Mythical Three Kingdoms

As Ma Chao said, the Cao Family has also been seeking Ma Yunlu recently. Ever since Ma Chao successfully secured the position of King of Qiang, the Ma Clan has leaped from a moderate force to a power capable of influencing the situation, making Cao Cao even more proactive in wooing Ma Teng.

Given the circumstances, forcibly annexing Ma Teng’s power is no longer an option, so other methods must be chosen. If coercion doesn’t work, then persuasion must be used. This has been the way since ancient times.

Coincidentally, Cao Cao has an unmarried son of the right age, Cao Ang, and Ma Teng also has a daughter of suitable age who is not yet married. Therefore, Cao Cao quickly decided to have Cao Ang marry Ma Yunlu.

Cao Cao’s plan is quite reasonable. After all, bringing Ma Yunlu over as the Clan Wife of the Cao Family is a significant gesture, giving the Ma Clan ample respect. However, whether the Ma Clan would accept it is another matter.

Therefore, Cao Cao did not directly discuss this with Ma Teng. Cao Ang himself is adept at leveraging situations and knows how to strengthen his position. The alliance marriage between the Cao and Ma families is highly beneficial to Cao Cao, so Cao Ang plans to approach Ma Yunlu.

This is indeed a strong point of Cao Ang. Although he is leveraging the situation, he doesn’t resort to lowly tactics. Since political marriage doesn’t allow for choosing one’s partner, why not embrace the circumstance and avoid a lifetime of misery, opting instead to accept one another?

Cao Ang even goes a step further. He plans to approach Ma Yunlu early on to nurture shared topics and interests, hoping to develop goodwill and become friends. Yes, not necessarily something more, just becoming friends. By that time, marrying would be much simpler.

In this way, the political traces of the marriage would be concealed, and with a solid emotional foundation, many things would become simpler, and the relationship would be more stable. As for love, two possibilities exist: it could either blossom after marriage or never appear at all.

No matter which happens, it is far better than a forced marriage. Having that initial relationship makes it much easier when acceptance comes from both sides, as being friends is more favorable than being strangers.

Cao Ang’s choice was indeed correct, and as he predicted, he soon became acquainted with Ma Yunlu and found common interests and topics, specifically in military strategy, which both could discuss together.

One might say that if Ma Yunlu hadn’t met Zhao Yun first, with Cao Ang’s tailored efforts and indifference to her directing opinions on military strategy, he might have soon successfully won Ma Yunlu’s trust.

However, hypotheticals aside, Ma Yunlu met Zhao Yun first and Cao Ang later, so Cao Ang’s efforts could only result in mild goodwill, rendering any further progress impossible.

More importantly, as her brother-in-law, Ma Chao wasn’t particularly fond of a brother-in-law who was so scholarly. He didn’t expect any brother-in-law to be as battle-ready as him, but at least he should be able to best his sister in combat. However, Cao Ang couldn’t defeat Ma Yunlu...

Ma Chao didn’t really consider how few people could best Ma Yunlu given her strength. At the peak of Qi Refining to Gang, Ma Yunlu was among the strongest women of her generation, and in the Central Plains, probably only those with Inner Qi Manifestation could certainly defeat her.

Ma Chao never pondered this point. His basic requirement for a brother-in-law had always been the ability to beat his sister, the challenge level being the ability to beat him, and the ultimate level being the ability to defeat his entire family single-handedly.

Regarding appearance, Ma Chao considered that even if the brother-in-law didn’t have to be more handsome than him, he should at least not look unsightly over time, a standard that eliminated ninety-nine percent of the world’s population.

Until one day, Ma Chao met Lyu Bu, a middle-aged, handsome man with extraordinary combat skills, capable of defeating the entire Ma family in battle; however, he was an enemy with a wife.

Then one day, Ma Chao met Zhao Yun, who was as handsome as he was, almost as capable in combat as Lyu Bu, and possibly still unbeatable by the whole Ma family, more importantly, a single and virtuous nobleman.

As someone who draws a military general’s stipend, thinks with the mind of a commander-in-chief, works as a civilian official, acts as an advising minister, and is exceptionally handsome, morally impeccable, almost perfect, Ma Chao felt this gentleman suited to be his brother-in-law!

So when Pang De informed Ma Chao that Ma Yunlu seemed to have feelings for Zhao Yun, coupled with Ma Yunlu’s occasional disinterest in food and the slight demeanor of a timid girl upon returning home, Ma Chao was just short of fully endorsing it with both hands and feet.

This truly was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Ma Chao was not a sister complex; although he cherished his sister dearly, he wished for her to have a good family. Therefore, upon discovering the faint signs of Cao Ang, his intellect suddenly sharpened.

However, Ma Chao worried; what if it was all just his sister’s fantasy? He had met Zhao Yun and found him nearly perfect in interactions, treating everyone kindly. What if his sister mistakenly perceived Zhao Yun’s universal kindness as uniquely directed at her? That would be a tragedy.

To put it simply, Ma Chao feared a case of a devoted maiden, with no reciprocation from the hero, leading to a potential tragedy. Therefore, when Cao Ang showed signs of developing interest, Ma Chao chose to hold his ground.

Then today, Guan Yu came to propose on behalf of Zhao Yun. Oh my, isn’t this mutual affection resolving everything? What about the possible obstruction from their father? This can’t be allowed. Didn’t you say the daughter’s marriage is not to be interfered with? How could you obstruct it!

Better to dismantle ten temples than a single marriage. Ma Chao immediately decided to send his sister away. As for his father wanting to deal with him afterwards, well, he’d just leave. Worst case, he’d not stick around, and in any case, Ma Chao believed he could become a king among the Hundred Qiang, so what was there to fear!

Ma Chao decisively sent his sister away. Since Zhao Yun liked his sister and vice versa, it was perfect, and there was no need to worry once she was sent over. Guan Yu was reliable, so what was there to fear?

Ma Yunlu rode Lifeisha directly out of the Ma Clan’s back courtyard. After soaring out of Chang’an, she changed her attire and sneaked into a post station. Fortunately, Guan Yu had once visited the Ma Clan with his trusted aide, so he recognized Ma Yunlu, avoiding any misunderstandings.

”This is bad, this is bad, Father, Sister has run away!” Ma Chao yelled frantically as he rushed from the wall of the main hall, smashing through several walls and leaving human-shaped holes, revealing Ma Chao’s panic.

At this moment, Ma Teng was exceedingly embarrassed; whether it was his family’s most outstanding son behaving so bizarrely, or the runaway of his brightest daughter, it all left Ma Teng mortified. How did the Ma Clan end up like this suddenly? Ma Teng felt deeply disappointed in his own upbringing.

”Quickly send people to find her!” Ma Teng took a deep breath, his face contorted, and spoke to Ma Chao. Then, trying to appear calm, he forced a hideous smile, ”Let General Guan amuse himself with a laugh.” (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)