The untraditional daughter (Mulan AU)

𝟦: 𝑀𝒶𝓇𝓀𝑒𝓉𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝑀𝒾𝓁𝒾𝓉𝒶𝓇𝓎 𝓈𝓉𝑜𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓈.

Zhou worries that Shang is going crazy in the house, and makes him take a trip to the market with Mulan. He tells her a little about the training camp. Mulan comes back and grills her father for more stories. As it turns out, her ex-husband was under General Li's command.
3rd person POV unless stated otherwise.

Mulan always felt refreshed after watching the sunrise. Without fail. She almost didn't want to share it with the son of the man who called her father away a mere month after she lost her mom. But, whether he knew or not, she knew he was struggling with the steady decline of his dad. Somehow... knowing she had the power to help compelled her to abandon her feelings, ignore her brain, and follow her heart.

She dropped back down once the sun was high enough for the cockerel to start singing. Shang didn't make a move to follow, so she left quietly and began breakfast. "Good morning, my dear," Ju smiled. Mulan smiled back. "Good morning, grandma. Did you sleep well?" She asked politely. Ju sighed loudly. "As well as I ever do," She cackled. "How about you, eh? I hope my great-grand baby didn't keep you up much?" Mulan chuckled as she placed a hand on her swollen abdomen. She poured some tea into two cups and sat next to her grandmother. "Nǎinai...did you know that father was a boy? While you were pregnant?" She asked quietly. Ju paused and took a sip of her tea. "I'd like to say I did... I felt that he would be a boy long before he was born. Why do you ask?" Ju said. Mulan sighed. "Are you worried you're not having a boy?" Ju continued. "No.... I don't care what I have," Mulan said. "I just... I think I'm having a girl," She said quietly. "Mulan, a girl is never a bad thing," Ju said. "Imagine a world where it was only men. How would China repopulate? Girls are needed so they can carry on their husband's names... so... whatever you have will benefit somebody, one way or another."

"That was a very wise statement at this hour, mother," Mulan turned to smile at her father. "Good morning, baba," She greeted. He nodded back with a smile and eased himself into a chair. "How's the general?" She asked quietly, pouring her father his tea. Zhou sighed deeply. "Well... he's not worsened. So, that in itself is somewhat promising," He took a sip. "Although surgery is still on the cards... Wei is worried about the inflammation around it more than anything,"

Mulan sighed deeply. "I pity him," She said quietly. Zhou chuckled. "If the Yong in there is the one I'm friends with, then he will not stand for pity," Mulan smiled slightly and wound her fingers around her cup. The three sat in silence for a moment. "Ah, baba, I was thinking of popping off to the market today," She said. "We are low on chicken feed and fruit,"

Zhou nodded thoughtfully. "Yes... I went to grab an apple yesterday and met the wooden bowl instead," Mulan breathed out a laugh. "Perhaps you can ask if Wei needs any supplies as well? Take Khan and a shopping satchel?" Zhou continued. Mulan nodded. "Of course," She finished the rest of her drink. "In which case, I shall go and dress,"

She excused herself from the table and waddled to her bedroom. She knocked just in case Shang was in there, but found it empty. He must still be on the wall. Mulan thought to herself. She shrugged off her pyjama outfit and pulled on her light pink shung and her dark violet yi. She tied her purple waist sash around and finished the look off with her dark pink belt. She brushed her hair, slipped a pink blossom headpiece in and slipped on some shoes.

Mulan rapped on Wei's door and waited for his cue for entry. "Who is it?" He called. "Mulan," She answered back. "Enter," She pushed the door open and inclined her head briefly. "How's he doing?" She asked. Weit pursed his lips. "Well... he's not worsened over the last twelve hours so... but I worry for the wound," He pointed. "It is red. This colour usually indicates an infection of sorts..." Mulan rubbed her eyes. "Oh," She said. "Oh," Wei echoed. She sighed. "I'm off to the market today for some pieces, do you need anything? Baba told me to ask," She added, knowing if she said it was Zhou that asked, Wei would be more likely to give her a list. "Hmm," Wei stroked his beard. "There are a few things I need... do you have a quill?"