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

"Ba Niang?"

"Please speak, sir."

"We don't need to buy any more books, do we? We brought quite a few with us when we set off."

Han Zhi and Su Zhen were in the bookstore at that moment. The latter's eyes swept across the bookshelves. When he saw a suitable book, he took it out and placed it on the waiter's tray.

"What is it you're trying to say, sir?"

Han Zhi blinked, then suddenly realized something was wrong and asked, "This... if Ba Niang wants to see it, just buy it, buy it."

Seeing Han Zhi's expression, Su Zhen was amused and said, "These books weren't bought for me to read."

"Huh?" Han Zhi didn't quite catch on and asked, "If it's not for Ba Niang, then who is it for?"

"Besides me and my husband, who else is in this house? This isn't for me to see, so it's naturally for my husband to see." As Su Zhen spoke, she took down another collection of articles, rolled it up, tapped it on Han Zhi, and finally put it on the serving tray.

"Give it to me? Why?"

Su Zhen continued picking and choosing, saying, "My lord, you only read those classic texts and the writings of sages every day, and you haven't read many articles. The imperial examinations are not just about testing the words of sages, but also about testing your poetry, essays, and policy discussions."

"One poem is enough, isn't it? So, let's not buy the poetry collection?" Han Zhi said, trying to put the poetry collections back on the bookshelf.

However, Su Zhen gave him a look, which, although lacking any "killing intent," clearly conveyed the meaning:

"Shall we try putting one in?"

Han Zhi reluctantly withdrew his hand, and Su Zhen continued, "Could it be that you, sir, intend to take that poem 'Xizhou Qu' to the imperial examination?"

"I forbid it!"

Han Zhi immediately lowered his head and could only continue following Su Zhen forward, listening to what she was saying:

"Moreover, although essays and policy proposals are not emphasized, there have been many people throughout history who have passed the imperial examinations by relying on their essays and policy proposals. Therefore, officials should also pay attention to studying essays and should not place all their hopes on poetry and prose."

"Yes……"

Hearing Han Zhi's voice, she reached out and gently pulled him, saying, "Alright, my lord, if you pass the imperial examination next spring, you will naturally not need to read these books anymore."

"Just bear with it for a while, okay?"

Han Zhi raised his eyes, looking pitiful and blinking at Su Zhen. Seeing this, Su Zhen's heart softened instantly. Finally, she placed a book on the tray and said:

"Enough already, enough already. You're such a grown-up, yet you still act like a little kid and act spoiled—you shameless brat."

When Han Zhi saw that Su Zhen was no longer picky, his expression immediately changed, and he smiled broadly, making Su Zhen want to laugh.

"Alright, let's settle the accounts. Judging by the time, it's about lunchtime."

Before long, Han Zhi had someone deliver the book to the Tian residence. He then took Su Zhen's hand and slowly walked back.

At that moment, Su Zhen suddenly spotted a shop, and her gaze became fixed on it. Seeing this, Han Zhi followed her gaze—

Gao Yun Cake Shop.

He suddenly realized—his wife wanted some snacks! He immediately headed over there, startling Su Zhen who quickly grabbed him.

"My lord? What are you going to do?"

Han Zhi was carrying a stack of books in his arms, and his other hand was holding Su Zhen's hand, so he couldn't free his hands and could only say:

"I'm going to buy some snacks for Eighth Aunt."

As he spoke, he was about to take another step, but Su Zhen pulled him back, saying, "There's no need to buy it. We'll be having lunch soon, and we won't have time to eat it even if we buy it."

"Well... alright." Han Zhi had no choice but to go along with Su Zhen's wishes, but he still turned around and glanced at the scene a few more times.

……

After finishing lunch and returning to his room, Han Zhi wanted to be lazy again, so he simply lay down on the table. Seeing this, Su Zhen knew that Han Zhi wanted to slack off again, so she went over and politely tapped the table first.

"Official?"

"What's wrong, Eighth Sister?" Han Zhi looked up and smiled at her.

“My lord should read more books. You just bought quite a few books; you can’t let them go to waste,” Su Zhen advised softly.

Han Zhi immediately let out a wail—

"I just finished eating, and I want to take a good nap," Han Zhi said, putting on a pitiful look.

Su Zhen felt a pang of heartache again, but she quickly banished it from her mind, deliberately looking away to avoid seeing his expression.

"My lord... please don't look at me like that. I couldn't help it when we were traveling the past two days, so I didn't read it. But today... today, my lord must read this book."

“If my lord does not continue to study, then… then I shall exercise my authority as the mistress of the house.”

As she spoke, Su Zhen raised her slender wrist, revealing the jade bracelet on it.

Helpless, Han Zhi obediently went to the desk, casually picked up a book, and began to read. Su Zhen also fulfilled his wifely duties:

"I will go and brew a pot of tea for you, my lord. But please do not slack off or put on airs."

"I will definitely behave and read the book."

......

Under Su Zhen's supervision, Han Zhi did indeed study diligently for the entire afternoon. The study time set by Su Zhen didn't end until dinner time.

During dinner, Tian Kuang kept bringing up what Han Zhi had done that morning, talking incessantly. Although it wasn't malicious, it annoyed Madam Tian, ​​and the conversation eventually ended abruptly.

After the meal, Han Zhi very attentively prepared a change of clothes for Su Zhen and took her to take a bath.

Su Zhen felt a little strange about Han Zhi's seemingly ordinary behavior. On the way there, she suddenly stopped and asked, "My lord, is there something you're hiding from me?"

"Huh? No, no, no." Han Zhi was stunned for a moment, then quickly shook his head.

"Then why are you urging me so urgently today?"

Han Zhi rolled his eyes and said, "Today you've been shopping and supervising my studies, so Ba Niang must be tired. That's why I want her to take a bath early so she can get some rest."

Su Zhen frowned, clearly not believing Han Zhi's words.

"Is that really what you think, sir?"

"Of course, how could I... dare to fool Eighth Sister, right?"

Su Zhen was half-pushed and half-coerced by Han Zhi to the door of the bathhouse, where a maid was standing, ready to serve her bath.

"Official!"

"Alright, alright, we're at the door. Eighth Sister, go in and wash first, then you can take a look." Han Zhi said with a smile, looking a little guilty.

"When I come out later, if my husband is missing or has done something wrong, I will hold him accountable." She didn't think about anything else at the moment and warned Han Zhi.

"well."

Han Zhi nodded hurriedly, and only then did the bathroom door close completely. He listened quietly at the door for a while before letting out a sigh of relief, then turned and ran away, heading towards the outside of the Tian residence.

......

Su Zhen, her mind racing with thoughts of Han Zhi's inner turmoil, finished her bath with the help of the maid. At first, nothing seemed amiss, but once she reached the outside of the room, she realized something was wrong—

It was too quiet. Usually, Han Zhi would be waiting for her in the yard after she finished showering. But today, the yard was empty, it was already late, and not even a candle was lit in the room.

She went into the room, and sure enough, it was empty; the person was gone.