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

While Han Zhi and Su Zhen were flirting, Chen Shishi and the other two had also finished reading the poem. They were initially excited, but now they suddenly felt somewhat at a loss.

Han Zhi, thinking his words weren't good enough, asked somewhat nervously, "What's wrong? Is the word... not good enough?"

Xu Dongdong was the last to look at the poem. She subconsciously shook her head and said, "This poem is excellent. I don't think I've ever seen such a good poem before."

“But this poem must have taken Han Guanren a lot of time and effort; we may find it difficult to appreciate.” Chen Shishi also said.

Zhao Xiangxiang was quite straightforward: "These lyrics are too good. We are just three ladies who frequent the brothels. What virtue or ability do we have to sing such a passionate song?"

Han Zhi was somewhat surprised at this point. He exchanged a glance with Su Zhen and said, "What's the big deal? It's just a poem. Why can't we sing it?"

"This……"

“Since the three ladies think this poem is good, then we should accept it. If no one sings it, I’m afraid my husband will have wasted all his efforts,” Su Zhen chimed in.

"And it can also be considered as repaying the favor that Madam Chen lent my husband's clothes today."

Chen Shishi gently bit her lip, pondered for a long time, and then nodded, saying, "In that case, thank you very much, Lord Han, for your generous gift of the poem. If there is an opportunity in the future, the three of us will certainly play this piece for you."

"No, no, I don't know when I'll be able to come again next time," Han Zhi waved his hand and said.

Xu Dongdong then put away the poem and asked, "Master Han, is there a postscript to this poem?"

Han Zhi shook his head and said, "There is no inscription, mainly because I am not good at naming things."

Zhao Xiangxiang poured some tea for Han Zhi and said, "We can talk about the inscription another day. Let's eat something first today."

“My dear sister is right. Mr. Han, Mrs. Su, please.” Chen Shishi, who had been maintaining a very upright posture, gently pushed the plate of food forward a little.

After a simple meal in the private room, Han Zhi and Su Zhen left, while Chen Shishi and the other two watched them go from the doorway.

Only after the couple had disappeared from sight did Zhao Xiangxiang say, "What my sister said was indeed true."

"Am I right? I wonder which sentence my dear sister is referring to?" Chen Shishi asked with a smile as she led the three of them back to Pingluan Tower.

“It’s that Mr. Han,” Zhao Xiangxiang said. “He’s not only talented, but also well-mannered and devoted to his lover. Those pastries he had this morning were probably bought for that Lady Su.”

"I think the two poems you wrote are excellent. They mostly use the moonlit night as an image, which is what you call profound and full of talent. Then look at those poems by Liu Yong, they are truly lewd and lascivious. I don't even know what words to use to describe them."

Xu Dongdong said, "Since you don't know how to say it, then don't say it. Our most urgent task now is to compose the music. Otherwise, it would be a real waste of such good lyrics."

……

Han Zhi reached out and pulled Su Zhen's coat tighter. While she was holding an umbrella with one hand and pulling her cloak with the other, he secretly kissed her on the cheek.

Su Zhen had already gotten used to Han Zhi's occasional "molestations," having already taken advantage of him; but today, Han Zhi actually dared to comment on it:

"Smack—it's icy cold, and the texture isn't as good as when it's indoors. Next time, Auntie, remember to warm your face up!"

Su Zhen reached out and pinched Han Zhi's waist, spitting out, "Pah, what a shameless wretch. I am not like Madam Chen or Madam Zhao, or rather, does my husband like that kind of woman?"

"No, no, it was my fault for being so talkative. I love Ba Niang the most." Han Zhi quickly smiled apologetically, and then gave her another kiss as if to please her.

Su Zhen gave a half-satisfied "humph," letting Han Zhi lead her around. Her eyes swept across the various shops, but soon Han Zhi stopped and gently pulled her to the front—

This is a small stall selling dogs.

"Eighth Sister, how about we buy a puppy?" Han Zhi asked with a smile, his hands on Su Zhen's shoulders.

Su Zhen was somewhat puzzled. She reached over her shoulder and gently placed her hand on the back of Han Zhi's hand. She asked, "What are you going to do with it? Guard the house, or just make fun of it?"

"He's here to stay with Eighth Sister in my place," Han Zhi explained.

Su Zhen was even more puzzled, feeling that his words sounded strange: "What does this mean?"

"So, you mean I'm going to the Imperial Academy soon?" Han Zhi said, "When I have to go to class, besides Yueping and Qian Su, who can keep Ba Niang company at home?"

Su Zhen raised her eyes slightly, thought for a moment, and replied, "I have quite a few books in my collection, which will be delivered in a couple of days. There's no need to wait until then; reading them will suffice to relieve my boredom."

But Han Zhi pinched her cheek and said, "Studying can be tiring too. When you get tired of reading, you can play with the puppy at home to relax."

Su Zhen thought for a moment, then did not refuse, and let Han Zhi lead her to the stall.

"Sir, are you looking to buy a dog?" the vendor sitting on the snow asked warmly upon seeing the customer.

"Not bad." Han Zhi led Su Zhen to squat down and began to examine the puppies in the stall.

At first glance, there was a litter of puppies, all very traditional Chinese rural dogs. Each one was round and chubby, incredibly cute, even giving Han Zhi a thought:

Why don't we buy them all?

But Su Zhen prefers peace and quiet; if he bought them all, the whole family would be in constant turmoil. He tapped his chin and asked, "Which one does Eighth Sister like?"

Su Zhen seemed to have already known the answer in her heart. She pointed to the only white one in the puppy's den and said, "That white one, I think it looks good."

Han Zhi nodded, reached for his money pouch, and then asked, "How much do you want for this puppy?"

"Half a tael of silver per piece."

Without saying a word, Han Zhi pointed to the small white mongrel and said, "We want this one."

As he spoke, he tossed out half a piece of silver, which landed in the vendor's hand. Upon seeing the gleaming silver, the vendor's smile widened, and he quickly said:

"Alright, sir, I'll get it for you right away."

After saying that, he reached out, picked up the little white dog, and handed it to Han Zhi. Han Zhi originally wanted to give it to Su Zhen to hold, but seeing that there was no room in her arms, he simply held it himself.

"Sir, please take care!"

Su Zhen, holding Han Zhi's hand, looked at the little mongrel with her bright, clear eyes and said, "This little dog is quite fair-skinned and has a silly, innocent look that is very similar to yours."

"I..." Han Zhi was speechless for a moment, then thought for a moment, "It's precisely because it looks so much like me that I had it accompany Ba Niang in my place, isn't that right?"

"Sharp-tongued and quick-witted, all you've got is a silver tongue," Su Zhen said reproachfully.

Han Zhi chuckled and asked, "Has Eighth Sister decided what name to give it?"

"When things reach an extreme, they reverse. Since the puppy is so pale, why not be a little bolder and name it Little Black?"

Su Zhen laughed as he spoke.