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

Bao Wan then said, "The lyrics and music are somewhat lacking in artistic conception, but I wonder if it's because there are no instruments, and only Lady Su is playing solo."

“Indeed.” Bao Yi nodded and said, “But we’re not here just to listen to music; we’re here to help Mr. Han and Mrs. Su celebrate the Winter Solstice.”

Han Zhi then leaned close to Su Zhen's ear and whispered, "Eighth Sister, are you also a modern person?"

Su Zhen was very puzzled: "A modern person? I was indeed born in the present Song Dynasty."

Han Zhi blinked and said, "Eighth Sister, Eighth Sister, I'll say a sentence, and you'll finish it."

"Please speak, sir."

"Imperial Jade Liquor—" Han Zhi finished speaking and looked at her expectantly, as if she was about to utter those five familiar words in the next second.

Su Zhen frowned slightly and asked with some doubt, "What Imperial Jade Liquor? What kind of couplet is this... Does my lord wish to drink? Today is the Winter Solstice, and I will naturally allow my lord to drink. There is no need to worry."

"I……"

Han Zhi was speechless for a moment, muttering to himself:

"Could she not be a 'modern person' from the same time and space? Doesn't the story of the Imperial Jade Liquor exist in this world?"

He muttered to himself, but kept a normal expression on his face and said with a smile, "Eighth Sister, you misunderstand. I just suddenly thought of this sentence and wanted to play a matching game with you."

Upon hearing this, Su Zhen smiled gently and said, "I see. Then I'll give it a try. The next line after 'Imperial Jade Liquor' is... 'The common people enjoy a small drink'?"

"The court is to the common people, and fine wine is to a leisurely drink. I wonder what you think, sir?"

Upon hearing this, Han Zhi knew that Su Zhen's answer was quite different from what he had expected, but upon closer examination, it did have a certain charm. He said:

"Eighth Sister's answer is also correct, but this is not the right answer."

Su Zhen tilted his head: "Correct answer? This is a couplet, how can there be a fixed answer? As long as the imagery and format match, isn't that enough? How can there be a fixed correct answer?"

"The correct answer is one that Eighth Sister would never guess," Han Zhi smiled and said, "Imperial Jade Liquor—one hundred and eighty yuan a cup!"

Su Zhen was taken aback for a moment, then burst out laughing, saying, "Alright, alright, my lord, there's no need to tease me like this. Although I don't understand what you mean, it makes me a little happier."

Han Zhi scratched his head and said, "I just suddenly thought of this line and found it quite interesting, so I thought I'd share it with Ba Niang. It seems I was being presumptuous."

Su Zhen smiled and said, "I am happy that you understand, my lord. It's just a pity that there is no wine at the moment, otherwise I would definitely pull you to drink with me and hear what other wonderful words you have to say."

"Then I also have—a big head and a thick neck..." Han Zhi didn't even bother to confirm if she was a modern person anymore, and just wanted to make her happy.

"Big head, thick neck?" Su Zhen stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, and said, "Could this be a fat man?"

Han Zhi shook his head and said, "Big head, thick neck, either a tycoon or a cook."

Su Zhen didn't react at first, but then he laughed and said, "That's really interesting. You've described those wealthy merchants very accurately. Do you have any more, sir?"

"Hmm..." Han Zhi frowned, "It seems there aren't any left..."

Seeing this, Su Zhen gently patted Han Zhi's hand and comforted him, "It's alright, it's alright. It's already extremely rare for you to come up with such ideas. I'm already very satisfied to be able to joke and play with you like this tonight."

Bao Zheng coughed twice and said, "It's almost noon. Have you prepared any food?"

Su Zhen smiled and nodded, stood up, and said, "Of course, my husband has invented a new dish called hot pot."

Upon hearing the word "hot pot," Bao Zheng and the others all showed curiosity. Bao Wan asked, "Hot pot? What is that? I've never heard of it before."

Su Zhen explained with a smile: "This hot pot is made by setting up a charcoal fire in a pot, with a pot of soup in the middle. You can put all kinds of meat, vegetables and other ingredients into it to cook. It's steaming hot, and it's most suitable to eat during the winter solstice. It can warm you up and has a unique flavor."

After sending someone to inform Wang Qian, they went to the main hall, where an exquisite copper hot pot was already set on the table. The charcoal fire in the center was burning brightly, and the broth inside was gently bubbling, emitting an enticing aroma. Su Zhen invited everyone to sit around and then brought out plates of freshly sliced ​​ingredients.

But when Bao Zheng saw Wang Qian, he frowned slightly and asked, "Wang Qian, my wife?"

Wang Qian was taken aback, but upon seeing Bao Zheng, she quickly said, "Prime Minister Bao."

Han Zhi asked in confusion, "Does Master Bao know Madam Wang?"

Bao Zheng ignored Han Zhi and instead asked Wang Qian, "Why is Madam Wang here? Doctor Wang has been searching for you for a long time."

Wang Qian opened her mouth but didn't know what to say. Su Zhen spoke up to defuse the situation, saying, "Master Bao, Madam Wang has a certain temperament, so she ran away and is temporarily staying with me and Master."

"But aren't you afraid that Doctor Wang will come knocking on your door?" Bao Yi asked as well.

Wang Qian said, "I will be returning in a couple of days, please be careful..."

Bao Zheng waved his hand and said, "Alright, alright. Today is the Winter Solstice, and I've heard a little about your situation. Let's pretend we didn't see you today."

Wang Qian was overjoyed and said, "Thank you, Bao Shumi!"

Bao Zheng waved his hand and then asked, "These are all raw foods, but how are we going to eat them?"

Han Zhi smiled and said, "Master Bao, Madam, please watch carefully."

Han Zhi picked up a slice of mutton and put it into the pot. The mutton cooked quickly, and Han Zhi took it out, saying:

"Now it's ready to eat."

Bao Zheng and the others watched Han Zhi's actions with expressions of surprise. Bao Fu couldn't resist reaching out and picking up a piece of vegetable, which was soon cooked. She took a bite, and her eyes lit up immediately.

"This hot pot is absolutely wonderful! The freshness of the vegetables, paired with this steaming hot broth, creates a unique flavor," Bao Wan exclaimed.

Madam Dong also took a bite and nodded in praise: "It is indeed delicious, and this way of eating is novel and interesting, which greatly increases one's appetite."

Wang Qian had tried it before, but had no opinion on it.

Seeing that everyone liked it, Su Zhen smiled and said, "The soup base and dipping sauce for this hot pot can be adjusted according to individual tastes. My husband and I like spicy food, so we specially prepared a spicy dipping sauce. You can all try it."

Han Zhi was taken aback—he hadn't researched the sauce, or rather, he hadn't researched it at all, given the limited ingredients. But Su Zhen had done some research and served it to them.

"Brother Han! Lady Su!"

When Lü Huiqing's voice came, Han Zhi and Su Zhen turned around and saw that Lü Huiqing, Zhang Huaimin and Shen Kuo had all arrived.

"Brother Huiqing, Brother Shen, Brother Huaimin." Han Zhi quickly stood up to welcome them in:

"You've come at the perfect time, let's have lunch together."