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

It was only early December, and the snow was already falling even harder, but Bao Zheng, walking through the imperial city, had a smile on his face that was even brighter than the snow.

Bao Zheng, holding a memorial in his hand, walked excitedly toward the emperor's study.

......

Emperor Renzong of Song, Zhao Zhen, had just finished the morning court session and was sitting in the main hall, reading a memorial in his hand. At this moment, a eunuch entered and said, "Your Majesty, the Deputy Privy Councilor, Bao, requests an audience."

Zhao Zhen didn't even look up, and said, "Summon them."

Upon receiving the order, the eunuch turned and walked out of the main hall. When he returned, Bao Zheng was following behind him.

"Your Majesty, Privy Councilor Bao has arrived."

Zhao Zhen then put down the memorial in his hand and looked up. Seeing Bao Zheng covered in snowflakes, he asked, "You've come through this heavy snow today; is there something important to report?"

Bao Zheng bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have come here today on an important matter. I have not failed Your Majesty's trust and have concluded the case of Leng Qing. I have come to report to Your Majesty."

Zhao Zhen sat up straight and hurriedly asked, "Speak quickly! Is Leng Qing my son?"

“Your Majesty,” Bao Zheng said, holding the memorial in both hands, “that Leng Qing is neither Your Majesty’s son nor the Crown Prince of our Great Song Dynasty.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhen slowly lowered his body and asked, "How did you know that?"

Bao Zheng then said, "Your Majesty, to be honest, I used the methods of my unworthy disciple. I first investigated Your Majesty's bedchamber records, and then went to Leng Qing's hometown to investigate his family."

"what's the result?"

“That palace maid did indeed receive His Majesty’s favor, but after His Majesty dismissed her, she returned to Sichuan and married a doctor. A year after her marriage, she gave birth to a daughter, and three years later, she gave birth to Leng Qing,” Bao Zheng explained.

"Time is one of the problems."

Zhao Zhen nodded and asked, "The Leng Qing case has delayed Minister Bao for more than half a year. There were no clues for a while, but less than a month after you sent your men, you were able to resolve the case so well. I was right about you."

Bao Zheng replied, "Your Majesty, this method was not what I conceived, and I dare not claim credit for it."

"Whoever came up with that idea, I will reward him."

“Your Majesty, the one who devised this method is none other than my newly recruited student, named Han Zhi,” Bao Zheng replied.

Upon hearing the name, Zhao Zhen thought for a moment, realizing it wasn't any nobleman or talented scholar from Bianjing. He then asked, "Who is this Han Zhi?"

"Han Zhi is the son of Han Zhuo, the Earl of Fuping, and Zhou Huai'an, the Princess of Meishan County. He is currently studying at the Imperial Academy in Kaifeng Prefecture," Bao Zheng said.

Zhao Zhen suddenly realized: "So he is the son of the Earl of Fuping. What talent does this boy have that he has won the appreciation of Minister Bao and been taken as a student?"

Bao Zheng lived for so many years, and all I heard about him was that he taught his son very well; Bao Yi is now a well-loved official. But I have never heard of him taking anyone as a student, unless that person was exceptionally talented.

"I wonder if providing a solution to a case that has troubled His Majesty for so long can be considered a talent?" Bao Zheng said. "Some time ago, the Kaifeng Academy and the Yingtian Academy held a poetry competition, and Han Zhi was the champion."

Zhao Zhen pondered for a moment, then asked, "Did he write those poems, 'Nian Nu Jiao' and 'Qin Yuan Chun'?"

After the poetry gathering concluded, as the emperor, he naturally had the right to learn about it.

"Your Majesty, that is indeed the case."

Zhao Zhen smiled and said, "This boy does have some talent in literature, but I don't know his true abilities. How about this—I will reward him according to the usual etiquette for ministers, what do you think?"

"Since he is a student, I will take out a few more books from the Hanlin Academy for him to study."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Zhen waved his hand and said, "Minister Bao, you may leave now."

"Old minister, please retire."

......

After Han Zhi returned home, he had just poked his head out of the carriage when an umbrella was placed over his head. He was startled and looked over; it was Su Zhen.

She smiled, her small nose red from the cold, and she had put on many more layers of clothing. He quickly got off the carriage, then took out a large paper package from his pocket, unfolded it, and brought it to Su Zhen's lips.

It was a tender roasted duck leg, so fatty and juicy, with an irresistible aroma.

"Try it! I made an appointment for this yesterday, and the shopkeeper specially reserved one for me," Han Zhi said boastfully.

"Ah."

Su Zhen leaned down gently, took a bite of the duck leg, and nodded, saying, "Delicious."

"Of course!" Han Zhi laughed. "It's been cold lately, and many shops are closing early because they need to go back for lunch. I'm afraid for the next while, I'll only be able to bring Eighth Sister snacks and the like."

Su Zhen shook his head and said, "It's alright, my husband will be back soon."

"Hurry back inside, it's cold outside..."

But before the two had fully entered the house, they heard shouts coming from afar: "The Emperor's envoy has arrived! All bystanders, step aside!"

Han Zhi immediately waved his hand, signaling Ma Ping to take the carriage away. Then he and Su Zhen quickly went inside, but they didn't leave. They just stood at the door, looking curiously in the direction the emperor's envoy had come from.

Han Zhi still had the duck leg in his hand in front of Su Zhen, and even though Su Zhen was looking up at the door, she was still munching away.

But soon, both of them involuntarily pulled themselves back, standing perfectly straight in the doorway—

The emperor's envoy's procession stopped at his own doorstep. The eunuch, holding a scroll of yellow silk, looked up and first confirmed the location of the mansion before him.

It is indeed the residence of the Marquis of Fuping; the plaque is even made of gold.

"This gentleman, are you the son of the Earl of Fuping and the Princess of Meishan County?" the eunuch asked with a smile, bowing his head.

That soft, feminine voice was no different from the one in the TV series.

Han Zhi nodded with some doubt and said, "That's right."

"This must be your wife, right? She has an extraordinary air about her. You two are a perfect match, a talented man and a beautiful woman, a match made in heaven." The eunuch looked at Su Zhen, bowed slightly, and then naturally began to flatter him.

"I wonder if this angel has come looking for...us?"

The eunuch nodded and said, "His Majesty's decree has arrived, to reward Master Han. Why doesn't Master Han gather his family and relatives to come and receive the decree?"

Han Zhi and Su Zhen both had a momentary lapse in judgment, exchanging a glance before snapping back to reality.

The two quickly turned around and ran into the mansion. The servants also came with brooms and swept the snow out of the courtyard.

Soon, everyone in the Marquis of Fuping's residence was standing in the courtyard. Then, the Emperor ordered someone to place an incense burner at his feet and began to recite:

"Your Excellency: The case of Leng Qing has troubled me for a long time. However, I have heard that Han Zhi made outstanding contributions in the case. He distinguished the true prince from the false one and devised a wise plan, which greatly pleased me. Now I bestow upon him a thousand taels of gold to recognize his efforts; a hundred sheep to supplement his household expenses; five hundred bolts of silk for his clothing; and several volumes of rare ancient books, hoping that he will read extensively and enhance his wisdom."

Therefore, I humbly request that my lord, Han Zhi, live up to my expectations, dedicate himself to scholarship, and soon achieve success in the imperial examinations. May he then serve the people, bring honor to the nation, and promote the teachings of Confucius.

December 2nd, the second year of the Huangyou reign —

Down!"