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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.”