Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Ma Yunlu watched Ma Chao's face as he looked at Cai Wenji's departing figure with deep affection, and couldn't help but twist Ma Chao's waist. Ma Chao's brocade robe was wrinkled, and he said with a grin, "Yunlu, what are you crazy about?" Ma Yunlu curled her lips and said, "Brother, you have your eyes on Sister Wenji, and Sister Lu Wan is still by her side. Aren't you afraid that Sister Lu Wan will feel uncomfortable?"

Ma Chao looked embarrassed for a moment and stammered, "Wan'er, I'm worried about Wen Ji too. Wen Ji's experience is heartbreaking. I feel bad when I think of such a good sister going through so many hardships." Wan'er knew clearly that what Ma Chao said now was just to coax her and he didn't want her to feel sad.

Lu Wan said magnanimously, "Brother Chao, Sister Wen Ji has indeed been through a difficult time. We have been together since childhood and are as close as sisters. I feel deeply for her experience. I can also see that Brother Chao has Sister Wen Ji in your heart, and Sister Wen Ji must also like you. However, Wan'er will not mind this matter and will only be happy that Sister Wen Ji has a home. But Brother Chao, you must handle this relationship properly. After all, Sister Wen Ji's current status is special. Don't let her be ridiculed behind her back and cause her other pain. You must treat her well."

Lu Wan's words were unspoken, yet her heart remained shrouded in a tangle of bitterness and conflict. She was deeply aware of her love for Ma Chao and had long hoped to be with him forever. But now, with the appearance of Cai Wenji, this hope was uncertain. She silently reflected that Wenji was so endearing, having endured so much hardship, so it was only natural for Ma Chao to feel pity for her. She also believed in Ma Chao's character, having shared a deep bond with him throughout their journey. However, she was momentarily uncertain about how to relate to Wenji and maintain the balance of their relationship. However, she knew that Ma Chao, with his exceptional talent and status, could not remain solely with her. Jealousy and resentment would solve nothing and would only bring suffering to both of them. She was willing to trust Ma Chao and accept Wenji with a tolerant heart, hoping for the best for both of them and a happy ending for their relationship.

Lu Wan's words warmed Ma Chao's heart. This gentle and lovely woman, Lu Wan, knew that she had to share her lover with others, but she was still so kind and considerate of others. Such generosity made Ma Chao very happy. He didn't know how to tell Wan'er about this matter at first, and he was worried about it.

Ma Chao, accompanied by Lu Wan and Ma Yunlu, slowly arrived at the palace gate. A procession of young women from various tribes, all glamorously dressed, were meticulously escorted. The chiefs and envoys waited eagerly at the gate, eager for the Ma mansion's steward to appear. The moment Ma Chao appeared, the scene erupted in chaos. Each envoy and chief shouted "Heavenly General" at the top of their lungs, urging Ma Chao to look at the beautiful women of their tribe. The young women, filled with anticipation, displayed their charms to the utmost, hoping that Ma Chao would choose them immediately. After all, they had heard from their tribe leader that this was the time to choose a wife for the mighty Heavenly General Ma Chao. If they caught Ma Chao's eye, they would undoubtedly rise to prominence.

Ma Yunlu pulled Lu Wan aside and whispered, "Look, Sister Wan'er, look at my brother's demeanor! From now on, he won't have to fight on the battlefield anymore. He only needs to visit other people's city walls or the tribes, and the women there will be crazy chasing him." Lu Wan watched the absurd scene before her, feeling both angry and amused, but helpless. Firstly, Ma Chao was a man of both civil and military talents, a master of martial arts and a distinguished military exploit. People always admired the strong, especially in this frontier region, where etiquette was scarce and brutality was prevalent. Whoever had the biggest fist was admired. Moreover, Ma Chao possessed a peerless beauty that women envied. Lu Wan couldn't help but compare Ma Chao to everyone she knew, and she felt that no one could surpass him. Only two could even remotely compare: his sworn brothers, Sun Ce and Zhou Yu. Sun Ce exuded a heroic spirit and was handsome, though a bit too hard. Zhou Yu was impeccable, but compared to Ma Chao, Ma Chao carried the glaring aura of both civil and military prowess, and his military exploits were legendary. Lu Wan couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Alas, falling for such an exceptional man, how could she blame the sheer number of competitors? After all, who wouldn't love a man like him?

Amidst this chaotic scene, Ma Chao felt a splitting headache. He desperately tried to control the situation, shouting, "Quiet, everyone, be quiet, and listen to me." A man's reputation is like a tree's shadow. In the eyes of these tribal women, Ma Chao was not only a handsome man, but also a powerful and domineering figure with impressive military achievements, towering above all other tribes. For a moment, the first leader and the envoys fell silent, not daring to utter a single word. The women, however, gazed upon Ma Chao with fervent admiration and love, anticipating his next words.

Seeing that the scene had finally quieted down, Ma Chao first bowed and then said, "Thank you all beautiful ladies for your kindness. You have all come from afar, and we are indeed a little rude for not welcoming you well." At this time, Ma Yunlu pouted and said to Lu Wan, "Look, my elder brother is quite polite. Humph, he has never been so polite to those leaders and envoys." Wan'er couldn't help but chuckle and quickly covered her mouth with her hands and chuckled.

Ma Chao continued speaking, "But I truly feel guilty for having won the affections of so many beautiful women. I may have to disappoint you all. Since you're here, enjoy Wuwei City to your heart's content. If you wish to return, you can do so in two days, after the military review, along with the leader or the envoys. If you prefer not to, there's another way out." He waved to Ma Yunlu, who immediately stepped forward in a formal manner, proudly puffing out his chest. Ma Chao patted his younger sister's shoulder and said, "This is my younger sister, Ma Yunlu. As she grows older, she needs a female guard. If you, the beautiful ladies, do not wish to return, you may remain with her and form a female guard. In a few years, if a suitable male commander emerges from my army and we both find mutual affection, I will arrange a wedding for you all. My father's earlier statement at the banquet about bringing all of you into the Ma family mansion was truly just a joke. I hope you will forgive me."

Upon hearing this, the women's faces betrayed disappointment. Some frowned, others blushed. They couldn't help but whisper to their respective envoys or leaders, even complaining softly. "We thought we'd be able to enter the Heavenly General's inner chamber, but now all our hopes are in vain." "What should we do? Are we really going back like this?" "We've come all this way, and this is the end?"

However, despite their reluctance, they all understood that Ma Chao simply couldn't possibly accept so many foreign girls into his inner chambers. The envoys gently comforted the women they had brought with them, knowing full well that this was more of a bond, a way to strengthen the relationship between their tribe and Xiliang. If one day Ma Chao took a fancy to one of these women, their tribe would soar to great heights. Therefore, the envoys and leaders tried their best to comfort the women, saying, "This is also a good way out. By staying with Miss Ma Yunlu, you'll be closer to General Tian. Who knows, maybe one day he'll take a fancy to you. Besides, General Tian has plans. In a few years, if she develops a close relationship with a young military commander and becomes a marriage partner, it would be a good outcome for the tribe and for this beautiful girl, and the tribe would also benefit from it."

The women were originally full of expectations, but when they saw the unchangeable situation before them, they knew that they could not be that lucky. After some thought, they all agreed to stay.

Most of the women agreed to stay. Only one or two considered returning, but under the leader's stern, sharp gaze, they were hushed as if by cicadas. After all, their families were still living in the tribe, and besides, this wasn't a hellhole. Staying with the nobles was far better than returning to the grasslands to herd sheep. Returning to the tribe, within a few years, they would either become playthings for the nobles or find an honest man, bear a bunch of children, and then spend their days herding sheep. Moreover, their families were still there, and they had to continue to survive in the tribe.

The current leaders and envoys seemed as meek as sheep before Ma Chao, yet within their respective tribes, they held supreme authority and had the final say. Having reached a consensus, the tribal leaders all declared to Ma Chao, "We will follow General Tian's orders." Ma Chao then bowed to the crowd and said, "Since that's the case, I will lead the girls away. All envoys, please return to the inn to rest. Three days from now, a brief military review will be held outside Wuwei City." The envoys agreed, waved goodbye to their girls, and departed. Led by Ma Yunlu, the girls kept looking back at Ma Chao, lingeringly glancing at him as they slowly departed.