Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Seeing this, Ma Yunlu put on a reassuring smile and took two quick steps forward. She took Zhang Fubao's hand affectionately and patted it gently, as if to give her strength. Her tone was light and firm, "Sister Fubao, just keep your heart at ease! Since I dare to say this, I am naturally very confident. Don't underestimate us, and don't underestimate the tacit understanding and ability between us sisters."

At this moment, Dong Bai raised her eyebrows, her face instantly became stern, she put on a fierce look, waved her little fist seriously, and said crisply: "Sister Fu Bao, just be careful. If your uncle dares to interfere or interfere, I will... I will pull out his beard! Let's see how he can still maintain this majestic attitude!" As she spoke, she grabbed in the air a few times, as if she had grabbed Li Ru's beard. She looked both cute and fearless.

Zhang Fubao looked at Dong Bai's quirky appearance and couldn't help but burst out laughing. The worry that had been weighing heavily on her heart also dissipated a little. She shook her head helplessly and said angrily, "You are the one with so many tricks, but with you guys around, I do feel more at ease."

Li Ru's mind was full of thoughts, his brow furrowed like the Chinese character "川". Having just sent the messenger away, he paced back and forth in the hall, his hands behind his back. The messenger had gone to explain the reasons and pros and cons of keeping Zhang Fubao, hoping to buy a moment of peace. But the next day, he heard the news that Dong Bai and Ma Yunlu had hurriedly arrived. Li Ru's face suddenly changed, and he subconsciously slapped his forehead, sighing, "Oh, why are these two little ancestors here? This is troublesome."

Hua Xiong and Niu Fu on the side were confused. After looking at each other, Hua Xiong scratched his head and said in a muffled voice: "Isn't it normal for Miss Dong Bai to come back? What's more, Miss Ma Yunlu may be here for a visit. Why should the general be so worried?" Niu Fu also nodded in agreement, looking confused.

Li Ru was extremely anxious, but had no time to explain. He just waved his hands irritably and said, "You two reckless men have no idea what this means. Stop talking nonsense and follow me to the scene. I hope I can persuade them. If these two girls get involved, things will be completely messed up." After that, he raised his foot and hurried out the door. Hua Xiong and Niu Fu were full of confusion, but they could only hurry to catch up.

Arriving at the meeting place, he spotted Dong Bai and Ma Yunlu chatting and laughing with Zhang Fubao from afar, the three of them close and intimate. Li Ru took a deep breath, forced a smile, and stepped forward. Just as he was about to speak, Dong Bai, with his sharp eyes, spotted him immediately. His face turned serious and he said bluntly, "Uncle, you are really clever. What are your intentions in leaving Sister Fubao here?" Ma Yunlu also stood aside, his arms folded, his eyes revealing a hint of provocation and vigilance. Li Ru was a little embarrassed by this sudden question, and his smile froze instantly.

Li Ru's eyes swept over everyone's faces, trying to find a hint of relaxation from their expressions. He slowed down his tone and said earnestly: "Bai'er, you have been smart since childhood, and you should understand the severity of this matter. Now the situation is complicated, and one move can affect the whole body. I have no choice but to keep Miss Fu Bao, and it is also for the safety of all of us." As he said, he glanced at Zhang Fu Bao meaningfully.

Dong Bai, however, didn't flinch. She straightened her back and replied with a determined gaze, "Uncle, I certainly understand the pros and cons of this. But you see, Fu Bao and I get along so well, we've become like family. Even if Fu Bao goes back, given her character, she won't change her promise." She looked at Zhang Fu Bao confidently, her eyes filled with trust and reliance, and asked, "Isn't that right, Fu Bao?"

Zhang Fubao nodded quickly, his expression sincere: "Mr. Li Ru, everything Dong Bai said is true. I have already promised, and I will never go back on my word."

Li Ru frowned, his eyes became sharp, and his tone unconsciously became heavier: "This matter concerns Ma Chao's safety, don't you care at all?" As soon as these words came out, Dong Bai's cheeks instantly flushed. Although everyone knew about her relationship with Ma Chao, she couldn't help but feel shy when Li Ru mentioned it so bluntly.

But Dong Bai quickly calmed down, took a deep breath and said, "Uncle, let's put this aside. We didn't have this kind of friendship when we made the decision before. Now that Fu Bao and I are like sisters, how could she and her brother bear to put Brother Chao in danger? Even if she goes back, they will never change their promise. Besides, we sisters are not here to make trouble. We have our own considerations and solutions, which is better than forcing Sister Fu Bao to stay and cause more resentment."

Li Ru remained silent, his head bowed in thought for a moment, weighing the pros and cons. He had to admit that Dong Bai's words had some truth, but the stakes were so high that he couldn't easily relent. The atmosphere was tense for a moment, everyone held their breath, awaiting Li Ru's response, as if even the air itself had frozen. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves in the courtyard, but it failed to break the tense atmosphere...

Li Ru's face was solemn, his brows knitted into the shape of a "川" character. His voice was low but revealed an unquestionable determination: "This matter concerns Ma Chao's safety. I have sent a messenger to consult the lord. I will not let Miss Fu Bao leave until the lord's position is clear. This not only concerns the life and death of General Ma Chao, but also the future of Xiliang. One wrong step will lead to all the wrong steps. There is no room for error, so how can we easily change it?"

Dong Bai raised his eyebrows, a hint of dissatisfaction flashing in his eyes. He retorted, "Now that Lian Yunlu has come along, are you still worried that you can't solve this problem? Don't you know what Uncle Ma's attitude is on this matter?"

Li Ru sighed and said helplessly, "The Lord's intentions are still unclear, and I dare not act rashly. This concerns the safety of the Young Master. If we let Miss Fu Bao go, and the Lord blames us, none of us can bear the consequences."

Ma Yunlu stepped forward, his expression calm, his voice clear yet steady. "My father does have some concerns; he always considers the overall situation. However, I came here with his tacit approval. He knows our friendship with Fu Bao, and he believes we can handle this matter properly. If we trap Sister Fu Bao here because we're worried about the Lord's blame, it will only increase conflict and benefit neither party. Now we make a promise. When Fu Bao returns, we will abide by it and ensure that we won't let our father's anger rage against you."

Upon hearing this, Li Ru's face paled and sank into a fierce struggle. He paced back and forth in the hall, each step carrying a heavy weight. After a long moment, he stopped, his expression weary yet resigned. "Forget it, forget it. Since you all say so, and the lord has tacitly approved, there's no point in me trying to stop you. But if this goes wrong, you must not regret it." Even with his discontent, Li Ru felt helpless and agreed to let Zhang Fubao go.

A glimmer of joy flashed across the eyes of the three sisters, a light that illuminated their faces like the breaking light of dawn. Dong Bai and Ma Yunlu solemnly prepared to see Fu Bao off. Before leaving, Dong Bai held Fu Bao's hand tightly, his expression solemn, his eyes filled with earnestness: "Sister Fu Bao, no matter what Mr. Li Ru and your father Zhang Lu agreed to, when you return, you must abide by it. This concerns Brother Chao's safety, and you must not treat it as a joke."

Ma Yunlu also nodded beside him, his eyes sincere. "Yes, Sister Fu Bao, Ma Chao is my dearest relative; to Sister Dong Bai, he is the one I care about most. If you keep your promise, you will protect our sincerity and our future."

Zhang Fubao nodded vigorously. Although she had never met Ma Chao, she had heard Dong Bai and Ma Yunlu mention him so many times that she already understood his profound importance to these two close friends. Now, looking at her close friends' eyes, filled with both expectation and worry, she didn't hesitate a moment as she solemnly promised, "Don't worry, I will keep my promise and will never let you down."

The two watched Fu Bao leave, her figure stretched out in the afterglow. Dong Bai and Ma Yunlu stood there for a long time, motionless, their eyes following Fu Bao's direction. They silently prayed for her safe journey, hoping for a smooth fulfillment of their promise and a speedy reunion with their lover and brother.

Time slowly drifted to February, and the warm sun gently shone upon the earth, bathing everything in the world in a layer of warmth. Under the careful protection of his brother, Zhang Fubao finally returned to Hanzhong City, where he had been away for a long time.

Zhang Lu had been waiting at the city gates, eagerly anticipating the arrival of his daughter. When he caught sight of his daughter's familiar figure, his eyes instantly welled up with joy, his heart overflowing with emotion. He couldn't hold back his tears. In Zhang Lu's heart, this daughter meant as much as his eldest son. She was his sweet, caring little friend, the softest comfort in his heart.

Zhang Lu quickly stepped forward, grabbed Zhang Fubao's hand, looked left and right, and kept muttering. Sometimes he said with concern: "Fubao, you look so thin, have you suffered a lot outside?" Then he sighed with relief: "Wow, I feel like you have grown taller. Girls really change a lot when they grow up."

Zhang Fubao felt a warm feeling in her heart as she watched her tearful father, her eyes slightly reddening. But as she listened to her father's caring words and observed his energetic self, she couldn't help but feel doubtful. She stole a glance at her brother, her eyes filled with confusion. Recalling her brother Zhang Gui's earlier letters describing their father as significantly thinner and ill, and then looking at him now, with his resonant voice and healthy complexion, the contrast was stark. What could have happened?

Zhang Fubao looked at his father's face full of concern and joy. Although he was full of doubts, he really didn't want to destroy this warm atmosphere. So he quietly suppressed the doubts in his heart, smiled and asked his father about his well-being, and returned to the mansion with his father.

As soon as he stepped into the house and had no time to drink a sip of hot tea, Zhang Lu couldn't wait to pull Zhang Fubao to sit down, his eyes full of anxiety: "Baoer, tell daddy quickly, how are you doing in Xiliang? Why would old Li Ru be willing to let you come back?" Zhang Lu knew very well that Zhang Fubao went to Xiliang nominally to preach, but in fact he was being used as a hostage to be manipulated. Otherwise, why would he cooperate with many requests from Xiliang?

Zhang Fubao sorted out his thoughts and spoke slowly: "Dad, although the customs and habits in Xiliang are very different from ours, everyone is still polite to me. As for being able to come back, it was also thanks to the help of sisters Dong Bai and Ma Yunlu. They got along well with me and couldn't bear to see me trapped, so after much persuasion, Li Ru finally gave in." Zhang Fubao concealed the details, not wanting to cause his father more trouble.