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

Shen Kuo was a little embarrassed. He scratched his head and turned around. At the same time, he made sure to straighten the book and hold it securely in his arms.

"I'm sorry, brothers, for causing you trouble."

Shen Kuo himself didn't know what was going on, but the three young men opposite him all had strange expressions, as if they wanted to laugh, but there was a deeper meaning to it.

Su Zhen wasn't a husband, so she naturally didn't understand the situation with these "stinky men." Although she didn't know what those looks meant, she seemed to have seen them somewhere before…

For example, she seemed to have seen both the official Mrs. Zhou and her own mother, which made her feel a little strange.

Helpless, she followed their gazes and then suddenly realized what was going on—

Shen Kuo's cheeks were slightly flushed!

Although she couldn't understand the meaning in Han Zhi's eyes, she had seen Shen Kuo with that expression on Han Zhi's face before!

He's clearly fallen for some woman.

As for which lady it was, is there any need to think too much? It should be the Lady Wang we just met!

Han Zhi and Lü Huiqing each put their arms around Shen Kuo's shoulders, practically supporting him as they walked forward, and then they spoke:

"Brother Shen, have you taken a fancy to that Lady Wang?"

"She's the daughter of a high-ranking official, isn't it a bit beneath you to act like this?"

Lü Huiqing and Han Zhi spoke one after the other, and Lü Huiqing said, "Brother Han, you are mistaken. Brother Shen's family has a Dali Temple Minister, his uncle is a Taichang Temple Vice Minister, and his maternal uncle is also a military advisor."

“Our families are noble and powerful, and we can live a smooth life just by virtue of our ancestors’ influence. Brother Huaimin is also the son of a high-ranking official, with his family’s Minister of Works. If we’re talking about background, Brother Shen is the best.”

"Tell me, why can't his family marry that Lady Wang? They're a good match, and they've even met once. Isn't that much better than an ordinary marriage?"

Han Zhi then nodded at Lü Huiqing, agreeing wholeheartedly: "Ah! That makes sense!"

"If you ask me, Brother Shen, you should first pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi, then receive an official title from His Majesty. At that time, you can bring a large entourage to propose marriage. That would be quite a grand affair!"

At this moment, Lü Huiqing pointed at Han Zhi and said, "Brother Han's words are also reasonable! With fame and official rank, one can enjoy the wedding night!"

Shen Kuo was also getting annoyed by what he heard, so he quickly shook off the two of them and laughed and scolded, "You two, you say I'm your brother, but why are you gossiping like this! Aren't you just like those cunning foxes?"

Zhang Huaimin spoke up at this moment, saying, "That's true, and none of us saw Lady Wang's face except for Brother Shen."

"You're offending her private quarters; to put it more seriously, you're ruining her reputation."

Zhang Huaimin spoke according to common ethics, and if it weren't for the slight smirk in his eyes, Shen Kuo would have truly believed him! At this moment, Han Zhi leaned closer again, putting his arm around Shen Kuo's shoulder and saying:

"To be honest, my wife and I were in a similar situation to Brother Shen and Madam Wang at that time."

As he spoke, he raised his eyes and winked at Su Zhen. The latter responded with a soft "humph."

Shen Kuo was stunned and asked, "Brother Han was also hit by a car?"

"Go away, go away! I'm the one who rode in the carriage!"

"Oh..." Shen Kuo nodded, "Could it be that Lady Su was hit by a carriage?"

Shen Kuo truly performed "extraordinarily" today...

Han Zhi slapped his forehead and said, "Oh, that's not what I meant..."

Zhang Huaimin then said, "Brother Han means that he offended Lady Su's appearance before he married her."

At this moment, Lü Huiqing rushed over, covered Zhang Huaimin's mouth, and said, "Now I finally understand why Brother Han told you to sleep more. I didn't understand before, but today I've really seen it for myself."

"What Brother Han means is that it was the first time the two of them met, and they fell in love at first sight. In the end, it wasn't just because he offended her beauty, but also because of their feelings for each other."

Han Zhi and Su Zhen exchanged a glance, but the latter turned his head away with feigned arrogance and quietly followed behind the young men.

He then let go of Shen Kuo and ran back, leaving his wife to follow behind and figure out what was going on.

However, Su Zhen wouldn't let him follow her; she simply took the book from his hands and carried it herself. Han Zhi was still a little confused, but then he saw her give him a few winks, indicating that he should go and follow the young men.

Han Zhi was slightly taken aback, then saw her slightly raise her face, as if giving a hint. Only then did he smile, kiss her on the head, and then go back to pull Shen Kuo back to his side.

"Alright, Brother Han, let's not say any more. I only met that Lady Wang once, how could it be so serious?" Shen Kuo sighed and said.

"You only know about matching social status, but we've only met once. Why are you pressuring us like this?"

Han Zhi patted his chest and asked bluntly, "Just tell me—honestly, is he good-looking? Do you like him?"

Shen Kuo was a little embarrassed now, but he argued, "But if we decide our entire life based on this alone, isn't it too hasty?"

“What’s so difficult about that?” Lü Huiqing interjected. “Find a matchmaker, then you can go and test them out, and who knows, it might just work out.”

Upon seeing the word "matchmaker," Han Zhi quickly said, "Alright, Brother Huiqing, it was just a joke. Why take it so seriously? You can't really hire a matchmaker and then go to the home of the Grand Counselor to propose marriage, can you?"

Lu Huiqing waved his hand and said, "Alright, alright, let's see what Brother Shen decides..."

Han Zhi released his grip, and Shen Kuo was finally "free." He loosened his stiff shoulders and sighed softly. He wanted to look down at his book, but suddenly, for some reason, he couldn't concentrate.

Seeing that the conversation had ended, Han Zhi scurried back to Su Zhen's side and hugged the book back to his arms.

Su Zhen gently took Han Zhi's arm and asked, "How is it, my lord? Have you finished telling me about Young Master Shen?"

"It was just a joke, it's over now," Han Zhi said with a smile.

Su Zhen then said, "Sir, you were just talking nonsense again."

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

"Never mind, my lord is just talking nonsense." Su Zhen blushed slightly and said coquettishly:

“My lord, once you have friends, you forget about me. You only care about your own enjoyment of chatting. I’m afraid you won’t even know if I’m lost one day.”

Han Zhi chuckled and said, "How could that be! No matter where Ba Niang is, I can find her."

At this moment, Han Zhi spotted a food stall and asked Su Zhen, "Eighth Sister, would you like to try this? I don't think I've given it to you yet!"

"No...it's not necessary..."

But before Su Zhen could finish speaking, he was led to the stall.

"Boss, how much does this snack cost?"