Disclaimer: Thanks, Johnny.

...

Cao Cao gifted Guan Yu with maidens and a seal—for Boma, for slaying Yan Liang and putting his head upon the ground, so that one could pick it up and sell the meat in market. The steeds of Hebei had nothing on the man, as he slashed once, and blood gushed from an empty neck, unstopped. Even those majestic horses, neighing and charging, could only watch him, resplendent in his own right. Because joking is not allowed in the army, because Guan Yu proved a joke a fact, he was then Marquis of Han Shou Ting.

"These are yours," Yao told him, gesturing at the maids. The girls smiled and knelt, giggling and not quite. Guan Yu's eyes flickered, and this was the first time Yao saw him surprised. But he composed himself quickly, stroking his beard—it was so long.

"I have no use for them," he replied at last.

"Mengde insists," Yao replied. Wei, on the other side of the courtyard, shot him a look, as if wondering—was Da Ge favoring him? But Yao did not look at him. He only went on until the next day. Or the day after?—or was it merely that night?—time passed, and he stared blankly, curious with observing the new marquis.

He was, however, the one who led Chi Tu out, Chi Tu who looked more chi than tu. And when Guan Yu saw the chi tu horse, his eyes gleamed, and Yao believed that it was out of joy; Yunchang turned and bowed to Mengde, then to Yao, and Yao felt gratified for the first time in a long time. His eyes smoldered, and Yao saw noted the burn.

Wei blinked.

And the question was asked—"Why do you bow, for this horse, and not the maidens or the title?"

Like the swallow that would exist only centuries later, he replied, "Because, when the time comes, this shall make my ride back to my xiong di all the more faster."

...

PT: I altered the dialogue a bit...from the actual romance...yeah. Even though I gave a forewarning, I still feel bad for not updating in so long.