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

Su Zhen raised her small hand and slowly clenched it into a fist, looking angry.

"What a jerk..."

The maids behind her, including Yueping, were also feeling somewhat guilty. After all, they were acting under orders and didn't know if the fire would spread to them. But clearly, the fire seemed poised to reach them—

Su Zhen turned around and looked at Yueping and the others, but only said, "Go and light all the lamps. When the master comes back, leave a lamp for him."

The maids were all taken aback for a moment, then quickly replied "Yes," and went to light the lamps.

Su Zhen sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed. Yue Ping also came over with a long towel and tentatively said, "Wife, it's time to dry your hair."

"Ah."

Su Zhen nodded, allowing Yueping to come up. After all the lamps were lit and the maids had left, she asked again, "You are quite familiar with the master, do you know where he went?"

"Madam Fu, Yueping doesn't know." Yueping shook her head.

"Didn't my husband tell you?" Su Zhen asked again.

"No, my lord only said he was going out, but he didn't say what he was going to do," Yueping replied.

Seeing this, Su Zhen didn't ask any more questions, but at this moment she seemed to have lost her temper—should she be angry? Or rather, shouldn't she be angry?

Seeing this, Yueping asked again, "My lady, aren't you angry?"

Rather than being angry, I was more worried. For him to sneak out like that, it must be something important, and he didn't even tell me. How could I not worry?

She replied, "Why would I be angry? I'm just afraid that my husband is hiding something from me and doing it all by himself."

Just then, the sound of running footsteps came from outside. Su Zhen quickly got up and looked towards the door. Sure enough, Han Zhi ran in, seemingly clutching something tightly in his arms.

Seeing the room brightly lit, he instinctively looked towards the bedside and found Su Zhen already standing there. Instantly, the joy on his face vanished, his eyes darting around, replaced by a sense of helplessness.

He was unsure whether to put down the box he was holding or keep carrying it. At that moment, he looked like a child who had done something wrong, and he didn't dare to look at Su Zhen.

"My lord, where have you been?" Su Zhen asked when he saw him like this.

When Han Zhi heard the question, he honestly replied, "I...I went to buy some snacks."

Why buy snacks?

Su Zhen stepped forward and only then did he notice the fine sweat on the other man's forehead. He reached out and touched his sleeve, which was also damp with sweat, indicating that he had been running back and forth.

"But did you not eat well, sir? If so, I will go and tell the prefect that we will eat out tomorrow."

Han Zhi quickly shook his head: "No, no, I ate perfectly fine. This box of pastries is for you, Eighth Sister."

Su Zhen was taken aback and looked down at the box of pastries.

"Around noon today, I saw that Eighth Sister was captivated by the cake shop, so I knew she wanted to eat some. I didn't have much time, and I was afraid that Eighth Sister wouldn't agree to me going to buy it, so I went out and bought it while Eighth Sister was taking a bath."

"But the shop is about to close, and the pastries aren't very warm, so I'm afraid they won't taste good."

Seeing his expression, Su Zhen, who was already not angry, smiled and said, "Alright, alright, I didn't mean to blame you, my lord. I was just worried that you might wander off and not find anyone."

"Hey......"

Han Zhi quickly opened the box, and the aroma of pastries wafted out. He rubbed his hands on his clothes before carefully picking up a piece and bringing it to Su Zhen's lips.

The latter also took a bite and savored it carefully. Han Zhi wiped her mouth for her and then asked, "How is it? It looks a little cold now. Does it still taste good?"

Su Zhen nodded, swallowed, and said, "Delicious."

"That's good."

Han Zhi then placed the pastry box in Su Zhen's hands, and took the long towel from Yue Ping's hand, saying, "I'll wipe Ba Niang's hair."

Su Zhen did not refuse and sat on the bed with the box in his arms. However, Yueping reminded him, "My lord, you haven't bathed yet, are you going to dry your wife's hair like this?"

"It's alright, since my husband wants to, let him have a go." Su Zhen said, but he still didn't feel the sensation coming from his hair.

Han Zhi then returned the long towel to Yue Ping, saying, "That's true. I just went out and I'm dirty, so I won't help Eighth Sister wipe herself right now. I'll wash myself first next time, then she'll be clean."

Su Zhen looked over and saw Han Zhi had already run to the box, taken out his clothes, and run out. Watching this, she suddenly smiled, shook her head with feigned distress, and looked again towards the doorway—

But the young man had already run far away.

Yueping seized the opportunity to add, "My husband is so good to his wife."

"If you want ordinary treatment, your husband and I will find you a good family when we get to the capital," Su Zhen said jokingly, patting her on the shoulder.

"My lady, please don't say that. Yueping has no intention of getting married yet..."

......

When Han Zhi returned after his shower, Yue Ping had already dried Su Zhen's hair and left. Now, only Su Zhen was sitting on the bed, holding the pastry box in her hand.

"Official!"

Upon seeing Han Zhi return, she opened the box, picked up a piece of pastry, and held it high. Han Zhi smiled and stepped forward, taking a bite, while the remaining half naturally went into Su Zhen's mouth.

"Eighth Sister was holding this box the whole time; she must have eaten quite a bit, right?" Han Zhi sat on the bed and joked.

"No, I've been waiting for you to return, my lord. Even Yueping wanted to eat, but there wasn't any available." Su Zhen made way for him and sat down on the bed.

Su Zhen suddenly asked, "I always see you being so attentive, my lord. Is it only me who receives such treatment?"

Han Zhi was a little confused. He turned around and found his wife looking at him with a smile.

"Of course, you're one of a kind. Why would I treat other women so well? Wouldn't that be a waste of money?"

"Then why are you so kind to me alone?" Su Zhen pressed on.

"Because I love Ba Niang. Isn't it only natural to be good to one's wife?" Han Zhi also replied. "What if I'm not good to Ba Niang? What if she gets disappointed, doesn't want me anymore, and runs back to Meishan to find someone else?"

"Run back? Find whom?" Su Zhen pondered for a moment, then said, "You mean Cheng Zhicai, sir?"

Han Zhi shrugged, neither confirming nor denying.

"Don't worry, my lord, such a thing won't happen. I have high standards and wouldn't even look at that blockhead."

Su Zhen put the box aside and gently pulled Han Zhi from behind, but then turned around and said, "But it's not impossible. If my husband and I become estranged, then I will naturally leave."

"Then I dare not distance myself from her, I absolutely must not distance myself from Eighth Sister." Han Zhi turned around, sat on the bed, and pulled Su Zhen along.

"Really?"

Su Zhen straddled Han Zhi and asked, feigning suspicion.

"of course it's true!"

"I don't believe it. My husband said that few of the things my husband says are true, so we shouldn't believe them easily." Su Zhen gently pushed Han Zhi down, letting him lean against the pillow, and then leaned closer.

Han Zhi felt Su Zhen's breath, reached out and gently supported her, and asked, "Then how can I make Eighth Sister believe me?"

"We'll see how you perform tonight, my lord..."