Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Ma Chao's absence lasted over ten days, leaving everyone in a state of panic. Madam Ma kept complaining to Ma Teng, "Our son Chao has always been filial, a truly outstanding person, and so sensible. How could you lose your temper over this marriage? This is Ma Chao's lifelong decision, and it's completely understandable that he disagrees. Isn't it normal for young people to have loved ones? Look at you, you got so angry that you drove him away in anger. Now we don't know where he's gone, or if he's even got enough to eat or wear. It's all your fault, old man." Ma Teng stubbornly said, "He's not a child, and this isn't his first time away from home. What's there to worry about?" Although he appeared unconcerned, he was actually deeply worried. However, to stabilize the situation, he didn't dare to make a public search, and instead quietly sent Xu Huang, Zhang Xiu, Pang De, and others to search the surrounding area for Ma Chao's whereabouts.

Madam Lu privately counseled Lu Wan, "Wan'er, although Chao'er is truly exceptional and I love him dearly, given our current family situation, your father is missing, and the Dong family is seeking Ma Chao as their son-in-law. Dong Zhuo is now wielding immense power. If you insist on being together, it will only embarrass Ma Chao and put the Ma family in a very vulnerable position." Although Madam Lu didn't explicitly state this, her tone hinted at her need to persuade Lu Wan to give up. Deep down, however, Lu Wan didn't care about status at all. As long as she could be with Ma Chao, even without a status, she wouldn't mind. She told her mother, "Ma Chao and I are deeply in love. I don't care about status. As long as I can be with him, that's all I care about. All those concerns about power and family background that you all care about—that's all I care about." With this, she wept bitterly. Madam Lu could only sigh inwardly at her daughter's stubbornness.

Ever since Ma Chao left in anger, Dong Bai has also become quiet, like a deflated ball. She no longer clamors to return to Longxi. Instead, she obediently pays respects to Ma Teng and Madam Ma every day, asks them about Ma Chao's whereabouts, and arranges for her own family members to go out and look for Ma Chao's movements. As the daughter of a general, Dong Bai actually has no intention of dominating Ma Chao. As Ma Chao was so young and had made great military achievements, it was normal for such an outstanding man to have three wives and four concubines. In fact, in Dong Bai's heart, as long as she could be with Ma Chao, even if it was without a formal status, even if it was as a concubine, she would be willing. Ma Chao's departure made Dong Bai completely panic. She knew that she could not rely on the power of her family to suppress Ma Chao, as this would make Ma Chao miserable. Dong Bai said to the Ma couple, "Uncle and Aunt, as long as I can be with Brother Chao, I am willing to do so even if I don't want a formal status. Please don't make things difficult for Brother Chao. It's all my ignorance that made Uncle Ma furious with Brother Chao. I hope you can forgive me." Mrs. Ma looked at Dong Bai's pride and thought about Ma Chao so much. She liked and was satisfied with Dong Bai more and more. She went forward to hug Dong Bai and comforted her softly. While Ma Teng was embarrassed, he couldn't help but feel a little relieved. He didn't know how many lifetimes of blessings this bad boy had accumulated to be so favored by such good girls.

Ma Chao was unaware of everyone's worries and compromises, and finally returned to Wuwei City after being away for more than ten days. One day, when everyone was still worried, the doorman came to report that Ma Chao had returned and brought gifts from the Western Qiang.

Ma Teng instantly got into character, his face stern as he shouted to the doorman, "Go, tell this rebellious son to come back here." Mrs. Ma punched him in anger, saying, "Look at you, still like this." Ma Teng felt a little deflated, his stern fatherly authority instantly diminished. The two girls watched this scene with a hidden smile, constantly looking towards the door, eagerly anticipating Ma Chao's appearance.

Ma Chao arrived at the front of the hall and saw Ma Teng sitting there with a stern face, as if he was still angry. He did not have time to tell the two women about his longing for him. Instead, he knelt down in front of Ma Teng and said, "Father, I am unfilial. I should not have acted so rashly and made you angry." Before Ma Teng could say anything, Madam Ma hurried forward and pulled Ma Chao up, saying, "Good boy, good boy, you're glad to be back. You don't know how worried I am. Don't pay attention to this old man. He has such a bad temper." But Ma Chao did not get up.

Ma Teng looked at Ma Chao kneeling in front of him. In fact, his anger had long since faded. He was more troubled by the headache and response to this matter. He frowned slightly, coughed deliberately, and said, "Hmph, you still remember to come back? Do you know what a mess your absence has made the family!" But his eyes revealed a subtle softness. Although he still wanted to maintain his dignity on the surface, he felt relieved when he saw Ma Chao return safely. Ma Teng sighed lightly and was about to say something else, but was glared at by Madam Ma. He had to swallow the words back and just sat there with a stern face, pretending to be angry.

Ma Chao continued to kneel, saying firmly, "Father, after this trip, I have come to understand many things even more clearly. I know I acted rashly before, causing you worry and disappointment, but I promise you that I will be more composed and work harder in the future, and I will never do anything that would upset or anger you again. I will regain my confidence and prove my worth with my actions, making you proud. I will also bring honor to the Ma family and live up to your expectations. Please believe me, father!"

Ma Chao continued to kneel upright. Ma Teng looked at him, then at the two women beside him. He didn't want to continue to dwell on this topic, so he waved his hand and said, "Okay, Chao'er, go back and wash up first." Ma Chao responded, stood up, and slowly retreated. The two women stood aside, their eyes following Ma Chao, and they were hesitant to follow him out. Mrs. Ma saw all this and couldn't help but smile and said, "Okay, you two can go out too." When the two women heard this, their faces suddenly lit up with joy, and they hurriedly followed him out. Their eagerness made Ma Teng shake his head helplessly, but a smile unconsciously appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Ma Chao took the two girls to the garden. The three of them seemed to walk with a bit of solemnity along the way. When they arrived in the garden, Ma Chao was about to say something, but Dong Bai took the lead. Her face was slightly red, tears flashed in her eyes, and she said softly: "Brother Chao, I apologize to you first. I was too willful before, I shouldn't have acted so foolishly, I know I was wrong now. I really won't compete with Sister Lu Wan for the position of the legal wife. I just want to be with you, Brother Chao, I don't care about anything else. Even if I can just be by your side silently, I will be satisfied." After speaking, Dong Bai looked at Ma Chao with sincerity and affection, her eyes full of attachment and reluctance.

Lu Wan also said immediately: "Yes, Brother Chao, I feel the same. For me, as long as I can be with Brother Chao, status and other things really don't matter. I also don't want to put the Ma family in trouble because of these things, and make Brother Chao embarrassed. I just hope to be with Brother Chao hand in hand and never leave him no matter what storms we go through." Lu Wan's eyes were also full of love and determination. Her hand rested lightly on Ma Chao's arm, as if that was her lifelong support.

Ma Chao was deeply moved by the two women's words. His eyes reddened slightly, tears welling up in them. He held their hands tightly and said affectionately, "I, Ma Chao, am truly blessed to have you treat me this way. Your love is the most precious blessing of my life. Don't worry, I, Ma Chao, swear here that I will never let you two down. I will protect you with all my heart and soul, and make you happy forever. I have also figured out how to solve this problem. I will work hard to establish my career. As my status increases, these obstacles will become smaller and smaller. When the time comes, I will definitely give you a satisfactory explanation, so that you can all stay by my side happily."

After hearing what Ma Chao said, Dong Bai's eyes flashed with ecstasy. She threw herself into Ma Chao's arms and said with a sob, "Brother Chao, I believe you can do it! I will always be here waiting for you. No matter what difficulties you encounter, I will face them with you." Lu Wan also nodded and said, "Brother Chao, we will always support you. No matter where and when, we will be with you." Ma Chao looked at the two girls, his heart full of emotion and love. He gently stroked their hair, with a firm and gentle smile on his face, as if there were only three of them left in the whole world. Their affection was intertwined at this moment, permeating the entire garden, and lingering for a long time.