Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Dong Bai stepped forward with a smile, his gaze falling on Zhou Yu, and said in a gentle tone, "Gongjin, you must have had a long journey."

Zhou Yu quickly straightened his clothes, cupped his hands in a respectful bow, and said in a respectful tone, "Reporting to my sister-in-law, how could I say it was hard to see my brother and sister-in-law sooner? It's just that I was unable to attend your wedding, which is truly my fault. I hope my sister-in-law will not blame me."

Dong Bai covered her mouth and chuckled, her eyes sparkling with a hint of coquettishness: "Of course I'll blame you." Seeing Zhou Yu's expression tighten slightly, she changed the subject, "Tonight you'll be punished by drinking a few more cups. If you refuse, I'll really get angry."

One sentence made everyone laugh, and the previous restraint and distance disappeared in the laughter.

At this moment, the carriage slowly approached from afar. Because Ma Chao and Dong Bai were personally welcoming them, even though it was freezing cold, Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao could not stay in the carriage. After the carriage came to a stop, the curtain was lifted, and the two ladies, Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao, gracefully stepped down, each carrying a child. Da Qiao held Sun Shao in her arms, while Xiao Qiao held Zhou Yin. The two children were wrapped in thick fox fur coats, their bright black eyes taking in their surroundings.

"Uncle!" Sun Shao spotted Ma Chao at a glance and called out in a clear voice, his little arms and legs wriggling in Da Qiao's arms.

Ma Chao felt a warmth in his heart and quickly stepped forward to take Sun Shao in his arms. The little guy wasn't shy at all in his arms and reached out to grab the snowflakes from his temples. Dong Bai also smiled and took Zhou Yin from Xiao Qiao's arms, kissing the child's rosy cheeks. Zhou Yin giggled and reached out to grab the hairpin in her hair.

Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao stepped forward and bowed to Ma Chao and Dong Bai, saying, "Greetings, elder brother and sister-in-law."

"Get up quickly, we're all family, no need for formalities." Ma Chao quickly helped them up, his gaze sweeping over the swirling snow, his brows furrowing slightly. "It's freezing cold here, you've just arrived, be careful not to get cold." He then instructed the servants behind him, "Quickly lead the two ladies back to the carriage to warm up."

Just as Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao were about to decline, Dong Bai smiled and advised, "Listen to your brother, the children can't withstand this wind and snow either." Only then did the two of them obey and return to the carriage.

Ma Chao, carrying Sun Shao, and Dong Bai, carrying Zhou Yin, and pulling Zhou Yu along, laughed and said, "Let's go back to the manor."

He turned to Pang De and the others and said, "Gentlemen from Jiangdong, please take good care of us and don't neglect us."

"Rest assured, my lord!" Pang De and the others replied in unison.

Zhou Yu, being pulled along by Ma Chao, looked at the lively Sun Shao in his arms, then at the smiling Zhou Yin in Dong Bai's arms, and felt a warm glow in his heart. The carriage slowly started moving, and Ma Chao lifted the curtain, looking at the civil and military officials and envoys from various countries following outside, and said loudly, "Let's go back to the mansion!"

In the wind and snow, the Liang King's carriage led the way, followed closely by a large entourage of officials and envoys, heading towards the royal palace. The civil and military officials of Xiliang were already accustomed to Ma Chao's easygoing and approachable nature, while the other envoys harbored some grumblings but dared not utter a word. Only Cao Ang's carriage was warm and cozy. Holding a hand warmer, he listened to the sound of the wind and snow outside, a knowing smile playing on his lips—this was Ma Chao, unconventional yet always inspiring unwavering loyalty.

Outside the carriage, the wind and snow battered the window frames, making a "whooshing" sound, as if trying to overturn the small carriage. Inside, however, it was warm and cozy, with the silver charcoal in the brazier burning brightly, casting a soft red glow on everyone's faces.

Sun Shao twisted in Ma Chao's arms, his little brows furrowed, and looked up to ask, "Uncle, where is my elder brother? I've come, but he didn't come to pick me up."

Ma Chao looked down at him, gently flicked his little nose with his fingertip, and said with a smile, "Your elder brother is now the commander of the Young Lin Army. He's so busy that he doesn't have time to rest. He spends the first half of the day studying military strategy in the military academy, and the second half of the day he goes to the military camp to eat, live and fight alongside his soldiers. He doesn't come back until it's almost dusk."

"Wow—" Zhou Yin clapped his little hands in Zhou Yu's arms, his eyes sparkling, "Big brother is so amazing! I want to go to the army camp too!"

Sun Shao nodded in agreement, clenching his little fists even tighter: "I want to go help my older brother too!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yu looked at Ma Chao with a puzzled expression: "Brother, what's the deal with this Young Lin Army?"

Ma Chao raised an eyebrow and began to recount Ma Yue's recent amusing incident: "My dear brother, you may not know this, but as soon as Yue returned, he got into a fight with Ma Xiang, Jiang Wei, and a few others..." Ma Chao then explained the whole story to Zhou Yu.

Zhou Yu's smile deepened as he listened, and he took a sip of tea, his eyes sparkling with admiration: "Brother, this move is a stroke of genius." What kind of person was Zhou Yu? He understood the profound meaning behind Ma Chao's formation of the Young Lin Army just from Ma Chao's words.

Ma Yue, who was in Ma Chao's arms, clenched his fists secretly. He didn't know Ma Xiang or Jiang Wei, but since they dared to argue with his elder brother, he would definitely deal with them.

The carriage was warm and cozy. Seeing that Zhou Yu looked tired but still composed, Ma Chao knew that things were looking up in Jiangdong. He couldn't help but ask, "Gongjin, what's the situation in Jiangdong now? Have those remnants of aristocratic families who fled to the South China Sea and Yuzhang been dealt with properly?"

Zhou Yu picked up his teacup, his fingertips tracing the rim, and slowly said, "Those days were indeed troublesome. First, we reorganized the army, clearing out the private soldiers planted by those aristocratic families; then we rectified officialdom, removing a few deeply entrenched old foxes, before finally stabilizing our foundation." He paused, a sharp glint in his eyes, "As for those remnants, they can't hide forever. That old bastard Zhang Zhao was hiding in his old residence in Yuzhang County. I personally led men to drag him out and executed him on the spot."

"Good!" Ma Chao slapped his thigh, his voice booming, "That's exactly what we should do! These people are bullying others because of their family background; they should have been dealt with long ago!"

Zhou Yu nodded, his tone becoming more serious: "After dealing with Zhang Zhao, I had offerings prepared and went to Bo Fu's tomb to pay my respects. I told him that none of those who betrayed him escaped."

Upon hearing this, Ma Chao's expression also became solemn: "If Bo Fu were alive, he would be at peace. Back when we fought together, he always said that the powerful families of Jiangdong were a cancer, but now you have finally eradicated them." He looked at Zhou Yu, his eyes full of approval, "Gongjin, you have worked hard. You have shouldered the burden of Jiangdong well."

Zhou Yu smiled, picked up his teacup and gently clinked it against Ma Chao's: "It's all for Bo Fu's hard work, so that the people of Jiangdong can live a peaceful life. It's not hard work."

Zhou Yu paused, then looked at Ma Chao. His lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he only let out a soft sigh, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

Just then, the carriage slowly came to a stop, and the sound of the wheels rolling over the bluestone road came to an abrupt halt.

Ma Chao lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and said with a smile, "Gongjin, we've arrived."

The two alighted from the carriage one after the other, and their eyes fell upon the former imperial palace, now the Prince's mansion, its walls towering high, its vermilion gates wide open. Ma Teng and his wife, along with the rest of the Ma family, were waiting at the entrance. Ma Teng, dressed in a brocade robe and with a ruddy complexion, laughed heartily as they approached, "Gongjin, we've been waiting for you!"

Zhou Yu quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Uncle and Aunt, how are you? It's freezing cold, how could I trouble you two to welcome a junior like me here? I'm late, please forgive me."

"Get up quickly, he's our own child, no need for so much formality." Ma Teng helped him up and patted his shoulder, saying, "You must be tired from your journey, come inside quickly."

Standing to the side, Ma's mother smiled kindly. When she saw Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao following behind, she quickly stepped forward and took their hands, saying, "Good children, are you cold on the way? Come in and warm yourselves up."

Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao bowed gracefully, saying, "Greetings, Uncle and Aunt."

"Hey, get up quickly." Mother Ma pulled their arms, being very affectionate.

Sun Shangxiang and Ma Chao's group of confidantes also came forward to greet Zhou Yu, Da Qiao, and Xiao Qiao. They were all old acquaintances, and although some time had passed since they last met, there was no sense of awkwardness. They exchanged pleasantries with smiles, their eyes and brows filled with warmth. Only Sun Shangxiang's eyes reddened as she looked at the people from her hometown of Jiangdong.

Seeing this harmonious scene, Ma Chao laughed loudly, "Alright, it's windy outside, let's go inside. I've already had a banquet prepared, and tonight we must drink until we drop with Gongjin!"

The crowd surged forward, passing through several palaces to reach the banquet hall. Inside, a grand feast had already been laid out, with a dazzling array of delicacies. Musicians and dancers were already in place, ready to begin once everyone was seated.

Yang Biao, along with Zhuge Liang and others, were invited to the banquet as envoys of various feudal lords. Seeing the grandeur of the banquet, with its exquisite glass cups and white jade plates on the tables, which were rare treasures at ordinary banquets, and the court musicians playing elegant court music, both Yang Biao and Zhuge Liang felt a sense of injustice.

When they arrived, although they were treated with courtesy, it was far less grand than this. Yang Biao stroked his beard, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes: "We're both envoys, yet the difference in treatment is too great."

"Come, Gongjin, sit next to me." Ma Chao took Zhou Yu's hand and led him to the guest seat next to the main seat. He then smiled at everyone and said, "Please take your seats. Today we will not discuss state affairs, but only reminisce about old times and drink to our hearts' content!"

With Ma Chao's command, music began, dances started, and the banquet officially commenced. Amidst the clinking of glasses and constant laughter, only Yang Biao and Zhuge Liang, observing the grand scene before them, each harbored their own thoughts, and the wine in their cups seemed to carry a complex and indescribable flavor.

The banquet was in full swing, with pleasant music playing and laughter filling the air. Suddenly, a servant announced, "The Crown Prince has arrived with several young generals." Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Ma Yue leading Ma Guan, Ma Xiang, Jiang Wei, and several other teenagers briskly in. Although they were still quite young, they carried a youthful air of heroism, clearly having just come from the training ground, their clothes still dusty.

When everyone saw that it was Ma Yue, the heir apparent of the Liang King, they all smiled and nodded in acknowledgment. No one felt it was abrupt. This heir apparent was the youngest, but he was already the commander of the Young Lin Army. Although the Young Lin Army was just a group of half-grown children, it was enough to show that Ma Chao had high hopes for Ma Yue.

Those civil and military officials familiar with Ma Yue greeted him warmly. Ma Yue returned their greetings while scanning the banquet hall. His gaze quickly locked onto Zhou Yu, his eyes lit up, and he jogged over. He first bowed respectfully to Ma Chao, who sat in the main seat, saying, "Father." Then he turned to Zhou Yu, calling out crisply, "Uncle," before opening his arms and rushing towards him.

Zhou Yu smiled and opened his arms to catch him, giving him a full hug. The tenderness in his eyes was undisguised: "Yue'er has grown taller again."

Seeing this, Sun Shao quickly got down from his seat and went to Zhou Yu's side. Although he was young, he was already the lord of Jiangdong, so he sat properly next to Zhou Yu. Seeing Ma Yue, he was excited and shouted, "Big brother!" Ma Yue broke free from Zhou Yu's embrace and hugged Sun Shao affectionately, and Zhou Yin next to him also hugged him. The three children laughed together.