Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

When Cai Wenji heard the news of Cai Yong's death, she felt as if all her vitality had been drained away. Her body was shaky and her eyes were empty and dull. The maidservant anxiously tried to support her, but she was like a puppet without a soul, ready to collapse at any moment.

Lu Wan hugged Cai Wenji tightly with heartache, and whispered in her ear: "Wenji, don't be too sad. Although Lord Cai Yong has passed away, he had a grand funeral. You know, this was all presided over by Ma Chao." When Cai Wenji heard these words, the originally dead and gloomy eyes seemed to have a slight fluctuation.

She slowly raised her head and stared at Ma Chao, her eyes filled with disbelief and bewilderment. Ma Chao, seeing Cai Wenji's miserable appearance, felt a surge of pity. He stepped forward and said gently but firmly, "Wenji, this is what I should do. Lord Cai Yong is a man of great virtue and respect; he deserves this kind of funeral."

At this time, Wei Zhongdao's family stood aside, their faces filled with indifference, a disregard that came from their bones. However, because they were wary of Ma Chao's prestige, they had to pretend to step forward. Wei Zhongdao's father said hypocritically: "Wenji, don't be too sad, please accept my condolences." Wei Zhongdao's mother also echoed: "Yes, Wenji, we are all family, and we will be with you." But Cai Wenji knew very well that since she married into the family, she had never felt true warmth from them. This hypocritical comfort seemed so ridiculous and ironic at this moment.

Tears welled up in Cai Wenji's eyes, a release of long-suppressed emotions deep within her. Her lips trembled slightly, but she could not utter a word. She simply stared at Ma Chao with eyes filled with gratitude and complex emotions. In that moment, Cai Wenji felt as if she were in a dark abyss, and Ma Chao's actions were like a dazzling light, shining directly into her heart. Her heart, once hopeless and cold, began to warm and hopeful. She knew that there was someone in this world who cared so much about her and her father's future.

Cai Wenji's hands tightly grasped the corners of her clothes, her body still trembling slightly, but the light in her eyes gradually brightened. She seemed to have struggled out of the endless sadness and despair, and began to re-examine the world, and to find the courage and strength to live again. Ma Chao's actions were like a bright light in her dark life, allowing her to feel a touch of warmth and comfort in this desperate situation. The false appearance of Wei Zhongdao's family made Cai Wenji's inner conflict and pain even deeper. She understood that this place was not her true support after all.

Cai Wenji said to the Wei family with a sad face, "I want to set up a mourning hall for my father to worship him." Wei Zhongdao's father immediately frowned and said in a stiff tone, "Wenji, this is not possible. After all, you have married into our Wei family, and your father is not a member of our Wei family. How can we set up a mourning hall for worship in our Wei family?" Cai Wenji's eyes dimmed instantly, and tears welled up in her eyes. Wei Zhongdao's mother also echoed, "Yes, Wenji, this is not in accordance with the rules."

Cai Wenji's heart was filled with sadness, and she looked to Ma Chao for help. Seeing this, Ma Chao stepped forward and said in a dignified tone, "Lord Cai Yong means a lot to Wenji. It is natural for her to offer sacrifices for her father. How can you stop her?" Wei Zhongdao's family, though reluctant, feared Ma Chao's power and looked at each other in silence for a moment. Finally, Wei Zhongdao's father waved his hand helplessly and said, "Forget it, let her offer sacrifices in her own courtyard."

Cai Wenji glanced at Ma Chao gratefully and, accompanied by Lu Wan, went to the courtyard. After Ma Chao instructed Zhang Xiu to buy the sacrificial items, Cai Wenji began to reverently set up the incense table, placing the spirit tablets, murmuring her longing for her father, tears streaming down her face. Ma Chao stood by quietly, offering her silent support, while Wei Zhongdao's family stood outside the courtyard, their faces filled with reluctance and helplessness, but they could only allow Cai Wenji to carry out all this in the courtyard.

At this moment, Wei Zhongdao, who was carried in by his family, appeared at the door. Seeing this scene, Wei Zhongdao frowned. At the signal of his family, he said reluctantly: "Wen Ji, what father and mother said makes sense. It's not a good idea for you to do this." Cai Wenji raised her head, her eyes full of disappointment and heartache. She choked and said: "Zhongdao, that's my father. How can I not hold a memorial for him?" Wei Zhongdao was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to respond.

Ma Chao snorted coldly and said, "Wei Zhongdao, don't you understand Wen Ji's feelings? Don't you know how important Lord Cai Yong is to her?" Wei Zhongdao looked embarrassed and hesitated before saying, "But this is after all in my family..." Ma Chao glared at him and raised his voice, "It is precisely because she is in the Wei family that Wen Ji should fulfill her filial duties. Otherwise, wouldn't your family be heartless and ungrateful?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhongdao's family members paled and turned pale, but they dared not say anything more. Cai Wenji silently continued to set up the mourning hall, while Ma Chao stood guard beside her. Wei Zhongdao stood there, looking at Cai Wenji and Ma Chao with a complicated expression, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

After Cai Wenji finished arranging the memorial tablet, she slowly knelt before it and began to weep, expressing her longing for her father and her grief. Ma Chao stood quietly behind her, offering her unwavering support. Wei Zhongdao's family watched from a corner, unhappy but helplessly accepting the situation. The entire courtyard was filled with an atmosphere of sorrow, and Cai Wenji's cries seemed especially poignant in the silence.

Filled with heartache and concern, Lu Wan slowly knelt down beside Cai Wenji. While she gently comforted Cai Wenji, she couldn't help but shed tears, deeply saddened by what her friend had gone through.

At that moment, Ma Chao, with a solemn expression, instructed Zhang Xiu and the others to carefully carry Cai Yong's belongings up. When Wen Ji looked up and saw the piles of books Cai Yong had meticulously arranged, with the Jiaowei Qin resting quietly atop them, she could no longer contain her surging emotions. As if drawn to a magnet, she quickly rushed over, then prostrated herself on the pile of books, completely oblivious to everything else. She burst into tears, her grief threatening to drown the entire world.

After crying for a long time, Wen Ji finally gathered her chaotic thoughts. Then, she gently stroked her jiaoweiqin, took a deep breath, and began to sing.

"Alas, my father, he has passed away so suddenly. Separated by the Yin and Yang, I shed endless tears. Recalling our companionship, his earnest teachings, his voice and smile, they are all still vivid before my eyes. My father's talent and wisdom were unparalleled, his moral character unmatched. But now, Wen Ji is left alone, grief-stricken. Before his spirit, I burn incense and paper, my heart boundless with sorrow. The melancholy music of the zither cannot express my sorrow, I sing a mournful song, tears streaming down my face. I pray that my father's spirit may rest in peace, eternal bliss, and never worry about me. Wen Ji, to this day, vows to never forget. My father's kindness is profound and will never be forgotten. This life is long, and I am filled with sorrow alone. I only wish to be at my father's side in the next."

As she sang, the sound of the piano became mournful, and every note expressed her deep remembrance and endless sorrow for her father. Every note was filled with her sadness, making everyone who heard it cry.

Ma Chao watched this scene unfold, and waves of grief welled up in his heart, his heart aching for Cai Wenji. Filled with tenderness, Madam Lu quickly approached Cai Wenji, gently embraced her, and spoke with the loving tone of an elder, "Wenji, my child, please don't be too sad. Your father, Cai Yong, lived a life of noble character. He sought benevolence and received it, serving his country with all his heart. This was his honor. You must be strong." Meanwhile, Lu Yu, acting like a little adult, sensibly counseled, "Sister Wenji, Madam Lu is right. If Uncle Cai were still alive, he would certainly not want you to be so heartbroken. You must be well."

However, the members of the Wei family seemed completely out of tune with all this. Their expressions varied, some gloating, others indifferent, and still others whispering and muttering to each other. They gathered in a group outside the courtyard, pointing and making noises inside. The whole place was chaotic, and even chaotic noises could be heard constantly. This made Ma Chao particularly irritated, and he felt a strong resentment towards these members of the Wei family. These people had no respect for the deceased or sympathy for others; they were completely cold, selfish, and only cared about watching the fun.

Ma Chao then ordered his men, "Dian Wei, calm them down!" Then, Dian Wei strode quickly to the front of the Wei family members gathered outside the courtyard. His towering figure exuded a majestic aura. He glared at the noisy crowd with wide eyes and shouted, "Shut up! How dare you make such a fuss here? This is not a place for you to make such a fuss! Be quiet and stay put! If you dare to stir up trouble again, I'll hit you with my fists!" Dian Wei's voice was like a resounding bell, shushing everyone into silence. The originally chaotic scene instantly quieted down. Those people looked at Dian Wei in fear, not daring to make a sound again.