his chest, and traced her biceps tenderly. Shang closed his eyes, enjoying her gentle hands on his warm skin.
He opened his eyes abruptly the moment Mulan's hands had travelled from his chest to his back to the wound the arrow had left him weeks earlier.
"Sorry, Shang," she apologized concerned, and backed away several inches.
The brief distance made him ache inside.
"I'm better now. It's healing."
He took Mulan's hand in his own and placed it in the middle of chest. She could feel his heartbeat. Shang encircled Mulan's waist with his arms and pulled the fabric on the back of her dress until her chest was uncovered. The young general bent his head to kiss Mulan's neck tenderly, while she gently massaged his back.
At last, he removed her dress completely. Mulan could feel the color rising in her cheeks. She embraced Shang to cover herself.
"It's alright, Mulan. It's me," he whispered tracing her lips with the tip of his index finger. He used his free hand to cup one of her breasts tenderly. And then, he went on kissing her neck.
Mulan whimpered softly. As it would have been expected, there was a certain level of anxiety due to her lack of experience, but she had grown fond of his soft caress and she did not want him to stop.
She slid her hands down his back, until they reached his lower back. Her hands lingered there for a while. Shang sighed and relaxed his body, and gently he told her not to stop.
He placed his hand under Mulan's chin to lift her face and kissed her mouth passionately one more time. In the meantime, he undid the belt securing his trousers until they fell free and undressed what was left of Mulan to undress.
They looked into each other's eyes intensely knowing this was their moment to cherish the bliss of the wedding night.
Still on a kneeling position, Mulan placed her arms around Shang's neck and rested her head on his shoulder. He stroked her dark locks, and whispered that he loved her. She planted a kiss on his shoulder as he caressed her back. Intrigued he slid his hand lower to her buttocks, making her quiver as a reaction to his touch. He covered her lips with his own and carefully pushed her body unto the bed. Her head landed on the pillow with his hand behind it. Without ceasing the kiss, he settled his body on top of hers.
AN: I apologize if the wedding ceremony is not accurate, I'm aware they're some variations depending on the region. Anyways, I tried to do the best I could. Hopefully you'll like it.
I know, lots of looking in the bedroom scene. Lol. xD
Thank you guys for waiting, for reading, and for your wonderful reviews.
Special thanks to chelle93, broadwaybabe, Grace Potter Evans, Canadarulz, feli3, Lynn and Clueless Angel for reviewing the previous chapter. I'm glad you like this story.
I shall continue next week.