Finally, Chi Fu exited the tent with a curious look on his face. Shang sighed. Now, of all times, surely Chi Fu could not be allowing his jealousy to interfere? Surely even he couldn't be as spiteful as to feign disregard for the man who had saved his life? Saved all their lives? Actually saved China?
Chi Fu motioned him closer. Captain… you must confirm my suspicions.
Shang was barely listening to him. Suspicions?
…this is highly irregular…
Shang pushed past him. What was wrong with Ping? What did he need? Confirm what?
Ping lay bandaged, considerably better, almost asleep. His entrance must have disturbed him, and he sat up too quickly… revealing… revealing…
Shang gasped as he backed out of the tent. At least, he could hear himself gasping… but he could do nothing. He could feel nothing. This must be what shock is, he thought confusedly. This was, finally, too much. He had been lied to. He had just announced that he gave Ping his complete trust, the ultimate compliment for a soldier, and he…she…it…they… had deceived him, utterly. All he could hear was his father's own voice thundering at him … how can I ever trust you again?
He could hear Chi Fu enjoying himself, working himself into a greater and greater pitch.
High treason… ultimate dishonour…
The penalty is death
The law … he gasped again… is the law… regardless of the situation, one could always follow the law. Mechanically, he marched forward to retrieve his sword. The penalty for deception is death, always…
Behind him, a new voice, subtly different to Ping's, softer yet even more firm, pleading for her life.
My name is Mulan. I did it to save my father… it was the only way.
Of course, of course she did. That was it… he had always silently disapproved of the Honourable Fa Zhou's treatment of his son, his only son, in refusing to train him for battle, but that would make perfect sense if Ping was a… How could a woman have access to any such knowledge? He had guessed that tiny Ping had been forced into service to protect his illustrious father's great name, and then clung to his commission in the army as some desperate attempt at validation from a dishonourably distant father. He had almost been right. Instead, Ping had given herself willingly, recklessly, against all reason, to save her father's good name. Yes, that hard headed assessment of the facts and the lightning decision to do something suicidal, that was Ping.
Not Ping any longer, he thought quietly. The Mulan, his… no, not his, never his, it would be too much of a dishonour to…how dare she…
No, he must still remain calm. The men must never know. He must focus on the salient facts.
Ping was a hero. Heroes could not suffer the penalty of death. Even, he decided grimly, if it meant breaking the law. He realised, angrily, he was wielding his sword above her head, the poor, shivering… he should be disgusted with her… he was angry… but there could be no execution. That would not be justice.
A life for a life. My debt is repaid.
His voice shocked him; it was so thin and tired. He wasn't disgusted with Mulan, as much as he was disgusted with himself. He had abandoned the law when it suited him… but it was he who felt abandoned. There was no honourable solution and there should be, he thought, there should be.
He marched away, bitterly.