Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Ma Chao frowned, his eyes coldly gazing at the Wei clansmen, his anger surging like a volcano about to erupt. He wondered why these people were so difficult to deal with. It was truly irritating. Wen Ji needed peace and quiet right now, and she absolutely couldn't be disturbed again. His face darkened as if water could drip from it, and he gritted his teeth as he spoke, "I'll tell you all to stay away from this little courtyard. Go and do what you need to do. We'll stay here to keep Wen Ji company. Don't let any of you Wei clansmen bother her again."

However, the head of the Wei family stroked his beard, his face righteous, thinking that this was his daughter-in-law's residence, and how could he allow outsiders to occupy it so arbitrarily? He straightened his back and argued, "This is ridiculous! This is my daughter-in-law's residence, how can I allow outsiders like you to occupy it at will? Moreover, this backyard has its own rules, how can you, a group of brave warriors, do whatever you want? This is against etiquette and against justice!" Ma Chao was already extremely annoyed and did not want to pay any attention to the head of the Wei family's words. He turned to Zhang Xiu and said, "You lead the others to vacate the houses around the courtyard, and we will stay outside."

At this moment, Wei Zhongdao's brother, Wei Kai, could no longer contain his anger. He stepped forward and addressed Ma Chao, saying, "General, we have always held you in high esteem, but your actions today are truly overbearing and tyrannical. Our Wei family is a distinguished and prestigious family, with nobles and nobles in our past and a rich heritage. Do you regard our family with such regard?" Ma Chao, overly distressed by Cai Wenji, was now extremely agitated. His only concern was protecting her and preventing anyone from interfering with her. For the first time, he revealed his overbearing side, shouting, "What do I care about your Wei family? Even if I bully you today, what good does it do? I, Ma Chao, have fought through countless hostile fronts without fear, so how could I possibly regard you with any regard?" Wei Kai's eyes widened in anger, his heart filled with dissatisfaction and rage, determined to redeem himself. He shouted, "Are you taking advantage of the fact that my Wei clan has no one left? Are you truly planning to oppose us?" Ma Chao raised his head proudly, "Even if I were to face off against Lü Bu, Marquis of Wen, amidst a mighty host, I would not be afraid. How much less so you! Leave immediately and do not offend me again!" Immediately, Zhang Xiu and Dian Wei, his followers, approached the Wei clan members with weapons in hand, threatening them. The Wei clan members exchanged grim glances, their faces filled with anger and helplessness, knowing they had faced a formidable foe. Faced with Ma Chao and his men's recalcitrance, they knew no further arguments would suffice. They could only disperse in anger, muttering discontent as they departed, their anger and resentment simmering. Zhang Xiu, in accordance with Ma Chao's instructions, led his men to vacate the surrounding houses, preparing to accommodate Ma Chao and his men.

By evening, Wen Ji's mood had finally calmed down considerably. Although the Wei family remained resentful, they dared not voice their anger. They sent food and sincerely invited Ma Chao to a feast. However, Ma Chao completely ignored their behavior, not even allowing his attendants to accept the food, and simply instructed everyone to light a fire in the courtyard to cook. Wen Ji still had no appetite and could not eat a single bite, but she felt that Ma Chao and his companions had only just arrived today, and that the hospitality was lacking because of her, so she forced herself to eat a little, not wanting her bad mood to make everyone else lose their appetite.

After dinner, Ma Chao sat down with Cai Wenji, Lu Wan, and Madam Lu to talk. Ma Chao frowned, his eyes filled with pity and dissatisfaction. He said gravely, "Look at this little courtyard! It's so shabby and shabby! It doesn't look like the place a daughter-in-law of a prominent family should be. Wenji has truly suffered so much here, so much pain." Lu Wan immediately echoed, "Yes, look at how emaciated Wenji has become. It's truly heartbreaking. How could the Wei family treat Wenji this way? It's simply too much."

Cai Wenji listened to their words, forced a bitter smile on her face, and said softly: "Actually, this is not bad. At least I can have some peace and quiet and don't have to face their disgusting faces." Lu Wan suggested with concern: "Wenji, why don't you come with us? How can you continue to live like this? This is really not the place you should stay." After hearing this, although Ma Chao did not say anything clearly, from his eyes full of complex emotions, it can be seen that he was actually moved in his heart, and he really didn't want to see Wenji continue to suffer here. However, Cai Wenji shook her head firmly and said in a resolute tone, "No, I can't leave. When you're at home, you obey your father; when you're married, you obey your husband. Although I don't have any deep feelings for Wei Zhongdao, this was specially arranged by my father before he died. No matter what, I can't go against his wishes. Now that I've married into the Wei family, I should stay here well. This is my unshirkable responsibility." Madam Lu couldn't help but say, "Wenji, don't be so stubborn. Look at the life you're living now. We really can't bear to see you suffer like this." A tear flashed in Wenji's eyes, but she still said stubbornly, "Thank you for your concern, but I've made up my mind. I know you're all doing this for my own good, but I can't go against my father's wishes."

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent. They all deeply understood Cai Wenji's seemingly fragile but inner stubbornness, knowing that once she made a decision, it was difficult to change it. But their hearts also clung to her, feeling immense regret and heartache for her difficult life. Ma Chao sighed deeply and said helplessly, "Wenji, you are truly heartbreaking. I only hope the Wei family will treat you well in the future." Cai Wenji nodded slightly, a look of determination and resignation in her eyes. They all knew the road ahead would be difficult, but Wenji remained steadfast, upholding the responsibility she had always held.

They stayed there for three or four days. During this time, Ma Chao, Lu Wan, and Madam Lu tried every possible way to cheer Cai Wenji up, hoping to make her happy. Ma Chao looked at the always unhappy Cai Wenji, his eyes full of pity, and said softly and tenderly: "Wenji, please be happy. Don't always look so sad. It makes us feel bad when we see you like this." Lu Wan also echoed this, with a concerned look on her face, and said anxiously: "Yes, Wenji, we all hope that you can be happy. Don't be so depressed anymore." However, no matter how hard they tried, they still couldn't make Cai Wenji truly happy. Cai Wenji only squeezed out a forced smile occasionally, and that smile was full of bitterness.

They tried to persuade Cai Wenji to leave with them many times. Madam Lu took Cai Wenji's hand, her eyes full of love, and said gently: "Wenji, come with us. Don't suffer here. You will be happier with us." But Cai Wenji never agreed. She shook her head slightly and said firmly: "No, I can't leave. This is my home." Helplessly, everyone could not stay for long. They could only say goodbye to Cai Wenji and choose to leave.

On the day of their departure, the Wei clan members finally breathed a sigh of relief when they learned that Ma Chao and his companions were leaving. They muttered to themselves, "Those evil spirits are finally leaving," and then pretended to see Ma Chao and his companions off. Cai Wenji stood there, her eyes following Ma Chao and his companions closely, filled with reluctance and longing. Her affectionate gaze seemed to engrave their presence deeply in her heart. Her hands unconsciously tugged at the corner of her clothes, and her lips trembled slightly.

Ma Chao walked up to the head of the Wei family with a serious and apologetic look on his face, and said sincerely: "Head of the Wei family, I was in a bad mood before and acted impulsively. Please forgive me. I hope you can be nicer to Wen Ji in the future." The head of the Wei family nodded quickly and replied: "Of course, General, don't worry." Ma Chao looked at the head of the Wei family deeply again, and said solemnly and seriously: "You must treat Wen Ji well. If Wen Ji encounters any misfortune or any accident, even if I, Ma Chao, am far away in Xiliang, I will definitely send my army to take care of Wen Ji. I hope you take care of yourself." These words made the people of the Wei family feel a little nervous. They didn't dare to express their thoughts about how to torture Cai Wenji after Ma Chao left.

Ma Chao walked to Cai Wenji again, patted her shoulder gently, his eyes full of reluctance and concern, and said in a low voice: "Wenji, take care of yourself, you must take good care of yourself, if you have any grievances, just write to me." Cai Wenji's tears were rolling in her eyes, she tried hard to hold back the tears, nodded slightly, and said with a sob: "I know, Brother Chao, you take care of yourself too." Ma Chao looked at her deeply, then turned around and slowly left with everyone. Cai Wenji just stood there quietly, watching their departing backs, until she could no longer see them, and finally couldn't help but burst into tears.