Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Ma Chao ultimately couldn't suppress the intense doubt and confusion in his heart. He eagerly sought out Lu Wan, looked at her with deep sincerity and affection, and said softly, "Wan'er, I'm completely bewildered. I don't understand why you're so deliberately distancing yourself from me. Do you know how much your actions hurt me?"

Lu Wan's eyes instantly turned red, tears welling up in them. She choked and said, "Brother Chao, my love for you has long been like a raging fire, burning to the extreme and deep in my bones. However, our Lu family is now in such a difficult situation. The Ma family is able to treat us this way. We are already grateful and thankful. I really don't want to delay the Ma family's bright future because of me, and I don't want to bring trouble to the Ma family. If this matter angers Dong Zhuo, the Ma family will definitely suffer."

Ma Chao embraced Lu Wan in his arms, caressing her back. He said gently but firmly, "Wan'er, don't say that. In my heart, you are more important than anything else. I don't care about my future, I don't care if I will be implicated, I only care about your feelings! Even if the seas run dry and the rocks crumble, even if the world collapses, my love for you will never change. I swear here that in this life, I, Ma Chao, will marry you and will accompany you hand in hand for the rest of my life. No matter what difficulties and obstacles we encounter, I will not retreat. I will use all my strength to protect you and give you the happiest life. This heart and this love will never change, and heaven and earth can bear witness!"

Afterwards, Ma Chao came to Madam Lu and solemnly promised: "Madam Lu, no matter what happens, I will remain steadfast in my commitment to marrying Lu Wan." Madam Lu looked at Ma Chao, sighed softly, and said, "Ma Chao, we understand your intentions, but the reality is not optimistic." Ma Chao said anxiously, "Madam Lu, please believe me, I will definitely handle everything and make Lu Wan happy. I, Ma Chao, will always keep my word!"

Ma Chao's public display of his feelings in front of Mrs. Lu naturally did not escape Dong Bai's sharp eyes. Dong Bai's passionate heart was completely tied to Ma Chao, so how could she have no reaction to this?

As soon as Ma Chao left Madam Lu's residence, Dong Bai came looking for him. Dong Bai's eyes were red with tears welling up in them. Her voice trembled as she said, "Brother Chao, how could you be so cruel to me? I clearly remember the first time I saw you, I had a crush on you. Later, you risked your life to save me in the battle, which made me fall in love with you even more firmly. I'm a grown woman, and I've completely disregarded my dignity. I've been clinging to you day and night, refusing to leave. I did all this because you're the only one in my heart and eyes!"

Ma Chao's heart was also in turmoil. He looked embarrassed and responded with great pain: "Abai, I am deeply aware of your feelings for me. In fact, I am not completely indifferent to you, but my friendship with Wan'er is as solid as a rock. I really can't give her up for you!" Dong Bai was extremely emotional and shouted hysterically: "I don't care! I never thought of using my family's power to force you. I just like you! If you feel that the power of the Dong family makes you unhappy, then I would rather not have it all! I just want to be by your side as an ordinary woman. I don't even care about fame, wealth or status. As long as I can be with you, that's enough! I'm going back to Longxi now. I want to write a letter to Grandpa. I want to give up all this wealth and power. I must be with you!"

After saying that, Dong Bai turned and rushed to her residence to pack her bags. At this moment, Ma Chao cried out in pain, "Ah Bai, in my heart, I have always regarded you as my sister!" Dong Bai suddenly stopped, turned around, and retorted with tears in her eyes, "Do you only have brotherly feelings for me?" Ma Chao opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Deep in his heart, he actually had a different feeling for Dong Bai quietly growing. However, he could not face this complex emotion directly and could only let the pain intertwine and entangle in his heart.

Dong Bai returned to her residence crying, hurriedly packing her bags as she prepared to return to Longxi. Seeing this, Madam Ma and Madam Lu rushed out to dissuade them. After all, no matter what conflicts arose between the three of them, Madam Lu, Madam Lu, and everyone else loved Dong Bai and Lu Wan from the bottom of their hearts. How could they bear to let this little girl leave with such a broken heart?

At the same time, Ma Chao was also called over by Ma Teng, and Ma Chao happened to have a lot of thoughts in his mind that he wanted to talk to Ma Teng about. He asked Ma Chao, "Father, why did you say such words to Master's Wife? The Lu family is in great trouble now, and how can you make them cope with it? Am I, Ma Chao, and my Ma family the kind of people who cling to the powerful? If so, how can I, Ma Chao, live in this world?"

Seeing Ma Chao so excited, Ma Teng sighed lightly, and then said earnestly: "Chao'er, don't be so excited for now. Just listen to what your father will say to you slowly." Ma Chao frowned and looked at Ma Teng stubbornly.

Ma Teng continued, "Chao'er, first of all, you and Wan'er, Wan'er is indeed a good girl. It's normal for you to have feelings for her. Our Ma family is not the kind to curry favor with the rich and powerful. But Chao'er, you didn't tell me about this in advance. And Lord Dong led the troops to rescue my Ma family when it was in danger. He saved our Ma family and promoted you even more. What's more, Miss Dong Bai and you two also have a good impression of each other. When we didn't know about the emotional entanglement between you and Wan'er, Lord Dong didn't hesitate to lower his status in Zunyi to let Li Ru reveal that he wanted to take you as his son-in-law. What reason do you have to refuse? Think about it, the relationship and friendship between them are not something that can be treated lightly."

Ma Chao gritted his teeth and said, "But father, my feelings for Wan'er are real, and I can't give up on her just like that." Ma Teng patted Ma Chao on the shoulder and said, "Chao'er, your father understands your feelings, but this matter is already so complicated, we have to consider it carefully. We can't just refuse Mr. Dong, and we can't ignore the Lu family either. What do you think we should do?" Ma Chao fell into deep thought, not knowing how to answer for a moment.

Ma Teng said: "Mr. Dong is very powerful now. Everything our Ma family has now was promoted by Mr. Dong. Besides, Miss Dong Bai has been very kind to you. You are afraid of disappointing Wan'er, but aren't you afraid of disappointing Dong Bai?" Ma Chao was very conflicted.

Ma Chao said, "But I can't give up Wan'er. If Mr. Dong uses his power to pressure me, I would rather give up this power and wander around the world with Wan'er." These words deeply hurt Ma Teng's heart.

Ma Teng roared angrily: "Rebellious son, listen to what you are saying. Not to mention that marriage has been arranged by parents and matchmakers since ancient times, we can see how good Wan'er is. But you, as a woman, disregard the safety of your family and your parents' earnest expectations, and say such words. Do you still care about your parents and the survival of your family?" Dong Zhuo and Ma Teng were very angry at Ma Chao's extreme side.

Ma Chao's face was filled with pain and he shouted, "Father, I'm not disregarding the family, but I can't let go of my feelings for Wan'er! I know Mr. Dong has done us a favor, but my heart is completely on Wan'er!" Ma Teng's eyes widened with anger and he scolded loudly, "You are so confused! How can you be so irrational! Do you know how much disaster your decision will bring to the Ma family! Think about it carefully!" Ma Chao clenched his fists, his body trembling slightly, and he didn't know what to do for a moment.

The quarrel between Ma Teng and Ma Chao spread rapidly throughout the mansion. Madam Lu, Madam Ma, and Lu Wan were all present, trying to persuade Dong Bai. Everyone was shocked to hear the news from the servants. Ma Chao had always been a model of loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness. The fact that he had now engaged in such a violent argument with Ma Teng was a testament to the wrath of both father and son. Everyone was deeply concerned that the conflict between them would escalate. Even Lu Wan and Dong Bai temporarily put aside their grief and came to comfort the father and son.