Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

After the farce was over, Ma Chao stood at the doorway, holding his forehead with his hands and letting out a long sigh of relief. However, he was seen by Zhou Yu and Sun Ce, who were watching him quietly from a distance. They walked up to him with smiles and joked with their brother.

Sun Ce walked forward carelessly, patted his brother vigorously, put his arm around Ma Chao's shoulders affectionately and said, "Brother, this blessing of having two wives really makes me envious. This scene really opened my eyes, tsk tsk tsk!" Ma Chao scolded him with a smile, punched Sun Ce, and said, "You are talking nonsense. Which girl do you like? If you like her, I will arrange your marriage tonight."

Zhou Yu also smiled and said, "Brother, don't blame second brother for joking. This scene is really rare." Ma Chao couldn't help but said with a headache, "Third brother, you also learn to talk nonsense like Bofu. Gongjin, you are not like this before. Bofu, you have led Gongjin astray." After that, the three of them looked at each other and laughed.

After Sun Ce and Zhou Yu's smiles faded, their expressions instantly became extremely solemn and serious. They said to Ma Chao with sincerity: "Brother, Wen Ji and we are old acquaintances. We have witnessed everything that happened today. We can also deeply perceive that the friendship between you and Wen Ji is very deep. This friendship is probably far beyond the friendship between us when we were playmates in our childhood. Moreover, we have long known that Miss Lu Wan and you have a deep and sincere love, a bond that is stronger than gold. Back in Longxi County, Dong Bai Xiao "My whole heart is entirely devoted to you, big brother." Sun Ce said with a solemn, determined look, "Big brother, as our elder brother, I shouldn't say much. However, these confidantes of mine sincerely hope that you won't let them down. Especially Wen Ji. She first experienced the catastrophe of her country's destruction and her family's demise, then suffered immense fear along the way, and endured countless hardships and dangers on the grasslands. Now, she has arrived in Xiliang without any relatives. Big brother, you must treat her well and not neglect her in the slightest."

Zhou Yu followed suit, saying, "Brother, a true man should have lofty aspirations and a broad mind. He must not indulge excessively in women. While it's common sense for a man to have three wives and four concubines, we have carefully observed these women. They are not vulgar people who seek fame and fortune. They are not attracted to you by your power, but are purely attracted by your noble character and extraordinary personality. I sincerely hope that no matter how successful you are in the future, you will never cause these women to feel sad or heartbroken."

Upon hearing this, Ma Chao's face also became solemn and serious. He carefully straightened his clothes, then bowed solemnly to his two brothers and said in a sincere and firm tone, "Because you are sincerely thinking about me, you have given me such heartfelt advice. I sincerely accept your advice. I will handle this matter prudently and properly, and will resolutely not let them suffer any injustice or sorrow in my future."

Sun Ce and Zhou Yu hurried forward, both supporting Ma Chao with their hands, and said anxiously, "Brother, you are so kind! You are so kind! We were just speaking from the heart, but your seriousness has left us feeling unsure and uneasy. We are filled with shame and humiliation."

Ma Chao shook his head slightly and said, "Ah, brothers, please don't say that. Every word you say is reasonable, and I will accept it with all my heart. Brothers, in three days, I intend to hold a military parade outside Wuwei City. The main purpose of this parade is to let these foreigners witness the strength of our Xiliang army with their own eyes, so that they will be in awe and dare not rebel. When I launch an attack on the Xiongnu next year, I can ensure that they will be obedient and dare not make any rash moves."

Sun Ce said solemnly, his face serious, "Brother, you are thoughtful and far-sighted. You are truly far-sighted."

Ma Chao continued, "This military review will require your two brothers' full support and advice. Your troops, Bofu, will also be participating in the review and must demonstrate their military prowess. Gongjin, you will be responsible for coordinating all matters and ensuring they are organized in an orderly manner. I'm afraid you will be exhausted these past few days."

Upon hearing this, the two of them were filled with joy and quickly said, "This is exactly what my brother and I have always wanted to do but have never dared to mention. Thank you for giving us this opportunity and supporting us."

Ma Chao gently put his arm around their shoulders, a friendly smile on his face as he said, "You and I are brothers, and we are as close as brothers. Why should we worry about so many things?"

As night fell, the Marquis's mansion, bustling during the day, gradually fell silent. Aside from the faint sounds of a banquet in the front yard, only a faint candlelight shone from Cai Wenji's small courtyard in the back. Perhaps because Cai Wenji had lived alone in a small courtyard in the Wei Mansion for so many years, frugality had become her habit, and she felt a bit out of place in the luxurious Xiliang Huaili Marquisate. Cai Wenji politely declined the large courtyard offered by Ma's mother, as well as the servants, and remained in this small courtyard with her young maid and three-year-old Wei Guan. Although called a small courtyard, it was actually quite large in this largest mansion in Xiliang. The night was as dark as ink, and the darkness swallowed everything, making the small courtyard seem quiet and lonely.

Wei Guan had just fallen asleep, but his sleep was still restless. The three-year-old had experienced a scene resembling hell on earth, separated from his mother's arms, and taken to live with a woman he hadn't known before, but who now treated him like a mother. He pretended to be carefree, but in reality, he harbored a lingering desire to please this young woman, fearing she would abandon him. However, under Cai Wenji's meticulous daily care, he relaxed his mind and began to regard her as his own mother. Though not his real mother, he felt a sense of selfless maternal love from her, which soothed his frightened young heart. Yet, every time he slept, boundless fear consumed him, causing the little boy to restlessly awaken at night, crying for his mother. At this moment, Cai Wenji would always hold him in her arms, hug him and shed tears silently, feeling sad about everything he had to endure at such a young age. Then, thinking of herself, she would always hug him and shed tears silently unconsciously. She would sit there until dawn for many nights.

The maidservant was at a loss. After making Cai Wenji's bed, she said, "Miss, you should go to sleep too." Cai Wenji said listlessly, "I'll sit for a while." The maidservant advised her distressedly, "Miss, don't stay up any longer. Your body won't be able to bear it if you keep staying up like this. Besides, if the little one wakes up at night, you'll have to rely on you to comfort him." Wenji stared blankly at the portrait of Ma Chao hanging in the room without answering. The maidservant said, "Oh, Miss, you met General Ma Chao today. Now he's right in front of you. Why are you still looking at this portrait?" Cai Wenji said with a hint of bitterness, "Mozhu, you don't understand." The maidservant Mozhu asked in confusion, "What don't I understand? Miss, you have always liked General Ma Chao, and today General Ma Chao also likes you very much. You both have each other in your hearts. What difficulties can stop you?"

Cai Wenji said slowly, "Mozhu, you're really overthinking it. The Ma family's status is so high and respected now, and what about me? A married woman should obey her husband, but now everyone in my husband's family is gone, and I still have a young child. Right now, I really don't dare to have too many thoughts. I'm only thinking about raising the Wei family's child, which is also the fulfillment of the love and responsibility between husband and wife. No matter how they treated me in the past, since I promised to save the child, I must do it. As for Brother Chao, hey! Since I was a child, my father made me read "Nujie" and "Lianren Zhuan". I am already married, whether we live together or not, this status and righteousness have long been established. How can Brother Chao, with his current status and position, marry a remarried woman? Even getting a little closer to me will affect his reputation."

The maidservant, Mo Zhu, looked upon her young mistress's miserable state, heartbroken. She hurried forward, hugged her tightly, and choked with sobs, saying, "Young mistress, you have suffered so much." As soon as she finished speaking, her tears began to fall uncontrollably, like beads from a broken string. Watching this scene, Cai Wenji empathized with her and wept silently alongside her, her silent tears seeming to speak of the injustice of fate and the hardships of life.

At that moment, there was a sudden knock at the courtyard door. Cai Wenji and her maid were both startled, looking at each other in confusion. Who could be coming so late at night? The maid, quick-witted, couldn't help but speculate, "General Ma must be worried about our place and has come to see the young lady." Cai Wenji hurriedly wiped away her tears and hurriedly set out to open the door with her maid, Mo Zhu. But after taking a few steps, her thoughts shifted, and she relaxed, slowing her pace. She and Mo Zhu slowly made their way out of the courtyard. Mo Zhu stood behind the door and asked, "Who is visiting the courtyard so late at night? To be honest, the courtyard is full of women, so it's not convenient to see guests at night. Please come back tomorrow." Ma Chao replied from outside, "It's me, Ma Chao. After mother arranged the courtyard today, I've been busy organizing the female guards and preparing for the military parade in three days. I only found time to visit Sister Wenji now. I wonder if Sister Wenji is resting now?" Cai Wenji said, "Brother Ma, we are just getting ready to rest. I hope you can come back tomorrow." Ma Chao was puzzled and said, "Why are you so reserved? You've been busy lately. Are you blaming me for visiting so late?" Cai Wenji hurriedly explained, "No, Brother Ma. I'm a widow now, and you're about the same age as me. If you come in at night, it will definitely damage your reputation. Besides, if rumors spread, how will Wenji cope with the future? I'm truly thinking about you and myself."