The King of Wei's palace was hosting a banquet, and Cao Cao had specifically arranged it to welcome Ma Teng.
Suddenly, a Xiliang armored soldier quietly entered the hall and whispered a few words into Ma Teng's ear. Ma Teng's expression turned cold. He suddenly looked up and discovered that an armored soldier was also whispering something to Cao Cao.
Indeed…
The armored soldiers were reporting the same matter.
"King of Wei…" Ma Teng abruptly stood up. "It's all my fault for not disciplining my daughter properly. When the King of Wei's army marched on Xinye City, why did she have to go and cause trouble? I shall go and bring her back at once."
Saying this, Ma Teng prepared to leave the table.
Little did he expect that before he could even take a step, Cao Cao's hand caught his arm.
"Brother Shoucheng, there's no need for that."
Cao Cao's expression was calm and serene. He gently waved his hand. "I have long heard that Xiliang women are different from those of the Central Plains. I've heard that when Xiliang women are farming, they often carry a spear or a halberd beside them. When the drums sound, they know the Qiang are attacking, and they immediately pick up their spears to fight!"
Cao Cao's tone carried a hint of amusement. "Ordinary Xiliang women are like this, let alone your daughter, Ma Shoucheng. Ziyu always mentions a phrase, 'A woman of integrity can achieve as much as any man.' Haha, if word gets out that niece Yunlu is following her future husband south to Xinye, it will surely be a beautiful tale!"
At this point…
Cao Cao directly fetched a wine cup and handed it to Ma Teng. "The children have all grown up, let them be! As elders, we should not worry for them."
This…
Ma Teng took the wine cup, but his brow remained furrowed. He was clearly worried about his daughter's safety.
Cao Cao saw his state of mind at a glance and immediately called out, "Zhongkang, where are you?"
"Your subordinate is here!"
Xu Chu emerged from the side and cupped his hands in greeting to Cao Cao and Ma Teng.
"Go and select the most alert among the Tiger Guards. Find niece Yunlu and secretly protect her, ensuring nothing happens to her! Furthermore, send a swift horse to inform Lu Ziyu, and tell him to treat his future wife well!"
"Yes!" Xu Chu agreed and hurried out of the hall to make arrangements.
With Cao Cao's instructions, Ma Teng's worries finally eased…
He raised his wine cup.
"King of Wei, your heroic spirit is immense. I, Ma Teng, toast you three cups!"
"Haha…" Cao Cao laughed heartily. "I, Cao Cao, will also drink three cups, so as not to let Brother Shoucheng feel at a disadvantage!"
—Hahaha…
Hearty laughter erupted in succession. It seemed the entire King of Wei's palace was filled with warmth and joy. After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere was at its peak!
…
…
In Luoyang City, at the White Horse Marquis's residence, along the Luo River, there was a uniquely elegant courtyard. The plaque bore the inscription, "Full of poetry, character naturally shines."
This was a phrase chanted by Lu Yu and inscribed by Zhong Yao, then framed into an ancient-looking plaque.
The room was clean, refined, and comfortable, with an outer and an inner section!
The outer section served as a living room and study. On the wall facing the entrance of the living room hung a somewhat ancient landscape painting. To the right, leaning against the wall, stood a bookshelf filled with classic texts. Beneath the bookshelf was a large desk, on which were placed writing implements such as brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. On the floor beside the desk, some drawing scrolls were piled up…
It was clear that the owner of this house was someone who enjoyed calligraphy and ink painting.
And within the White Horse Marquis's residence, who else could be so infatuated with calligraphy and ink painting to this extent, besides the most honored woman there, Cai Zhaoji?
At this moment, Cai Zhaoji was covering her chest… facing the bronze mirror by the window with a sorrowful expression.
Beneath the window was a delicate orchid… Cai Zhaoji's childhood nickname was—Lan'er!
However…
Now, she had no inclination to converse with the orchid. The indescribable feeling surging from her chest and abdomen made her heart complex, even… causing her unbearable pain.
"Could it be… really… really that I'm pregnant?"
Cai Zhaoji murmured to herself…
She tried to lift her skirt from her abdomen. It was visibly slightly distended, and though only slightly, it was still noticeably bulging.
In these recent days, she had been busy establishing the Imperial Academy in Luoyang City and had not paid attention to the changes in her body.
Only today…
Only now…
Every time she recalled her appearance before Ma Yunlu earlier, Cai Zhaoji's brows knitted tightly. Her lack of propriety was secondary; what if… what if she had become suspicious?
She was the woman Yu-di was about to marry, yet she had heard this surprise. This… this…
For a moment, Cai Zhaoji felt overwhelmed with emotion!
"No wonder I've been dreaming of golden men…"
"No wonder, the eminent monks interpret—Bodhi originally has no tree, the bright mirror is also not a stand… Originally… Originally, it was nothing? How can it be that there is already something? How can it not attract the dust of the mortal world?"
Cai Zhaoji bit her lip tightly.
She had always maintained her purity…
Only… only those two times, both for Yu-di!
Undoubtedly… the child in her womb, naturally… naturally it was Yu-di's, there was no other possibility!
What to do?
What to do?
Cai Zhaoji repeatedly asked herself? How should she face Yu-di? How should she face the world? And how should she face… herself, and the child in her womb?
For a moment, Cai Zhaoji even thought of aborting it…
But… as soon as this thought crossed her mind, she desperately shook her head. She couldn't bear it… With her usual kindness, she simply couldn't bear it! This was a life!
Then…
What to do?
What to do?
Countless question marks swirled on her forehead, leaving her feeling lost and helpless.
Just then.
"Sister Zhaoji…"
A clear and serene voice followed, and a young woman with a delicate face walked in from outside the door.
Cai Zhaoji looked up, only to realize that the woman entering was one of Yu-di's wives—Xiahou Jun!
It turned out… Xiahou Jun saw Sister Zhaoji looking dispirited by the window and specially came in to ask if she was feeling unwell. She was even holding a bowl of porridge!
But upon entering the room, what met her eyes was Sister Zhaoji's slightly bulging lower abdomen.
This…
With a "crash," the porridge in Xiahou Jun's hand instantly fell to the ground.
She was so astonished that she couldn't control herself, so astonished that she couldn't breathe…
As a wife of the White Horse Marquis, the old wet nurses had taught her some things about men and women. And Sister Zhaoji's slightly bulging lower abdomen, wasn't that… wasn't that…
"Sister Zhaoji… you… you… I… I…"
For a moment, Xiahou Jun stammered, unable to utter a word for a long time!
The scene before her was still too shocking, too sensational!
…
…
The banquet ended, and Cao Cao, holding Ma Teng's hand, left the banquet hall.
Today, he had shown Ma Teng ample respect. The reason for behaving in such a manner was due to two matters.
Firstly, the grand strategy at present was to march south to Jingzhou!
The rear, that is, the Yongliang region, must not have the slightest flaw!
This way, Cao Cao could concentrate his superior forces and swiftly march south.
Secondly, it was the dream Cao Cao had in the past—"Three horses eating from the same trough!"
This dream had appeared in Cao Cao's dreams more than once…
The more he thought about it, the more frequent the dreams became! It was as if it was becoming a recurring nightmare.
And the only way to overcome a nightmare was to face it!
Therefore, Cao Cao had personally gone to welcome Ma Teng, placing him by his side. Furthermore… there was also the next step. The so-called combination of benevolence and might, the enemy of my enemy is my friend!
Cao Cao walked with Ma Teng along a pool within the King of Wei's palace. At one corner of the pool, a cluster of late-blooming osmanthus flowers was planted. They were not yet in full bloom, but their lingering fragrance remained. Cao Cao slowed his pace, as if in a daze, savoring the richness in the wind.
Ma Teng also stopped here, admiring the magnificent King of Wei's palace…
It could be said that Luoyang was infinitely more prosperous than Xiliang, and the King of Wei's palace was infinitely more magnificent than Luoyang?
"Brother Shoucheng, lately… I haven't been able to sleep well. I keep having a dream. Brother Shoucheng, perhaps you could help me interpret it."
Cao Cao deliberately spoke.
Ma Teng replied, "I am a rough man, I fear I may not interpret it well. If King of Wei trusts me, I shall try to say what I think!"
"Every night, I keep having a recurring dream. In my dream, I see three horses eating from the same trough!"
Cao Cao said meaningfully, "I have asked some diviners to interpret it. They say, 'Three horses, same trough.' 'Trough' sounds like 'Cao.' It must refer to me, Cao Cao, and the Great Wei. And 'three horses' would be three people whose names contain the character 'Ma.' Eating from the same trough signifies gradual encroachment and annexation. These three horses will be an eternal hidden danger to my Great Wei! They will gradually encroach upon and overthrow my Great Wei!"
As soon as these words were uttered…
Ma Teng instantly sobered up from his wine. After a brief moment of stunned silence…
With a "thump," he knelt directly on the ground.
Simultaneously… he glanced around, fearing that swordsmen might be lurking nearby.
It was well known that Cao Cao was naturally suspicious. This "three horses eating from the same trough"—Ma… Ma, the diviners' interpretation, didn't this refer to him, Ma Teng of Xiliang?
"King of Wei… If… if I, Ma Teng, truly harbored rebellious intentions, why would I have come to Luoyang? Why would I have married my daughter to Lu Ziyu, the White Horse Marquis? I… I…"
Ma Teng was never good with words.
At this moment… upon hearing this, he became even more clumsy in his speech.
He wanted to explain, but… but he didn't know how to explain.
"Brother Shoucheng…"
Unexpectedly, at this moment, what greeted Ma Teng was not a signal to throw down his cup, nor the appearance of swordsmen.
Instead, it was Cao Cao… he personally helped Ma Teng to his feet.
"If I suspected you, you would not be met with a banquet, but with swords and blades!"
"The dream at night is merely a fabrication, not something to be spoken of to outsiders. However… this 'three horses eating from the same trough' always appears in my dreams, becoming my nightmare. Brother Shoucheng… to be honest, I have suspected you in the past. But ever since you decided to come to Luoyang, I have no longer harbored any suspicion towards you, nor towards your Fu Feng Ma clan! Two of your Xiliang horses are already in Luoyang. How could they be detrimental to me! Even if there are three horses eating from the same trough, these horses will definitely not be from Yongliang!"
Hoo…
As Cao Cao uttered these words,
Ma Teng felt as if he had received a general amnesty. Sweat had drenched his back. Today, he had truly experienced being tossed between ice and fire!
However…
As he relaxed from his tense state, Ma Teng suddenly thought of something.
Why had Cao Cao deliberately kept him behind and said all this?
Was it merely to warn him?
If he did not suspect the Ma clan of Xiliang, why would he say such words?
"King of Wei…"
Ma Teng immediately cupped his hands. "I came to Luoyang City in such haste that I did not prepare any gifts for the King of Wei. However, if the King of Wei has any minor ailments that cannot be resolved due to his status or circumstances, I, Ma Teng, am willing to serve you diligently!"
Hmm…
Hearing Ma Teng say this, Cao Cao suddenly realized that this Ma Shoucheng was quite perceptive.
He smiled and said, "I'm drunk, I'm drunk… Why am I talking such nonsense?"
As he spoke, Cao Cao slung his arm around Ma Teng's shoulder. He pressed tightly on Ma Teng's shoulder, his eyes growing hazier and his voice softer as he spoke.
"Three horses eating from the same trough, three horses eating from the same trough… In the entire court… who else has the character 'Ma' in their name? I can't remember… I can't remember!"
As he uttered this last sentence.
With a "thud," Cao Cao actually lay down on the grass by the pool and fell asleep.
"The King of Wei is drunk…" Xu Chu, who was not far away, quickly sent Tiger Guards to carry Cao Cao. Ma Teng, however, narrowed his eyes, silently noting Cao Cao's words.
—"In the entire court… someone with 'Ma' in their name? Who… who could it be?"
Ma Teng murmured…
His mind raced with possibilities!
Meanwhile, the Tiger Guards had already taken Cao Cao away, their movements hurried!
The dark night was like a thick inkstone. Faint moonlight filtered through the window cracks, scattering onto the ground like frost… Cao Cao, having returned to the palace, suddenly opened his eyes.
Xu Chu exclaimed, "Your Majesty… you weren't drunk?"
Before he could finish speaking.
"Hush!" Cao Cao gestured for Xu Chu to remain silent. He then softly asked, "What is Ma Teng doing?"
"He's… he's by the pool, looking at the moon… lost in thought!" Xu Chu replied truthfully.
"Haha!" Cao Cao chuckled lightly, then slowly sat up. He poked a hole in the window paper with his finger and, looking through the hole, saw Ma Teng pondering to himself. He seemed to be in a good mood, muttering, "Lost in thought is good, lost in thought is good!"
This time, in welcoming Ma Teng.
His, Cao Cao's, objective had been completely achieved!
As Ma Teng had said, there were people for whom Cao Cao could not act directly due to personal feelings or status. However… if he could not act, it did not mean Ma Teng could not act.
These horses from Xiliang, if used improperly, would become "three horses eating from the same trough!"
If used well, they would become the sharpest steel knives!
"Tomorrow, give this to him!"
Cao Cao took out an imperial decree from his embrace…
Xu Chu quickly took it.
Cao Cao added, "One of the Nine Ministers, the title of Wei Wei. This will facilitate Brother Shoucheng's actions. Haha! Haha!"
In the darkness, candlelight flickered!
However, Cao Cao's mood was suddenly bright, completely opposite to the dark night…
The next period of time would surely be a bright sunny day!
Murder is best carried out on a bright sunny day!
…
…
A bright moon shone upon the dwelling inscribed with "Full of poetry, character naturally shines" by the banks of the Luo River.
Cai Zhaoji curled up, her abdomen wrapped in a quilt. This talented woman of the world… this leader of the northern scholars, was now filled with a sense of bewilderment and helplessness.
Beside the bed, Xiahou Jun bit her red lips, her slender waist trembling uncontrollably… as if she had just heard something terrifying.
The two women remained in silence under the moonlight, not uttering a word…
Finally…
Finally, Xiahou Jun spoke first.
"Husband, how… how could this happen?"
"What can be done now? Sister Zhaoji is carrying my child, then… then Sister Zhaoji can no longer be a sister, but… but…"
Suddenly, Xiahou Jun thought of something.
According to custom, if an unmarried woman conceived the master's child, then… the master would have to grant her the status of a concubine.
Such things were not uncommon in noble families.
But… this time it was different. The one carrying the child was Sister Zhaoji, who was already the most honored woman in the White Horse Marquis's residence.
One couldn't… one couldn't grant her the status of a concubine, could they?
With a "gulp," Xiahou Jun subconsciously swallowed. She pursed her lips, bowed to Cai Zhaoji, and said, "Sister, I am willing to give up my position as the formal wife to you, and let my husband marry you with proper rites!"
Xiahou Jun's tone was resolute…
It seemed like the only option available.
Cai Zhaoji subconsciously shook her head. "No, no…"
"Are there any other options?" Xiahou Jun retorted… Her large, watery eyes now seemed to gaze into the distance.
Cai Zhaoji continued to shake her head.
—"Let me think, let me think…"
—"I… I want some peace, some peace!"
She indeed wanted peace…
Xiahou Jun was considering one aspect, but Cai Zhaoji was considering another.
According to secular notions…
Even though she had no blood relation with Lu Yu, Lu Yu had been raised in the Cai mansion since childhood. Over the years, Cai Zhaoji and he had addressed each other as siblings… this was known to all in the world!
Once… the sibling relationship transformed, and transformed into the relationship of husband and wife, then… how would the world view her, Cai Zhaoji? How would they view Yu-di?
Gossip would drown the White Horse Marquis's residence!
In the current climate, Yu-di was supposed to guide public opinion. Then… could he withstand the backlash of public opinion?
Cai Zhaoji bit her lip tightly.
People would not accept "incestuous" relationships…
Teachers and students could not be together!
Siblings could not be together!
These were almost universally accepted principles… She… she could not be too selfish and cause Yu-di to face such public condemnation!
The vortex of public opinion would overshadow all of Yu-di's past achievements!
It would drown him.
One must know, Cai Zhaoji's feelings for Lu Yu were transcendent; she wholeheartedly wished him well. She could not bear to see this younger brother, whom she had cared for since childhood, suffer even the slightest harm!
Then?
Then what should she do?
Could she bear this pain alone?
One must realize…
In this era, marriage was taken very seriously. The story of Zhuo Wenjun and Sima Xiangru, in its initial stages, was met with almost one-sided public condemnation!
This eloping couple… bore immense pressure.
And Cai Zhaoji and Lu Yu… once their relationship changed from siblings to husband and wife, then… the pressure they would face would be ten, even a hundred times greater than that of Zhuo Wenjun and Sima Xiangru!
This was an unbearable weight!
Later generations still talked about the beauty of "The Condor Heroes…"
But who could understand the helplessness of Huang Rong, who tried to break up the couple at that time?
…
…