Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Three days passed like a fleeting moment. On this day, sunlight streamed through the window lattices into the Lu family's courtyard, where lanterns and colorful decorations were festooned and red silk fluttered. Yet, beneath this seemingly festive atmosphere, a lingering sadness permeated the air.

Yesterday, the palace dispatched numerous talented women to the Lu family to prepare Lu Wan's wedding. Early that morning, Lu's mother hurried to Lu Wan's boudoir. She gazed upon her daughter, her heart filled with pity. She knew her daughter resisted the engagement, yet she was forced to accept it out of filial piety. The bitterness within her heart was like a deep well, unspeakable.

Mother Lu gently picked up the comb and combed Lu Wan's long hair like a waterfall. Her voice was soft but helpless: "Wan'er, this is a woman's fate. Mother knows how sad you are, but your father has worked hard for national affairs all his life. Now he is weak. If you don't obey his wishes, his sick body may..." Mother Lu said, her voice trembling slightly, tears in her eyes.

Lu Wan stared blankly into the bronze mirror before her, her face expressionless. Her once beautiful face was reflected in the mirror, her large eyes, once lively and full of life, now as dull as a pool of stagnant water. Her mother's whispers echoed through the room, but Lu Wan ignored them and remained silent.

Mrs. Lu watched her daughter's unresponsive, dazed expression. She couldn't help but whisper, "Daughter, if you need to cry, do it now. Your wedding day is coming soon, and you can't cry any more. It's painful for me to see you holding it back like this." But Lu Wan remained silent, as if her soul had drifted away from this world. The room was silent, with only the gentle sound of a comb sliding through her hair, as if it spoke of endless sorrow.

Outside the window, a gentle breeze blew, blowing the hanging red silk, as if sighing silently. Lu Wan's heart, like this rootless red silk, drifted in the wind of fate.

Mrs. Lu looked at her daughter, who seemed frozen and unmoved, and her heart felt as if it was deeply pierced by countless fine needles, causing her severe pain. She slowly and gently embraced Lu Wan in her arms, whispering, "Wan'er, your father betrothed you to the Emperor as his consort. The Emperor is truly a rarefied man, unparalleled in dignity. Not only is he exceptionally intelligent, shrewd, and wise, he also holds your father in high esteem. He will surely be a monarch capable of great things. This marriage is the dream of countless women, yet remains unattainable. Although you and Ma Chao were once deeply in love, that is ultimately a thing of the past." Mrs. Lu paused briefly, a flicker of helplessness and sadness in her eyes. She continued, "I only hope your father can hold on for a little longer. Without him, our family would be devastated. Wan'er, from today on, you marry the Emperor as his consort, your status and position unparalleled. You must always behave with dignity and propriety, and do not tarnish the reputation your father has built throughout his life."

Wan'er struggled slightly, freeing herself from her mother's embrace. Her face was ashen, and she said to her mother expressionlessly, "Mother, I understand. For father's sake, I will hold on." Her voice was as calm as the still surface of a lake, without a ripple. Lu Wan's words brought tears to Madam Lu's eyes once again, flowing uncontrollably down her cheeks. But what could she do? Lu Zhi was now gravely ill, his life a flickering candle, poised to die at any moment. If she disobeyed Lu Zhi's wishes, he might die in grief and despair. Lu Zhi had traded his daughter's lifelong happiness for his loyalty to the Han Dynasty. Madam Lu was consumed by inner pain, as if she were trapped in an endless, dark abyss.

Just then, a commotion erupted outside. A young maid rushed in, her voice trembling with anxiety, "Madam, Miss, the Emperor's carriage has arrived at the gate. He's come personally. We must hurry and prepare!" Upon hearing this, Madam Lu quickly wiped away the tears from her face, forcing a smile. She said to Lu Wan, "Wan'er, look how much the Emperor values ​​you. He's come personally to greet you. You can't look so sad anymore. Smile." However, Lu Wan remained expressionless, like a puppet being pulled by strings, letting the servants dress her. Her eyes were empty, as if her soul had been torn out.

The emperor, with a warm smile on his face, entered the Lu residence. He was dressed in splendid attire, his steps imbued with dignity. Behind him followed the ministers, all dressed in court robes and bearing respectful expressions. A host of ceremonial officials, bearing various auspicious and festive ceremonial objects, formed a magnificent procession.

The atmosphere within the Lu residence was solemn yet tinged with joy. Lu Zhi was gravely ill and bedridden, and Lu Yu, the youngest of the Lu family's descendants, was too young to assume the responsibility of overseeing the affairs of state. Consequently, those within the imperial court who were friendly with the Lu family had to act as the bride's family, carrying out the formalities of the wedding procession.

The emperor first went to Lu Zhi's bedroom, ready to greet the important official who would become his father-in-law. Lu Zhi, propped up by his attendants, lay half-reclining on the bed. His face was as pale as paper, his body emaciated, but his eyes remained resolute. Upon seeing Lu Zhi, the emperor bowed respectfully, following the traditional etiquette of welcoming a bride and greeting her father-in-law. Then, with a smile, he said, "Master Lu, from now on, I should address you as 'Father-in-law.' Thank you for your courtesy."

Lu Zhi looked at the beaming emperor before him, a mixture of emotions welling up inside him, guilt washing over him like a tide. He knew full well his decision had impacted his daughter's life, but it was too late to change. Bracing himself, he said to the emperor, "Your Majesty, I have something to say. The court is in a complicated situation right now. Your Majesty should prioritize kindness and appeasement with Ma Chao, and avoid excessive defenses. He has a kind nature, and with my daughter by your side, I'm sure he won't do anything disobedient."

Liu Bian nodded slightly, still smiling, and said, "Master Lu, rest assured. I will not let General Ma Chao down. You don't have to worry about state affairs. I have sent for Hua Tuo, the famous doctor from Pei State, and he will be here soon to treat you. You can rest assured and take care of your health. When you recover, we, father-in-law and son-in-law, will work together to rebuild the Han Dynasty!"

The emperor's words seemed to carry a magical power, leaving Lu Zhi mesmerized. He seemed to envision the grandeur of the Han Dynasty's revival. His lips trembled slightly as he spoke, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid... I'm afraid my health is failing. Your Majesty, please don't worry. Take your time. There's still much to be done in this world." The emperor gently grasped Lu Zhi's hand, offering him comfort and strength. Everyone in the room fell silent, the atmosphere solemn yet filled with hope for the future.

At the Lu residence, all the important officials were present. Although everyone was proceeding according to the procedures, the atmosphere was filled with an indescribable dullness. Despite the seemingly lively scene, everyone was actually thinking about something else.

Now, it was time for Lu Wan to bid farewell to her father. Lu Wan was dressed in her finest attire, but the splendor of her finery couldn't conceal the sorrow on her face. Each of her steps seemed weighted with the weight of a thousand pounds. Lying in his hospital bed, Lu Zhi watched his daughter slowly approach, his heart awash with pain like a surging tide. His daughter's once lively eyes were now filled with sorrow, and even her delicate makeup couldn't mask the deep sadness.

Lu Zhi reached out his hand, trembling, and softly called, "Wan'er." Hearing her father's call, Lu Wan felt as if awakened from a nightmare. She walked sluggishly to her father's bedside and slowly knelt. With some effort, Lu Zhi raised his hand, once strong but now withered, and gently stroked his daughter's face. His movements were gentle, as if he were touching the most precious and fragile treasure in the world, trying to soothe the pain in Lu Wan's heart.

Lu Zhi's voice was low and hoarse, filled with endless guilt. He said, "Wan'er, I know the pain in your heart. You have always been a good child. I have no choice but to make this arrangement. I hope you can understand my unwavering loyalty. I am truly ashamed of you. You must work hard to mediate the relationship between Ma Chao and the Emperor in the future. Only when Xiliang and the Northwest are stable can there be hope for the world."

Lu Wan raised her head, tears in her eyes, looked straight into her father's eyes, and said with a sob: "Father, don't you think this is cruel? Not only do you separate Wan'er and Brother Chao, but you also let Wan'er mediate the conflict between her and the emperor." Tears welled up in her eyes, ready to burst at any time.

Lu Zhi's heart ached at his daughter's questioning. His face flushed crimson in his excitement, and he began to cough hysterically. Seeing this, Lu Wan's heart ached, and she fell silent. Madam Lu quickly embraced Lu Zhi, letting him lie halfway in her arms. She gently patted his chest and back, her eyes filled with anxiety and worry, hoping to make him feel better.

After a long while, Lu Zhi stopped coughing, took a deep breath and said, "Wan'er, how can your father not know what you are thinking? But the Han Dynasty is on the verge of chaos. Not only for the Han Dynasty, but also for the common people." Lu Wan knelt there quietly, listening to her father's words, with mixed feelings in her heart, not knowing how to respond.

Lu Zhi's chest heaved violently, as if he were short of breath. He took several deep breaths before continuing, "Wan'er, it's not that I don't trust Ma Chao. Look at the current situation in the world. He's already a powerful lord, controlling the vast northwest territories and dominating that region. As for the current situation at court, the territory he controls is vast, and his influence is already immense, practically half the government. It's not that I'm unfoundedly suspicious of him. If he harbors even the slightest dissenting thoughts after your death, the government will be completely thrown into chaos. Even if he harbors no ulterior motives, how can the emperor trust him so easily? His immense power already instills fear in the emperor, and this is a potential disaster for him. For a minister of such high rank, what good can come of being suspected by the emperor?"

Lu Zhi panted slightly, his eyes filled with deep resignation as he continued, "This action of yours may seem to be for the sake of the Emperor, but isn't it also for Ma Chao? Ma Chao is now too powerful, and the Emperor is no longer at ease. Your father has no choice but to betroth you to the Emperor. You can serve as a bargaining chip, a link between the Emperor and Ma Chao, mediating their relationship. Only in this way can the Emperor avoid excessive suspicion of Ma Chao, and Ma Chao avoid rebellion due to suspicion. Only in this way can the court be stabilized, and the world gradually be brought to peace. Wan'er, you are usually very intelligent, can you really not figure out the connection between these things?"