Fa Li [looks at Mulan's wrist]
Mulan, what's this?
Played by Freda Foh Shen 
Mulan (1998) · 69 quotes
Mulan (1998) · 69 quotes
10th most-quoted character in Mulan (1998): in 4 of its 69 quotes
Most scenes with: Fa Zhou (3), Emperor (2), Fa Mulan (2)
Scenes with Fa Li
4 scenes Fa Li Fa Li You must go after her; she could be killed!
If I reveal her, she will be.
Quiet and demure. Graceful. Polite. Delicate. Refined. Poised. [notes the answers on her right arm] Punctual. [rooster calling] Ai-yah! Little Brother? Little Brother? [Little Brother is a dog sleeping] There you are. Who's the smartest doggy in the world? Come on, smart boy. Can you help me with my chores today? [helps out Little Brother to start feeding the chickens and runs by draggin sack of feed]
[praying the ancestors]
Honorable ancestors, please help Mulan impress the matchmaker today. [Little Brother runs by dragging a sack of feed; chickens start pecking the grain left behind] Please, please help her.
[helps Little Brother a bone and chewing the bone with the stick]
Father, I brought your - Whoa! [accidentally breaks a teacup]
I brought a spare.
Mulan.
The doctor said 3 cups of tea in the morning...
Mulan.
...and 3 at night.
Mulan, you should already be in town. We are counting on you to-
Uphold the family honor. Don't worry, Father. I won't let you down. Wish me luck! [runs off]
Hurry! [Little Brother looks at him while chewing his bone] I'm going to pray some more.
Bather
[In town, Mulan's mother, Fa Li, is pacing outside a house impatient.]
Fa Li, is your daughter here yet? The Matchmaker is not a patient woman.
Fa Li Of all the days to be late. I should have prayed to the ancestors for luck.
Granny Fa
How lucky can they be? They're dead. Besides, I've got all the luck we'll need. [Holds up a wicker cage with a cricket inside.] This is your chance to prove yourself. [She closes her eyes and steps off the sidewalk.]
Fa Li Grandma, no!
Granny Fa
[Granny Fa walks across the street; vehicles came crashing, but she emerges unharmed.] [SFX: chickens clucking]
Yep, this cricket's a lucky one! [Fa Li sighs.]
[Mulan comes riding up on Khan, and hops off.]
I'm here. [looks at her mother] What? But, Mama, I had to...
Fa Li None of your excuses. Now, let's get you cleaned up.
Bather
[Beginning of "Honor To Us All"] [singing]
This is what you give me to work with? / Well, honey, I've seen worse / We're going to turn this sow's ear / Into a silk purse.
It's freezing.
Fa Li It would've been warm, if you were here on time.
Bather
[singing]
We'll have you washed and dried / Primped and polished till you glow with pride / Just my recipe for instant bride / You'll bring honor to us all.
Fa Li Mulan, what's this?
Uh... notes... in case I forget something.
Granny Fa
Hold this. [Hands Cri-Kee to Fa Li] We're going to need more luck than I thought.
Hairdresser #1
[Mulan is getting her hair done up in a Chinese topknot.] [singing]
Wait and see, when we're through.
Hairdresser #2
[singing]
Boys will gladly go to war for you.
Hairdresser #1
[singing]
With good fortune.
Hairdresser #2
[speaking]
And a great hairdo.
Fa Li and Hairdressers
[singing]
You'll bring honor to us all.
Fa Li and Chorus
[singing]
A girl can bring her family / Great honor in one way / By striking a good match / And this might be the day.
Dressmaker #1
[Now Mulan is getting dressed in a regal gown.] [speaking]
Men want girls with good taste.
Dressmaker #2
[speaking]
Calm.
Fa Li [speaking]
Obedient.
Dressmaker #1
[singing]
Who work fast-paced.
Fa Li [singing]
With good breeding.
Dressmaker #2
[singing]
And a tiny waist.
Fa Li and Dressmakers
[singing]
You'll bring honor to us all.
Fa Li and Chorus
[singing]
We all must serve our Emperor / Who guards us from the Huns / A man by bearing arms / A girl by bearing sons.
Fa Li (Makeup Artist)
[Mulan is now getting her makeup done.] [singing, in a round]
When we're through (When we're through) / You can't fail (You can't fail) / Like a lotus blossom (Like a lotus blossom) / Soft and pale (Soft and pale) / How could any fellow (How could any fellow) / Say, "No sale" (Say, "No sale") / You'll bring honor to us all (You'll bring honor to us all)
Fa Li [Fa Li places a flowered comb in Mulan's topknot.] [spoken]
There, you're ready.
Granny Fa
[spoken]
Not yet / An apple for serenity, a pendant for balance. [singing] Beads of jade for beauty / You must proudly show it / Now, add a cricket, just for luck, [Granny Fa places the cage with the cricket under the upper layer of Mulan's skirt] And even you can't blow it.
[singing]
Ancestors, hear my plea / Help me not to make a fool of me / And to not uproot my family tree / Keep my father standing tall.
Fa Mulan and Chorus
[singing]
Scarier than the undertaker / We are meeting our matchmaker.
Chorus
[singing]
Destiny, guard our girls, / Help our future as it fast unfurls / Please look kindly on these cultured pearls / Each a perfect porcelain doll / Please bring honor to us / Please bring honor to us / Please bring honor to us / Please bring honor to us / Please bring honor to us all!
[Mulan walks through the gate with her home leading Khan, Mulan looks sorrowful, Fa Zhou sees his daughter and smiles. Mulan sees her father's smile. She covers her face with Khan's head and leads him to the water through. Mulan music playing a song Reflection] [singing]
Look at me / I will never pass for a perfect bride / Or a perfect daughter / Can it be / I'm not meant to play this part? / Now I see / That if I were to truly / To be myself / I would break my family's heart...| Who is that girl I see / Staring straight / Back at me? / Why is my reflection someone / I don't know? / Somehow I cannot hide / Who I am / Though I've tried / When will my reflection show / Who I am inside? / When will my reflection show / Who I am inside? [song fades, Mulan sits on the bench under the blossom tree. Fa Zhou approaches and clears throat. Mulan sees him approaching and turns around. Fa Zhou sits down beside Mulan]
My, my, what beautiful blossoms we have this year. [looking up into the blossom tree] But look, this one's late. But, I'll bet that when it blooms, it will be the most beautiful of all. [Mulan and Fa Zhou share smiles. Drums start pounding announcing the arrival of Chi Fu and 2 guards on horseback]
What is it? [Fa Zhou gets up and walks to the entrance of their house with Mulan following]
Fa Li Mulan, stay inside. [Grandmother Fa clears her throat catched Mulan's attention with Mulan spies the railing near the wall and climbs up to watch over the roof]
Citizens, I bring a proclamation from the Imperial City. The Huns have invaded China. By order of the Emperor, one man from every family must serve in the Imperial Army. [Reading from list] The Hsiao Family, the Yi Family.
Son
I will serve the Emperor in my father's place.
The Fa Family.
Father, you can't go!!!
Mulan...
Please, sir, my father has already fought bravely, and-
Silence!!!! [to Fa Zhou] You would do well to teach your daughter to hold her tongue in a man's presence.
Report tomorrow at the Wu Zhong Camp. [hands Fa Zhou a scroll]
Yes, sir.
