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TheImperialPalacewasaglow.Hundredsofcolorfullanternsfloatedintheskyaboveaspeoplefilledthestreets,theirvoicesringingwithlaughterandcelebration.Aparade,ledbyalargereddragon,madeitswayalongthemainstreetwhilemusicandthescentoffoodfilledtheair.

Mulanstoodinsidethethroneroom,hermindablur.

Thepastfewhourshadbeensurreal.ImmediatelyaftertellingtheEmperorhername,fearhadfilledMulan.WhileshehadsavedtheEmperor,shehaddonesoasawoman.Anditwasstillillegalforhertofightasone.ShehadfollowedhimfromtheNewPalacetotheImperialPalacewithalumpinherthroat,convincedhewasgoingtopunishher.Buttohersurprise,hehadbroughthertothepalacetohonorher.

Nowshestoodinfrontofthethrone,atinyfiguresurroundedbydozensofcandlesthatlituptheroom,makingitwarmandbright.Behindher,themostimportantpeopleofthecitystoodwatchingherintently.AmongthemwereCommanderTung,Honghui,andtherestofherbattalion.EvenRamtishandSkatchwerethere,bothnoworseforweardespitebeingforcedintobattle.Infact,theylookedalmosthandsome,freshlywashedandstandingwithpride.

Risingfromhisthrone,theEmperorapproachedMulan.Shebowedandsmiledwhenheencouragedhertostandoncemore.

“HuaMulan,”theEmperorbegan,hisvoicecarryingoverthecrowd.“Thepeopleoweyouadebtofthanks.Ioweyoumylife.Ingratitudeforyourserviceanddedication,Iinviteyoutotakeyourplaceamongourgreatestdecoratedwarriors—asanofficerinmyImperialGuard.”

Behindher,sheheardthesurprisedmurmursfromtheonlookers.WhattheEmperorofferedwasanincrediblehonor.Infact,itwasthegreatesthonoranysoldiercouldwishfor.IttookMulan’sbreathaway,andshehadtomovehergazefromtheEmperorsohewouldn’tseetheemotionrunningoverherface.Unfortunately,whensheturned,shefoundherselflookingrightatYao,whohadtearsofhisownrunningdownhischeeksashewatchedMulanwithpride.SeeingthelargesoldierweepingmadeMulansmile,andsheturnedbacktotheEmperor.Sheknewwhatshehadtosay.

“YourMajesty,”shebegan,“Iamdeeplyhonoredbythisimmeasurableinvitation.Butwithhumbleapologies,Icannoteptit.”Oncemore,theroomfilledwithsurprisedmumblesasthosegatheredtriedtomakesenseofheranswer.OnlyCommanderTungseemedtounderstand,andhegaveherareassuringsmileasshewenton.“Ilefthomeundercoverofdarknessandbetrayedmyfamily’strust.ImadechoicesIknewwouldrisktheirdishonor.Sincethen,Ihavepledgedanoathtobeloyal,brave,andtrue.Inordertofulfilhisoath,Imustreturnhomeandmakeamendstomyfamily.”

TherewasapauseastheEmperorconsideredMulan’swords.Thenhenodded.Raisinghisvoice,heformallyaddressedthecourt.“Devotiontofamilyisanessentialvirtue!”Ashisscribestooknoteofthisnewofficialdeclaration,theEmperorlookedoncemoreatMulan.Hedidnotsayanythingforamoment,hiswarmeyesseemingtopeerintohersoul.Then,asthoughsatisfiedwithwhathehadseenthere,theEmperornoddedagain.Thistime,inavoiceonlyshecouldhear,hesaid.“Verywell,HuaMulan.”