Mythical Three Kingdoms

When Ma Teng arrived, he saw only Cao Ang's forlorn figure standing under the early spring sunshine, not knowing why the originally warm sun now felt somewhat cold.

"Greetings, Uncle Ma." Cao Ang calmly bowed to Ma Teng.

"..." Ma Teng remained silent for quite a while, suddenly finding himself speechless in front of the changed Cao Ang.

"Did you see Yun Lu?" Ma Teng sighed.

"I saw her. I'm just a latecomer; Zhao Zilong is more suitable for her." A trace of loss appeared on Cao Ang's face, along with a hint of loneliness, but he soon laughed heartily and said, "It's better this way, at least it's better than being disappointed later and wasting a lifetime."

Having said this, Cao Ang turned his horse around, ready to return to Chang'an, "Uncle Ma, don't chase after her anymore. Zhao Zilong is indeed a good match."

Ma Teng remained silent, but after Cao Ang rode back, he seemed to heed Cao Ang's words and chose to return to Chang'an. With a retinue surrounding Ma Teng and Cao Ang, they returned to Chang'an.

Sima Yi saw Cao Ang return to Chang'an surrounded by Ma Teng and his retinue, and couldn't help but sigh at his previous misjudgment, underestimating the heroes of the world, not expecting Cao Ang to have such a disposition.

Cao Ang had always appeared before Ma Teng as a younger generation, appreciated but never truly valued. However, this time, Cao Ang's response to the incident — whether calmly letting Ma Yunlu go, quickly recovering his mindset afterward, or the intellect revealed in conversation during the journey — all made Ma Teng begin to take him seriously.

Ma Yunlu's departure for Cao Ang was more like losing a mulberry tree only to gain an elm; his original goal wasn't Ma Yunlu. Investing emotions in Ma Yunlu was merely to establish a stable foundation for their alliance, but now there was a better way.

As they progressed towards Chang'an along the official road, Ma Teng's perception of Cao Ang changed completely.

Due to his appreciation of this junior, Ma Teng had opened the door for Cao Ang to meet his daughter. Later, when his daughter left him for Cao Ang, it caused Cao Ang to follow deeply in affection, resulting in guilt.

But it was because Cao Ang decisively cut ties, organizing his thoughts even amidst heartbreak without revealing the slightest hint of his personal feelings in public, along with the talent exhibited through words and demeanor along the way, that completely won Ma Teng over.

Originally, Ma Teng had intentions to lean towards the Cao Family. Unexpectedly, amidst this situation, guilt mixed with admiration for Cao Ang led Ma Teng to finally make a decision. With such a person in the Cao Family, prosperity is certain, and the struggle is not for a single generation but for descendants and future generations.

Thus, Ma Teng naturally followed Cao Ang's lead, although he didn't provide a clear answer, it seemed Cao Ang's emotionless demeanor proved his success.

[It's better this way, the vacant Clan Wife position in the Cao Family can be used to draw in someone else.] Cao Ang thought silently; his goal from the beginning wasn't Ma Yunlu, she was just a step towards his success.

[It seems necessary to build a good relationship with Cao Ang, who would have thought?] Sima Yi thought silently as he watched Cao Ang's departing figure.

Upon returning to the Cao Family, Cao Ang was predictably reprimanded by Cao Cao, then commanded to stay home and revise books for a month, to which Cao Ang half-heartedly agreed.

Just as Cao Ang stepped out of the Cao Family's main hall, Cao Cao suddenly asked, "Have you been preparing all this time?"

Cao Ang paused mid-step, then slowly retraced, turning to face Cao Cao, "Father, what is readiness, and what is lack of preparation?"

Looking at his eldest son, whom he always thought had never matured over the years, Cao Cao couldn't help but take notice; perhaps he never truly cared for his eldest son, always demanding rigorously.

"You've grown up." Cao Cao said after a moment of silence. He had been pondering whether to consult with the Ding Clan on getting a concubine for Cao Ang for comfort, but he noticed the calmness in Cao Ang's eyes.

Cao Ang suddenly sat in the main hall, just looking at Cao Cao, feeling there should be much his father wanted to tell him.

"You, indeed, excel impressively," Cao Cao said after a long silence, "When did this start?"

"Around the time I began emulating you," Cao Ang replied with a faint smile. His handsome face and tall stature, compared with Cao Cao's shorter build, surprisingly didn't embarrass Cao Cao but rather brought a touch of gratification.

"Indeed, my vision is unparalleled, though I sure miss it often," Cao Cao laughed, "Only seeing my offspring grow excellently do I feel myself aging."

"You're far from aging, as my emulation hasn't surpassed yours; until then, you remain my sanctuary from the storm," Cao Ang looked at Cao Cao's expression in silence for quite a while, wondering how long it had been since they last had such a father-son conversation.

"What if I said earlier was just random questioning?" Cao Cao said sternly, "What if I was probing?"

"Then it's time to lay the cards on the table." Cao Ang smiled, "Sheltering under your wings keeps storms at bay, but one day you won't be able to shield me forever. I'm growing too, a young tiger will eventually become a big tiger."