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

Chapter 263 Wei Xiping is finally released

Han Zhi had just finished showering again, and just like last night, before he even entered the room, he heard Su Zhen humming a little tune.

He walked into the room with a smile. Su Zhen was sitting on the edge of the bed, one hand touching her belly, the other twirling a handkerchief, humming "The Song of Xizhou":

"Pine resin touches the ground, a gaunt dragon and tiger embroidered from the sleeve. A tiny stone rises, falling into the sea, creating ripples; several melodies of a harp's strings are drawn on the same axis; the brushstrokes sweep across the vast desert like smoke..."

Han Zhi entered the room, and the melodious singing was like a babbling brook. The light shone on her, outlining her slightly rounded figure. At this moment, Su Zhen was breathtakingly beautiful.

Su Zhen noticed Han Zhi's arrival. The singing gradually stopped, and she raised her head, her eyes full of gentle smiles, and said softly, "My husband is back?"

"Ah."

Han Zhi walked over to Su Zhen with a smile. Just as he reached out to touch her stomach, Little Watermelon and Second Watermelon kicked at the same time.

"Oh!"

It was probably the first time Su Zhen had ever felt the two little ones kicking in her belly at the same time. Her joy was palpable, and her big, blinking eyes looked at Han Zhi.

"So energetic, does it know I'm back and is welcoming me?" He said, gently stroking Su Zhen's belly as if comforting his two lively little babies.

Su Zhen couldn't help but laugh when he saw Han Zhi's expression. He gently patted Han Zhi's hand and said, "These two little guys are always so active. They probably sensed your presence and are joining in the fun."

As she spoke, she placed Han Zhi's hand on her belly even more firmly, as if she wanted him to feel the two little ones inside her more deeply.

After a long silence, Su Zhen suddenly leaned close to Han Zhi's ear, her breath brushing against it. Her voice, tinged with a playful shyness, whispered:

"My lord," Aunt Li told me today, "it's almost been five months now, and the pregnancy is stable. So... I can..."

Before Su Zhen could finish speaking, a blush rose on her cheeks, as vibrant as the sunset. Han Zhi instantly understood her meaning, and his heart began to race.

He quickly coughed lightly to calm himself down, and then said, "Well... we should prioritize our health, and Madam Wei is still at home. We should at least let Madam Wei leave first, right?"

Upon hearing this, Su Zhen nodded slightly, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes, which was quickly replaced by understanding and tenderness.

She sighed and said, "What you say makes sense, my lord. I was not careful enough. Although Yu Ru is a sensible and well-behaved child in our family, she is still a child after all. It is always inconvenient to do some things in front of her."

Su Zhen sighed softly, her fingers unconsciously drawing circles on her belly, as if to soothe the fetus in her womb, or perhaps to calm her own emotions.

Seeing her somewhat dejected expression, Han Zhi slowly approached and gently embraced Su Zhen, first placing a kiss on her forehead. Then, he slowly moved downwards, his lips lightly touching hers, as gentle as a dragonfly skimming the water.

Su Zhen let out a soft moan, her fingertips unconsciously clutching his half-wet collar. Then she wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingertips digging into his damp hair.

But soon, the two separated with great self-control.

Su Zhen, slightly out of breath, gently pushed Han Zhi away, her eyes still brimming with tenderness, her cheeks flushed with a lovely blush from their recent intimacy. She gently bit her lower lip, her voice tinged with a hint of coquettishness as she said:

"My lord, such teasing, yet it can only come to an abrupt end, is truly torturous."

"In that case, let's bear with it and get a good night's sleep, shall we?" Han Zhi gently helped her lie down, while he propped himself up on the bed and waited for his hair to dry.

Su Zhen lay on the bed, her gaze following Han Zhi's figure, her heart still churning with emotions. She gently pulled at the blanket, trying to calm herself down, but the burning sensation on her cheeks wouldn't subside.

"Well... I'll go to sleep now. My lord, you should also rest early, as you have to be on duty tomorrow."

"it is good......"

......

The next day, there was hardly any work. I had originally planned to interrogate that Zhang family servant from yesterday again, but I couldn't get any more information out of him. I guess he was tricked into revealing everything yesterday.

With more than half an hour left before his shift ended, Han Zhi was organizing the files in his hands when suddenly a yamen runner rushed in.

"What's wrong?" Han Zhi asked, rubbing his temples, clearly tired.

The bailiff then said, "The angel has come again; he is here to deliver an imperial edict."

Han Zhishu breathed a sigh of relief, then stood up and said, "Since you're here, then go and receive the imperial decree."

Han Zhi straightened his official robes and quickly followed the yamen runners to the main hall. The newcomer was Zhang Maoze, who stood before Han Zhi and exchanged a glance.

The latter quickly clasped his hands in a gesture of respect. Seeing this, Zhang Maoze cleared his throat, unfolded the imperial edict in his hand, and loudly proclaimed:

"Your Excellency: I believe that the laws of punishment and reward are meant to distinguish between good and evil and to encourage and punish wrongdoing. Now, the officials have reported that Wei Xiping, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, was involved in the case of the theft of ritual objects. After investigation, it has been determined that he was not involved. This official is known for his diligence and integrity in office, which is highly commendable. Therefore, I hereby grant him a pardon and order his immediate release so that he may be reinstated to his post."

Han Zhi, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, worked tirelessly day and night during the investigation and trial of cases. Although he did not achieve complete success, his diligence is commendable. It is appropriate to issue an imperial edict to commend him.

The temple was still ordered to thoroughly investigate the root cause of the crime, apprehend the true culprit as soon as possible, so as to uphold the law and maintain order in the court.

Therefore, this edict is hereby issued so that all may know of it.

April 26th, the third year of the Huangyou reign —

Wen Yanbo, the Chancellor of the Secretariat and the Chancellor, and Song Xiang, the Vice Chancellor, were ordered to carry out the decree.

Han Zhi respectfully accepted the imperial edict. After listening to the entire edict, he felt much more at ease—he could finally leave, and Wei Xiping could finally take Wei Wan away.

Zhang Maoze then stepped forward, gently patted Han Zhi's shoulder, and said, "Young Master Han is truly exceptionally intelligent. It's only been a few days since the last imperial decree was issued, yet you've managed to uncover so much."

"You flatter me, Eunuch Zhang. It's just that I have more people around me and more guidance to give my students," Han Zhi said with a smile.

Zhang Maoze nodded slightly, a smile in his eyes, and said softly, "Young Master Han is too modest. To be able to move so freely in such a case, how could one do it with just the guidance of others? His Majesty greatly admires your diligence and talent, which is why he specially ordered me to come and commend you."

"However, this case involves a wide range of issues, and there are undercurrents in the court. Minister Han, you will need to be more careful in your future actions."

"Thank you for your guidance, Eunuch Zhang. I understand now." Han Zhi bowed again—regardless of Zhang Maoze's character or his care for him, it was absolutely no problem for him to bow to him, and he did so willingly.