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Matchmaker?Auspiciousmatch?
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Thosewerethewordsshehadbeendreadingeversinceshehadturnedamarriageableage.Formonths,shehadheardothergirlsinthevillagegigglingabouttheirownmatchesandhadsecretlybeenthrilledwhenanotherdaypassedwithnonewsfromthecrankyoldwomanwhomadeherlivingsettinguptheeligiblegirlsofthevillage.Herdreamhadbeenthatperhapsnomatchwouldeverbefound.Thatshecouldcontinuetoliveherlifethewayitwas—free.
Hersisterwastheonewhodaydreamedofanauspiciousmatch.Whenevershecould,Xiutalkedaboutthejoysofbeingawife.OnanygivennightshewouldtellMulanabouttherecipesshehopedtocook,theclothesshewouldweave.Xiurambledforhoursaboutthewaysinwhichshewouldlivetoservethemanwhowouldbeherhusband.Howhappyshewouldmakehim—andherfamily.ToMulan,thatlifeseemedconfininganddevoidofadventure.
Mulanknewitwouldnotbringthehonorherfamilywanted,andshewouldneveradmititoutloud,butshedidnotwanttogetmarried.Shecouldstayandhelpherparentsinstead,shereasoned.Perhapsmakethemproudofherinotherways.Mulanlookedtoherfather,hopinghemightsaysomethingtoputanendtothisconversation.
Seeingherdaughter’sdesperatelook,Li’sexpressionhardened.“YourfatherandIhavespokenaboutthis,”shestated.
Zhounodded,thoughhelookedsad.“Yes,Mulan.Itisdecided.”
“But—”Mulanstartedtosay.
Herfathercutheroffwithashakeofhishead.“Itiswhat’sbestforourfamily.”