Sun Ce and Zhou Yu escorted Qiao Xuan and his party out of Luoyang. After traveling three or four li, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly came from behind. They were delighted and quickly reined in their horses to stop.
Sun Ce and Zhou Yu reined in their horses and looked back, only to see Cao Ang, Yuan Tan, Yuan Xi, and Yuan Yao galloping towards them.
The two were initially delighted, thinking it was Ma Chao and others, but when they realized it was Cao Ang and his group, a slight hint of disappointment flashed across their faces.
Cao Ang and the others arrived, reining in their horses, their faces full of reproach.
Cao Ang was the first to speak, "You guys, leaving without a word, isn't that a bit much?"
Yuan Tan followed, "Exactly! We only found out you were leaving from someone else."
Sun Ce forced a smile and said, "Oh, it happened so suddenly, there wasn't time to inform everyone one by one. I hope you brothers can understand."
Zhou Yu also said, "Yes, we were just thinking of quickly escorting Qiao Gong and the others away."
Yuan Xi continued, "Even so, you shouldn't have done that. After all, we're brothers."
Yuan Yao, on the other hand, smiled from the side and said, "But seeing that you're all well, we're relieved."
Sun Ce and Zhou Yu exchanged glances, feeling a bit reluctant. Sun Ce said, "Actually, we really wanted to say goodbye to everyone, but the situation was truly special."
Zhou Yu also chimed in, "Yes, let's have a good get-together next time we have a chance."
After exchanging a few more words, they reluctantly bid farewell and rode off.
Everyone continued to escort the convoy steadily forward. As they saw the iconic Ten-Li Pavilion in the distance, a melodious song suddenly reached their ears.
Listening closely, the song was precisely "Swallows" from "The Book of Songs, Odes of Bei":
"Swallows flying, their wings uneven. When the young lady marries, she is sent far into the wilderness. Gazing but not reaching, tears fall like rain.
Swallows flying, soaring and descending. When the young lady marries, she is sent far away. Gazing but not reaching, standing and weeping.
Swallows flying, their calls rising and falling. When the young lady marries, she is sent far to the south. Gazing but not reaching, it truly pains my heart.
My sister-in-law is trustworthy, her heart is deep and profound. Always gentle and kind, her conduct is virtuous and discreet. Thinking of my late lord, I urge myself on."
The song was graceful and melodious, echoing in the air, as if narrating the emotions of parting, moving people deeply.
A surge of excitement welled up in Sun Ce, Zhou Yu, and Lu Su's hearts. They could no longer hold back, leaving the convoy behind and galloping like lightning towards the Ten-Li Pavilion. When they arrived at the pavilion, they were pleasantly surprised to find their teacher, Lu Zhi, sitting safely within, while Ma Chao, Pang De, Xun Yu, and even the young master Lu Yu, were respectfully standing by his sides. At the same time, Cai Wenji and Lu Wan were plucking the zither and se, and the beautiful song was being sung by the two of them together.
It turned out that while Sun Ce and Zhou Yu were returning to pack their bags after bidding farewell, Lu Zhi had already led a group of young people to the Ten-Li Pavilion to wait for them.
The three were overjoyed and quickly stepped forward to salute their teacher, then embraced Ma Chao, Pang De, and the others tightly.
The convoy was brought to the front of the pavilion, and Lu Zhi and Qiao Xuan, these two old friends, supported each other. Their faces were filled with emotion as they expressed their feelings of parting, their eyes full of reluctance.
At the same time, Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao also lightly stepped down from the carriage. Lu Wan and Cai Wenji gathered with Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao. Initially, a sense of sad farewell permeated the air, making the atmosphere heavy and oppressive. Seeing this, Lu Wan livened up the atmosphere. She teased Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao, and Lu Wan said laughingly to Cai Wenji, "Wenji, look, we're about to part, but Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao have Sun Ce and Zhou Yu as their escorts. Do you think they're more sad about parting, or secretly happy?" After saying that, she winked at Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao.
Cai Wenji smiled slightly and softly said, "Lu Wan, you just love to tease."
Da Qiao secretly glanced at Sun Ce out of the corner of her eye, while Xiao Qiao playfully nudged Da Qiao, and then both looked at Sun Ce and Zhou Yu, their faces showing a hint of shyness.
Da Qiao said demurely and shyly, "Lu Wan, don't talk nonsense. We're also very reluctant to part with everyone."
Xiao Qiao then went forward and hugged Da Qiao, saying playfully, "Exactly, Lu Wan, look, don't you have Ma Chao yourself? Tell me, aren't you two like that too?"
Lu Wan feigned surprise and said, "Oh dear, Xiao Qiao, don't talk nonsense! Ma Chao and I are very proper!" After saying that, she couldn't help but laugh herself.
At this moment, when Cai Wenji heard Xiao Qiao mention Ma Chao, her gaze unconsciously drifted in Ma Chao's direction, and a subtle, complex expression flashed across her face. She secretly liked Ma Chao, but she didn't want to affect the relationship between Lu Wan and Ma Chao because of herself.
Everyone listened and burst into laughter, and the original sadness of parting gradually dissipated in the laughter.
Ma Chao, Sun Ce, and Zhou Yu stood to the side, their eyes gleaming with determination, passionately discussing their feelings of parting, their grand ideals, and matters of state. Their voices were at times fervent, at times profound, filled with aspirations for the future and reflections on the present.
Ma Chao grandly drew his sword, its blade glinting with cold light, and Sun Ce immediately followed by drawing his sword. Their movements were as fluid as flowing clouds and water, and the swords made a crisp sound as they clashed. Their footsteps were light and powerful, as they moved and leaped within the pavilion, their figures agile, sword shadows flying, like two dancing flashes of lightning.
Zhou Yu and the others, standing to the side, also drew the precious swords from their waists and began to sing while plucking their swords, following the rhythm of Ma Chao and Sun Ce's dance. The song was spirited and heroic, full of ancient charm, precisely the inspiring "No Clothes":
"How can you say you have no clothes? I will share my robes with you. The king raises an army, let us repair our spears and halberds. We share the same enemy!
How can you say you have no clothes? I will share my lower garments with you. The king raises an army, let us repair our spears and halberds. We will fight together!
How can you say you have no clothes? I will share my upper garments with you. The king raises an army, let us repair our armor and weapons. We will march together!"
Their voices echoed in the air, as if they wanted to pierce the clouds. Every note was filled with their emotions, expressing their beliefs and determination.
Around them, the gentle breeze in the pavilion softly blew, lifting their robes and hair. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled light and shadow that danced on their bodies, adding a mysterious and sacred atmosphere. And Cai Wenji stood to the side, silently watching Ma Chao, her eyes filled with deep affection, yet also a hint of worry and reluctance. Her fingers gently plucked the zither strings, intertwining with the others' singing and sword dance, forming a magnificent and moving scene.
Lu Zhi and Qiao Xuan stood to the side, deeply captivated by this vibrant group of young people. They watched Ma Chao and Sun Ce dance with their swords, and listened to Zhou Yu and the others sing while plucking their swords, a look of gratification on their faces.
The conversation between the two old men also took on a hint of heroism and expectation. Although society was currently turbulent and people's lives were difficult, they saw the hope for the future in these young people. They seemed to see these young people bravely fighting on future battlefields, struggling for the peace and tranquility of the nation.
Lu Zhi stroked his beard and said emotionally to Qiao Xuan, "Look, these young people make me believe that this chaotic world will eventually be pacified, and the future is promising!" Qiao Xuan also nodded in agreement, his eyes gleaming, "Yes, they make me see hope. With such a young generation in our country, how can it not prosper!"
Under their gaze, Ma Chao and Sun Ce's sword dance became more fervent, Zhou Yu and the others' singing grew louder, and the entire pavilion was filled with a vigorous power, as if proclaiming to the world that the young generation was ready to meet challenges and strive for a beautiful future.
Finally, Lu Zhi brought out the farewell wine he had prepared, and everyone took a cup and drank it in one gulp. The spiciness of the wine seemed to carry the taste of parting.
Ma Chao, Sun Ce, and Zhou Yu embraced tightly, their eyes filled with determination and reluctance, wishing each other well, their camaraderie appearing incredibly deep at this moment.
Da Qiao, Xiao Qiao, Cai Wenji, and Lu Wan were already in tears. They bid farewell with tears, holding each other's hands tightly, unwilling to let go.
Under everyone's reluctant gaze, Sun Ce and Zhou Yu escorted the convoy as it gradually moved away. The departing convoy seemed to carry away a part of everyone's concerns.
The gentle breeze softly blew, stirring up the dust on the ground, as if adding a touch of melancholy to this scene of parting. And the gradually departing convoy became an indelible memory in everyone's hearts.
This parting, perhaps, truly means not knowing how long it will be until they meet again. In this world full of variables, no one can predict what the future will hold. When they meet again, the world may have already changed dramatically, the situation turbulent, and they themselves may have already become the trailblazers pushing the era forward on their respective paths.
The time they spent together here will become the most precious memories in their hearts. The laughter and heroic aspirations in the pavilion will accompany them, becoming their motivation to keep moving forward in the days to come.
When the years pass and they look back on the past, they will surely remember this scene of parting with a myriad of emotions.