Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Ma Chao's eyes revealed a deep longing, hoping that Lu Wan would tell him that this was all just a nightmare, that they could return to the good old days. However, he also knew that reality was often cruel, and that some things, once they happened, could never be undone. But Ma Chao's eyes held hope, even pleading.

Before Lu Wan could speak, the emperor took the lead and said in a majestic but somewhat indifferent tone: "General Ma Chao, when Master Lu was seriously ill, I was worried, fearing that the Lu family would lose their support after his death. So he entrusted Wan'er to me, asking me to take good care of her and ensure that the Lu family would not decline. I am thinking of Master Lu's loyalty and bravery throughout his life and his outstanding achievements, so I will naturally agree." The emperor's words echoed in this solemn mourning hall, like a cold sword, piercing Ma Chao's heart.

Ma Chao's rage instantly flared, completely disregarding the emperor's status. He responded with a near-snarl, "Shut up! I told you, I'm asking Wan'er, what right do you have to speak here?" His voice reverberated like thunder, reverberating throughout the hall, and everyone's faces instantly darkened. Ma Chao was now frantic, his usual gentle, gentlemanly persona vanishing without a trace. He showed no disrespect for the emperor, and his intense arrogance gripped everyone present. Wang Yue and Shi A immediately drew their swords and shouted, "General Ma Chao, how dare you be so disrespectful to the emperor?" Seeing this, Xu Huang, Zhang Liao, and Zhang Ren unsheathed their swords without hesitation, their blades gleaming coldly. Their expressions were stern and wary, as they stared at Wang Yue and Shi A. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, observing the tense situation, quickly used their bodies to block the others and hurriedly approached. Zhao Yun and the others all held their weapons tightly, and the atmosphere in the entire mourning hall instantly became tense, as if it was about to break out.

Everyone in the hall focused on Ma Chao, yet he remained oblivious to everything around him. He simply gazed at Lu Wan with deep affection and asked again, "Wan'er, what exactly is going on? I want to hear it from you." Lu Wan, haunted by Lu Zhi's dying wishes and the emperor's preconceived notions, felt it difficult to publicly refute the emperor. Furthermore, she knew that revealing the whole truth would be even more difficult for Ma Chao to accept. She could only gaze at Ma Chao with bitterness, then respond with deep affection, "Brother Chao, what the emperor says is true. My father was worried that after his passing, Yu'er would still be young and our family would be left without support, so he betrothed me to the emperor as his consort."

At this time, a minister beside the emperor stood up and said in a righteous tone: "General Ma Chao, the emperor is kind and generous. It is a great honor for the Lu family to respond to Master Lu's request. You can't be so presumptuous." Ma Chao's eyes were wide open and he shouted sternly: "Who do you think you are? How dare you teach me a lesson?" The minister was intimidated by Ma Chao's powerful momentum and dared not say a word for a while.

Meanwhile, Liu Bei was terribly anxious. He knew the situation was critical and that a conflict would have disastrous consequences. He quickly stepped forward and tried to persuade Ma Chao, "Mengqi, don't be impulsive. We should prioritize the overall situation." Ma Chao, however, would not listen. His eyes were fixed only on Lu Wan, his heart filled with pain and anger.

The atmosphere in the mourning hall grew increasingly tense, like the oppression before a storm, ready for a violent conflict. Everyone's hearts hung in the balance, unsure how to resolve this crisis.

The emperor then spoke, "General Ma Chao, you heard what Wan'er said, didn't you? Don't act on your anger again. I will forgive your disrespect today." However, Ma Chao ignored him and continued to look at Lu Wan with disbelief. His eyes were filled with confusion, pain, and despair, as if the whole world had collapsed at that moment.

Ma Chao slowly reached out and grasped Lu Wan's arm tightly, his trembling hand seeming to betray his deepest anxiety. He spoke, almost pleadingly, "Wan'er, tell me, none of this is true. Tell me, did they force you to do this?" His voice was hoarse and trembling, each word saturated with deep affection and concern for Lu Wan. He couldn't accept the reality before him. How could Wan'er, who had grown up with him and shared countless hardships, suddenly become the imperial concubine? His heart was filled with countless questions, and he desperately wanted answers from Lu Wan.

Seeing this, the emperor signaled to Wang Yue and Shi A. Wang Yue and Shi A understood, drew their swords, and approached Ma Chao. Wang Yue said, "General Ma Chao, as an outsider, how can you be so close to the imperial concubine? Let her go immediately." With that, he drew his sword and approached Ma Chao.

Ma Chao shouted angrily, "Get out of here! Stop talking here. This is between me and Wan'er." Wang Yue said, "If you do, we'll be disrespectful." With that, he drew his sword and charged at Ma Chao. How could Ma Chao stand to show weakness? Ma Chao, completely losing his composure, drew his sword from his waist and engaged the two men in battle.

Seeing the fight had already begun, Generals Xu Huang, Zhang Liao, and Zhang Ren drew their swords and rushed to help, fearing their general would be in danger. However, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei intervened. Zhang Liao said, "Yun Chang, my lord is in danger. Please don't stop me." Guan Yu replied, "Meng Qi is very emotional right now. Don't attack. If you do, it will be a grave mistake." Although the generals were unwilling to do so, they were stopped and could not move forward. Xu Huang roared, "Brother Changsheng, my lord is in danger! If you do this, don't blame me for disregarding our brotherly love." He drew his sword and began to attack Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. Seeing that they were serious, Zhang Fei drew his sword and engaged Xu Huang in a fierce battle.

Upon seeing this, Ma Chao's personal guards, all armed, shouted in unison, "We will break through the enemy lines and die!" They were about to follow the three generals to rescue Ma Chao. Zhao Yun, with his pre-arranged troops, joined the fray, attempting to stop the guards. For a moment, the atmosphere in the mourning hall was tense, with swords drawn and shouts of killing echoing everywhere.

Ma Chao's personal guards were personally trained by Gao Shun long after Zhang Liao and Gao Shun surrendered to the Western Liang. Gao Shun imparted his years of battlefield experience and rigorous training methods to these guards without reservation. He even recruited elite veterans from the Xianzhen Camp to bolster Ma Chao's personal guards. These veterans had weathered countless life-or-death battles, possessing a tenacious fighting spirit and superb combat skills. Under their influence and guidance, Ma Chao's personal guards rapidly matured, becoming even more fearless and valiant.

So, while Ma Chao's personal guards were few in number, their fighting prowess could not be underestimated. When conflict erupted, they stepped forward without hesitation, demonstrating astonishing courage and resolve. Armed with weapons, their gazes resolute, their cries of "Determination to break through the enemy lines, even to the death" rang out with a force that seemed capable of overcoming all obstacles.

Zhao Yun, despite his own immense bravery, felt immense pressure facing Ma Chao's ferocious guards. Without Zhao Yun's prowess, his soldiers would have been unable to stop these frenzied guards. The situation spiraled out of control, with shouts of killing and the clash of weapons mingling in a terrifying cacophony. The atmosphere in the mourning hall was tense, as if a greater catastrophe could erupt at any moment. Everyone's hearts hung in the balance, wondering how this conflict would end.

The mourning hall was in chaos, with shouts of killing and the clashing of weapons. Mother Lu was extremely anxious. She looked at the chaotic scene and tried to dissuade them, saying, "Stop fighting! This is a mourning hall. Don't be so reckless!" Lu Wan also cried out, "Stop fighting, Brother Chao, please stop fighting." However, everyone was so angry that her cries were ineffective.

The emperor said to Liu Bei, "Uncle, restrain General Ma Chao first and don't let him disturb the mourning hall." Liu Bei felt helpless upon hearing this. He knew the situation was critical; if he didn't quell the fight quickly, the consequences would be disastrous. So, he drew his male and female swords and joined the fray.

Wang Yue was already a world-renowned swordsman, his skills in close combat unmatched. Ma Chao wouldn't necessarily have been able to defeat him in a mere close combat. Furthermore, there was his direct disciple, Shi A, and now, with the addition of Liu Bei, a kendo master capable of cooperating with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to battle Lü Bu. Ma Chao was instantly at a disadvantage, gradually struggling to withstand the combined attacks of the three.

Ma Chao was quickly subdued. The crowd pinned his arms and pinned him to the ground. Liu Bei shouted, "Drop your weapons!" Seeing Ma Chao subdued, the generals and guards surrendered and stopped fighting. Silence gradually fell in the mourning hall, leaving only the heavy breathing of the crowd and Lu Wan's sobs. The once solemn hall was now in ruins.

Ma Chao was restrained, his face contorted with anger. His eyes were bloodshot, and he gritted his teeth as he addressed the emperor, "Your Majesty, I, Ma Chao, am loyal and devoted to serving my country, yet you treat me this way today. I, Ma Chao, am restrained today. Kill me if you dare. Forty thousand Xiliang cavalrymen will arrive outside the city soon, and we Xiliang have three hundred thousand soldiers. Your Majesty, are you trying to force me into a desperate situation? I, Ma Chao, believe I have no regrets before heaven and earth, and I have no regrets for the imperial court, yet I have suffered this injustice. If Your Majesty insists on having your way, do not blame me, Ma Chao, for disregarding the proper etiquette between monarch and subject." Ma Chao's words were filled with anger and resentment, his resolute tone seeming to declare his unyielding defiance to everyone. The atmosphere in the mourning hall grew tense once again. Everyone was shocked by Ma Chao's words, unsure how to proceed.

Liu Bei, holding Ma Chao's arm, anxiously addressed the Emperor, "Your Majesty, Ma Chao has been distraught by the passing of our Master, and his recent rants are nothing but nonsense. Please do not take it to heart. Your Majesty, be magnanimous and consider his past achievements and his current grief. Please forgive him this time." Then, Liu Bei turned to Ma Chao and sternly addressed him, "Mengqi, this was all Master's arrangement. How can you be so rude? Have you forgotten Master's teachings? Furthermore, Master's wife is still here, and this is Master's mourning hall. Your actions will make Master's death difficult. Mengqi, calm down. Do not act impulsively." Liu Bei's words were a mixture of exhortation to the Emperor and rebuke and concern for Ma Chao. He knew the situation was critical; if Ma Chao's anger was not quickly quelled, the consequences would be disastrous.