The untraditional daughter (Mulan AU)

𝟣: 𝒦𝒾𝓃𝒹𝒶 𝓅𝓇𝑜𝓁𝑜𝑔𝓊𝑒 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝓃𝑜𝓉 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎.

Zhou, Yong & Shang travel back from the war with the Huns. Zhou's leg is no better, Shang has a broken arm & concussion, while Yong has an abdominal wound. They rest at the Fa family home.
3rd person POV unless stated otherwise.

Zhou sighed in despair as his friend kept moaning in the cart. "How dare you sigh, you old bat! I am wounded and in pain!" Yong Li proclaimed. Zhou leant in close to his son, "And leaking opiates," He joked. The young man's face broke out into a smile, a rarity. "You'll be fine, Yong. You're on enough painkillers to wipe out an army while we're suffering through the pain!" Zhou continued with a smile. "Yes, but you've had that dodgy leg for years! You're used to it!"

Zhou made a sound at the general, who sputtered indignantly. Zhou cast a look over to the 21-year-old captain and frowned in concern. "You don't look too good there, my boy. Do we need to rest?" Shang blinked a few times but waved his hand. "No, I'll be fine. We're less than a day out, right?" Zhou squinted. He'd definitely need tending to. "Yes, but I only have the one live-in doctor. He will tend to your father, General Whine A Lot!" Zhou shouted. "I resent that!" His best friend shouted back. "My daughter will tend to us, while my mother cooks us a meal," Zhou smiled at the thought of finally seeing his daughter again.

"Ah yes, how is your little Mulan?" Yong called. "Eh, she's ok. She finally got married," Zhou dropped back a few paces to he could make eye contact with his friend. "Really? Of all the beasts to tame, I didn't think anyone would be able to your daughter," Zhou rolled his eyes. "They didn't, she chose to go willingly, as a last favour to her mother," Zhou's heart suddenly felt very heavy in his chest. "I am truly sorry for the passing of Li, friend. She was a good, pure soul." Yong placed a hand on Zhou's.

"I appreciate it, friend," Zhou smiled. "So, who did she marry?" Yong asked, trying to change the conversation. "Oh, a military boy," Zhou boasted. "Chengs son, Lao," He said. Yong's eyes widened with a quirk of his lips. "Good choice. Shame Cheng passed on though," Zhou nodded grimly. "Yes, no doubt she is upset about that. Hopefully, Lao comes home safely though," Zhou puffed a breath of air out and stared in the distance. "I can just about see my house from here, so we're not too far out," He announced. "Zhou," Yong hissed. Zhou craned his head down to his friend's mouth. "Make him rest. He's stumbled many times and I worry the concussion is worsening. Pull the Major Role card if you must. There is room for two here," Yong whispered. Zhou took a couple of large strides and clasped the young man on his shoulder. He stumbled, his face turning an interesting shade of white. "Decision made, son. Go and sit in the cart with your father," Zhou commanded. Shang began to protest, but Zhou silenced him with a look. "Do I need to pull rank?" He asked. Shang sighed heavily but didn't argue any further. He clambered into the cart alongside his father, leaving Zhou the company of his horse.

The rest of the four-hour journey passed with no resistance or problems, and Zhou's house was finally in front. After a long seven months away, he was home.

Zhou woke the two Li men up and said they were at his house. "I will get the doctor to you Yung, and I will lead you to my daughter's old room, Shang. She is an excellent carer," He helped the boy out of the cart, steadying him when he listed. Zhou pounded on the gates. "Mama?" He called.

The gates swung open, revealing his mother at the door. "Oh, Zhou!" She cried. Zhou hugged her tightly. He missed her so much, and it hurt every time he left. "Zhou I was so worried you wouldn't come home!" She whispered. He pulled away with a relieved smile. "I am, mama. Hopefully, not going away again."

"Who're these two stragglers?" Zhou almost laughed out loud: there was his mother's "no crap" attitude. "General and Captain Li. They're injured, so I brought them here to heal. I know my daughter is good at her healing... or she was before I left," Zhou said. His mother smiled like she knew something he didn't. "Oh yes, she is incredible," then turned her neck to the general in the cart, who was watching with amused eyes. "You needn't worry, General. I've sent our Mulan out for some water, so you can get settled in before she arrives," Grandmother smiled warmly. General Li smiled back. "It is no trouble, but thank you." Zhou pushed the cart into the courtyard while his mother helped the 21-year-old onto a bench. "From the looks of it, Zhou, this one is about to pass out," She called in a warning. "Head between your knees," Zhou laughed at her briskness. "We could do with her in the med tent," Yong commented as he watched his stubborn, headstrong son obey the elderly woman with a look of slight worry.