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

Seeing that she had taken the beggar's chicken, Han Zhi asked, "Eighth Sister?"

"What's wrong, my lord?"

"Were you crying just now?" Han Zhi reached out, wanting to touch Su Zhen's face.

Su Zhen remained still, letting Han Zhi's hands touch his face. Those hands gently caressed his face, touching the tear stains remaining on his cheeks. His thumbs softly stroked, trying to wipe away the traces of tears.

Su Zhen lowered her eyes slightly, seemingly trying to hide her emotions. But soon, she spoke again, feigning playfulness, "Alright, my lord, stop touching me. Why is it that only you are allowed to ride alone in the carriage to drown your sorrows, while I am not allowed to sit peacefully in the room and shed tears?"

Han Zhi was slightly taken aback when he heard Su Zhen's words, then a helpless yet doting smile appeared on his face. Su Zhen gently rubbed her palm against his and then said, "This concubine will go back first."

After saying that, she turned and left without waiting for Han Zhi's response. Han Zhi was worried that she would get sick from being alone, so he gave Wei Wan a look, which the little cutie didn't react at first.

She glanced at Su Zhen, then at Han Zhi, before realizing what was happening. Clutching her books, she jogged after Su Zhen.

Since Han Zhi hadn't gone home, Han Zhuo and Zhou Miao'an also came out to see what was going on. Just then, they saw Su Zhen and Wei Wan returning.

Upon seeing Su Zhen's tear stains, Zhou Miao'an's face instantly showed worry. She quickly stepped forward, took Su Zhen's hand, and asked with concern:

"Eighth Sister, what's wrong? Why are you crying? Have you suffered some injustice?"

Su Zhen shook his head slightly and said softly, "My lord, mother, I'm fine. I was just feeling unwell earlier."

“This…” Zhou Miaoan quickly understood what was going on with Su Zhen, so she changed the subject and asked, “Where’s Zhi’er? Didn’t he already finish his shift?”

Su Zhen glanced at the corner and said, "Mother, my husband has returned. He must have had a bad day at the Dali Temple. He's resting in his carriage around the corner. He'll be back when he feels better."

“This child,” Zhou Miaoan said, looking towards the other end of the street, “if you have any worries, you can come back and talk to me. How can you go alone like this…”

At this moment, Han Zhuo gently patted her and said, "Alright, I'll go see him. You stay home and keep Ba Niang and Wei Niangzi company."

"But......"

Zhou Miao'an wanted to say something more, but Han Zhuo nodded to her, indicating that she could rest assured. Seeing this, Zhou Miao'an said no more and watched Han Zhuo turn around and walk into the mansion.

A short while later, Han Zhuo came out carrying a pot of wine and two wine cups, and walked towards the other end of the street.

At this moment, Zhou Miao'an pulled Su Zhen and Wei Wan aside and said, "Alright, alright, let the father and son talk their way, and we'll talk ours. Why don't we go back and write some poems together to relieve our boredom?"

“Zhi’er always praises Ba Niang’s literary talent. I’ll write some today and see if there’s anything I’ve neglected.”

"Okay, Mother, please."

Wei Wan blinked her big eyes and asked, "Excuse me for being so bold, but did Madam Han also write lyrics before?"

Zhou Miao'an smiled slightly and said, "My master is a renowned bibliophile in the capital. Someone once praised her, saying, 'A beautiful young lady from Bianjing, skilled in calligraphy, music, painting, and poetry, Zhou's daughter—Xiao Nu'er—is a woman of exceptional talent and literary ability.'"

Upon hearing this, Wei Wan's eyes widened even more, her face filled with surprise and admiration: "So Madam Han, you're so amazing! Could you tell Mr. and Yu Ru about it?"

Zhou Miaoan blushed slightly and said, "I did write quite a lot when I was young, but most of them were just sentimental tales about spring and autumn, nothing worth mentioning. Now that time has passed, those words have gradually faded from my memory."

"Alright, alright, let's not talk about that anymore, let's go inside."

With that, the three ladies walked together into the mansion.

......

Han Zhi was still sitting in the carriage. After rubbing his face, he felt his mood had calmed down. He pulled back the curtain, intending to have the driver take him home.

But as soon as he lifted the carriage curtain, he saw Han Zhuo standing beside the carriage and was somewhat surprised: "My lord? What brings you here?"

Han Zhuo looked at Han Zhi, smiled slightly, raised the wine pot and wine cup in his hand, and said, "Zhi'er, I heard from Eighth Mother that you were tired, so I wanted to come and have a couple of drinks with you and have a chat."

Han Zhi was slightly taken aback, then quickly nodded and stepped aside to let Han Zhuo into the carriage.

After getting into the carriage, Han Zhuo sat down opposite Han Zhi, placed the wine pot and wine cups aside, and began to pour wine. After pouring the first cup, according to custom, he intended to take a sip first, but then he looked at Han Zhi again.

He reached for his wine glass, but then, sensing something amiss, withdrew his hand. His father watched Han Zhi, hesitated for a moment, then handed him the first glass of wine, saying:

"Zhi'er, you are a man now. It's your turn to shoulder the responsibility of the Han family this generation."

Han Zhi accepted the wine, and Han Zhuo then poured himself a glass. The two toasted each other respectfully. As the junior, Han Zhi should have lowered his glass, but Han Zhuo subtly raised his glass with his fingers when they clinked glasses.

This startled Han Zhi, who instinctively looked up at his father sitting opposite him.

Seeing his surprised expression, Han Zhuo slightly raised the corners of his mouth and said, "Zhi'er, you have grown up now and have started your own family. In my heart, you are already a man who can stand on your own and no longer need to be restrained by the etiquette of a junior."

Han Zhi paused slightly, took another sip of wine, and slowly said, "My lord, even so, you are still my lord, and the proper etiquette must be observed."

"Sigh—" Han Zhuo raised his hand, signaling him to stop talking, and then said, "Zhi'er, manners are in the heart, not in these superficial forms. I know your temperament, but you are different now than I was back then. There are some things that you should let go of."

"I......"

Han Zhi looked at Han Zhuo, unsure how to respond. His father picked up the wine jug and gestured, which Han Zhi understood. He then picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.

Han Zhuo then refilled his wine cup and said, "Actually, when I heard you sitting alone in the carriage, I knew what was wrong with you."

“I was the same way back then. When I came home from work, I was tired or upset, and I didn’t want your mother to see that and worry. So I would sit in the car by myself and calm down before going home.”

"But you are much better than your father. Back then, your father..."

"But no one brings us wine."

As he spoke, Han Zhuo gave a wry smile. Han Zhi understood, smiled slightly, extended his wine glass, and the two clinked glasses again.

However, this time, it was Han Zhi who used his fingers to lift Han Zhuo's wine glass...