Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Shortly after Ma Chao's departure, the tranquility of Lu Zhi's residence was shattered by a sudden commotion. Lu Zhi was sitting in his study, clutching an ancient tome, lost in thought. Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded outside, and the housekeeper hurried in, announcing in a panic, "Master, the Emperor has arrived!" Lu Zhi was so startled he nearly dropped the tome in his hands. He immediately stood up, straightened his clothes, and hurried toward the gate.

When Lu Zhi arrived at the palace gate, he saw the Emperor, Liu Bian, standing there in a magnificent dragon robe, surrounded by a group of guards. Lu Zhi quickly knelt and saluted, saying respectfully, "Your Majesty, I, Lu Zhi, greet you. I am deeply honored to have you visit my humble abode." Liu Bian smiled slightly, reached out and helped Lu Zhi up, saying, "Master Lu, there is no need for such formalities. I have come here suddenly without prior notice, so I hope you will forgive me." Lu Zhi quickly said, "Your Majesty, you are too kind. It is an honor for me to have you visit my residence. Please come in."

Liu Bian, led by Lu Zhi, entered the Lu Mansion. As they walked, Lu Zhi explained the layout and furnishings of the mansion to Liu Bian. Liu Bian nodded frequently, expressing his appreciation for the elegant surroundings. The two of them entered the living room, where Lu Zhi invited Liu Bian to take the seat of honor and then sat down beside him.

Liu Bian looked at Lu Zhi and said, "Master Lu, I came here today because I missed your wife and because I wanted to chat with you. Since I ascended the throne, I've been so busy with government affairs that I've rarely had time to see you. Today, as I have some free time, I wanted to come and see you and your wife." Lu Zhi was moved and said, "Your Majesty, you care so much about me and my family. I'm deeply grateful. Your Majesty, despite your busy schedule, still took the time to visit me. I'm truly flattered."

Liu Bian asked, "Master Lu, I heard that your wife is in good health." Lu Zhi replied, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. My wife is in good health. If Your Majesty wishes to see your wife, I will go and invite her over." Liu Bian nodded and said, "Okay, then I'll trouble you, Master Lu."

Lu Zhi got up and went to the backyard. He found Madam Lu and solemnly informed her of the emperor's arrival. Upon hearing this, Madam Lu's eyes were filled with surprise. She quickly fixed her makeup and hurriedly followed Lu Zhi to the living room.

Upon seeing the emperor, Madam Lu quickly knelt and saluted, saying respectfully, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you." Liu Bian quickly stepped forward to help Madam Lu up, saying gently, "There's no need to be so polite, Madam. I came here today to see you. How is your health?" Madam Lu bowed her head slightly and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I'm fine."

Liu Bian looked at Madam Lu with a trace of guilt in his expression. He slowly said, "Master, the state is in a difficult situation right now. Since I ascended the throne, I have been toiling for the affairs of the empire, traveling extensively and adrift. I have failed to fulfill my duties as king, and the suffering of the people is truly my fault." Madam Lu quickly shook her head and said, "Your Majesty, you are too kind. Your Majesty has devoted all your energy to the people of the world. How could you be wrong? This is not your fault." Liu Bian sighed softly and said, "Master, your generosity is truly heartening. I have come here to discuss state affairs with Master Lu, hoping to find a good solution to this predicament."

Seeing the emperor and his wife exchanging pleasantries, Lu Zhi paused briefly before respectfully asking, "Your Majesty, have you had your meal?" Liu Bian shook his head slightly, a look of fatigue on his face. He slowly said, "Master Lu, I haven't had any yet. I've been very busy with government affairs lately, and as soon as I finished, I immediately thought of your wife. I had intended to go see her first, but I was so anxious that I hurried here." Upon hearing this, Lu Zhi quickly said, "That's perfect, Your Majesty. Your wife just prepared a table of wine and food, and you've arrived at the perfect time." The emperor smiled a little, a smile that held a hint of casualness, and said, "Then I'll be so shameless as to just happen to catch up and have a free meal."

Everyone sat down together, and the emperor formally greeted Madam Lu with a respectful expression, addressing her as "Master's Wife" in a loud and sincere voice. He then summoned Lu Wan and Lu Yu to meet. Lu Wan was a graceful and elegant lady with an outstanding temperament. The emperor, upon seeing her, was filled with admiration, saying, "Miss Lu Wan has a graceful demeanor like an orchid, both beautiful and intelligent. She is truly a beautiful woman."

After all, Lu Wan was a woman, still unmarried, and Liu Bian was well aware of the etiquette involved, so he refrained from excessive praise. The emperor nodded slightly, his gaze passing over Lu Wan. She was dressed in a pale pink silk dress, its sleeves flowing like peach blossoms in spring. Her long, inky hair was gently tied back with a lavender ribbon, a few strands waving gently in the breeze, adding a touch of softness to her beauty. Her delicate face was characterized by brows as dark as distant black, eyes as clear as autumn water, a straight nose, and lips naturally rosy. However, at this moment, she seemed absent-minded, a hint of sadness in her eyes. Hearing the emperor's praise, Lu Wan bowed slightly and whispered, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the compliment." She said no more, simply standing there quietly, her thoughts drifting far away. She was worried about Ma Chao and anxious about the relationship between her father and Ma Chao, so she simply responded to the emperor's praise and fell into her own world.

The emperor then looked at Lu Yu and said with a smile, "I have heard that you are exceptionally talented, so I have come to test you today. Lu Yu, let me ask you first, what does the verse in the Analects of Confucius, 'To learn and then regularly review it, is it not a delight?'" Lu Yu bowed slightly, his expression calm, and replied, "Your Majesty, this verse means that learning and regularly reviewing it is also a delightful thing. Learning is a process of continuous accumulation and progress. Regular review can consolidate what you have learned and lead to deeper understanding." The emperor nodded slightly and asked, "What about the verse 'When three people walk together, there must be one who can be my teacher?'" Lu Yu pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, this verse means that when several people walk together, there is always someone who can serve as my teacher. It teaches us to learn from others with an open mind, and to utilize the strengths of others, regardless of their status."

The emperor continued, "What kind of scene does the line 'The orioles sing in harmony on the riverbank. A graceful lady, the gentleman seeks her' depict in the Book of Songs?" Lu Yu replied, "Your Majesty, this line depicts the harmonious singing of orioles by the riverbank, and evokes the gentleman's admiration and pursuit of the lady. It captures both the beauty of nature and the pursuit of a beautiful emotion."

The emperor nodded repeatedly after hearing this, expressing his great satisfaction with Lu Yu's academic achievements. He said with emotion, "Lu Yu is a man of outstanding talent and learning. Given time, he will surely become a key official in our dynasty."

At the banquet, Lu Zhi frequently greeted Liu Bian, his expression tense, his eyes ever attentive to the emperor's movements. He frequently served dishes to the emperor, gently inquiring if they suited his taste, fearing he might not enjoy them. As host, Madam Lu was also extremely respectful to the emperor. A gentle smile permeated her face, her words filled with respect. With each dish, Madam Lu meticulously explained its characteristics and preparation, with unwavering enthusiasm. The atmosphere throughout the banquet was harmonious, and everyone felt both the emperor's majesty and the warmth of family.

After the banquet, Emperor Liu Bian slowly stood up, a look of satisfaction on his face. He looked at Madam Lu and said with a smile, "The food prepared by Master's Wife is indeed delicious. I am truly blessed today." Madam Lu was immediately flattered and said quickly, "If your Majesty likes it, please come more often." The Emperor smiled and replied, "From now on, Master's Wife will be in trouble. I will come when I am free."

At this moment, a unique atmosphere permeated the Lu residence. Madam Lu's words were filled with sincerity and warmth. She understood the emperor's presence as a great honor and naturally hoped for more opportunities to serve him. The emperor's response expressed both admiration for Madam Lu's culinary skills and a desire to foster closer ties with Lu Zhi's family. On one side, flattery displayed respect and humility; on the other, a deliberate effort to win over the student and teacher, aiming to solidify the teacher-student relationship. In this delicate interaction, the atmosphere became remarkably harmonious.

On the way back, Liu Bian sat in the magnificent imperial carriage, eyes slightly closed, seemingly resting, but actually deep in thought. The carriage swayed gently, making a slight sound that seemed to intertwine with his inner thoughts.

Suddenly, an idea struck Liu Bian. He had previously been hesitant to prioritize Ma Chao, stymied by a lingering concern. He knew that if Lu Zhi's health deteriorated, and if he were to pass away, Ma Chao would be hard to control. He had long heard that Ma Chao and Lu Wan were in love, and Liu Bian's thoughts deepened. He secretly pondered: if he could marry Lu Wan into the palace, then even if Lu Zhi were gone, Ma Chao would have to be wary of Lu Wan's presence. After all, the two had once shared a genuine affection, and Lu Wan would then be able to continue to control Ma Chao in Lu Zhi's place.

Liu Bian is a manipulative strategist, often manipulating others to his will. Amidst the turbulent court, he must remain vigilant and employ every possible means to maintain his rule. He understands that in the game of thrones, there are no permanent friends or enemies, only enduring interests. Ma Chao's presence now presents him with both a strength and a potential threat. He must strike a balance between leveraging Ma Chao's talents to serve the state while ensuring he remains under his control.

Marrying Lu Wan into the palace was undoubtedly a brilliant strategy. Liu Bian envisioned a future where Lu Wan was in the palace, Ma Chao outside the court. Their relationship would become a tether in his hand, tightly binding Ma Chao. He could use Lu Wan to convey his will and influence Ma Chao's decisions. Even if Ma Chao harbored dissatisfaction, Lu Wan would make him hesitate. This way, he could better control Ma Chao and make him serve his country wholeheartedly.

The more Liu Bian thought about it, the more he found this plan feasible. He wasn't a womanizer, and he had little desire for women. After all, his entire focus was on controlling people's hearts and maintaining a balance in the court. He had never been particularly interested in women to begin with, and now he had even less energy to pursue romantic relationships. All he cared about was maximizing his own interests, stabilizing the country, and strengthening his rule.