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

Su Zhen gently put down her pen and took the half-finished poem from Han Zhi's hand. She examined it for a while, then picked out a scroll from the side.

Han Zhi gently supported her as he looked at the two scrolls, one of which was the original first edition of "Nanfeng Ci".

"This was written to me by Ba Niang back then. I just wonder if Ba Niang had fallen for me at that time?" Han Zhi stretched out his finger, gently touching the words on the paper, and asked in a low voice.

"If I say no, will you blame me, my lord?" Su Zhen nestled against his chest and asked in return.

"How could that be?" Han Zhi smiled slightly, withdrew his fingers, and helped Su Zhen comb her slightly loose hair, saying:

"I had only known Ba Niang for about ten days when we met again and we ended up in the bridal chamber. Although I liked Ba Niang, she might not have liked me back."

"Since ancient times, a single decision on the scales of life has been a lifelong commitment. How could one possibly fall in love with a complete stranger so quickly?"

As Han Zhi spoke, his voice inevitably became somewhat heavy, and how could Su Zhen not hear it?

She put down the half-finished poem, picked up the first draft, and said, "If you don't like it, why did you write this poem?"

Then, she broke free from Han Zhi's embrace and went to the wall. She gently pulled over a stool, stood on it, and changed the long poem, hanging it above her.

"Humans are inherently sentimental, yet the word 'sentiment' is elusive. Like a drunkard waking up, one's feelings are naturally deep, and everyone's heart is different when it comes to love." Su Zhen landed on his feet, his eyes fixed on the two poems on the wall.

"My lord fell in love with me at first sight, and I felt the same way. My poem 'West Island Ballad' is so beautiful and expressive that it has captured my heart. Even if someone were to write a better one, I fear it would not be able to move my heart."

She walked gracefully to Han Zhi, and her delicate figure fell into his arms.

The two gazed at each other, and Han Zhi subconsciously reached out and placed a finger on Su Zhen's lips. This action, however, provoked a soft scolding from Su Zhen:

"You shameless rascal..."

……

Just as their emotions had reached this point, someone unexpectedly interrupted them:

"My lord! My wife! It's time for dinner!"

The two were startled and quickly separated as if they had been electrocuted. When Yueping brought her people in, she only saw two people with their heads turned away from each other, their faces still slightly red.

She paused for a moment, then realized what had happened. She quickly grabbed Qian Su, set the table, and ran out—

Whether they eat, when they eat, or how they eat is none of her business, nor should it be. Seemingly worried it was "too cold," she turned back, picked up Little Black, and closed the door.

Hearing the door close, Han Zhi and Su Zhen breathed a sigh of relief, while Han Zhi immediately pulled her back into his arms, trying to "rescue" her.

But Su Zhen reached out and covered Han Zhi's mouth, her face flushed, and said, "My lord, let's talk about it tonight. It's time to eat now..."

"Okay..." Han Zhi nodded, his voice muffled as it came from Su Zhen's small hand. He didn't forget to pout and give her a kiss, which seemed quite sweet!

"Oops~"

Su Zhen blushed even more, and instead of covering his mouth, she pinched his waist.

"Be careful," Han Zhi said, supporting her. "After dinner, would you like to go for a stroll in Bianjing?"

Unlike the Tang Dynasty, the Song Dynasty did not have a curfew, so people could go home whenever they wanted. Moreover, restaurants and music halls seemed to be more lively at night, which should have made it more interesting.

"Are we going tonight?" Su Zhen asked, glancing at the sky outside.

"Mm." Han Zhi nodded.

Su Zhen thought for a moment and said, "That's fine. We can see if we have any new good people and hire them to take home."

"I'll listen to whatever Ba Niang says."

……

When Han Zhi and Su Zhen went out, it was already dark, and the snow had stopped. They hadn't originally planned to bring Xiao Hei along, but the little guy was too attached to Su Zhen and insisted on following her out, clinging to her clothes.

Helpless, Su Zhen had no choice but to pick it up so it wouldn't run away.

Han Zhi and Su Zhen stepped out of their home, and were greeted by the bustling night scene of Bianjing. Lanterns hung high on both sides of the street, adorning the night with a dreamlike quality. Pedestrians thronged the streets, and the cries of vendors and the rumble of carriages mingled together—

No wonder the painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" exists; it can no longer be considered a miniature version. Han Zhi visited the site himself and realized that the painting depicted too little; it might not even represent a corner of the whole picture.

They strolled slowly along the street, Xiao Hei whimpering happily in Su Zhen's arms. Han Zhi held Su Zhen's hand with one hand and gently stroked her back with the other, the two enjoying this rare moment of peace and sweetness.

"My lord, look over there." Su Zhen pointed to a stall not far away, which was filled with all kinds of trinkets, sparkling brightly. Under the moonlight and lanterns, they looked even more dazzling.

Han Zhi smiled slightly and led Su Zhen over.

"What kind of jewelry would you like to buy, esteemed guests?"

The stall owner greeted them warmly, offering them several exquisite ornaments to choose from. Su Zhen picked up a small silver hairpin, examining it closely with a curious gleam in her eyes.

It's understandable that this is Bianjing, the capital of the country; even the most ordinary craftsmanship here is much better than that of Meishan.

"Does Eighth Sister like it? If so, buy it." Han Zhi said from the side, his tone full of affection. Even Little Black stretched out its white "paws," seemingly wanting to tug at the hairpin.

Su Zhen shook her head slightly, gently placed the hairpin back on the stall, and said, "Let's take another look."

However, Han Zhi took out half a piece of silver from his purse, slapped it into the vendor's hand, and then picked up the silver hairpin, holding it in his bosom like a treasure.

"I already said I don't want it." Su Zhen couldn't help but smile as she looked at his actions.

“Whether Eighth Sister doesn’t want it or not is another matter, whether I buy it or not,” Han Zhi said with a smile, gently patting the hairpin in his arms.

"What a spoiled brat! Does he really think this money grows on trees?" Su Zhen laughed, then continued walking forward.

But they hadn't walked far when Han Zhi suddenly let go of Su Zhen's hand and ran off. Su Zhen was startled and quickly looked in the direction he ran—

"My lord! My lord?"

But Han Zhi didn't respond, so she quickened her pace to barely catch a glimpse of him. Han Zhi stopped, and Su Zhen turned slightly to look at him, only to find that he was standing in front of a candied hawthorn stall, paying two copper coins and taking out a candied hawthorn.

He turned around and saw Su Zhen, who was slightly out of breath, standing behind him.

"Why didn't you wait for me where you were? Why did you have to come up here?" Han Zhi said with a smile, bringing the candied hawthorn to her lips.

Su Zhen gave him a disgruntled look and said, "My lord, you're running so fast, I'm naturally worried. I'm just afraid that you'll go to that Pingluan Tower again and listen to the newly composed music."

"How could that be? Eighth Sister won't let me go, how could I possibly go?" Han Zhi still had that gentle smile, standing side by side with her, and took her hand.

"Hurry up and eat one, otherwise Eighth Sister's trip will have been in vain."

Su Zhen still gave a light snort and said, "It's good that you know what's good for you, sir."

She took a bite, and the sweet and sour taste burst in her mouth, causing her eyes to unconsciously curve into a smile.

"What are your plans next, Eighth Sister? I'll listen to you."

Han Zhi asked softly.

"One must move forward; there is no reason to look back on the road."