This is just another attempt at a Mulan sequel. It's a bit silly and contrived in the plotting, but that's partly the idea. I always get a real kick of the melodramatic swashbuckling romances (think the Princess Bride) so I decided to write one for Mulan. Once again, this has nothing to do with my other stories, just a different plot, different scenario that I got a giggle out of. Enjoy.

The usual Disclaimer applies, Shang, Fa Zhou, Chi Fu, the Emperor, the Gang of Three, General Li and Shan Yu belong to Disney, I'm just goofing off here and would never flatter myself into thinking I could make money from this.

This story is rated G (amazing huh? no sex, no dirty jokes, phooey) but there are a couple innuendoes here and there. I'll edit it later

~ With the usual love,
Lian Hua

MY MAGNOLIA
PROLOGUE

"Not enjoying the festivities?" Mulan looked up at the sound of that amused voice - amused and a bit concerned. Li Shang stood before her in formal armor, a general's armor, looking over her curiously. She was not surprised exactly that he should seek her out, comrades often did at these affairs as she had seen, and he had come to visit her at home before, polite though distant as always. But at least he had come. The crackle of fireworks caught her eye, the night sky alight with a shower of color, the merrymaking of the revelers carried by the breeze. Yet here she was, seated on a low stone bench in the public garden, which was more private than anywhere now. She looked up at the pavilion, the chrysanthemums in bloom, the rippling pond not far from her feet sparkling like crystal as it reflected the colors blooming in the sky. Simple and beautiful, the garden was breathtaking.
Shang had made her feel slightly embarrassed, she had never been a social person, had never been welcomed in that way by others. She had always been the one to watch the world around her, to envy and disapprove, until she had joined the army anyway. Now all of a sudden she was of interest, she was worth something, it was all quite dubious. The Emperor had insisted she come back to Ch'ang-an, that a proper hero's welcome be shown her and her friends. "I've hardly had a moment to myself all night," she told him with a small sigh. "I'm not used to a lot of people." Well there she'd done it, made herself sound like a farm girl without manners.
To her surprise he nodded in agreement, perhaps thankful to find someone tonight who shared that view. Sitting down beside her he sighed as well. "I've never cared for it either. It isn't right that they feast and revel every other weak while people in the fields are starving." The new general turned to her with a guilty little frown. "Though I suppose it surprises you to hear me say it."
"Why would it?" Mulan quirked an eyebrow at his change in tone.
"Oh, I don't know. I guess when it comes to your impression of me I haven't done myself much credit."
That small touch of bitterness perplexed her. In training he was calm and confident, in the mountains he had been determined yet commanding, at her home nervous and unsure, but never bitter and harsh with himself. She was used to him now, finding him a rather gentle and sensitive person beneath the guise of authority he wore so well, a serious and pensive person. Then again, his father had died after all. "I have always thought of you as a good and honorable man," she tried her best to assure him.
His laughter was low, he so rarely laughed. "Then I apologize for disappointing you." She often wondered what is was which made so somber, even before. Responsibility, she told herself, perhaps unable to come to terms with his duty. "Um... look, Mulan," he began with that returning nervousness, a shadow of contrition passing over his face. "I've been meaning to tell you... I'm sorry for the way I treated you, in the mountains and in the city. I was beside myself that day, my father's death and the horror of it all. I never should have taken your lie so personally."
Ah yes, that terrible day, the brutal storm of rage in his eyes, so savage and angry. It made her shiver more than the cold. Her only hope had been that one look back, so long suffering yet so fleeting, betraying some affection, some regret. And he had been so beautiful, in all that pain, in that battle of conscience and anger, tall and hurt and powerful. In that moment she had been convinced she meant something to him. Strange thoughts for the situation, but there was a part that had been so sure he didn't have the heart.
"I can understand," she brushed it off. Not a pleasant memory.
"Hey," he laid a hand on her shoulder, seeing her discomfort. "I would never in my life have hurt you. Even if I was angry. Forgive me if I made you believe it."
What choice did she have but to forgive him? He had shown mercy with a soldier's honor, a life for a life, not the mere patronizing pity for a wounded girl. "Maybe it would been easier if Chi Fu shared your feelings."
"You think so, do you?" he deflected seriousness with a smirk. "Would you rather he see you as only a pretty girl and demand you for his concubine? Account yourself lucky." Her cheeks warmed, he had called her beautiful!
There was a sense of relief at bringing the subject out in the open, her discovery, her betrayal, her spirits were lighter for it. "Would you rescue me?" She fluttered her lashes playfully, like some the great ladies she had seen tonight. Leaning against him she sighed and played faint, it was fun to flirt, even if she had never tried it, it was fun because she knew it made him uncomfortable.
"I doubt you'd give me the chance," he pushed her away affectionately. Then he smiled. "But you know, you should go back to the party, the garden isn't a safe place. A hero is a desirable target for some."
She eyed him doubtfully. "You're still alive and unscathed."
"I know, and I'm not flattered at the prospect." That made her laugh, at first she had thought him arrogant and conceited, but the more she knew him, the more she found the opposite to be true. "Well, you're still a young lady, so I've been told, maybe I'd better walk back with you."
Mulan turned to fix him with an offended glare, but gave up and followed him. Even if she was a girl, he was not going to abandon his rough way of teasing.

***

Chapter One
(A Month Later)

The Emperor looked from Li Shang to Chi Fu, then back at the pile of papers on the writing table before him, displeased. The Huns had harried a border town, and not only that, but were seeking Liu Shitan's alliance, whose state lay between Ch'ang-an and nomad territory. The king of Liu was crucial, he must not go over to the other side. The was only fact the two men agreed upon, but he should have known, a soldier and a courtier saw the world differently.
"Your Majesty," Chi Fu began in his simpering voice, flourishing his ink brush as he was wont. "Obviously, sending an army against these Huns proves... " he threw a deliberate glance at Li Shang, "Ineffective, perhaps we should turn to matters of diplomacy."
General Li was not to be outdone or put off by the preening of a slithering old man. Perhaps he was not the witty and eloquent courtier Chi Fu was, but he was still a capable leader. A soldier was taught to be up front and plain spoken, to look his enemy in the eye. "Yes, I agree," the general said to Chi Fu's chagrin. "Men are killed everyday at the border and it seems a standstill. This new leader is as relentless as Shan Yu, only too cautious or cowardly to wage an open offensive. Diplomacy just may be our answer, Your Majesty."
Nodding at both them, the Emperor sighed. Both men were trustworthy, both men had were assets to the Empire. Chi Fu may not have been the most affable of his ministers, but he had a knack for acquiring information. As for Li Shang, what needed to be said? He was upright and intelligent, ready to serve his country with selfless courage. It was Li Shang who would be the most useful, unfortunate as it was. Even an Emperor did not like making pawns of others.
"Diplomacy," he repeated the agreed upon strategy, folding his arms and leaning back in his chair. "Usually that involves a marriage to seal blood ties. All of my daughters are married, and I cannot think of a suitable lady. He has no wife I hear, so a bride of Shitan must be worth an alliance. Chi Fu, your daughter is married as well is she not?"
Li Shang raised that telltale eyebrow. "You have a daughter?" Yes, he could understand the young man's barely veiled astonishment, and disgust, that any lady would allow the man to lay a hand on her.
"Yes I have a daughter," the older man grumbled with ire, tired of this reaction from others. "And I have a wife too. That's more than you have, if you want to marry to Ping you'll have be the shame of the empire."
The young man's eyes glared black and treacherous. "I don't want to marry Ping," he stressed each word in a low and dangerous voice.
"That gives me an idea!" Chi Fu paused in his twirling and gesticulating. "Why don't we marry Fa Mulan to the king of Liu? She's hardly a princess, hardly a woman," Chi Fu sneered over the word. "But she's... shall we say... renowned?" Once again, the deliberate glance at Li Shang.
Tapping his lip with a finger, The Emperor studied the young general. It was quite a tale at Court how the pair acted awkwardly around one another, grinning and faltering over simple words in their unrealized admiration. Li Shang's face was smooth and apathetic now, devoid of any anger or outrage for Chi Fu's suggestion, he was simply very quiet. That was the danger of an honorable man, he would put on a good face but you never knew what he was thinking. Whomever he chose, the young lady was likely to be someone's hope, but his ministers were sneaky at best, mercenary almost. Of all the men he could afford to hurt, Li Shang was the safest choice, he would accept it, he would deny any love, any affection he felt for this girl if his Emperor commanded it.
"Sir," the expected protest was not emotional at all, but rather cold. "It is fair to sell a young lady to a king?"
Chi fu sniffed. "That young lady should thank her Ancestors at this good fortune. It would hardly be more cruel keeping her here where she might have to act as a proper woman some day. The gods know no sons will pop out of her."
"I think it is an excellent idea," The Emperor concluded at last, if not reluctantly.
The young man stood, once again with that unreadable countenance. "I will take her family the news then?" The Emperor nodded. "By your leave, sire," was all he said before turning away

***

Mulan powdered her face in the looking glass and fussed with her hair in irritation. Ever since Li Shang's visit her mother and grandmother had insisted she wear make-up, demanded so pay more attention to pretty clothes and find new ways to arrange her hair. It was not that she minded, she had nothing against pretty clothes or make-up theoretically, except for the small matter of her looking like a fool. Boy slim and short haired, she felt as ridiculous as Ling must have in a dress, and hardly had room to laugh anymore. Preening for the Matchmaker was quite fine, it was not as if she preferred a man's dress, but for such trite reason's as her mother and grandmother supplied, it was all she could not to throw her comb across the room. Their motives were vague and yet very particular at the same time, prove to the world that the daughter of the Fa house was indeed a young lady still, and foremost at that, and to catch the eye of the handsome new general. She could have more easily lied about her feats in the army than hide the fact she was sweet on Li Shang.
Yet he was never cooperative, least of all responsive. So courteous and genteel, yet so distant. It seemed he went out of his way to speak her, to draw her aside for a quiet, private word, and at the same time went out of his way not to reveal any compromising emotion. Her grandmother had said give him time, that he felt ashamed and unsure after the way he had treated her, that soon enough her rouged lips and bright eyes would break down his walls of caution. Mulan had feared it was Fa Zhou himself which forced the young officer to hide his feelings - if he hand any - perhaps Li Shang had worried her father would not be so forgiving as the women of the family. Fa Zhou had recognized the efforts to primp and pretty Mulan as women's work and did not make himself a participant, in fact, the idea of her not being married no longer seemed to concern him.
So to say the least, her mood was foul today, and I didn't improve when Grandmother called her. "Mulan, are you finished making yourself pretty? Li Shang is here!"
How many times had Li Shang seen her when she was rather unpretty? She hardly thought a bit of powder and rouge made the difference for him. The last thing she wanted was for him to think her vain and frivolous. What could she do though, her family meant well.
"I'm coming," she called back, slamming the make-up box for good measure as she left the room.
Li Shang was not happy, that was for sure, he wore a somber expression that worried her. He stood in the middle of the front room very stiff and business like, looking at her but not really seeing. Both her mother and grandmother wore troubled faces also, Fa Li stood by her mother in law, wringing her hands.
"Is something the matter?" Mulan asked tentatively, sensing the tension in the room. "Has another war broken out?" Oh gods, with that fallen look across his features let it be that simple.
"Actually, I think you should go get your father. The Emperor has sent me with news I..." he paused and looked down. "news I would not care to have to give twice."