In the back hall, Lu Wan broke down crying, and Ma Chao gently comforted her. After Lu Wan's emotions gradually calmed down, Ma Chao softly consoled her, "Don't be sad, Wan'er. I'm just going back for a trip. Once everything in Western Liang is stable, I'll come back to continue my studies with Master."
However, Lu Wan knew the seriousness of the matter. She looked up, her eyes full of worry and reluctance, and said, "We are both fourteen this year. This departure won't be a matter of two or three days. Perhaps this separation will last for several years before we can meet again, and by then, who knows what the situation will be like." Lu Wan's words were filled with confusion and worry about the future.
Ma Chao felt a pang of sadness upon hearing Lu Wan's words. He tightly held Lu Wan's hand and said, "Wan'er, I understand your worries. But I must go back and face all of this. For my family, for Western Liang, I cannot shrink back. I promise you, no matter how many storms we face, I will come back for you."
Lu Wan tightly clutched Ma Chao's hand, and tears streamed down her face again. She choked out, "Xiao Shidi, do you know how important you are to me? Without you by my side, I feel like the whole world has lost its color. Every day without your company will be difficult for me."
As she spoke, Lu Wan suddenly cut off a lock of hair from her head. Ma Chao looked at her in surprise, not understanding why she was doing this. Lu Wan handed the lock of hair to Ma Chao and said, "Xiao Shidi, take this. This hair is extremely important to a girl, and it represents my heart. You must keep it safe."
Ma Chao took the lock of hair, his heart filled with emotion. He knew what this lock of hair meant to Lu Wan and felt her deep love for him. He said, "Wan'er, I will keep it safe. Don't worry, I won't disappoint you."
Lu Wan looked up, her eyes misty with tears, at Ma Chao and said, "I believe you, Xiao Shidi. But I'm really scared, scared that this separation will be forever, scared that we can never go back to how things were before. The time we spent together is my most precious memory. I really don't want to lose you."
Ma Chao gently wiped away Lu Wan's tears and said, "No, Wan'er. Our feelings are as solid as a rock. No matter how time flows, they will not change. You must believe that we will reunite again. When I come back, we will never be separated again."
Hearing Ma Chao's words, Lu Wan's emotions stabilized a little. She leaned into Ma Chao's embrace, recalling every little detail of their time together. The days they spent studying and playing together seemed to be right before her eyes. Lu Wan said, "Xiao Shidi, do you remember the first time we met? You were so handsome then, I even thought you were some frivolous playboy from a rich family."
Ma Chao also chuckled and said, "Of course I remember. You always used to bully me back then."
Lu Wan said, "But later I found out that you are actually a very kind and talented person. From then on, I fell in love with you."
Ma Chao's heart was filled with warmth upon hearing Lu Wan's words. He said, "Wan'er, and how could I not? From the moment I saw you, I was attracted by your beauty and innocence. You are the most important person in my life."
The two embraced and wept, their feelings completely revealed at this moment, each understanding the other's importance in their heart. They knew that this separation might be full of hardships and challenges, but they also firmly believed that their feelings could withstand the test of time.
Lu Yu, the Xiao Shixiong, watched them from the side, his heart also filled with emotion. Lu Yu didn't quite understand the challenges Ma Chao was about to face, only regretting, "I really hope you two don't separate, you two look so good together."
The Xiao Shixiong pretended to be profound and patted Ma Chao's shoulder, saying, "Shidi, go back with peace of mind. We will take care of Wan'er here. You must return safely."
Lu Wan immediately burst into laughter through her tears, chiding, "Lu Yu, get lost, you little brat! It's one thing to make fun of me, but you even want to take advantage of me!"
Finally, Ma Chao and Lu Wan talked for a long time, until the sky gradually darkened. They knew that separation was inevitable, but their feelings would never change.
After Ma Chao left, Lu Wan stood at the back hall entrance, gazing in the direction he had left, reluctant to leave for a long time. She knew that from this moment on, her life would undergo a huge change. But she also believed that no matter what she encountered in the future, her feelings with Ma Chao would be as solid as a rock, never to be eroded by time and distance. And that lock of hair also became a precious token between her and Ma Chao, witnessing their love.
The next day, Ma Chao had all matters prepared. Immediately after, he went to Cai Yong's mansion to bid farewell to Cai Yong and Cai Wenji. Cai Yong clearly knew that Ma Chao was from Western Liang and that his main purpose this time was to rescue the trapped Ma Teng, so Ma Chao was bound to return. Therefore, he did not try to stop him.
Looking at the departing Ma Chao, Cai Yong said to him with great concern, "Ma Chao, you must continue to strive and work hard on this journey, and never forget to learn. You must always remember that you should prioritize the common people and try to minimize bloodshed." Ma Chao listened to Cai Yong's earnest advice, and a wave of warmth and emotion surged within him. He solemnly nodded and said, "Cai Shi, rest assured, I will engrave your teachings in my heart."
Cai Wenji knew Ma Chao was about to leave, and her heart was filled with mixed emotions. She had always secretly liked Ma Chao, but because of Lu Wan's close relationship with Ma Chao, she could only bury these feelings deep in her heart. Moreover, she learned from her father that she had been betrothed to Wei Zhongdao of the Hedong Wei Clan years ago, which made her feel even more helpless and sad. On one hand, there was self-pity for her pre-arranged marriage, on the other, admiration for Ma Chao, and also worry about the dangers Ma Chao would face upon his return. These complex emotions intertwined in her heart.
Cai Wenji held back her tears, looked at Ma Chao, and softly said, "Chao Ge, you must be very careful on this trip. I will silently pray for you here."
Ma Chao looked at Cai Wenji, his eyes also showing reluctance, and said, "Cai Wenji Meimei, you must also take care. I will definitely come back."
Cai Wenji lowered her head slightly, her hands tightly clutching a sachet. She mustered her courage and handed the sachet to Ma Chao, saying, "This is a sachet I embroidered myself. I'm giving it to you, hoping it brings you good luck."
Ma Chao took the sachet, feeling Cai Wenji's sincerity. His heart was touched, and he said, "Thank you, Cai Wenji Meimei."
Cai Wenji bit her lip and then said, "Father said I was betrothed to Wei Zhongdao of the Hedong Wei Clan years ago, but I... I just hope you'll be well."
Ma Chao felt a pang of sadness and said, "Cai Wenji Meimei, I understand your feelings. Don't worry."
Ma Chao deeply felt Cai Wenji's genuine affection. He slowly took off the jade pendant from the sash of his brocade robe and handed it to Cai Wenji, saying, "Cai Wenji Meimei, this is the jade pendant my mother personally put on me before I left for my studies. I want to leave it with you as a memento. In the future, if you have any dissatisfaction with your marriage to the Hedong Wei Clan, or if you are unhappy after marriage, just bring this jade pendant to me. No matter the difficulties, I, Ma Chao, will certainly stand up for you."
Cai Wenji looked up at Ma Chao, her eyes full of concern, and said, "Chao Ge, you must take good care of yourself and don't make me worry."
After Cai Wenji finished speaking, she turned and left, tears finally streaming down her face. Cai Wenji tightly clutched the jade pendant, her heart churning like a stormy sea. She felt Ma Chao's deep affection and care, her heart filled with emotion and warmth, mixed with confusion and worry about the future. She knew that this jade pendant carried Ma Chao's promise to her and gave her a glimmer of hope for the future, but she was also afraid that this was just a beautiful fantasy, afraid that she and Ma Chao would ultimately not be able to be together. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she secretly resolved that no matter what difficulties she encountered in the future, she would cherish this friendship.
Ma Chao looked at her retreating figure, his heart filled with complex emotions.
Ma Chao gently placed a lock of Lu Wan's beautiful hair into the sachet Cai Wenji gave him, then carefully placed it close to his chest, as if this way, Lu Wan and Cai Wenji could always be by his side.
Ma Chao stood quietly for a while, collecting his scattered thoughts. Then, together with Pang De, he resolutely embarked on the journey back to Western Liang, his figure gradually fading into the distance.
Upon returning to his hometown this time, Ma Chao was no longer the naive young man who had simply sought knowledge. He was about to transform into a decisive young general with great power, renowned throughout Western Liang! His path ahead was full of challenges and opportunities, and he would face everything with a new attitude, writing his own legend.