22
www.youxin.mewww.qingzhu.meThe Ierial Palace was aglow. Hundreds of colorful lanterns floated in the sky above as people filled the streets, their voices ringing with laughter and celebration. A parade, led by a large red dragon, de its way along the in street while sic and the scent of food filled the air.
Mulan stood inside the throne roo her nd a blur.
The past few hours had been surreal. Iediately after telling the Eeror her na, fear had filled Mulan. While she had saved the Eeror, she had done so as a won. And it was still illegal for her to fight as one. She had followed hinbsp; fronbsp; the New Palace to the Ierial Palace with a lu in her throat, convinced he was going to punish her. But to her surprise, he had brought her to the palace to honor her.
Now she stood in front of the throne, a tiny figure surrounded by dozens of candles that lit up the roo king it warnbsp; and bright. Behind her, the st iortant people of the city stood watching her intently. Ang thenbsp; were Coander Tung, Honghui, and the rest of her battalion. Even Raish and Skatch were there, both no worse for wear despite being forced into battle. In fact, they looked alst handso, freshly washed and standing with pride.
Rising fronbsp; his throne, the Eeror approached Mulan. She bowed and sled when he encouraged her to stand once re.
“Hua Mulan,” the Eeror began, his voice carrying over the crowd. “The people owe you a debt of thanks. I owe you life. In gratitude for your service and dedication, I invite you to take your place ang our greatest decorated warriors—as an officer in Ierial Guard.”
Behind her, she heard the surprised rrs fronbsp; the onlookers. What the Eeror offered was an incredible honor. In fact, it was the greatest honor any soldier could wish for. It took Mulan’s breath away, and she had to ve her gaze fronbsp; the Eeror so he wouldn’t see the etion running over her face. Unfortunately, when she turned, she found herself looking right at Yao, who had tears of his own running down his cheeks as he watched Mulan with pride. Seeing the large soldier weeping de Mulan sle, and she turned back to the Eeror. She knew what she had to say.
“Your Majesty,” she began, “I anbsp; deeply honored by this ieasurable invitation. But with hule apologies, I cannot ept it.” Once re, the roonbsp; filled with surprised les as those gathered tried to ke sense of her answer. Only Coander Tung seed to understand, and he gave her a reassuring sle as she went on. “I left ho under cover of d
Mulan stood inside the throne roo her nd a blur.
The past few hours had been surreal. Iediately after telling the Eeror her na, fear had filled Mulan. While she had saved the Eeror, she had done so as a won. And it was still illegal for her to fight as one. She had followed hinbsp; fronbsp; the New Palace to the Ierial Palace with a lu in her throat, convinced he was going to punish her. But to her surprise, he had brought her to the palace to honor her.
Now she stood in front of the throne, a tiny figure surrounded by dozens of candles that lit up the roo king it warnbsp; and bright. Behind her, the st iortant people of the city stood watching her intently. Ang thenbsp; were Coander Tung, Honghui, and the rest of her battalion. Even Raish and Skatch were there, both no worse for wear despite being forced into battle. In fact, they looked alst handso, freshly washed and standing with pride.
Rising fronbsp; his throne, the Eeror approached Mulan. She bowed and sled when he encouraged her to stand once re.
“Hua Mulan,” the Eeror began, his voice carrying over the crowd. “The people owe you a debt of thanks. I owe you life. In gratitude for your service and dedication, I invite you to take your place ang our greatest decorated warriors—as an officer in Ierial Guard.”
Behind her, she heard the surprised rrs fronbsp; the onlookers. What the Eeror offered was an incredible honor. In fact, it was the greatest honor any soldier could wish for. It took Mulan’s breath away, and she had to ve her gaze fronbsp; the Eeror so he wouldn’t see the etion running over her face. Unfortunately, when she turned, she found herself looking right at Yao, who had tears of his own running down his cheeks as he watched Mulan with pride. Seeing the large soldier weeping de Mulan sle, and she turned back to the Eeror. She knew what she had to say.
“Your Majesty,” she began, “I anbsp; deeply honored by this ieasurable invitation. But with hule apologies, I cannot ept it.” Once re, the roonbsp; filled with surprised les as those gathered tried to ke sense of her answer. Only Coander Tung seed to understand, and he gave her a reassuring sle as she went on. “I left ho under cover of d