Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Sunlight streamed through the window and fell on the bed, waking Ma Chao from his hangover. He rubbed his throbbing temples and had just sat up when he saw Dong Bai carrying a basin of water from the outer room, followed by several maids carrying clothes.

"Awake?" Dong Bai smiled and put down the basin of water. "Hungry from the hangover? I had the kitchen prepare some hangover soup and some congee to tide you over."

Ma Chao watched as she expertly directed the maids to arrange the toiletries, and a warmth filled his heart. Although he and Dong Bai were not formally married, over the years she had managed the affairs of the household and treated him with kindness, and she had long been the wife he had chosen in his heart. That tacit understanding and naturalness needed no further explanation.

After the maids helped him wash up and change into a light brocade robe, Dong Bai brought a bowl of warm white porridge to his bedside. Ma Chao took it but didn't drink it immediately. Instead, he looked at her and asked, "Bai'er, why was Gongsun Rou with you at yesterday's banquet to offer a toast?"

Dong Bai paused in scooping porridge, then looked up at him reproachfully, "Don't you know what you've done, my lord? Why are you asking me instead?"

Ma Chao looked bewildered: "What did I do? I don't know anything about it."

“That girl is deeply in love with you. Knowing you were coming back, she specially came all the way from Bingzhou, hoping to stay by your side.” Dong Bai handed him the bowl of porridge, his tone slightly teasing. “She’s come to my door, how could I possibly turn her away? Of course, I’ll take her in for you.”

"Nonsense!" Ma Chao frowned. "Her father, Gongsun Zan, and I are fellow disciples. By seniority, she should call me uncle. How can this be? Besides, she was once an imperial concubine of the late emperor; her status is sensitive. How can she..."

Before he could finish speaking, Dong Bai had already scooped a spoonful of porridge and brought it to his lips, her eyes filled with undeniable tenderness: "Drink the porridge first."

Helpless, Ma Chao had no choice but to open his mouth and drink it. The warm rice porridge slid into his stomach, making him feel much better.

“Although you and Gongsun Zan are fellow disciples, he is nearly twenty years older than you. In terms of age, you and Gongsun Rou are about the same,” Dong Bai said while feeding him porridge. “As for your status as a late emperor’s concubine, with the warlords now ruling in all directions and the Han Dynasty existing in name only, those old matters should be put to rest. If you really value status so much, what about Sister Lu Wan? Will you accept her or not?”

Ma Chao was taken aback by the question, his face flushing red. Lu Wan had been the late emperor's empress, and his feelings for her had long transcended their social status. Dong Bai's words had struck a nerve.

"I...I really have no romantic feelings for Gongsun Rou," he stammered, his tone no longer as firm as before.

Dong Bai put down the bowl of porridge and wiped his mouth for him: "Let's leave those aside for now. When you go to visit your father later, invite Mr. Li Ru along as well. That little girl came to seek refuge with you, and this 'old fox' has done a lot of work in the process. Ask him and you'll know the details."

"It's him again?" Ma Chao was taken aback, then remembered Li Ru's evasive eyes at the banquet yesterday, and immediately understood, "No wonder I always felt something was wrong, it turns out it was this old fox who was pulling the strings behind the scenes!"

Dong Bai smiled slightly and said, "Sir meant well, thinking of helping you to win over the Gongsun family's influence. It's just that this matter was handled a bit hastily, and it would be better if you handled it personally."

Ma Chao sighed, feeling both helpless and amused. This Li Ru, always full of cunning schemes, had unexpectedly turned his attention to him this time. He threw back the covers and got out of bed: "Let's go see Father first, and while we're at it, call that old fox over. I want to ask him what's really going on!"

Dong Bai followed with a smile, straightening his clothes for him: "Don't rush, this matter needs to be discussed slowly. Everyone here is in the manor, they can't run away."

Sunlight streamed through the window paper, casting the shadows of the two figures on the ground. One was still dashing, the other gentle and composed. Accompanied by the birdsong coming from the corridor, a new day quietly unfolded in this conversation filled with the warmth of everyday life.

When Ma Chao arrived at the main hall to pay his respects to his parents, he saw Ma Teng and his wife sitting upright in the hall, with Dong Bai, Cai Wenji, Zhen Mi, Gongsun Rou, and others already standing on both sides. They were all dressed in simple and elegant clothes. When they saw him enter, they all blushed and bowed in unison, saying, "Greetings, my lord."

Ma's mother smiled and waved, "Come on over, everyone. We're all family, no need for formalities." She then said to Ma Chao, "You've been away from home these past few days, and it's thanks to them that your father and I have some company and conversation. It's made the house a bit more lively."

Looking at the women before him, Ma Chao felt a surge of warmth in his heart. They came from different places and had different pasts, yet they had all gathered in the Liang King's mansion because of their love for him, and they got along harmoniously without any conflict. Especially since he was often away on campaigns, having these caring people by his parents' side truly eased his worries.

As they were talking, Ma Xiu and Ma Tie walked in side by side, followed by two teenagers. Ma Guan and Ma Yue were already five or six years old. Perhaps because of the good food in the mansion, they were well-fed and looked like they were seven or eight years old. When they saw Ma Chao, they bowed respectfully and said, "Father."

"Good, good, good." Ma Chao looked at his two adopted sons, his eyes full of smiles. "They've both grown so tall, and they look very energetic."

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Wei broke free from Ma Tie's embrace, ran to Ma Chao with his short legs, and opened his arms wide: "Father!"

Ma Chao scooped him up in his arms and weighed him in his hands: "Hey, Wei'er's running all over the place too!"

Jiang Wei hugged his neck and said in a childish voice, "Wei'er can run now!" This made everyone in the room laugh.

Seeing the father and son reunited, Ma's mother's eyes welled up with tears, which streamed down her face. She took Ma Chao's hand, stroking the calluses on his knuckles, and choked out, "Chao'er, you're always away fighting. When will you be able to bring Ma Yue back? I, as his grandmother, haven't even seen him once... That child must be five or six years old by now, right?"

Ma Teng listened from the side, and his eyes instantly reddened.

Mother Ma wiped away her tears and continued to ramble on, "Look at all these girls in the house, Dong Bai, Wen Ji, Wan'er, Rou'er... which one of them isn't truly devoted to you? If they weren't in love with you, why would they be around this old woman every day, taking care of your filial duties? When you come back this time, no matter how busy you are, you must take care of these two things—bring Ma Yue back and give them a proper status."

Ma Chao tightened his grip on Jiang Wei, feeling both guilty and warm inside. He looked at the white hair at his mother's temples, at his father's reddened eyes, and then at the slightly flushed cheeks of Dong Bai and the others. Although they had their heads down, he could see the blush on their ears and the expectation in their eyes.

“Mother, don’t worry.” Ma Chao took a deep breath, his voice steady. “I will personally go to pick up Ma Yue next spring, and I will make sure you see your grandson soon. As for his status…” He looked at Dong Bai, his gaze gentle yet firm, “I will give them an explanation and will not let them suffer any more grievances.”

Dong Bai suddenly looked up, meeting his gaze. A flash of surprise and shyness crossed her eyes, but she quickly lowered her head again, though the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly. Cai Wenji, Zhen Mi, and the others also quietly looked up, exchanging glances, their eyes shining.

When Ma's mother saw that he had agreed, she stopped crying and smiled, patting his hand and saying, "That's right! A family should always be together."

Ma Teng breathed a sigh of relief, stroking his beard as he said, "Your mother is right. Only when you are settled down and have a stable home can you focus on your work with peace of mind."

Ma Chao's face flushed as his mother urged him to get engaged and take in his son. He quickly changed the subject and looked at Ma Teng: "Father, don't just talk about me. What exactly is going on between Yunlu and Cao Ang?"

Ma Teng stroked his beard and laughed, "Those two children are also in love. Cao Ang is handsome, skilled in both literature and martial arts, and has a calm and reliable temperament. He is also sincere towards Yunlu. In addition, Wen You acted as a matchmaker, and before long, they got together."

Ma's mother added from the side, "I've met Cao Ang. He's handsome, speaks politely, and is very obedient to Yunlu. He's definitely the right person. Once things are more stable in the Central Plains, we'll let them get married. That will put my mind at ease."

Ma Chao frowned slightly as he listened—it was Li Ru again. From Gongsun Rou to Ma Yunlu, this old fox had interfered so much in his own family's affairs. Although he felt somewhat uneasy, he knew that Li Ru mostly meant well, so he vaguely replied, "Since they are of one mind, that's good. However, the situation in the Central Plains is complicated, so Yunlu should be careful."

With that, he stood up and said, "Father, Mother, I still have some military affairs to attend to, so I'll go back to my study first."

Ma's mother wanted to give him a few more words of advice, but Ma Teng stopped her, saying, "Let him go. He must have a lot to do since he just got back."

Ma Chao strode out of the main hall and returned to his study. As soon as he sat down, he said to his attendant, "Go and invite Mr. Li Ru over."

The servant responded and left, leaving only the occasional sparks from the charcoal brazier in the study. Ma Chao looked at the pile of documents on the desk, pondering to himself—just how many things has that old fox Li Ru been scheming behind the scenes? He had to find out today.

A short while later, footsteps sounded outside the door. Li Ru pushed the door open and entered, cupping his hands in greeting and smiling, "Your Majesty, are you looking for me? Is it about what happened at yesterday's banquet?"

Ma Chao looked up at him, a half-smile playing on his lips: "Wenyou, you're certainly well-informed. However, I'm not here for just one thing, Miss Gongsun."

Li Ru's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained calm: "Your Majesty, please speak. This humble general will answer all your questions."

Ma Chao tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his gaze sharp as a knife: "Was it you who brokered the relationship between Yunlu and Cao Ang?"

Li Ru coughed lightly and nodded, saying, "Indeed. Young Master Cao Ang is indeed a good match, and a marriage alliance with the Cao family would also be a good thing for our Western Liang..."

"Good news?" Ma Chao interrupted him. "Wenyou, do you know that I dislike it most when others make decisions about my family members without my consent?"

Seeing that he had changed his expression, Li Ru quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, please calm down! This humble general did not act on his own initiative, but merely made some effort to facilitate the situation as both sides showed interest. The same applies to Miss Gongsun; General Gongsun Zan is willing to submit, and a marriage alliance is indeed the best course of action..."

Ma Chao looked at him, his gaze gradually softening. He knew Li Ru's intentions; he simply wanted to consolidate power for Xiliang, but his methods were far too hasty.

“Sit down and let’s talk,” Ma Chao said, gesturing to the chair opposite him. “Tell me in detail the ins and outs of these two matters. If there’s even a single falsehood…”

Seeing that Ma Chao, though displeased, did not fly into a rage as expected, Li Ru secretly breathed a sigh of relief, a thin layer of sweat already seeping from his back. He glanced at Ma Chao, only to see the man sitting upright behind his desk, his brows showing no fierceness, yet his imposing and dignified aura pressed down on him like a tangible force, causing one to involuntarily restrain their composure.

Li Ru sighed inwardly—the majesty emanating from this King of Liang was growing ever stronger. Back when he served under Dong Zhuo, Dong Zhuo's ferocity was outwardly displayed, like oil boiling over a raging fire, easily seen through; but Ma Chao's majesty was like a deep, still pool, seemingly calm, yet concealing a power capable of overturning heaven and earth. When he truly became stern, the murderous aura forged from mountains of corpses and seas of blood was even more terrifying than that of Dong Zhuo in his prime.

After all, the man before them was a figure who had struck fear into the hearts of the Xianbei people on the grasslands. He had led the Xiliang cavalry to slaughter a million Xianbei tribesmen. Such ruthless methods were beyond the reach of ordinary warlords.