“I would’ve been here earlier if it hadn’t been for one of my wives. Blasted woman wanted to know which furs the two young ones would want for their yurt,” Chief Wang replied, his tone low and gruff. A smile curved his mouth. “Who’d have thought we’d be here right now?”
“Indeed,” Mulan’s father said, a smile dancing on his lips. “For a moment, I had resigned to her never marrying.”
Narrow eyes slid in Mulan’s direction and she forced herself not to squirm beneath the chief’s scrutinising eyes. “It would’ve been better if the old woman had decided this last year when we suggested joining our houses.”
Wait, what?
Chief Zhou dropped his grip and nodded. “Indeed, but as Yi Ligui says, the spirits only say when the message is clear. They weren’t ready to be married then.”
A crease formed between his dark brows as his gaze flicked back to her father’s. “The spirits are cruel bastards for making them wait only two days before we ride off to war. I hope everything can be arranged for tomorrow.”
“Everything is right on time,” Chief Zhou said, gesturing for them to follow him into the house.
Mulan followed her mother and younger sister inside, keeping her mouth shut. She’d promised her family not to shame them with the chief around.
The only way she could do that was by keeping her lips glued together. The less she talked, the less damage she could inflict.
But damn, there were plenty of things she wanted to say right then.
Entering the building, Mulan noticed only the chief and his son followed them. Heavenly scents of roasted pork and spices floated on the air and Mulan’s mouth salivated. She’d attempted to eat her morning meal, but the dumpling tasted like sawdust and the yoghurt seemed sour on her tongue. Normally, she and Daocheng would enjoy their favourite breakfast but nothing could force it down her throat today. Her best friend’s face had appeared, reminding her that if they’d lived further south with the Hans, their morning meals would be different. Even with the sweet scent of roasted meat, her stomach told her it couldn’t hold anything down.
Everything was changing and nothing she could do could stop that.
A jab in her arm brought her back out of her reverie. Chou Bosi’s face filled her vision. “Pay attention,” she hissed beneath her breath. “This is your father-in-law and your husband; show them the respect they deserve.”
“Yes, Mother,” Mulan whispered, taking up her position next to Nanyang, her hands smoothing down her dress. The green cotton dress and robe decorated with small white flowers and adorned with silk ribbons she wore today would be substituted for red silk tomorrow.
It should be white, Mulan thought bitterly. The colour of death.
Concern rippled through her as she noticed all eyes on her. Then she remembered. “Chief Wang, may I offer you and your family some refreshments?” Automatically, she reached for the jugs of wine set on the table in the middle of the room. Several cushions lay scattered on the sheepskin rug around it.
“Not yet,” Chief Wang said, shaking his head. “First, I want to see how preparations for the wedding are going.” He turned to her father, his head tilting. “I’m glad it’s being held here and not at mine. I cannot stand watching all the damn women rushing around screaming and shouting from dawn to dusk. Hopefully, your daughter won’t be as bad as the rest of them are.”
Laughter bubbled from out of Chief Zhou’s mouth. “I don’t know. Mulan can be stubborn and defiant. It’s one of her many charms.”
“Stubbornness can be dealt with. That’s what husbands are for, to show who the master of the house is.” Luwei’s soft voice carried through the room, plunging it into silence. A smirk stretched across his face, and his look of determination sent chills through her.
Any sign of amusement slipped from Chief Zhou’s face. His eyes flickered between the man about to marry his daughter and for a moment, Mulan detected a sense of worry within them. Hope flickered in her chest. Father must know of the stories about him - how he takes great pleasure in bullying young girls and frightening the elderly. Surely, he won’t allow me to marry that monster!
Yet, her father plastered a smile over his face and looked away from her. He turned and headed for the door leading into the courtyard, Chou Bosi and Nanyang quick on his heels. “Shall we head over to the kitchens and see how the cooks are getting on? We’re expecting half the town to arrive.”
Mulan’s heart dropped into the pit of her stomach.
“Sounds perfect. And on the way, we can discuss the matter of the dowry.” Following, Chief Wang turned in the doorway, his narrowed eyes glittering. “Son, why don’t you stay here and get to know your bride a little? I’ve noticed she’s not said much. She must be nervous.”
Don’t stay, don’t stay, don’t stay.
“Of course, Father,” Luwei said, his tone as slippery as silk. “I’ve been wanting to speak to her alone for a while.”
Everything in Mulan’s body screamed at her to rush to her father’s side, to get out of this room, and hide from this man. All the girls in town fawned over Luwei’s good looks, his strong jawline and dazzling smile, but Mulan knew surfaces could be deceiving. If the eyes were windows to the soul, then Luwei’s soul was cloaked in darkness.
And she was about to marry it.
Despite the nerves, Mulan steeled herself. There was no way in the eighteen levels of hell that she would allow him to see how much he frightened her. Taking another deep breath, she raised her chin and looked him in the eye. “Can I get you a drink?”
Luwei nodded, the smirk on his face never faltering. “Yes.”
Forcing herself to concentrate on her movements, Mulan poured a cup of wine and offered it to him. Luwei stepped forward, his leather boots soft on the wooden floor. Not only did his eyes scream predatory, but so did the long languid way his body sauntered towards her. His fingers clasped the cup, gently tracing the ends of her digits. Mulan dropped her hold and Luwei raised the cup. “To our marriage,” he said, before downing the contents in one swallow. Holding the cup out, his eyes scanned her thoroughly. “I thought this day would never come.”
“That you’d get married?” Mulan asked testily, pouring more wine.
“No, that I’d get the opportunity to teach you how to be a proper lady.”
Mulan’s heart froze within her chest. Her eyes glanced upwards. “Excuse me?”
His arms flashed forward with deadly speed, gripping her around the waist and pulling her close. Inside her veins, her blood ran cold. “Women’s role in life is to serve their husbands. You’ve never been a good girl, Mulan. Remember that time when I wanted to kiss you? You kicked me between the legs and ran off. Or that time last year when you humiliated me in town saying you’d rather marry a donkey instead of me?” Lowering his head, he whispered in her ear. “Bad girls who don’t know their place need to be schooled. Tomorrow, your lessons begin.”
Mulan’s mouth suddenly went dry and she stepped out of his hold. “I’ve already learned all I need to know. Even if I didn’t, you’re not the one to teach me anything.”
Laughter erupted from Luwei’s mouth as he sank to the floor, lounging on the many cushions with one leg outstretched. “I’ll be the best teacher ever. Just wait and see. There will be a few changes to your lifestyle.”
“What changes?”
“No more running around with that bunch of losers you’re fond of, for one. Hopefully, the wiggling worms will kill your friends on the battlefield, but even if they do survive, you won’t see them again. No wife of mine will be alone with any other men. It’s unacceptable.”
“What’s unacceptable is you thinking you can treat me this way,” Mulan spat. “My father will not allow this.”
Luwei snorted. “My father outranks yours, remember? Besides, we all know he’s going to die on the way to Black Gate.”
“You don’t know that. He’s stronger than anyone, including you.”
Head tilting to the side, he raked his g
aze up and down the length of her body. “Marriage with you will be fun. I’m going to enjoy our little arguments and the fact that you won’t be able to walk very far from our yurt.”
She swallowed, her hands clenched on the wine jug. “What do you mean?”
“Some women find it hard to walk long distances when their bellies are ripe with the fruit of their husband’s loins. I’ve been watching you for years, Mulan. You’re a great horsewoman, but you won’t be able to ride when you’re pregnant, let alone try to get on one.”
A wave of nausea swelled within Mulan’s gut at the thought of carrying Luwei’s child. To do that, she’d have to lay with him ... suddenly the urge to slit her wrists sounded like a great idea.
How could Yi Ligui imagine she’d thank her for marrying this man? Were the spirits drunk on the rice wine people offered them?
“I’m not having your baby,” she whispered, horror and anger lacing her tone.
“Yes, you will,” Luwei grinned, his dark beady eyes roaming over her once again. “You will bear all my children. I’ve decided to go against tradition and make you my only wife. We’re going to have lots of babies.”
“I’ll die before I let you touch me.” The words came out soft, but steel infused them. “Or I’ll kill you the second we’re alone.”
The grin on Luwei’s face stretched further. Hollow and sinister, it made Mulan’s blood plummet to icy depths. Slowly, he rose to his feet. “I like your spirit. Introducing you into the life of a real Tuoba woman will be fun.”
“Well, I don’t like your spirit and I’d rather introduce you to the end of my jian.”
Regarding her with amusement, he took the few steps that separated them and reached out his hand. His fingers traced along the hard edges of her jawline, sending Mulan’s heart thumping in her chest, before grasping her jaw and squeezing it to the point of pain. “Lessons can be taught the easy way, or the hard way. I’m fine with either option.”
Fear and anger robbed Mulan of her ability to speak. Not that it mattered to Luwei. His tongue fell silent as his dark eyes stared back, obviously enjoying the horror painting her features.
Soft footsteps echoed in the distance. As soon as they grew closer, Luwei’s fingers relaxed on her jaw, slowly gliding over her skin. A shudder coursed down Mulan’s spine just as her father and Chief Wang strode back into the room, laughter trailing behind them on the breeze.
Part of her wanted to scream at her father to save her from this marriage, to save her from a life worse than death. The urge was so damn strong she almost opened her mouth, but the look in his eyes stopped her.
Refusing to marry the greater chief’s son when the spirits had already spoken would bring great shame to her family. An insult of that magnitude to someone of Chief Wang’s stature gave him the permission not only to execute her father, but to force her to marry his son nonetheless.
And the predatory stare Luwei gave her told Mulan he’d do it.
All her life, she’d accepted that she’d never be classed as ‘the good daughter’ unlike Feng Qing. Defiance and brutal honesty ran through her veins instead of blood. Yet, a part of her still wanted to see the pride in her parent’s eyes.
This marriage would give her that.
Who else would marry her? No one. Shenzhou saw her as the naughty one of Chief Zhou’s daughters, the one with trouble hot on her heels. Feng Qing’s suitors lined up down the path to ask for her hand once their father had announced she was ready for marriage. How many had lined up for Mulan?
Not one. Not even with a substantial dowry to go with her.
The only one who desired her was Luwei, the man who yearned to break her.
Life had a funny way of spitting in your face at just the right time.
“Ah, there they are,” boomed Chief Wang, the pleasure on his face evident as he glanced their way. Luwei’s hand dropped and stepped over to his father. Her mother and little sister were nowhere in sight. “The happy couple getting to know each other.”
Mulan’s gaze swept towards her father. Concern blazed in his eyes, but he remained silent. Not wanting him to see her discomfort, she dropped her head and stared at the floor.
Chief Wang walked over to her and took Mulan’s hand in his. Grease stained his fingertips and his breath smelled of spicy pork and wine. “Tomorrow you will become part of our family, young Mulan. Unlike your father’s home, ours is more traditional, keeping in the spirits of our ancestors. It will be a big change for you, but I hope you will find happiness with us.”
The idea of living in a yurt like the Wang’s held no appeal for her, but insulting the chief was out of the question. Instead, she plastered a fake smile on her face and raised her gaze. “I’m sure I will.”
Dropping her hands, Chief Wang strode towards the main door. “We’ll be going now, Zhou, but tomorrow can’t come soon enough. Then we ride to war. You at Black Gate, myself at Dragon’s Ridge.”
So, Father and Chief Zhou are going to different camps. At least Luwei won’t be fighting alongside my friends.
It was the only good thing she’d heard all day.
Mulan’s father walked the chief towards the door. “Tomorrow will be an auspicious day for both our families.”
As her father and the chief disappeared through the front door and into the sunshine, Luwei followed. Before leaving, he turned, a rapturous smile dancing over his mouth. “Remember, what I said, Mulan,” he told her, the words low enough for her ears only. “I’ve given you options. Choose one, or I’ll do it for you.”
OVERHEAD, SHIMMERING shades of orange and gold tinted the clouds as the bright blue sky started to make its descent into evening. The river rippled softly in the breeze. In the distance, far past the stretch of fields, hills dominated the landscape, promising a tantalising escape.
Mulan leaned back against the magnolia tree, every part of her soul screaming to run towards those hills. Of course, that meant she’d have to cross the river and swimming had never been her strongest skill.
Getting herself into stupid situations like marrying the town’s creep just to keep tradition, that she could do.
What am I going to do? There must be a way out of this situation.
Several hours had passed since Chief Wang and Luwei’s departure and still the horror lingered within her soul. With the wedding only hours away, her parent’s house had transformed into a whirlwind of excitement with all the preparations. Even the damn dogs were more animated than usual.
“How did I know where to find you?”
Mulan didn’t even turn her head at the familiar voice, keeping her eyes on the hills. “Because you’re the smart one out of the two of us?”
Daocheng sat beside her, his arm brushing hers. The musky scent of horse filled her nose. “Talk to me.”
A weary sigh shot from her mouth and Mulan tipped her head back, shutting her eyes. “Where to start?”
“From the beginning?”
“Well, let’s see. I’m due to marry the biggest bully in Shenzhou tomorrow who plans on getting me pregnant as many times as he can and teach me all the ways to be a perfect little wife. Then there’s the fact that he wants all my friends to die in battle against the Rouran. And not forgetting that the only man capable of stopping a life of misery and pain is my father but will most likely die soon. Shall I continue with the rest of my day? It involves my mother scolding me every two minutes and Feng Qing making snide comments about how my wedding is more important than hers.”
Daocheng paused for a moment and inhaled. “So the marriage really is going ahead? I’d heard the gossip in town but didn’t quite believe it.”
“Oh, it’s true, alright,” Mulan said, hearing a plaintive note creep into her voice. “I truly thought the meeting with Yi Ligui was going to be like all the other times; that the spirits had no answer. No marriage would be better than a lifetime trapped with Wang Luwei.” Hot tears burned in the back of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall like some sorry victim. She was s
tronger than that.
Almost.
“Are you sure there’s no one else you’d rather marry?”
Mulan nodded and returned her gaze to the hills. “I always thought that I’d meet someone, fall in love, then decide if I wanted to marry. I guess that choice isn’t mine after all.”
“Your parents only want what’s best for you.”
“But why does that mean stripping me of my right to choose?”
“There’s a lot of things we can’t choose. The day after tomorrow, we ride to war. There’s a good chance the Rouran will kill us, Mulan. Your wedding could be the last time I see you. If I had my choice, I’d stay and help you escape this marriage. I’d do anything to ensure your happiness and safety.” He spoke softly, but they rang with honesty and conviction.
An idea popped into Mulan’s mind. “You can’t help me, but maybe I can help myself.”
“How?”
“I could run away.”
“What are you talking about? Where would you run to? You’ve never been out of the county. Chief Zhou would find you.”
Excitement ran through her veins like heady wine. “Not if I joined the army.”
Disbelief stained Daocheng’s eyes and his brow creased with concern. “Mulan, you’re not making any sense.”
“Just hear me out. Father is too sick to go to war; he won’t survive the trip. He knows it, I know it, everyone knows it. What if I took his place?”
“But you’re a girl. You have a few things different to us men.”
“Don’t be stupid. I won’t go as Mulan. I’ll dress as a man and go as Mohuai, Chief Zhou’s son. No one will know.”
“No one will know,” Daocheng repeated, his tone flat.
“Of course they won’t. What man would expect a girl to go to war with them? No one will suspect a thing. This way, Father won’t die on the way to Black Gate and I get out of the marriage. Everyone wins!”
“What about the little matter of Chief Wang and his son recognising you?”
“They’re heading for Dragon’s Ridge, not Black Gate.”
The heavy sound of Daocheng’s intake of breath rang in her ears. “Mulan, stop and think about what you’re saying. You can’t join the army to get out of your wedding.”
Honour, She Obeys Page 5