Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

His lips parted slightly, wanting to speak, but any words seemed so pale and powerless at that moment. He unconsciously rubbed his hands in front of him, as if this could ease the tension and embarrassment he felt. His eyes began to wander, not daring to meet his master's accusing gaze. He secretly regretted not having considered this relationship ahead of time, not having properly handled these emotional entanglements, and now being so embarrassed in front of his master. He felt like a child who had done something wrong, awaiting further reprimands from his master, yet desperately longing for his master's understanding and forgiveness. He also pondered how to deal with this sudden situation and change his master's opinion of him.

Mrs. Lu, Lu Wan, and Lu Yu, fearing a dispute between their father and Ma Chao, nervously watched from behind the hall door. Seeing her father scolding Ma Chao for her sake, Lu Wan was momentarily unsure how to cope. On one hand, she felt her father's love for her, and on the other, her lover's inability to defend himself. Her knuckles were white from clawing at the doorframe, but she didn't know how to proceed.

Ma Chao mustered up the courage to explain to his master, "Master, I have feelings for the three women and I am willing to do anything for them. Even if it means I am a little wishful thinking, I am willing to work hard to improve my status to match the three girls I love. I hope Master can help me." Ma Chao's eyes revealed determination and sincerity, and his voice trembled slightly, revealing his inner tension and persistence in this relationship.

Lu Zhi was furious. He shouted, "A man of honor should prioritize state affairs. How can he ever hope to advance his career if he's obsessed with women? Furthermore, Dong Bai is the granddaughter of the old scoundrel Dong Zhuo. Now that you serve the court, how can His Majesty be assured if you marry her? Furthermore, Cai Wenji is a widow. If you force her, how will your reputation be protected? If I, Lu Zhi, marry my daughter to a man of such a shady reputation, how can I maintain my dignity?" Lu Zhi's words came like a torrential downpour, each one laced with deep reproach and concern. His face flushed, his eyes burning with anger, as if he were deeply disappointed with Ma Chao's behavior.

This soul-searching questioning struck Ma Chao like lightning. His body trembled slightly, and Nuonuo didn't know how to speak again. His face flushed with anxiety, and he knelt on the ground, kowtowed repeatedly, apologizing to his master. His forehead collided with the ground, making a "bang bang" sound, each sound like an outburst of his inner pain and regret. His eyes were closed, his brow furrowed, his face full of guilt and helplessness. At this moment, he was like a child lost in a storm, unable to find his way. He could only use this way to express his apology and respect for his master, hoping to gain his master's forgiveness. However, his heart was also filled with confusion and helplessness about this relationship.

Lu Wan, Madam Lu, and Lu Yu stood quietly by the window frame at the back of the hall, watching silently. Lu Wan's gaze was fixed on her father's furious expression, knowing full well that his wrath was directed at her. Yet, her heart was filled with the constant fear that her lover would be harshly rebuked by her father. Her nervous hands clung to the window frame, their fingers turning pale from the strain. Lu Wan's mother quietly reached out and gently patted her back, attempting to offer some comfort. But upon contact, she was surprised to find that Lu Wan's back was as stiff as a bow, a testament to the depth of her inner tension.

Madam Lu was fully aware of her daughter's feelings and the deep bond between her and Ma Chao. However, she also knew her husband's temperament and the principles he had upheld throughout his life. Faced with this situation, she felt helpless. In this tense atmosphere, Lu Wan finally couldn't bear the torment in her heart and resolutely ran out of the hall. Without hesitation, she knelt with Ma Chao, reaching out and grasping his hand tightly. Kneeling side by side before her father, Lu Wan pleaded, "Father, Brother Chao and I are deeply in love and are incredibly happy together. I know he also has special relationships with Bai'er and Wen Ji, but I don't care. I only want to be with Brother Chao for the rest of my life. Please grant our wish and stop blaming him." Father Lu's face flushed with anger at the scene before him, and he began coughing violently again. Seeing this, Lu Wan and Ma Chao hurried forward to support him, but he clutched his chest with one hand and waved away the other. He wanted to speak, but he couldn't. He just coughed violently, his face flushed. Mother Lu didn't care about anything else at this time. She rushed out and carefully supported her husband, gently patting his back to try to relieve his cough.

Madam Lu's face was gentle. She slowly turned around, her soft gaze falling gently on Ma Chao and Lu Wan. She whispered softly, "Chao'er, Wan'er, you two should get up quickly." Then, she raised her head slightly and cast a concerned gaze at Lu Zhi, her words tinged with complaint, "Master, are you being too harsh? During Chao'er's long time in Xiliang, we've spent more than two years together, day and night. During this time, he has always been respectful and filial, humble and polite to his elders, always putting them first. He is also a good and discerning child, always able to calmly analyze and make the right judgment when faced with a situation. Isn't your harsh attitude putting our daughter and Chao'er in an awkward and embarrassing situation?"

Tears welled up in Lu's mother's eyes, threatening to fall at any moment. Her hands tightly grasped Lu Zhi's arm, which trembled slightly like a branch swaying in the wind. Upon closer inspection, her entire body was trembling, like a leaf shivering in the autumn wind. As a loving and wise mother, she truly hated to see her daughter and husband remain in this stalemate, knowing full well the consequences would be disastrous. If they remained in this stalemate, the family's harmony would be shattered, and the feelings between family members would be damaged—a situation she most hated to see.

Lu Zhi narrowed his eyes slightly, his thoughts drifting back to last night. After some careful consideration, he realized that, aside from Ma Chao's few close female friends, he was indeed a rare and perfect match. His own health was deteriorating, and entrusting Ma Chao to his daughter for life was undoubtedly a wise choice. He could even become a strong support system for Lu Yu to support the family. Furthermore, there was his wife's subdued trembling and pleading eyes. Lu Zhi sighed deeply and said in a low voice, "Mengqi, rise. I need to thank His Majesty today. Come back tomorrow, and I'll have a good talk with you." Seeing her father's change of heart, Lu Wan was filled with joy, like a flower blooming in spring. She quickly reached out and joyfully helped Ma Chao to his feet. Ma Chao kowtowed respectfully again, then slowly stood up and said, "Master, please bring in this gift." Lu Zhi waved his hand gently, his tone a little tired, and said, "I am very tired of these trivial matters. Go find your master's wife."

Lu Zhi quickly changed his clothes and hurried off to the palace. Thinking of the reward His Majesty had given him yesterday, a wave of unease welled up in his heart. It seemed to him excessively extravagant. On his way to express his gratitude, Lu Zhi secretly resolved to offer a piece of advice to the Emperor. The state was in dire straits, the people were suffering, and the country needed money everywhere. It was truly unwise to waste money on a dying old man like himself.

With these thoughts in mind, Lu Zhi slowly walked out of the house. Looking up, he saw the sunlight filtering through the gaps in the leaves in the courtyard, casting dappled shadows like a gorgeous painting. Ma Chao, dressed in a white robe, stood tall and proud, his demeanor extraordinary. He sat side by side with Lu Wan, who wore a shy smile, her eyes full of tenderness. Lu Yu sat nearby, sometimes listening to their conversation with a smile, sometimes offering his own opinions. The lady wore simple and elegant clothes, her face kind, her eyes full of love. They sat together, laughing and chatting, the atmosphere extremely harmonious. The crisp laughter echoed in the courtyard like silver bells, warming the heart.

Dian Wei, Xu Huang, and other generals stood nearby, each imposing and heroic. Dian Wei, a towering figure, his arms folded across his chest, engaged in a lively conversation with Xu Huang. Xu Huang's face was resolute, his eyes gleaming with wisdom. They discussed heroic deeds on the battlefield, sharing their combat experiences and occasional hearty laughter. That hearty laughter seemed to pierce the heavens, conveying their fearlessness and loyalty.

Lu Zhi watched all this quietly, yet a sudden feeling of being an outsider washed over him. A wave of sadness welled up within him, and he sighed deeply. He longed to savor this warm family moment to the fullest, but the country was in such a difficult situation, and his own health was deteriorating. He wondered how much longer he could hold out. Lu Zhi knew that being tough on Ma Chao now was better than letting him make irreparable mistakes later. After all, Ma Chao's influence in the northwest was immense. The phrase "overachieving and frightening the ruler" could perfectly describe him. If he showed even the slightest sign of disloyalty, the situation, which had just begun to improve, would quickly descend into war and disintegration. Lu Zhi longed for Ma Chao to be like him, steadfast in his loyalty to the emperor and his patriotism, working tirelessly to restore the Han Dynasty's glory.