Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Ma Chao said anxiously outside the door, "Sister Wenji, please don't worry so much. I came here out of genuine concern for your well-being, nothing else. Besides, I, Ma Chao, am an upright person, so why would I care about those rumors?"

Cai Wenji sighed softly from inside the doorway and said, "Brother Ma, I appreciate your kindness. But people's words are scary, so I have to be cautious."

Ma Chao said, "Sister, we have known each other for a long time, and my concern for you comes from the bottom of my heart. Now that you live here alone, how can I feel at ease if I don't see that you are well? I promise that I will only visit you for a moment and then leave, and will not stay any longer."

Cai Wenji hesitated for a moment, but was finally moved by Ma Chao's sincerity and said to Mo Zhu, "Mo Zhu, go open the door."

Mo Zhu responded and opened the gate. Ma Chao walked into the courtyard and looked at Cai Wenji's slightly haggard face, his heart filled with pity.

Cai Wenji welcomed Ma Chao into the room. Ma Chao's eyes were filled with sincerity and concern, and his tone was gentle but firm. "Sister Wenji, if you encounter any difficulties in the future, do not hesitate for a moment and confide in me without reservation. I, Ma Chao, swear hereby to do my utmost and mobilize all available resources to clear the thorns and obstacles in your path."

As the two were talking, little Wei Guan suddenly woke from his sleep, his heartbreaking cries echoing throughout the room. Cai Wenji, panicked, hurried back to the inner chamber to comfort him. Ma Chao also hurried in anxiously. Ma Chao frowned, filled with worry, and asked anxiously, "What exactly is the reason for this?" The little maidservant was always outspoken, and without thinking, she blurted out, "Oh, General Ma, ever since this little master went through that great ordeal, he wakes up like this every night, crying and looking for his mother. Now, he regards the young lady as his mother and can't leave her even for a moment."

Ma Chao paused for a moment, then unsheathed the treasured sword from his waist without hesitation. With a solemn expression, he said, "This sword has accompanied me through countless bloody battles. It has weathered countless battles and possesses a powerful deterrent. I firmly believe that this will deter those evil creatures from even approaching this bedroom, ensuring that my child will sleep peacefully every night without nightmares."

Ma Chao then carefully examined the furnishings in the room again, a mixture of dissatisfaction and pity crossing his face. He said, "How can I feel at ease in this state? This little courtyard is so shabby and crude, without even a servant to tend it. Mother has made such hasty arrangements! Tomorrow I will make sure to send orders to ensure that everything you need is provided so that you can live a comfortable life."

Cai Wenji finally managed to appease little Wei Guan. She turned to look at Ma Chao, her eyes filled with gratitude, yet tinged with self-pity and inferiority. She said softly, "Brother Ma, I have no way of repaying your thoughtful arrangements and care. This courtyard is actually quite well-furnished, and there are many servants and maids at my disposal. However, given my current status, I am extremely satisfied to find a peaceful place here to rest in peace. I dare not burden you with any more trouble or unnecessary worry."

Upon hearing this, Ma Chao shook his head resolutely and earnestly defended himself, "It's not a problem, it's not a problem. How could it be a problem? Sister Wenji, please don't be so self-deprecating. In my heart, you will always be that noble and pure woman, as gentle as jade, worthy of all the best in the world."

The little maidservant couldn't help but continue, "General Ma, this is already quite good. We used to live alone in a small courtyard in the Wei Mansion, and it was even more shabby than this. We always stumbled here like this."

Ma Chao couldn't help but look surprised and said in disbelief, "How could this be? Sister Wenji, I, Ma Chao, learned of your suffering too late, and I feel extremely guilty. From now on, no matter what, I will never let you live such a hardship again. I must ensure that you live a carefree life."

Cai Wenji shook her head slightly, her eyes lowered, a look of sadness on her face. She slowly said, "I appreciate Brother Ma's kindness. However, I've experienced so many ups and downs, and such a difficult fate, that I no longer dare to ask for too much. This moment of peace and stability is a great gift from heaven, and I dare not have any more unreasonable expectations."

Ma Chao looked at Cai Wenji affectionately, his eyes filled with tenderness and love. He spoke firmly and lovingly, "Sister Wenji, you must not give up your longing for a better life so easily. In my eyes, you are the most precious and beautiful being in this world. You deserve the best and most comfortable life, and I will definitely make it happen for you."

When Ma Chao heard Cai Wenji calling him "Brother Ma" over and over again, which was full of unfamiliarity, he couldn't help but feel a deep dissatisfaction in his heart. He frowned slightly, with a hint of blame, but his eyes were full of affection. He slowly said, "Don't call me Brother Ma like this anymore. I still like to hear you call me Brother Chao affectionately. Wenji, think carefully, why is there such a huge gap between you and me today? I swear to God, from the beginning to the end, I have never had even the slightest estrangement from you! In the depths of my heart, you will always be the quiet, gentle, and bookish sister Wenji who I first met in Luoyang City." After hearing these affectionate words, Cai Wenji's eyes instantly turned red, and crystal tears burst out uncontrollably again like a flood, filled with thousands of sorrows and myriad emotions.

At that moment, Ma Chao inadvertently turned his head and caught a glimpse of the portrait hanging in his bedroom. The portrait depicted him, majestic, heroic, and full of spirit, as if he were about to leap out of the painting. Ma Chao couldn't help but comment aloud, "Isn't that my portrait?" The maidservant, always outspoken, immediately chimed in, "Yes, yes, General Ma. During the days when the young lady and we lived together in this small courtyard, every night, when the young lady tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep, she would stare at your portrait for ages. And, if it weren't for you, if it weren't for your majestic portrait giving us courage and support, we might have been bullied by those ferocious Huns long ago, and we don't know what a miserable end we would have ended up in."

After hearing the maid's quick words, Ma Chao suddenly realized something. He finally understood that although Cai Wenji seemed cold and indifferent to him, her deep feelings for him were still surging like surging waves. However, perhaps it was the strict ethics and her status as a married woman that were like heavy shackles, making it difficult for her to let go of the many concerns and burdens in her heart, and she could never truly let go.

Ma Chao looked at Cai Wenji, her tears streaming down her face, his eyes filled with pity. He slowly and gently grasped her hand. Though she struggled to break free, he held her with an irresistible grip, preventing her from breaking free. Ma Chao said affectionately, "Wenji, please stop being bound by outdated rules of etiquette, and don't let your past make you feel inferior. In my heart, you will always be someone I cherish and dedicate to you. I don't care about your past; all I long for is to walk hand in hand with you into the future and enjoy the beauty of the world together."

Cai Wenji pulled her hand back with a slight tremor, lowered her head, and sobbed, "Brother Chao, how could I not take all this into consideration? I don't want to become a burden to you because of my status."

Ma Chao's tone was remarkably firm, his gaze blazing as he looked at Cai Wenji: "Wenji, you are by no means a burden to me, but the source of my motivation to move forward courageously. I am willing to overcome all difficulties and obstacles for you, and break down all barriers. As long as you are willing to put down the heavy burden in your heart and walk hand in hand with me, I will follow you wherever the world ends."

At this time, the little maid also anxiously chimed in: "Miss, General Ma is truly sincere to you. Please don't hesitate any longer and don't let the general down."

Ma Chao gazed at Cai Wenji with deep affection, his gaze seeming to melt her whole being. He said softly, "Wenji, I will wait patiently until you truly let go of all your worries and open your heart to accept my sincerity."

Cai Wenji looked at Ma Chao with tears in her eyes. She was already deeply moved, but still a little hesitant. Her expression was so adorable.

Ma Chao continued, "I know it will take time to resolve your concerns, but I have enough patience and perseverance. From today on, I will visit you often so that you can truly feel my true feelings. I will no longer let you feel lonely and afraid, and you will always feel warmth and support."

Cai Wenji nodded slightly, her voice as gentle as the breeze: "Brother Chao, thank you."

Ma Chao finally revealed a relieved and doting smile on his face, and said, "Wenji, don't thank me anymore. I do all this for you willingly and happily."

As the night deepened, the watery moonlight streamed through the window lattices into the room, casting a silvery veil over it. Ma Chao repeated his many caring words before reluctantly bidding farewell, looking back every few steps as he departed.