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

After Bao Wan and Bao Fu ordered their food, they noticed that Su Zhen and Liu Yong had already started chatting.

The person who was talking to Su Zhen seemed to know as well, and they asked, "Is this the official Liu Yong?"

Immediately, the two people who had been talking shifted their attention to that side. Only then did Liu Yong notice the two ladies over there, and he politely nodded, saying, "Indeed, may I ask who you two ladies are?"

"My sister and I share the surname Bao."

"Your surname is Bao? Are you two the daughters of Privy Councilor Bao?"

Bao Shumi was naturally Bao Zheng, and the two young ladies nodded in agreement. Liu Yong then stood up and respectfully said, "Greetings to the two ladies Bao. Please convey my regards to your lord."

Bao Zheng was renowned and deeply loved by the people, so Bao Wan and Bao Fu were used to this kind of situation. They simply nodded and then asked Su Zhen:

"Lady Su, how did you manage to get to know such a romantic and talented man as Master Liu?"

Bao Fu interjected, "Of course! With such talent as Lady Su, even Master Han would have to bow down to her. How could she not know Master Liu?"

Liu Yong, now intrigued, asked, "Oh? I've only heard of two of Han Guanren's poems, and haven't yet seen Su Niangzi's writing. Would you be so kind as to produce a piece of your calligraphy for me to admire?"

“This…” Su Zhen paused for a moment, somewhat embarrassed, and said, “It seems that I don’t have any. My poems are just something I write casually when I’m bored, and they don’t count as any real skill.”

But then, the nosy Bao Fu spoke up, saying, "It's not that there isn't. A while ago, when the first snow fell, Madam Su wrote a poem at our house. Using summer scenery to describe winter feelings, it did capture the atmosphere perfectly."

Liu Yong quickly followed up, "Does Madam Bao still remember?"

"Of course I remember..."

Immediately, Bao Fu read out Su Zhen's poem, which surprised Liu Yong: "I didn't expect that even with Han Guanren's literary talent, Su Niangzi would be slightly better."

"No, no, those are all beneath us," Su Zhen quickly waved his hand.

After chatting for a while, the curtain rose. The play on stage was indeed a new production—Mulian Saves His Mother.

The play tells the story of a kind monk named Maudgalyayana, whose mother was suffering in hell after he attained enlightenment because of her greed and stinginess. He prayed to the Buddha that only with the help of monks from all directions could his mother be saved.

Although it was supposed to be a touching story of filial piety, Su Zhen found it rather strange. The more he looked at it, the more his brows furrowed.

Even as she watched further, she found herself unable to continue, so she moved closer to Bao Wan and said, "Madam Bao, this play is not suitable for me, so I will take my leave now."

Bao Wan was startled and quickly pulled up Bao Fu, who was still engrossed in watching, and followed Su Zhen out.

After following Su Zhen outside, Bao Wan asked, "What's wrong, Madam Su? Are you feeling unwell?"

Su Zhen shook his head and said, "No, it's just that the characters in this play are merely using connections, yet it's turned into a poignant and dramatic story. It's truly strange..."

"If you two ladies still wish to watch, you may go back. It's almost time, and I should go home to wait for my husband to finish school."

Bao Wan and Bao Fu exchanged a glance and said, "Alright, we don't find this play very interesting either, so we'll go back with you. It'll also be a good opportunity to tell Han Langjun about your schedule for today, so he won't worry."

"Good work."

......

Han Zhi returned to his doorstep, carefully protecting a lotus leaf sachet in his arms. Su Zhen's slightly wrinkled face relaxed upon seeing Han Zhi.

"Official!"

Su Zhen greeted him with a smile, and even tiptoed to give Han Zhi a quick kiss on the lips. Han Zhi then took out a silk handkerchief from his chest—the very one Su Zhen had written the poem on last time.

"Didn't Eighth Sister say this word was bad, pretentious? Why is it in my arms today?" he asked with a wicked smile.

He had thought his teasing would at least make Su Zhen blush. But today, not only did she not blush, she even dared to retort, "So what if I wanted to?"

"Yesterday you said I was just being biased, but today you won't even let me think of you? That's all nonsense, you've betrayed my feelings."

Han Zhi chuckled, tucked the handkerchief back into his bosom, and then patted Su Zhen's cheek again. Only then did Su Zhen show a hint of triumph, seemingly quite pleased.

Han Zhi then took out the lotus leaf package from his pocket and opened it—indeed, it contained a whole roasted chicken, except that one chicken leg had been cut off. He then picked up the chicken leg and brought it to Su Zhen's lips:

"Eighth Sister, have a taste. I bought the roast chicken you promised yesterday, and I've been craving it all the way here."

The side facing Su Zhen was the side with the most meat. Su Zhen smiled, leaned forward, and took a bite. Needless to say, the taste was amazing, and her eyebrows even curved upwards.

"Is it yummy?"

"Delicious." Su Zhen nodded, then pushed the chicken leg in front of Han Zhi: "My lord, you should eat some too."

Han Zhi naturally followed Su Zhen's lead and took a bite as well, but on the side with less meat. Su Zhen noticed Han Zhi's little action and laughed, "If my husband eats so carelessly, then I won't eat the rest either. I might as well feed it to Xiao Hei."

"No, no, this is all for Eighth Sister. Eighth Sister is still young and needs to take good care of her health. I can't eat too much—not even Little Black!" Han Zhi said, and once again brought the chicken leg to Su Zhen's mouth.

"Seriously, he's so glib."

Su Zhen took another bite, her cheek puffing up from the food. Han Zhi couldn't resist and gave Su Zhen another playful peck on the cheek.

But Xiao Hei seemed to be unable to stand it any longer and let out a cry. Han Zhi thought that Xiao Hei also wanted to eat, so he looked up and saw the Bao sisters who had been standing at the door for a while, while the little guy was being held by Bao Fu.

"Are there guests at home?"

Su Zhen paused for a moment, then followed Han Zhi's gaze and noticed the two sisters who had been waiting for him at the door. She immediately called out, "..."

"I forgot..."

"The two ladies came to visit me, but upon seeing my husband, they forgot all about me for a moment." Su Zhen then moved closer to Han Zhi, seemingly trying to hide herself.

Bao Wan's face was flushed red, and Bao Fu, who was holding Xiao Hei, simply snorted and turned her head away. As for the little guy, he made "woo-woo" sounds.

"Um...that..." Han Zhi was also embarrassed at this moment, and said, "Ladies, since you are guests today, why don't you come in and have lunch together?"

Bao Fu simply put Xiao Hei down on the ground, grabbed her sister, and left without saying a word. Only after they were in the carriage did she peek out and say:

"Go ahead and show off, what's so great about it!"

After saying that, he simply pulled his head back and let the driver leave.

Watching them leave, Han Zhi and Su Zhen exchanged a glance, then acted as if nothing had happened.

"Quick, quick, Auntie, there's still half a chicken leg left. Let's finish this and then go inside..."

"Ok!"