Mythical Three Kingdoms

Guan Yu remained silent, unexpectedly encountering such a scandal as soon as he arrived at the Ma Clan. Judging from Ma Chao's desperate entrance coming all the way through the back wall, Guan Yu knew that Ma Yunlu had indeed run away.

"Sorry to trouble General Ma. Since Miss Ma is not here, let's drop this matter. Zilong will come personally next year." After a long silence, Guan Yu finally spoke.

In fact, Guan Yu felt deeply frustrated. Coming to Chang'an to pay homage to the Emperor was a huge disappointment. Trying to secure Xiahou Juan as a legal wife for his sworn brother was blocked by endless formalities, and then helping his friend Zhao Yun marry Ma Yunlu ended with her eloping.

In short, Guan Yu suddenly realized that he achieved nothing after coming to Chang'an, with all his objectives ending in failure. How unlucky he was.

"Meng Qi, see General Guan off for me." At this moment, Ma Teng was almost fuming with anger. Ma Yunlu eloped again, and in front of outsiders, no less. Their Ma Clan was a great family in Liangzhou, and such disgrace was thrown in the face before Guan Yu.

Ma Teng tried to maintain his composure, but any family head of a century-old noble family would struggle to deal with a daughter running away for no apparent reason, especially in front of outsiders. Ma Teng felt his dignity slipping away, and hence his face was twisted.

"Ling Ming, take the servants and notify the Governor of Chang'an to bring Yunlu back." Ma Teng no longer bothered to conceal anything. Since they'd already lost face, there was no need to pretend, at least not in front of Guan Yu.

Guan Yu's face darkened, suddenly realizing Ma Teng seemed reluctant about Zhao Yun's proposal. Why notify the Governor of Chang'an of his daughter's actions? Surely, this was openly presenting the issue to Cao Cao—was there an unspoken understanding with Cao Cao?

Cao Cao and Guan Yu could talk amicably, but that didn't mean Guan Yu and Cao Cao could get along. Their standpoints were long established; if they met on the battlefield, it would undoubtedly come to a stage of trading blows; personal friendship merely remained personal.

The implication exposed by Ma Teng's earlier remarks clearly indicated in-depth communication with Cao Cao; at the very least, Ma Teng didn't mind Cao Cao knowing their family situation, which wasn't a good thing.

If it were in the past, Guan Yu might not have noticed such details, but having mingled with Guo Jia for years, he absorbed some insights, almost unconsciously.

"Although I don't wish to admit it, Zilong is undoubtedly the most outstanding man in the world. Marrying Ma Yunlu as a legal wife, not a concubine, such terms yet Ma Teng disagrees, suggesting Ma Teng has other plans."

With an expressionless face, Guan Yu returned the courtesy with cold arrogance and turned away, departing without revealing any emotion despite his multitude of thoughts. Ma Chao immediately followed him.

"General Guan, wait a moment!" After sending Guan Yu off and seeing him mount his horse, Ma Chao hurriedly reached out to grab Guan Yu's robe.

"What advice does Meng Qi have?" Although displeased with Ma Teng's revealed intentions, Guan Yu held no grudge against Ma Chao. Coupled with Guan Yu's consistently cold demeanor, nobody could discern what he was thinking.

"I entrust Yunlu to General Guan." Ma Chao bowed respectfully to Guan Yu, "When you reach Ye City and see General Zhao, tell him I'll handle the formalities."

Unlike Ma Teng's ambition to revive the Ma Clan and loyalty to the Han Dynasty, Ma Chao lacked such longstanding commitments. Thus, he treated Ma Yunlu, whom he cherished, differently, aiming to ensure his sister's happiness, contrasting sharply with his father.

Ma Teng sought to revive the Ma Clan and fulfill his ancestors' dreams, offering his daughter happiness as he deemed fit, similar to the promise Li Youu made to Cai Yan—a lifetime of prosperity. Yet whether it was what his daughter or Cai Yan wanted, that was another matter.

Ma Chao, however, held no such notions. He similarly wished for his sister's happiness, but his approach allowed Ma Yunlu to pursue her happiness, adapting or trying what suited her, while he stood by, ready to support his sister through thick and thin.

The greatest difference between Ma Chao and Ma Teng was Ma Teng's adherence to rules compared to Ma Chao's youthful capriciousness. He feared neither mistakes nor consequences; as long as his sister chose her path, he would support her, even ensuring she didn't suffer if it turned out wrong!

Guan Yu glanced at Ma Chao and instantly understood his intentions. After a moment's hesitation, he transmitted a message, "Meng Qi, Chang'an is not a place for a long stay."

Ma Chao remained silent, then transmitted back, "I will not leave. The Ma Clan relies on my father, Ling Ming, and me. We cannot afford to lose any of us."

"This is the vow of my family's three generations; the Ma Clan will not leave this place." Ma Chao thought silently, knowing well that although Chang'an was a place of disputes, the Ma Clan rose and fell in Yongliang, and revival was imminent; Ma Teng would never willingly leave Yongliang.

Guan Yu said no more, hefting the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, turning his horse towards the post station, while Ma Chao silently watched Guan Yu leave, letting out a heavy sigh, "I have yet to prove myself; how could I leave, and regardless, whether I admit it or not, Cao Mengde treats me kindly."

Ma Chao was well aware of the reason behind his father's changes. Initially, uniting several families in Liangzhou to jointly support the king, their success led the Ma Clan into the Han Imperial Family's favor, seemingly revitalizing overnight.

Back then, Ma Teng knelt before the ancestral altar, crying and laughing, declaring it was the ancestors' blessing, the divine favor to the Great Han, promising revival and eternal prosperity to the Han Dynasty.

Soon enough, however, Ma Teng's heart turned cold. Though rewarded and titled as a supporter of the king, with his ancestors posthumously honored, Ma Teng clearly sensed the Han ministers' suspicion towards him. He didn't mind, as long as he supported the Emperor.

On a particular day that month, Ma Teng visited the palace, returning afterward in long silence. Gradually, he shifted his focus from national matters to familial concerns, becoming increasingly similar to Guandong aristocratic families' progeny.

From then on, Ma Teng ceased his solitary ministerial ways, now initiating connections with the Cao Family, the Xiahou Family, acting as a mediator personally heading to the Yuan-Liu Battlefield, ready to engage both sides.

National affairs would be handled by national scholars. Since the Emperor treated a true supporter like Ma Teng this way, Ma Teng saw no reason to exhaust himself for the Emperor.

National matters were for national concern; the Emperor's matters were for the Emperor, but familial affairs were genuine concerns. Ma Teng felt that even when his father lay dying, he reminded Ma Teng to remain loyal to the Han Dynasty and revive the Ma Clan. Thus, the Emperor should sense his loyalty.

However, reality showed Ma Teng that what the Emperor deemed as loyal ministers weren't those who saved the Emperor but those who, when ordered by the Emperor to die, would comply. Such loyalty wasn't worth maintaining, eventually prompting Ma Teng to stop even attending court. (To be continued. If you like this work, you're welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations or monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)