Mythical Three Kingdoms

Guan Yu felt the Xiahou family was insurmountable. The three letters and six etiquettes were all indispensable. If his sworn brother wanted to marry Xiahou Juan, following the procedures would take until autumn.

Yet, while the Xiahou family may be challenging, other families could be easier to deal with. Zhang Fei was a brother, and Zhao Yun was a brother too, so let’s deal with Zhao Yun’s marriage to Ma Yunlu first.

Unlike the big family of the Xiahou clan, the Ma clan, although once very prosperous, had fallen into decline, and having long dwelt among the Miscellaneous Hun, their Han customs had absorbed much Hun influence.

Of course, Hun customs aren’t entirely bad; being straightforward and easy-going can make any conversation smooth without any deceitful tricks.

Therefore, in Guan Yu’s view, settling things with the Ma family was still easy. Besides, Zhao Yun’s image is clearly an advantage compared to Zhang Fei. His looks outshine Zhang Fei by miles, not to mention Zhao Yun occasionally wearing a Confucian robe like a scholar.

Guan Yu rode to the Ma family. During this period, he had become familiar with them. Although Ma Teng knew he should not have too much contact with Guan Yu, he was grateful that Guan Yu had revived Ma Chao, so he did not specifically instruct the doormen to bar Guan Yu’s entry.

”Welcome, General Guan,” the doorman said immediately upon seeing Guan Yu, opening the main door to welcome him in. However, unlike before, even the doorman noticed that Guan Yu was wearing travel attire this time.

Guan Yu entered the main hall but had not yet sat down when Ma Teng came out with Ma Chao and Pang De to greet him, ”General Guan, this traveling attire...”

”I am leaving Chang’an today and wish to ask you a favor before I go.” Guan Yu rarely flashed a smile. The Ma family couldn’t be given too much time to think; the whole family was impetuous, and given time, they might regret it.

”Speak frankly, General Guan; as long as it doesn’t involve official business, the Ma family will naturally agree,” Ma Teng said with a smile. Ma Teng had some private friendship with Liu Bei when he was in Ye City, and then there was the favor of Guan Yu reviving Ma Chao, so he naturally wished to deepen their friendship further.

”It’s not about official business,” Guan Yu slowly shook his head and said.

”Then you may speak freely. The Ma family owes Lord Xuande and Yunchang a great favor, whatever we have is yours,” Ma Teng said with a smile, thinking that whatever they had, Liu Bei also had, and with Guan Yu’s character, he wouldn’t covet others’ loves, so the request would most likely involve supporting the emperor.

A gleam flashed in Guan Yu’s eyes, ”How does General Ma view Zhao Zilong, General Zhao?”

Ma Teng was stunned, thinking, why did the topic suddenly shift, but he answered truthfully, ”A talented man in both civil and military matters, graceful and outstanding, truly a rare hero in the world.”

”Then would the general be willing to allow Miss Ma to marry Zilong?” Guan Yu suddenly asked, and it was already hard enough for Guan Yu to say so much.

”Of course...” Ma Teng replied without thinking, then quickly stopped halfway, ”Ahem, my daughter, General Guan, you don’t know, she’s willful and likes equestrianism, swords, and spears, much like a man. How could she befit General Zhao?”

Ma Teng naturally didn’t want to marry Ma Yunlu to Zhao Yun. She was his only daughter, while he had several sons and nephews, so with just one daughter, he naturally cherished her like a precious pearl. As good as Zhao Yun was, Ma Teng didn’t feel this was a good match.

Pang De scratched his head beside him. The letter Zhao Yun sent back then didn’t reach Ma Teng’s hands because they were on separate paths. Instead, it was delivered to the Ma family in Chang’an.

Afterward, Ma Teng hurriedly went to Bingzhou to attack the Xianbei, so he hadn’t had a chance to see that letter. Moreover, Ma Yunlu had returned to Chang’an beforehand.

In fact, Ma Teng did not know Ma Yunlu had run away from home. As for the household servants and maids, who dared mention this to Ma Teng, risking offending both Ma Teng and Ma Yunlu?

Guan Yu squinted slightly, ”The general may not know, but Miss Ma and General Zhao have traveled together to Mount Tai and have already developed feelings for each other; otherwise, I wouldn’t have come to propose.”

”Ah!” Ma Teng was taken aback, looking at Guan Yu, unsure of what to say.

”Find Yunlu for me!” After Ma Teng’s moment of shock, the room fell silent. A few breaths later, Ma Teng roared at Ma Chao, for Guan Yu was not the kind to lie with eyes wide open.

Ma Chao turned and ran. Although Ma Teng did not know about this, Ma Chao did, and he didn’t see anything wrong with Ma Yunlu marrying Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun was handsome, overwhelmingly strong, and of outstanding character. Such a brother-in-law was rare to come by!

Ma Chao ran to his family’s inner courtyard and pushed open the door to his sister’s yard, only to find Ma Yunlu not practicing martial arts but pondering over something with a frown.

”Yunlu, it’s bad, you better run, you’ve been found out.” Ma Chao rushed over and whispered to Ma Yunlu.

”Huh?” Ma Yunlu looked at her brother in confusion, ”Big Brother, what are you talking about? I don’t understand a word!”

”Your affair with your brother-in-law has been discovered, Father might confine you, so hurry and leave.” Saying this, Ma Chao reached to his waist, took out a pouch of golden pearls, and handed it to Ma Yunlu.

”What brother-in-law? What are you talking about!” Ma Yunlu looked shyly at Ma Chao, making Ma Chao pause. Before, Ma Yunlu would have long thrust her spear at her brother; now she even knew how to be shy.

”Just look at your face and you’ll know.” With that, Ma Chao pulled out a circular mirror Liu Bei had given him in Ye City from another pocket and opened it to reflect Ma Yunlu’s bashful expression.

”Quick, run. I’ll hold Father off, or you may never see your brother-in-law again. Lifeisha is in the backyard; ride it, it knows you. Ride to the post station. That guy will protect you and return on its own. Remember to leave with General Guan.” Ma Chao handed the golden pearls and mirror to Ma Yunlu, then pushed her out.

Ma Chao wasn’t blind and naturally understood Ma Yunlu’s feelings for Zhao Yun. Besides, he didn’t see anything wrong with marrying Zhao Yun, but seeing his father’s attitude, he might try to break up the engagement. For his sister’s happiness, Ma Chao, as the elder brother, decided to lend a helping hand to his brother-in-law.

Ma Yunlu was slightly in a daze after Ma Chao helped her onto Lifeisha but snapped out of it after hearing, ”My dear sister, it seems our father doesn’t want you to marry Zhao Zilong. Haven’t you noticed how often Cao Zixiu has been visiting lately?”

”I don’t want Cao Zixiu!” Ma Yunlu exclaimed, finally restoring her heroic demeanor of not letting others overshadow her.

”I don’t want Cao Zixiu as my brother-in-law either. Despite both having a ’Zi’ in their names, a brother-in-law like Zhao Zilong is grander than one like Cao Zixiu. Go on, I’ll keep Father occupied, and later I’ll handle the three letters and six etiquettes for you!” Ma Chao urged anxiously. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)