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

Su Zhen draped a thick fur-trimmed cloak over Han Zhi, then carefully checked whether the brocade quilt wrapped around Er Xigua was secure, before finally putting a cloak over herself. She walked to the door, lifted a corner of the heavy cotton curtain, and a blast of cold air immediately rushed in.

"The snow has stopped outside, and the wind isn't too strong. We'll be there in a few steps," Su Zhen said, turning around.

Han Zhi carried the little watermelon, who was still excitedly wriggling and babbling, while Su Zhen carried the sleeping second watermelon. They left the bedroom one after the other.

Just as Su Zhen had said, the snow had stopped, the sky was leaden gray, but the snow on the ground reflected a hazy, bright white light all around. Although the wind was not biting, it still carried a chilling cold.

Startled by the cold wind, Little Watermelon shrank back, but was immediately drawn to the snow-white world in the yard. Struggling to get out of his father's arms, he waved his little hands at the snow-covered tree trunks and made even louder "Ah! Ah!" sounds.

"Behave yourself, you little rascal!" Han Zhi chuckled, tightening his arms around his son and pulling him back into his warm coat. "It's very cold outside! Don't move around! You can look at the snow, but don't touch it! Be careful not to freeze your little hands!"

"We'll be at Grandma Wang's house soon. It's warm inside, and there'll be fruit to eat, my dear!"

Little Watermelon couldn't listen to anything; his entire mind was occupied by that pure, dazzling white world.

Forced to be held tightly in his father's arms, he kicked and thrashed about in his swaddling clothes, his little head turning back and forth, greedily capturing every glimpse of the snow scene, his mouth uttering endless "ah, ah" commands.

One moment he pointed to the snow clinging to the trees, the next he pointed to the snowdrift piled higher in the corner of the wall, his small body trembling slightly with excitement and effort.

Han Zhi held his energetic son, half coaxing and half "suppressing" him, as they trudged through the soft snow, making a soft "crunching" sound.

The old gatekeeper, wrapped in a thick cotton-padded coat, was huddled inside the gatehouse warming himself by the fire when he heard the noise and quickly poked his head out.

Upon seeing that it was Han Zhi and his wife holding the child, they immediately put on a big smile, loudly announcing inside that "Minister Han and Lady Su have arrived," and then jogged out, deftly pulling open the heavy door.

"Master Han, Madam Su, please come in! It's freezing outside!" The old doorman rubbed his hands together and eagerly ushered them inside.

"Why wait at the door to watch people in this cold weather? Wouldn't it be better to go back and rest?" Han Zhi was just asking casually, not implying anything bad.

But the old gatekeeper, seeing Han Zhi's expression, chuckled and replied, "Master Han, you flatter me. Our rules here are strict, unlike the more relaxed atmosphere at your home. It's a blessing that your master treats you kindly; it's only right and proper for us to keep to our duties. Besides..."

He lowered his voice and said, "In this freezing weather, you can stay in the gatehouse by the fire, listen for any noise, and then come out. You won't get cold! You two are with your young master and lady, such precious people, so we can't afford to be negligent."

At this moment, hurried yet light footsteps and the sound of cotton curtains being lifted came from the direction of the warm pavilion. Madam Lu, Wang Yaochen's wife, came out to greet them personally, followed by two maids carrying hand warmers.

"Oh my! It's Young Master Han and Lady Su!" Madam Lu's voice was filled with surprise, her gaze instantly locking onto the two small figures in the couple's arms. "Quick! Come into the warm chamber! It's freezing cold here, be careful the children don't get cold... cough cough..."

As she spoke, she strode forward, almost causing the maid who was supporting her to fall behind.

She first reached out to gently protect the swaddled baby in Su Zhen's arms, then immediately turned to the little watermelon in Han Zhi's arms, who was twisting like a pretzel and babbling in protest against being restrained.

"This young man is really energetic! He's not even tired in this cold weather outside!"

"Greetings, Madam Lu." Su Zhen, holding the sleeping Erxigua, smiled and bowed slightly. "The snow stopped early today, and my husband returned early as well. Thinking that the end of the year is approaching, we brought the children to pay our respects to you and Uncle Wang, and also to introduce ourselves to the family."

Han Zhi also nodded in greeting while holding the little watermelon.

Han Zhi, holding the little watermelon, nodded in acknowledgment: "I apologize for troubling you, Madam."

"No trouble at all! Please come into the warm room and warm up!" Madam Lu said repeatedly, her smile genuine and warm, as if the two little darlings sent from this freezing winter were more precious than anything else.

As she led them inside, she couldn't help but glance back at the little watermelon in Han Zhi's arms. "This little guy is really... so adorable!"

It seemed that guests had arrived, because Madam Lu, despite her illness, felt as if she had some lightness on her feet.

However, this brief moment of exhilaration could not mask the deep-seated illness within. As soon as she stepped into the warmer, even somewhat stuffy, air of the inner chamber, Madam Lu couldn't help but cover her mouth and cough violently.

"Madam!" a maid exclaimed, rushing forward to gently pat her back and hand her a cup of warm water. Another maid quickly added a piece of silver frost charcoal to the brazier to make the fire burn brighter.

Madam Lu managed to stop coughing, took the water glass, took a small sip, caught her breath, and then straightened up, waving to Han Zhi and Su Zhen, who looked concerned.

"Cough...cough...it's nothing, it's an old ailment, it'll be fine after warming up. Come on, sit down."

The heated room was warm and cozy, with a burning charcoal fire. Han Zhi carefully placed the little watermelon, which had finally calmed down temporarily due to the warmth and the unfamiliar environment, on the thick, soft brocade cushion on the kang (heated brick bed).

As soon as the little one was free, she immediately tried to crawl on her hands and feet, babbling away again. Su Zhen held Erxigua, letting her continue to sleep peacefully in his arms.

Wang Qian entered quickly, dressed in an elegant pale yellow jacket and skirt, with a silver fur vest over it, clearly having just been summoned.

"Master Han, Lady Su, it's so kind of you to have time to visit us today." Wang Qian was very excited to see them and quickly ran in to sit down next to Su Zhen.

"Er Xigua has grown up again, and he still loves to sleep."

Su Zhen smiled and nodded: "Yes, this child just loves to sleep. He sleeps as soon as he's full."

As she spoke, she gently patted the second watermelon. Seeing her younger sister being patted, the little watermelon also came over, reaching out her little hand to touch her, while making "ah ah" sounds.