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

Seeing that Han Zhi and Shen Kuo were still chatting, Wang Qian assumed that Han Zhi was scolding Shen Kuo and asked with some concern, "Madam Su, is Master Han really angry?"

"It was all...it was all my fault for sneaking out with Master Shen. It's not Master Shen's fault."

She looked very worried, the silk handkerchief in her hands was crumpled from twisting it. Seeing her like this, Su Zhen smiled and said:

"Madam Wang, there's no need to worry. I've already said they weren't arguing. If you don't trust my husband, don't you trust me too?"

Wang Qian kept watching until Han Zhi and Shen Kuo turned around, only then did she breathe a sigh of relief. But when she saw Han Zhi pulling Shen Kuo aside and whispering something, she tensed up again.

But after he finished speaking, their expressions suddenly turned serious. Then Han Zhi led Shen Kuo to the door and saw him off.

Wang Qian then stepped forward and said, "I'm sorry, Master Han, it's...it's my fault. I asked Master Shen to take me out to play. Please don't blame him, Master Han."

"If...if you are really angry, you can send me home. Don't take it out on Master Shen."

Han Zhi found it somewhat amusing and asked, "What is Madam Wang doing? Brother Shen and I are brothers, why would I take my anger out on him?"

Wang Qian paused for a moment, then said, "Just now, the way Han Guanren and Shen Guanren looked..."

Recalling what Shen Kuo had just said, his eyes dimmed slightly. But he quickly recovered and said, "It's nothing, I was just worried that your body couldn't handle it. Don't worry."

"Really?" Wang Qian was somewhat incredulous. At this moment, Su Zhen also came up and said to Wang Qian with a smile:

“Madam Wang, there’s no need to worry. If you don’t trust my husband, you can trust me. He definitely didn’t quarrel with Mr. Shen.”

Wang Qian nodded with some doubt and said, "I'm sorry for causing trouble for Mr. Han and Mrs. Su today."

"It's alright, it's alright, you should go back and rest first," Su Zhen said softly to Wang Qian.

Wang Qian nodded and left. Su Zhen watched her leave, then went to Han Zhi's side and asked, "My lord, what did you and Young Master Shen say just now?"

Han Zhi sighed and pulled her towards the room: "He's leaving, right after the winter solstice."

"Leave?" Su Zhen asked, somewhat puzzled. "Where is Young Master Shen going?"

"I don't know, it seems like they're going to... Mingzhou," Han Zhi said.

Su Zhen was puzzled: "Why? The imperial examinations are next year. If Young Master Shen leaves, how will he participate?"

Han Zhi shook his head and said, "I don't know either, it will probably be delayed for a few years."

"Then... what about Madam Wang?" Su Zhen asked worriedly. "If Young Master Shen leaves, I'm afraid Madam Wang won't be able to find a good confidant."

Han Zhi gently squeezed her hand and said, "Don't worry, I just confirmed his feelings."

"What did Young Master Shen say?"

"We're preparing to propose marriage," Han Zhi laughed, "just like Ba Niang and I were back then."

Su Zhen blinked and said, "Does my husband mean that Young Master Shen wants to propose marriage, then marry Lady Wang within a few days, and then take her to Mingzhou?"

"I don't know, but given Madam Wang's physical condition, it might be a bit difficult." Han Zhi led her into the room.

Upon hearing this, Su Zhen frowned slightly, a look of worry appearing on her face: "Then what should we do? Madam Wang's health is already weak, and this haste will probably be an even greater test for her."

Han Zhi gently patted Su Zhen's back and comforted him, "Don't worry too much. I will talk to Brother Shen again to see if we can find a solution that satisfies both sides."

Su Zhen nodded: "My lord, why don't we help them? It's fate that we've known Lady Wang for a while, and we all know that she and Gentleman Shen are in love. How can we just stand by and do nothing?"

Han Zhi smiled slightly and said, "I am of one mind with you, just leave it to me."

......

The next day, Shen Kuo arrived very early. Seeing that Su Zhen was still washing up, he led Shen Kuo to the study.

"How did it go, Brother Shen? Did you reach an agreement?" Han Zhi asked.

Shen Kuo then said, "Brother Han, we forgot something..."

"What's wrong?" Han Zhi was taken aback.

“Madam Wang is still at your home, so we can’t propose marriage there,” Shen Kuo said. “The proposal should be made at Doctor Wang’s house, not yours.”

"Is it absolutely necessary to go to Mingzhou this time?" Han Zhi asked.

Shen Kuo gave a wry smile and said, "Brother Han, to be honest, my father is going to Mingzhou to take up the post of prefect. I originally wanted to wait until after the spring imperial examination, but I recently received an imperial decree and have to set off soon."

Upon hearing this, Han Zhi said, "Brother Shen, I understand your difficulties, but what are your plans for Lady Wang? She is in poor health and not suited for a long journey."

"I don't know," Shen Kuo shook his head.

After washing up, Su Zhen went to find Wang Qian. Wang Qian was sitting alone in her room, looking somewhat forlorn. Seeing Su Zhen enter, she forced a smile.

"Lady Su, what brings you here?"

Su Zhen sat down beside her and asked softly, "Madam Wang, are you still worried about Master Shen's matter?"

Wang Qian quickly shook her head and said, "No, I am..."

Su Zhen smiled and said, "I know all that. I was just like you back then."

"Like me?" Wang Qian was somewhat puzzled.

Su Zhen said, "When my husband and I first met, I looked just like you, completely lost and disoriented, for some reason."

Wang Qian blinked and said, "You all know my heart and soul, and I'm afraid only Lady Su can be like me. But Lady Su is better off than me, having such a perfect husband."

"I do not yet know, does Master Shen understand?"

Su Zhen glanced outside and whispered, "Young Master Shen is also attracted to Lady Wang."

Wang Qian was startled and asked, "This... really?"

"It's true, of course. Just now, Young Master Shen also came and was talking to my husband." Su Zhen nodded with a smile and said, "Madam Wang, why don't you guess what my husband and Young Master Shen were talking about?"

Wang Qian frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and said, "The thoughts of officials are always fickle and unpredictable. How could I possibly know?"

"It's not difficult, it only takes two words—propose marriage!"

Wang Qian was stunned, momentarily speechless, and asked, "Madam Su, please don't tease me, this..."

"It's true, why would I lie to you?"

Wang Qian was somewhat flustered at this moment: "But... I'm afraid my health will be a burden to Master Shen. Moreover, he has no merit or fame, only family wealth, and I'm afraid my master will not agree to it."

"Don't worry, don't worry, he'll definitely find a way," Su Zhen reassured her.