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

Su Zhen returned with the medicine and began muttering to herself as soon as she entered the room: "My lord is always so stubborn. If I had just obediently dodged that attack, there wouldn't be so much trouble now."

"These next few days, my lord, just bear with this suffering. This endless, aimless existence will only teach you a lesson if you suffer a little."

Han Zhi sat on the bed, still smiling as he watched Su Zhen approach. Seeing his carefree demeanor, the latter, though still spewing barbs, felt a pang of pain in her heart.

After all, she was the one who hit him, and it was her own husband who did it. No wonder she felt terrible.

"My lord is truly shrewd outside, yet he's like a child in front of me. What will become of him when he grows up?"

Su Zhen sat next to Han Zhi, chattering as she gently pulled down his clothes. A small wooden stick stirred inside the medicine jar, extracting some ointment.

"My lord, please don't move. My hands are not steady. If you scratch it, please don't blame me for being clumsy."

"I won't move, I won't move."

Han Zhi quickly straightened up and then turned his wound toward Su Zhen.

Su Zhen leaned closer and blew on the wound. Then she raised her hand and applied the medicine with a small piece of wood, keeping a close eye on Han Zhi's condition as she did so. If he felt pain, she would gently reduce her pressure, not wanting to hurt him.

After applying the medicine twice, Su Zhen put down the medicine pot, then took a gauze strip and gently applied it to the wound. Finally, she pulled up Han Zhi's clothes, covering the wound completely.

"Eighth Sister is so kind."

Han Zhi blurted out a sentence out of the blue, but Su Zhen reached out and slapped her on the forehead, scolding her, "Is it because my slap wasn't painful enough that my husband can't behave?"

"No, Eighth Sister wouldn't want me to get beaten." Han Zhi then went a step further, pulling Su Zhen over and giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"Shameless." Su Zhen slapped him, then got up and went to put her things away.

With nothing to do, Han Zhi looked around, looking for something to pass the time. Soon, he saw a thin bamboo strip lying by the door, walked over, squatted down, and picked it up.

After thinking for a moment, he stood up, intending to take it outside and throw it away—after all, the play was over, and the bamboo pole was ready to "die a natural death."

He went outside to check the yard for a trash can or something. Just then, Su Zhen returned and saw Han Zhi holding a bamboo stick, so he asked:

"Official?"

"Eighth Sister." Han Zhiye waved the bamboo pole in his hand and responded.

"Why isn't my lord resting in his room? What is he doing with these branches?" Su Zhen asked, somewhat puzzled.

Han Zhi snapped out of his daze, looked at the bamboo strip, and explained, "I'm planning to throw this bamboo strip away. I'm leaving tomorrow, so I want to keep the room clean and not make things difficult for my uncle."

Su Zhen strode forward, took the bamboo strip, and gently examined it in his hand. He then held the end and swung it up and down, finding it quite comfortable to handle. He nodded in satisfaction and said:

"There's no need to throw this away."

"Not going to lose it? Does that mean Eighth Sister is going to keep it as a collectible?" Han Zhi asked, feigning surprise.

Su Zhen nodded, then took the bamboo strip and went inside. He then picked it up with a piece of cloth and put it into the box containing the clothes.

"These bamboo strips were used to punish the official. When we arrive in the capital, they can be placed in his bedroom as a reminder," Su Zhen said, closing the box again.

"When my husband and I have children, we can use this bamboo stick to educate them. Perhaps this bamboo stick, like this bracelet, will become a family heirloom passed down through generations of the Han family, passed down to daughters but not sons."

Han Zhi felt ashamed and subconsciously raised his hand to touch the wound on his shoulder. As if sensing something, it began to ache faintly.

"Oh my God……"

Seeing his lingering fear, Su Zhen felt both heartache and a desire to laugh. She reached out and pulled Han Zhi closer, saying:

"What are you afraid of, my lord? You're so obedient, even if I wanted to use you, I probably wouldn't get to do it more than a few times. Besides, every time I hit you, I still have to change the dressing myself, don't I?"

"My lord is not afraid of pain, but I am afraid of trouble."

Han Zhi gently shook Su Zhen's hand and said in a flattering tone, "I knew that Eighth Sister was the best to me."

"Stop being so glib. You were beaten today, but you can't slack off on your studies. It's time to study now." But Su Zhen still poured cold water on his enthusiasm.

"Ah..." Han Zhi then started acting again: "Ouch~ My shoulder, I just got hit by Ba Niang, and now it hurts. I can't even turn the pages of the book. Ouch~"

Su Zhen was amused by him, but still wanted to play along, saying, "Since that's the case, then we can only..."

"Only what?" Han Zhi's interest was piqued, and he eagerly awaited Su Zhen's next question.

“Then I’ll have to help you turn the pages,” Su Zhen said with a smile. “If I make a mistake, I will naturally take responsibility.”

"Really?" Han Zhi sighed helplessly. After all, now that they were here, if they didn't behave, they would have to suffer the consequences.

Su Zhen nodded, then pulled Han Zhi into the house, saying, "Of course it's true. What I promised, I will naturally keep."

"Okay! Time to read!"

......

The next day, Han Zhi and Su Zhen got up early again, quickly packed their things, and prepared to catch the boat.

When they arrived at the door, Madam Tian was already waiting. Seeing the couple, she smiled and said, "Are you getting ready to leave?"

“Yes, Aunt Fu.” Han Zhi nodded politely.

Madam Tian nodded, then had a maid bring over a plate. Inside were several colorful ribbons, some red and some purple, clearly a token of good wishes.

“Your uncle is still busy, so I will see you off. This is what your uncle and I prepared for you, along with some travel money and jewelry, which I have also had put in the carriage.”

Han Zhi and Su Zhen quickly bowed and said, "Uncle, Aunt, you're too kind."

Madam Tian took the tray and handed it to Su Zhen, saying with a smile, "We're all family, why say that? You're going to the capital for the imperial examinations and no one is looking after you. We can only do this small thing."

"If you pass the imperial examination next year, remember to let us know when you come back, and we'll celebrate for you in Yizhou."

"Okay, definitely!"

Han Zhi bowed respectfully, then led Su Zhen into the carriage, leaving behind only the words, "Aunt, please tell Uncle that we are leaving."

"Safe journey!"

Madam Tian smiled, waved the silk handkerchief in her hand, and watched them leave, which was her way of showing her affection.

......

Upon arriving at the dock, Han Zi, as usual, hired some porters to help carry his belongings. Just then, he noticed a new notice posted on the signboard.

The gossipy porter remarked, "This new prefect has some guts; he's actually willing to drastically change the old system."

"Restructuring?" Su Zhen asked in confusion, "What restructuring?"

"To put it simply, if the two of you were to come to Yizhou again in the future, you would not see the scene of daily exile and beheadings."