Through his halting communication with Evil Han, Ma Chao gradually learned some things about him.
"Uh, my name is Dian Wei, and I don't have a courtesy name. I'm probably 27 this year," Evil Han said, scratching his head, a little embarrassed. Ma Chao looked at Dian Wei and softly asked, "Brother Dian Wei, why have you ended up here?"
Dian Wei scratched his head, gave a simple, honest laugh, and then slowly said, "I am originally from Jiwu in Chenliu. I have a good friend in my hometown, and we are very close. One day, that friend was bullied, and when I found out, I was furious. I rushed forward to reason with the person. Who knew that person was unreasonable, and I accidentally killed him."
He sighed and continued, "That person had a powerful background, and I knew it would be difficult to stay in the area. To escape the revenge of his family, I had no choice but to leave my hometown and wander. I was 17 when I left home and have been wandering for about ten years."
Ma Chao nodded, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. "Brother Dian Wei, you bravely acted for a friend; you are a person of true character. But this journey of wandering must have been full of hardships, right?"
Dian Wei patted his chest and loudly said, "I am not afraid of hardship! I just feel ashamed towards my parents at home, unable to fulfill my filial duties by their side."
Ma Chao comforted him, "Brother Dian Wei, there's no need to blame yourself too much. A man's ambition is to travel far and wide, and I believe your parents will understand your difficulties. Our meeting now is fate. If you don't mind, are you willing to wander the jianghu with me?"
A hint of surprise flashed in Dian Wei's eyes, then he said with some hesitation, "As long as you provide enough food, I'll follow you, but I eat a lot."
Ma Chao laughed heartily, "Brother Dian Wei, if you eat a lot, your strength is also great. Even if you didn't have such high martial arts, our family wouldn't lack a meal for you."
Dian Wei was touched by this and nodded vigorously. "Good! I'll go with you! I will do my best and never hold you back!"
After this interlude, the sky's color gradually deepened, and the sun set in the west, signaling the impending nightfall. The cold wind of winter was like an eager Urger, constantly blowing against everyone's bodies, reminding them that it was time to return to the city.
The cold wind howled, carrying a chill that penetrated people's clothing, making them shiver uncontrollably. No one was in a hurry to leave; they had agreed to meet again at Lu Zhi's house tomorrow.
After making this agreement, everyone turned and followed their respective groups back to the city.
At this moment, with night falling and the curfew in effect, everyone hurried back. However, at this time of year, those who still had the leisure to go out and "Treading Snow" for plum blossoms were undoubtedly people of wealth and status.
They strolled leisurely on the snow, admiring the beauty of the winter plums defying the frost, as if forgetting the noise and troubles of the outside world.
When they each revealed their identities, the soldiers enforcing the curfew did not make things difficult for them. After all, their status and position granted them a certain special treatment.
The gestures of the wealthy revealed a sense of composure and confidence. They did not need to worry about the restrictions and inconveniences brought by the curfew; instead, they regarded it as a unique experience.
In this silent snowy night, their presence seemed to add a different kind of color to the entire city.
Perhaps it was the resilience and nobility of the defiant winter plum that complemented their temperament; or perhaps it was the cold night wind that could not stop their pursuit of a beautiful life.
This small scene reflected the social hierarchy and the differences between different classes.
The butler held a lantern, standing quietly at the entrance, tiptoeing and craning his neck, his face filled with anxiety and anticipation. When his gaze caught sight of Ma Chao and the carriage procession, a joyful smile instantly bloomed on his face, and he hurriedly turned and ran into the mansion to inform Lu Zhi and his wife in the main hall.
Upon hearing the news, Lu Zhi secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but he quickly regained his stern expression, putting on the air of a strict father, and sternly demanded that Lu Wan and Ma Chao come to see him immediately upon their return.
At this moment, Lu Zhi was both relieved by Ma Chao's safe return and hoped to use the image of a strict father to make his children understand the importance of rules.
Ma Chao and Lu Wan hurried back to the mansion. Ma Chao's brows furrowed slightly, and his eyes revealed a hint of alertness; he keenly sensed the solemn atmosphere within the mansion. Lu Wan, on the other hand, appeared relatively calm, her eyes firm and confident.
After the butler conveyed Lu Zhi's message, Ma Chao's expression seemed somewhat worried. He looked at Lu Wan and softly said, "Master is waiting in the main hall. We came back late, so Master is probably going to be angry." His voice carried a hint of unease.
Lu Wan cunningly comforted him, "Don't worry, Junior Brother. Leave everything to me."
Ma Chao nodded slightly, the worry on his face not completely dissipating.
Lu Wan gently patted Ma Chao's shoulder, giving him an encouraging smile, then she held her head high and walked towards the main hall, her steps firm and steady, as if she already had a plan to deal with the situation.
Ma Chao followed behind Lu Wan, his gaze always fixed on Lu Wan's back, a feeling of guilt and unease always in his heart.
Okay, here's the enriched content with the dialogue of Lu Zhi and the others inserted:
The two entered the main hall, and as soon as they stepped in, they felt the solemn atmosphere from Lu Zhi. Lu Zhi's face was stern, and he reprimanded them in a severe voice, "Lu Wan, you are simply being ridiculous! To go out and play on such a snowy day. And you, Ma Chao, so inconsiderate, coming back so late!"
Upon hearing his father's reprimand, Ma Chao's body involuntarily trembled slightly, his hands clenched into fists, appearing ill at ease. He lowered his head and whispered, "Master, I'm sorry, I..."
However, Lu Wan was not intimidated by her father's scolding. She still said with a bright smile, "Father, don't be angry! The snowy scenery on this snowy day is so beautiful, it would be such a pity to miss it!" Her words carried a hint of playfulness.
Lu Zhi's wife also chimed in from the side, "Oh, it's nothing big for the children to go out and play. Why be so angry?"
Lu Zhi's expression was at times stern, at times helpless. He sighed and said, "Do you know how worried I was about you? Coming back so late, what if something happened?"
Lu Wan quickly walked to Lu Zhi's side, tugging his arm and coaxing, "Father, we know we were wrong, and we'll pay attention to the time in the future. Please don't be angry! Look how scared you've made Junior Brother."
Ma Chao also looked up and said earnestly, "Master, I will be more careful, please forgive me."
Lu Zhi's image as a strict father didn't last long before it was broken.
Lu Wan enthusiastically recounted the wonderful sights and sounds of the day, her tone filled with excitement and thrill.
She described in detail the encounter with Sun Ce and his group, as if the scene was replaying before their eyes. Lu Zhi and his wife listened attentively, a hint of surprise flashing in Lu Zhi's eyes, while his wife's face showed curiosity.
When Lu Wan vividly described the lively scene where everyone played the zither and composed poems, creating paintings, with the scent of ink and the sound of the zither intertwined, intoxicating everyone, Lu Zhi nodded slightly, seemingly appreciating such elegant affairs, and his wife's face showed an admiring smile.
She vividly depicted the scene of "If the music is off, Zhou Lang looks over," and Lu Zhi and his wife's eyes brightened, as if they too could feel Zhou Lang's elegance and talent.
And upon hearing the tense and thrilling part of "Personally shooting a tiger, seeing Sun Lang," Lu Zhi frowned, revealing a worried expression, while his wife couldn't help but clench her hands.
Lu Wan then mentioned the fierce fight between Sun Ce and Dian Wei. Lu Zhi's expression became serious, while his wife's face was filled with tension.
When she spoke of Ma Chao's heroic performance and the humorous way he subdued Dian Wei, Lu Zhi's face showed a relieved smile, and his wife couldn't help but let out a joyful laugh.
Lu Zhi and his wife listened intently, as if they were also immersed in that interesting scene.
Upon learning that those few people would be coming to the mansion tomorrow, Lu Zhi's face couldn't help but show a look of keen interest, clearly stating that he was quite interested in this and decided to personally meet these few people tomorrow.
As it was too late at the moment, to avoid delaying subsequent arrangements, Lu Zhi sent Ma Chao down to properly settle Dian Wei and Pang De. Furthermore, Lu Zhi also instructed that he wanted to meet this brave warrior who had chased a tiger across a ravine first thing in the morning the next day.