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

Throughout the entire class, Han Zhi, Lü Huiqing, Zhang Huaimin, and others were secretly observing Shen Kuo's situation. However, to everyone's surprise, Shen Kuo remained completely calm, as if the person behind him wasn't even there.

Lu Huiqing and Han Zhi, who were standing closest, both expressed their confusion, and then their gazes slowly shifted back to Wang Qian—

She was dignified and attentive in class; she didn't seem like the type to eat people.

The two quickly turned around and looked at each other again, both seeing confusion in each other's eyes.

……

Shen Kuo showed no unusual behavior until the end of get out of class. Han Zhi and the others, having read half of it, also found it boring and stopped reading to concentrate on their books.

After packing their things, the four young men carried their schoolbags and books together, just like they always did after school, studying the new material as they left.

For a moment, I completely forgot about Wang Qian!

If Wang Qian hadn't spoken up at that moment, the four of them would have basically forgotten what happened that morning—

"The four officials ahead?"

The four men had just stepped out the door when they heard Wang Qian's voice, and as if pulled back by someone, they all stumbled a step. Turning around, they were still completely bewildered. Only when they saw Wang Qian did the three gentlemen, except for Shen Kuo, simultaneously raise their sleeves to cover their faces and say:

"Greetings, Madam Wang."

Shen Kuo, belatedly realizing what was happening, quickly bowed:

"Greetings, Madam Wang."

"I just saw you four gentlemen a while ago, and I didn't expect to see you again today," Wang Qian said with a slight smile.

The four looked up, and Lü Huiqing said, "It is indeed a coincidence, but I wonder if Lady Wang called us to her with some instructions."

Wang Qian quickly waved her hand and said, "I dare not give orders, but I have a question I would like to ask."

“Madam Wang, please ask whatever you wish.” Lu Huiqing and the other two silently took a half step back.

Wang Qian coughed twice and said, "I heard before that there was a talented scholar in your academy who won the championship of the poetry competition with only three poems."

"I inquired with the Chancellor, but all I know is that it's in this classroom. I wonder if the four gentlemen recognize it?"

Shen Kuo turned slightly, about to say it was Han Zhi. But the latter casually put his arm around his shoulder, grabbed his hand, and spoke first:

"It's Brother Shen."

Now, Lü Huiqing, Zhang Huaimin, and even Shen Kuo all looked at him with utter bewilderment. Then, Lü Huiqing and Zhang Huaimin, belatedly realizing what was happening, simultaneously raised their hands and pointed at Shen Kuo:

"That's right, it's Brother Shen."

Shen Kuo looked utterly astonished.

I?

Are you sure it's me?

How come I don't know it's me?

But looking at their "serious" expressions, "it's true" and "you must believe me," what Shen Kuo found most absurd was that Wang Qian actually believed it!

"It's actually Lord Shen, my apologies for my disrespect." Wang Qian bowed slightly and gave a salute.

Shen Kuo was about to explain when Lü Huiqing put his arm around his other shoulder and covered his mouth.

"Waaaaah! Waaaaah! Waaaah!"

I don't know what Shen Kuo was saying, so it's normal that I couldn't hear him.

Wang Qian stared blankly at the four of them, somewhat bewildered, and asked, "Does Master Shen have something to say? What's going on here...?"

“He’s talking about…yes, that’s right, it’s me,” Han Zhi said at this moment.

Wang Qian blinked in confusion and asked, "But what Master Shen said seemed to be seven characters?"

Lü Huiqing quickly replied, "These seven words are... yes, that's right, it's me, that's right."

Zhang Huaimin stretched out his hand, like a comedian, and said, "Including the word 'right,' it's exactly seven words, no more, no less."

"Why not let Master Shen speak? These officials are acting as if they've kidnapped him."

Han Zhi quickly laughed it off, saying, "How could that be! Brother Shen just likes to...play like this. As his brothers, of course we have to help him!"

Wang Qian nodded in understanding – perhaps because she had lived a secluded life for so long, she actually believed it.

"I wonder if you will be free later, Mr. Shen? I have reserved a table at the Xiyu Tower. Would you do me the honor of coming?" she asked again.

"Woo!"

Shen Kuo, really, this child is so naughty, always whimpering. And so, Han Zhi, as if to put it in a knowing way, brought his mouth close to his mouth, nodded knowingly, and then said to Wang Qian:

"Brother Shen said he has time."

He looked very serious, speaking as if it were the truth.

Wang Qian immediately beamed with joy and said, "That's wonderful! My carriage is right at the door. If you don't mind, Mr. Shen, you may ride with me."

Seeing that the plan had succeeded, Han Zhi and the others released their grip. Shen Kuo, annoyed, was about to confront them, but before he could speak, he heard Lü Huiqing say:

"By the way, Brother Han, it's getting late. You should head home early today, lest you keep Madam Su waiting."

Han Zhi then pretended to suddenly realize something, said goodbye, and turned to leave.

Then Zhang Huaimin said, "I don't know why, but I've been feeling a bit tired lately, and I don't know if I've been getting enough sleep. I'm sorry, Brother Shen, I need to go home, take care of my health, and get a good night's sleep."

Zhang Huaimin had also left, leaving Lü Huiqing as the only one Shen Kuo could vent his anger on. But just as he pointed his finger at him, he heard:

"I apologize, Brother Shen. Just now, a servant came from home and said that my mother wants me to come home for dinner."

With that, Lü Huiqing bowed to the two of them and turned to leave. Shen Kuo then turned back, but Wang Qian still had that gentle smile on her face, so he couldn't let his emotions outburst again.

In the end, he just sighed and said, "I'm sorry, Madam Wang."

Wang smiled and shook her head, saying, "It's alright. It's fine for friends to be a little close, as long as it's not excessive."

"It's getting late, Mr. Shen, please come with me."

Shen Kuo wanted to refuse, but Wang Qian was smiling, making it difficult to refuse. However, upon hearing a burst of laughter from outside, he completely lost his composure.

He wanted to refuse, but then he saw her pleading look on her face, so he had no choice but to give up and go with her.

......

Han Zhi returned home to find Su Zhen waiting anxiously at the door. As soon as he got out of the carriage, Su Zhen approached him with concern and asked, "Why are you so late, my lord? Did something happen?"

Upon hearing this question, Han Zhi almost laughed. He first took out the large meat bun from his pocket, then bit off a piece of the bun skin and presented the meat filling to Su Zhen.

"Does Eighth Sister still remember Lady Wang, whom we met during our day off?"

Su Zhen ate her meat bun with satisfaction in her eyes, then nodded. Han Zhi then told Su Zhen everything that had happened that day, which made her laugh.

But as his wife, she still needed to scold him from time to time: "How could you do this, my lord? No matter how you try to reason with him, Mr. Shen and you are friends. If you tease him like this, he might get angry."

Han Zhi smiled and said, "Why would he be angry? In a while, he'll probably thank us."

Su Zhen smiled and scolded, "My lord is shameless, daring to say such things."