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

During the meal, Han Zhi and Su Zhen displayed their affection normally; Bao Zheng and Madam Dong were somewhat respectful to each other; as for Shen Kuo and Wang Qian, they exchanged glances and gestured to each other which one to eat.

The remaining women, Lü Huiqing and Zhang Huaimin, as well as the still unmarried Bao Fu and Bao Wan, all felt a little sour at this moment.

"Lady Su?" Bao Fu asked at this moment.

Su Zhen asked in confusion, "What's wrong, Madam Bao?"

"Is there something acidic in this dipping sauce? Why does it taste a little sour to me?" she asked.

Su Zhen frowned slightly and said, "How could that be? I didn't put any acid in it."

As she spoke, she dipped a little bit with her chopsticks and tasted it. Then she said definitively, "No acid was added."

Han Zhi coughed twice and chuckled, "Eighth Sister, you misunderstand. Madam Bao wasn't saying the dipping sauce was sour. It's just that we're so affectionate, and they're seeing us like this..."

As he spoke, he gave her a meaningful look, and Su Zhen finally understood.

Then, silence fell over the room.

......

Han Zhi and Su Zhen were standing at the door, seeing off several guests. Even Shen Kuo was about to leave; he was saying goodbye to Wang Qian, and finally departed with reluctance.

Wang Qian stood at the door, holding a silk handkerchief in her hand, and took a deep breath. Su Zhen looked at her and said softly, "Madam Wang, it's cold outside, let's go back inside."

"No, thank you..." Wang Qian shook her head and said, "I have troubled you here for more than four days. After today, I can no longer cause any more trouble for Mr. Han and Mrs. Su."

Han Zhi frowned slightly and said, "But there are still two or three days until the end of the winter solstice. Didn't we agree that you would stay at my house until the end of the winter solstice, and then we would send you back?"

Wang Qian smiled slightly, gave Han a curtsy, and then said, "I must not disturb you any longer. I need to go back and discuss the marriage with my master."

"I made an appointment with Master Shen at Liang Garden yesterday, and I need to return early. Otherwise, where will I be when it comes time for the marriage proposal and matchmaking?"

Han Zhi and Su Zhen exchanged a glance, then decided not to linger any longer and said, "In that case, shall we arrange a carriage to take Lady Wang home?"

"No need," Wang Qian said. "I thank you for your kindness, Madam Su and Lord Han, but I really can't trouble you two any further. I've also learned that my master has been arranging more and more people for me lately."

“I only need to go out and stand there, and someone will come to pick me up. Besides, your carriages will probably be recognized, which will lead to endless misunderstandings and be difficult to explain.”

Su Zhen nodded and said, "In that case, let's agree to Lady Wang's suggestion."

Wang Qian nodded slightly, gave the two a respectful curtsy, and then said, "Farewell." Just as she was about to turn and leave, she suddenly seemed to remember something, turned back again, and bowed respectfully to Han Zhi.

"Today, I must thank Lord Han."

Han Zhi quickly helped her up, saying, "Madam Wang, there's no need for that. We're just staying for a few days; it won't be a problem."

However, Wang Qian said, "What I want to thank is not Lord Han for taking me in."

"what is that?"

Han Zhi was taken aback and asked, "What does Lady Wang mean? Please explain."

“It’s those three poems—'Qing Yu An,' 'Qin Yuan Chun,' and 'Nian Nu Jiao,'” Wang Qian explained. “That day at the Imperial Academy, I asked who wrote these three poems, and Master Han and the others all pointed to Master Shen. Is that right?”

“That’s right, my husband told me, it is indeed true.” Su Zhen was quite frank, and said while holding Han Zhi’s arm, “Madam Wang is truly intelligent. To be honest, those three poems were indeed written by my husband.”

"But at the time, the official did not want to make a fuss, and felt that Brother Shen Kuo was very talented, but was caught up in Lady Wang's feelings, so he claimed that it was written by him, and asked Lady Wang not to be offended."

Wang Qian smiled gently: "Actually, I already knew that it was not Shen Guanren who did it."

Han Zhi and Su Zhen were both surprised. Wang Qian continued, "The writing style and brushstrokes reveal the shadow of Master Han everywhere."

Han Zhi scratched his head somewhat awkwardly and said, "Madam Wang is intelligent."

Wang Qian looked outside and slowly said, "Actually, I have always had doubts in my heart. Although these three poems have similar styles, they seem to be written by three different people. Later, when I heard Han Guanren's poem 'Remembering Qin E' in Qingfeng Pavilion, I became even more suspicious."

"I love music and lyrics, and when I saw such a fine work, my heart was filled with admiration. At the time, I thought it was written by a talented man like Lord Shen, but after discovering the truth, I admire Lord Han even more."

"But because of this matter, I am grateful to Lord Han for graciously relinquishing his position, which made our good deed possible. Therefore, I must express my gratitude for this kindness."

Han Zhi scratched his head awkwardly and said, "This, I dare not accept such praise... If Madam Wang likes them, what harm is there in giving these three poems to Brother Shen?"

Wang Qian shook her head and said, "Although Lord Han's actions were well-intentioned, they almost ruined my relationship with Lord Shen. Fortunately, the truth has now come out, and I understand where my heart truly belongs."

Having said that, Wang Qian turned and left without lingering. Han Zhi and Su Zhen watched her departing figure. Su Zhen leaned towards Han Zhi and whispered, "My lord, it is truly wondrous how fate works in this world."

Han Zhi watched her retreating figure and said to Su Zhen with some helplessness, "I hope this matter won't affect their relationship, otherwise I'm afraid I'll be a sinner for all eternity."

Su Zhen comforted her, "Don't worry, judging from Madam Wang's expression, she must have already made a plan."

Han Zhi put his arm around her shoulder and said with a smile, "Forget it, now that we've talked about it, I don't really want to care anymore. We just need to cherish our fate with each other, and we'll just have Ba Niang."

Su Zhen looked up, smiled slightly, and said, "You really are a shameless rascal. Hurry up and go back inside. If you get cold, I won't take care of you."

The two walked hand in hand into the house, leaving only the fading sound of their footsteps in the courtyard.

The charcoal fire was burning brightly inside. Su Zhen gently broke free from Han Zhi's embrace, walked to the table, poured him a cup of hot tea, handed it to him, and said, "My lord, have some tea to warm yourself up."

"Hmm." Han Zhi took it, took a small sip, his gaze still fixed on the doorway, as if deep in thought.

Seeing this, Su Zhen scolded, "My lord, don't think about it anymore. The matter between Lady Wang and Lord Shen is their own destiny. We should also make plans for our own lives."

Han Zhi came to his senses and smiled, "Eighth Sister is right, but with so many guests coming and going these past few days, I've neglected you, Madam."

As he spoke, he put down his teacup and pulled Su Zhen to sit down beside him.

Su Zhen leaned on Han Zhi's shoulder and said softly, "My lord, please don't talk nonsense. I have never been neglected. It's just that after the winter solstice, the New Year is not far away. We should tidy up the house and buy some New Year's goods."

Han Zhi nodded in agreement: "I will follow Ba Niang's arrangements, but regarding Brother Shen and Lady Wang..."

"I've already said, we'll leave everything to fate. If the marriage proposal is successful, then we can go for a drink together."