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

“Nothing much, it’s just that my sister and I are bored at home alone. We couldn’t stand it, so we came to find Lady Su,” Bao Wan said.

Su Zhen blinked and said, "So if you're not free, you won't come looking for me?"

“Why do you speak like that? We just heard that Young Master Han went to the Imperial Academy. If we weren’t afraid of disturbing your enjoyment, we would have come much earlier,” Bao Fu said.

"A new theater opened in the capital a couple of days ago, and today is the start of a new show. If we go there, we might be able to see something new."

After listening to what Bao Fu said, Su Zhen frowned slightly and said, "But I don't know how long this play will last. When I saw my husband off just now, we made an agreement that I would wait for him at home."

But Bao Fu's stubbornness was somewhat like Han Zhi's. She stepped forward and took Su Zhen's arm, saying, "Madam Su, this is a new theater. Don't you want to try something new?"

"The play won't last long, and you'll definitely be home within two hours. If Madam Su is really worried, you can head home before noon."

Bao Wan then said, "Since Madam Su is waiting at home, she must be feeling bored. Why don't we sisters go with her? If it doesn't go well, we can come back later."

Su Zhen thought for a moment and then nodded: "In that case, let's go take a look. But let's make it clear beforehand that if the play goes on for too long, I'll have to come back."

Upon hearing Su Zhen's agreement, Bao Wan and Bao Fu beamed with joy and said, "No problem, no problem, we'll do whatever you say."

So, Su Zhen dressed and went out with Xiao Hei in his arms.

Sitting in the Bao family's carriage, Bao Fu started again—she stretched out her finger to tease Xiao Hei and said, "This dog is quite lucky; Madam Su is actually willing to take it to see a play."

Su Zhen held Xiao Hei in his arms, scratching its neck with his finger, and said with a smile, "This was given to me by my husband. He said he was worried that I would be bored at home alone and have no one to keep me company, so he bought Xiao Hei to keep me company."

Upon hearing the name "Xiao Hei," the Bao sisters were taken aback at first, then looked the pure white dog up and down. They both laughed, saying, "So this is the dog that Han Langjun gave us. No wonder Madam Su insists on having it with her at home and taking it with her when she goes out."

"But this dog is pure white, with no other colors on its fur, so why is it called 'Black'?"

Su Zhen sighed and replied with a smile, "Things will inevitably turn into their opposites when they reach their extremes; this is an unchanging principle since ancient times. The extreme of white is black, and the extreme of black is white. Even yin and yang can coexist with black and white, but this dog has no other colors at all. This is the extreme of white, so it is named 'Black'."

Bao Wan laughed and said, "I knew that Madam Su was very talented, but I never expected that even the dog in the house would have such a... profound and unfathomable name."

“My dear sisters, I came out with you today just to humiliate me like this. I might as well get off the bus and go home.” Su Zhen said this when she saw that they were still laughing.

“Good wife, let’s not talk about it anymore. Don’t go back alone. It’s not safe.” Bao Wan stopped laughing and changed the subject.

......

The three women chatted all the way in the carriage before finally arriving at the entrance of the opera house. Su Zhen habitually looked up at the plaque above: Xiyu Tower.

Just as Bao Wan and Bao Fu had said, the building was newly opened; the red silk and red hydrangea decorations on both sides were still there. There were also many people gathered at the entrance, but it was unclear what they were doing.

Su Zhen then asked, "With so many people, will we still be able to see them today?"

Bao Fu blinked, a sly glint in her eyes, and explained, "Miss Su, you may not know this, but this theater has just opened, and they say that for the first seven days, you can enter by writing your own words, and it's a free seat."

Su Zhen was taken aback and said, "So that means all these guests are here to write lyrics?"

Bao Wan nodded and said, "Of course, it's not that you can get in just by writing any poem. Only those who write good poems can enter. Otherwise, you'll just have to wait until no one writes a poem and obediently pay your money to enter."

Su Zhen nodded, then, as if he had thought of something, said, "So that's why you two ladies insisted on bringing me along today. You wanted to take my hand and escort you two ladies into the theater to watch the show?"

Bao Fu immediately started acting spoiled, saying, "How can you say that? Don't worry, we won't treat you badly. We'll cover the cost of your tea and snacks once you're inside!"

Su Zhen laughed and said, "Aren't you afraid that I'll just write something random and ruin this opera performance?"

“How could that be? Lady Su is incredibly talented; she can write down timeless lines with just a few words. How could she possibly not be able to get in?” Bao Fu quickly said.

Su Zhen couldn't refuse, so he nodded and said, "In that case, shall we go and take a look?"

Bao Fu nodded, then led Su Zhen and her sister Bao Wan to the front. As they reached the front, a scholar-like man turned to leave, and Su Zhen was pushed forward.

"Madam, do you need me to write lyrics? If you do a good job, you can watch the play for free," said the worker at the door.

Su Zhen nodded and asked, "Are there any rules?"

"There are no rules, just congratulate us on our new theater," the waiter said.

Su Zhen handed Xiao Hei to Bao Wan, then picked up his brush, pondered for a moment, and began to write:

"As dusk settles, the new building is bathed in the glow of the setting sun. Jade flutes and golden strings linger from the beams, their elegant melodies filling the hall."

The splendor of the Peking Opera unfolds, ancient melodies played anew. A melody of flowing water and towering mountains resonates, as we share in the elegant composition of this new building.

What a fine piece of poetry, "Qing Ping Yue"! This was arguably Su Zhen's most accomplished lyricist. After she finished writing it, the waiter picked up the paper and handed it to an old scholar beside him.

The old scholar finished reading the poem, his expression shifting several times before he looked up at Su Zhen before him. He then asked, "Madam...may I ask whose wife you are?"

"Me?" Su Zhen was a little surprised and replied, "I am the wife of the Marquis of Fuping. My husband's surname is Han."

The old scholar immediately stood up, smiled and bowed, saying, "So you are an honored guest. No wonder you are so talented. Please come in, gentlemen. Seats are prepared for you."

Su Zhen was somewhat surprised. When she came to her senses, Xiao Hei was already back in her arms, while Bao Fu was pulling her inside. Even after they were seated at the very front, she still didn't understand what was going on.

The old scholar then said, "Madam, you have already passed the test of literary skills, so you may sit here."

Su Zhen blinked and asked again, "But what does this have to do with whose wife I am?"

"It was just a casual remark, but a lady like you must come from a wealthy and powerful family. That's why I asked that question."

After the old scholar finished speaking, he left directly, and a waiter took his place to inquire about food and drink. All of this was arranged by Bao Wan and Bao Fu, so Su Zhen had nothing to do with it.

Just then, a voice came from beside her: "Lady Su, what a coincidence!"

Su Zhen looked over—it was Liu Yong, sitting not far from her. She nodded slightly and replied, "Master Liu."

"We met yesterday, and now we meet again. What a coincidence." Liu Yong smiled slightly, then looked at the two Bao family daughters beside her and asked, "Where is Master Han? Are you two not walking together?"

“My husband is going to study at the Imperial Academy, so it was just me and my two friends who came.”

Liu Yong nodded, and then fell silent for a moment.