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

As expected, Han Zhi's worries were not unfounded. Ever since they started traveling by boat, Su Zhen had been experiencing seasickness and even vomiting. Han Zhi had only managed to get her through the past few days by giving her medicine made from henbane seeds.

That day, Su Zhen took her medicine and fell asleep beside Han Zhi. But in her drowsy state, she heard Han Zhi calling her name.

"Eighth Sister? Eighth Sister? We've arrived, it's time to disembark."

Su Zhen's small hand groped and finally touched Han Zhi, then she groaned in great discomfort. Han Zhi felt sorry for her; Su Zhen had been sleeping or vomiting almost constantly lately, and she couldn't eat much.

"Alright, alright, Eighth Sister, you should rest. I'll take you with me when we disembark, how about that?"

"Um......"

Su Zhen felt dizzy and could only feel herself being lifted up. Instinctively, she reached out and wrapped her arms around Han Zhi.

Seeing Su Zhen's state, it seemed there was no way to get her to disembark herself. So he looked at Yue Ping, who was standing to the side, and instructed her, "Yue Ping, go and get some silver. After you get off the ship, find a few porters at the dock and have them help carry your things."

"Yes, my lord."

The boat quickly docked at the shore, and Han Zhi immediately slung one bundle over each shoulder and then picked up Su Zhen. He didn't put Su Zhen down until they were off the boat.

Su Zhen supported Han Zhi, her head still spinning, but the noise from the street was giving her a headache.

She frowned her beautiful eyebrows and looked towards the dock. She saw several people dressed in white walking towards a boat. A group of people had gathered around, seemingly discussing something, making the scene somewhat noisy.

Su Zhen then tugged at Han Zhi and said:

"My lord, what has happened over there?"

Han Zhi glanced over there, and then a talkative porter said, "They're escorting prisoners over there; they're all being exiled."

Han Zhi asked, somewhat puzzled, "What crime did they commit that warrants exile?"

"That one stole from the shopkeeper; that one got into a fight on the road..." the porter said, pointing to the prisoners one by one.

Stealing? Not paying for a meal? Of these crimes, the most serious is fighting. Exile is a punishment reserved for serious offenses; why would it be used on these people?

"What's going on? Theft and fighting—these crimes don't even warrant jail time, so why the exile? That's just too unreasonable," Han Zhi asked, frowning.

"Isn't it those same few bastards?" Another porter picked up his things again and said, "I don't know how many years ago, those two bastards plotted a rebellion. After it was suppressed, the officials relaxed their grip."

“From then on, even the smallest things could lead to execution. Every few days, a new batch of people would be sent out.”

The porter who had been there earlier returned, carrying another box, and said, "If you, my lord and my wife, are interested, you can go to the marketplace and watch the executions."

"On this day, there's both exile and execution? Isn't that absurd?" Su Zhen also found it somewhat bizarre upon hearing this.

"What nonsense! My lady, don't talk nonsense. If someone with ulterior motives hears this, you and your husband might be in trouble." The porters all shook their heads and said nothing more.

Seeing this, Han Zhi stopped asking about the matter and instead asked, "Are there any inns here? Preferably ones that are close to the dock for the Three Gorges."

"some."

"Then I'll trouble you to lead the way." As he spoke, Han Zhi gave Yue Ping a wink.

Just as Yueping was about to take out the silver, she heard a shout coming from outside the dock: "Where is Master Han Zhi?"

Han Zhi and Su Zhen were both somewhat surprised, and they looked over together. Several officials approached, calling out, "Where is Lord Han Zhi?"

Han Zhi then raised his hand, and the officials stepped forward, smiling and bowing respectfully, saying, "Greetings, Lord Han. And this is...?"

The soldier only knew Han Zhi and didn't know the beautiful woman supporting him, so he pointed at Su Zhen and asked.

"This is my wife, her surname is Su," Han Zhi introduced.

"So it's Lady Su. The two of you are truly a perfect match." The official flattered, "We are here on the orders of the Prefect to welcome Mr. Han and Lady Su."

Su Zhen frowned, tugged at Han Zhi, and asked, "Does Your Excellency know the Prefect of Yizhou?"

But Han Zhi shook his head: "I don't know him."

Seeing this, the official said appropriately, "Master Han, Lady Su, our Prefect and Lord Fuping are old acquaintances from the capital. Therefore, we would like to invite you two to come and have a chat."

Han Zhi and Su Zhen exchanged another glance, then Han Zhi nodded and, under their "protection," boarded the carriage.

......

Upon arriving at a large mansion, the official outside the carriage said, "Master Han, Lady Su, we've arrived."

Because the initial effects of the medicine hadn't worn off, Su Zhen was still quite uncomfortable after getting into the carriage, and Han Zhi had to carry her down. Looking at the "Tian Mansion" sign hanging at the entrance, several servants emerged from inside, saying:

"Master Han, let us carry these luggage inside for you."

The official then said, "Please don't be offended, Mr. Han. This is the prefect's order. He said the boat to the Three Gorges won't arrive for another two days, so he arranged for you two to stay at the prefect's residence for two days."

"This...this is absolutely too much trouble." Han Zhi quickly raised his hand, trying to stop the people who were about to move the things, but Su Zhen was a little unsteady, so he had to give up.

"Sir Han, please don't be so polite. This..."

"Alright, Wang Ping, let me do it."

At this moment, an old man stepped forward. Han Zhi looked over and saw that the old man was carrying two large folded documents. Upon seeing him, the old man smiled slightly and said:

"You must be Tu Yong's son? You do have some of his bearing," the man said, sizing Han Zhi up.

Tu Yong was Han Zhuo's courtesy name.

"May I ask who you are, sir?" Han Zhi, supporting Su Zhen, did not feel comfortable performing a full bow, so he simply nodded slightly and asked.

The man said, “My name is Tian Kuang, and I am an old friend of your father. Some time ago, your family sent word that you were going to the capital to take the imperial examination and were passing through Yizhou Prefecture by waterway. Therefore, they asked me to take care of you.”

Now, Han Zhi couldn't refuse this kindness, so he watched the servants carry the things inside. Tian Kuang, seeing Su Zhen's somewhat pale face, asked:

"Is this your new wife? Is she suffering from some illness?"

Han Zhi shook his head and said, "It's just dizziness. I haven't been off the boat long and haven't rested yet."

"In that case, Wang Ping, you may take them inside. Prepare a nice guest room so my niece-in-law can rest for a while." Tian Kuang looked at Su Zhen and found her pleasing to the eye, so he smiled and gave the order.