Reborn In The Three Kingdoms

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Even Princess Wannian, despite her pregnancy, teased her brother when he visited her in the Sima Clan residence that afternoon after helping Zhao Yin coordinate many things. ”So our Zhao Yun has finally decided to marry? And you’re playing matchmaker now? Big Brother, you’re getting softer with age.”

Lie Fan rolled his eyes. ”If that’s so, perhaps I’ll hand the throne to Muchen tomorrow by abdicating the throne and crowning him as the new Emperor.”

”Don’t you dare Big Brother,” Wannian warned with a smirk. ”He’ll replace the civil court with a martial arts training ground, I’m sure of it.”

They both laughed.

As the day drew on, Zhao Yun returned to his quarters to prepare himself, his armor carefully polished and he chose ceremonial robes to be used during his coming to propose to the Ma Cla residence.

He stood in front of a mirror, adjusting his belt when one of his lieutenants remarked with a grin, ”General Zhao, I never thought the day would come when you’d fear a marriage more than a battlefield.”

Zhao Yun allowed himself a rare smile. ”This battle, my friend, I intend to win with grace.”

Meanwhile, the news spread slowly in the upper circles of Xiapi that Lie Fan was personally helping General Zhao Yun prepare his betrothal gifts.

Rumor had it that the Emperor himself would serve as matchmaker and witness when Zhao Yun went to propose to none other than Ma Yunlu, the sister of General Ma Chao. In a court where marriage often served as a tool of diplomacy, this was a different kind of tale, a union born of admiration, trust, and love.

The whispers became louder in merchant halls and noble courtyards. It was not every day that one of the Empire’s most famed warriors requested an Emperor to stand beside him in a matter of the heart.

Nobles speculated on the political implications. Scholars mused on the poetic symmetry. Soldiers cheered for their general, and handmaidens giggled in corridors. The match seemed fated.

Eventually, the news eventually reached the ears of Ma Chao and his brothers, Ma Xiu and Ma Tie, as well as their cousin, Ma Dai. Ma Chao was reading a military dispatch when Ma Xiu and Ma Tie burst into his chamber, clearly agitated.

”Elder Brother,” Ma Xiu began, ”is it true? Zhao Yun is going to propose to Sister Yunlu? And he’s asked His Majesty to be his matchmaker?”

Ma Chao didn’t even look up from his scroll. ”Yes, I’ve heard.”

”We can’t just let this happen so easily,” Ma Tie added. ”She’s the pearl of our family! We should do something!”

Now Ma Chao did look up, and his gaze was sharp. ”What would you have us do? Storm into the palace and oppose Your Majesty himself? Or embarrass our sister by making a scene when she clearly favors Zhao Yun?!”

Ma Xiu and Ma Tie faltered, their bluster fading under their elder brother’s withering stare.

Ma Chao sighed, rubbing his temples. ”You two have spent too much time training your muscles and not enough sharpening your minds. Think before you speak.”

The rebuke silenced them. Ma Dai, who had been leaning against the doorway with arms crossed, stepped forward with a calm smile.

”I actually support the match,” he said.

All three brothers turned to him, eyebrows raised.

Ma Dai puts out three fingers and puts them down while talking. ”Let me give you three reasons. First, Zhao Yun’s strength and reputation are undeniable. Few in the ranks of his majesty can rival him. He could rank in the top five of His Majesty’s generals. Uncle Ma Teng once said Yunlu should only marry someone who could protect her without ever stifling her fire.”

Ma Xiu opened his mouth to argue, but Ma Dai continued smoothly.

”Second, his character. Have you not seen how he treats her? With patience, respect, and gentleness, qualities none of us possess when dealing with her temper. He treats her with more honor than any of us do.”.

Ma Tie snorted. ”That’s because she’s a demon with us and a saint with him!”

”Exactly,” Ma Dai said wike grinning, ” which brings me to my third point: Yunlu chooses to be gentle with him. She wants this. And when has any of us ever been able to say no to her when she sets her mind on something?”

Ma Xiu and Ma Tie exchanged glances, clearly out of arguments. They muttered their reluctant agreement.

Ma Chao leaned back and sighed. ”It weighs on me too, you know. Seeing our little sister grow up, leave our household... but what kind of brothers would we be if we stood in the way of what makes her happy? Just like what Ma Dai told us, when she comes to ask us herself, do you think any of us will have the heart to refuse her?”

All of them shake their head. There was a long pause before Ma Chao stood.

”Then it’s settled. We start preparing to receive them. Discreetly. Even if we don’t know exactly when they’ll arrive, we must be ready. I want everything to be perfect. Yunlu will not know. It’ll be a surprise.”

Across the estate, servants were called, scrolls were consulted, ceremonial halls inspected, and chefs quietly advised. Tailors double checked Yunlu’s favorite colors, and flower arrangements were designed to complement her spirit, fierce yet refined.

And Ma Yunlu? She remained blissfully unaware. She continued her routines, unaware of the storm, the joyful, well planned storm, that was quietly gathering in her name.

At the same time, back in the palace, Zhao Yun stood beside Lie Fan, his armor polished to a mirror sheen and his eyes focused with rare solemnity. Lie Fan personally oversaw the final touches to the betrothal gifts, boxes filled with silks, jade ornaments, gold coins, and rare herbs from across the land.

”Are you ready, Zilong?” Lie Fan asked with a grin.

Zhao Yun took a deep breath. ”More than I’ve ever been, Your Majesty.”

And so, the procession prepared to move. An Emperor as witness. A hero as a suitor. And a sister whose destiny was about to unfold before her very eyes.

When the procession passed through the streets of Xiapi, the citizens quickly became aware of something extraordinary. At the front rode the Emperor himself, flanked by his most trusted guards and dressed not in the robes of state, but in ceremonial travel attire, regal yet approachable. Riding beside him, wearing polished ceremonial armor with his hair bound in a warrior’s knot, was the famed General Zhao Yun.

Gasps and murmurs spread like wildfire through the crowd. People flooded the streets, kneeling out of respect and reverence. Cries rang out:

”Long live His Majesty!”

”May the heavens bless the Emperor!”

”Glory to General Zhao!”

Children climbed onto their parents’ shoulders, vendors paused their trade, and flower petals rained from balconies as the procession made its way toward the Ma Clan residence.

Lie Fan, ever composed, smiled and waved. He was pleased to see the joy on his people’s faces, and more than that, he was proud. Proud of what his Empire was becoming, a place where strength and honor were rewarded, and love was not an afterthought.

Zhao Yun, though less accustomed to the attention, bore it with dignity. His eyes were forward, but his thoughts were clear. This was not a military campaign, but it felt just as crucial.

When they arrived at the grand gates of the Ma Clan residence, Lie Fan was not surprised to find Ma Chao and his brothers already waiting. Clad in formal attire, Ma Chao stood alongside Ma Tie, Ma Xiu, and Ma Dai. All four men bowed deeply as Lie Fan dismounted.

”Your Majesty,” Ma Chao began, his voice respectful, ”what honor brings the Son of Heaven and General Zhao Yun to our humble gates today?”

Lie Fan let out a hearty laugh, dismounting. ”Come now, Mengqi, you know well the reason for our visit. I believe the whole of Xiapi knows by now. Let us not waste breath on ceremony. We have matters of the heart to discuss.”

The brothers exchanged glances, and Ma Chao cracked a small smile. ”Of course, Your Majesty. Please, come inside.”

They led the group into the grand main hall of the Ma Clan’s estate. It was a room of stately elegance, its wooden beams polished to a shine, banners of the Ma family crest adorning the walls. At the center was a table arranged with tea and light refreshments. Servants moved quietly in the background.

Lie Fan took the central seat as was proper, with Zhao Yun seated alone to the right. Ma Chao and his brothers sat on the left, all now wearing composed expressions, though hints of emotion danced in their eyes.

Behind Zhao Yun, several guards entered and laid down the ceremonial chests. Each was finely crafted and bore the seal of the Hengyuan Dynasty. They opened them one by one. Inside was bolts of the finest silk from the southern looms, polished jade pendants, golden hairpins, rare medicinal herbs, spices from the west, and even scrolls of poetry handwritten by the Six himself.

Ma Tie leaned over to Ma Dai, whispering, ”This is more than a marriage proposal. This is a declaration.”

Ma Dai nodded. ”It speaks volumes of his sincerity.”

Zhao Yun rose. He took a deep breath, then knelt formally.

”General Ma Chao, Ma Dai, Ma Xiu, Ma Tie,” he said clearly. ”And the spirit of General Ma Teng, I come today to humbly ask for the hand of your sister, Ma Yunlu, in marriage. I pledge to honor her, protect her, and stand beside her through every trial and joy. This I swear not only as a general of the Empire, but as a man who cherishes her.”

The hall fell silent.

Lie Fan’s voice broke the quiet. ”We, Hongyi, Emperor of the Hengyuan Dynasty, stand as witness to Genwitnessesao Yun’s vow. And I attest that no truer man could ask for such a match.”

Ma Chao stood, looking Zhao Yun in the eye. His voice was solemn.

”Zhao Yun, you are a man of unmatched valor and virtue. Our sister is dear to us, fierce as she is, and we do not give her lightly. But...”

He turned to his brothers, each of whom gave a firm nod.

”...but we have watched how she looks at you. And how you look at her. We have seen your respect, your patience. You did not come to our gates with arrogance, but with reverence. That is all we could ask for.”

Ma Chao walked over, lifting Zhao Yun to his feet.

”If Yunlu accepts, then so do we. Welcome to the family, Zhao Yun.”

A wave of emotion passed through the room. Zhao Yun bowed deeply, moved beyond words.

Then, a sudden voice rang out. ”Accept what, exactly?” All heads turned. There, standing in the doorway, dressed in a dark green silk dress and her hair pinned high with only a single jade comb, it was Ma Yunlu. Her eyes scanned the room, then landed on Zhao Yun.

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Founding Emperor Of Hengyuan Dynasty

Age: 34 (201 AD)

Level: 16

Next Level: 462,000

Renown: 2325

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)

SP: 1,121,700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 966 (+20)

VIT: 623 (+20)

AGI: 623 (+10)

INT: 667

CHR: 98

WIS: 549

WILL: 432

ATR Points: 0