Fa Zhou was walking through the garden when he spotted the women return. He smiled for a second before realizing something was wrong.

All three of them, especially Mulan, looked disheartened. Mulan walked Khan back to the stables as his wife and mother approached him.

"Is everything alright?" he asked.

"No," Hua Li admitted. "Poor Mulan had a horrible time."

"What happened?" Fa Zhou questioned.

"That's the thing, not even Mulan is enitirely sure. The matchmaker's dress somehow caught on fire, and Mulan had no choice but to put it out with tea," Hua Li explained.

"Yes, and instead instead of thanking Mulan, that wreched woman decided to yell at her and accused her of being bewitched in front of everyone. Honestly, she had no sense," Grandmother Fa added.

Fa Zhou hummed thoughtfully. "No wonder she is upset. I'll talk to her."

"Alright. We'll be inside," Hua Li replied. The two women went inside while Fa Zhou walked deeper into the garden.

He found Mulan sitting on the bench under the blooming cherry tree. She had already taken off the makeup and had her hair down. She was anxiously stroking her hair, staring at the ground with a dejected expression.

"The cherry tree is beautiful today," Fa Zhou commented as he walked over to her. Mulan looked away, feeling ashamed and embaressed. Her father sat down beside her and noticed something.

"Oh, and look." He gestured to a cherry blossom that hadn't yet bloomed. "That one's late." Fa Zhou plucked a cherry blossom off a nearby low branch. "In my opinion, the last ones to bloom are the most beautiful of all."

He tucked the blossom behind her ear. Mulan smiled as she finally looked at her father. He smiled back, and Mulan frowned as she asked, "Father, do you think I'm bewitched?"

"No. I just think that the Ancestors have a different idea for you."

"Father, I have to admit, I don't think I'm ready to marry. I was willing to try for everyone's sake, but now..."

"Mulan, you don't have to do anything that makes you unhappy. We wouldn't have set you up with a matchmaker if we had known how you felt."

"I know. I just... I just wanted to be a daughter and bring honor to the family."

Fa Zhou smiled. "Mulan, you already are a good daughter, and you bring honor to the family in many ways. I'm sure you make the Ancestors proud because I certainly am."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Before Mulan could respond, they heard gongs ring out in the town. Curious, they got up and walked to the gate where Hua Li and Grandmother Fa had just arrived.

"What's going on?" Mulan asked.

"I don't know, but we'll find out. Stay inside, alright?" Hua Li replied. Mulan nodded as her parents walked out the gate. Grandmother Fa looked to Mulan and gestured to the crates by the wall.

Mulan nodded and rushed over to the crates as Grandmother Fa stepped out the gate. Mulan climbed the crates and peered over the wall.

To her surprise, the royal advisor himself along with three guards were on their horses in the middle of the gathering crowd.

"People of Xiaochun Tulou, I have come with unfortunate news from the Emperor himself! The Huns have invaded China!"

A wave of shock and fear washed over the the crowd, and Mulan swallowed hard. She had feeling that the Hun weren't heading her town but were heading to Beijing. If that's the case, the Emperor was in danger.

"The Emperor is assembling an army to fight these barbarians! Every well abled man in each family are to start mandatory training within this week!"

Mulan's eyes widened. That meant her father was going to be called on. He'd served in the army before he married her mother. His leg got badly hurt to the point where it was unable to fully heal. If Fa Zhou gets sent away, he'll die for sure. She couldn't let that happen.

Mulan climbed back down as the royal advisor began calling out each family's name. She ran out the gate in time to hear the royal advisor yell, "The Fa Family!"

Fa Zhou was about to hand his cane to Hua Li when Mulan caught his arm. "Father, you're not well able. You can't fight."

"I have to, Mulan. I have to serve our country and family."

"You already served, Father. You can't go back."

It was the royal advisor apprpached them on his horse. "Are you all the Fa family?"

"Yes, sir," Fa Zhou replied.

"Why haven't you stepped forward? You have a duty to your country and Emperor."

"My father can't serve. His leg doesn't work properly," Mulan spoke up.

The royal advisor glared at her. "Who are you to answer in a man's place?"

"Please, forgive my daughter. She is an outspoken young lady, and she speaks the truth. My leg isn't up to par."

"Is there another man in the family?"

"No, it is just me."

"Really? No sons? No nephews?"

"I have no sons, and my nephews live in Xian."

"Do you have anyother skills that the army could use?"

"I used to be a general. Perhaps, I can offer guidance or help with training the young men."

As soon as Fa Zhou said that, Mulan instantly got a horrible feeling.

"Father -"

"Mulan, do not say anything," Fa Zhou warned.

"Well, then, it is decided. You nay not be able to fight, but your guidance may prove useful."

The royal advisor gave him a scroll, and Fa Zhou nodded. Despite the optimistic expression on her father's face, Mulan had a sinking feeling in her stomach. Just because he won't be fighting on the front lines doesn't mean he'll be safe.

The Huns maybe barbarians, but they're smart. They'll recognize a weak link China's army and exploit it, and that means they target Fa Zhou. She couldn't let that happen. If they need another man from the family, she'll give them one.