[Cut to Mulan's bedroom. Hua Hu is standing inside with Mulan, who is sitting at her table with a lit candle and sewing away at some clothing]

Hua Hu: These past few days, your mother's attitude toward you has completely changed from how she used to treat you. She has been helpful and always gives you a smile. She treats you like a blessed one; she can't seem to love you enough. Isn't this what you've always dreamed of? Then why are you sitting inside all day moping around?

Mulan [taking a deep breath]: She doesn't love me. She is trying to curry favor with me. She knows that I have done a great deed by saving the Emperor, so she is trying to ride my coattails. Even the mayor is getting in on it. That's the only reason he is treating me so well lately. Otherwise, Mother would still be scolding and beating me without end. I don’t want her to treat me as if I'm made of gold just because of what I've done. I want her to love me honestly. [Sighs] Oh well, I don't care if she loves me or not.

Hua Hu [looking very concerned]: You hate her, don't you?

Mulan: Father, I'm not content. How come everyone else has a mother who loves them but I don't? If I were to suddenly become famous and her overlord, she'd only be my servant, not my mother.

Hua Hu: I've heard somewhere that it takes several lifetimes of luck and/or marital happiness to cultivate a completely happy family. If this is true, then… maybe you were her mortal enemy in your previous life, so now you have to be her daughter in this life. That's why you have to put up with her. Heck, maybe in your previous life you killed her father, so of course she will be quite a bit harsher to you in this lifetime, right? You can understand that, can't you?

Mulan [smiling weakly]: I am not aware of what happened in my previous lifetime. Why should I have to suffer for something that happened then?

Hua Hu: Who knows what they did in a previous life? However, the world is full of filial people. No matter what, she still carried you for ten months before giving birth to you. Even if she is guilty of a hundred wrongs against you, you can still be more like how you were in the army, more generous and forgiving of others.

[Mulan silently nods in agreement]

[The Hua family has just received word that the Emperor has arrived and will visit them, in recognition of Mulan’s previous deeds (she recently saved him from an assassin). The household is aflutter, with everyone nervous about the true reason for the imperial visit]

[Cut to the outside of the Hua home. The entire royal family has arrived, along with General Li. The Hua family genuflects before the Emperor, who asks them to rise. Hua Hu is so nervous he can barely speak and properly greet the Emperor]

Mulan [without missing a beat]: Your Majesty, my father is so overwhelmed with the honor you are bestowing upon us with this visit that he is tongue-tied. Please forgive his lack of courtesy towards your Majesty.

Emperor: Don’t worry, Hua Hu. Just pretend I’m a common old man and treat me as such.

[Cut to the inside of the Hua home. The Emperor and Empress are seated, with everyone else standing. The Emperor begins to praise Mulan’s warrior skills in defending him from the assassin, congratulating Hua Hu for having such an outstanding son. Mulan’s mother urges her youngest child (and only son) to hand cups of tea to the Emperor and Empress. The Empress is charmed by the sight of the little boy and asks him for his name. She then asks him if he would like to be a government official and serve the empire when he grows up]

Tianci [artlessly replies]: Sure, but I want to be a bigger official than Fourth Eldest Sister (pointing to Mulan).

[The entire Hua family gasps in horror when they hear this, thinking that all is lost. Hua Hu looks like he is going to have a heart attack. Luckily, Mulan thinks quickly on her feet]

Mulan: Your Majesty, "Fourth Eldest Sister (i.e.- shi jie)" is my protective nickname (boys are sometimes given feminine nicknames to confuse evil spirits that wish to do harm to a family’s sons). I was the fourth child, with three older sisters, and my father worried that I wouldn’t survive infancy since my mother had suffered two miscarriages before I was born. I was given this nickname.

[Everyone has a good chuckle, while the Hua family heaves a deep sigh of relief]

[Cut to an inner chamber of the Hua home after the imperial family has left]

Hua Hu [looking rather pale]: I almost died of fear when I heard Tianci say "Fourth Eldest Sister" to the Emperor. I declare, my heart felt like it was about to pop out of my chest.

Mulan’s mother: We can’t hide this secret much longer. Sooner or later, the Emperor will find out the truth… and then we’ll all be executed!

[Mulan enters the room, dressed as a woman again]: Don’t worry, mother, I hid my secret from the army the entire time I served. We’ll be fine.

Stepmother [not convinced]: But the Emperor is getting quite persistent about giving you a government post as a reward. You can’t keep putting him off.

Mulan: I have already told him several times that I’m not interested.

Mulan’s mother [in a fretful voice]: But if the Emperor keeps insisting, we can’t refuse him. We’ll be executed when he finds out. I can just see what horrible deaths we’ll have.

[Mulan noticeably wilts at these comments]

Mulan’s mother [continuing to whine]: If only you were a son, none of this would be a problem. It’s such a pity you aren’t a boy. Your father and I could bask in your limelight, enjoying the favor of the Emperor earned from your deed, but no. You are a girl, and because of that, we’re all going to die on your account. You’re such a burden to us. Oh, why didn’t the God of the Heavens notice the problems you would cause, being born into our family. If you were only a son…Oh, we’re all going to die, we’re all going to die…

[She keeps repeating this tack, ad nauseum, not caring that Mulan is obviously hurt from her comments]

Hua Hu [exasperated]: Would you quit saying we’re all going to die? If the Emperor doesn’t execute you, I’ll do it myself.

Both parents [muttering]: Oh, we’re all going to die. There’s no way out…

[Cut to the Hua home, early next morning. Mulan’s mother is standing in the middle of the room, grimacing and gesturing continuously. She doesn’t notice Mulan when she walks in and looks at her mother in puzzlement]

Mulan: What are you doing?

Mulan’s mother [continuing to gesture and grimace]: I’m doing some stretching exercises for my face. It will help my skin stay nice and tight as I get older.

Mulan: Why are you doing them? Father is too old to have a roving eye anymore, so you needn’t worry.

Mulan’s mother: You’re just a young woman. What do you know? If someone overheard you saying that, you’d be the laughingstock of the village.

Mulan: I’ve already dressed as a man to join the army (considered highly unconventional and potentially shameful); compared to that, I’m not worried about getting laughed at for minor things anymore.

Mulan’s mother [seeing Mulan with the laundry basket]: Don’t bother with the laundry. I’ll have your stepmother do it.

Mulan [protesting]: Stepmother is busy looking after Tianci. Let me do it.

Mulan’s mother: Then I’ll do it, if she’s busy.

Mulan [looking her mother straight in the eye]: Mother, why are you treating me so nicely all of a sudden?

[Her mother looks startled at this question and unsure of how to answer her]

Mulan [smiling again]: I was just joking. But you don’t let me do any chores anymore. All I do now is eat, sleep, then eat again. If I don’t do something, I’ll end up as big as a house.

[Mulan’s mother, unable to respond, allows her to take the laundry. Mulan heads out the door with the basket]

Mulan’s mother [to herself]: Even the town mayor is helping us cover for Mulan. We’d all be better off if she was a son and not a daughter. [Continues to do her exercises]

[Cut to a place just outside the Hua home. Mulan starts to head for the stream to do the family laundry. After she steps out the door, she spots General Li heading toward her home. She turns and bolts back to the house]

[Cut to just inside the Hua home. Mulan’s mother is ushering General Li inside. Mulan is now dressed as a man and steps in the front room, appearing surprised at seeing General Li]

Mulan: General Li, what a nice surprise. What brings you here?

General Li: Well, when I came here yesterday with the imperial family, we hurriedly arrived and hurriedly left. I didn’t get the chance to shoot the breeze with you.

Mulan [coyly]: So you decided to come here today, bright and early, to make up for it?

Mulan’s mother: Uh… son, let me go get some tea for General Li.

Mulan: That won’t be necessary, mother. General Li is a good friend, so we needn’t make a fuss, right General Li?

Mulan’s mother [shakes her head]: What kind of talk is that? Anyone who comes through our door is a guest, and will be treated like one. I’ll go get the tea. [She leaves the room]

General Li [towards Mulan’s mother’s retreating back]: Thank you.

Mulan: Have a seat. [Looks him over] You know, you look different. You seem awfully standoffish and stiff. When I first met you, you weren’t like this.

General Li: How do you expect me to act? Do you want me to fall upon you, crying and hugging you?

Mulan [teasingly]: That’d be fine. At least it’d be better than what you’re doing now.

General Li [drawing himself up]: I think you misunderstand the closeness of our relationship. If you and I were really such close friends, you wouldn’t have left camp for home with only a farewell letter, instead of telling me in-person.

Mulan [scowling]: You’re still sore over that? I thought I explained in my letter that I don’t do well with farewells.

General Li: Well, if we were really so close, you wouldn’t have asked Su Jili to give the troops your farewell letter; you would have asked me to do it. Thus, we must not be that close.

Mulan [starts to smirk]: So, this is the real reason you’re still sore at me. You’re jealous of Jili, aren’t you? Sour grapes?

General Li: No, it isn’t sour grapes. I just don’t feel this friendship of ours is worth much, that’s all.

Mulan [smirking]: For all your talk about the importance of acting like large-hearted and a true man, you sound just like an old woman that’s full of sour grapes.

General Li: I told you, it isn’t sour grapes.

Mulan: Really?

General Li: Sour grapes only happen in romantic relationships between men and women. You’re not a woman, right?

Mulan [looking conspiratorial]: You know, I can help you get back at Jili, if you’re game.

[She starts to leave the room. General Li watches her, then gets up and follows]

[Cut to room further inside house. Jili is doing calisthenics when Mulan walks in]

Mulan [looking mischievous]: Jili, how are you doing today?

Jili [getting up]: I’m doing fine today.

Mulan: Guess who’s here?

[General Li walks in, looking very stern and authoritative]

General Li: Su Jili, so this is where you’ve been all this time. You’ve got some nerve, deserting the army like that. Do you realize everyone’s been looking for you to have you arrested? You’ve even gotten Lieutenant Hua to hide you in his home. Well, what do you have to say for yourself?

Jili [rather sheepish]: Um, well, not much.

Mulan [grinning now]: Stop teasing him, General Li. You’re not in any trouble, Jili. I’ve already spoken on your behalf to the Emperor; he’s pardoned your desertion. He even gave you to me to serve as my personal servant. From now on, you are part of the Hua family.

Jili: It’s not that I mind becoming part of your family, I just don’t like the thought that someone can just give me away to someone else. It sounds so embarrassing. Besides, I’m a subject of the Emperor above, and not the Emperor below (i.e.- Emperor of China).

[Mulan and General Li roll their eyes, thinking Jili is again suffering delusions of grandeur]

[Cut to a street in the bustling marketplace of the village. Mulan and General Li are walking together]

General Li [sighs]: You know, I much prefer staying back at camp to accompanying the Emperor on his travels. It’s so boring.

Mulan: Knowing you as I do, I’d think you would have no problems keeping yourself occupied, if you put your mind to it. I’m not worried about you.

[Mulan starts to look blue, wrapped in her own thoughts]

General Li [concerned]: You look kind of sad. Is there something on your mind?

Mulan: I was just thinking about life back at the camp. While it’s true there were tough moments, I still feel they were the happiest times of my life. In particular, I’m grateful I got to meet you and become your friend.

General Li: Such is life, Mulan. Just remember that if you ever have any troubles, you can come to me. I’ll help you solve them, no matter what they are.

Mulan [full of gratitude, but still looking sad]: After this visit, I don’t know when we’ll ever see each other again. Life goes on, we’ll all go our separate ways, and it could be years, or never, before we meet again.

General Li: Then why don’t we agree to meet again in five years, back at camp, and have a reunion of sorts? We can reminisce about old times and catch up on news.

Mulan [smiles weakly, but then looks even gloomier]: In five years, we’ll be married, have families, etc. Meeting again might even hurt the good memories, not make new ones.

General Li [protesting]: Now wait a minute, how can you say that? My kids could visit your kids. Heck, if we have a boy and girl, they might even get married to each other. Our tie of friendship would become a tie of blood, extending this friendship into the next generation. Come, soldiers must part when the war is over.

[He starts to walk away, then says over his shoulder] Mulan, don’t forget. We will meet in five years time back at camp.

[Mulan looks at General Li’s retreating form, showing on her face the deep regret she feels that he will never know her true feelings towards him, nor so many other things she wants to say]

[Cut to the Emperor’s temporary quarters. The Emperor and Empress are playing a round of weiqi. The Emperor’s advisor announces the arrival of Hua Hu and Mulan. They step inside and greet the Emperor and Empress]

Mulan: Your Majesty, you requested my presence. What are your instructions for me?

Emperor [in surprise]: I did?

Empress [interrupts him]: Actually, I called you, Lieutenant Hua.

Mulan [to Empress]: Your Majesty, what can I do for you?

Empress [to Emperor]: I was thinking, our daughter is of marriageable age. Lieutenant Hua is of age, capable, and not awed with wealth and prestige. They’d make a perfect match.

[Mulan and Hua Hu are so surprised they start gaping at the Empress]

Emperor: I second the motion.

Mulan [awkwardly]: Your Majesty, I do not deserve the hand of the princess. I’m not a fit match.

Emperor [to Mulan]: As a reward for saving my life, I’m giving you a thousand pieces of gold (i.e.-a daughter). Nothing could be better.

Crown Prince: Great! I get to have you for my brother-in-law!

[Mulan looks to her father, silently pleading for him to think of something to say to the Emperor]

Hua Hu [bowing again]: Your Majesty, my son is really not fit to marry the princess. His martial skills are no better than those of a three-legged cat; it was pure luck that allowed him the honor of saving your Majesty.

Emperor: No, Hua Hu, I disagree. Lieutenant Hua has earned this honor. I now declare him the future husband of Princess Lanling. Let all know this fact.

Second Prince: Well, aren’t you going to thank the Emperor for this honor?

[Mulan, seeing there is no easy way out, genuflects and offers her gratitude (with great chagrin) towards the Emperor and Empress]

[Cut to Hua home. The entire family is discussing Mulan’s predicament]

Hua Hu [pacing back and forth]: What are we going to do? Someone think of something.

Mulan: Father, I should go to the Emperor and explain the whole situation to him.

Jili: No, that's not a good idea. Royalty doesn’t always act fairly. He could turn around and execute you for lying to him all this time.

Stepmother: But would he be so unreasonable? I mean, Mulan IS his savior. Would he forget this debt?

Jili: Some people, when they become emperors, remember all the people who helped them gain the throne and thank them accordingly. Others are much more Machiavellian; they will repay kindness with a stab in the back, as long as they get what they want first.

Mulan’s mother: Mulan, you had best not go see the Emperor; you’d be walking into a trap with no way out.

Hua Hu: Daughter, don’t worry. I have a plan. There’s more than one way to skin a cat.

[Cut to Emperor’s temporary quarters]

Emperor: What did you say?

Hua Hu: Your Majesty, we originally wanted to keep this a secret longer, but we couldn’t sacrifice the princess’s future to our desire for wealth and prestige. You see… well, my son… he… he’s sterile.

Emperor: That’s such a pity, that a fine and upstanding young man like Mulan can no longer become my son-in-law. So, how did this happen?

Hua Hu: Well, it’s my fault. You see, when Mulan was young, I forced him to practice martial arts day and night. As he got better with youth, I got worse with age. One day, when I was sparring with him, I missed and accidentally sliced him "down there." The doctors said there was nothing they can do.

[The Second Prince whispers something into the Empress’s ear. She nods at his suggestion]

Empress: Lieutenant Hua, are you upset at this turn of events (i.e.-can no longer marry the princess)?

Mulan [trying to look disappointed]: Your Majesty, seeing all the hopes you pinned on me, which I am unable to fulfill, is what makes me disappointed.

Empress: You know, you look hale and hearty, which makes me quite surprised you are sterile. Are you sure the doctor you saw knew what he was doing? He might have misdiagnosed you. [Calls her servant] Please fetch the imperial physician and have him give Lieutenant Hua a thorough examination.

Hua Hu [gets on his knees]: Your Majesty, please forgive us and grant us a pardon. The true reason I don’t want my son to marry the princess is for purely selfish motives. I am in poor health and need my son to care for me. I’d miss him if he married the princess and lived in the imperial city. In truth, Mulan had his heart set on marrying the princess [Mulan starts at this], but I couldn’t let him go. That’s why I forced him to join me in hoodwinking the Emperor.

Mulan: Actually, your Majesty, this was all my doing. I don’t wish to marry the princess because I’d hate to have a wife who was greatly superior to me; it’d hurt my manly pride. I also wouldn’t be able to take more than one wife. That’s why I forced my father to join in this charade.

Second Prince: How dare you! It’s bad enough, Mulan, that you don’t appreciate the honor we are bestowing upon you, but you also tried to lie to the Emperor.

Emperor: That’s enough. Stop berating them. [To Mulan] Is the thought of becoming my son-in-law so frightening to you?

Hua Hu [speaking for Mulan]: Actually, your Majesty, my son is from a family of common folk. We are born common and brought up common; we are not a fit match for someone of the princess’s caliber and breeding. Please, take back your imperial order (to have Mulan marry the princess).

Empress [getting angry]: Once the Emperor has given an imperial order, he cannot take it back, or chaos will result. The only way I’m letting you get out of this marriage is if you die before it can take place, otherwise, you WILL become my son-in-law, understood?

[Cut to courtyard in the Hua home. It is night. Mulan walks in, looking for Su Jili. He staggers in a few seconds later, obviously drunk]

Mulan: Hey, Jili, I’ve been looking for you. Where have you been?

Jili: I’m no use. I’m a worthless worm.

Mulan [getting alarmed]: What’s the matter, Jili? Did someone pick on you? Tell me who did it, and I’ll go teach them a lesson. Was it my younger brother?

Jili: The Emperor wants to make you his son-in-law and I can’t do a thing to protect you.

[He starts to punch himself in the face. Mulan tries to stop him]

Mulan: Jili, don’t get so excited. I can handle my own problems.

[Cut to a view just outside the Emperor’s temporary quarters in Mulan’s home village. Mulan’s stepmother (Hua Hu’s second wife) knocks on the door, asking to see General Li. He soon steps outside to speak with her]

Stepmother: Mulan asked me to give you a message. Please meet him at the bridge right outside town tomorrow morning. He has something important to discuss with you.

General Li [puzzled]: If it’s so important, why couldn’t he come and talk to me in-person?

Stepmother [looking very mysterious]: You’ll see. All will become clear then.

[Cut to the bridge outside the town. It is early morning, just after dawn. General Li is at the bridge, pacing around impatiently. He doesn’t notice Mulan, dressed this time as a woman, sitting on the edge of the bridge with her back to him]

General Li [mutters]: Mulan, where are you? You’re too old to be playing hide-and-go-seek.

[He starts to shout her name, but doesn’t get a response. He starts to leave]

Mulan [calling from behind him]: I’m already here. Where are you going?

[Recognizing his friend’s voice, General Li turns around, and does a double-take when he sees Mulan is in a woman’s outfit. She smiles demurely. Rather crossly, he walks over to where she sits]

Mulan: Who’s interested in playing hide-and-go-seek with you?

General Li: Why the heck are you dressed as a woman again? (Referring to the undercover assignment she did several months ago) What are you up to now?

Mulan: Is that all you think about? Games? You’re so dense. I AM dressed in my regular attire, just like I ought to be.

General Li [scoffs]: You’re pulling my leg.

Mulan [earnestly]: I’m not joking. I joined the army in my father’s place. My only brother is too young to serve, so I went instead, disguising myself as a man to do so.

General Li [incredulous]: You mean you really are a young lady?

[It finally begins to sink in to General Li that Mulan is telling the truth. He begins to light up visibly when he realizes the full import of what she has said]

General Li [grinning broadly now]: So that’s why you never liked people touching you in the army, didn’t want anyone to see your chest wound (earned from protecting the Emperor from an assassin), insisted on all those rules of etiquette, and didn’t want to marry the princess.

[General Li is obviously starting to plan how he is going to court Mulan, as this new revelation has opened up so many possibilities for him]

Mulan: Please mind your manners, sir.

General Li [abashed]: Of course, of course. I apologize for my lack of manners. I’m just deliriously happy. You know, Mulan, your charade really caused me a lot of suffering.

Mulan [looking rather happy herself]: Why are you so happy?

General Li: You knew full well how I’d react to this news. That’s why you asked me to come here, away from other people, to tell me the truth.

Mulan [soberly]: But that’s not why I told you. I need your help to come up with a plan.

General Li [still smiling]: For selecting a groom?

Mulan [slightly annoyed]: I’m on pins and needles, and all you can do is joke with me.

[Cut to Emperor’s temporary quarters. The imperial family is getting ready to watch a play. The Empress is looking for the Crown Prince, who is nowhere to be found. He finally walks in, wearing a Mongolian herder’s outfit. This causes the Emperor and Empress to look at him in dismay]

Emperor: What is the meaning of this? Why are you dressed as a barbarian?

Second Prince: Brother, the show is about to start. You’d best change out of your outfit, or you’ll miss the opening.

Crown Prince: Not to worry. The play has been canceled. Instead, I am going to provide the entertainment, acting in a play of my own. It’s called "Joining the Army."

[He begins to act, playing the role of a barbarian king of yesteryear. He sings of how he is a great warrior and even greater king, how he rules his subjects firmly, and deals harshly against transgressors. He sings of his disgust at discovering a lowly woman has infiltrated his army. General Li walks in next, dressed as a woman and singing an out-of-tune falsetto (really grates on the ear). He portrays a woman who dressed as a man to take her father’s place in the army. This woman joined the army because her father was old and infirm, she had no elder brother to serve, and her younger brother was too young. The barbarian king declares the penalty for this is death, and executes her]

Crown Prince: So, what did you think?

Empress [laughing]: Preposterous! How could a woman join the army as a man and not be discovered? It’s impossible.

Crown Prince: Of course it’s possible. I heard there really was such a person in the barbarian army. Her name is well known.

General Li: And she was quite comely to look at.

Empress: Did the barbarian king really execute her?

Crown Prince: Yes, he did.

Empress: Poor thing, she was born at the wrong place and time. If she had been born into our empire, we wouldn’t give her such an awful fate.

Crown Prince: This woman dressed as a man, cavorted in the army, dishonored her family, and lied to her government. Don’t you think that justifies her punishment?

Empress: She joined the army to take her father’s place, not to live with loose morals. How can you call that disgraceful? In fact, I’d call this woman a paragon of filial piety, don’t you agree, Emperor?

Emperor: It’s too bad the barbarian king couldn’t accept having a woman in his army under those circumstances. It proves he wasn’t fit to be king.

Crown Prince: Mother, father, my thoughts exactly! [Turns to doorway] Miss Hua, you can come out now.

[Mulan steps into the presence of the imperial family. The Empress and Emperor are dumbfounded]

Empress: You… you… really are…

Mulan [bowing]: Your Majesties, your lowly subject, Hua Mulan, greets you.

Empress: Hua Mulan, you really are a woman?

Mulan [still kneeling]: I realize that impersonating a man to serve in the army in my father’s place was indecent and disrespectful to your Majesties. Please punish me as you see fit.

Crown Prince [gently chiding Mulan]: You know, you shouldn’t be admitting this now. You should have confessed everything to their Majesties long ago and not waited until you were about to become my brother-in-law before finally confessing.

Mulan: I was too scared to do that. I was afraid of what your Majesty would do to me when you found out.

Crown Prince: That’s where you are wrong. Their majesties are much more forgiving and understanding than you have given them credit for. They would never treat you cruelly.

Emperor [smiling]: Hua Mulan, you are an excellent subject. You played me like a violin virtuoso plays an Amati. Tell me, did you come up with the idea for this play of the Crown Prince’s?

Mulan: I wouldn’t dare to come up with this way to lie to your Majesty.

General Li: Actually, it was my idea; Mulan is not to blame.

[Everyone chuckles over the whole event. The Emperor pardons Mulan for all her transgressions]

[Cut to inside the Hua home. Tianci is wrestling with Jili and ends up kicking him in the crotch. Jili doubles over in pain while Tianci runs over to his father]

Tianci: Father, father, I won, I won.

Hua Hu [in no mood to laugh]: Hush. Can’t you see everyone in the family is on pins and needles? And all you can do is play?

Tianci: Why shouldn’t I play?

Hua Hu: Your sister has committed a grievous wrong, impersonating a soldier. If all does not go well with the Emperor, the entire household will lose their heads.

Stepmother [hugging Tianci]: Tianci, your sister has gone to see the Emperor and confess her true identity. If he gets angry, we will all feel his wrath. Your father is not in a good mood; please play quietly here and don’t bother him.

[Mulan and General Li walk in the house at this point, looking grave and downcast. Catching her father’s eye, she shakes her head]

Hua Hu: Mulan, how did the Emperor take the news.

[Mulan shakes her head and doesn’t say anything]

Hua Hu [anxiously]: Did he pardon you?

[Mulan again shakes her head and remains silent]

Hua Hu [getting even anxious]: Would you quit shaking your head and tell me what the Emperor said?

[General Li is unable to hide a smile that is starting to creep across his face. All eyes in the room are on Mulan, though, who still maintains a straight face]

General Li [to Mulan]: Stop baiting your father. Tell him what happened so he can stop suffering.

Mulan: The Emperor said that while I ought to be punished for impersonating a soldier, the fact that I did it for my father, and that I once rescued the Emperor and Crown Prince, on separate occasions, offsets the wrong. In other words… he pardoned me!

Hua Hu [turning to General Li]: Is this true, General Li? Does she speak the truth?

General Li: Yes, it’s true.

[The family erupts in cheers, happy that they have cheated the executioner’s ax]

[Cut to Emperor’s temporary quarters. The Emperor and Empress are trying to find the Crown Prince]

Empress [to Emperor]: How can you have the power to make thousands of people obey your orders, but you can’t control our son. He goes and does whatever he wants and doesn’t heed our wishes.

Emperor [sighing]: I’ve scolded him time and time again, but he just won’t listen. [To the Empress] Even you, the most capable manager around, can’t handle him. If you can’t, who can?

Second Prince: I’ve been thinking that my brother needs someone who is closer than Mother to manage him. If he had a wife, she would manage him best.

Empress: But who is fit to be the Crown Prince’s wife AND is strong-willed enough to manage him?

Second Prince: How about Hua Mulan? We know she is strong-willed, unafraid to speak her mind, and courageous.

Emperor: That’s an excellent idea.

Empress: They would make a perfect match.