In the Northern Song Dynasty, he started by marrying the eighth daughter of the Su family.

"Han Jieyuan is back!"

Shouts came from the street, and the servants at the entrance of the Marquis of Fuping's mansion called out, "My lord! My lord!"

"My lord is back! My lord has returned with the highest honor in the imperial examination!"

Marquis Han Zhuo walked out of the mansion with his hands behind his back, and looked out onto the street. A beautiful carriage was driving in his direction.

Beside Han Zhuo were several matchmakers, who also seemed to be waiting for the top scholar.

The carriage stopped in front of the Marquis of Fuping's residence, and a minor official alighted from it.

The young official was dressed in a light blue long robe with a belt around his waist. He had a handsome face, but his eyes held a hint of languor. When people came up to congratulate him, he became slightly more respectful and had someone bring out a red envelope to hand over.

He alighted from the carriage, bowed slightly to Han Zhuo, and greeted him, "My lord."

"bingo?"

"Top scholar in the provincial examination".

Han Zhuo nodded slightly. Upon seeing this, the matchmakers around him stepped forward and flattered him, saying, "Young Master Han is truly a man of great talent and appearance. Not only is he handsome, but he has also become the top scholar in the provincial examination today."

The young official smiled and shook his head, offering no reply. He turned to enter the mansion when he heard Han Zhuo call out, "Zhi'er?"

"Yes." Han Zhi walked back.

"These two matchmakers are here to arrange a marriage for you." Han Zhuo pointed to the two matchmakers beside him and said, "As I said before, since you have become the top scholar in the provincial examination, you can propose to any woman in Meishan."

Han Zhi was originally a master's student studying Chinese language and literature. But one day, while writing an academic paper, he fell asleep at his desk and woke up here.

The time was during the reign of Emperor Renzong of the Northern Song Dynasty, roughly around 1050 AD, and I was 18 years old. Moreover, I lived in Meishan, a famous county known for producing top scholars.

On his first day back, his father, Han Zhuo, made a promise to him: if he could become the top scholar in the provincial examination, he would arrange a marriage for him. This was probably the original owner's idea; Han Zhi was unaware of it and did not object.

According to the original owner's memories, he was originally talented. However, due to a long-standing strained relationship with his father, he always concealed his abilities and never revealed his talents. It was only by chance one day that Han Zhuo saw the lyrics he had written:

"Green Jade Table - Viewing the Flowering Trees"

The spring breeze withers a thousand trees of flowers; though I have achieved fame and success, my heart is still filled with bitterness. Who will remember my name on the imperial examination list? I lie cold in my brocade quilt, the empty window bathed in the cold moonlight; my sorrows have no one to confide in.

Matchmakers flock here like clouds and mist, but a true soulmate is nowhere to be found. Memories of the past drift like a dream, buried in books, youth wasted, a heart filled with sorrow and bitterness.

"My lord, I haven't met a woman I like yet. Would it be alright if we postpone this matter for now? Once I meet someone I like, I will certainly tell you," Han Zhi said.

Han Zhuo glanced at him, nodded, and said, "Then I will do as you say. It would be best to inform your father before going to the capital."

"Yes."

"Zhi'er!"

At this moment, another woman walked out from the main hall. Upon seeing Han Zhi, she approached him with great joy. This was Han Zhi's current birth mother: Han Zhou Shi.

"What's wrong? You're still so unhappy even after passing the provincial examination. Could it be that you haven't met a wife you like?" She asked worriedly when she saw Han Zhi's listless appearance.

"Mother." Han Zhi was still the same as before; upon seeing his mother, he was initially at a loss for words, and then fell silent.

"Look at you," Han Zhoushi said with a smile, patting him lightly. "Don't mind your master, that's just how he is. Aren't you tired?"

"I'm not tired, just a little lacking in energy," Han Zhi smiled slightly and shook his head.

Han Zhoushi nodded and said, "Then I'll prepare a carriage. You can come with me to stroll around the streets and see if there's a lady you like."

"No matter how big the world is, Mom is the biggest," Han Zhi said with a smile, bending down and saying, "Of course, I will follow Mother's orders."

“That’s perfect. The carriage you brought back hasn’t been taken back yet, so we’ll ride in that one.” Madam Han said, pulling Han Zhi out of the room.

......

Han Zhi looked weary, but Han Zhou's face was full of excitement as she watched her son pull back the carriage curtain and gaze at the woman outside. Suddenly, as they approached the vicinity of a mansion gate, his expression changed.

His initial languor had now turned into surprise. Seeing his expression, Han Zhou asked, "Well, have you found someone you like?"

However, Han Zhi did not reply. Instead, he stood up and went outside the car.

"Stop the car!"

The coachman dared not delay and immediately braked. Han Zhi stood on the carriage, looking in a certain direction. Han Zhou's wife, also looking curiously, pulled back the carriage curtain and looked in the same direction as Han Zhi—

"Shi'er! Your master has been looking for you everywhere today. Why did you climb out to play again?"

At that moment, a girl of about fifteen or sixteen years old was standing at the door of her house, grabbing the ear of a slightly younger man.

"Brother, brother! I was wrong, I was wrong!" The man was slightly taller than the woman, but he was being pulled so hard that he grimaced, "No, no...it hurts! It hurts!"

"You still feel pain?" The woman seemed to increase the pressure, and the man's legs were about to give way.

Han Zhi just watched quietly, feeling that the woman looked somewhat familiar:

The woman had fair skin, delicately arched eyebrows, star-like eyes, a straight nose, and naturally red lips. She wore a light pink dress with a white ribbon tied around her waist, which fluttered in the wind.

Her long, glossy black hair cascaded down to her waist, gently brushing her shoulders. Despite her young age, she already possessed a beauty that could topple kingdoms.

"This young lady looks so familiar," Han Zhi murmured to himself. He clearly remembered seeing her in a book, but he just couldn't remember who she was.

"Her? She is indeed a stunning beauty," Han Zhoushi echoed, then nudged Han Zhi and laughed, "What, my son, are you smitten?"

Han Zhi turned his head away somewhat embarrassed, and at that moment, the woman seemed to notice the commotion and looked up.

For a moment, when their eyes met, Han Zhi was momentarily lost in thought. It wasn't until the man beside the woman called out, "Sister, someone's watching you," that he snapped out of it.

"He's nothing but a lecher."

The woman gave a light scolding, then pulled the man into the mansion, leaving Han Zhi standing there, lost in thought.

Han Zhi sat in the carriage, stroking his chin, and began to ponder. His eyes were fixed on the gate of the mansion, even though it was closed.

Han Zhoushi found Han Zhi's appearance somewhat amusing and asked, "Have you taken a liking to him? If so, I will send a matchmaker to propose marriage tomorrow."

Han Zhi then asked, "Who was that lady just now?"

"She seems to be the daughter of the Su family, named Su Zhen. I heard she is the fourth daughter in the family. Not only is she beautiful, but she is also very talented. No other woman on the street can compare to her."

Su Zhen?

Han Zhi frowned at this moment, seemingly having figured something out, and nodded, saying:

"Then let's talk about her family."