112 第22章荣耀归乡（2）

第22章 荣耀归乡（2）

There was a pause as the Emperor considered Mulan’s words. Then he nodded. Raising his voice, he formally addressed the court. “Devotion to family is an essential virtue!” As his scribes took note of this new off icial declaration, the Emperor looked once more at Mulan. He did not say anything for a moment, his warm eyes seeming to peer into her soul. Then, as though satisf ied with what he had seen there, the Emperor nodded again. This time, in a voice only she could hear, he said. “Very well, Hua Mulan. ” 
Turning, he moved back to the throne. Dismissed, Mulan made her way toward the soldiers—her friends. The night was young, and the celebration was just beginning. For the next few hours, Mulan reasoned, she would forget her journey home and just enjoy life. She would have time to think about what to say when she saw her family—and her father—later. 
Dawn was beginning to brighten the edge of the Imperial City as Mulan led Black Wind across a bridge toward the main gates. In the sky above a few lanterns drifted aimlessly, while a boat f loated empty in the water below. The city was quiet in the post-celebration hour, as was Mulan. 
“You can’t leave.” 
Hearing Honghui’s voice, Mulan turned, surprised by the emotion she felt as she looked over at the handsome young man. Throughout the night she had tried to f ind him, but to no avail. There was so much she wanted to say. She wanted to say how sorry she was and how she had wanted to tell him the truth all along. She wanted to say hello—and goodbye. But now that he was there, in front of her, she was at a loss for words. 
Honghui walked closer, the rising sun making his hair light up and his eyes twinkle. He smiled as he approached, and Mulan couldn’t help smiling back. “The Emperor gives his permission for me to leave,” she said. “But you do not?” 
“We’ve not said goodbye,” Honghui answered.  
“Goodbye, Honghui,” she replied. 
“Goodbye, Mulan. ” 
There was an awkward beat as they stared into each other’s eyes, both clearly wanting—needing—to say more, and yet neither wishing to be the f irst to do so. Mulan shifted on her feet. Across from her, Honghui ran a hand through his hair. Mulan wondered what it would be like to take that hand and hold it in her own. 
As if reading her thoughts, Honghui did just that. Reaching over, he tried to pull her hand free from Black Wind’s reins. Nervously, Mulan clung tighter to the leather. Honghui shook his head. 
“You still won’t take my hand?” he asked. His voice was soft, deep with emotion. 
Why was she hesitating? Honghui was standing there in front of her, asking for her hand, and yet in that moment she was more frightened than she had ever been—even more than when she had faced down Böri Khan. This felt more real, more dangerous, more important. The air was charged with an electricity she could not yet def ine. Holding in a breath, Mulan let her f ingers curl around his. As she did so, emotion f looded through her. She gazed down at their f ingers, now twined together, and she saw a future. Lifting her eyes, she met Honghui’s gaze. For the f irst time she truly looked at him and let him look at her ... as Mulan. Her head moved closer to his. Closer, and closer, until she paused, her lips inches from Honghui’s. 
“I’ve never kissed a man before,” she said. 
Honghui smiled. “Neither have I.” 
And then, Honghui brought his lips to hers. As they kissed, their f ingers stayed locked and Mulan sank into Honghui. It was, she thought as a morning dove cooed somewhere nearby, everything she had hoped for and nothing she could have dared dream for. It was perfect. 
Mulan reluctantly pulled back, breaking the kiss. Her cheeks f lushed, she brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes and smiled nervously at Honghui. If she could have, she would have stayed there, on that bridge, kissing Honghui for the rest of her life. But she had told the Emperor she had amends to make, and she couldn’t afford the distraction, no matter how pleasant it was. 
Picking up the reins from where they had dropped, Mulan threw them over Black Wind’s head. Then she jumped on the horse’s back. With one last look, too afraid that if she spoke, her voice would break with emotion, Mulan turned and rode away. But before she had even reached the gate, she heard Honghui shout, “I will see you again, Hua Mulan!”