Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

The year-end approaches day by day, and the festive atmosphere in Chang'an City has already spread. The snow on the streets has been swept clean, revealing the original color of the bluestone slabs. Newly cut red lanterns are hung on both sides of the road. When the wind blows, the lantern tassels rustle and add a touch of warmth to the faces of passers-by.

The people who migrated from Heishan had long since settled down throughout the city, with not a single household remaining. They either gathered in the new district in the south of the city or lived scattered throughout the streets, all having integrated into this land.

The streets were cleaned of snow, and the bluestone pavement gleamed with a warm light. Red lanterns hanging from the shops on both sides swayed in the wind, their tassels rustling, casting a warm glow on the faces of passersby. These people had firewood piled up in front of their houses for the winter, pickling jars on their windowsills, and newly harvested grains drying in their courtyards—everywhere they looked, there was the image of a peaceful and stable life.

Hearing that the King of Liang would soon return, the city came alive. Men spontaneously swept the streets and alleys, leaving no corner untouched; women, with their children, sewed cloth banners, the rough-threaded "peace" characters, though not neat, were full of heartfelt sentiment, and hung them at their doorsteps; toddlers, carrying baskets, picked up pebbles, murmuring, "The King of Liang will walk this road when he returns," hoping that the hero who protected their peace would see the cleanliness and order of Chang'an.

At the foot of the wall, old people basked in the sun, murmuring, "We can spend the New Year peacefully in the city, all thanks to the King of Liang." Their words were filled with gratitude and anticipation for this hero they had never met. The city guards wore brand-new armor, the vendors' shouts were particularly loud, and the locust trees at the foot of the imperial city were adorned with red ribbons. The entire city of Chang'an was immersed in this warm atmosphere of longing for home, untouched by the harshness of the outside world.

The brothers Ma Xiu and Ma Tie have recently been worn down by the commotion at home. Every morning, their father, Ma Teng, would pace around the courtyard and ask them, "Has your eldest brother's scouts returned yet?" Their sisters-in-law would take turns asking, their faces flushed, "Second brother, third brother, is there any movement outside the city?"

After a while, the two brothers simply took over the job, finding a sheltered corner near the city wall and taking turns on guard duty. Ma Xiu wrapped his cotton-padded coat tighter, looked at the vast snowfield outside the city, and stamped his feet, saying, "Is it warmer at the foot of this city wall than at home? It's only because we were pressured into doing this." Ma Tie was adding firewood to the fire when he heard this and chuckled, "It's better than going back and being surrounded by my sisters-in-law asking me all these questions, each one of them looking so eager for me..."

Despite this, the two dared not slacken their efforts in the slightest. As the sun began to set, Ma Tie suddenly straightened up, shading his eyes with his hand as he looked into the distance: "Hey, it looks like there's dust!" Ma Xiu immediately came over and squinted to take a closer look—sure enough, a line of grayish-yellow dust rose from the edge of the snowfield, moving towards Chang'an.

"Could it be Brother's vanguard?" Ma Tie couldn't contain his excitement and was about to run downstairs when Ma Xiu grabbed him: "What's the rush? Let's see clearly first. If we report the wrong message, our sisters-in-law will be disappointed. With Sister-in-law Dong Bai's temper..."

Ma Tie shook off Ma Xiu's hand, stamped his feet on the frozen city bricks, and his eyes shone with an astonishing light: "Look at the formation of those cavalry. The sound of their hooves pounding in the snow can be heard from far away. Who else but our Xiliang Iron Cavalry can be so disciplined? There's no mistake!" Before he finished speaking, he had already darted down the city wall like an arrow, even his cloak billowing in the wind.

Matthew shook his head, watching his retreating figure, then turned his gaze to the distance. The sky was just beginning to lighten, and the army on the snow-covered plain, like a long black dragon, was steadily advancing, its banners fluttering in the morning breeze. He was anxious, but then he thought, Ma Tie's words, though rough, were true—the imposing presence of the Xiliang army was unmatched anywhere else in the world. However, it wasn't fully light yet; if they waited until the army reached the city walls before the welcoming ceremony was ready, it would be impolite. He simply moved a rock and sat down, his eyes fixed intently, like the most dutiful sentry.

Ma Tie rode his horse swiftly, its hooves pounding through the empty streets and alleys, startling a few early-rising sparrows. Upon reaching the gates of the Liang Prince's residence, he practically leaped off his horse, not even bothering to hand over the reins, and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Father! Eldest brother is back! The vanguard is almost at the city walls!"

In the main hall, Ma Teng was staring intently at the map when he heard this. He suddenly sat up straight, his jade belt clattering against the table, but he didn't notice. He walked out and said, "Quick! Go and invite Mr. Li Ru, as well as the civil and military officials in the city. Go to the city gate to greet them!"

Dong Bai, who had already changed into new clothes, rushed over upon hearing the commotion, her face flushed with barely suppressed embarrassment. She instructed the female guards behind her, "Go and tell Wenji, Fubao, Qiying, and Zhenmi that... the Prince of Liang is almost here. Also, go to the Lu residence and tell Lu Wan that she can do as she pleases, but if she misses it, don't blame us for not informing her if Brother Chao asks later."

The female guard obeyed and left. Dong Bai turned and walked into the inner room, her steps light and quick. She tidied her hair in front of the bronze mirror and smoothed her skirt, silently reciting in her heart: I must look my best to welcome him back.

The mansion instantly sprang into action, with maids carrying court robes and servants carrying ceremonial implements towards the gate. Ma Teng stood on the steps, gazing at the gradually brightening sky in the east, his eyes burning with anticipation and excitement, like a furnace fire growing ever stronger.

Ma Xiu was staring intently at the distant troops when, as the formation drew closer, he suddenly jumped up, his eyes wide with shock—those weren't the black-armored cavalry of the Xiliang army at all! They were clearly all white horses, their silver saddles reflecting the morning light, kicking up snow mist as they galloped, their imposing presence carrying an unfamiliar chill.

As they drew closer, the faint shadow of a flag drifted in the wind, and the words embroidered on the fabric vaguely resembled the name "Gongsun"!

"Damn it!" Matthew's mind went blank, and cold sweat instantly broke out. This wasn't his elder brother's group; it was the Gongsun family! He had completely misjudged them!

While his personal guards were still in shock, Matthew grabbed the reins, mounted his horse, and exclaimed, "Wrong! All wrong! It wasn't you, brother! Quick, I'll go report!"

The rapid clatter of hooves echoed through the street, even faster than when Ma Tie had been galloping. His heart was burning with anxiety—if he were to disappoint his father and all the officials, and have set up such a grand procession to welcome an unrelated party, it would be a truly colossal embarrassment!

Rushing to the gates of the Liang Prince's mansion, he practically tumbled off his horse and screamed as he rushed inside: "Father! Mr. Li Ru! You're mistaken! It's not my elder brother! It's the Gongsun family! White horses... all white horse cavalry!"

The commotion inside the mansion suddenly ceased. Everyone holding ceremonial weapons and ritual objects froze in mid-air, all turning to look at Ma Teng. Dong Bai, Cai Wenji, Zhang Qiying, and the others, who had just changed into their finest attire and whose hair ornaments still shone with the joy of anticipation of his return, also stopped in their tracks, their smiles hardening.

Ma Teng's hand tightened, and he turned to Li Ru, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible panic: "Sir, what is the purpose of the Gongsun family's sudden visit?"

Li Ru had already composed himself, stroking his beard with a calm expression: "My lord, please be at ease. When Gongsun Zan was defeated in Youzhou, it was Your Majesty who gave him a way out. After conquering Bingzhou, Your Majesty even handed it over to him. There is no need to worry about such friendship. Now that our Xiliang has just defeated the Xianbei, our prestige is at its peak. His arrival at this time may not be a bad thing."

"Could it be..." A hint of joy flashed in Ma Teng's eyes, "that he has come to surrender?"

Li Ru smiled slightly, with a hint of certainty: "Though the world is unpredictable, it is still governed by reason. The King of Liang has made a great contribution by destroying the Xianbei, and which hero in the world would not take notice? If the Gongsun family is sensible, it is only natural that they would come to submit to him. This matter may not be outside of our calculations. Otherwise, would my trip to Bingzhou last year have been in vain?"

Upon hearing this, Ma Teng felt much relieved, and the civil and military officials around him also breathed a sigh of relief.

Li Ru turned to the crowd and said loudly, "No need to panic. Since it is the Gongsun family, we can greet them at the gate of the Liang Prince's Mansion. There is no need to go outside the city." He looked at Hu Che'er beside him and said, "Che'er, go and tell the city gate guards to let them into the city. Just be polite. There is no need to be extravagant, but we must not be negligent either."

Hu Che'er clasped his hands in agreement, then turned and strode away.

Dong Bai exchanged glances with the women, then quietly retreated to the inner courtyard. Though somewhat disappointed, he also appeared more composed—if it was a misunderstanding, they would simply wait and see. Cai Wenji straightened her sleeves and said softly, "Since we're here, let's make the best of it. The Gongsun family's visit at this time might also hold some other opportunity."

Seeing Li Ru's confident demeanor, Ma Teng felt much more at ease and said to his men, "Come with me to the gate of the mansion and wait. Whether they come to offer congratulations or surrender, we of Xiliang must not lose our dignity."

The crowd responded with a resounding roar, straightening their robes once more. However, their earlier eagerness and joy had transformed into a degree of caution. At the gates of the Liang Prince's residence, the ceremonial procession remained the same, but the haste to rush out of the city had lessened, replaced by a more composed demeanor as they observed the situation.

Dong Bai glanced at the sisters beside her and saw that they all looked somewhat disappointed. She then said softly, "Since it is the Gongsun family who have come, it is not appropriate for us women to entertain them here. Let us go back to the inner courtyard and wait."

Upon hearing this, Cai Wenji, Zhang Qiying, and the others nodded in agreement. They bowed gracefully to Ma Teng and Li Ru, maintaining their dignified demeanor, but the initial excitement caused by the misunderstanding had faded from their eyes.

“Father, sir, we shall take our leave now.” Dong Bai said, turning first, the hem of her cloak sweeping across the bluestone floor with a soft rustling. Since Dong Bai and Ma Chao had become close, Dong Bai already considered herself a member of the Ma family. These past few days, managing the internal affairs of the Liang Prince's residence, she had been even more respectful and affectionate towards Ma Teng. Her address of “Father” was natural and sincere, without any awkwardness. Ma Teng, seeing her intelligence and competence, and her genuine affection for Ma Chao, had already regarded her as his daughter-in-law. Hearing this address, he felt comforted and simply smiled in response, without the slightest discomfort. The others followed closely behind, their elegant robes fluttering in the corridor like a flock of butterflies with folded wings.

When Hu Che'er rode to the city gate, he saw a troop of white-horse guards already standing outside the city, their saddles and bridles gleaming, their heads held high, their very breath exuding a chilling aura. The soldiers guarding the city each had their hands on their sword hilts, as if facing a formidable enemy, beads of sweat streaming down their dark cheeks, yet none dared to move an inch.

"General Ma has ordered that we be allowed to pass!" Hu Che'er dismounted and shouted, still clutching the token he had just received from Ma Teng.

Upon hearing this, the guards' tense shoulders slowly relaxed, and the unease that had been hanging in their throats finally subsided. Some of them quietly wiped away their sweat and whispered to their brothers beside them, "Finally, a sigh of relief..."

While Hu Che'er was still in a daze, the troops slowly began to move. Leading the way was a female general, clad in silver armor, her red shawl fluttering in the wind, a long whip slung diagonally at her waist, and her gaze sweeping across the city gate with an indescribable sharpness. Hu Che'er, being a rather oblivious person, didn't notice anything unusual.