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

Zhao Xiangxiang was holding her long zither and walking angrily down the street. She only had a cloak on her shoulders and the snow was quite thick under her feet.

Although she said some angry words and even ran out, the cold wind actually calmed her down a bit. Liu Yong's poems are indeed good, but it would be difficult to find one better in Bianjing (Kaifeng).

At that moment, her eyes suddenly caught sight of two figures, one of whom looked somewhat familiar. Before she could even think about it, she had already taken a step forward.

"May Lord Han enjoy boundless blessings."

Han Zhi was strolling around with Su Zhen, showing her the sights of Bianjing, when he was startled by the sudden "Wanfu" greeting. He turned to see Zhao Xiangxiang, and goosebumps immediately rose on his skin.

Su Zhen looked at Zhao Xiangxiang, frowned slightly, and asked, "My lord, who is this?"

"This is Zhao Xiangxiang from Pingluan Tower." Han Zhi took a step back and stood behind Su Zhen, keeping his distance from Zhao Xiangxiang.

"Eighth Sister, this is the kind bodhisattva who lent me my clothes... could she be considered my younger sister?" Han Zhi replied.

Zhao Xiangxiang nodded slightly and said, "That is my elder sister."

Upon hearing this, Su Zhen politely bowed and greeted her, saying, "Greetings, Madam Zhao. Thank you for lending my husband his clothes to keep him warm today. They will be returned to you once they have been washed."

Han Zhi also introduced, "This is my wife, Su Zhen."

"May Lady Su be blessed with good fortune."

After bowing to Su Zhen, Zhao Xiangxiang asked, "I've heard that Master Han is a scholar who has come to take the imperial examination. May I ask if you are familiar with poetry?"

Han Zhi was somewhat puzzled, but nodded and said, "Yes."

"How's the writing?"

"Um..." Han Zhi didn't know how to answer, so he lowered his head and asked Su Zhen in a low voice, "How is my writing?"

"Not bad," Su Zhen replied.

"Not bad," Han Zhi finally looked up and replied.

Zhao Xiangxiang's eyes lit up at this moment, and she stepped forward and said, "Then, I wonder if Mr. Han could do me a favor?"

Han Zhi nodded and said, "Please tell me, Madam Zhao, but I may not be able to help you completely."

"It's like this, a man came to our building just now, claiming to be Liu Yong, who was ordered to write lyrics. As soon as he came in, he asked the three of us sisters to accompany him, and even wrote some lewd and obscene lyrics on a piece of paper, which was really annoying."

Zhao Xiangxiang felt indignant when Liu Yong was mentioned, saying, "Moreover, everyone in the building was flattering him, saying he was full of talent. How can such a lecherous man be considered talented?"

"Therefore, I ran away in a fit of pique, wanting to find someone to write poetry with. To curb his arrogance, and to let the world know what true talent really is!"

Han Zhi then understood and said, "So Lady Zhao wants me to help her compose a poem?"

But there was something else left unsaid: Although Liu Yong's lyrics and songs contain some eroticism, his literary talent is undeniable. Back in my school days, I had to memorize his poems, and now I'm supposed to surpass him?

Zhao Xiangxiang nodded and said, "Although Nu'ai is just a woman of the night, she knows that poetry should have integrity. Wouldn't such vulgar words defile the eyes of the world?"

Su Zhen then said, "Poetry and songs are just expressions of one's thoughts. Some people may dislike them, while others may like them. Why be so fixated on whether something is elegant or vulgar?"

Zhao Xiangxiang then said, "But...this poem is really hard to read, it even directly mocks...mocks us. It's practically about a night of passion!"

Su Zhen sighed, looked at Han Zhi, and asked, "What is your opinion, sir?"

“If they borrowed our clothes, we can go and see. If we can’t compare, we can leave without losing face.” Han Zhi said this not only to Su Zhen, but also to Zhao Xiangxiang.

Su Zhen nodded in agreement. Zhao Xiangxiang added, "In that case, please help me, Master Han. If we win, I will cover your drinks at Pingluan Tower today."

“No need,” Su Zhen replied immediately. “Madam Zhao, please lead the way.”

......

After Chen Shishi and Xu Dongdong finished playing another piece, they saw Zhao Xiangxiang return to the stage. As soon as she saw her, she pulled her aside and asked, "Where did you go just now, dear sister? You made us so worried."

Zhao Xiangxiang had lost her earlier resentment and was now quietly looking towards a certain spot below the stage. Chen Shishi also looked over and happened to see Han Zhi's figure.

She frowned slightly and asked, "Why is Lord Han here? And who is that person beside him?"

"I called them here, and the woman beside him is his wife," Zhao Xiangxiang said. Upon seeing Han Zhi, the displeasure she felt that morning had completely vanished.

After all, with someone you dislike even more, people you didn't dislike before suddenly seem much more agreeable.

"Xiangxiang, what are you doing? Do you really want to offend Master Liu?" Chen Shishi asked, frowning.

“Oh dear,” Zhao Xiangxiang put down the long zither she was holding, then gently patted Chen Shishi and said, “Alright, sister, I’m not just being polite. If Master Han thinks he can’t handle it, he will leave on his own.”

Chen Shishi was somewhat puzzled and asked, "But why did you bring him here? Are you absolutely confident?"

In this way, Chen Shishi also wanted to see poetry that was more talented than Liu Yong's. Since she herself disliked him anyway, why not take this opportunity to see him make a fool of himself?

After reading the entire poem, Su Zhen, standing in front of the poem board, indeed found it to be somewhat erotic, just as Zhao Xiangxiang had said.

"My lord, how about we try that song, 'The Ballad of Xizhou'?"

I don't know when it started, but when it comes to poetry with talent and eloquence, the first thing that comes to mind is "The Ballad of Xizhou." Perhaps this poem could truly surpass this one.

"No, this is for Ba Niang's exclusive use, I can't take it out."

Han Zhi shook his head, pondered for a moment, then asked for a piece of paper and pen, and wrote a poem next to "Joy of Day and Night":

"In my dreams, I return to the secluded pavilion, where silence reigns; I awaken from my drunken stupor, the curtains half-lowered. Last year's spring sorrow returns once more; fallen petals drift as I lean alone against the railing, while a gentle drizzle lingers as swallows return in pairs."

I recall the first time I saw Xiao Ping, her double-layered silk robe embroidered with the character for "heart." The pipa strings expressed my longing; the bright moon of that time still shines, once illuminating my beloved as she flew among the colorful clouds.

After finishing writing, Han Zhi casually tossed the pen aside and asked, "Eighth Sister, what do you think of this poem?"

Su Zhen looked the poem over and said, "In my opinion, this poem only has eight-tenths of the talent. I just wonder if this poem was written for me?"

Han Zhi nodded decisively, and Su Zhen smiled and said, "In that case, you certainly have a great deal of talent."

Seeing that Han Zhi had finished writing, the surrounding guests naturally gathered around and began comparing it with Liu Yong's. Zhao Xiangxiang then pointed to the poem board and said, "Alright, alright! Master Han has finished writing!"

Chen Shishi also laughed and said, "Then let's go and see, and have a comparison. Is it the official Liu who was ordered to write lyrics that writes better, or the official Han who was invited by chance that writes better?"