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

......

After touring the Xiangguo Temple, aside from the bronze bell which piqued her interest, the pervasive scent of incense filled the entire temple. Already suffering from a lung ailment, the smell of incense made her want to cough again.

Seeing that Wang Qian was coughing incessantly, Shen Kuo gave up the idea of ​​continuing to examine her closely and left with her.

After leaving the Daxiangguo Temple, Wang Qian couldn't stop coughing and covered her mouth and nose with a silk handkerchief. Her steps were somewhat weak, and she occasionally staggered slightly due to coughing. With each cough, her brows would involuntarily furrow slightly, and a trace of pain would flash in her eyes.

After coughing, as usual, I looked at the handkerchief, but in the end I could only sigh softly and then put it in my sleeve.

The off-white veil she wore gently covered her hair and forehead, swaying lightly with her steps. Sometimes it brushed against her cheeks, sometimes it drifted away with the wind, like the hem of a woman's skirt by the roadside.

Wang Qian lowered her head slightly, the hem of her veil gently brushing against her shoulder and rubbing against her clothes, making a soft and pleasant sound, adding to her elegance.

Shen Kuo would occasionally cast concerned glances at her, and through the gap in her veil, he could see her watery eyes. They seemed to shimmer, so beautiful, as if telling Shen Kuo that it was all an illusion.

Whenever the winter wind blows, her veil flutters gently, revealing her slightly pale cheeks and delicate features. Wang Qian's face is like a fleeting moment, briefly revealed before being covered again by that unromantic veil.

After a few more coughs, Shen Kuo became quite anxious and asked, "How is it, Madam Wang? If you're feeling unwell, let's go to the teahouse for some tea to warm ourselves up."

"I'm fine, Mr. Shen, there's no need to worry," Wang Qian said softly, her voice barely audible, with a few coughs mixed in.

Shen Kuo frowned, knowing Wang Qian's temperament; since she said she was fine, she certainly didn't want to trouble him further. However, her pale face and incessant cough were truly worrying.

“It’s almost noon now, let’s hurry back, or Brother Han will start nagging me,” Shen Kuo said.

Wang Qian nodded slightly, which was taken as agreement.

The two walked slowly forward when a sudden gust of cold wind blew by, and Wang Qian couldn't help but shiver. Seeing this, Shen Kuo quickly took off his cloak and gently draped it over her shoulders.

Wang Qian was slightly taken aback and wanted to decline, but Shen Kuo stopped her.

"Sir Shen, this is not appropriate. You will catch a cold."

“Madam Wang, there’s no need to worry. I’m strong and healthy, a little cold is nothing to me. But you are weak, so you must not catch a chill.” Shen Kuo’s tone left no room for argument.

But as soon as he finished speaking, he sneezed and his whole body shivered.

Seeing him like this, Wang Qian couldn't help but chuckle and said, "Sir Shen, please don't push yourself. We haven't been able to properly enjoy the Great Xiangguo Temple today, and we've troubled you to keep us company. If you catch a cold, it would be a loss."

"It's alright, it's alright. I often have minor ailments too, so Madam Wang doesn't need to worry." Shen Kuo waved his hand and said, "Let's hurry up and go."

Reaching the entrance of a relatively quiet alley, Wang Qian seemed to have finally caught her breath, and her steps gradually became steady. Just then, she saw a courtyard wall in front of her, and plum blossom branches suddenly sprang out from the wall, appearing before her eyes.

She slightly raised her head, her gaze passing through her veil to the plum blossom branch. It was winter, and the plum blossoms were in full bloom, their red petals standing out beautifully against the backdrop of the white snow.

"Shen, look! So beautiful." Wang Qian said softly, as if trying to change the subject and not wanting Shen Kuo to continue worrying about her health.

Shen Kuo also noticed the plum blossom branch and nodded in agreement, saying, "It is indeed beautiful. Why don't we go and ask the owner if we can go in and admire it?"

Wang Qian smiled gently and said, "Being able to see it so closely is enough. There are countless beautiful sights in the world, and it is already a rare privilege for me to see one."

After wandering around for a while, they arrived at a restaurant. Shen Kuo suddenly said, "Enough, enough, it's freezing cold. Madam Wang, why don't we rest here for a bit?"

"Shouldn't we go back first? Otherwise, Master Han will come looking for us," Wang Qian said.

"Never mind, let's eat first. We'll talk after we've eaten. We can also go inside and warm up." Without waiting for a reply, Shen Kuo led her inside.

As soon as he sat down, Shen Kuo started yawning. Wang Qian asked, "What's wrong, Master Shen? Did you not sleep well last night?"

"It's alright, it's alright." Shen Kuo shook his head, then handed the menu to Wang Qian, "Madam Wang, please order."

Wang Qian nodded and then began ordering. After ordering a few dishes, she wanted to hand the menu back to Shen Kuo, but he had already fallen asleep on the table.

Seeing this, Wang Qian felt a pang of heartache. She softly said to the waiter, "Excuse me, could you please provide me with a light blanket?"

The waiter nodded in agreement and quickly brought a clean, thin blanket. Wang Qian took the blanket and gently covered Shen Kuo with it. She carefully smoothed out every wrinkle to ensure Shen Kuo could rest comfortably.

Then, she sat quietly to the side, her eyes fixed on the sleeping Shen Kuo. As if she couldn't see him clearly enough, she lifted her veil, revealing her clear, watery eyes looking at him.

After a while, all the dishes were served, and Wang Qian gently shook Shen Kuo. After a few moments, he finally woke up slowly. He rubbed his eyes and saw Wang Qian gazing at him tenderly, apologetic smile on her face.

"Madam Wang, I'm so sorry, I actually fell asleep."

Wang Qian gently shook her head and said tenderly, "It's alright, Master Shen. You must have stayed up all night writing that book and got too tired. Thank you so much for accompanying me to visit the Xiangguo Temple today."

Upon hearing this, Shen Kuo scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly and said, "Madam Wang, please don't say that."

"Eat quickly, don't waste time here."

......

Shen Kuo brought Wang Qian back to the Marquis of Fuping's residence, just as Han Zhi and Su Zhen came out. They were stunned when they saw Wang Qian wearing a veil.

"Good good..."

Han Zhi then stepped forward with a murderous look, grabbed Shen Kuo by the shoulder, and pulled him aside. His fierce expression startled Wang Qian.

"Lord Han!"

But Han Zhi acted as if he hadn't heard, and led Shen Kuo aside, saying, "Speak."

"What did you say?" Shen Kuo asked, puzzled.

"You two, a man and a woman alone, have been gone for so long, and nothing's happened?" Han Zhi said.

"No."

Han Zhi was speechless for a moment, then said, "This is boring..."

Su Zhen walked to Wang Qian's side and said softly with a smile, "Don't be afraid, Madam Wang. My husband is just like this."

Wang Qian nodded slightly, but her gaze still couldn't help but drift towards Shen Kuo, showing some concern.

Han Zhi poked Shen Kuo's forehead with exasperation, "How can you be so dense? Lady Wang has feelings for you, don't you feel anything at all?"

Shen Kuo blushed and stammered, "I..."

Han Zhi rolled his eyes. "If you keep being this slow, you'll regret it later. There's no wine for you to drink at my house!"