"The Emperor... died?"
"Zetian must be heartbroken...and so is our Father." Ting Ting said. Everyone thought he was recovering fine.
"Him? Heartbroken?" Shao scoffed. "I'm sure even Chi-Fu with his hearing can hear him singing celebratory songs just about now."
Ting Ting swatted his chest.
"Princess Zetian is attending a meeting in Xiangyang, traveling home as we speak. But, I can assure you, the Son of Heaven died peacefully in his sleep. As for Prince Wei Zhang, he has been arrested for an act of treason."
"What?! What… kind of treason?"
"The Emperor's assassination attempt."
Ting Ting couldn't believe her ears. "Councilman Hu, that's quite a treacherous attribution!"
"His Majesty Prince Wei Zhang had confessed that he had sent a Hun mercenary to come to the Palace that night. He even supplied the felon with the map and rota."
Ting Ting let a small gasp. Within her peripheral vision, she could see her brother stiffened.
"The details and if you have further questions could be addressed once you're back in the safety of the Palace wall. The Palace Intelligence is running a full inquiry as we speak."
Ting Ting suspected it was her father's paternal instinct that drove him to protect his son.
"It's figurative speaking," she said, as calmly as possible. "You knew our father's conspicuous desire for the throne had drawn a wedge between him and the Emperor. Although, I must say, as he grew older the idea of power became less and less attractive. He would never hurt his own brother."
The councilman seemed to ignore her explanation.
"What...what is going to happen to him?" Shao finally broke his silence.
Suddenly it dawned on her that she might lose her father because of this misunderstanding.
Shao grabbed her hand to let him know he could feel how disconcerted she was. "Would he…?"
"Since he showed deep remorse. And our late Emperor, in his will, expressed that Prince Wei Zhang's welfare should be our priority, the council had reached an agreement to give him leniency and… dedicating the rest of his life in exile at White Phoenix Temple in Wudan Mountain. But this won't happen immediately, of course, until the new Emperor is...ordained."
"As a monk?" Ting Ting couldn't hide her disbelief at the absurdity of the situation.
"Among the monks," Councilman Hu corrected. "But I am here not to address that. We must appoint the new figurehead because we couldn't afford to leave the Son of Heaven's seat vacant for too long."
"Should you consult at least… Princess Zetian? She is the future queen Empress. Or perhaps, Empress Dowager Ruyi?"
"We have. She knew. And agreed. "
"Agreed on what?" Shao questioned.
Councilman Hu pulled the scroll and presented it to him nonchalantly. "To ordain you as our new emperor."
Ting Ting watched as soldiers paraded a solitary scroll bearing royal insignia in an astoundingly neat double-file row.
"Your Majesty," their leader saluted Shao Wei formally as a sign he was the new supremacy appointed. Behind him, there was a throng of men dressed in fancy, red and black cloaks with gold lining. A little too unfittingly extravagant for the setting considering they stood on the border of a war-torn country.
The decision seemed to be no surprise for many. The Emperor's conspicuous preference had been a well-known public secret even when Shao Wei was merely a little boy. In the eyes of many, it was simply because the Emperor was never blessed with a male heir, but for a few insiders, there was a far deeper meaning concealed behind his positive act of discrimination.
"You can't possibly accept this," Ting Ting whispered to him when her thoughts returned to her. "I know you'll have the throne at some point, but this… this is too soon!"
"Father once said, loyalty to the ideal you have inherited is your duty above anything else," he said conspiratorially. "If he can't become the Emperor… this is the time for me to do what he couldn't."
"Sovereignty is a curse! Look what it does to our family!"
"It can be a blessing."
She scoffed. "Ha. It's funny you said that now. You used to say grandiosity and power aren't your thing."
"I guess I changed my mind. Because now...I have a vision," he told her. "I will give these ordinary people an ideal to strive forward to. I want them to see that peace is achievable. And it is not by conquering, but by embracing them in respectable, equitable friendship. Uniting them in shared power and freedom!"
"Sounded overly ambitious," Ting Ting looked at him skeptically. "Isn't that what uncle Xiongnu used to say in a nutshell?"
"What? Him?" he rolled his eyes. "Uncle Xiongnu had always thought he was a magnanimous monarch for uniting all the kingdoms," and inserted a satirical chuckle. "Or in other words: 'stay loyal or die'."
She wasn't convinced. "You have wasted your life, spending it all in hours of soiree and gambling. I don't get it. Why suddenly change now? Where does this….awe-inspiring vision come from?"
At that moment, he gave her a strange look. A look that said he wanted to confess something, badly. But he didn't.
"Ah..." she said knowingly. When he didn't say anything in response she snapped her finger. "You are not that different from Father or Uncle Xiongnu after all."
"I am nothing like them!" he snapped, but Ting Ting remained unfazed.
"Tell me then," she urged.
"Tell you what?"
"Her name."
She grinned smugly when the color drained from her brother's face. Yes, her womanizer, vain and utterly childish brother….had fallen stupidly in love.
Fa Zhou sighed as he picked up a few letters from Chang'an from his desk and headed into the living room.
The bedroom where he and his departed wife used to share was still far too melancholic to get any real work done. In his resolve to gather some concentration, Fa Zhou took his stack of papers outside the house, sitting in comfortable silence under the blooming plum tree, longing for the comforting smell of flowers and the cheerful disposition it brought on.
He let the positive atmosphere wash over him, hoping it might enable him to get through a stack of work before breakfast was served.
"Baba! Baba!" Ping's paled countenance as he hurled into the house had instantaneously killed his appetite. "Brother Shang and Honorable Chi-Fu are here, they want to see you urgently!" he heaved. "Something has happened to Mulan!"
"You've accused me of taking part in this deception?"
Ping heard his father's angry voice come very loudly from over the desk, which was very unlike him considering the kind of rational man that he was. He held her breath, not knowing what was going on or if he should even be here eavesdropping. His previous experience in eavesdropping had kind of soured him to the entire thing. No point going there.
"Honorable Fa Zhou," he heard Chi-Fu's nasally voice. "The rule stated no woman was allowed in the encampment. So what Mulan did was, in principle, punishable by death."
"Is that how you treat a person who saved the whole battalion twice? Unbelievable!" he burst.
"Just because she was a hero did not give her license to lie," Shang said levelly. Ping swallowed. The two had apparently taken their testosterone match inside. And they were having a meeting about whatever deal they had made, about his sister.
"Li Shang, of all people, I expect you to understand how much a father means to you. Understands what's important for her. Instead, you are here, condemning your wife who had saved you twice! I'm very much disappointed!" His father's loud bellow made him flinch. He had never heard him so angry.
"Father Zhou, imagine if your late wife had been keeping a secret this big under your nose and all the world knew except you. Wouldn't you be furious?" Shang retaliated, clearly outraged with the accusation.
"And what's your point?" His defensive reply enraged Fa Zhou. "You let her...die!"
Ping felt his stomach twist in an impossible manner. It was clear by now the purpose of Shang and Chi-Fu coming there wasn't merely a friendly visit. They were the bearer of the bad news.
Ping couldn't hear much after that as their voices were drowned in alternating indignant shouts and him, battling to muffle the sobs that he was trying so badly to repress. The worst had happened, his only sister had died in his father's place.
"I've learned more about humiliation in a couple of weeks than in a lifetime. Seeing the fact that everyone else knew a dark secret about my wife and I was the only one who didn't."
"Perhaps you are more socially obtuse than you have imagined! How can you not know when others could see it?" His father's hard voice ground out, his anger pulsing through his body easily reflected by the increasing volume of his pitch.
"Honorable Fa Zhou, even if Captain Li might be dense in reading the situation," Chi-Fu broke his silence. "...but the matter stands. Your daughter has chosen duplicity over honesty! Deception over integrity!"
By then Fa Zhou was positive with fury. "Is that why you refuse to have a state funeral for her like everyone else? Because she is a woman?"
"Father Zhou," came Shang's authoritative voice. "I know the goal of our marriage is to consolidate assets and procreation," he inserted, "but I guarantee that I always treat Mulan with respect and sincerity. That's why her dishonesty stung the most. It almost feels like… betrayal."
Fa Zhou clicked his tongue and sneered in a way Ping had never heard before.
"And if you are treating her with respect and sincerity, you should've sent her home… You said you nearly did so."
"I...I did," Shang suddenly sounded cornered.
"Then why didn't you? Your contemptible indecisiveness had led to her injury when Wuzong encampment was ambushed..."
"Honorable Fa Zhou! Our security and location were compromised!" Chi-Fu cut the moment of Fa Zhou venting his anger. "The Huns attacked us in the middle of the night. There was no chance or retribution than to flee. Anyway, we are here not to debate with you. You should be thankful it is not your only son who was really there on the battlefield."
And that did it, Ping heard the loud, explosive sound of his father's palm against the table. "She might be my daughter, but she is clearly far more worthy than seven sons! And you," he turned to address Shang. "I pray someday you'll have a daughter. And you'll know that no one in the world could love a girl like her father!"
Ping's throat was dry and he was angry at the men treating his sister like a possession, but he couldn't really blame any of them. This was the language these men understood, this was the way the world of men operated, and Shang, as a captain and a husband, was making sure he got his thoughts across.
"Point taken," came Shang's level reply. "We should honor Ping, Mulan, or whoever they are the same way regardless of their gender. Father Zhou, thank you for your time and once again, I regretted…," he paused, hesitating. "...our loss."
"But Captain...–" Chi-Fu's sounded annoyed.
"It's only fair," Shang said with finality. He ushered Chi-Fu, who was grumbling incessantly about the sudden inversion of his decision.
As they bid goodbye, Ping raced outside, standing next to his father as Shang handed over some of Mulan's belongings for safekeeping. Fa Zhou received it with trembling hands. "Ping, why don't you take this inside," he ordered the boy who obediently disappeared behind the door.
Shang excused himself, bowing ceremoniously before walking out.
"Wait, Li Shang..." Shang stopped at his track. Looking up at the face of his father-in-law with worried lines written across his face.
"I'm sorry if some of my words were…"
"Truthful," Shang finished for him.
"I am about to say 'harsh'."
"No, Father Zhou, you are right," Shang replied gingerly. "I'm a contemptible fool for listening and backing down to Prince of Wei's request to let her stay. I should've trusted my instinct."
Fa Zhou sighed, glancing toward the empty seat under the plum tree. "Have a minute?"
"Of course," and he followed him.
"It wasn't your fault. It never is. I'm sorry too… for what I said. I was frustrated….sad...and heartbroken," he said as they walked.
"Understandably so," Shang said, a thin smile on his lips. "It's a hard situation to deal with…. confronted with a loss that great."
He ushered him towards the plum tree and took a seat there. "Since she was little, all I and her mother wanted was for her to live a happy, normal life. Growing up, getting married, raising her own family...But Mulan was always a conundrum. She was… special. And that you won't settle for something just plain and normal." He told Shang.
Fa Zhou nodded to himself. "There is nothing worse than the loss of a child…. or a wife," and turned to look Shang in the eyes. "And I've lost both."
"You too… lost a father and a wife," he said, searching for something in his son-in-law's eyes. "But I must commend you for staying composed, calm….and focused."
"A lot of people mistook me," Shang responded, exhaling slowly. "I know I often come across as cold, unapproachable… obsessively fastidious about soldiering. Callous at times." But after Mulan, for the first time in his life, Shang knew he was just like everyone else. He felt want… craved approval...tasted grief...needed friends… and desired to be loved.
"She made me understand myself better."
The corner of Fa Zhou's lips ticked upwards at that even if it was ever so slightly. "You know, having a wife changed a man. As a young man, I was like you, devoting my time and pouring my life to work day and night. One day she suddenly became my purpose," he said hopefully. "Fa Li was my greatest love." The vulnerability was written clearly across his face. "And then... she was my greatest sorrow." And he paused, closing his eyes like he was reliving the pain of his loss.
"We had a fight a few weeks before she fell ill... " he began again after a long pause. "The Emperor's writ…she didn't want me to go knowing that I would never..." He went silent as if fighting something inside him. "Until...until this day, that feud was my biggest regret, knowing I upset her. It's like having your heart ripped out of you."
Suddenly, Shang remembered how he tried to fix all the little flaws in their household, demanding nothing but total obedience from his strong-willed wife. In his height of debauchery as a husband with a rebellious wife, he had been blinded by his own purpose to make their marriage appear like a perfect union, a poster family, only to realize he was crushing her heart together with his wish. As time passed, he realized they were just two imperfect people who struggled to make a perfect tie. But it was too late. Just as the moment he revealed her identity was the moment he had to lose her…. Forever.
"So how did you…?" Shang tried his best to sound neutral despite the slice of remorse he felt twisting in his gut.
"Deal with the pain?" Fa Zhou smiled at him sombrely. "I don't know, Son. Now, I'm still struggling every day, I'm not going to lie. The ache is constant. Perpetual. Intense…" He looked up to the sky again. "Try to remember the happy times you had together. It'll make the pain more bearable. And hopefully, someday... you will heal."
He stood up, leading Shang towards the arch of his garden. "I'm sorry my daughter lied to you. I hope in time, you'll find in your heart to forgive her. But for now… while there is no opportunity for grief nor a period of convalescence for you because of our country's current situation, I hope my words will comfort you."
"It certainly will."
In the distance, Shang saw a glimpse of Chi-Fu crossing his arms, sitting atop his horse, with an ugly expression on his face. It would be a long journey ahead.
"Son…" Fa Zhou came closer as Shang sat atop Qing. "If it is any consolation for you. Mulan is doing this not just for me, or for our family's honor. She's doing this for the love of our country, for our freedom. But more so, she'd done it for the love of you."
Shang ducked his head as a painful tug at his heart threatened to ruin his composure. "But she never said…-"
"Has your father ever said he loved you?"
That got him thinking. If he recollected rightly, his stoic, impassive father would never go past saying 'not bad' as a method of commendation. Like many Chinese parents, Li Jiang always believed praise did more damage than good. It cultivated excessive pride and would only spell damnation for his son's character in the future.
"No," Shang answered squarely.
"But, you know he loves you?"
"Yes," Shang replied with no shadow of a doubt.
"Then, deep down….you already knew," Fa Zhou smiled. And suddenly the parallel clicked in him.
Someone doesn't need to tell you that they love you if they truly did.
Shang lost track of how long he had held her listless streak of crimson ran from her hairline to her jaw, the black strands clumped and stained red. He was sure his brain was running on autopilot mode because he didn't even register there was still an arrow sticking out of his arm, a wide gaping wound on his shin. The noise and chaos around him had long ago faded and all he could hear was the sound of blood rushing through his own ears.
"Ping's dead, Captain. Hurry! We must go!"
Shang didn't respond to the statement, because if he did, he had to accept yet another bitter reality that would haunt him forever. Just as the moment he revealed her identity was the moment he had to lose her…. forever.
No. She was a fighter, he knew she was. From the first time they met, he knew Mulan's unyielding spirit was a peculiar trait, a strength that separated her from other women.
"Shang," came the soothing voice of his father. The world around him seemed to shift to total darkness.
"Father! I… I haven't even said goodbye."
The General tapped his shoulder sympathetically, the bags under his dark irises adding more years than he had. "I'm sorry, Son. As I said...regrets… always come too late."
"Prince Charming, wake up!" The high-pitched voice of a man woke him up. Shang bolted from his mattress, startled by both the voice and disquieted by the uninvited nightmare.
"Ah, here he is. Captain, are you alright?" Shang blinked his eyes, realizing he was in his tent back with his team. And it's been a week since he held a funeral for his father and returned to the battlefront.
With a sigh, Shang pressed his fingers into his temple in an attempt to distract himself from the pounding headache–a result of the need for sleep he had been deprived of. But he was glad someone woke him up before the dream went on.
"How long have I slept?"
"Long enough," Ling said. "Don't worry, nobody kissed you. Warm drink?" He offered a perfectly tempered Oolong tea in hand.
Behind him, the physically intimidating beast with a deep frown was Chien-Po, looking equally concerned. "Feeling better?" he said, plopping himself carefully next to Ling. In a rare instances, the expulsion of energy from him made Shang feel a little claustrophobic. Three of them literally filled his tent to the roof.
No, not really, Shang answered in his head. Of course, what came out of his mouth was alarmingly contrary. "I am fine, thank you for your kind concern."
"I know you don't want to talk about this Captain, but… we are sorry..."
"For everything," Chien-Po butted in. "We… don't mean to lie to you."
"That's… that's fine," he said quietly. After the talk with Fa Zhou, Shang had come to a realization that it was no use to begrudge for something that he couldn't fix. He was determined to take this purgatory one day at a time. And at this moment in time, his mission was not to make this conversation turn into a soul-destroying oratory that would break his team morale apart.
"Oh good," Chien-Po said, sounding genuinely relieved.
"We miss her," he said again after a long pause.
"I am sure you do. Although I am still angry about what she did," he confessed, unwittingly sounding a lot more fragile than he intended. "So perhaps it is better that...that I don't get to see her..."
"You don't mean that." Ling cut him, placing a sympathizing hand on his shoulder, squeezing it. "You can be mad at someone and still miss them."
"I…" Shang thought it was scary how this lanky man read his thoughts like a book, especially when he couldn't even verbalize what he felt. "I guess… you are right."
"Dawww….," the boys cooed.
"Shut it! You two!"
"By the way," Ling turned to ask. "You… you don't hate Prince Shao Wei because of this, do you?" Shang's brow climbed towards his hairline. And Ling took the cue to continue. "You see, he is… our relationship is already very delicate."
"He threatened to castrate Ling," explained Chien-Po, making a cutting gesture on his throat.
"Don't worry. I didn't detest him," Shang said to make it clear. To be honest, after allowing himself some contemplative moments, he couldn't blame Mulan for treasuring her relationship with the Prince. Shao addressed her with mutual respect and trust. He listened when she voiced her thoughts and opinions. He valued her ideals and despite his status as a prince, he looked at her as his equal. "I just regretted the fact that he couldn't unsee what he saw."
"Oh," Ling squeaked, next to him Chien-Po blushed and Yao pretended he didn't hear anything.
"But Captain, believe me this," Ling spoke again. "You and Mulan were destined to be together."
"People said, opposite attracts!" Chien-Po butted in with gusto.
Yao stood, sweeping one of his arms, "Alongside the dutiful, reliable, heroic strain, albeit a little...dull, came his match: an adventurous, idealist… dangerous girl."
"Thank you for the compliment," Shang deadpanned.
"She beat me in spar quite a number of times," Chien-Po added to Ling's remark. "Imagine if the law of this land indiscriminately allowed anyone regardless of their gender to climb the rank. We might even have my mother as a Commander!" And looked sheepishly around when everyone was stunned. "She is skillful in utilizing kitchen blades. Very stern at commanding too. And very commendable in mob controlling skill."
Suddenly Chien-Po fell backward, writhing as he held one of his feet.
"Numb foot, sitting on the floor too long," Ling explained. "Happened many times before."
"Don't you have a chair?" Yao asked, looking around Shang's rather spartan tent.
"No," Shang answered tersely. "Never had one."
"You never had guests?" Yao said with a raised brow, which was met by Shang's unimpressed face. "Oh sorry, that shouldn't be a question. It should be a statement: Captain Li never has guests. Right, gotcha."
"Joking aside…" Ling said, eyeing Shang with a somber smile on his face. "I am glad Ping will have the acknowledgment just like all other fallen heroes. I mean… you kind of did it not just for her… but for us too. We are… grateful."
"She deserved it," Shang replied softly. And sighed despite himself, clasping his hand. "First week of training, I was certain Chi-Fu had set me up to fail, sending a confederacy of misfit quitters off my way. And then… She proved all my prejudice was wrong. You are not a bunch of misfits."
"Nice," Chien-Po responded dreamily. "This conversation has the right dose of angst, comedy, and Oolong tea. Love it."
"Angsty," Shang couldn't resist scoffing softly.
"From day one, you always looked angsty," Ling addressed Shang. "… and murderous."
Shang gave him a look. "I guess I made my intention well known then."
"But hearing you now... You sound like a kung-fu master who has sat under a waterfall for years, drinking dew from the ginkgo leaf and still maintaining a six-pack figure."
"He meant you sound wise and patient," Chien-Po rephrased for him.
"What did it feel like?" Suddenly Yao spoke up, looking up to Shang.
"Like what?"
"Being hit by a girl?" he fingered Shang's sharp nose.
Shang shrugged, "Painful… I guess?"
"Is that your nerve or your pride speaking?" Ling chimed blithely.
"After seeing Meihui come out of your tent. By Guan Kim. I thought that punch was well deserved", Yao said with fake annoyance. Sure, his jealousy was logical. Who could resist Captain dark, handsome and topless?
"Forgive him. Midlife crisis," Ling remarked absently, tilting his head towards Yao.
Yao glared at him. "Are you saying I'll be dead by forty?"
Shang frowned. "For the record, Chi-Fu took your girlfriend to my tent. I evacuated and ended up sharing a tent with him! She was sneaking into Wuzong because she wanted to see you. And this what I got?" he pointed at his nose. "I think I deserve a trophy… not a punch!"
"She got you again the second time, didn't she? Must've been a nasty thing. Ping had bruised knuckles for weeks! " Chien-Po leaned closer, taking a zoomed look from under Shang's nostril. "But...your nose….Man, it didn't even bleed. Do you have a steel implant or something? The world needs to know."
"Lots of calcium supplements perhaps?" Shang said flatly.
"I'm positive she is a masochist," Yao muttered. "Although, I must apologize once more for the jealousy circus over Meihui," he stole a glance towards Shang.
Shang pretended to be stern. "Just promise me never to hit anyone under the belt during the spar. One can make use of his height, but not during a friendly match with your fellow soldier. Besides, we are all men, with the same vital weaknesses. I thought you knew the code of honor during the training."
"Sorry," Yao muttered under his breath and soon pouted like a little child. "But I am a bit upset now you've brought my size issue into this."
Chien-Po threw his sausage arms around everyone. "Hey hey hey… no need to fret! Remember, the beer supply this week, it's on me."
Shang raised his brow. "You won the lottery or something?"
"Nah! Fifty Yuan," Chien-Po shook the coin in his pocket, wagging his brows smugly. "I won the bet against Prince Shao Wei."
"What bet?" Shang stared at him, bewildered.
"That you…. like men," he said almost spontaneously.
Shang nearly spat his tea. "I like what?"
"None of us believed it at first, Captain. I mean, a pretty boy like you would easily get any girl. Forgive my bluntness, but anyone with eyes could see this," Chien-Po gestured up and down Shang's torso and whistled in adoration. "Yet you chose Ping."
"Ack, no," Shang denied, even though perhaps his blushing had given out the clue. "That's… clearly a….misunderstanding." Of course, no one was buying that kind of lame excuse.
"Not if you see Ping's reaction every time she sees the Captain tall, dark and handsome," Yao mumbled.
"You mean: tall, shirtless, and abs-some," Chien-Po corrected.
"I…" Shang was about to defend his dignity but Ling beat him to it.
"You don't have to say anything, Captain," Ling patronized. "I've seen it. I mean, the way you look at Ping, taking her to your tent, caring for her... " He automatically slapped Chien-Po when he faked a gag. "I mean the only time you've touched me is in the context of a fight. And that involves me gasping for air." Ling felt the need to clarify.
"I did not touch you," Shang tried to make it dead clear.
"It's hand-to-hand combat, Captain. We touched each other," Ling disagreed. He immediately raised his hand when he saw Shang was prim to counter his argument. "But you could have just told me you were uncomfortable. I won't do it again. The point was, even though you and Ping didn't start all lovey-dovey. But there is no doubt that she'd develop feelings for you."
Inexplicably, burning curiosity enfolded him. "Ping...said that?"
"She needs to say nothing! You can see hearts coming out of her eyes from a mile away!" Ling gushed. "Dude, of course she told me everything."
"Oh..." Shang swallowed, feeling flustered like his clothes had been metaphorically stripped of him.
"Don't feel bad, I just have that kind of face. You know, the noodle seller in front of my house told me about his wife's affair once out of nowhere, I'm just very….trustworthy," Ling said, fanning himself with his hand. "Self-proclaimed Love Doctor."
"True. He got an ad in the village column," Chien-Po endorsed. "Impeccable five-star review," he said somewhat proudly.
Although Shang regretted the question as soon as it left his mouth, Ling never failed to deliver. "Do you know how ridiculous this sounds? All this time, Ping has been wondering whether you fancy her," and he clicked his tongue. "You two are unbelievable!"
"No offense. For someone who is clever and handsome, you can be very thick, Captain," Yao commented.
Shang crossed his arms. "Putting the disclaimer 'no offense' in front of an insult, doesn't make it not offensive."
"I'm glad you're enjoying this," Yao paid him with a pointed smile and turned to Ling. "She had come to you for love advice? Really?"
"Hey! I've got more than four ex-girlfriends. FOUR!" He held his hand up to show the number.
Shang was impressed. "And your advice being?"
Ling preened. "I've told her to beat the crap out of you. You like it rough, right?" he smiled triumphantly while Chien-Po covered his ears, face red. "Way too much information," he berated.
Perhaps, observing what kind of person he was deriving enjoyment out of abusing his recruits, Ling concluded he would likely relish the sensation being inflicted by pain. Incoherently insane logic, but Shang couldn't blame him, he often saw how Ling's rationale worked… well… irrationally.
"So, punching my nose was your idea?"
"Nope. If it was up to me I would say…"
"Below the belt," Yao finished for him, awashed in self-satisfaction. Shang rolled his eyes while Chien-Po tried his best to repress his laugh as he passed him the teapot. "Who knows that pain can work as a relationship lubricant?"
"I will log that as future reverence, thanks. Now, would you like a cup of tea to go with your senseless violence?" Shang deadpanned, pouring one cup for Ling and Yao.
They both grinned and chorused with a bit of hysteria "Yes!"
Maybe a year ago this kind of camaraderie would be unthinkable, just the suggestion of it would make him laugh. But Mulan had taught him a thing or two about friendship and trust.
Shang had never bonded this way with his comrade. Yes, they were his friends, but he had always kept them at arm-length. His method of communication had to be formal and often exuded an air of leadership. His heart had long hidden behind walls of stoic ferocity that his friend had never got to know his true form. But what surprised him the most was: how easily the conversation flowed, how natural for them to mention Mulan without falling into an uncomfortable silence. Shang realized that his friends helped him to go through his grief and now what was left were only bitter-sweet memories.
Their shenanigan was interrupted by an unexpected sighting of Chi-Fu, prowling from one tent to another, peeking his head and muttering something unintelligible.
"Dear, dear, that crankertous old bat. Why is he here?" Yao narrowed his eyes. Seconds later, the old councilor swung towards their direction, but neither of them pretended to register his presence.
"Captain Li, just the man I am looking for!" Chi-Fu said with a grin, exhibiting his array of unaligned teeth. "This is for you… and your team. Important! Prince Shao Wei wished to hear your response by tomorrow morning."
Shang took the parchment and unrolled it unceremoniously while his comrade peered behind him.
Li Shang,
I would like to thank you for your team effort in impeding the march of the Huns toward our capital. However, victory is not ours yet, although it is within reach.
Our intel has informed us that the surviving Huns, including General Shan-Yu, had retreated back to their encampment after hearing the news of the passing of our beloved Emperor.
Our intel also has gathered that the Huns will hold General Shan-Yu's and the Princess's wedding as the celebration of this event, a preliminary victory. This has presented us with a unique opportunity once again, having all the remaining Huns leaders gathered under one roof.
There is a chance to make one tactical move that would end the war once and for all.
However, this outcome requires a concerted effort on our part.
As one of the most skilled members of our team, a seasoned soldier, famous for your fastidiousness and loyalty, I would like to ask you, Captain Li, to assemble a small team, and head to the Huns encampment at the break of dawn to carry the mission.
All ammunition and weaponry would be replenished at the closest safe house in Hunan. I've made sure there is a providence for the strongest, best-quality explosive. Due to the classified nature of this task, there was no reinforcement standing nearby.
I know the high-risk nature of this task. Consider this as your final imperative call for this nation.
China is truly honored to have you on our side.
PS: I would like to extend my deepest condolences for the passing of your father. May his heroic legacy live on.
Prince Shao Wei.
"Uuuh… that was convenient," Ling was the first to speak up. His other comrades remained unresponsive, utterly speechless with disbelief.
"I take it I'm not the only one who can see a death sentence behind this embroidered diplomacy," Chien-Po finally broke off his catatonic state.
"It's basically a sugar-coated version of 'go to hell and don't come back," Yao commented. "He is truly a self-absorbed prick who doesn't play well with others."
"And since when did he speak in a melodramatic way?" Ling scanned the sentence more meticulously the second time. "...beloved Emperor? My butt," he cackled. "Shao had nothing good to say about his uncle! Even my broken toenail knew that!"
"Shall we start writing our death memo?" Chien-Po voiced his concern.
"Maybe this mission is indirectly addressed to Ling," Yao smirked towards Ling, tapping his chin theatrically, mimicking Shao's mannerisms. "If he can't castrate him, ah I know… I can kill him!"
"Hey!" Ling pouted in a childish way that made Yao and Chien-Po burst into uncontrollable laughter.
Despite the direction of the discussion, Shang remained unperturbed. As a friend, he didn't quite understand why Shao would send them on a suicide mission, but as a soldier, he understood it enough. And to be honest, facing death was a lot more trivial for him than facing his own emotions.
So, he fell in love with his wife. So what? After all they've been through, in Wuzong, in Tung Shao, and after a year of being connected so closely…
Really, it was bound to happen. Really, it should have happened sooner.
But Shang wasn't aware of many things even his own feelings.
He wasn't aware that he was hurting someone, didn't know he was falling in love, and was late to realize that he needed friends. Now, he had lost two most important people in his life, there was nothing more for him to live than to serve the Emperor. For that, this mission sounded like a good idea. And if he did finally meet Mulan in the afterlife, it was just a bonus.
"We've arrived at the Palace of Wei, Your Majesty," announced his footman as he opened the door of the carriage. Shao Wei exhaled slowly, staring at the majestic tall building with large pillars in front of him. It felt as though it'd been longer than a year since he had been in the comfort of his own palace. He felt like he'd aged ten years. This was true, war changed people. No longer was he the party animal, self-absorbed and feckless playboy he'd been before. He'd done a lot of growing up, not just in the long months of that terrible training, but in the many days of unraveling the true meaning of friendship, love, and sacrifice.
"His Highness Prince Wei Zhang has been waiting for you."
"Thank you," Shao said as he offhandedly removed his traveling robes in exchange for a lighter silk one. A throng of maidservants quietly helped him change, even washed and removed his traveling shoes. How could he forget the feeling of being pampered like this?
He had an idea of what the next on his royal agenda was, and why his father needed to see him this soon.
"Father," he saluted as he entered the main sanctum.
"Shao Wei. Do sit, Son," he invited, waving to the servants to get them something to drink. "Baiju? You must be tired from your trip."
Shao just nodded and both of them exchanged little pleasantries before Wei Zhang finally decided it was time to drop the bomb. "Shao Wei, I'll be leaving for Wudan next month. But… before that, I want to consult the palace soothsayer for a good wedding date for you and…."
"I am not marrying Zetian," Shao interjected.
"Shao Wei, stop being selfish! You've dissolved your sister's betrothal. Don't tell me we are going to do the same to yours?!"
"If Uncle Xiong-nu wished to exile me, imprisoned me, so be it! I have a strong premonition that this will happen anyway. It's just a matter of time. I'm done living under his thumb. He is dead, Father. I'm not going to let him dictate me from beyond his grave. I am not marrying Zetian for the sake of the throne, even if that is his death wish!"
"Listen! Zetian is a symbol of monarchy. You can't be the Emperor without her. It's just the way it works. Now, you may not desire her, want her, nor love her….but you must marry her."
Shao ignored him.
"Look, no one will stop you from taking another wife. Or many more concubines… if you'd like," his father continued.
But the thought of returning to his former lifestyle held no appeal to him anymore. What had been so thrilling before now seemed pointless and wasteful. The women had been nice, of course, but the drinking and gambling and endless partying had long lost their luster. He was known as a delinquent social butterfly. However, considering what had instigated the war in the first place, as nice as women were, he felt he was better off without one in his life.
"I want no wives or concubines."
"It's not what you want, Shao Wei. It is what you must!"
"Is this what I must? Or you want?"
Shao Wei had always known her father was flawed. Wei Zhang was born under constant rivalry with his crown prince's brother and had the attitude to match. His first and most earnest ambition was to take the throne from his brother's hand. And this led to many impulsive, blind decisions that ruined their bonds as a family down the drain.
Shao couldn't think of a single time in over twenty years of his life that his father had made a prudent, conscientious decision that would benefit his whole family as well as himself. No, everything was about instant gratification with him, whatever pleased and satisfied his wants. When Shao was a child, his behavior had been destructive and often hurtful. As the oldest male heir, he could count his blessings, because his father had a permanent interest in his happiness and well-being. But he couldn't say the same about other women in his life: his mother and his sister who had been frequently forgotten or swept under the rug as a result.
"You can't get the throne and you are using me instead as your extension? Tell me, is this promise of 'countless women' thing one of the traps you laid to make me agree to whatever you want?"
Wei Zhang rose from his seat, anger spilling. "How could you accuse me of plotting something so nefarious? Isn't it enough proof of my good intent that I take the blame for all this mess for you? For your future sake?"
"I never asked you to," Shao replied calmly.
"Can you imagine what would happen if the world knew you were the one who was conspiring with that Hun Princess? That would be the end of you!"
Shao chuckled softly. "I am ready to meet my end, Father." And narrowed his eyes at him. "But you are not."
"Son…" Wei Zhang said with a hurtful voice. "...we have always been close…"
"Yes, we were," Shao said. "Until you took a blind eye to that decision to wed your own daughter to the man who had beheaded countless Chinese soldiers, all for the sake of your stupid political alliance."
At that moment something inside him snapped.
"And now I hope you see why!" he thundered, slamming his palm on the table. "For heaven's sake, Shao Wei, you are soon to be king, and yet… you failed to bridle your own personal feelings against the betterment of many. I thought being on the battlefront has taught you a thing or two. Have you not seen how many innocent lives were wasted because of what you've done?"
Shao rose from his seat, glaring. "So now, this is my fault?"
"Even your sister has come to terms with her own arrangement!" He roared.
"Didn't you see the terrified look on her face every time you mention the Khan's name? You are a father, how could you bring your own daughter to a fate worse than a prostitute?"
For a few years there, when Wei Ting had been finishing up school, King Kaidu was the headline of every gossip traded among the citizens of northern Wei. Tales of drunken debauchery, brutal execution, and harem filled with virgins were the concept of lifestyle that she not only didn't care to be associated with but also wished to avoid. The impression she had of him was clear; this was a ruthless and destructive man, not to mention he was so old that he could be her father. And now she had to marry him.
But Wei Zhang refused to bend down. "Either way, could she live with the guilt of knowing she'd done something that resulted in the death of countless innocent citizens? She is not a heartless scoundrel like you!" He spat. "This conversation is done." And headed towards the door.
"And how do you think I can live and rise as an Emperor knowing I couldn't save my own sister? For the love of ancestors, Father. I'd rather die!" Shao exploded, halting Prince Wei Zhang in his tracks. "As long as she is safe...I'll sacrifice everything."
Wei Zhang cut his glance to the side and shook his head. "No, Son. You are not going to sacrifice everything. Because you've sacrificed everything else." And he disappeared behind the door.
The next time Mulan opened his eyes, she was back in her old bedroom. The familiar scent of freshly brewed Chinese tea and a hint of roasted brown rice floated in the air. She squinted her eyes, her brain catching up and connecting the last memory of the burning hut she was in at the last minute of consciousness.
"Baba?" she croaked when her father's worried face came into view.
"Mulan," he rushed to hug her as she sat on her bed. "I thought you won't ever…" She could feel a puddle of moisture from tears spreading across her robe, but she didn't pull away as her father cried softly.
"Is this…." She rubbed her eyes and blinked, focusing on the brightness of the window outside trying to gauge the time and day. "How long have I been…. out?"
"Three weeks… maybe four?" He held her tighter.
"Baba, I'm not going anywhere… " she placated, returning the hug before releasing it. "What… what happened? Why am I… here?" Because the last episode of her life that she recalled was sitting in the dark corner of someone's hut, utterly helpless and lost.
"Long story," he tucked her back in bed. "Why don't you rest now while I…"
"No," she groaned as the fresh pain stung her. Pulling her blanket, she saw a few small patches of burn wounds around her arms and legs. "I...I need to know."
"Did they do anything to you?" his father said gingerly, observing the bruises and marks on her elbow, knee, and shoulder.
"No," she said, remembering."In fact one of the Huns saved me. "She was keeping me in her hut."
"She didn't torture you for information?"
Mulan shook her head. "She fed me, clothed me, and fixed my wounds."
"She doesn't want anything from you?" Her father couldn't hide his puzzlement.
"No. She told me she'll let me off once the Huns were no longer pursuing the mysterious mountain soldier in Tung Shao Pass. All she asked was who was this guy who gave me this bracelet," she showed him the wooden bracelet, edges scruffed with age. "It was my comrade Yao who gave this to me. He said it was a good luck charm to keep me safe."
"I guess it worked then," Fa Zhou said, smiling.
Mulan fell deep in thought. "You know what, Baba. I think… I think they're both somehow related."
"Related?"
"Yes, the woman who saved me and my comrade who gave me this…"
The soft knock on the door halted their conversation. The frail figure of Grandma Fa entered the room. "Oh, the sleeping beauty has finally awakened I see," she chuckled, placing the tray on the bedside table and scooting on the edge of her bed. "Welcome back, my darling."
Mulan resisted an urge to cry at the sight of her. "I thought it would be months until I got out of that place."
Grandma Fa shook her head as she embraced her. "You're too cute for a Hun prison. They would never suspect you of anything."
"Baba," Mulan turned her attention back to her father. "Who had taken me here?"
"Ah yes," he cleared his throat. "A small group of soldiers planted the Hun's encampment with explosives and detonated them during Shan-Yu's wedding procession. I heard nearly all the Huns warriors died in that explosion. Ling was on that mission too. When he searched to free all the war prisoners, he found you inside a half-burnt hut….and brought you here."
Her mind was riddled with questions, but another soft knock on the door interrupted them. This time, a familiar face behind a pair of round spectacles.
"Dr. Di-Tan, do come in!" Fa Zhou invited.
"My apology. I heard a slight ruckus, so I... I'm sorry to disturb this reunion, but I do need to do a quick check on Mrs. Li's general health."
"Of course, please!" Fa Zhou gave the man the space. "Mulan, Dr. Di-Tan has been sent here by Prince Shao Wei. He is worried about your well-being."
"We need to thank him later," Grandma Fa remarked. "I'll ask the maid to make some pineapple tarts."
They stayed quiet as Di-Tan took Mulan's pulse and jotted notes. Suddenly, another flash of memory of seeing herself falling into the crevasse to save her husband came into view. Shang must have thought Ping was dead.
"I need to write to Shang just to tell him I'm fine," she said, hastily slinging her leg out of bed as soon as Di-Tan announced she was all in good health other than a minor injury.
"Sweetheart…" her father said brokenly, hand impending her to run out of the room. "Why don't you… write to him….later."
"I'm fine, Baba. I'm sure a letter won't hurt me."
"No… it's not that." Next to him, Grandma Fa stared at her with glassy eyes.
"Why?" Mulan questioned, completely perplexed by the change of atmosphere in the room. "Baba, is there something wrong?"
Her father seemed to swallow down a torrent of words before deciding the best course of action was just to blurt it out. So he did.
"Mulan, Shang is dead."
Mulan's first impression of Shang was that he was likened to a knight in shining armor: refined, brave, and handsome. After marrying him, she got to know another layer of him. His cold, and dismissive persona. Chalking up to his less-than-ideal childhood being the issue seemed like the most logical explanation for his behavior. Shang was not allowing anyone to move past his tough exterior, which was usually painted over with anger.
For months, Shang almost seemed to censor the complexity of his personality, not allowing anyone to get close to him. Not until she became Ping, Shang most trusted comrade and that opened a new door for her. She'd seen and experienced how compassionate and kind Shang could be. Seeing more of him made him seem more and more like a real person, not just a hero of legend. Shang had flaws, and in the strangest of ways, but that's what made him more human.
"That's impossible!" she said, trying to laugh at the ludicrousy of it. "He can't be dead. I've sent him away with Khan!"
"I don't want to believe it either," Fa Zhou admitted. "From what I've heard….Shang's team was sent to ambush the Huns leader during Shan-Yu and Princess Altan's wedding ceremony. But Shang disbanded the team and told his teammates he didn't want to relive the Tung Shao Pass episode. And only after hours of fierce persuasion from Ling that he agreed to take a few men," her father narrated. "The recruits assisted Shang in spreading the explosive, but Shang insisted he would set the bomb off alone. Ling said he heard the explosion, and saw a few boulders racing from the side of surrounding hills. The gunpowder they used was so strong that the magnitude of the blast even destroyed the bridge, the only access point in and out of the ceremonial tent. Yao, Chien-Po, Wu, and Ling managed to jump out of safety on time, but Shang...He has been missing for four weeks now. And in this kind of weather, without food and water… he won't…"
"He had survived winter far worse than this!" she said quickly.
"It's not just that… Mulan. He must be injured. Nobody survived an explosion like that, especially if he was the one who detonated the… " her father sighed. "Yao and Wu had done a meticulous sweep of the area hours after..."
"No!" She tried to cover her ears. Her father tugged her close.
"I know it's hard to accept… but... no one survived. Even if he did, the Hun's must have ended him. If he managed to run, the Hun's settlement was enclosed by miles of steppe, there is no water there. And the freezing wind..."
"That's… not true! It can't be true!" she choked. Despite her brain wanting to know the chronological truth, her heart wasn't quite ready yet to hear how the man that she loved died.
"Mulan, we're sorry," Grandma Fa said with a breaking voice. She rushed to her side and wrapped her arm tightly around her. "But we are all very proud of him. You should too."
Shang's hero complex was something that she admired or detested about him. How could one be so unselfish?
"A warrior's ultimate act is to lay down his sword for the betterment of many," she whispered, squeezing Mulan in her embrace a bit tighter. "And Shang had done just that."
After the death of General Shan Yu, and the departure of Emperor Xiong-nu, the war ended.
Well, Mulan thought, this was not entirely true.
Dust scattered to the wind, little more left of her than her father's stories and the cool breeze in the northern sky.
But war itself – that thing that lived in all these humans' eyes, lived even in her eyes–it never really ended. The father that had buried their dead son, the wife who wept over her lost husband, and countless orphans who begged on the street.
This was not to say that there is no goodness in this world of course. Men engulfed their brothers in arms in joyful embraces. Women feeding the orphans. Children darted through crowds, their laughter echoing in the air as they played. A young man took the hand of a woman, smiling at each other proclaiming their silent promise–lost in each other. Humanity continued, neither good nor bad; perfectly imperfect.
Her string of thoughts drifted to everything that had happened in her life so far. Her fated marriage to Shang, and how she, of all women who had been a skeptic of stars, fate, and destiny, was so easily besotted to a man who wasn't at all her type.
It was a disturbing thought–how she loved Shang without question, hankered after him with a dodged passion that burned hot and bright like a firework. She was ready to follow him into the fire of war, across the seas and skies, to hell and back, to the stars above. Because she wanted the world for him.
Yes, Shang was gone, but she was still here.
And life had to go on.