Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

By this time, Ma Chao was firmly restrained, unable to move. His subordinates were all anxious, their faces filled with worry, fearing that he might meet with an unforeseen event. In this pressing situation, they were forced to lay down their weapons. The clamor in the mourning hall gradually died down, and finally a little peace returned.

At this moment, the emperor slowly walked over to Lu Wan's side and gently embraced her. Lu Wan's expression was filled with sorrow, frozen in an instant, as if she were wearing a rigid mask. She felt as if she were held captive by an invisible force, unable to move. Yet, she knew deep down that if she didn't cooperate with the emperor and perform this act, her father's instructions would be undone in an instant.

If Ma Chao learned the truth, he would undoubtedly declare war on the emperor, regardless of the consequences. The entire imperial court would be engulfed in conflict, and the people would be dragged into the abyss of suffering. This was completely contrary to her father's original intention. Helplessly, Lu Wan could only suppress her grief and quietly endure it all, not daring to struggle.

The emperor looked at Lu Wan with a probing look in his eyes. When he saw that Lu Wan showed no signs of resistance, he knew that his goal had been achieved once again. Then, the emperor said to Ma Chao, "General Ma, you are the Marquis of Wei, conferred by the imperial court, and Master Lu's most outstanding disciple. Master Lu has high hopes for you, and I also intend to entrust the affairs of the country to you. How can you abandon justice because of your own personal grudge? When my father-in-law was alive, he often mentioned your loyalty and bravery, and asked me to rely on you more in the future. Now, the country is in a precarious situation, and my father-in-law has just passed away. Are you going to let him down?"

Ma Chao watched the emperor embrace Lu Wan, who showed no sign of struggle, and his heart suddenly felt as if it had died. A strong sense of defeat arose, and his once proud head slowly drooped. The veins in his neck, which had bulged with anger and unwillingness, gradually subsided, and his heart was filled with frustration and helplessness.

Seeing that Ma Chao seemed to have calmed down somewhat and no longer had the will to resist, Liu Bei turned to Lu's mother and said, "Master's wife, when Master was still alive, he left a suicide note for Junior Brother Ma Chao. Quickly fetch it and let Junior Brother read it, so that he can know Master's thoughts." Looking at the suppressed Ma Chao with tears in her eyes, Lu's mother was also filled with sorrow and sadness. After all, during those war-torn years, she, Lu Wan, and Lu Yu had spent more than two years under Ma Chao's meticulous care. Ma Chao's respect for her and his care for their family were unquestionable. Seeing Ma Chao and Lu Wan, the lovers, tortured into this state, Lu's mother felt heartbroken for her daughter and a deep sense of guilt towards Ma Chao.

Mother Lu slowly came to Ma Chao and used the plain white handkerchief in her hand to gently wipe away the tears on Ma Chao's face from the long journey, the fierce competition and fight just now, and the tears shed because of his master's departure. Ma Chao endured it all quietly. Mother Lu gently adjusted Ma Chao's messy hair and said, "Chao'er, I know you have a lot of resentment in your heart. If you have hatred in your heart, blame it all on your master and me. But don't resent Wan'er, and don't resent His Majesty. Don't do anything disrespectful again." Ma Chao looked at his master's wife woodenly, his thoughts like flying catkins, chaotic and disorganized, but he didn't know how to express himself.

Lu Yu retrieved his master's final letter from the inner chamber and approached Ma Chao, saying, "Brother Ma, let me read it to you." Ma Chao said hoarsely, "Junior brother, I'll read it myself." He turned and looked at Wang Yue and Liu Bei. Liu Bei now released the arms restraining Ma Chao. However, Wang Yue and Shi A remained firm. Ma Chao did not struggle, but simply gazed calmly at Wang Yue. Wang Yue, though silent, was deeply hurt by his calm and impassive expression, as if a heavy cloud had enveloped him. He also released his arms. Ma Chao remained in this prostrate position, prostrating himself on the ground. He solemnly took the letter from Lu Yu with both hands and read the words of his master. The letter read: "My disciple Ma Chao, I recall that when you were a teenager, you came to study here. I was quite displeased with your father's warlord aura and was not willing to accept you as my disciple. But you stood in the snow outside my door, with a firm will and a sincere desire to learn. I also admired you and accepted you. Later, I saw that you were studious and inquisitive, and your talents were displayed in Luoyang, which comforted me. Seeing that you were such a talented person, I was afraid that you would go astray, so I taught you the principles of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism every day. However, you did not expect that something unexpected would happen. When Emperor Xiaoling passed away, it was mostly due to your efforts. The teacher and the disciple worked together to improve the situation. However, I did not expect that the traitor Dong would cause chaos in the government. My heart is very sad when I mention this. You followed me to learn about loyalty and righteousness since you were young, but you almost went astray and served the old thief. Fortunately, you finally came to your senses and made up for your mistakes. It's not too late. However, during the campaign against Tianshui, you didn't give your all and harbored selfish motives, which is truly unacceptable. Today, your master will die here. You must remember your master's teachings, be loyal to the emperor and love your country, and never harbor any rebellious thoughts. You are capable and talented, and your master is very satisfied with you. However, your character is somewhat indecisive when it comes to justice, which is truly unacceptable. You should keep your original intention. Now the Han Dynasty is on the verge of revival, but your master can't see it. You must protect the Han Dynasty for your master. If you rebel against the court in the future, your master will not be able to rest in peace in his grave." Ma Chao looked at his master's suicide note, his heart full of mixed feelings, tears blurred his eyes again, and those lines of handwriting seemed like a heavy hammer, hitting his heart again and again.

Ma Chao looked at his master's suicide note, his heart surging with emotion. His hands trembled slightly as he clutched the letter tightly, as if it were his master's final instructions and expectations for him.

Tears streamed down his face, blurring his vision. His mind raced back to every moment he'd spent with his master, from his youth standing in the snow seeking a teacher, to his diligent study and rise to prominence in Luoyang under his master's guidance, to the various hardships they'd endured together. His master's stern teachings and earnest expectations replayed before his eyes like a movie.

Regret and self-blame surged in his heart. He hated his selfishness in the crusade against Tianshui and his indecision in the face of justice. He realized his mistakes and deeply understood his master's painstaking efforts for him.

He slowly raised his head, his eyes revealing a resolute determination. He vowed to faithfully follow his master's teachings, to be loyal to his emperor and patriotic, never harboring even the slightest rebellious thoughts. He would protect the Han Empire. For his master's instructions, for the peace of his country, and for the well-being of his people, he was willing to set aside personal feelings and grudges and devote his own strength to the rejuvenation of the Han Dynasty.

Ma Chao stood up and bowed deeply before his master's spirit tablet. That solemn bow represented his determination and commitment. He knew that from this moment on, his life had a new direction and mission.

Ma Chao looked at Lu Wan, held in the emperor's arms, and forced himself to suppress the bitterness in his heart, putting his personal feelings aside. He turned to the people he had brought with him and said, "Xu Huang and Zhang Ren, you two will accompany me to the mourning hall to handle matters." He then said to Zhang Liao, "Wenyuan, you will proceed to the outskirts of Chang'an and await the arrival of General Xu Rong and the main force. As the Chief of the Imperial Guards, I must ensure the safety of Chang'an at this moment and prevent any unrest." Ma Chao's calmness and the coldness in his words sent a chill through the crowd.

Liu Bei tried to smooth things over, saying, "Junior brother, you must be exhausted after such a long journey. You should rest for a while before standing vigil for Master." Ma Chao glanced at Liu Bei indifferently, his eyes devoid of the familiarity they once had, nor the familiarity they had shared between apprentices. He knelt coldly beside him, saying nothing. The emperor then spoke hypocritically, "General Ma, I know you've had a hard time. Eat some food and rest. It's not too late to come back later. Don't let your health fail. The Han will need your help in the future." Ma Chao bowed coldly and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I understand that mourning for Master is a disciple's duty. I will continue to serve the Han and the court. Your Majesty, rest assured." With that, he knelt alone, his back straight as a pine tree, as if demonstrating his steadfastness and unyielding spirit. His solitary figure, nestled in the mourning hall, seemed particularly desolate, yet exuded an awe-inspiring aura.

Ma Chao's calm and indifferent attitude, along with his careful external arrangements, was like a boulder dropped into an already turbulent lake. The ripples it created made the court officials and envoys from various vassal states, who harbored other concerns and ulterior motives, hesitant to act rashly. They could only watch the situation unfold, silently calculating their own gains and losses.

The envoys' minds raced with thoughts. They etched today's events firmly in their minds, keenly sensing a potential opportunity. The emperor's treatment of Ma Chao suggested, on the one hand, that he relied on him, while on the other, that he was suppressing him. Such a complex relationship presented a potential opportunity for them to exploit in the future, seeking loopholes to influence the relationship between the emperor and Ma Chao and thereby secure greater benefits for the princes they represented. However, this was no time for rash action. They knew the slightest misstep could lead to unforeseen consequences. In this delicate situation, they could only remain inactive, awaiting a more opportune moment.

Ma Chao knelt there silently, his figure like a silent mountain. A fishy-sweet taste welled up in his throat, the physical reaction of his inner grief and pain, but he swallowed it down forcefully, not letting the slightest hint of abnormality show.

The image of his master kept resurfacing in his mind. His master, deeply concerned with the greater good of his country, seemed to disdain his romantic feelings. But would he, Ma Chao, truly abandon his kingdom for a personal relationship? This question swirled in his mind. He knew he couldn't let his emotions sway him, and he couldn't abandon the people of his country for selfish reasons.

Perhaps, at this moment, a man's growth and transformation occurs. He is no longer the young man who acts on pure passion. He begins to understand the weight of responsibility and the difficult choices between justice and personal feelings. His eyes become deeper, filled with pain, struggle, but more importantly, determination and resoluteness.