The tight gown that her parents at place her in she felt did no justice to her personality. There she stood with her face painted as white as snow and her lips red as a poppy flower wearing a dress of purple silk. She felt like a great pretender, an actor in a play. And like a play she just wanted this to end and everything to return to normal. A sigh and an eye roll was all she could express as the servants flocked around her fixing the last minute imperfections that her mother and grandmother spotted from afar. Her hair had been placed out of her eyes but for one piece, which she demanded, be left down to show some character. She had to slap the hands of a few servants to keep it there but by God she swore she would decide on something.

"My gown is too long mother, I fear I will fall flat on my face." Mulan said as she examined herself with displeasure.

"Your gown is perfect, down fuss with it." Her mother said, tightening the silk belt around her waist. "You know sweetheart this is very unconventional for you to meet your husband to be. People in the village are already talking."

"Let them talk. The village always finds something to talk about. Tomorrow it will be a different topic and we will be out of the spotlight." Mulan gasped as her mother finishing tying it.

"What do you plan to discuss with him anyways?" Her mother asked taking a step backwards to admire her daughter.

"You know the weather, politics, how he is making a huge mistake." Mulan shrugged as she loosened the belt.

"YOU WOULDN'T DARE!" He mother said so loud even the servants were startled.

"Of course she wouldn't." Her grandmother said with laughter in her tone. "At least not outright."

"Fa Mulan, this is the best proposal to come for us. It will grantee your future. Plus he is a high-ranking man in the military. If you don't like him, you will barely see him." Her mother said sitting down.

"Oh good, so I can spend time by myself in our house away from my family." Mulan said sitting on the stool in which she once sat.

"Maybe he will buy you a nice house!" Grandmother replied, placing her hands on Mulan's shoulders. "And worst come to worst, I will come live with you."

Taking the hand of her grandmother, Mulan knew that she would always take her side. If not out of love but out of spite for her parents. She knew her grandmother enjoyed causing trouble, which Mulan was sure she got from her. Hearing the door crack open, all three women looked to see Fa Li standing there with a smile of nerves stretched across his face as he announced. "They are here."

"All right, sweetie remember what we talked about earlier." Her mother said helping Mulan to her feet. "Keep it short, clean and for the love of God do not ask any personal questions. If you screw this up I will send you to a nunnery."

Laughing at his wife as he took his daughter arms, he stated. "No she won't. She will just make your life so hard you will want to join one."

Leading her into the garden, Mulan felt her father's hand tighten on hers as the two men came into sight. Despite everything Mulan felt nervous about meeting the man she would call husband. What if he was ugly? Or cruel? Or worse, had no sense of humour? These questions ran through her head as they slowly approached the men and within the second of staring at him they faded from her mind.

The older gentleman stood in his armour with pride and a sense of strength. His beard and hair was groom neatly, along with the rest of his appearance. After a quick examination of him, she spotted the younger man who made Mulan's heart stall for but a moment. Unlike his father, he was clean cut with not a hair on his face. His hair too was neatly placed in a ponytail and tied back with a red ribbon. He wore his armour too matching his father's however with a red shawl tied around his neck. He stood more stiff and less natural than his father appearing nervous or anger. While she had not spoken with him, Mulan was at least relieved he was handsome.

"Fa Li, a pleasure to meet with you again." The General stated as he and his son bowed to greet Mulan and her father. "I would like to thank you for inviting us to your home. I am sure you remember my son."

"Of course Captain Li Shang." My father said bowing to him.

"Sir." He replied with a quick bow.

"I would like to introduce my daughter Li Mulan. She is our only daughter but our pride and joy." Her father said dropping his arm.

"Ahh yes I remember her." The General said. "And how are you today?"

Giving a faded smile, Mulan replied. "I am well, and yourself General?"

"Very well my dear. My son should inform you about how excited I am to have you as a daughter-in-law." He replied returning the smile.

"I promise I will be a good one." Mulan said.

"I am sure you will." He said with that continuous smile. "Now, how about you two go and enjoy the gardens. Fa Li and I will be here discussing matters."

"Of course," Shang replied offering his hand to Mulan. "Shall we?"

"We shall." She said taking it.

Leading her not far, she turned her head to see her father staring at her with pure hope in his eyes. She had realized in that moment that this marriage was not just for her but for the care of her family. Since he returned from war ten years ago, her father had been constantly ill due to an injury. This marriage would grantee his health as well would give him a sense of pride that he lost when he was injured and sent home.

The silence between the two remanded for quite a few steps until Mulan could not bare it any further.

"So Shang, how long have you been a captain?" She asked looking up at his handsome face.

"About a year now." He answered very straight forward.

As soon as he said it, he knew he should have softened his tone and maybe extended on it. He felt his heart leap into his throat when he saw her and now that she was beside him, he could barely feel his fingers and toes they had gone so numb with nerves. She was so beautiful and obvious very charismatic.

"Do you like it?" She continued hoping to get more of a response out of him.

"I do. It is a tradition in my family that we work for the military. A tradition I am hoping to carry on with my children." He said, instantly regretting it.

"Ahh, well I think that is something to think about for a later time." Mulan smiled. "Is there anything else you enjoy?"

"Hmm I do not really have time for anything else." He said. "I did enjoy reading when I was younger but I have no time for that now."

"All right then." Mulan said looking around. "Riding? Do you enjoy riding?"

"Very much so." He said. "Do you?"

"Yes, I would like to think of myself as a good one too." She said with a bit of delight to realize they might have a topic to discuss.

"That is very good." He said again stiffly.

Wondering in silence a bit longer, Mulan finally stopped to look at him. Staring at him for a bit she could not figure out his face as he stared blankly at her. "I have a question for you?"

"Yes."

"Why me? Why did you choose me out of all those girls?"

"Well, you see…I think you…you… you are very beautiful."

"So you choose me for my looks?"

"No not necessarily…I had received the notes from the matchmaker as well when I saw you I knew."

"But you did not think to talk to me?"

"That is not done! We need to follow tradition and I need a wife that will be supportive and will cater to me and our family."

"Pardon me!" She said with a very firm tone making Shang instantly regret what he said.

"I am a man of power and public view, so I need someone that will help with that."

"So you need me to stand there and look good?"

"Well yes…but wait…no…what I mean is…"

"No I get what you mean. You need a trophy wife, someone that will serve you on bend and knee and will not challenge you. Someone you can show off and have tons of sons with. Well you listen hear! I will not be belittled in such a way. I will not allow you to treat my like a war prize! I may be beautiful but I am pretty smart too. So if you think I am still beautiful and a good choice then yes we will get married when planned but I will be treated as your equal!"

As she turned to walk away, Mulan felt her feet slip on the bottom of her silk gown. Without a moment to think, she felt the pond water swallow her whole. Felt her cheek burn with fury and embarrassment as she felt herself sink to the bottom hoping that Shang wouldn't do the honourable thing and save her.